Alexander Fedricari, stood on his raised platform overlooking the holofloor which projected in real-time all of the boundaries of every tenant race within the galactic community in relation to Human space. The Human Ambassador drummed his fingers against the platform desk as he contemplated the information that continued to pour in from the different sectors of Human space. The United Federation Space Systems (UFSS) have been a fairly new tenant to the broader galactic community, The Coalition of Unified Dominion (CUD). For the past 20 some years, Alexander has fought for every inch of territory and every carefully written policy that would best appease The Council that ruled over The Coalition. Many of the actions taken under his administration may have looked too cautious, submissive even, in the eyes of their galactic neighbors, and yes, many of the human citizens within human space.
The average citizen just wouldn't understand how much work it took to smooth over just the first contact incident with one of the Coalition tenant species. Let alone the efforts just to put out every intergalactic incidents that seem to pop up almost every standard Sol week. His data pad rested on the right of his podium, streams of information lazily flowing upwards regarding updates to every pertinent changes within or about human space and their citizens.
His assistants off to his left, were scanning, filtering and compiling data packages from all the incoming data sent through the Hi-Side Secure Net Line to highlight only what information would be most important for the next Council meeting. Each assistant, installed within the past 15 Sol Years, have been tremendously helpful with keeping his sanity in regards to the different aspects of the UFSS. From military, trade & commerce, Humanitarian Response, and intragalactic relations, all information no longer needed to be completely reliant on his approval alone. With careful vetting of bright and talented citizens from esteemed and competitive Galactic Political schools, his assistants throughout the years have taken the weight of the universe, quite literally off his shoulders.
Ambassador Fedricari's eyes blurred as they tried to keep up with the data packets that kept flooding his inbox. He closed his eyes and applied gentle pressure against his eyelids to try to relieve the pressure growing within his skull. He stood up and recomposed himself, fixing his drab gray uniform, he placed down the datapad gently and addressed the staff within the office.
"Thank the stars and our Ancestors for your hard work everyone. Please leave with my thanks and walk proudly. We continue our work tomorrow."
The staff gave a chorus of scattered farewells as they shut down and secured their stations before walking out the ambassador's office. Once the last of the staff left, the doors chimed a small melodic tune, the projected lock symbol blinking in a rapid 3-tap pattern once the lock had activated. He rolled his head twice as he stepped back from his podium to step off the platform, his adjutant Clarissa M'Szar, stood waiting for him with several data pads in her arms. He huffed and muttered under his breath as he reached out and traded one for another mindlessly imprinting his thumb and retinal signature without hesitation knowing that his adjutant completed her due diligence ensuring that all his authorizations would only benefit Humanity's galactic standing.
"Ambassador, the Grand High Admiral of the Navy, President of Sol, and the Administrator of Mars are all standing by on the secure line." Adjutant Clarissa said as she took the last of the authorized datapads. The ambassador cleared his throat and fixed his uniform and combed his hair with his hand. His adjutant helped to fix his collar slightly before mentioning, "Now ambassador, don't forget, you have one more meeting after that call. And…" once they've reached the conference room, she stood by the doors and input her authentication code to have the internal system do a routine sweep for any outbound frequencies that would give way to a "Bug" in the room. "Do play nice with the others."
The Ambassador looked at her wryly and responded "Yes mother."
"Good." The adjutant gave a nod with a sly victorious smile as she confirmed that the sweep was complete and the room was clear for having their secured communications. The Ambassador fought to let out an exasperated as he stepped into the room. He entered the room and input his authentication passcode then awaited. The room darkened into pitch darkness with the exception of the few square feet of platform that he stood on.
Then from left to right, the holographic projections of all 3 representatives presented themselves in their own respective Federation uniforms. The Grand High Admiral Chester Haddock, his face clean shaven and scarred from the many years of service. His uniform kempt and sharp enough to cut the undisciplined and unworthy. His campaign and award bars presented on his left chest were proof enough of his position that were hard won. His tactical brilliance has kept the frontline of Humanity stalwart against the threats both from within and without.
