nuqneH, honored leaders of the Council. I am Commander Rajuc, captain of the IKS bortaS, and a member of the Temporary Autonomous Zoners. I am sending you this message because I wish to base the bortaS on Planet Quillan while I carry out my mission. Of course, you need some background on the mission. I will tell you what I can.
For the last few years, a woman named Aurelia Silvan had been a rising star among the Zoners. She was rather well respected, and eventually rose to the Chair of the Council of Zoners, one of our governing bodies. After she gained that post, her decisions became increasingly erratic and confusing. Eventually, though, we found out why. I will replay her last communication to us.
Aurelia Silvan Wrote:Aurelia leaned back in her small office chair, rhythmically tapping the arm rest with her fingernails, trying to think of how to begin...
"Zoners, and other Sirians this message is bound to reach, I wish to apologize to you, and to tell you what I've hidden for the last thirteen years." Aurelia smiled nervously, "it's ironic really, given what has been said about me these past few months since the schizm created by our two different ideals of what a Zoner is."
She let out a sigh of resignation, "I still can't think of how to say this, so I'll just be blunt with you. I'm a lie. You know me as Aurelia Silvan but my true name is Aurelia DeFrance. I'm the eldest daughter of King Louis DeFrance of the Gallic Royal Family. I'm sure many of you won't believe this, either because it sounds ludicrous or for a myriad of other reasons. Granted, a well-known Zoner leader isn't who I'd suspect of being part of the royalty of a house monarchy. But then, that was the point."
She smiled mockingly, "I've been called the 'Queen of the Zoners' before, but Princess would be more appropriate. 'But why would a member of the Gallic royal family be in Sirius? And masquerading as a Zoner?' Well, that would be because, unlike other children of privilege, our future leaders aren't raised in plush palaces tutored and pampered by servants. How can a nation rely on someone to lead them after the King's passing if she has no idea what the real world is like? How could they rely on someone who has yet to live in the conditions the common person has to endure throughout their life?"
"A proper leader must be raised in conflict, even if it means their life is threatened from time to time." She laughed, "besides, it was quite amusing at times. Watching how you people argued and fought over the pettiest little things. It's a surpise Sirius hasn't devolved into total civil war already. So, were the accusations that I had lied to the Council of Zoners accurate? Well, yes, it would be, though not for the reasons the Alliance thought they were."
Aurelia dropped her smile and straightened her back. "If the Zoners are to live through what is to come they must change. You have spent more time quarraling with each other than fixing the problems that caused those arguments in the first place. You need to face the fact that the people of Sirius view you as a joke. A weak group of pacifists too afraid to defend themselves or enforce their own decisions if it means making someone angry with you. The galaxy is not a friendly place, and nothing will last if it isn't fully determined to survive no matter what it takes. This is a lesson the Zoners have yet to learn, and until they do they will forever be Sirius' punching bag. Take the last advice a liar has to offer you."
"Aurelia DeFrance out."
I believe you now understand the gravity of our situation, and the depths of her betrayal. I have sworn a Blood Oath to kill this traitor, and I will wage war against all of Gallia if that is what it takes for me to finally feel her blood on my fingers. I am told that you oppose the Gallic royalty, and have been battling them for years. It occurs to me that we are allies in this fight.
Will you allow me to base my ship off of Planet Quillan, as I pursue vengeance against this p'tak?
Aurelia DeFrance... hmmm.... we have head of her specially on her return journey to Burgundy where she destroyed two of our ships. I understand that you capitane have a personal vendetta but before I will allow you to enter our borders with your fleet I need to know more about you and your agenda.
We know about your organization, many of its members is secretly visiting Dauphine to see unique planet construct. It seems you worship it but that is not of our concern. Stability in this region as well as in Burgundy is our concern so we do not wish to see TAZ battleships voyaging near civilian object in search of Aurelia DeFrance.
We need to know what sort of assets are you planing to bring in also I would like to know if your mission is authorized by higher rank members of TAZ.
Au revoir!
Jacques Moreaux
Le Conseil Grand diplomate
**Message send**
**Standing by**
nuqneH, Mr. Moreaux. You do not need to be concerned about a large fleet, as my "fleet" consists only of the bortaS itself. It is a modified Fearless-class Zoner Destroyer. The modifications are entirely to the interior of the vessel, allowing room for more soldiers, and fewer luxuries and other nonessentials. You also do not need to be concerned about any... collateral damage. My targets are solely Aurelia DeFrance, and anyone foolish enough to stand between her and my weapons.
As for concerns over whether my mission is authorized by TAZ's leader, all I can say is that they are aware of what I'm doing, and I'm sending regular reports back to Baffin, but they are taking a "wait and see" stance on it. They are not going to hold me back at the present time, but neither are they providing me any direct material support.
*incoming video transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]I.K.S. Vor'cha, Commander Matok reporting
Location: Pueblo Bonita, Baffin System
To: Commander Rajuc, [TAZ]I.K.S. bortaS
Additional Feed To: Jacques Moreaux, Le Conseil Grand diplomate
video stream opens
Neq'neh, Rajuc! Bonjour Monsieur Moreaux,
Monsieur Moreaux,
I am mostly addressing my Klingon brother, Rajuc. I am no diplomat, I am a warrior,but I will say that I do know that our ambassador, Dr. John Holliday, would very much like to discuss trade with you.
