Prejudices (Part 2 of 2)

Posted on 20 Jun 2014 @ 5:05pm by Captain Jonathan Holliday & Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant Commander Dea Mialin & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Asahi Kita & Commander Norvi Stace & Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton & Lieutenant Commander Amynta Markos & Command Master Chief Markum Quinn & Chief Petty Officer Lyras Ueda & Lieutenant Min Zhao & Gul Verrok & Lieutenant JG Wakeham Paul Alasia Ph.D.
Edited on on 23 Jun 2014 @ 10:58pm

2,882 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 7, Observation Lounge
Timeline: MD 02 - 2145 hrs

Previously, on the Prejudices (Part 1)....

"That's an interesting perspective, Gul." Paul added from a few seats down. "In my studies, I came across a number of commentators - these are mostly Federation and Dominion scholars and military, so I'd be curious to hear your take - anyway, these commentators assert that even in a democracy, a starship captain is the closest thing there is to a true Emperor remaining in the Galaxy. While a captain is nominally constrained by dictates of his government, there are thousands of decisions made everyday, where the Captain chooses to enforce the rules he likes and ignore the rules he doesn't. Thousands of decisions everyday where the only governor on his actions are a crew who are trained and sworn to obey his every command without fail."

"So, I don't know." Paul thought out loud. "Is it your job to carry out even those orders you don't agree with, or do you get to exert your own judgment?"

"It's the job of every officer to follow their orders, not make them up as we go," Tratar interjected before Verrok could reply. "We are Cardassians and we're all instilled with the proper respect for authority as soon as we entered the military academy." He paused to take a few gulps of his wine and empty his glass before continuing.

And Now, the Conclusion...

[ON]

Paul raised his eyebrows and leaned forward, tickled and slightly bemused.

"We are all aware of your Federation concept of 'following orders'. Only when it suits you, yes? Like the great Starfleet hero James Kirk who violated protocol countless times and became an intergalactic renegade while almost starting a war with the Klingon Empire...simply because he didn't agree with his orders? Or your Captain Maxwell who violated Starfleet jurisdiction and destroyed an entire Cardassian outpost in the Cuellar system? Because he didn't agree with his orders?!" Tratar's voice was now becoming loud and reeked of anger.

"Or your Captain Ransom who kidnapped and slaughtered innocent beings in the Delta Quadrant...simply because he didn't agree with your Starfleet general orders??" he scoffed at the diplomat's question. "No, lieutenant, we are not like you. We are disciplined and we follow protocol. We have respect for our chain of command."

Scarlet watched him with interest. He was losing his cool. She pressed the napkin to the corner of her mouth before letting it rest in her lap as she sat back comfortably in her chair. "We have respect too," she said softly, but firmly. She couldn't help but feel a twang of her own anger at the audacity of a Cardassian ranting of the slaughter committed by Starfleet Captains when she'd seen with her own eyes just what kind of slaughter Cardassians were capable of. "We just recognise that a textbook can't take into account a million different little factors that might change a scenario..." she looked to Verrok, meeting his eyes. "There's been mistakes on all sides, such is the nature of people; human or Cardassians. The test is in moving forward rather than letting them scar."

"I will say, First Glinn" Paul added, "hearing all those incidents back-to-back does paint a certain picture of humans, doesn't it? Perhaps we could use a little more of your Cardassian hierarchical discipline. Tonight is certainly no exception. And maybe if, God forbid, your orders were ever again to subjugate some poor, bronze-age society and strip-mine their planet of dilithium and potable water -- perhaps you could embrace your inner human rogue and apply your own moral judgment - or your Gul's, or any at all." Paul glared at Tratar with no sign of humor. "Yes, indeed, First Glinn. I think there's much our people could learn from each other."

The silent Vulcan hybrid eyed the dinner party from his seat, glass in hand. Spending most of the night silent had proven to be enlightening, from both ends. Tensions were higher than he expected, which was unsurprising. What was surprising was Paul's comment. His brow rose ever so slightly, and he gave his purple-uniformed companion an odd, nondescript look of what could have either been surprise, alarm, or slight disappointment. Without any vocal acknowledgement, however, there was no way of telling what he was thinking.

Allyndra heard the comment and looked down the table from her seat. "Perhaps instead you should let the women run things. When one brings life into the world one is less eager to take it out."

Scarlet's face was still as she refilled her glass, but inwardly, she was becoming increasingly disappointed and angry with the displays of aggression from the Starfleet officers. She held her breath as she sipped her drink, keeping her eyes on the table. She had her own reasons for her dislike of their guests, and had she wanted them as guests? No...but that's what they were. Guests. And the majority of barbed comments, aggression and out right jibes were coming from their side of the table, not the Cardassians.

