Face To Face To All Three.

Posted on Fri May 2nd, 2025 @ 1:53am by Admiral S'iraa

1,819 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Let That Be Your Last
Location: Entering Sidona Ocularis System
Timeline: Current

The Dreadnought exited warp at the very edge of the system drawing a close to a multi-day trip. It's arrival was hardly missed as orbital satellites and relays detected the massive vessel and its warp signature from some distance away. Waiting for them were 3 ships of cruiser size, one from each of the factions on the planet. One was unmanned and purely automated, one was heavily armed while the last bore considerable technological systems. It wasn't hard to piece together to which faction these ships belonged to.

"Admiral, 3 ships are closing."

That perked the Caitian's attention. "Report." He shifted in the centre chair observing the holographic viewscreen that showed the trio of ships bearing down on the Dreadnought. While he didn't consider any of them a threat, he knew that first contact was the most difficult, especially if he was the one trying to mediate a peace between already strained factions. "Open a channel." S'iraa spoke as he stood up.

"This is Admiral S'iraa of the Federation starship Dreadnought, we have come at the request of King Zwon'taa to mediate peace between the factions of Sidona Ocularis."

No response.

"I am requesting permission to enter the system and orbit of Sidona Ocularis Prime to facilitate this." S'iraa continued.

A few moments later a message came through, not verbally, but a data signal. "Admiral, we have been sent a flight plan and orbital position."

"Thank you." S'iraa spoke. "Close channel, Helm plot a course exactly along that route. ETA?"

"17 minutes at three quarter impulse power."

"Engage." S'iraa spoke.

S'iraa knew that every action was being monitored, the ship was been scanned, everything that could look at the ship was pointed its way for a deep and detailed review. That is why S'iraa had all external hanger doors closed so that not every secret would be gleamed. 17 minutes though felt much longer as he sat in the chair, usually given his rank and position he was the one doing the observing, now it was him and he had to make sure all his sensors and actions reflected that he did nothing wrong and complied with the information he was sent.

"Admiral. We have arrived at the designated location. 3 axis alignment confirmed."

"Very well." The Dreadnought was now exactly where they were told to be, the point itself was almost at the heart of the ship S'iraa wanted to be that accurate over it. S'iraa had a channel opened. "This is Admiral S'iraa of the Dreadnought, we have arrived at the designated location, I am requesting permission to transit down to the Tri Nation Chambers of Deliberations."

"Another signal Admiral. You have clearance to beam down, I have exact coordinates." The Operations Officer spoke.

The channel closed. "Assessment." S'iraa spoke.

"Main complex grounds, ground level. I'm detecting life signs and similar technology of the ship in that area. My assessment is it's the King's guest arrival section."

Which stood to reason as S'iraa was here at the Kings request. "Very well." S'iraa turned to his First Officer. "The ship is yours, keep all sensors running, record everything. If something goes wrong I want it clear we were not the ones that caused it. Have fighter wings 1 through 6 on standby but do not open outer hanger doors. Prepare the Defiants also but doors closed." S'iraa didn't want to tip a hand but he also didn't want to be caught unprepared in the middle of a tense situation should it erupt on him. He expected the Commander to put up a fight about going down alone, but in a situation like this and the information provided to her anyone would understand that an escort was out of the question, especially in an area where neutrality was so strictly enforced. S'iraa then left the Bridge leaving the ship via a transporter room armed with only a Padd, and the information he'd read and absorbed on the trip here.

Tri Nation Chambers of Deliberations.

S'iraa arrived in the guest area to find it decorated in ornate writings, statues and drawings. The room held a rustic brown tint to it, like aged stone, akin to a building of old earth history. He noticed an individual slowly walk towards him, the slowness was not deliberate though as it seemed its was natural for them. The almost bone white exterior plates, the jet back eyes and lipless mouth, what seemed to be muscular bundles lined the neck stood out clearly to him as the Caitian observed this individual approach him. Carried in its arms was a case, open lined in red fabric. It appeared to be a sort of broach small, silver in colour with a grey trim. It touched the centre seam of it, and a small light appeared that appeared it was active.

"This, will allow communication to all." The individual spoke, demonstrating it since the universal translator struggled with some of the words. Considering where he'd be for a while it seemed proper to accept the device and turn off his own UT from his comm badge. Taking the device, he placed it next to his comm badge. "Thank you."

