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Post by gengrant on Feb 6, 2008 0:16:31 GMT -5
Sam listened as Lt. Samek went through the information he had tabulated, his eyes aghast with the information. “A Planet Killer…” he said softly. He figured it would be bad, but he didn’t think it would be a total loss. Sam looked down at the table for a moment, the catastrophe weighing heavily on him, as Lt. Hound spoke, he then looked at him.
“I don’t think Species 8472 would be very happy if we did that, and they aren’t exactly a group of beings I think we should anger…” A hint of a smile crossing his face, as he added a little humor to a very serious statement. He then looked back at Lt. Hound and shook his head “Now wait a minute, I didn’t say ‘let them die’, I was pointing out a very important piece of information that was being overlooked. The Prime Directive may be Starfleet’s ‘Rule #1’; but it isn’t an absolute.” Sam tapped the table with his index finger a few times “There have been many occasions where it has been bent or broken entirely, and after review by Starfleet Headquarters, determined the right course of action.”
Captain Harsting did point out a part of the Prime Directive that he tended to forget “Well now that just makes it even harder… Now I remember why I initially took the gold uniform instead of the red…” Smiling again, trying to lighten the mood. “But maybe that in itself is open to interpretation. It would be one thing to offer weapons, or protection there from, or saving them from a self inflicted disaster, but this is completely out of their control. We might be able to save them without ‘technically’ violating the anything.” he leaned back in his chair “The other reason I brought up the Prime Directive, aside from it being the responsibility of a senior officer, is that if we were to do this, we all need to be on the same page…”
With Lt. Grabfoot’s quick quip, Sam looked over at him “We’re here discussing it because that is what we do before making a final decision Mr. Grabfoot. Nothing is an absolute in the universe; not even orders…” looking back at Jim “…sometimes…” he added with a hint of a humorous jab. “These are the tough calls that come with being in Starfleet, often the most difficult ones we can make wearing this uniform. It is never easy, but it is our duty.”
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Post by Capt Jim Harsting (Ret) on Feb 6, 2008 8:33:25 GMT -5
He looked at Captain Harsting taking in what he said, a look of displeasure on his face as he discussed the fate of a world on the brink of extinction. It did not leave him with a good feeling. Course, hardly anything does these days. His qhiskers quivered in thought about what Harsting said, then thought about what he was to respond with. Finally making up his mind, his look of displeasure faded, replaced with a cool look of indifferance "Then why are we in here to discuss what we are to do then if the Prime Directive has already decided for us? If Fate has decided those people should die, then who are we to say otherwise. We should continue on with our curent mission instead of diverting to try and save a doomed planet"His eyes remained locked with Harsting's, to guage his reaction, his ears open to the rest of the room to hear other reactions to his comment Sam listened as Lt. Samek went through the information he had tabulated, his eyes aghast with the information. “ A Planet Killer…” he said softly. He figured it would be bad, but he didn’t think it would be a total loss. Sam looked down at the table for a moment, the catastrophe weighing heavily on him, as Lt. Hound spoke, he then looked at him. “ I don’t think Species 8472 would be very happy if we did that, and they aren’t exactly a group of beings I think we should anger…” A hint of a smile crossing his face, as he added a little humor to a very serious statement. He then looked back at Lt. Hound and shook his head “ Now wait a minute, I didn’t say ‘let them die’, I was pointing out a very important piece of information that was being overlooked. The Prime Directive may be Starfleet’s ‘Rule #1’; but it isn’t an absolute.” Sam tapped the table with his index finger a few times “ There have been many occasions where it has been bent or broken entirely, and after review by Starfleet Headquarters, determined the right course of action.” Captain Harsting did point out a part of the Prime Directive that he tended to forget “ Well now that just makes it even harder… Now I remember why I initially took the gold uniform instead of the red…” Smiling again, trying to lighten the mood. “ But maybe that in itself is open to interpretation. It would be one thing to offer weapons, or protection there from, or saving them from a self inflicted disaster, but this is completely out of their control. We might be able to save them without ‘technically’ violating the anything.” he leaned back in his chair “ The other reason I brought up the Prime Directive, aside from it being the responsibility of a senior officer, is that if we were to do this, we all need to be on the same page…” With Lt. Grabfoot’s quick quip, Sam looked over at him “ We’re here discussing it because that is what we do before making a final decision Mr. Grabfoot. Nothing is an absolute in the universe; not even orders…” looking back at Jim “ …sometimes…” he added with a hint of a humorous jab. “ These are the tough calls that come with being in Starfleet, often the most difficult ones we can make wearing this uniform. It is never easy, but it is our duty.” Jim watched Grabfoot as he talked, a fairly neutral face regarding this situation. "Yes, you are right, the Prime Directive has already chosen for us. However, it does not preclude us of getting a closer look of their planet, map, and take orbital holo from orbit, so they will not be forgotten. I see this fulfilling our duty to Starfleet as Explorers, as well as an ethical right to not let those people die without being remembered. It's the least we can do for them instead of turning our backs in their final hours, whether they know about us or not. "He then looked to the others, and nodded a bit. "Regarding other points after we move on from Zeta Raphadon Beta 4, there is no plans to really explore each system. We'll record Probe Data and transfer it to Starfleet once we return. And the final leg of this mission involves the guests we have aboard. We will be assisting in the initial planners for a new colony on Indri Omega 3. There is more information about the colony on your PADD's before you. Are there any thoughts or questions about the stages of our mission?" |
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Post by Lt Buford B. Hound on Feb 6, 2008 12:28:20 GMT -5
Buford Listens and when the Captain is done "No Questions Sir" he replies
Buford sits saying nothing more but is displeased the Federation will not help
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Post by gengrant on Feb 7, 2008 0:16:51 GMT -5
Sam new that CO tone; discussion over.
