Federation Council Back Log | "Too Trill for Trill" Part 2 | FCHC | Ret. Adm Jolias Enor

Posted on 241501.08 @ 5:27pm by President Jolias Enor

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: Trill & Transport Ship
Timeline: 5 days ago

[Trill, Laran Manav]

A thick fog had rolled into the city from the bay overnight coating the city in a cloud of white smoke. From the top of the spaceport’s VIP terminal Jolias looked out over the city as the first morning rays of sunlight bounced off the fog making Laran Manav appear like it was drifting in a massive cloud. The awesome scenery was almost enough to get his mind off recent events. Unfortunately almost didn’t cut it. No, Jolias felt like he did at the Academy that one time he had tried to outdrink a Klingon at a local haunt. Not only did he fail to beat the Klingon but the next morning he had such a terrible warnog induced hangover that he was certain his future hosts would probably still hear the ringing in their ears. Now instead of a hangover however his head ached at the thought of his new post. There were several moments during the night that he had sat up in a cold sweat contemplating anxiously whether or not he should deny his appointment. He was certain that all the apprehension and pondering had probably gained him a few more strands of grey. What upset him the most however was the fact that Alazera was right. He had been hungering for something to do although this was certainly not what he had in mind.

“Councillor Enor?”

Jolias spun to find a young woman tugging along a hovering cargo carrier behind her. When he face her she smiled through rosy cheeks and gently brushed a few strands of persimmon hair away from her large round hazel eyes. “Councillor?” She asked again tilting her head slightly as she waited for an answer.

It took him a moment to realize she was referring to him “yes, I am the Councillor.” It’ll take some time to get used to being called that, he thought briefly before approaching the young woman. Once he was next to her he glanced briefly at her cargo which appeared to consist entirely of luggage “and you are?”

“Oh NO! I’m so sorry I should introduce myself.” She patted her head “I can be so forgetful sometimes! You know my grandmother always said that I wouldn’t know a…” she paused and then winced. “Sorry, sorry, I am Valin Idon and I promise I’m not normally this spacey it’s just” Valin motioned to the transport and then made a wide reaching circular motion by spreading out her arms “I’m just not used to all this.”

Nodding his head slowly Jolias didn’t know what to make of this girl. Already his beating headache seemed like it was burgeoning to break through his temples and the rambling wasn’t helping things. Lowing his head he gently massaged his temples “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way but why exactly are you looking for me?”

“Why am I…” She paused again and for a moment resembled that old terran saying of a deer looking into headlights with such a resoundingly blank expression on her face. Finally as if inspiration had hit her once more Valin pumped her fist with a big smile “I am here to be your attaché.”

“Oh my.” Jolias could only imagine the excitement he was in for. “I see, well” he smiled even though it required a bit effort “welcome to the team.” Was there even a team? He resisted the overwhelming urge to sigh and motioned for one of the transport’s attendants to come and take the woman’s baggage. When the cargo was attended to he led the way as both of them boarded the transport. “So, how was it that you came into this position?” He asked her as they were led to their compartment.

“I was working under President Prim during her campaign and joined her staff as an aid to the Director of Interior after. Though my specialty has always been Interstellar Relations and Political Science. When I heard about your appointment I was so excited. Did you know I voted for you?” Valin giggled “I have always had the greatest respect for y…” She paused and then violently shook her head “I did it again! Forgive me sir. When I heard about the position I talked to the director about it and he recommended me for the post. Apparently the President also gave her recommendation when she heard about my interest. Anyways, I’m just so excited.”

“Yes, we can tell.” Jolias said. Near the rear of the transport they finally reach their accommodations which turned out to be a somewhat spacey office-like arrangement with two bedrooms connected to it. “Well what can you tell me about what I am walking into with the Council? I haven’t been keeping up lately with all the news.”

“Oh I know a lot!” She sat down in one of the plush chairs that lined a coffee table in the room’s corner “it’s a mess it really is.” Valin twirled a finger at the attendant and pointed next to her apparently seeming to indicate that was where she wanted her luggage. Unfortunate the poor attended just twisted his head, looked around, and then simply dumped her bags on the floor before walking out. “Odd…” she murmured and then turned back to Jolias “anyways where was I? Ah yes! A big mess! Did you know thirty three worlds will be holding referendums on continued membership? Shocking right?”

“Referendums?” Jolias’ posture straightened at those words. Was it really that bad for thirty member worlds to consider leaving? “Which worlds are considering leaving?” He asked. Even though things on Trill hadn’t been spectacular in terms of its relationship with the Federation there was never any talk about leaving.

