Chapter 63:
[Near Enolia 2072]
Three Andorians on a small ship were reviewing their plan. One asked, "Can you remind me again how we profit?"
A 23 year old Andorian answered, "You didn't pay attention in history class? Here is your remedial lesson. During stardate 2025 the Alliance forbade any Alliance ships from entering Enolian space. Enolian authorities like to invent criminal charges and then sentence their victims to a labor colony. Enolians could only trade directly by visiting Alliance trading stations. These extra steps increase prices.
I have met with an Enolian and arranged for some items he requested, which he will arrange to pick up from us. These items include those that the Alliance does not approve being traded to Enolians. We expect to see a 300% profit. We follow our formula of course, 50% to me, 25% to each of you."
The third Andorian added, "Our stealth is undetectable by the Enolians. Approaching meeting point in .0251 stardates. That is how we will get away with this mission. We will only drop stealth when we receive the coded signal from our buyer."
They approached an uninhabited asteroid which contained one Enolian cargo ship. They sent a drone a distance away from their ship. It had a flashing light sending a prearranged semaphore message. The cargo ship sent the prearranged response. The Andorian cargo ship de-cloaked and landed on the asteroid.
They knew something was wrong when soldiers poured out of the cargo ship and fired beams at them. Soon all three were in custody along with their original buyer. The Enolian officer in charge said, "We have been monitoring this Enolian smuggler for a while and used him to catch others. You can all get reacquainted on Canamar."
The Andorian ship owner left a time delayed message that would reveal his flight plan to others in the Alliance if he didn't deactivate it about .06 stardates after his expected return from Enolian space.
[Alliance meeting 2072]
T'plarin said, "The Enolians confirm that they are holding three Alliance prisoners. They showed evidence of their smuggling, including cargo that Alliance law does not allow export to Enolians. They say that the cargo and ship were confiscated by them and the three Andorians have been convicted of smuggling and sentenced to labor.
We asked them to release them to the Alliance where they would be tried for smuggling. The Enolians said, no, that they trespassed and committed other crimes including conspiracy and would only be released to the Alliance when they are released from confinement, which would be never."
Nicholas Malfoy said, "We lose face if we cannot recover those idiots. It gives the Alliance a perception of weakness."
Armand Malfoy added, "It also removes a thorn in our side. Allowing slavery and arbitrary prosecution near the Alliance is perhaps something to no longer allow. Note that in this example, the persons were actually guilty of the crimes they were charged with."
Daphne asked, "Would the Klingons and Romulans consider this a threat to them? If we intervene in Enolian territory, they might consider that they could be next."
President Balram Singh said, "My grandfather has often stated the concept of kill a chicken to scare a monkey. Perhaps the Klingons and Romulans should feel uneasy. Maybe it might push them in a direction of a more comprehensive settlement with the Alliance."
{Enolian Space, 2072]
The military balance was never in question. It was that the Enolians assumed that after leaving them alone for 47 years, the Alliance would never attack them. The Alliance fleet swooped in and demanded the surrender of every Enolian ship, large or small. When they didn't immediately power down, non-destructive attacks were used to the extent that they worked. The same was done for space stations and planetary defenses.
An announcement was made to all Enolians, "Alliance rules about forced labor and standards in criminal justice will be enforced. Self-government of Enolians can continue, as can trade as was done before. Enolian military forces will be kept off-line until peace is accepted by the Enolian authorities.
Enolia is eligible to join the Alliance if it wishes to."
All Enolian prisoners were brought to the Alliance. The Enolians were asked to present evidence of their crimes, and in some cases they were kept in Alliance custody, while the rest were freed in the Alliance. Enolian citizens freed were allowed to remain in the Alliance if they would accept certain agreements.
Two freed prisoners presented a surprise for the Alliance. There were two Klingon prisoners found on Canamar. They were magically interrogated. It was determined that their purpose in being in Enolian space was to spy on the Alliance. They pretended to be traders and were convicted by the Enolians for smuggling.
[Alliance meeting to discuss the rescued Klingon prisoners, 2072]
"What information do they have?"
"A little scanning of our starships. Otherwise not much. Knowledge from Enolian smugglers about our technical abilities to detect ships and smuggling."
"Nothing unique then. We can release them without any memory modification."
A ship heading towards a fighting tournament on an Orion trading post in neutral territory brought them to be released there.
There were regularly scheduled prize fights between Klingons and Alliance fans of Klingon culture. The Orions told us that the Klingons allow this since they could gain valuable intelligence about Alliance fighting styles and abilities. After the fights, the Klingons would drink with their opponents, which is something Klingons never do with an enemy.
[Media interview with Klingons]
"This is Misa Skeeter of Milky Way Day by Day. Today we get to hear from Kurn of the House of Mogh the Klingon Representative at the Orion trading post at Retellia. A question on the minds of many people in the Alliance, is will the Klingons join us?"
"Misa of House Skeeter, we Klingons respect the Alliance and its fighting abilities. We also have a different way of being. We are born to fight, to conquer. The Alliance ways are too soft for us.
