Star Trek: Starbase 777 - 777-conference-room-2

After being beamed from medical, Quintan had weathered countless arguments and tense confrontations. Though Starfleet managed to convince them to return to the table, it was under much duress. This time, two security officers stood by the door—a precaution Quintan had insisted on to feel even remotely secure. But even with the added security, Quintan couldn’t shake the growing tension. The Azulmire bean was more than just an ingredient to their people; it was a symbol of identity, of survival. They had fought over this years ago and at the time, they kept it hidden that they knew about the bean. But now, the very idea of relinquishing such a sacred and vital resource felt utterly unthinkable, especially after the ordeal of nearly losing it to sabotage. There was no way they’d let it go, not without a fight. They wondered where Konicek was off, he hadn't heard much since the mob...He hoped Konicek was okay (edited)

Having been jn the north vendor hall at the time of the mob, Nikiya headed to conference room two. The mixed Aenar's antennae were slightly bowed forward as a sigh of solemnity and focus. "Hey," He greeted Quintan with a little head bow. He'd usually wave but that didn't seem appropriate here.

Security matters were being handled by other members of the security team. He’d have to give some commendations when all was said and done. This meant that Maxson was free to come try smooth things over, as best as he could. He wasn’t a diplomat, but he was trained in de-escalating. The general yellow alert going off concerning the Sheliak’s ship certainly put a damper on things just before he entered the conference room, however…hrm. “Afternoon,” He nodded toward Quintan, as well as Nikiyta, “Lieutenant Commander Maxson, Starfleet Security.”

Quintan perked up as they remembered them."Greetings, I uhh, Umm Quintan. What is happening? Where is my state aide?Konicek, I'm worried about them" (edited)

At this point, Seiyya was strolling in, after sending Konicek to the brig and hearing the rumble (explosion), and she caught what Quintan said after she walked in. “Lieutenant t’Rhaikh, Starfleet Security. Your aide is in the brig under suspicion of setting a bomb.”

"What?" Nikiyta's antennae bowed towards the person who just entered the room, focusing their telepathic attention onto her. "What's going on?"

“Well-” He began, before Lieutenant t’Rhaikh arrived and dropped that bombshell. Perhaps ‘bombshell’ is a bad term to use given the current situation. Regardless, the ACOS paled for a moment before he held a hand up to Quintan, “One moment,” He turned to the security lieutenant and shuffled her off alongside himself to another end of the conference room, “Report. Quietly. This is a delicate situation.”

Seiyya walked over with Maxson, lowering her voice once they reached the other side of the room. She looked very professional considering all the chaos going on- especially after having to deal with a whole riot and everything. “I was able to speak with Konicek after he tried to slip off during the mob. Not only is he likely the one responsible for putting this event in danger with the Azulmire brownies, but he also made a bomb threat. He then pulled out a device, pressed a button, and then an explosion occurred on the Sheilak Corporation ship. It could be that he purposely sabotaged the ship.”

Maxson nodded as Seiyya spoke. This machine with moving parts had already gotten so much more complicated. He pursed his lips together tightly and folded his arms, “Hrm…” He pinched the bridge of his nose before glancing in Quintan’s direction, “Any indication as to if Quintan was involved in this plot?” His eyes slid back to Seiyya.

“Perhaps.. I’m still not certain on that. That is why I came here, to get the story straight. But.. I do think he may not have much of an involvement in it. While speaking to Konicek, it seemed to me that, in some part, he wanted to throw Quintan “under the bus”, as they say. To blame him for the plot and then return to being a weapons producer once the peace devolved due to this incident.” She too didn’t like how this machine had so many moving parts. She had really just wanted to enjoy her day off. But, there was no such thing as a calm day on Starbase 777, she was finding out.

From the information presented to him, it seemed likely that Quintan might have been oblivious to the bomb plot. He took in a heavy breath and nodded to the lieutenant, “Alright…de-escalation will take a little more heavy lifting, it seems,” He nodded and then made his way back to Quintan, “As Lieutenant t’Rhaikh said, your aide is in the brig,” He took a seat across from the Sheliak, “Were you aware of this bomb?”

