The Tragedy of Pikaihko The Wise (Part 2)

Posted on Fri Oct 25th, 2024 @ 9:40pm by Sinisiub Pallis & Captain Mikoto Misaka
Edited on on Fri Oct 25th, 2024 @ 9:41pm

1,104 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Captains and Contraband
Location: USS Ermiana
Timeline: After 'The Tragedy of Pikaihko The Wise (Part 1)

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

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?"

And now, the continuation:

Misaka shook her head. "I can't say that I have..." she admitted.

"I'd thought not." Pallis said. "It's an old Romulan tale, not exactly a Federation-approved bedtime story: You see, long ago, there was a Romulan scientist... I know, it sounds weird, but they do have them. This Romulan scientist was researching the use of micro-organisms to combat common diseases among his people, and save the ones he loved from dying."

Pallis stopped and took a sip of his tea.

"Through his research, the scientist discovered that he could use those same micro-organisms to construct DNA itself." He continued. "In essence, he discovered the ability to create life.."

"I'm not seeing a link here." Misaka said.

"Bear with me here, it'll make sense in a moment." Pallis said. "Anyhow, he became so renowned that the only thing he became afraid of was losing his power, which he did."

"Mister President, with all due respect. I'm not one for 'bearing around the bush'," Misaka told him. "I'm used to punctual, factual information there and then. As Captain I don't have time for riddles, analogies and stuff like that as I have the lives of my crew in my hands. So, please, just say it straight."

Pallis was quite surprised, but welcomed the challenge to get to the point:

"Well, Captain;" Pallis said. "The renowned Romulan scientist in question in our version of this story is Miyahara. He lost his power when Captain Aisaka showed him to be the lying fraud he is, but unlike our scientist, he slipped through the noose and got away, and is now trying to regain his power. I suppose how this story ends will depend on all of our actions, both in Starfleet and the Federation."

Pallis leaned forward.

"I was elected to this office on the promise that I would go after Miyahara and his band of traitors, and I'm ready to do so." He stated. "And from what you've told me, it sounds like Starfleet is ready to do the same."

"Some of us more..." she hesitated as she hated using thos word "senior; Captain's have been wanting to go and take him down for months now!" Misaka told him. "Now, the next question I have for you is simply. Why haven't we been given that order yet?"

"The short answer is... Politics." Pallis sighed. "Unfortunately, there are some in the Federation Council who seek to avoid conflict by simply recognizing Confederate Independence, and they question the morality of sending Starfleet after the head of state of what would become a foreign power, equating it to us going after the Klingon Chancellor, or the Romulan Praetor. I know, it's as absurd as it sounds:" Pallis said. "And that's why the Emergency Powers Act is so important: We need something to break the gridlock and bring Miyahara in before he can cause any more damage to our Federation."

"Wait a moment." Misaka said. "There's one question that needs to be asked here." She stated. "Does The Federation acknowledge The Confederacy of Planets as a stand alone state?"

"Because that was never considered for the Maquis. So if you're going to do this, remember that there are still officers in this fleet who fought for the peace. Many losing people they loved for it." Misaka told him as she crossed her arms. "So, if you declare this new Confederacy as a new rising state, separate from The Federation then they're on their own and attacking our population and what they have been doing will be considered by many as an... act of war."

"Unfortunately, what to class the Confederacy as is another cause of the deadlock in the Council." Pallis sighed once more. "Evidently, the traitorous worlds are vying for independence. The traitorous representatives of these worlds have even said as such. The majority of the Council shares my views on them, which is that they are a domestic terrorist organization akin to the Maquis, but there are some who believe that appeasing the Confederates is the answer."

Pallis then grinned smugly.

"But, I'm sure once the Confederates commit an act of war against us, those Councilors will be voted out of office in the first election cycle of the war." He said. "Once they've been found out by their constituents to have been sympathetic to traitors..."

Misaka stood there, her arms remaining crossed. "This is why I'm a Starfleet Captain and not a politician." She stated. "Tell you what Mister President. You work out what you're going to do before we arrive at our destination and you'll have the support of this ship and its crew. However, there is one thing you need to know..." she paused for a brief moment. "I will not put this ship or any single member of this crew at risk. If I feel someone is going to be hurt or worse, I will not hesitate to order us away. I am still the Captain of this ship and my word is final."

"Understood, Captain:" Pallis nodded. "You may return to your duties now."

Without another word Misaka gave him a nod, followed by a small bow an old Japanese custom before turning on a heel and striding out of the room.

Once Mikoto left the room, Pallis' lips curled into a grin. A twisted smirk almost devilish in nature. At the moment, things were going exactly as planned. But in order to ensure they continued to do so, Misaka would need to be removed from the picture: She had served her purpose for this phase, but in order to maintain his public image, he would need someone a bit more... Gullible:

Standing up, Pallis walked over to a panel on the wall and pressed a button to open a communications line to another set of VIP quarters housing some of his staffers:

"Billings, get me in contact with Captain Kaga..." He requested.

Posting by

Sinisiub Pallis
President
United Federation of Planets

Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer
USS Ermiana

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