A flicker of annoyance crossed V'nquera's face, to be replaced by the patient smile. "Ah. Commander Lasiter, you have some of your father in you, I see. It is true that we are proud of our traditions. However, if you were to look at our history, we are a people who are quite used to dynamic changes, from the clan wars which restructured our social classes, to the comet which necessitated our move off our beloved homeworld, to name a few. Most of the current population was even alive to see many of these large changes. I would say we are actually most proud that we have held on to our deepest traditions and values - family, spirituality, productivity - while living in the face of large-scale change. The Venasian people have looked at this change in government as just another thing to adjust to, and will continue to live their lives as they always have.
"Excuse me, Minister V'nquera, but I have a question. Admiral Lasiter has developed a very comfortable relationship with T'remea D'amondra. This relationship is rather broad, as I am told. Considering this relationship, why was he not told of this change in government? The Venasian people are very proud of their traditions, and such a people do not make changes of this magnitude lightly, and, if you will forgive me, the change in government was one hell of a change. A change to both government and to a vibrant history and tradition. What may I tell the Admiral?"
"As for T'remea D'amondra, it is not within our obligation to inform the Federation of changes in our political liasons. Just as you may expel our diplomats without warning, so may we recall ours without notice. However, you may tell Admiral Lasiter that the advantage of dealing with a telepathic race with a semi-hive mind is that the next T'remea to be assigned to the Federation will have the foreknowledge of T'remea D'amondra's experience and the relationship may continue accordingly."
-S
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