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Start Log
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[VIP Shuttlebay - SB 234: UNITY]
Tedros Chisulo walked through the airlock doors to the landing pads of
the VIP Shuttlebay. He carried a type II phaser in a hip holster, and
a large duffel bag over his shoulder. Ambassador Ayanami told him to
meet her at pad 05 to begin their transit toward a rendezvous with
Charlie Group of Operation Magna.
He found the Ambassador four pads down the line, and walked briskly in
her direction.
Alecto sensed him arriving long before he entered. Without turning
when he approached she said "Captain Chisulo, all set to enter the
fire again?"
"Greetings, Ambassador." Chisulo said with a nod. "I am packed and
ready for transit."
"Well not quite what I meant but close enough. We'll Shuttle over to
the ACS Shadow which will take us to the Battle Group for the attack.
The four Z-105 Assault fighters and their pilots have already been
moved over to the Shadow it awaits only us now." Alecto said to
Chisulo finally turning to look at him.
Chisulo nodded. "Then I don't think we should keep them waiting." He
gestured down the walkway with a slight bow. "After you, Ambassador."
Alecto moved down the walkway fairly sure that she wouldn't like the
answer to what she was going to get from her next question. "What is
the Federation's end goal from the War against the Romulans? I ask
because the higher echelons of the Erassian Government have some
serious doubts over Federation commitment to this war."
"Politics is not a place for a professional military officer,
Ambassador." Chisulo replied. "But I do not think the Federation wants
to conquer all of Romulan space - we have enough trouble keeping the
planets we have in line. We will fight to end the aggression, that I
assure you." He glanced over to his side at the attractive hybrid
woman, "I apologize if that is an unwelcome answer."
"I'm not asking you as a politician, I'm asking you as a military
officer about the military goals are for the end point of this war.
And as we both know Military and Political goals are two entirely
different creatures." Alecto pressed.
Chisulo looked at the Ambassador's deep green eyes questioningly,
unsure of what she was trying to get him to say. So he answered in the
best way he knew how, tactically; "Romulans tend to fight ideological
based wars of total victory. They will not stop until the goals
they've set as a nation are accomplished or are deemed impossible to
meet. To counter this threat, the Federation should show equal resolve
to disable the Romulan fleet's supply lines, mobility and control
centers. That would be the bet way to militarily pacify the Romulan
threat." Chisulo answered, finally turning away from the searing green
stare. "But the Federation rarely follows through with total military
pacification - and historically it settles on diplomatic means to end
a war in an effort to preserve the balance of power."
"The military can only advise the civilian government, Ambassador."
Chisulo said. "We have no direct control over the direction of policy.
We simply accomplish the goals the President and Council set in
place." He stopped in front of the ramp up to the Shuttle and turned
to fully face the Ambassador. "Were it my place, Ambassador, I would
take this fight all the way to Romulus. We have fought the Empire
enough already, and it is time to eliminate the threat. Though I doubt
many on the council would agree with my position."
"Indeed it is not the place of the military to direct the policy of a
civilian government but it should advise and influence it's decisions.
Military officers are after all experts in their viewpoint and this
should be represented just as vigorously as any lobbyist group. The
Alliance government happens to be mostly in agreement with your
opinion. Our long term goal is to ensure the effective full scale
disarmament of the Romulan Military for no less than three
generations. As all of us, the Federation Council included are aware
that each time the Romulans are given an inch they take a mile. They
honour no peace or treaty and have been proven to use outlawed weapons
of mass genocide to wipe out entire planets. To hesitate to follow
through to conclusion is ensuring the future loss of thousands if not
millions or billions of lives. That Captain is what needs to be
impressed upon them when they hesitate to act." Alecto said as she
entered the shuttle.
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End Log
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Captain Tedros Chisulo
1TF Tactical Advisor
SB 234: Unity
Ambassador Alecto Ayanami
Erassian Ambassador to SSF
SB 234: Unity