The Referendum

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 3:07am by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky

Mission: Mission 57: The Northern Lights
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: December 28th 2391

Teval sat on roanoke's bridge, watching the Referendum take place. Voter turnout was impressive, 98% of the colonists of voting age showed up and put in their opinion. And there was no question as to what the colonists want, 78% of the colonists wanted to sever ties with Betazed. Teval turned to Lasky and Zara," Well this should definitive catch Betazed's attention.

Lasky read the PADD as he smiled. "Well now... The avalanche has already started, its too late for the pebbles to vote.." he commented aloud.

"I believe Commodore Olmos is still visiting Doctor Furban. Please ask her to meet me in my office," Zara spoke with a level of concern in her eyes as she stood up and went to the door that led into the main hallway.

Lasky nodded as he tapped his combadge and passed the message along to Olmos as requested.

Rykar meanwhile, whom was monitoring the news channels. "Well this just got real. Bajor just made their official response. They are throwing their support for the colony, demanding that Betazed respects the wishes of the colony and allow the colony to either become independent or become wholly Bajoran."

Lasky raised an eyebrow. "Lovely... so Betazed just got a fire lit under their collective asses and the heat just got turned up to eleven.." he smiled. "so... what now?"

"I hate my job..." Zara sighed unhappily and walked in a sulk out of the bridge.

Teval asked Zara," You want me to be there with you."

Lasky turned his head. "Go after her." he said quietly. "I got this.." before he let out a soft sigh.

Teval nodded and quietly followed Zara, saying, "Well I think it would be better off if you did have a friend with you, I know you and her have not had the best of a relationship."

"No... But Olmos is a patriot of her people," Zara said quietly as she walked by a few doors and stopped at the one that was hers. "This was not the news she needed, so soon after what happened with her foster daughter."

Teval followed Zara into her office and took a seat on the couch and waited, "Well, unfortunately it cant be helped, all we can do is try our best and hope the situation turns out the best it can, but still prepare for the worst just in case."

"I'm afraid the worst is something Zara nor many others on this ship, aren't going to like," Olmos spoke apologetically as she walked in and made herself comfortable on the brown leather couch.

"Meaning you know the most likely candidate sent here," Zara said with pursed lips.

"House Furban. They fought for this project hard. And the matron of said house is said to be absolutely livid of the level of corruption," Olmos spoke in a manner that meant she did not buy all of it.

Teval quickly picked up on Olmos tone, "Sounds to me like you don't believe that the source of the corruption is what has been claimed, that maybe, someone else is trying to frame another house for this mess."

"Well she'll likely stay on Dreamcrusher, since it is bigger," Zara spoke hopefully.

"She'll bring the whole entourage with her. Aids, family members. Make a show of loving her eldest daughter deeply to any press. Then if Nalla manages find a topic that doesn't upset Matron Furban's delicate temperament, they'll bring in their aid packages," Olmos spoke with contained rage.

"But Nalla can't help who she is. You as good as told me that about a hundred times," Zara pointed out.

"High-functioning autistic is the closest thing that describes her," Olmos nodded sadly. "And Nalla will be around Matron Furban a lot. So much so, there's a risk to her safety."

"So what are we going to do about it then," Teval asked. "I rather doubt that woman would like us posting guards around Nalla, though I do have some leftover surveillance equipment from my days in starfleet intel that we can use to keep an eye on her, providing it still works."

"I am fine with whatever measures you feel need to happen," Olmos spoke with a firm nod.

Teval nodded then mentioned, "By the way, what ship is she supposed to be staying on, needless to say, our diplomatic hall, as tiny as it is, isn't in the best shape."

"I believe she wanted to bunk here, so as to be close to her daughter." Zara pursed her lips. She was very clearly annoyed with this fact.

Teval let off an annoyed low growl, then replied, "Well I'll let Aerin and Benice know to keep an eye on the situation, just in case she decides to do something stupid."

"I'm more concerned with Jake doing something stupid, but thank you." Zara rubbed a hand through her blond hair. "Command can be stressful sometimes."

Teval looked a bit confused, "Wait why would Jake do something stupid."

"Well Jake got Nalla knocked up and now he knows her mom's a violent psychotic that blinded her as a child in a fit of rage," Zara answered casually. "So now he wants to kill her slowly and painfully."

Teval sighed, "Wonderful."

"I believe I'll unofficially bunk here as well, so Nalla feels at ease. Keep my flag on Tranquility." Olmos stood up as if to leave. "Nalla likes having me over anyway so I'll stay with her."

"Just try not to come to blows, like your last encounter with Nalla's mom," Zara noted with earnest.