Rajuc! I cannot tell you what to do or what not to do but I want to make sure that you realize the gravity of what you are doing. Like you, I want justice for the crime of treason by Aurelia DeFrance but I think you and I need to discuss how. Remember the people we are sworn to defend, those that have helped us, the Zoners. To shoot up every Royal ship would be glorious but we must remember, THAT is the Klingon way, NOT the Zoner way. We will get our revenge in good time and no doubt, our glory.
I ask you, Rajuc, do you remember how we got to Sirius? Not the floating through the unknowns of space but the conflict that caused us to get here? We engaged the Romulans not far from the Goran Outpost in our space and defeated them handily. We had won but we wanted more only to find our own Goran Outpost under takeover by a secondary group of the enemy. Inside was my late wife, Che'tal who was raped and murdered to "make a point" and I know you had relatives yourself in that station.
Still, we refused to surrender. After Che'tal was killed, we attacked only to have sprung a trap. We fought well but were set adrift and left to die. I can guarantee you, Rajuc, no one is full of more hate than I for Che'tal's death, a death that I cannot avenge.
My point is, do not do something rash. Do not push to far or too fast. Your anger is shared and understood. I one day look foward to fighting side by side with you but we must allow our wisdom of Goran Outpost to be our guide. Let us plan, let us prepare and let us work with other Zoners who share our view.....and their are a good many. Let us not make the same mistake twice. If you wish to stay at Quillan for a time, I will leave that between you and Monsieur Moreaux.
turns to Monsieur Moreaux
I bid you farewell for now, Monsieur. Do contact our Ambassador when you get a chance. I know he wishes it.
Matok, there's no way I could forget Goran Outpost. That day is burned into the memory of every Klingon alive that day. I did indeed have relatives there. My oldest son was there, along with my sister. We were to go hunting after I returned from the battle against the Romulans. Though only eight years old, he took the family bat'leth and joined the defenders of the station. I heard he took three Romulans with him when he fell. He would've grown to be a fine warrior, but he never got the chance. I was never prouder, nor angrier, than I was that day.
I cannot continue to stand idly by, defending a Freeport that's more than capable of dealing with any threats itself while such an insult to our honor goes unavenged. However, you speak wisdom. I will indeed work with you on this, Matok. If we are to succeed, we must do it together, along with any others who would join us. However, I am already here. We can continue scouting enemy positions, learning the disposition of the Royals forces, and the nature of their economic resources. We will avoid, as best as we can, any direct engagements with the enemy until we're ready to begin the campaign together. I will continue to seek permission to operate off of Quillan for the time being.
I will go straight to the point. We can grant you permission to use our space port on planet Quillan. But there is only one condition your warship my not enter any other system in Gallic Border Worlds.
Reason of our decision is simple any warship that enter system controlled by Royal forces is another argument in their propaganda. If you wish to continue your vendetta I suggest to use less noticeable methods.
Au revoir!
Jacques Moreaux
Le Conseil Grand diplomate
**Message send**
**Standing by**
Perhaps I misunderstood your willingness to fight. You're engaged in a war for your lives against a vastly superior foe, and you're worried about enemy propaganda? I find your terms unacceptable, as restricting the bortaS to Languedoc would essentially be the death of our mission.
Do you think it likely that the heir to the Gallic throne is going to be in a Council-controlled system? For my mission to succeed, the bortaS must go behind enemy lines. If the cost of that is that the Royals say some unpleasant things about us, well then so be it. There is a saying amongst Klingons. If you wish to eat pipius claw, then you must break a few pipius'. You will never succeed in your war unless you are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve victory.
If you will not assist me, then I am sure that there are those who will. One last word of advice, Mr. Moreaux. Stay out of our way.
It seems that you don't know all about our situation in Gallia. We are fighting with much, much overpowering force. Your presence in Royalists space could be read as act of war against Crown or our joint operation with Sirian ally both scenarios will cause a great deal of problems like dispatching hundreds thousands of solders on board of Royal battleships that are awaiting in Core Worlds. And after you will leave in what's left of your warship, because to honest you will not win on your own, we will have to clean the mess.
If you will disobey and move your warship form Languedoc you will be no longer treated as our friend. And because of your personal vendetta you may ruin TAZ friendly relations with Le Conceil.
Rethink your decision and maybe consult it with Mr. Holliday
Adieu!
Jacques Moreaux
Le Conseil Grand diplomate
**Message send**
**Standing by**
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*incoming transmission*
Comm ID: [TAZ]Doc Holliday
To: Commander Rajuc, [TAZ]I.K.S. bortaS
CC: Jacques Moreaux, Le Conseil Grand diplomate
Commander Rajuc!
That will be enough! We need friends in Gallic space, not to make more enemies. The Gallic Council are people we wish to have trade agreements with, not to insult and push away. You and Matok may have vendettas to settle but don't do it at the expense of the Council.
Monsieur Moreaux has his reasons for his wishes. Respect them. I suggest you listen to your elder in Matok. He is many years your senior and all the wiser, no offense intended. As he said, we will have our time. Gallia is a fragile place and we need not create a bigger rift in it.
Monsieur, Moreaux, I do apologize. I will be sending you a secure transmission shortly. I just want to defuse this situation before it gets out of hand.
*glares at Rajuc*
We intend no insult to you or your people, Monsieur.