<USS Avalon> "The Many Questions of Ambassador Oonal" By Captain Ketchum and Lt. Marksbury

"The Many Questions of Ambassador Oonal"
By: Captain Keith Ketchum and Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury
 
 
Marksbury stood waiting outside Ambassador Oonal's quarters, waiting for him to 
emerge.  He stepped out the door and she introduced herself.  
 
"I am Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury, Ambassador.  I am to be your 
personal escort to and from the meeting with Captain Ketchum.  For your 
personal security, of course."
 
The Ambassador did not speak to her, only looked at her with disdain.  He 
raised his brows as if saying, 'What now?'
 
"Right this way, sir."   Marksbury led Oonal to the bridge's conference room 
where the meeting was to be held.  She pressed the chime, waiting for the 
Captain's reply.
 
Once receiving it, she stepped inside the door quickly and surveyed the room 
before gesturing to the Ambassador it was safe.  Lissi took up her post beside 
the door and watched the meeting.
 
"Welcome, Ambassador.  I am very happy to finally meet you," Ketchum greeted.
 
"I assume, Captain, that you are prepared to offer full explanation for the 
improper treatment of the Rydyn delegation - as well as a complete apology."
 
"Of course, Ambassador.  I apologise if you have felt in any way mistreated 
while on board the Avalon.  The circumstances surrounding us are unfortunate 
and my crew has done everything they can to assure the safety of your 
delegation for the duration of their stay."

 
"And what are these 'unfortunate circumstances' as you call them, Captain?"
 
"That is level ten classified by Starfleet, Ambassador.  I'm sorry, but you 
will have to ask my superior's superior for that information."  Holding up his 
hands to discourage the Rydyn from getting too upset, he added, "I would tell 
you if I could, but it is impossible."
 
"Then at least explain to me why my people were treated as your Earth cattle, 
herded and restricted to small sections of the ship."
 
"I thought I already explained that, sir.  We have had a security incident on 
board the Avalon, that much I'm sure you know.  In order to assure the safety 
of your people, as well as allow my crew to do their jobs without any 
hinderance, it was necessary."
 
"That still does not explain why we were kept in the dark. We have a right to 
know why."
 
"And according to Starfleet, Ambassador, we have a right to withhold the 
information."  Ketchum was obviously getting a bit frustrated by the fact the 
Ambassador seemed to keep asking the same question over again.
 
"Excuse me, sirs," Lissi spoke up from the doorway.  "I apologise for 
intruding."  She looked pointedly at Ketchum to make sure it was okay to speak. 
 He gave her the slightest of nods, so she continued, "I have been speaking 
with Ambassador Creval on a daily basis and we have come to an understanding of 
sorts.  He began looking at this situation as though it were reversed and we 
have made progress."
 
"What do you mean 'reversed'?" the Ambassador snapped.
 
"I mean, sir, that on a purely hypothetical note - What if your people found 
out of a large meteor hurling toward your home planet?  Would they immediately 
release the information to the public, causing mass hysteria?  Or would they 
try and quietly solve the problem before it was a serious concern?  Captain 
Ketchum and the crew have done the only logical thing, sir.  Just as you would 
have, I imagine."  She was hoping the same analogy she had used with Ambassador 
Creval would have some effect on Oonal.
 
"Rydyns are above hysterics, Lt."  He turned his back on Lissi and continued to 
assualt the Captain with different versions of the same question.
 
Lissi raised her brows in apology to Ketchum, as he could see her over the 
Rydyn's shoulder.  His reply of a very slow blink let her know that her effort 
was appreciated and he wasn't angry. At least she hoped that's what it meant.
 
"I'm sorry, Ambassador, but that is all the information I have at this point.  
It won't be long before we arrive at Earth and you can lodge a formal 
complaint.  This meeting is now adjourned."
 
Marksbury silently escorted the Rydyn back to his quarters wondering wether or 
not she had been too impertinent by speaking up.  She figured she'd find out 
the next time she met the Captain.


                
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