ST:TTV405 | "Road to Recovery"

Stardate 96491.8

Following the landmark conference between all the Decen Families, the Valley Forge is again approached by one of the Family representatives with an idea for making their newfound goals of peace and unity work out.

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Keliaya@anncarise FX | After a successful meeting with representatives from the Decen Families, the Valley Forge now cruises through their space with the permission of the local factions. Keliaya@anncarise: "Something else showing up on long-range sensors. No energy readings." Keliaya@anncarise | Fisher: "I'm betting it's yet another debris field." Keelah@crystyll: "Analysis?" she asks, standing and moving to Kelly's side to see for herself Keliaya@anncarise taps away at her console, "Fisher's right. Another debris field. Materials don't match Decen hull composition a hundred percent, but the similarities are there." Keliaya@anncarise: "They're likely old designs from a battle decades or even centuries ago." Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "I fail to see the tactical significance in waging a battle here." Keelah@crystyll: "An old border skirmish, perhaps?" Keliaya@anncarise: "Or maybe a pirate raid, assassination even. The ships themselves could've been the target." Keelah@crystyll: "Worth a look at least. If nothing else just to record the location on our charts. Malcolm, alter course" Keliaya@anncarise | Fisher: "Aye aye, Captain." Keliaya@anncarise FX | The Valley Forge drops out of warp momentarily before altering course. Keliaya@anncarise: "Getting a closer look at it now...looks like the debris have been picked clean of anything valuable. Could've been a pirate raid, or maybe scavengers came here after the fact." Keliaya@anncarise: "Wait...something else is showing up on sensors. This one's got an energy signature." Keelah@crystyll: "Within the debris field?" Keliaya@anncarise: "No, approaching from another angle." Keelah@crystyll looks to Vrolmacht, "Can you get an ID?" Keliaya@anncarise | Vrolmacht: "It is a small Decen vessel, lighter armed than typical. Matches the one that Lorena representative came to us in." Keelah@crystyll turns the other way, "Tee, open a channel" Keelah@crystyll | Tee nods and sets to it Keliaya@anncarise FX | The channel opens and Cedi Lorena appears on the viewscreen. She gives her greeting bow. Keelah@crystyll bows her head in response, "Cedi, I had not anticipated seeing you again so soon after the conference. I expected you to be busy striking new deals with the other families" she smiles, "To what do + Keelah@crystyll: + we owe the pleasure?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "The Matriarch has dispatched her sons to deal with the other Families. I was called upon to approach you, as I have dealt with your people before, and because this idea is mine to begin with." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Idea? Sounds prosperous. I trust this warrants discussion in person?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "If that is preferable for you. This is not an idea that would be at risk of being intercepted by the other Families, however." Keelah@crystyll smiles, "Any excuse for a little hospitality, I say. Come alongside and we'll transport you over" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi smiles back, "I will be on my way, then." Keelah@crystyll waits for the channel to cut then stands, "Tee, have our guest shown to my ready room on arrival. Kelly, you have the bridge" Keelah@crystyll heads off to her ready room to await Cedi's arrival Keliaya@anncarise FX | A few minutes later, Cedi steps into the ready room, bowing again, "Greetings, Captain Keelah of the Valley Forge. It's a pleasure to be here again." Keelah@crystyll turns from her spot by the window with a smile, mirroring the bow, "Always a pleasure to welcome you into my home Cedi. Please..." she gestures for her to take a seat on the sofa, "Refreshment?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi nods and takes a seat. Keelah@crystyll sets her tea down on the side and replicates Cedi a glass of the same drink she remembers her enjoying at the conference, which she presents a moment later as she sits opposite Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "Thank you," she takes a sip of the drink. Keelah@crystyll sips her Spiced Tea as she gets comfy, "Aah, so much more civilized than talking over a viewscreen. So, you mentioned an... idea you had?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "Indeed. I thought that for peace to work best between the Families, it may be prudent for us to possess a 'neutral ground.' Other than your ship, of course, which will not remain here - Keliaya@anncarise: - indefinitely. The issue is, everything inside our territories is claimed by one Family or another, and expanding to a new site outside our space will inevitably be closer to certain Families." Keelah@crystyll nods, "Certainly a conundrum, but equally a worthwhile goal. I suspect however you would not have come to me with just a base concept. A shrewd business operator would be far more frugal than that.+ Keelah@crystyll: + So... what is your plan, and where do we fit in? This is obviously something that requires our input else you would not have come, which leads me to suspect a reliance on our technology. Construction + Keelah@crystyll: + of a new facility in a central de-classified neutral area perhaps?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "Not quite. We are fully capable of constructing our own stations, but doing so would not have the same...impact." Keelah@crystyll perks a brow, "Something with more of a statement then. I confess, you have piqued my interest" she smiles over a sip of her tea Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "I am proposing the use of the planet where the Decen evolved- Hallon. It possesses no resources which have not yet been depleted or destroyed, and the Matriarch is willing to turn it to - Keliaya@anncarise: - neutral ground." Keelah@crystyll: "So it is currently under Lorena control?