Pilot Episode, Act II

McCurry, never one to stay stationary even under the best of circumstances -- which these are not -- is slowly pacing about the ready room, following along on her PADD as Oobadek reads.

"Is this common protocol toward all allied species, Officer? To request that they lower their shields? Are there exceptions to this guideline -- for example, if there is a current state of alert or emergency in the sector?" says the captain, frowning just slightly. "I understand the desire for trust, and lowering one's shields does provide that impression. There are situations, however, where it's not likely to be practical."

Oobadek stands straight, his tendrils hanging rigidly. "I'm sure that is the case. I don't have any... statistics, or history. It's a... very new regulation."

Edgar nods his head in agreement.

"Yes agreed. I think the exceptions need to be hammered out so there is no misunderstanding when the shields should be lowered. I would imagine there should be some common sense built into it as well. Not every situation will be black and white."

Then as an afterthought Edgar offers, "Maybe a flow chart?"

"While we might wish for there to be room for interpretation," says the captain, a faint smile playing about her lips, "under the circumstances, I think Starfleet would prefer that we strive to follow protocol whenever possible. A flow chart, however, might actually be useful. An operations manual, so to speak."

She glances toward the door to the bridge, where their protocol-focused first officer currently holds the conn. "We have little room to risk creating a diplomatic incident under the current atmosphere," she says, and turns to Oobadek. "Do you have a sense of how precarious the relationship between our people is, from the perspective of the Inphirians?"

"Yes, that would be important information for the flow of the chart! A level of precariousness perhaps, which would funnel the reaction into various responses based on that level."

Edgar is visibly excited at the prospect of a scientific project. One that he can squirrel himself into his office to work on.

"We can set up a relationship chart with all potential beings we are likely to come across. Maybe on a scale of excellent, total mistrust, and points in between."

McCurry's eyes widen at Edgar's sudden enthusiasm, and she holds up her hands as though fending him off. "I appreciate your energy, Counselor, but Starfleet does have regulations for these things with regard to races we've encountered and established relationships with. As well as standard protocols for first contact, of course," she says. "What we need to focus on is negotiating through this particular relationship."

She turns back to Oobadek, awaiting his answer to her earlier question.

Edgar bows his head, thoroughly cowed.

Oobadek uses the brief exchange between the two Starfleet officers to compose himself. "As to precariousness, I would suggest that it is a very fluid situation. My people have learned that trust given too freely is rewarded with treachery. As such, one might be asked to excuse an interlude between being entirely unknown to each other's to becoming steadfast allies. Still, please consider the strides the Federation has made. They gave you me, a valued senior scientist. This is unprecedented, I assure you."

He lowers his voice. "You may be able to negotiate the shield protocol. As the counselor says, perhaps a guideline for exceptions?"

McCurry's response to this question is prevented by the voice of Altok Leya over the comm. "Captain, Admiral Hamilton wishes to speak with you urgently. We told him that you were in the meeting, but he says that he wants to be put through to talk to all of you."

The captain's features don't reveal how truly surprised she is; normally, an admiral would expect the room to be cleared for an urgent message. She gives the communications officer the go-ahead, and Hamilton's stern face shows up on her desktop viewscreen, which she adjusts to allow Oobadek and the counselor to both see and be seen.

"Greetings, Liaison Officer Oobadek," Hamilton says heartily, greeting Oobadek like a favorite son-in-law. "I'm sure it comes as no surprise that Starfleet has analyzed the content of the most recent transmitted file on Inphirian diplomatic protocols. It was merely a formality, of course, given that the original document was agreed to by both Inphirian and Federation diplomats after extensive diplomatic negotiations. However, the analysis uncovered a troubling and undoubtedly accidental discrepancy: an expectation that all Starfleet vessels will lower shields before approaching and making contact with Inphirian vessels, regardless of circumstances."

The admiral's fatherly smile continues. "I'm sure that the liaison officer has noted that this is an unexpected alteration to the protocols. I just wanted to reassure Captain McCurry that, despite this error in the current version of the document, Starfleet's regulation giving her absolute discretion regarding the use of her ship's shields has not suddenly been revised." He chuckles.

Returning his attention to Oobadek, he says, "Of course, L.O. Oobadek has no doubt already pointed out that his people almost certainly made a clerical error in this document and have not unilaterally altered the agreement signed by both our peoples."

He pauses, still smiling, and waits for Oobadek to respond.

