The Tragedy of Pikaihko The Wise (Part 1)

Posted on Fri Oct 25th, 2024 @ 9:40pm by Sinisiub Pallis & Captain Mikoto Misaka

1,335 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Captains and Contraband
Location: USS Ermiana

The Myogi and the Kaga weren't the only ones making their way towards Rheuys: For a third ship was also en route to the capital of the Federal Rheuysian Republic. This one, however, carried an important political figure: The United Federation of Planets' new Commander-In-Chief.

Sinisiub Pallis had requested the Starship Ermiana personally, as such a storied vessel that had served with distinction throughout the Federation's last war would surely be there on the front lines to prevent another one. However, from the moment he had stepped aboard, he had been met with... Well, there was no other word to describe it, indifference: The grumpy Caitian First Officer seemed completely uninterested while giving his delegation a tour of the facilities they would be permitted into, and the present danger of the Confederacy of Independent planets seemed to be the last thing on everyone's mind, as the crew seemed to give off an air of being inconvenienced from whatever they had been doing to transport the president. Something which should have been a big deal seemed like just another run of the mill day at the office.

Once his delegation had gotten settled into the Ermiana's guest quarters, Pallis had asked the grumpy Caitian hostess to send for Captain Misaka, hoping to get to the bottom of this great enigma.

The chime at the door of the guest quarters rang. Outside stood Captain Misaka, clearly not amused at being asked to go and speak to this politician. Frankly, it was clear to many she didn't really care about them. This afterall was her ship and she could think of a million others things she would rather be doing over being a glorified ferry service.

"Come in." Pallis called in a warm, almost fatherly tone.

Misaka walked in. "You wished to see me President?"

"Ah, yes, come in, Captain:" Pallis said invitingly. "There seems to be a misunderstanding, and I'm hoping to have it resolved."

"A misunderstanding?" Misaka questioned. "What sort of misunderstanding?"

"Well, Captain;" Pallis said, folding his fingers. "As I'd hope you'd be aware, our Federation faces its greatest crisis since the Dominion War, yet your crew, even your first officer, don't seem to care one way or another how it goes. So, tell me, Captain: Do you wish to see this Federation which has stood for over a quarter millennium tear itself apart? To see the freedoms for which you and your crew fought only 20 years prior be openly challenged by a tyrannical ex-Admiral?"

"You're talking about Miyahara aren't you?" Misaka asked as she crossed her arms. "It's not that we don't care Mister president. It's just there are a lot of people on this ship that think the way the Federation Council is handling this is all wrong." Misaka stated simply.

"And it's not just the council's fault. But Starfleets too. However that delusional man got to such a rank in the first place, I'll never know." Misaka said. "And why haven't you authorised Starfleet to actively go after him? If he's such a threat to the peace of the galaxy, then let us hunt him down and capture him! Starfleet has hundreds of Starships at its disposal, he can't run away forever. Yet here we are, picking up the pieces in his wake. Using resources that could be better deployed elsewhere." Her expression turned to that of a frown. "Frankly, since he was exposed by Captain Aisaka he should have been arrested and trialled immediately for treason. If I had my way, he'd be in the most desolate penal colony we have for the remainder of his days!"

"Unfortunately, mistakes were made under the administration of my predecessor." Pallis sighed. "If Miyahara had been arrested and tried immediately, he wouldn't have had time to weaponize his following, and all the brave Starfleet personnel who lost their lives defending Democracy would still be with us." He said calmly.

"It is for this precise reason that the vote of no confidence and snap election were held:" Pallis explained. "If my predecessor allowed an angry mob to try and overthrow our democracy and get away with it, clearly they were not fit to lead the free galaxy."

Misaka let out a sigh. "Well look at it this way. You're trying to cure the symptoms and not the disease." She told him. "You're quick to blame those who came before you, but you seem reluctant to take action when it's needed." Misaka paused. "Look at what ship your on Mister President. What do you see?" She asked holding her arms out to indicate the ship around them.

"What I see is the reason I requested to speak with you, Captain:" Pallis responded. "What I saw was resounding indifference from a ship that has been through so much, she challenges the Enterprise herself for legend." Admittedly, that last sentence was a bit too patronizing. "I would have expected the crew of such a storied vessel to understand what's at stake here. Maybe not the younger ones, who were only children during the war, but my point is; there are certainly other Starfleet captains who would squeal with joy at the opportunity to transport the Federation president, but I chose Ermiana because I wanted the best."

"Well, what I see is not just a ship with a name." Misaka said. "The reason why this crew isn't so happy at playing 'ferry' service, is because we're used to being out there and making a difference." She explained. "Don't get me wrong, I'll follow orders. But you compare us to the Enterprise. If you know your history, the Galaxy Class is still seen as a powerhouse to the enemies of the Federation. Even thirty years later, it stands for the technological advancements were made, the progress that the Federation stands for and has enough firepower to put a small moon out of its misery."

Misaka paused for a moment. "What I'm trying to say is. With all due respect Mister President. You wanted the Ermiana for her prestige and name, to fly the flag. But you don't seem to realise us that ships like this, have the power and the ability to cure the 'disease' that's been causing all these problems. It seems that somewhere in the higher up ranks, someone just doesn't want the responsibility of finally saying 'make it so', to quote a renown Captain." Misaka explained.

"If you want to stop Miyahara and put an end to this. Look back at how we dealt with the Maquis back in the seventies. How mistakes were made, how Starfleet couldn't control them. How we let them get one step ahead and how it took the arrival of The Dominion to finally cut them down." She paused. "Then after all that, compare them. Because what you've got here is the same situation. Just with different goals. Treat these people that follow Miyahara like the outlaws and Terrorists that they are, let it be known that they we will not tolerate their bullshit, and let them know that if they cross the line, then Starfleet will make them answer for it." She paused again for a brief moment. "Once that happens, then we gave the authority and the means to finally restore some sort of control. But if you don't act fast, then that control will slip out of your hands faster than a payment of latinum to a Ferengi."

Pallis merely nodded. While he wasn't at liberty to discuss it with Misaka, but the loyalists in the Federation council had been making a push to expand executive power, and the council was expected to vote on it soon. Safe to say, Pallis was quite pleased with what had thus far transpired.

"You know, all this talk of targeting the disease reminds me of something:" He said, diverting the conversation away from the pending Emergency Powers Act. "Tell me; have you ever heard of the Tragedy of Pikaihko the Wise?"

To be continued...

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