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi nods: "It is. The problem though, is that Hallon is still uninhabitable for non-Halloni Decen." Keelah@crystyll stands, taking her tea over to the thinking window where she looks out over the debris hanging in space off the starboard side of the ship Keelah@crystyll: "for... 'non-Halloni' Decen? Am I to take that in meaning there are Decen who currently live there?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "There are. Survivors of the last war on Hallon which destroyed all but the Nine Families who led ventures into the stars." Keelah@crystyll: "And what exactly does your proposal entail with regards to them?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "Many of them have already integrated into the societies of other ruling Families. Those that remain do not live in the most pleasant of circumstances. If they wish to continue residing - Keliaya@anncarise: - on Hallon, they will be permitted to do so, under better conditions. And those who may wish a more isolated existence, that is something the Satri have always provided for Halloni seeking to - Keliaya@anncarise: - be free of Family conflicts." Keelah@crystyll: "Sounds reasonable. What exactly are the less than pleasant circumstances in which they live at the moment there?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "They live on the ruins of the old cities there. I have worked with Halloni crewmembers. They describe building their dwellings out of rubble, needing to hunt and forage. Those on Hallon - Keliaya@anncarise: - are too preoccupied with staying alive to do much more than the utter necessities. And the radiation discourages other Families from doing little more than resettling those who wish to leave." Keelah@crystyll: "Radiation?" she turns back to Cedi, "Exactly how toxic is the planet's atmosphere?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "Still enough that sealed suits are required for outsiders to visit many regions. And even in the better regions, staying for an extended period of time will require medical treatment." Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "The Halloni are resistant to the radiation, but not immune. That is another one of their issues. Their average lifespan on Hallon is much shorter, partly due to their harsher lifestyles, - Keliaya@anncarise: - but also frequently due to complications caused by the radiation which surface later in their lives." Keelah@crystyll: "Ok, I have two questions. First; what exactly is your proposed use of the planet beyond simply 'neutral ground', and second; how do we fit into this?" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "For most, Hallon represents our greatest failure. Our failure to maintain the planet we evolved on. Our failure to coexist peacefully. But it is also the place where we did manage peace, - Keliaya@anncarise: - at least for a little while. We seek to restore Hallon to a place for all Decen. A place where our representatives can meet, solve our problems and plan our future, but also a place where we can - Keliaya@anncarise: - live again among our shared history." Keelah@crystyll holds an attentive gaze on Cedi as she listens, sipping her tea Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "As for your role...the Lorenas do not possess the technology to remove the radiation, at least not within several lifetimes. Neither do any of the other Families to our knowledge." Keelah@crystyll nods, gaze turning back to the debris outside Keelah@crystyll: "The fate which befell the Decen people is tragic. And one which almost all advanced civilizations must face during their development. Even Vulcans once threatened our very own existence through the + Keelah@crystyll: + imbalance of technological and sociological development. Though my homeworld stands proud at the heart of the Federation today, we survived through... other sacrifices..." Keelah@crystyll pauses, tracing a finger idly across the delta on her tunic as she thinks before continuing Keelah@crystyll: "I believe your goal is a worthy one Cedi, and I want to help you - assuming even we can. Cleansing an irradiated world is no small task, and very circumstantial as to its feasibility even" Keelah@crystyll: "That said..." Keelah@crystyll: "The Halloni inhabitants are a complication, and cause for concern. Before agreeing to even attempt any environmental manipulation, I must completely satisfy myself that what we do is as much in + Keelah@crystyll: + their interests as yours. It may not be a pleasant environment, but it is one they have lived in for some time. There may be unforeseen repercussions to their physiological development if we + Keelah@crystyll: + act prematurely. I would also like to look at coordinated efforts to aid their recovery. Helping restore the Halloni to a healthy equal in Decen society would be a worthy first goal for the united + Keelah@crystyll: + families..." she turns back with a smile Keelah@crystyll: "If these caveats can be satisfied, then I will put whatever resources necessary into an attempt to find a way to recover Hallon" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi nods, "The Matriarch's sons are currently discussing the idea of a joint venture with the other Families. As for examining the Halloni, I may present some to you now for medical - Keliaya@anncarise: - examination. We are also not too far from the planet itself, if you wish to observe their society and conditions." Keelah@crystyll nods, "We will alter course immediately and begin assessing the situation from orbit. If these Halloni are among your crew, and freely consenting, we can bring them over for a full examination" Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi: "I will speak to them and see if they are willing to visit your ship." Keelah@crystyll nods her satisfaction, "Then it appears we have some work to do. Shall we get to it?" she smiles, gesturing to the door Keliaya@anncarise | Cedi finishes her drink and stands, "Let us get started."

