Episode 2.03: The Trill Question

[Davy, aka GM]

Voshen
Greetings are passed around, and the third aide in the group (a woman named Sholaan* Naske) is introduced, as well. They graciously accept Voshen's offer of assistance, and give him nameplates to put around the table (and a padd with the arrangements) - the nameplates include members of the Trill and Novan delegations, along with Tobin, Miguel, Chev, and himself. The navigator notices the placement of each attendee isn't haphazard, but follows some form of protocol for rank (ambassadors in the center, facing each other, with other senior diplomats flanking each, and the Starfleet personnel to one side - the seating to the opposite side is left unassigned, which the staff say are for aides like themselves - but is also where Tobin, Voshen, and the ambassadors will meet ahead of the first session).

Ord is very familiar with poker and is keen to get in a game. The others are less so, but are willing to learn.

* Sholaan is pronounced shoh-lay-ANN. -Ed.

Tobin
"What was the old quote? 'We fear what we cannot know, the uncertainty of the unfolding of events.'" Tobin recognizes this from one of their philosophy textbooks back in school - a quote by a founder of the Symbiosis Commission. "It was about accepting a future we can never truly see or predict - that the chaos of a billion souls acting independently makes any prediction suspect, and that we must let go of that fear of not knowing.

"I'm sorry for your friend, that he can't accept the private aspects of our culture," she adds. "I hope we can convince him that we are not an oppressive society - to the contrary, we've long been a strong meritocracy."

The legate smiles slightly. "Not that I have to prove that to you."

OOC: If you gents want to take your conversations further, let me know; otherwise, we'll get to the next scene.

[Renny]

OOC: Sorry, Davy. Been busy decorating the house. Apologies for the delay in response. Happy to move on to the next scene when ready.

[Davy, aka GM]

Cole & Chev
His briefing complete, Cole begins to assign team members to their stations. He next stops by the small Novan delegation meeting space and is invited in by the ambassador.

"Lt. Cole, I'm Davar Errickoa," the elder Novan greets, then introduces the other members of his team: Delegate Calixta Quesada Otero de Colinoro, and aides Anamaria de Brazanos and Zahra Nuralla. Errickoa is older - well into his 60s or 70s, with graying dark hair and a silver mustache and goatee - and he gives the impression of a man who has always succeeded in whatever he set his mind to; honestly, there's almost a royal air surrounding the man - and that his entire delegation is comprised of beautiful women just adds to it.

Nearby, Miguel smiles at the security officer's arrival.

"We were just talking strategy - discussing the fact that you and your crew have experience with a Trill among you," the ambassador continues, gesturing for Cole to join them at the conference table. "Tell me, what is your impression of Tobin Les and his performance on your ship?"

Tobin & Voshen
Ambassador Lasree Voliax arrives in due time. She stops short at the sight of the Zaranite, and a flash of...something...crosses her features for a brief moment before they shift to a bright smile, so genuine looking, one can't tell if it is sincere or practiced.

"A fresh voice from the outside, I see," she says, extending her hand in greeting. "I'm Ambassador Voliax. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant...?"

"Voshen, ma'am," the navigator replies.

"Thank you for answering Mr. Dax's call for assistance. This pre-conference session is important to us," the ambassador continues. Releasing his hand, her eyes scan the room behind Voshen. "I was told a Tobin Les was to be our primary liaison..."

She finds Tobin and Jeeri toward the back and gestures for them to come forward. "Mr. Les, I'm Ambassador Voliax. I look forward to finding out how your experience in Starfleet will help our homeworld's membership application. Mr. Dax speaks very highly of you and work you did for him at Starbase 24."

[Renny]

"We were just talking strategy - discussing the fact that you and your crew have experience with a Trill among you," the ambassador continues, gesturing for Cole to join them at the conference table. "Tell me, what is your impression of Tobin Les and his performance on your ship?"

"I'm pleased to meet you, sir", Cole replies before nodding respectfully at the rest of the ambassador's group in turn.

He considers carefully before replying to the ambassador's question.

"I've always found Commander Les to be an exceptional officer, sir."

[Nolmir]

"Mr. Les, I'm Ambassador Voliax. I look forward to finding out how your experience in Starfleet will help our homeworld's membership application. Mr. Dax speaks very highly of you and work you did for him at Starbase 24."

"Thank you, ma'am. That mission was a team effort, to be sure," Tobin replies. "As for the present circumstance, I and my crewmates are honored to be asked to help in such a historic endeavor. I'm sure we'll be able to show all concerned parties that Trill joining the Federation will be of universal benefit. Based on my experience in Starfleet, I believe Trill has much to offer the Federation, and vice versa."

