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:: in her chair on the bridge, watching the planet on the main viewer pass beneath them ::

:: at her station on the bridge, working on some Sickbay paperwork on her console while keeping an ear to the bridge goings on ::

:: is on the bridge, boop-booping the bleep-blaps on the dealy-whatsit ::

:: still internally sulking a little bit about not being able to do one science mission, but wearing her professional face ::

:: laughs as she mentally runs those words back in her brain ::

:: on the bridge, nervous about being on a mission with her father but strives to concentrate on her work. It's not that she dislikes her father, on the contrary, she has just never associated her own work with his, and it's as if two of her worlds are colliding with each other ::

:: takes a breath :: CSO: Before we hail, get a few scans of the planet and see what we can learn about them.

CO: Aye, Captain. :: initiates scans of the embattled planet ::

:: at the helm, monitoring their orbit, which is... stable! surprise! ::

CO: Systems diagnostics all came back optimal, Captain.

CO/XO: Do we know anything about the cultures of the two factions and whether they would find it rude to contact one or the other first?

CEO: Oh, that is good news. Thank you, lieutenant.

:: looks up at the main viewer and the planet below, the place her own father has called them to help ::

CSO: From what I understand, the Thrin'pa reached out to us, so we will start with them. Whether or not that is rude, I cannot say.

:: wonders along how that will go, keeping quiet ::

CO: I feel like whomever we don't start with will think we're being rude. :: shrugs, half-smiles ::

:: nods and looks back at her console, where she finds scan results :: CO/XO: Intelligent life is limited to a single humanoid species that dominates much of the planet. They appear to be early warp-capable in terms of society and technology. Perhaps fifty or so years.

CEO: Either way, I think they will like us better than the Xovul.

:: quietly huffs in agreement ::

:: nods, sighs, turns back to her station, sighs again ::

CO/XO: I'm also picking up numerous satellites among the orbital debris, looks like the Xovul made a mess.

:: frowns :: CSO: That sounds like them.

:: looks to Kuari :: XO: No doubt that they have detected us by now.

:: nods back readily ::

:: frowns along at the thought of the Xovul ::

XO: The Ambassador passed along protocol to contact the Thrin'pa, yes?

CO: Yes, this is the address.

:: thinks about telling them about her lifetimes when diplomatic relations with the Xovul improved to the point where young Xovul were starting to attend Starfleet Academy—decides against it ::

CO: Wright has it at her console.

:: stands and takes a deep breath, then Picard-manuevers ::

CSO: Hail the Thrin'pa, Commander.

:: notes the information, then opens a channel to send the hail ::

ACTION> A Wenkudian responds and appears on the main viewer, dressed ruggedly with people walking busily left to right behind him, some watching from the background. An understated tendril arcs backwards above each ear, a bioluminescent dot at each end, barely seen to each side of his head when he's looking straight at the main viewer.

:: smiles at the figure on the viewer :: Greetings. I am Commodore Kathryn Harper of the Federation Starship Atlantis.

:: straightens up her neck at the sight of the alien, eager to learn more about the people ::

:: sits up straight and watches the interaction curiously ::

I am Nourik. Thank you for coming, Commodore. We are in dire need of your help.

:: looks up with scientific curiosity ::

:: nods :: I understand the Xovul were quite cruel, and left a war among your peoples in their wake.

Indeed. Your Ambassador Karwayin explained to us that you cannot win a... "civil" war for us, but we have no other hope.

:: looks up with curiousity ::

:: frowns deeply ::

The Xovul devastated our defensive capabilities, but we never wanted to fight in the first place.

:: nodding along, her expression compassionate ::

That is an awful situation to be in, Nourik. We will do everything we can to mediate and find a peaceful solution.

:: feels empathetic for any people that are oppressed by aggressors, but experience tells her to hold her judgement until she learns more ::

Thank you, Commodore. Please, do your best. We don't want to fight, but that doesn't mean we should suffer under their oppression.

:: is curious about the nature of this oppression ::

:: reserves snap judgement, but is already suspicious ::

Of course. Would you be willing to attend a conference with the Leuk'pa leadership aboard Atlantis? It would be our honor to host.