When you accidentally created a generation of warriors, what is your response? Making sure that the next generation doesn't have that trait."
Skeeter asked, "Do you plan to fight the Alliance?"
Kurn answered, "Sometimes in history we do not get to know the answers until events happen. Maybe we wait until your warrior generation is too old to fight."
Skeeter asked, "Can you see Klingons fighting on the same side as the Alliance."
Kurn answered, "Certainly. We know that your Canon shows great dangers to us all. Only a fool fights on a burning ship. If there were to be an enemy of us both, we would fight by your side."
Skeeter asked, "Do you have any actual grudges against the Alliance?"
Kurn answered, "No. The Alliance has behaved honorably. They would be a worthy enemy to fight against or ally to fight along side of."
Skeeter asked, "Then what would be so bad about joining the Alliance?"
Kurn answered, "We do not want our sons dancing in robes and singing songs of other species."
Skeeter said, "But you have seen that not all of the Alliance are like that. On this very station, Alliance citizens show up to engage in duels and group fights with Klingons."
Kurn answered, "They are honorable. We will even excuse them learning our ways, since they do not have good enough examples from their own cultures."
{Alliance meeting 2072]
President Balram Singh said, "There is an opening with the Klingons. We need to decide how to respond. Starfleet Intelligence, report."
The Andorian chief of Starfleet Intelligence answered, "The Klingons have applied genetic engineering, often copying our technologies. Similar to Canon they lost their cranial ridges while gaining magic, strength and intelligence. Our own genetic experts believe that we could restore their appearance while not losing their gains.
Their objections to Alliance membership, besides those stated in Kurn's interview, include that they would need to release conquered civilizations and slaves, both other species and Klingons. Another would that they believe that the Alliance would forbid their continued genetic engineering that goes beyond what the Alliance appears to accept."
Dr. Phlox added, "Allowing genetic enhancements, with careful testing, might be consistent with our previous efforts. Some species do not like that they have fewer advantages than other species. We already have the knowledge of how to do this."
A Nausicaan added, "I would also ask to allow the modifications that increase violent tendencies. We Nausicaans feel set apart from many of the other species. We would welcome having others join us in our ways.
We have looked at the possible future shown in Canon. The Federation, which is the equivalent to our Alliance, is weak minded. There should be more with a fighting spirit in the Alliance. Rather than depending on a few of the species. Genetic engineering should be available. Other traits should be enhanced.
The Andorians make good dueling partners, except when the duel goes on too long. This weakness could be corrected and should be corrected. I want to fight alongside Andorians and know that they'll still be there as the fight drags on.
With a fighting spirit, discipline is needed. We do not approve of our Canon versions that picked deadly fights over games against Jean-Luc Picard. We have already sent our apologies to his living ancestors.
Besides cultural discipline, perhaps genetic engineering can pair innate discipline with aggression. Fight decisively against enemies, but not start fights over games."
Balram said, "These are significant changes. We should publicize the debates and convene to decide."
Armand Malfoy the current head of Section 31 said, "We must decide now if this is part of an approach to the Klingons. If so, it becomes a Section 31 priority to advocate for this change."
A Vulcan answered, "If the issues of empire and slavery are not decided, all other issues are moot. I recommend what salespeople call a package deal. We offer to fix their experiments in genetic engineering, approve their continuation and allow similar genetic changes in the Alliance. Those changes are to be carefully tested and reviewed, including their social effects years later. Changes are made over the years based on observed effects. Finally we sell the idea of Alliance within present day Klingon space, replacing Empire."
A Denobulan added, "That last point is such a difficult one. How to sell such a change to the Klingon way? I do not think an appeal to efficiency or the promise of greater wealth would sway them. It is relative power that is of more interest to them."
The same Vulcan answered, "We can show them the trend that they will fall increasingly behind in power to the Alliance. Joining will give them equal technology. They will be peers, neither ahead nor behind in per-capita ability."
A Tellarite said, "This change should be made whether it involves the Klingons or not. Now, most of us Tellarites will remain exactly as we are, since we are perfect as we are, some have something they want to change."
A Denobulan added, "It still should be carefully designed and decided. Denobula had some negative effects in the past with trying for genetic improvement and had abandoned it until recently. Small, well tested changes is the key."
Armand Malfoy said, "We can agree with that, and Section 31 will push for exactly that."
Balram replied, "Now that is settled, next item is clothing styles. How is that going?"
Armand replied, "We have been making available something between the uniforms seen on Enterprise and on Discovery. Now that magic is more widely available, everyone is being given one that provides certain protections and a built in badge communicator. The badge also has a pop-up hologram to provide identification and access levels. The uniform provides climate control and emergency environmental suit functionality.
There are several other enhancements. The intention is that it will be so useful that people will wear them instead of buying all that magic themselves. We hope to replace robes as a style, and also traditional attire. On Earth, for instance, the suit and tie, along with a hat, all from mid-20th century styles have been in fashion. It is not very practical attire."