Space Seed: A Divergent Reality
Chapter 7: Federation Council
Since the arrival of the Augments to Earth via Kirk and crew, there had been a state of heighten security around them. Prior to the Enterprise arriving in orbit of Earth, news of the Augments was still kept confidential among knowing Starfleet personnel and soon to be briefed Federation council members.
Of the current Federation council members that were privy to the information, the president of the Federation council was the only one that had foreknowledge of what the emergency session was going to be about. Once the council was assembled, testimony was going to be given in a closed door session. In addition to a brief by Admiral Nogura, verbal testimony was also going to be provided by Khan. Also, the U.S. Vice President and the two U.S. Generals were to be present for back up and provide clarifying answers for the council members.
- San Francisco, North America, Federation Council Chambers -
As Admiral Nogura viewed the gathered council members, he began, "Esteemed council members, welcome to this special session of the Federation Council. I'm sure you are all wondering why this session is behind closed doors. Per the Federation President's order, there is now a strict no information disclosure caveat on this meeting and any information presented therein. Any discussions or information created on the topic we're about to discuss is to stay inside this chamber and among the councilors at this time.
"To begin with, Starfleet has discovered something very significant that could transform the Federation now and into the future, especially for my fellow humans, for which it affects us significantly. Earth has come a long way from the its dark history ending in the mid-21st century and fortunately we've had help from benevolent allies to bring ourselves back from a devastating third world war and allowing us to evolve into a prosperous and peaceful galaxy-wide nation. We, as a species, have learned much about ourselves through our travels and contact with numerous alien species that there are, to paraphrase the Vulcans, '…an infinite diversity in infinite combinations…' throughout the galaxy. Together with our allies in the Federation, we hope to continue to explore the galaxy in peace and only use our weapons and ships in self-defense and protection.
"As the human race has explored more areas of space outside our solar system, the question of who we are as a race has led to significant changes in how approach that question. Given that our belief that all sentient races have the right to self-determination, we strive not interfere in alien civilizations for good or bad. Understanding that exposing more primitive races to the idea of alien worlds could do more harm than good, we've had to come to terms with our terms of what is right versus wrong. As we make mistakes in our exploration of the galaxy, we as a race strive to overcome our limited shortcomings and prejudices to make our world and the Federation a better place. Our view of the galaxy and universe as a whole has had to stay flexible when encountering new and exotic worlds with life that isn't quite human. It is this flexibility and maturity in our race that I hope you will view the human race today with I'm about to tell you," Admiral Nogura looked around to the seated council members, many of whom looked bored, but interested in what he was saying. Many of the human councilors were nodding their head in agreement with what he was saying.
"Three weeks ago, the starship Enterprise encountered a derelict ship, an Earth ship to be precise, drifting in deep space. Upon investigation by the Enterprise's landing party, they discovered it was a sleeper ship from late 20th century Earth. On this ship, Captain Kirk and his crew found and secured 74 augmented human beings from that were in perfectly preserved in cryo-stasis. The ship, the S.S. Botany Bay as it is called, was towed to Starbase 13 where all but four of them currently are. The other four are sitting over there," he pointed to where Khan, former U.S. Vice President Moore, and the two generals were sitting next to Captain Kirk and the Federation Defense Minister. All eyes went to them.
The murmurs went up in the crowd, and Admiral Nogura had to motion for silence so he can finish, "Now, I know what you think, Earth history paints these individuals as notorious dictators and evil soldiers. Now, from interviews and discussions with these individuals, I've come to know them and I find their intentions honorable and peaceful.
"Today, what I'm asking the council, and especially the United Earth government, which is represented here today," he looked over to where the United Earth prime minister was sitting, "to rescind the ban on human genetic engineering. Now, this is a radical step forward, but from my point of view, and my belief, is that our races' shortsightedness from the past should be corrected. What I'm asking is that you, the council and United Earth, keep an open mind and consider the facts provided."
He looked over the crowd and the noise of many races talking amongst themselves got loud. Only up at the front, when the Federation President called for order, did the assembled council quieted down. The President looked over the crowd and then nodded to Nogura, "Thank you admiral, for the brief."