"Follow." The individual spoke, the request wasn't rude, almost breathless even as if speaking it required a deep breath.

The pace was slow but it gave S'iraa to take in the details around the room. The area was very functional in its design, everything seemed to be in a designated place, the doors opening a little later then he was used to would take a little getting attuned to in light of the user moving slower than his normal pace. They enter what appeared to be a turbolift, only it was in fact a transporter that upon the press of a floor, would ferry them to it.

The doors opened to an area outside the main chamber room. "Enter."

S'iraa stepped off the pad and the doors closed behind him taking his escort away. He took a breath and a once over of his unform, then stepped in. The doors opened to the main chamber room where the was perfectly triangle in shape, everything in the room had three edges from the tables, windows and chairs. Standing behind each table was a representative of the three factions of the planet. The King was already facing S'iraa since he was a guest of the King's. The king spoke greeted him.

"Your Highness." S'iraa spoke coming to a pause and a respectful bow, he brushed off the butchering of his name. "I thank you for the invitation and opportunity to assist." S'iraa could see the other delegates standing close by to greet him.

"Chancellor Vixothor" One greeted. S'iraa was a little taken aback by the Chancellor. S'iraa was not short by most standards but the Chancellor held several inches over him.

"Chancellor." He greeted.

"Minister Ith'ix." The last delegate introduced.

S'iraa had to resist the instinctual urge to bow, doing so could appear he was subservient to her, which in this instance and given his mission he had to stay neutral. "Minister." When greetings were concluded, the three went back to their respective tables. S'iraa walked to the centre of the room and started speaking.

"Thank you for having me. I'm honoured to be able to assist how I can to usher in a true and lasting peace between your peoples. I wont claim to understand your planets past, I know you all have a history between each other that left its mark on your world. I'm not asking you to forget or forgive, on my world the cast system is very strict and wrongdoings are never forgotten because they are literally, etched in stone at the council chambers. What I am asking, is that you give a lasting peace a chance and through it, the possibility for trade, growth, development and turn this world into a thriving hive of development and cultural understanding. As an outsider, I'm not here to pick sides, gain favour or manipulate. My goal is to remain neutral but be a listening ear and a proposing suggestive counter to maybe shed light on something in a different perspective."

"Admiral." Minister Ith'ix spoke. "If you are to speak with us about peace, we would first know more about the person we are speaking with."

"A fair and reasonable question Minister." S'iraa replied. "My name is S'iraa, my kind only has one name. My Homeworld is called Cait, we are a race of predators by nature but through culture we have evolved into more. We have a caste system of warriors like myself, builders, scientists, the leadership caste, religious caste even elected individuals. I was trained at a young age for the military later joining it as part of our mandatory service requirements. When that was concluded I joined Starfleet, one of the few Caitians each solar year to do so. I took interest in law, earning a position in what we call the Judge Advocate General, the legal branch of Starfleet. After many years of service there I was assigned command of a starship, like the one in orbit now." S'iraa explained.

"It seems that you are trained well in combat and fighting, how do you plan to encourage peace?" Minister Ith'ix asked.

"Being prepared for combat is something all cultures should do if they value what they have, if it's something worth protecting. If you don't someone else will take it from you seeing your lack of preparation as an invitation for an easy taking. Just because I am a predator by race, and trained in combat does not mean I seek it, I am prepared for it if I have to face it but I am capable of using words, experiences, understanding to help guide the situation along a different path." S'iraa responded, hoping he satisfied Minister Ith'ix.

Next was Chancellor Vixothor to speak up. "What benefit does Starfleet seek to gain in this mediation?"

"Nothing at all." S'iraa replied. "I am here as a guest of the King. I understand the role I must play but I will, upon request of any of you, leave this world and depart the system. Starfleet is not seeking to exploit, or sway your political, cultural or racial beliefs in any way. Starfleet wants peace, for everyone, and I'm here to hopefully get you all there."

Silence returned to the room as his words were considered. "I understand that your three races have a history, a violent one at that. I understand that there will be.... reservations and doubts, and that is not a negative thing but a cautious one, what would be though is allowing that to tear down a noble idea, one that could mutually be beneficial to everyone, equally."

"I accept the Admiral." Chancellor Vixothor spoke.

"Agreed." Minister Ith'ix added.

"We will recess; a room is prepared for you. We will summon you for the next session." King Zwon'taa spoke.

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