:: sighs again, thinks: :: The circle of life.

:: at hearing that, her brain's already starting to work on brainstorming defensive capabilities branching off of what they had access to before speaking up :: CO: May I offer our knowledge on developing defenses to the Thrin'pa? That is, if it's permitted by both Starfleet and their own ambassadors?

Yes, thank you. We await word from you.

:: glances to the side at Harper, liking her idea ::

:: barely restrains herself from turning to look at Grey incredulously ::

:: ignores Grey, hiding her annoyance quite well, for now :: Of course, Nourik. Atlantis out.

:: nods to Lexy ::

:: cuts the channel ::

:: as aside as possible :: CTO: I think we're trying not to pick sides here, Captain Grey.

:: turns from the now view from orbit to Tactical ::

:: shakes her head, disappointed ::

:: snaps her attention to D'bryn :: CEO: It's not picking sides. It's a benefit to both cultures calling this planet home if their defensive capabilities are improved to their technological standards to prevent shit like this from happening. :: expression is a little bit twisted in irritation ::

:: lets out a sharp breath and turns to Grey, annoyance evident on her face ::

CTO: First of all, do not interject offers of assistance into a diplomatic contact. Second, I suggest brushing up on your knowledge of the Prime Directive before even considering doing that in the first place.

:: exhales sharply, expression unreadable as she dips her head to Harper in slight apology :: CO: Permission to step away from the bridge to do so?

CTO: Denied. :: turns away and shakes her head, then finds Emily :: CMO: Doctor, did you get anything from him?

:: stops breathing, slowly turns back to her station ::

:: exhales sharply, digging her nails into her palms, and turning her attention back to the console with a shadowed expression, letting the pain from the nails refocus her attention on watching the scans ::

:: once again, isn't quite sure how to feel about the CTO finding it such a struggle to rein in her emotions ::

:: she isn't having issue to rein in her emotions, but more about the fact that it felt like they couldn't do anything to help the damn civilizations that need help. ::

:: thinks about it for a long moment, then speaks :: CO: No deception. He wants to end the war, sincerely. There was something small bothering me, but I’m not sure what.

:: nods, thinking she got a distant hint of that, too :: CMO: Thank you, doctor. Let me know if you figure out what that something small is.

:: shrugs, not able to place the feeling :: CO: I’ll keep you posted.

:: turns her head to Acacia, disturbed, but focuses on the matter at hand, wondering at what Acacia's little feeling is about, but decides they don't have enough information yet ::

:: sits down next to Kuari :: XO: Now, for the Leuk'pa. Do we have contact protocol for them?

CO: Yes, it's similar, the address at Ops with the other.

:: feels like we have precious little to go on here, but trusts the process ::

CO: Can I offer my completely non-empathic, unqualified gut-read on that interaction with Nourik, Captain?

CEO: Yes, go ahead, lieutenant.

:: looks over to D'bryn ::

:: looks back over her shoulder ::

:: raises a brow, bemused ::

:: that guy seemed alright, but what does he know, this is above his pay grade ::

:: stands and turns to listen to the engineer ::

CO: He agreed almost immediately to a mediation. Desire for peace or no, I feel like he didn't have any trepidation at all about meeting with the enemy. Maybe it's just me, but... I would've had some follow-up questions to that proposal.

CO: I don't know what that means, necessarily, but... It struck me as odd.

:: considers this, then nods in agreement ::

CEO: Astute observation, Zoë. Thank you.

:: barely looks up from her console, mentally rolling her eyes in frustration. What good is it that the Marines are even assigned to missions like this? All it feels like we're simple wall decorations until battle breaks out.

:: thinks on this ::

:: shrugs :: CO: Thanks for humoring me.

I suppose it could be that he thinks meeting with them under our mediation would be less likely to result in their subjugation.

:: thinks a moment quietly, then starts thinking out loud :: CO/CEO: My...um, Ambassador Karwayin said these were the people that wanted membership with the Federation, yes? They must trust us, to a point.