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Stardate 96491.8

Whilst surveying a historical debris field located within Decen territory today, we were approached by Cedi Lorena's personal transport. I had not anticipated seeing her - or any of the Decen Family representatives - again, so soon after the conference. My initial trepidation was quickly laid to rest when she announced that she came with a proposal to further bolster the newfound unity between the Families. Having played such an integral part in the negotiations already, I felt unable to deny her request to be heard and so invited her on board to discuss the matter in person.

Cedi explained that the Decen homeworld of Hallon - now under Lorena control - was an inhospitable irradiated planet, devoid of any fruitful resource or meaning beyond the significance it held to all Decen peoples. She explained that her proposal was for the Lorena's to secede this territory (a concept which their matriarch had already agreed to) in favour of making it a dedicated neutral ground to provide a long lasting place where the united Decen families could coordinate and rebuild their centralized society from. I felt in favour of this - naturally - and admired her foresight in the proposal.

However it is the inhospitable nature of the planet which brought Cedi to us. Acknowledging that the means to effectively restore the planet's environment was beyond the viable means of the Decen people, she hoped that our more advanced technology would present such a means. Whilst knowing that under favourable enough circumstances, such a thing may indeed be possible, I am also far too understanding of the sheer number of variables which may make this inconceivable. At least for a single starship... That will not stop me from investigating though; at worst, perhaps we can ascertain a suitable means to effect planetary recovery which could be pursued more aggressively by the Federation in our wake. If only my concerns rested at that though...

I was deeply troubled by Cedi's description of the living conditions on Hallon; conditions which her kin still live to this day. As hopeful as I am that a recovery effort is justified on medical grounds if nothing else, I remain concerned that the amount of time these 'Halloni' have lived there may have impacted their very physiology. And so, whilst we conduct a detailed planetary survey from orbit; medical teams are conducting a detailed assessment of the Halloni crew from Cedi's transport. I sincerely hope that we will find not only a lack of adverse effects to arise from any environmental adjustment, but actually positive effects that will improve the Halloni's lives. I have already made my intent clear to Cedi in this regard; that I will hold the wellbeing of the Halloni above all other concerns in this. I again found myself pleasantly surprised to learn that her matriarch's sons were already opening talks with the other Families to establish a joint venture between all ruling families to aid and assist the recovering Halloni should this venture proceed.

This is not only welcome news because of the planned joint Decen venture, but that more senior leading members are conducting them personally, and not going through more expendable representatives. This has to be a sign that our opening the Decen's eyes to the wider galaxy was not in vain, and was in fact the needed catalyst to help them find their way to becoming a unified people worthy of wielding advanced technology, and maybe even one day standing at our sides as members of the Federation. My daughters teases me for me being overly optimistic, but I have to believe in the greater good that we represent; more than ever now that we are the very face of it out here beyond the Federations borders.