“I don’t know the entire list off the top of my head but some of the world are Zakdorn, Bynaus, and Kazarite. All for different reasons of course. I haven’t had time to read up on everything but I know the Zakdorn have not been please since they failed to secure a permanent seat on the Security Council. I think that seat went to Bajor which was a slight surprise.” She chuckled dismissively “well that’s really all I know at the moment at least until I get a chance to do a little more research.”

Nodding his head Jolias had to admit he was a little surprised at her breadth of knowledge. “Don’t judge a book by its cover” he murmured the old earth idiom and then offered the young woman a warm smile in return for her work “thank you for the brief Valin. I look forward to working with you.” He hope he wouldn’t regret that last statement. “If you don’t mind I have a terrible headache after a restless night. I am going to retire into my stateroom for the moment. Just ring me if I am needed.”

“No problem sir!” Valin smiled so brightly that Jolias had to shy away from her gaze to keep from being blinded by her expression. “I am going to read up on everything and I will have a more detailed report ready for you when you wake up.”

“Sounds good.” Jolias said as he made his way into the side room. When the door closed behind him he let out a heavy sight and just collapsed into the bed. As he lay there sprawled on the covers he wondered for a moment if he should get up and pull them away like a proper person would. With a groan he started to pull himself up but then decided that it wasn’t worth the effort and fell back into the sheets smothering his face into the smooth fabric. Closing his eyes he let the blackness take him.

Several hours later…

It was loud and it might even be angry. Sitting up Jolias rubbed his groggy eyes and searched the dark room for the shrieking alarm that had woke. Instinctively he had reached out to slam his hand into the nightstand but met air when he tried. It was then he had realized that he was no longer on Trill and forced his tired body to rise. In the main room he heard a loud noise that resembled the sound of books falling off a shelf followed later by a brief spate of cursing in Trill. Sliding his legs off the bed and setting them on the floor he started to pull up when he heard talking and stopped. He turned his drowsy eyes towards the door where Valin’s loud voice easily filtered through.

“Sorry for the delay in getting to your call. Did you say you were looking for the Councillor? Oh yes but he is sleeping at the moment is it important? Did you say you were…” Her voice paused. It was a trait Jolias had noticed and was beginning to find grating. As he stood up the silence was broken again by her voice which was now directly outside of the door where a low knock preceded it. Had he still been asleep Jolias was certain that pitiful noise would not have woken him “sorry to bother you sir but you have a transmission from Earth. It’s Councillor Aniri of Andoria. She would like to speak to you privately.”

Aniri? He recognized the name immediately “put it through to my room.” Standing up he studied layout in the dimness trying to locate the communications display. Though he didn’t need to search for long as an area of the wall folded away to reveal a small screen which lit up and bathed the room in a hue of turquoise. “Iyaru” he said tiredly “what reason do you have to call me now when I am on my way to Earth?”

The Andorian gave him one of her whimsical expressions that reminded Jolias of a cat as it pawed at a helpless rodent “what reason?” Aniri used that equally playful tone that she often used after having too many drinks “to talk of course. When I heard who they had appointed to replace Maslam I was downright giddy. Not that I disliked the old man but he lacked any flavor- ole Maslam was such a bore. Now I have someone I can share a drink with!”

“Congratulations.” Jolias deadpanned and fell back into the bed while looking up at the screen “if that is all I would like to try to get back to sleep which you so rudely interrupted.” He reached up and slapped away one of the sheets just enough to pull out the pillow and slide it under his head.

“Well, there is another reason.” Aniri’s expression and tone changed suddenly and took on such an air of seriousness that Jolias found himself sitting up without much thought. “The Council has been looking for someone to take on the Chief of Staff post. Several of us would like that person to be someone who will keep an eye on Hark and if possible keep him in check. You served for a long time in Starfleet Admiral and we were hoping you would have some suggestions? Perhaps compile a list of people who might be willing to work with us?”

Was she serious? Jolias felt the last lagging tendrils of sleep pull away from him as he considered her question with subdued exasperation. “No I don’t have a list of names nor will I make one for you. Any Starfleet officer that is worth their weight won’t do it. Certainly no one worthy of holding that post and you would be silly to put anyone there that would.” It was aggravating to him that he hadn’t even been on the council for more than a day and already he was being drawn into a political scheme.

“I see.” Those blue framed eyes of hers narrowed and a deep furrow creased across her forehead “I may have been expecting too much. I have someone that I will be approaching. In any case I would like to speak with you in person when you arrive. I’ll send the time and coordinates to that sweet little aid of yours. Sleep well.” With that the screen abruptly switched to the Federation icon leaving Jolias staring at the screen speechless by what just happened.