[socrates200X]

The cold hands of Ambassador Voliax seemed to pass a chill into Voshen as she looked on him with an indecipherable expression before slipping into a cool, diplomatic mask.  As Voliax moved on to speak with Commander Les, Voshen quirked his mouth underneath his mask and considered what he saw...

Voshen's going to attempt to decipher that micro-expression.  What's up with that?  🤔  Maybe Insight + Command?

[Davy, aka GM]

OOC: Go for it. Difficulty 3, because she's an ambassador and just good at being unreadable, but I'll reduce it by 1 to Difficulty 2, because Voshen caught her off-guard. Cold Reading focus will be in play.

[socrates200X]

Voshen, already primed for distrust, does a vibe check on Ambassador Voliax. 

Insight (9) + Command (2), Difficulty 2, Cold Reading Focus

Adding 1 Threat to buy 1d20.  (Maybe the glance is overlong...)

Rolled 3d20 : 12, 11, 14, total 37

[Davy, aka GM]

Cole & Chev

He considers carefully before replying to the ambassador's question.

"I've always found Commander Les to be an exceptional officer, sir."

"That's it? Hardly a ringing endorsement," the ambassador chides. "We're talking about the people of a world that wants to join the Federation, Mr. Cole. Or, do you not know your science officer that well?"

Tobin & Voshen
OOC: Acknowledging purchase of 1 Threat to Create Opportunity.
Voshen 1 Success vs. Difficulty 2. Failure.

Current
Momentum - 0
Threat - 6
No Room for Tradition Complication (Voshen) - +1 Difficulty in all tasks involving interactions with Trill characters.

The ambassador is one cool cookie; whatever crosses her features for that brief moment is gone in an instant, long before the Zaranite can get an impression of what she was really feeling at that moment. Of course, it could also be simple surprise at his appearance...it happens sometimes.

OOC: Up to Voshen how suspicious he wants to be about her initial reaction.

"Thank you, ma'am. That mission was a team effort, to be sure," Tobin replies. "As for the present circumstance, I and my crewmates are honored to be asked to help in such a historic endeavor. I'm sure we'll be able to show all concerned parties that Trill joining the Federation will be of universal benefit. Based on my experience in Starfleet, I believe Trill has much to offer the Federation, and vice versa."

"A fellow optimist, then," she concludes. "Good. We've had our share of the opposite lately. I'm sure you understand our obstacles - resistance to the more private aspects of our culture. I want you both - " Voliax's gaze passes between Tobin and Voshen "- to tell me what you think about this. How do we convince the Novans that our privacy is no less important than the Vulcans or the Andorians. And, for Mr. Voshen specifically, what concerns you about the private aspects of our culture?"

[socrates200X]

The ambassador held his gaze with an innocent and curious expression, without malice.

"Well.  Speaking only for myself..."  Voshen took in a breath.  "I've flown many craft.  Federation, Zaranite, Vulcan and Andorian, too.  The dynamics involved are similar amongst them and yet each are unique, subtly different.  I fly each differently, in safe arenas and in ones more onerous.

"It seems to me that with the joining of Trill to the Federation, we are not speaking upon flying a borrowed craft so much as joining your nacelles to ours.  Without knowing their make, their form of propulsion, their vulnerabilities.  To fly true in peace and, forbid, in war.  To attach such a part to my ship, to place the safety of my crewmates on untested and unknown technologies, to not at least demand an answer of the creators?  It would be negligent.  It would undermine the trust my crew placed in me as their steward.  And that distrust would be deserved."

Voshen swallowed, having said more than his piece.  He felt the eyes of the delegation on him, his commander's most of all.  He bowed his head, draping a hand on his hearts in deference.  "Madam."

[Nolmir]

Tobin looks thoughtful as Voshen gives his answer, though the navigator's words cut with unexpected sharpness.

"I have to admit Voshen has a point, Ambassador," he says. "We're asking the Federation to trust us. Though you and I and the rest of Trill know there is nothing to be feared in our culture, others don't. Absent further information, they would have to take it on faith.

"To your point on the Vulcans and Andorians, it is certainly true, based on Federation history classes at Starfleet Academy, that many current members of the Federation had more than their fair share of secrets when they joined. And they still keep some of them, I understand. But I think we also have to admit we live in a different galaxy than the pioneers of the Federation. If we want to join it, we will have to allay certain anxieties.

"So," the science officer pauses briefly to take a breath, "may I suggest a show of good faith? There must be a way to demonstrate we would be a good membership candidate without giving up those things which we are not yet ready to share." He pauses a moment again before finishing lamely, "Though I have to confess I'm not yet sure what that would entail."