Sam may have found that he didn’t always agree with orders he was given, but unless they were an unlawful order, orders were orders. Sam tugged on his tunic and scrolled through the PADD a bit.
“Do we know anymore about the Klingon’s thoughts about us creating a colony almost behind them? Granted it’s still 12 light years away from their border, and in ‘neutral’ space, but still they can be very territorial at times.” He inquired as he looked at Captain Harsting, allowing him to answer.
“Do we know of any ‘hostile’ races in the area? I know we brought along 1,000 colonists, including Starfleet personnel and 3 companies of Marines, but we can’t exactly reinforce them at that distance.” pausing momentarily “Pardon the pun, but don’t you think we’re ‘stretching’ ourselves a bit here with this colony?”
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Post by Dr Colina MacAuley on Feb 7, 2008 0:19:53 GMT -5
Once again she finds herself at odds with a directive, that once stated becomes cast in stone. The best that can be done is to map their world, take scans, an orbital holo. And this is not turning your backs, then for the love of God what is it?
She knew she could never be command because of this. And that was fine. She sat with her arms folded, and said nothing.
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Post by Capt Jim Harsting (Ret) on Feb 7, 2008 4:19:26 GMT -5
Jim looked to Sam. "There are parts of the diplomatic negotiations regarding this settlement that allows the Federation to call on the Klingons. First and foremost, though we are funding the initial building of this colony, it will remain neutral. In addition, the Klingons will be permitted to place a science station within the system at anytime, as will we. Finally, since will this soon to be Sovereign System after it is completed, and will not have a defense at all, the Federation and Klingons jointly are working out a protection agreement in order to make the place a neutral trading hub going off in that direction of the galaxy. We will leave sans the scientific mission when the colony has established it's own defensive parameter."
"There are multiple races that I don't have much information on that we will be establishing trade routes with. Some of them, I know, are in dire need of dilithium and various materials we have in abundance in the Federation, due to the placement and mass of those items in this region of the galaxy. The Klingons have more information on these races, and they all seem to be non-confrontational. However, the Terrasect will be there for defense for approximately 2 weeks until some Klingon Cruiser reinforcments arrive."
He nodded to Sam. "Does that answer your question fully, Commander?" He asked, wanting to make sure he had all of the bases covered regarding that.
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Post by gengrant on Feb 7, 2008 4:35:34 GMT -5
“I guess that would be a very important detail in the whole ordeal.” Sam replied, indirectly acknowledging he missed the neutrality in the report; he figured it was do to his fatigue. “The Federation funding a new and independent state, err, colony. Excuse me while I transitioned back to my 20th/21st Century History specialty…” Sam laughed a little at himself “It reminds me of when a small island off the coast of The People’s Republic of China, now known as simply China, declared independence. The former United States of American rallied to the call of her aid and supplied military weaponry, defense pacts and other desperately needed material to help them with their sovereignty.”
Sam cleared his throat, “Should push come to shove, at least the Klingon’s will be able to lend immediate support.” At the mention of the Klingon ships being sent in a few weeks for protection, Sam did feel better “Actually, knowing there will be a couple ships able to defend the colony, at least in the beginning as it’s neutral, is good news.”
Replying back to the Captain “Yes, it does.” Sam nodded as he spoke.