Scarlet glanced to Holliday. Frankly, she had it in mind to drag all of the present starfleet officer's arses into extra training and a day of barracking until they learnt that the uniform meant you bit your lip, behaved and sucked it up. Not poke the tiger then complain when it bit. "Equality between the genders is remarkably strong in Cardassians compared to many other cultures and their history," Scarlet said quietly, looking across to Gul Verrok. "I understand that Cardassian women are known for their scientific and engineering prowess."

Jonathan thanked whatever gods were watching for his first officer - at least she had managed to maintain her own sense of calm. Taking a sip from his glass to parch what felt like the desert in his throat, he chimed in to try and redirect the conversation.

"Indeed - I have made similar observations. Perhaps far more widely spread than the same positions on Earth over the centuries."

Lirha, meanwhile, was now on her fifth glass of wine and sat quietly in the corner fiddling with a piece of lint on the tablecloth while trying to zone out all of the nonsense going on around her. She thanked the spirits that on this evening she was no longer an official commanding officer, because as well as she knew John, he was probably close to ripping his hair out by now. She didn't envy him in the least, and was quite content to sit quietly and drink her way through the evening.

Feeling lightly sloshed with a faint drunken glaze in her light green eyes, she simply looked up and smiled politely at whoever might have caught her gaze before returning to her wine glass. Another bottle would definitely be in order soon, at this rate.

Verrok set his fork down after eating half the food on his plate then wiped his mouth with his napkin and dropped it back down into his lap. The subject of Cardassian women was interesting to him, specifically that several of the Federation members seemed to revere them. Or perhaps they were simply being polite.

"Yes, they are quite talented," he agreed with Holliday and Blake. "They have always dominated the S.T.E.M. fields in our empire, and their expertise is needed now moreso than ever considering the reconstruction still taking place on Cardassia Prime. Us men are really no more than simple warriors," he added, this time looking at Holliday with a keen smirk which betrayed his knowledge of the captain's Starfleet service record.

John's blood ran cold as he caught the Cardassian's gaze. It was apparent that the Gul knew far more about the Captain than he knew about the Gul - it was no secret that John was a combat orientated officer - but that knowledge should have been safely stowed within Starfleet, not flung to the outer reaches of the quadrant.

"We warriors have our place as well Gul Verrok - you and I have both seen our fair share of combat over the years - it is as much an art as music or sculpture. Nevertheless - we are here to serve, wouldn't you agree?"

"...Serve the Federation, you mean?" Tratar once again interrupted from the other end of the table as he took a healthy drink from his newly-refilled wine glass. "Don't lie, captain," he added after setting the glass back down. "That is why our treaty with the Federation has stipulations allowing you to build facilities and installations along our neutral zone, isn't it? To intimidate our people and stick your hands in our resources like here at Lyshan?"

"Perhaps," Allyndra spoke again. "To serve each other. Resources are a precious thing indeed, my own people learned that in our past to our regret. My people are not Federation and from my observation and dealings I will admit the Federation has its flaws, but it has its good side as well as I am sure the Cardassian Union does as well." She indicated her glass, tapped with one finger, "Then may I propose a toast to working with each others strengths and filling in each others weakness?"

Tratar eyed the winged Akkadian and her raised glass with a narrow and sullen gaze. "No...you are not from the Federation. I don't recognize your species," he said to Warraquim plainly enough in agreement of at least something. "And that is a good thing," he added then began to slowly shake his head. "They are nothing more than imperialistic criminals who play the righteous card...surely you can see that by now?"

"All justify a means to an end. None of us are without that sin, my people included. I still contend though we all have our nobler side. If it pleases, I would much like to know more about your culture not from books and recordings but from your own people."

"No!" came Tratar's resentful reply. "They claim they are a collection of sovereign worlds, but what sovereignty can a world have when it is being subjugated?! No I will not 'toast' to this redicul--"

"Tratar! Enough!" Verrok once again pounded his fist on the table inadvertently resulting in more clinking of cutlery and this time a spilled glass which tipped over and poured into Stace's lap all over her dress uniform. "Leave now and wait outside before you embarrass yourself further," he ordered in as firm a voice as had been heard this evening.

Stace instinctively pushed her chair back with the posterior of her knees as she rose jerkedly attempting to dodge the already spilt liquid. She then haphazardly (and futilely) brushed off the drink from her lap. As she now stood, embarrassment flushing her alabaster cheeks, she attempted to speak but a stammering hesitation. "It's... it's all right. Really. I'm fine." She grabbed her napkin that was still unfolded on the table to her right and began to dab her thighs.