:: nods to Kuari :: XO: I would hope. Well then, shall we meet the other side?

XO: Or they have a reason to want us to trust them.

:: nods ::

:: stands again :: CSO: Commander, hail the Leuk'pa.

:: adjusts her uniform jacket once more ::

:: looks up at the main viewer preemptively ::

:: tappity taps to open the channel and send the hail, then looks up ::

:: adjusts in her seat, sitting as straight as she can ::

:: wonders if these people are just going to think Rucaras are common as hell ::

:: looks toward the main viewer ::

ACTION> A Wenkudian appears on screen, dressed immaculately in military uniform, several decorations on one side, possibly awards for service. He sports the same tendrils over each ear, the glowing dots barely visible to each side of his head. He appears alone, in a nicer environment than in the previous location, his expression curious but not alarmed with presence of someone experienced in diplomacy ::

:: offers a polite smile to the viewer, then speaks up :: Greetings. I am Commodore Kathryn Harper of the Federation Starship Atlantis.

:: watches the viewer and focuses on sensing anything she can from the Wenkudian after having been asked the first time ::

:: bows his head momentarily in a civil greeting :: CO: General Pherzen of the Leuk'pa. I've noticed your arrival in orbit. So, you are with the Federation. This...Karwayin, is it? He is clearly a different species from you. May I ask your business here, Commodore?

:: realizing she's dealing with a general, she clasps her hands behind her back and assumes a more traditional military posture :: Yes, the Ambassador and I are of different species, from across the galaxy; our Federation is diverse and spans many worlds. We have come in hopes of facilitating peace here, as some from your world have expressed a desire to join the Federation.

:: frowns immediately at mention of this, annoyance clearly on his face :: CO: Yes, I assume it was Nourik you spoke to? I've heard he's been calling out off-planet for help. It's because he's losing the war. I'm afraid I have no interest in joining your Federation.

:: keeps a serious expression, not showing any emotion except maybe tension ::

:: blinks ::

:: is wholly unsurprised ::

:: doesn't move much but her eyes, glancing for a moment at Harper, but mostly into the middle space in thought, resolution seeming at this point unlikely ::

:: that catches her attention with a wordless sound. That... complicates things. ::

:: nods, but in a token gesture required by decorum :: Even so, General, would you be amenable to our mediation of peace talks between the Leuk'pa and the Thrin'pa? It would be our honor to host them aboard the Atlantis.

:: opens his mouth to reply but stops himself from speaking, closing it and clearly thinking. After a moment his brows gently unfurrow, and he regards Harper's military mirroring, looking her up and down. A small smile tugs at the corners of his mouth :: CO: You seem to be a sensible, no-nonsense person, Commodore. :: he takes in a deep breath and expels it :: I can't say that I can see a benefit to this, but I have no problems having an opportunity to give Nourik a piece of my mind in a neutral setting. I think that you will take what I have to say seriously and should at least know what's going on here, as it's clear you're here for Nourik.

:: looks to the side for a moment, possibly checking with someone off screen, then looks back to meet Harper's eyes +CO+ I agree.

My offer was indeed to mediate, General, so yes, I will listen and carefully consider what you each have to say.

Thank you, and we will be back in contact to arrange the time.

:: tilts her head slightly, listening carefully ::

+CO+ Until we meet then, General Pherzen out. :: nods curtly, and the comm is cut ::

:: relaxes her posture a bit, then looks right to Emily ::

:: closes the channel from her end as well ::

:: also relaxes, looking around ::

:: makes the stink-face she wanted to make during that whole transmission ::

CMO: I think he was quite sincere.

:: nods at Kate :: CO: Yup. He was being genuine.

:: swears sharply under her breath in Orion ::

:: nods to herself at this, then looks suddenly to Harper ::

CO/CMO: Maybe this quick-agreement thing is a Wenkudian trait.

XO: At least he agreed to the meeting, but I do not think it is to talk peace so much as surrender.

CO: I got that sense as well.

:: knows she's out of her depth here, but is too emotionally worn out to hold back her thoughts ::

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