Admiral Nogura left the podium and went over to sit beside Captain Kirk and the Defense Minister.
"Fellow council members, I, like the admiral, want to say thank you again for coming and being accommodating with the venue of this meeting. As you can see, the topic being discussed today is controversial enough to warrant the increased security measures. Our objective today is to hear the testimony, read the information before you, and then determine if the ban on human genetic engineering is to be repealed. Now, I know what you may be thinking, but let's not have fear cloud our judgement and prevent us from making a hasty decision, but a good one.
Looking across the chamber to where the Augments were sitting, he looked at them and said, "Khan, Vice President Moore, Generals Taylor and Roberts are seated here." All of them looked and nodded in return to the President.
"At this time, I'm going to ask Khan to come and speak to the assembled council." At that moment, Khan got up and went up to the adjacent podium to the Presidents right, but not before coming over to shake the President's hand.
Khan said, "Thank you, Mr. President," he smiled.
As he got up behind the podium, Khan looked out over the assembled council members. "Thank you everyone for allowing me to speak on behalf my fellow travelers. When I left Earth, we set out to find a new world, a new nation and to chart our own history away from the prejudiced minds that cast us out. Yes, we were running because we had been defeated, but the other option was to become prisoners or die because of who and what we are. It was to escape persecution by the governments of Earth at that time. As a group, we are not defeated in spirit, we are driven to find our own way…a new way for use to live in peace away from our enemies.
As he looked around the gathered council members, Khan continued, "On behalf of my fellow Augments, I am petitioning the Federation to allow my fellow Augments to enjoy the same rights and privileges like any other sentient. At the very least, allow us the freedom to determine our own destiny without Federation interference. Allow us to colonize our own world away from you if you decide that we are not to be a part of your society. It makes no difference to me. I've discussed this with my compatriots that are with me and we're perfectly capable of governing ourselves; however, if members of my society decide to not come and live among us, I ask that you allow them to become full-fledged citizens of Earth or any of the Earth colonies already established within your Federation, please grant them that right. You will find that we still can contribute to your Federation and its future.
"In the time since I've been awake, I've read your Federation Constitution and since it was developed on the precedents of many of Earth's historical documents. Notably, the U.S Constitution, I particularly noticed that your first guarantee says that "…all sentient life forms shall have basic unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as given to them by their Creator regardless of biological origin and definition…" I ask you now, do I and my fellow Augments not meet that definition of sentience? And if not, are we not guaranteed under Federation law to be free and pursue that goal of happiness? We want nothing but to determine our own way of life. Free to find our own destiny.
Khan finished, "I noticed that the United Earth government's ban on genetic augmentation was made out of fear and false facts. Review my testimony and the testimony of my associates and make your decision. I only ask that you let go of your fear and cast it aside to welcome us."
At the conclusion of his speech, Khan left the podium and walked back to where his Augment associates were.
As Khan sat down and the Federation President retook the podium to speak, there was a general murmur among the council members. The President motioned for silence. "Councilors, you've heard the testimony and have already read the information provided by Starfleet. Now, if anyone wants to come forward," he looked at the United Earth's Federation councilor, "and provide any counter point, the floor is open."
The Earth councilor shook his head and declined.
He looked around the chambers and the Andorian's councilor's hand went up.
"What assurances do we have that these Augmented humans won't institute a coup or attempt an armed rebellion against the Federation or Earth for that matter?" he asked.
Among the Augments, they looked upon each other and Khan nodded to General Taylor to answer this question. "Sir, my name is Lieutenant General Taylor, I was a military officer from Earth's 20th century and I've studied some of Starfleet's current doctrine. Based on my experience and training, even if we were to stage a coup or attempt to take over, it would be disastrous for both sides. No disrespect to the admirals, it would take quite a bit in manpower and resources to subdue us and the outcome wouldn't benefit either side. From what I've read about the geo-political situation in this part of the galaxy, this type of insurrection within the Federation would weaken you amongst other galactic powers. We're all in agreement, myself, Khan, the general, and the vice president, our abilities would be better used in helping the Federation create a more secure environment not just for Earth, but for the Federation as well rather than trying to destroy what has been accomplished so far. Does that answer your question, sir?"
