> The stock markets on Earth and several other planets had been closed for just under 30 minutes when it happened. President Montgomery appeared on Federation network tv and announced the attack by the Venasians on one of the Federation's many trade partners. He also announced ordering Starfleet to increase their patrols and ordering all Venasian military out of Federation space within 6 hours from beginning of his announcement. Venasian Military ships not able to depart Federation space within that time should set a course to the nearest Starfleet Starbase for temporary impound. It was also announced that there was a strong possibility that reserve units would be called up. > > President Montgomery stressed that while the Federation strongly condemned the actions being taken by the Venasian government, a diplomatic solution was being sought after. Starfleet's precautionary measures were being taken at the reccommendation of Admiral Lasiter and Starfleet Command. > > While the President was speaking, Lasiter sent out the orders to all commands regarding the treatment of Venasian refugees and impounded Venasian craft. His transmission also included briefings on the new technology that the Venasians were using, and orders increasing the fleet wide alert level. All of which he had prepared before the President began speaking. > > Lasiter also sent word to Dr. Lucas Ryan about a potiential new homeworld for the Venasian people. He gave the location and the requirements for a transfer of control- resumption of ful diplomatic ties, a satisfactory explaination of the dramatic change in government, and a ceassion of all hostilities. Venasian refugees would be allowed to colonize the planet provided that they did not have weapons, plan or support any kind of military or terrorist actions against any world in the Federation or beyond. In essence another spot to escape the military rule of the A'amons.
Naturally, this announcement set off quite a reaction throughout some of the populace. Despite attempts at controlling treatment of Venasian refugees, several reports came in reporting attacks on Venasians living on Earth and other Federation planets. The population of Venasians on Earth was small - easily trackable - but as one, they seemed to disappear. Some reappeared later at the Venasian embassy, seeking refuge. Others surfaced at the local hospitals, sporting abrasions and bruises from attacks. However, if a bioscan of the planet was done, it became evident that some of the population had fled to the Earth's oceans, diving deep into the Marians Trench in the Pacific, where humans were incapable of going without equipment. Though the chemical balance in the area wasn't optimal for Venasian survival, they could live down there for quite a while. The Venasians who remained on the surface were quite calm about the whole thing, though clearly scared for their lives. Lucas Ryan, however, answered back with a less-than-cordial message. When he appeared on the screen, he was holding a cold pack to his forehead. "Well, Admiral, with all due respect, I could have used more warning before your press conference." He removed the compress to reveal a nasty bruise. "I got hit on my way to the lab. 'Venasian collaborator' they were calling me. A 'webfoot sympathizer.' They know I work with Dr. D'amondra, and that I'm working on the Venasian projects. Things may seem fairly under control, but the small number of people who are determined to be loud, well, they're being loud." He winced slightly when he put the compress back on. (response, if any.) -S
