From: Katrina L. Browne (kbrowne_at_wellesley.edu)
Date: Thu Aug 16 2007 - 12:46:36 PDT
-=(^)=- “Represent” Con’t From: “How Can You Tell A Politician Is Lying?” -=(^)=- Location: GS-2 Stardate: 2.70815.0246 Scene: Counselor Nurunyon’s Office The low lights in the Caitian’s office were slightly off-putting to most of the psychologist’s patients. Most aspects of the office were a little disconcerting, if one was going to be as honest as the average Vulcan: from the couches to the odd warn marks on the wood paneling about cheek high. While those raised in the Federation prided themselves on their approbation of diversity, it was always a little easier to be comfortable with those species that reached a “critical mass” within a persons day-to-day contact. While Lieutenant Kor felt the same tug that “strangeness” could produce when she stepped through the Counselor’s door, it was a tug that was oddly comforting. While her people had been there at the very beginning of the Federation, they had never been as numerous as humans or even Vulcans. This was partly due the restrictions of biology. Both of those species’ reproduction processes were less complicated, even with the Vulcan seven year mating cycle. Yet the Caitains were comparatively rare even without that restriction. It was that rarity that helped her feel more bonded to her therapist. The darkened den atmosphere was another comforting aspect, not simply because it was not the norm on the GATEWAY, but because it…**It feels like home,** she thought to herself. The long cast shadows and warmth reminded her of the communal pool at the heart of the Kor Keep. Buried deep within the ice a third of an Andor year and made livable by geothermal hot springs, this space possessed that same cozy ambiance. Mowree stretched slightly as he rose from his lounge. “Come in. Come in.” Eishnala smiled warmly at the Counselor. Since their last meeting she had integrated a little more and was getting a little more sleep. “I hear congratulations are in order.” “It’s temporary,” Lieutenant Nurunyon shrugged. “Gene will be back soon. He’s just taking a temporary respite from the department to aid his wife’s campaign.” “Still, it’s an accomplishment to be…responsible for so many people’s mental health,” the Andorian offered as she tentatively took a seat on one of his bright accommodations. Eishnala was still a little at loss for words when it came to speaking with a counselor. It had been a mandatory experience for applicants to the Academy, and the Psych test was unarguably the one that most hopeful cadets despised. There was always the risk that some uninterrogated demon could rise to the surface perpetually preventing you from taking a place at the prestigious school. However, that it, it had always been a test to the young woman in the past. It was something to go through like a hurdle and never look back. This was different. “But right now I’m only responsible for one,” the Caitain reminded gently in an attempt to redirect the conversation. “How have you been since our last session?” “Hmm…” “Lets start with sleep. It seems the last time you visited you complained of being uncomfortable with your quarters. Have you begun to adjust?” he offered helpfully, narrowing the question from the very broad one he had asked a moment again. “I’ve been busy…” the Chief offered as she shifted uneasily. “That helps,” she added after what felt like a light-year long pause. “Work can be very therapeutic. It can also be a simple distracter,” the therapist said simply. Eishnala frowned and shifted in her seat again. The chair was not particularly comfortable; she had not shifted this much the last time she had taken her place within it. “So you think that I’m using work as a method to ignore my problem rather than deal with it?” “That is, of course, a possibility. But what I think or don’t think doesn’t matter. What do *you* think?” he asked, his tone suggesting a point behind it. Her quarters remained largely a blank canvas. A few mementoes from one of her many aunts littered her bureau, but little other headway had occurred in the battle to embrace her new territory. “I guess I’ve been treating the room as a bed and little less. Most of my extra personal time has been spent in Security or in Ops…. But we’ve had a number of controversies recently” she finished on a flat note. “The Station has been crazy, but personal time is important,” the Caitain reminded. “I mean, I still spent my requisite time in the holodeck, and I was pulling double duty with a Vorta and being locked in a closet,” he offered, referring to the last time the two had seen each other. His tone became harder as he referenced the event that he had come down to Security Center to provide a statement about. Chief Kor sighed. Isolation in the Gamma Quadrant had taken its toll on most people, if not all people stranded on what could possibly be a metallic tomb at the hands of the Dominion, or the Borg if this new collective remained unsatisfied with what they saw as a clearly self-evident truth that nonetheless their “parents” had rejected, or what ever other hostile group decided to pester them in their current vulnerability. “Last time I was here you insinuated that you might have a fix for my problem.” It was the cerulean woman’s turn to provide a gentle reminder. Mowree nodded and referenced her file for a moment. He had spent a couple of hours since their first meeting researching Andorian psychology around groups and living arrangements. He had also spent time examining case studies that focused on members of the tall woman’s species that had experienced similar problems. “Considering that you’re now a department head, having a traditional roommate clearly is not tenable. It just so happens the GATE has a lot of nontraditional ones available at the moment. How do you feel about becoming one of the guardians that works with our station’s orphan’s population?” He carried on before she could answer, “As you are aware through my department liaisoning with yours on this matter, we’ve set up dorms for the children we’ve been unable to place due to the lack of relations on the station or prior arrangements set up to have friends care for them. It’s obviously a confusing time for many of these children; and scary, I’d imagine. A strong authority image might help provide a sense of stablilty for them…It might help you and you might help them.” Eishnala listened patiently to the unconventional proposal. Silence descended upon the pair for a few moments while she considered. “I’m not really the motherly type,” the Andorian pointed out. “And no ones asking you to be their mother. Just someone who keeps an eye out for them. Children in a refugee situation are often the easiest targets of victimization either through profiteering or pure malfeasance. Think of it as an extension on your duties as Security Chief,” the Counselor offered. “As I said, I’m not really comfortable playing a mom role, but I suppose might be able to step into that of a guardian,” though one of her antennae gave an uncertain twitch. “Excellent. You might even find your inner sire.” -=(^)=- Scene: Boardroom Time Index: From Rahul’s Post, “Resistance” The exchange between the Chief Medical Officer