Diplomatic rebukes
Posted on Tue Aug 20th, 2024 @ 3:00pm by Commander Rovak & Ambassador Oriath Velt & Petty Officer 1st Class Ayol
Edited on on Wed Aug 28th, 2024 @ 3:46am
649 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
DownTime [1]
Location: Diplomatic Quarter Promenade
Timeline: 1400 Hours - MD01
“Mr Rovak!” Ambassador Velt shouted across the promenade, interrupting Rovak’s discussion with his Vorta Yeoman, Ayol. “Mr Rovak, I have the best of news. I’ve made contact with a species who wishes to take up an entire block of promenade space. They’re called the Hirogen, I didn’t have time to look them up after the conversation started. Do you know of them? They seem energetic.” The leonine diplomat asked the Vulcan.
“I will let the Cardassians know your terms, sir.” Ayol concluded the earlier conversation, leaving his CO’s side at the first sight of the Ambassador. Velt still liked to give him orders, and Ayol’s genetic programming included him as one of those scarce few, along with only Rovak, the Starfleet CIC and the Federation President, whose orders he would sooner die than disobey.
Rovak had to think for a moment to recall the Hirogen, but as they came to mind he realised the potential issues. “Ambassador, did you meet the Hirogen representative in person?” Rovak asked, smelling what seemed like more than a couple of cocktails on Velt's breath.
“Oh yes, in Freddie’s. Lovely fellow. Tall. Not much of a sense of humour though. Here for the Klingon jetbike circuits in the holostadium, apparently Hirogen can’t get enough of them. We’re the only place with a full quality slipstream cast within a thousand lightyears!” They’re going to show up in droves, Rovak. We’ll be a cultural powerhouse!”
“Ambassador, the Hirogen are a race of merciless and brutal hunters. After an accidental first contact they terrorised Voyager during its journey and have shown themselves to be a significant military threat to other intelligent life.” Rovak explained, with a tone that demonstrated remonstration.
“I know Rovak, he told me about all of that. They’re into holograms now. Their whole culture is devoted to pursuit of victory over artificially generated threats and enemies. It kills almost 23% of their population every year! They’ve never been happier. They don’t hunt sentients anymore, it's gauche to them.” Velt said, confident he had dismissed all of Rovak’s concerns.
“I have not been apprised of that development. I will discuss the matter with Lieutenant Duros when I get an opportunity. If you will excuse me.” Rovak began to move away.
“Wait wait wait. What are you doing that’s so busy?” Velt asked.
“I have a number of command duties to attend to. Currently I am on my way to the Romulan embassy.” Rovak said, pointing to the building on the other side of the promenade, with the unmistakable green frontispiece.
“Oh, splendid, I’ll come with you. Creon will want to discuss relations with the Hirogen.” Velt said, joining Rovak’s stride.
“I am sorry, Ambassador, but the matter is an operational one, and sensitive. You will have to excuse me.” Rovak stopped to say it, and continued to move away once it had been said.
“You know I still remember a time when you would take all of my calls without fail, Mr Rovak. Now you’re blowing me off?” Velt asked, slurring a little, his tone unmistakably annoyed.
Rovak looked around the promenade, he found it agreeable that there were scarce few around, none of them Starfleet crew. “I am Commander of this station, Oriath. You are an Ambassador-at-large. My role is to run a station capable of housing hundreds of thousands. Yours is to fraternise with diplomats. You are my friend, and my comrade, and I value our time and service together, but I will not be spoken to like this. Control yourself.” Rovak left once again, this time he was not followed.
Velt was left slightly stunned by the exchange, and sucking his teeth, turned around and returned to Freddie’s. He was glad at least that Rovak had used his name for once.
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