=Security Council Subchamber=
=Federation Council, San Francisco, Earth=
"There is absolutely no way I can approve this," the Earth human male spoke.
"Neither can I," came from a Deltan female.
The Federation Security Council was in emergency session. The topic at hand, the TechEx. President Spock had informed Turan So, the recently elected council chairman, of the existence of the device two days earlier. Som in response, convened the security council to vote on the matter. While the vote was not necessary, a vote on the use of the device would give support to the president.
It had been decided long ago that such matters could not be brought to the attention to the entire council. It was a highly secretive, classified project. Such decisions is one of the jobs handed down to the security council.
Gathered were the five main members of the security council, representatives from Alpha Centauri, Andor, Earth, Tellar Prime and Vulcan. Turan served as both council chair and Andorian representative.
In addition to the five founding members of the Federation, two additional members were chosen to serve annually by the council at large for a duration of one Earth year. Those serving at this point and time were representatives from Ariolo and Delta IV.
"I say the Romulans deserve nothing less," the Ariolo representative said. "They have declared war on the Federation on more than one occasion. I'm glad that we've finally decided to consider such an option."
The Earther, John Meeker, turned to face the Ariolo, "Tens, if not hundreds of millions of Romulans could die if these weapons are used."
Before the Ariolo spoke, the Tellarite representative Lor said, "How many Federation citizens have died during this and past wars with the Romulans! I say use it! Lets the Romulans, any everyone else know that we will no longer stand by and allow others drag us into war without serious repercussions. Let them know that we will take drastic action to secure the lives of Federation citizens."
Lor stood, "Let them know that the Federation will no longer cower and pushed around by forces that wish us harm!"
The Ariolo rep clapped his hands while Meeker just rubbed his eyes and shook his head.
"This is wrong. We have to set ourselves at a higher standard," the Earth male said.
"This is a statement. It will send a clear message to our enemies," the Ariolo responded.
Meeker stood, "What kind of message? That we are no better than the Romulans?"
"Perhaps Meeker, it is time to, oh, how do you humans put it ... ah, yes ... take off the kid gloves," Lor spoke up. "You supported bringing us into this war in the first place. It's time we finish it!"
"Not like this!" Meeker, who was still standing, shot back. "There has to be a better way!"
Turan knew that Meeker and Lor could go on for hours. Their debates were legendary. And they never agreed on any issue. Turan had known that this would be no different. And, he wasn't willing to sit here for hours listening to them arguing. They had already been discussing this since late yesterday afternoon, only taking a few hour break to rest.
"Gentlemen ... ladies, it is time to bring this up for a vote," Turan calmly said.
"No, it isn't!" Meeker said. "There's still much to discuss."
"I disagree," the Vulcan representative said. "The issue and its consequences have already been discussed in detail. I believe we have all that is required to take an informed vote on the matter."
"I'm going to say this one last time," Meeker finally took a seat. "This is wrong."
"You have already made that clear," the Vulcan interrupted.
Meeker shot the Vulcan a look, "I wasn't finished!"
The Vulcan politely nodded.
"This is wrong," Meeker continued. "We will go down in history as the people who sunk the Federation to new depths if we support this. It will be a dark day for the Federation if, or when this weapon is used. We have it in our power to not only oppose this, but perhaps force the president to reconsider this option. If we do not, then we will be guilty of crimes against civilization. Crimes that we may never be officially charged with, but crimes nonetheless."
"Are you finished, councillor?" Turan asked.
The Earther reluctantly nodded.
"Very well," Turan stood. "I will admit that I, too, do not particularly approve this weapon, I do support the president on his decision. He has meditated for weeks on this before he came to this conclusion. It is not easy for him, nor for myself, but if we must pursue this option, then so be it."
Turan looked over the room.
"We will not vote on the matter," Turan said. "Ayes for and Nays against support of use of the TechEx. Alpha Centauri, how do you vote?"
"I vote Nay," the young female said.
"Alpha Centauri votes Nay," Turan repeated for the record. "Andor votes Aye. I repeat, Andor votes Aye."
Turan allowed for a short pause.
"Ariolo, how do you vote?"
"Ariolo votes Aye," the Ariolo representative said.
"Ariolo votes Aye," Turan repeated. "Delta IV, how do you vote?"
"Delta IV votes Nay," the Deltan representative said.
"Delta IV votes Nay," Turan repeated. "Earth, how do you vote?
Meeker looked up at Turan, " Earth votes a resounding Nay!"
"Earth votes Nay," Turan said. "Tellar Prime, how do you vote?"
"Tellar Prime votes Aye," Lor said, looking over at Lor.
"Tellar Prime votes Aye," Turan said. "Vul ..."
Before Turan could finished, the doors swung open and Major Alana Han, head of council security entered with a small security detachment.
"What is the meaning of this?" Turan spoke up. "We are in the middle of a very important vote."
"Sir, there's been an incident at Starfleet Headquarters, Andor, Vulcan and perhaps other places as well," she answered. "We need to escort you and the others to a more secure location."
"What kind of incident?" Meeker asked.
"I can't say for certain. All we know is that a number of targets have been bombed," Han said. "We fear that the council may be next."
Turan nodded as he and the other council members were escorted out of the subchamber.
"What about the other councillors?" Turan asked.
"And their families," the Alpha Centauri rep added.
"They're being gathered as we speak," Han replied. "In these situations, members of the security council are our top priority."
They were escorted to the council's transporter room where they were beamed to another location.
"Where are we?" Turan asked as he stepped off the transporter pad after he remateralized.
"Somewhere deep in the Appalachian mountains. Near a town called White Sulphur Springs," Han answered as they went through security checks before walking out into a corridor. Other council members were beamed in behind them.
"What about the president, vice president, the cabinet, the joint chiefs ..." Meeker asked.
"They have been secured at other separate locations," Han replied. "For security reasons, I can not be more specific."
The members of the security council were placed in a room with a conference table and computer monitors lined along one of the walls. The council members were talking amongst themselves, looking confused and even a bit concerned.
"Please, everyone. Take a seat. We still have work to do," Turan said.
They looked at him before doing as he asked.
"The vote is three for and three against. Vulcan, what ..."
"I don't think this is the time for this!" Meeker said. "We have no idea what is going on out there."
"This is exactly the time for this," Turan said. "Whatever is going on out there is of no concern to us at the moment. We can't alter what is happening somewhere else. But this vote is of utmost importance."
Meeker just leaned back in his chair.
"Vulcan, how do you vote?" Turan asked.
Everyone's attention was on the Vulcan representative.
"Vulcan votes ... Aye."
Councilman Turan So (npc by Rick)
Federation Council Chairman
Head of Security and Special Operations Committee
and
Major Alana Han (npc by Rick)
Head of Federation Council Security
and
other npcs by Rick
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