and the GATE’s commander left the table silent for an extended pause. The station clearly could have used someone with the sort of personality that cracks a joke at time like that, a gift that seems to have the potential to sap all of the energy from the life plasma relay they had just tapped. However, considering the question on the table, it was unlikely that even if there was someone with that particular talent that a suitable anecdote would have occurred to him or her. Learna, already beginning to step into her role as XO, which when one worked from the notoriously ornery Kane was pretty much a prerequisite to holding the position, spoke up, “I think it would be better if we cross that bridge when we come to. We first need to come up with a plan of action, what ever that may look like.” The counselor sitting next to the new woman spoke up, “Perhaps it would be a healthy thing for this process if we went through our objections to this plan? I mean, if some of us have reservations that means others within Starfleet will. Going through them even if we decide in favor would probably help solidify our responses to them.” Learna nodded, “That sounds like an excellent proposal. So on the table we already have the issue of loyalty. What else?” The J’naii Science officer spoke up again, “I think loyalty is an important, especially if this is a move that has a low chance of being seen as credible by the various governments of the Gamma Quadrant. Beyond that, we’re suggesting reorganizing the government around new democratic principles. While every Federation member species has pledged themselves to the concept of standing against authoritarian rule, there is a quite a lot of disagreement on what healthy democratic principles look like.” “Hmm…that’s an interesting point. It does seem that those raised within a human context prefer a majoritarian, plebiscitary method. While on Andoria, that system would be untenable. We have too many competing groups of various sizes and historic rivalries that such a system would produce more fractures than unity. Instead, those groups are each given equal power so that the breeding habits of one don’t hurt another,” the woman in a soon to be defunct mustard accented uniform pointed out. “Fortunately, we have not yet developed a history of protracted ethnic conflicts on the station,” Kane said a slight blasé undertone running through his voice. Lieutenant Yao shook nan head, “That’s not the point we’re trying to hit on. What I think Eishnala and I are both saying is that while different forms of representation have often developed out of the specific needs or desires of homogenous populations, most of us sitting around this table have come in with preconceived, culturally defined notions about what it means to be represented.” “And those notions, I would imagine, are difficult to divorce oneself from even in a situation like this that so clearly demands some form of action. From my perspective, I see this as a major obstacle to setting up a democratic system…” the Andorian woman explained. “I wouldn’t go that far,” the androgynous scientist gently interrupted. “I think all would agree that some form of democratic selection is necessary.” Lieutenant Kor shook her head, “I’m not saying that a democratic methodology wouldn’t be preferable. My point is that the moment you select a system you are going to start fundamentally violating what at least some people perceive as their fundamental political rights. For example, if we select a system where each person gets one vote, those who are used to a system where votes are balanced by ethnic status or class or caste or religion or whatever other methodology are going to feel slighted. And others are going to feel affronted simply because we’ve suggested the concept of *representation*.” The scientist spoke up again, “Some cultures still practice a democratic system in which all citizens are expected to participate within the government at least at some point. No one is elected; it is simply a duty of each citizen to spend time being ruled and to in turn rule. I believe it assumes even a greater sense of equality within in its citizens that a one person one vote system. Majoritarinism holds that each person is entitled to an equal say in who represents them; this system holds that everyone should experience the position of being a representative thus it suggests that each individual has at least the perquisite talents to hold such a position for a short period time. That system is used most prominently among Grazerites, though I believe that humans have also flirted with it during your past. It’s also the system used on my world.” “We actually still use it in a derivative form,” Gene pointed out, “Juries are formed using an Ancient Greek methodology.” “And others propose all iniatives to their people for a straight up or down vote, no representative at all.” Kane shook his head, “Most of those would be unacceptable here. We need a stable figure head that can negotiate with external allies and foes. We can’t decide foreign policy enmass, nor would we have someone to negotiate it if those decisions were made that way. As for Athenian democracy, the last thing we need is parade of yahoos moving through the position on a weekly basis. It is a position that fundamentally requires experience, something that selection by lots doesn’t take into account.” Lieutenant Kor spoke up again, “I honestly think that martial rule is our best bet at maintaining at least a semblance of unity. The politics of representation are complicated. At least most members of the Federation view Starfleet as a positive protective force…” “We won’t be Starfleet anymore,” Jeff pointed out dourly. “And I work with a lot of the civilian population, I can’t see it flying.” “On Andoria, the military is the one thing that spans ethnic and class divisions. We have a horrible tendency to duel over honor, and I’m not excepting my self from that drive. However, when one enters the military one renounces those clan divisions and the right to duel. It is thus probably the only force holding together a population as disparate as ours. Here on the GATE, we’re probably even more divided. I mean on Andoria you have a huge set of pressures that could lead to chaos, and we’re just one race of people with at least a relatively stable culture even with the presence of clan differences.” The CO crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m not ready to shoot civilians to maintain my position of command here. And that’s, I’m going to bet, what it would take to set up a military council here.” “I’m not convinced that’s not inevitable, regardless of what we choose.” The station’s newest face spoke up again, “I think we’re getting a little bogged down. So issues we’ve already gone over include loyalty, the cultural nature of representation, and some advantages and disadvantages of martial rule. What others do we see?” -=(^)=- NRPG: This is a bit turgid, but you got my polisci brain going so its J’s fault. -=(^)=- Katrina Browne [ mailto:kbrowne_at_wellesley.edu ]kbrowne_at_wellesley.edu Lieutenant Eishnala sh’Kor Chief of Security GS-2 From HyperNews_at_youth.net
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