Federation Council Log | "Who mourns for Zakdorn?" | FCHC | Ret. Adm Jolias Enor

Posted on 241504.18 @ 1:26am by President Jolias Enor

Mission: Reconciliation & Reconstruction [Fleet Plot]
Location: Earth

[Earth, San Jose]

Materializing on the public transporter platform Jolias winced as the harsh daylight burned at his eyes. A few lingering specks of crystalline flecks quickly melted under the harshness coating his parka in glistening dew. Pulling apart the buttons Jolias removed the thick coat and stepped off the platform. He glanced around and then raised his arm hailing a hover-taxi from the nearby street corner.
“Where are you headed?” The pilot asked as Jolias shoved the parka into the far side of the back seat before sliding in himself.
“The Trill compound.”
“It’ll take us about seven minutes from here.”
Jolias nodded his head towards the rearview mirror and then settled in for the trip. His thoughts lingering on his recent conversation with Councillor Aniri of the Andorians. The hover-taxi jolted slightly as it lifted and pulled out into the street. Something about her bothered him. He had known Iyaru for a long time but she seemed different- maybe even indifferent. He hoped she wasn’t indicative of the change in the Council since the war. Troubling, very troubling.
Outside the window buildings passed by. People passed by. Judging from his seat-side view it was hard to see the war wrapped atmosphere that had plagued Earth the past few years. Everyone seemed easy- calm and happy. Though there was a noticeable tension behind that felicity as if the recent tranquility was nothing more than a mirage. As if the last few months of peace might suddenly shred away to bring back the darkness of conflict. Jolias hoped not but the galaxy was a cruel place. Much crueler then when he had set out as a cadet several decades ago.
“We’re here.”
The hover car jostled to a stop along a tree lined curb. The doors hissed open and Jolias grabbed his parka thanking the pilot as he stepped out. The doors hissed closed and hover car slithered away revealing the view of the Trill compound in front of him. The compound itself wasn’t much to look at. It consisted of three mid-size ivory towers with long dark windows brightly reflecting the sunlight coursing down the buildings’ sides in columns of onyx. Leading to them, up a small hill, was a long concrete walkway lined by flowers and bushes. Jolias followed this pathway enjoying the freshness of the cool air his lungs happy to be away from the abrasive cold of Copenhagen. To the humans this area was called Silicon Valley and originally he had thought it had once been a great source of silicates. Jolias had only recently learned after traversing one of the local bars that the area was named after technological innovation during Earth’s burgeoning electronic age when semi-conductors were produced in abundance in the area.

Reaching the entrance Jolias walked through the thick glass of the double doors and into the main lobby.
“Oh finally! I have been waiting an eternity!”
He looked up to see sullen visage of a Zakdorn marching towards him with a posse of two aids. Farther back he could see the dejected visage of Valin who shrugged at him.
“Admiral!”
Jolias tensed. Gave Valin an equally repressive look and then turned to the droopy faced Zakdorn concealing his consternation with a vivid smile “Councillor Enra Donae.” It was hard not to sigh as the Zakdorn and his contingent literally surrounded him with the distance left between them a margin of suffocation.
“I need to speak with you. We have some…” He paused, one of his cheek droops twitched slightly, and then he seemed to search the room with his eyes “somewhere privately.”
“Ok.” Jolias held his smile firm even as the scowl was pulling away at his facial muscles trying to dislodge the apparition on his face “my office. Just upstairs.” The Zakdorn nodded slightly and Jolias led him up one of the side staircases to the second floor. His office, meager as it was, stood just about a dozen footsteps away. Once both were inside Jolias shut the door and then sat down on top of his barren desk- the only piece of furniture currently in the room “well, what is so important?”
“Your office?” Enra’s raised nose showed his disapproval but he hid it well otherwise focusing his gaze on Jolias “you are aware of recent events within the council?”
“Somewhat- I just arrived so I have yet to wade into…” he wanted to say cesspool but he didn’t know Enra very well and decided on a more subdued aphorism. “The pond. What did you want to speak to me about?” Jolias asked, already having and inkling about the subject.
“Do you know about recent events within the council?” Enra sucked in a deep breath and then continued on without allowing Jolias an opportunity to even acknowledge the question “it’s absolutely ungrateful how they have treated us! The Zakdorn have protected the Federation for over a century with our strategic prowess so it’s terribly unfathomable that we should be discarded at the last moment in favor of Trill and Bajor!” Enra’s teeth seemed to grind and then he looked up at Jolias allowing his tense expression to soften slightly “of course- we agree with the appointment of Trill. Your people have been a great resource to the federation.”
Of course. Jolias did his best to hold the smile “thank you Enra but-”
“But the way they have treated Zakdorn. Just outrageous!” Enra slammed a fist into the desk causing it to wobble beneath Jolias “there is something amiss here Councillor Enor. I have been looking into it deeper since we were snubbed. Bajor should have never even been considered. They were not even among the final draft list presented to the Security Council originally. Yet, suddenly at the very end they receive the second permanent seat. It’s not just simple corruption. It’s something deeper.”
“Do you have any evidence?” Jolias asked and almost wanted to shy away from the resulting glare that Enra gave him.
“Evidence? We have plenty. Though nothing that directly hints at anything amiss. But together? It shows that several of the member words have been communicating fervently. Bajor was also set to receive the High Commissioner position- the vote was set for last week. However, once word arrived that Trill had finally chosen a replacement and your name was revealed the vote was called off. Why?”
“I’m not-”
“Just think about it. Giving Bajor the position after such an outrageous affair would be too risky. You are a perfect alternative. Clueless, innocent, and compliant. They probably expect that they can continue whatever it is they are doing with you as High Commissioner.”
Jolias sighed and pushed himself off the desk “Councillor I only have the greatest respect for you and Zakdorn. However it has been a long-”
“Councillor I am here trying to warn-”
“AND I appreciate that.” Jolias wearily spoke over Enra something that seemed to be a bit more difficult then he would have imagined. If there was one thing he could say about the Zakdorn it was that Enra seemed very determined “but I have had a long day. I will certainly think about what you have said to me and digest it but if you don’t mind I would like to settle in a bit. As you can see-” he waved his hand in front of him gesturing at the entire room “I haven’t even begun to unpack yet. One thing at a time is my only pace.”
The Zakdorn’s nose crinkled and Jolias wasn’t sure but it almost seemed like those folds of skin puffed up. “Very well, but you will see shortly!” He turned and marched out. Jolias scratched his head already feeling a tinge of regret about having even agreed to this.

[End]