The Andorian councilor replied, "Words are different from actions, but for now, I'll take you on your word, general."
The President looked around and asked for more comments or questions. "If there isn't anything else, then we're going to close for the day for deliberation on this issue. If you require more questions of Khan and his associates, please contact Admiral Nogura's office for access," he looked at Admiral Nogura, "I'm sure the admiral would be more than pleased to provide that." At that, Nogura merely nodded. As he looked around the chamber, he finished, "As you know, this subject is still confidential and no one outside this chamber is to release what was said here or the testimony that was provided to you earlier. The council will reconvene 24 solar hours from now on a decision. Once the decision is made, public disclosure will follow according to Federation information release policies. Thank you all for your attention."
With that the council was dismissed and each of the councilors left their seats headed out of the chamber to their offices. The decision was going to be made tomorrow at the council's reconvening at 15:00 hours Pacific Standard Time the next day. It was then that Khan and his Augments would find out if they'd become a part of the Federation or cast out.
As they were walking out, the Vulcan Ambassador, Sarek, came up and stopped Admiral Nogura who was talking with Captain Kirk. He looked at the Admiral, "Admiral Nogura, my government has information that has been requested and I now have it with me. I am prepared to release it to you and it is very interesting."
Admiral Nogura nodded, "Ambassador, let's go to my office and we'll talk there." He looked at Captain Kirk, "Jim, ask Mr. Spock to join us there in about 5 minutes."
"Aye, sir," he replied.
- Admiral Nogura's office –
As they were sitting around the mini-conference table in Nogura's office six minutes later, the ambassador presented his information.
"Admiral Nogura, the information I have paints the Augments in a very different light than your recorded history states. The information I have is from Vulcan probes of your planet at around that time and since at the time, the Vulcan High Command at the time had declared your planet as a 'no contact' situation for our people. From what we have discovered from analyzing the data from that survey, the Earth information news agencies of the time were very heavily controlled by the nation states of the time. Additionally, our scout vessel was able to penetrate the primitive encryption codes of the radio frequencies used by the armed forces of those nation states.
"Suffice it to say, much of the information we have analyzed corroborates the testimony of Khan and his associates. His assertion that the United Nations organization of that time conducted a negative information warfare campaign against his kind is true. The military forces of that time conducted several covert operations against them to silence or liquidate them," He finished.
Admiral Nogura looked to Kirk and nodded, "Well, it seems that he was right after all. It's unfortunate and a bit embarrassing that humans were that short sighted back then, but let's hope that today's humans are a little more open-minded."
"I agree, sir. As I was observing the council during Khan's speech, many of the non-human members looked like they were supportive of his position; however, I noticed some of the humans in the room, present company excluded, had hard expressions on their faces…like they were not as open minded as our member races."
Nogura nodded, "Agreed, I noticed the same thing." He looked at Sarek, "Ambassador, will you be voting on Vulcan's position tomorrow?"
"I will indeed, but I have yet to decide which way I will go. Logically, we, as a Federation, if we hold true to our values, then it should be an easy decision; however, many of our allies will not decide this outcome logically, no insult intended to present company."
"None taken, ambassador. I totally understand." Nogura smiled.
The ambassador got up, "If there isn't anything else, admiral, I would take my leave of you."
"No, thank you for your time and the information, sir." As they all rose to see the ambassador leave.
"Jim, if you could, take this information and disseminate to the rest of the councilors. I'm sure they'll be very interested in reading this." Kirk nodded, "Aye, sir."
Mr. Spock, "sir, this information is very revealing and could cause quite a stir in the Earth government. It may even rock the very foundation of what we've been told over the years about what happened there in that time."
"Understood, Mr. Spock," Nogura agreed, "but I'm in favor of allowing the Augments to acclimate into our culture. I see the value of them becoming Federation citizens."
"Acknowledged, sir. I'll accompany the Captain on his endeavor." With that, both Kirk and Spock left Nogura's office.
Author's Note: Next up…the decision. Thanks for the reviews.