"As for the Venasians, I tend to view them like a view most species as a
whole. There are some good ones and bad ones. Ambassador D'amondra seems
quite trustworthy, but I am not so sure about General Aamon. They are
important to the power struggle in this quadrant, but we must not be too
quick to judge them as a whole. Judging a multi-system power such as they
cannot be done with one sentence."
"You are quite correct in what you say. However, I have something to
tell you. Something that must remain between the two of us for the time
being. I see the Venasians as a potiential great friend and neighbor. I
see
good things coming from a lasting friendship between us and them. However, I
also see a distrust that is building both within the Federation of them and
from within the Venasian people toward us. That will only serve to plunge
us
into another costly war, a war that we can afford to have. We must do what
we can to improve relations, to build that link of trust. If we do not...
I
fear the consequences for our own arrogance. The official
party line is we are friendly towards them, but distrustful. That comes
from
the political leaders. I do nto share that particular point of view. I
value our realtionship with the Venasians, and for that reason I want to you
to resolve this shuttle non-sense and the murder of Chief Investigator
Telax. It is very important that you resolve that quickly. Now what I am
about to tell you is not widely known. Especially intell.
There is a rift in the Venasian government. There is a militant
sepratist movement that distrusts the Federation and will do anything to
break the treaty. Even frame innocents or worse kill them. I assume that
they are not above making friends within the Federation to do their dirty
work. Friends who would do their killing for them so they do not get their
hands dirty. Friends that are not nearly as careful at the Venasians are,
if
you know my meaning. The other faction in Venasian is friendly towards the
Federation, but they are losing their numbers to the other side.
Solving these cases will help us win support in that key faction. So, I am
just saying that I have confidence in your abilities....." he replied
hinting heavily about what he wanted and providing a little extra info along
the way...
Somehow Audra was not completely surprised by the comments and this was
evident on her face. "Sir, Amdiral Izata and I have come up with some
evidence that seems to indicate that the Venasians were involved in the
bombing of the shuttle bringing the Venasian delegation to Earth a few
months
back. That would seem to support your comment."
"I had suspected as much. Be careful how you proceed. They are
secretive people, and people that we will need as allies one day. We must
take steps to enure that we do not offend them necessarily." Lasiter said
dissapointed a bit. He was hoping that his thoughts on the matter were
wrong.
"Well, we spoke with Ambassador D'amondra about what we found in order to
get
some advice about how to proceed. She seemed to indicate that it was
against
their belief system to attack one of their own."
"That would be why they would involve others, such as those in the
Federation. I would assume that they would seek out those that wanted to
disrupt the treaty as much as they do. Either someone with connections, or
they may go right to those connections themselves. Do you have any thoughts
as to who may be working with them.?"
{response}
"Back to this Starfleet question..... How would you go about fixing the
problem? If you were in my place just how would you address the issue that
officers are self serving and not looking after their flock....."
"I think what you are doing on Spacedock is a good example of what should be
done, sir. I am talking about making the crew a family. It is hard to be
ruthless and self-serving when you care a great deal about those around you.
Longer assignments together promote such relationships."
"Good thinking, Ms. Firehawk. What else would you suggest, perhaps on
the line of removing the bad element or at least slowing its progress." he
asked.
{response}