Oobadek chews on his words before speaking. He stands tail, graceful, lithe. "Admiral. My own information packet on these protocols did not include explanatory notes, so I will not attempt to explain. If the Inphir Institute has made this change, I trust that they have good reason to have done so. I will not suggest that the Federation has provoked this request. However, sir, will all due respect, allowing your officers to flagrantly violate protocol without first attempting to negotiate will be undoubtedly seen as a sign of weakness within the Federation, and a provocation."

He looked at Captain McCurry briefly, unease showing in his deepset eyes.

Admiral Hamilton remains silent for a moment, his expression still pleasant, but there's the suggestion of flint in his eyes and in the set of his mouth. After a while, he speaks, his voice calm and cultured.

"Oobadek, I believe that we all want the same thing: for this partnership between our peoples to succeed. We fully intend to fulfill the commitment we made when we signed that original agreement."

There is a subtle but perceptible emphasis on the word "original."

"The Federation takes diplomatic agreements very seriously, as I'm certain your people do, as well. I will as you, as our liaison to Inphir, to contact your people immediately to ask if this... discrepancy truly constitutes a unilateral change in Inphirian expectations from the negotiated and signed agreement. If it is a simple mistake, we will of course proceed with this mission as planned.

"However, if this is a new requirement that your people expect us to observe, then we will happily return to the negotiating table."

Sitting back in his chair, Hamilton smiles again. "The mission can proceed again once both parties have signed the new agreement."

Oobadek also takes a moment, but smiles. "Of course. Thank you for understanding the situation so clearly. I will discuss this change and your understandable concerns with my people immediately." He looks at Captain McCurry with an appraising look. "I'll report to Captain McCurry as soon as I have a response."

He pauses before continuing. "One further question, if you'll indulge me. There aren't any other Federation starships in this sector, are there?"

"As per the original agreement," Hamilton says, "Starfleet vessels other than the Hodgkin have clearance to travel no closer to Inphirian space than Gaia Station unless special dispensation for additional ships is requested by Inphir.

"Under the current circumstances, however, I'm not convinced that it is advisable for the Hodgkin to proceed any further until we receive word back on this discrepancy. Captain McCurry, please bring the Hodgkin to a stop and hold your position until further notice."

Oobadek nods. "Thank you. I'll take your indirect answer for the evasion that it was." He leans closer to the view screen and shakes his head, speaking in a conspiratorial manner. "You really are giving the conservative elements in my government everything they could wish for. We are both being evaluated by our actions, but I will use what diminishing resources I have to advocate for this relationship to continue. Still, those who push for continued isolation despite the current crisis will grow emboldened."

If Hamilton is surprised or flustered by this unexpected posturing, he certainly doesn't look it. "Liaison, I am well aware that Inphir has unmanned observation probes installed throughout Inphirian space. If there were any Starfleet vessels in this sector other than the Hodgkin, your superiors would already have informed you of them."

He leans forward, his face betraying sincere concern. "Oobadek, I have no choice. I can't allow your people to unilaterally change the agreement, and I can't restrict my captain's ability to use her own judgment regarding threats from other ships. It violates Starfleet regulations, and it violates common sense."

"May we go off the record, sir?"

This time, Hamilton does look surprised. "Of course."

Oobadek asks Edgar to have the computer cease recording the transmission, then says, "Sir, Inphirians believe, at our core, that one approaches, the second acknowledges, the first states intentions, the second responds. This is the core of all polite communicating. In this instance, the unilateral action, this provocation can only be taken one way: a direct insult. Please allow me the time to get to the heart of this matter before taking such an understandable action. This change to the agreement isn't an excuse to weaken the defenses as a prelude to fire upon the Hodgkin. It is a test, intend to provoke a specific response. We need you, sir, desperately, even if more than a minority of the Inphir Institute believes otherwise. Give me time to privately root out the perpetrator and arrange for their public humiliation. Publicly, I will have to strongly object."

Hamilton considers this. "I see. Well, this certainly complicates things."

He looks at Tabitha. "Captain, it's your ship, your crew that's at risk. How do you feel about continuing the journey with this shield issue still unresolved?"

Keeping her features calm and composed, McCurry looks from Oobadek to the Admiral with a show of impassively considering the options.

"I believe, sir," says Tabitha, "that at our current speed and course trajectory, it will take a couple of days before we enter Inphirian space and have to make a decision about the shields. I think we can only gain by allowing Liaison Officer Oobadek some time to work whatever back channels he has to get to the bottom of this change."

The corners of her mouth lift slightly in a suggestion of a smile. "LO Oobadek has given me no reason not to trust him to pursue this avenue in good faith. My preference would be to continue on course while he does so."