The President of Sol, Brayden Latrell, while not the direct leader of every sector of Human space, played a pivotal role delegating the internal power struggles to keep them contained for the safety of Terra. His nostrils flared as he struggled to intake more air against the tightness of his uniform. He may have been in denial of his weight gain over the years but the lack of oxygen was also a good reminder as he decided to unclasp the hook around his neck.
The Administrator of the Martian Fleet and Trade Manifactorium, Slypheen M'To-kar, appeared with a looser fitted uniform that was much more akin to a cloak and hood than the standard UFSS uniform. Her biotic optical implant whirred and dialated independently of her other organic eye as it scanned through streams of data that was projected through her custom holoprojecter that he wore over it. Her hair was shaven down to the skin on the sides only leaving a portion of hair that was typical of Martians on the top to allow what was known as a "Rat's tail" fashion.
"Greetings all, thank the Ancestors to see you all in good health." The Ambassador said warmly, a well-practiced smile accompanying it so.
"Ambassador, a pleasure as always." Replied the Admiral
"And to you as well, Ambassador! It's a wonder how you maintain your energy over these past few years!" President Latrell chimed in as he wiped his brow with a hankerchief
The cold calculating eyes of Administrator M'To-Kar ceased the activity she was doing that had made her seem so distracted to come back to the call. For a split second, she observed the body language and position of the Ambassador, "My friend, the years have not been kind to you." She stated matter-of-factly. Were it not for the long-standing and unlikely friendship of the two, most would have seen it as an insult. The Ambassador waved the comment dismissively.
"Time will never be kind to unfortunate fools and devils like myself. And that's what stiffer drinks are for, Mister President." Everyone shared a brief chuckle.
"So how are the concessions doing for our esteemed council?" President Latrell asked, opting to go straight to the heart of the matter.
"I've read up on the latest complaints from the President of the Alphari 9 sector, but compared to the mess made by the corporations there, I'd say their complaints are moot. They will need to enforce stricter tariffs to appease the Drukani Trade Union." The Ambassador said with an emphasis that implied it was a bigger headache than it necessarily needed to be. He watched as the holoprojction of the President leaned forward some, revealing the size of the man had been much larger than first thought. The lack of a defined neck being the biggest indicator. The President shuffled through a few datapads to ensure he had the correct one for the A9 Sector
"I'll talk to the Admiral of the sector to ensure joint patrols are coordinated to keep the peace." The Admiral spoke up to help cover for the President's shuffling until he could successfully locate the datapad.
"I see! Then I'll ensure that the President of the A-9 sector is relayed the information and that the levies are met!" The Ambassador gave a respectful nod, "You have my thanks, Mr. President."
Administrator M'To-Kar had stared blankly ahead for the few moments the other two representatives were speaking until, "I've compiled a message. The Administrator of that sector's trade outpost will be informed to keep up with the demands."
The Ambassador felt a good bit of weight come off his shoulder hearing those words. The relationship between different Sector Administrators were hard to control but with her being the spokesperson, he could always rely on her effectiveness and efficiency. "Many thanks to all your efforts this past year. I've also approved some of the projects that had gone through final drafts of different sectors. Please read them and adjust accordingly. There were a great many that were also kicked back for further review and revision with only a handful that were completely rejected, reasons are entailed in the data packet."
Nods of acknowledgment were seen on all sides.
"With that, I must adjorn, may we walk to make our Ancestors proud."
"With Duty and Honor."
"Until next time!"
"Take better care of yourself, old friend. Or see me for upgrades!"
"Admiral, Mr. President, and I'll consider it, Miss Administrator."
All holoprojections all winked off, leaving the Ambassador to his own thoughts for just a moment. The moment was short-lived as the Ambassador hovered a finger over his communique console. He took one deep breath, pressed the call button and steeled himself for the conversation ahead.
"Director." He acknowledged coldly. The projection only had a silhouette outlined against a single lighting backdrop.
"Ambassador. Let's begin."