The Porters Are Silent [✱9]

Posted on Sun Apr 27th, 2025 @ 3:23am by Captain Rovak & Commander Alex Flynn & Lieutenant Rune Thul & Lieutenant S'Lace & Doctor Intharia T'Zor & SubCommander Saa & Lieutenant JG Eris sh'Rhavar & Senior Chief Petty Officer Gaz & Lieutenant Qrork & Lieutenant Onda Duros & Lieutenant JG Frak
Edited on on Sun Apr 27th, 2025 @ 3:26am

814 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: The Serpent's Tooth [3]
Location: Conference Room, DS13
Timeline: 0310 - MD07

The senior staff once again sat around the long rectangular table of the conference room, with Rovak at the head of it. Where the podium usually stood, Rovak sat in a chair instead. "As you are all aware, the anomaly will shift in approximately twenty minutes. If any of you have anything to say in support or detraction of the asylum application from Lord Akhenaten and his associates, please give it now, I intend to have a decision made within ten minutes." Rovak told the group.

"Commander Atna has permitted me to speak on her behalf, as we are in agreement. While Akhenaten and his associates might struggle to obtain Federation membership given the feudalistic and stratocratic nature of their society, there is no doubt that they are the victims of persecution for their beliefs and practices. We recommend the acceptance of their petition for asylum." T'Zor said on behalf of herself and her chief and partner, who was aboard the Excalibur at the anomaly's edge.

Gaz remained silent. He'd spent all the time since the visitors had arrived planning or undertaking repairs, he didn't have anything to add to the moral referendum.

It seemed an open-and-shut case—granting asylum to the Atenist Goa'uld and their willing Jaffa followers was the logical and ethical course of action. Given their inability to return home, they would naturally receive refugee status, a reality that weighed on Rune’s mind. The loss of one’s home, no matter the circumstances, was something he couldn’t help but empathise with. Lord Akhenaten had made it clear that his people sought only peace and a place to live freely, and Rune found it difficult to believe that the Federation Council would delay their eventual membership if they chose to apply. The Federation's long-standing as a sanctuary for displaced individuals, and with their peaceful intentions stated, it was only a matter of ensuring they had the means to rebuild their lives. But first things first—they needed a world to settle on. The realisation struck Rune almost suddenly, a minor oversight that now seemed glaringly obvious and well would be a pleasure for the Starfleet crew to assist with. His expression softened into a smile, he simply declared. "Acceptance gets my vote."

"No arguments from me." Alex said. "Even if they do turn out more challenging than they seem, we're getting pretty good at locking even the toughest buggers up."

Saa was quiet. She hadn't thought anything the others hadn't expressed already.

So too were the other department heads present, all had apparently decided to keep their own counsel, or simply had nothing to add. Rovak quickly scanned the group for any sign one might have been about to speak, but he found it agreeable that none did. The time constraints did not well allow for argument, especially a well-reasoned one.

"Very well. Thank you all for your candor. Having considered the matter, I have decided that we will accept the Atenist claim for asylum. We will determine a more definite plan once we have all had a chance to rest and formally greet our guests. In the meanwhile, please ensure your department is doing all it can to facilitate repairs to the three Ha'tak vessels." Rovak told the group.

"Unless anyone has any questions, you are all dismissed." Rovak said, standing quickly after he said it. He needed sleep.

"Will we be offering them quarters onboard?" Rune asked, he wondered where Operations would place them.

"Accomodations will be offered to any who request it, but the First Primes have indicated that the Jaffa have no interest in leaving their vessels until they arrive at a permanent home." Rovak explained.

"Understood, Captain," Rune replied with a nod.

When no further questions were forthcoming, Dr T'Zor stood up, giving a nod of good evening, and quickly making her way out of the room.

Gaz also slid off his chair and waddled towards the exit, thinking almost entirely about works to be done to the pyramid ships.

Rune approached the executive officer. "Sorry to take your time, Commander, could I get your approval on some drills, they may be running through some low traffic areas that I will see cleared prior, and these roster updates?" He inquired.

"Sorry Thul, I'm off the clock. If it can't wait until morning, ask the duty officer." Flynn told the Security Chief.

A smirk appeared on his lips as Rune nodded. "Have a good evening, Commander." Rune gave a farewell 2-finger salute before leaving.

As everyone left, Alex felt like she was glad they'd done the right thing, but also like this had a potential to be a tactical misstep. Still, as the others explained well, whoever was pursuing them and for whatever reason was willing to kill all the civilians aboard. If anyone ever had an unassailable claim to asylum, it was the Aten people.

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