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Post by Capt Grab Foot Of~Two Dawns on Feb 7, 2008 9:23:44 GMT -5
Still looking at Harsting, he thought about asking why divert from our mission to just go take pictures and sensor readings of a people and planet that's about to die and who would remember them but then he got the impression Harsting has just dismissed them as easily as he dismissed the heated discussion he had with Major Kinsely
He shook his head a bit, thinking it didn't make sense. Course, most of the actions and thinking of humans didn't make sense to him. Calling a meeting to discuss the fate of a doomed planet when the decision has already been made to not help them, due to this Prime Directive. His whiskers twitched in annoyance as he thought of that. Too many rules. His world didn't have such silly and complicated rules.
he casually glances over to Doctor MacAuley. Seeing the look on her face, he could tell she was not happy either
He then turns his attention back to Harsting and Grant as they discuss the Colonial part of the mission
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Post by Lt Buford B. Hound on Feb 7, 2008 12:58:26 GMT -5
Buford laughs in a a combined laugh and growl as he listens"Prime Directive includes us not interfering in the natural evolution of this planet. That includes the extinction of the planet" he says
"What do you call puting a Colony on a planet, your interfering in the natural evolution of the planet" Buford says "So its OK to take over a planet put not save one" he adds
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Post by gengrant on Feb 7, 2008 22:45:22 GMT -5
Sam looked back at Lt. Hound, slightly irritated at the tone he seemed to be using, but Sam just replied as orderly as he would any other time. “Now that would be taking the Prime Directive literally and unnecessarily.” Sam turned in his chair a bit “Remember your Federation Iteration class back at the academy where the Prime Directive is the focus of the 20 week course. As odd as it sounds, the difference is because of the ‘people’. The Prime Directive doesn’t speak of interfering with a planet specifically; it speaks of the civilization that inhabits it. Where as we would be violating the Prime Directive by acting in regards to the population, there is no such concern with the other planet as it is uninhabited and in neutral space.” he paused a moment
“That being said, if we were to find sentient life there; we wouldn’t be colonizing it and would move on. Federation Law may be complicated sometimes and strict, but we’re not conquering barbarians you know.” Sam finished with a smile. He thought of interjecting a comparison to other races, but didn’t want to pick any fights among new/current allies.
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Post by Lt Buford B. Hound on Feb 7, 2008 23:58:23 GMT -5
"yes that is true" he says "but if the race had warp we would help them, thats interfering we help race who should be able to help them selfs and let ones who can't die" he says calmly
"I will do as we are told, I don't have to like it, and I do have the right to voice my opinion on it, which I have done" Buford says
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Post by Capt Jim Harsting (Ret) on Feb 8, 2008 3:08:20 GMT -5
Jim nodded slightly, understanding Mr. Hound's arguement. "Believe me. I'm not as cold as I may seem in times like this. The Prime Directive is at time controversial, and at times I do not agree with it. However, it was designed for multiple reasons. The first and foremost is changing the natural evolution of a people. If we enacted First Contact with many races, we could destroy the culture of that planet that may have evolved over time. However, who knows, if we save these people, they may eventually turn into another Borg or Dominion, or they may one day join the Federation. That is for fate to decide, not us. We are not Gods, no matter how much technology we develop. It's not our job to attempt to save every single planet in the galaxy, nor pick and choose who can live and who can die."
Jim sighed for just a moment, and began again. "Warp isn't the only neccessity for First Contact. They have to know of, well, to them, alien existance. That is first and foremost. If we get there, and they can communicate with us, and know we are there, then I would be more than willing to assist us if they so request it."
Jim then glanced around to Grabfoot, the doctor, and the rest of them. "Say we did try to divert this astroid, that would be a very different set of evolution for the life on this planet. Who knows, we could fail, and the astroid still hit the planet, however, this industrialized civilization won't be able to support themselves, so billions die anyway. They are put back into a stone age, and the culture eventually bounces back to create the technology for space travel. In the long term, one little action now can completely reshape not only their culture, but how they interact among other races that will visit or colonize this region of space. Or if we do divert the astroid, it could later impact another planet that would have thrived otherwise if we hadn't gotten involved here. We can't foresee the long-term change we'll make. So we must adhere to the Prime Directive."
"Once we return to the bridge, Mr. Hound, modify the course to go to Zeta Raphadon Beta 4, and increase velocity to Transwarp 18. Any questions?"
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Post by gengrant on Feb 8, 2008 5:08:33 GMT -5
Sam looked around the table, then nodded to Captain Harsting "No sir." Sam waited for the meeting to be adjurned, as he figured they were about done.
He did remind himself that he did have to meet up with Ann afterwards; he made a mental note.
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Post by Dr Colina MacAuley on Feb 8, 2008 19:54:48 GMT -5
When the Captian asked if there were any questions, she knew it was time to remain silent. His mind made up, and his plan to ensure they are always remember were in place.
She looked at him and shook her head. "None here Sir."
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Post by Lt Buford B. Hound on Feb 8, 2008 23:39:38 GMT -5
"No Questions Sir, and Aye Sir" Buford Says as he waits to for the meeting to be dismissed
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