The Cardassian tactical chief's open hands flew up into the air with confusion and scorn as he looked at his commanding officer. "I embarrass myself? But Verrok, these people embarrass us. And you indulge them!"

The Gul's eyes seemed to rage with a passionate disapproval for insubordination, and he slowly pointed his index finger at the first glinn. "Do not make me repeat my order..."

Tratar silently locked eyes with Verrok for an awkward and protracted moment before he grunted loudly and said something highly inappropriate in his native Cardassian language. Reaching down to his lap to pick up his napkin and rudely throw it down on the table onto Min's plate, he quickly rose to his feet and pushed back from the table before turning on his heels and storming out of the observation lounge and into the corridor.

Jacob could do nothing but shake his head and got up to offer Stace his napkin.

Stace quickly took it, replacing her own drenched one with Pendleton's. "Thanks," she said, brushing herself down again. "Can't take me anywhere, huh?" she joked, bringing her hands up to her reddened face to protect her modesty.

"Perhaps...our mutual parties may wish to retire from this evening's entertainment? There will be plenty of time for us to discuss our mutual cultures at a later date when emotions are a little less..frayed? Would you agree Gul Verrok?"

First his own CoB, now the Cardassian tactical chief - it seemed that anger was infectious this evening despite the better attempts of the seniormost men of both ships to appease the other. Perhaps it would be the best move to simply disband the gathering before it descended into an all our brawl and John was forced to commit an even more substantial diplomatic faux pas.

Contemplating the appropriateness of Holliday's suggestion, Verrok slowly looked around the table at all the assembled officers on both sides. His intuition told him the recent outbursts had degraded the amiable atmosphere in the room, and perhaps the Starfleet captain was correct in calling it quits. Tensions were already high between the two crews, and an incident aboard a Federation vessel was the last thing he wanted to have to report to Central Command. There were much more important matters at stake at Lyshan III.

"Perhaps you are right," Verrok agreed. "I suppose it is my turn to apologize for my officer's conduct. It has been a long day and perhaps some rest would be of benefit."

Stace nodded her acceptance and she made eye contact with Verrok, and managed a weak smile. "If you'll excuse me," she said, placing the second napkin on the table. "I'll need to go and change."

Jacob stayed standing, he whispered to Stace, "May I walk you back to your quarters Norvi?"

Stace managed looked up from the floor, her delicate, slender hand placed in the back of her chair, and gave Jacob a warm smile. "I'd like that," she replied quietly as she moved closer to him and took his arm. "Thank you, Jake."

'This is why I keep to Main Engineering.' Even the short-statured engineer could feel the second-hand embarrassment and annoyance. Ignorant as he was about Cardassians, the Federation, and the post-war dynamic, Asahi had managed to keep himself oblivious of the whole situation up until now. There was so much he had to learn as senior officer, even if he was only there temporarily. Keeping himself silent, he merely nodded politely, sipping at his beverage.

Stace looked to Asahi from over her shoulder and scrunched her nose up to him affectionately. He was a nice kid. Always something amusing and gentle to say. But she was glad to be leaving the dinner.

Scarlet set the napkin down, letting out a soft breath. She was pleased the night was coming to a close, but she was also unhappy with just how far out of control it had gotten. "Gul, when you're ready, I can show you to the transporter room."

"Yes. Of course," Verrok said to Blake while downing the last of the wine from his glass and looking around the table at his officers while they followed suit and rose to their feet. "For what it is worth, commander, we are thankful for your attempt at hospitality tonight."

Paul chimed in. "Gul, at some point these things can get so out of hand that no one can hope to control it." Paul was speaking as much to his command staff as their guests. "There is a term on earth: "steering into the skid." Sometimes, the only way to emerge unscathed from a moment of chaos is to submit to it - however briefly. In that regard, maybe tonight will be a cathartic experience for both sides."

"That people in this room lost their temper is probably not unexpected - our peoples have been so antagonistic to each other for so long. But -- my takeaway from tonight will be that there are men like you in positions of power in the Union. That gives me tremendous hope."

Yes...and one day we will soon put an end to this Federation tyranny and reclaim the territories you have taken from us, Verrok privately reminded himself while continuing the facade of pleasantries and smiling politely at the Alasia. "I have hope as well. For a better future for Cardassia."

[OFF]

--

CDRE Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

Gul Verrok
Commanding Officer
CDS Aldara
[PNPC - Saalm]

First Glinn Tratar
Chief Tactical Officer
CDS Aldara
[PNPC - Saalm]

Lt Cmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant JG Wakeham Paul Alasia
Diplomatic Officer
USS Galileo

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Asahi Kita
[Acting] Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

LT CMDR Dea Mialin
Chief Flight Control Officer/Second Officer
USS Galileo

LT Amynta Markos
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo

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