If Sheliaks could pale, Quintan was as they watched the interaction between the two security officers. Maybe they shouldn't have requested additional security." Wait a second, the brig- I uh know Konicek is a weapons engineer, but blowing up the peace seems a bit radical even for him. "They said trying to advocate for their aide and friend. They have been so good and kind to them, it was the least they could

“Apologies, Quintan, but I saw the device he had for myself. It was obviously a detonator of some kind. It seems as if he’d set an explosion on your own ship.” She said, professional as ever. She could tell that Quintan didn’t really know what was going on. Konicek had fooled him good. And while, being an ignorant fool was deplorable in its own way, and he should have known better, Quintan wasn’t the one who set the bomb.

Quintan looked around and said nervously"Before you think anything more, I knew nothing of this. They were my trusted aid, but obviously, I was wrong. I trusted them with this event, I uh... "They bit their lip as they continued"I've relied on the legal contract and my aide for this event," They said to the group as they continued on to do damage control."However, the Sheliak Corporation Administration has not and does not condone Konicek's actions" (edited)

“Understood…” He steepled his hands as they rested on the table, “I’m certain the Kreetassans would appreciate your disavowing of Konicek. You’re aware fellow Starfleet officers are discussing with Orsic, yes? We all want things to…smooth over.”

Quintan nodded slowly, their expression heavy as they began to speak.“In the interest of peace, and because of Konicek’s actions, I feel I must admit something. I never fully agreed with the decision to leave out protections for the Azulmire in the original treaty. I was outvoted on the War council. I wasn't even thinking of bringing the pastries until Konicek;I trusted Konicek and the treaty fully. Konicek intervened multiple times to bring them, saying we could open the door just once...” They paused, exhaling as if the weight of the admission took effort to release.But during the war and early days of our colony. It was one of the very few things that we could use and grow, the taste and cellular density are vital for us Sheliaks. Over time, it became more than just food. It became part of who we are. Giving it up would be… unthinkable. The colony would struggle without a replacement.”

Echoing some of Seiyya’s thoughts, indeed, there was no such thing as a calm day. If anything, this admission, while helpful, did make things a bit heavier when it came to putting a Zamboni to the whole situation and making it as smooth as ice, “I see…have the Kreetassans been made aware of this fact, that you too hold the Azulmire in high regard, albeit in…a different way?” Maybe this could bridge the gap between the colonies?

*Quintan shrugged their shoulders as they said. *"Oh, we don't worship it like the Kreetassans persay, but... Yes, we hold it in high regard...I dont think they've been made aware"

Of course not…he chewed on his inner cheek as he thought, “Perhaps they should be. I’m certain they’d appreciate the information.”

Quintan’s posture stiffened at the mention of speaking directly with Orsic. “I… speaking with Orsic directly might be… complicated,” they said, their voice betraying their unease. “After the mob, and now this…” They waved a hand vaguely, their body language tense. “The last thing we need is another incident. Perhaps… perhaps we could start with a formal written statement? My people… I do better with those.” They gave a small, anxious nod, clearly trying to regain composure and steer the conversation in a direction they felt more comfortable with.

He threaded his fingers together, resting his fists on the table, “A written statement could certainly be arranged, but it would be good to ask Orsic and the Kreetassan representatives what they would appreciate, given the slight…it would also be good to meet face to face once more. Written statements could…ring hollow, you understand,” He hummed, “Starfleet Security would, of course, attend alongside you, to help with comfort.”

Zhi'rev had been listening this whole time, and had some thoughts of his own to voice, "I agree with the commander, meeting face to face, even if it is not the most ideal for you specifically, might be the best way to come to a favorable conclusion."

Quintan glanced at the two officers, their expression tense but curious. “What happens if they prohibit our use of the bean? My colony can’t allocate any scientific funding or resources to replacing it. Our corporate budget simply won’t allow for it.”

"That is a very real possibility, due to the nature of the bean in their culture. However, if you specify the importance of the Bean for your survival, you might be able to get somewhere in allowing for the continued usage of the bean. If not, I suppose you will have to find other alternatives, but that comes later." Zhi'rev replied, giving it to them as straight and honest as he possibly could.

“We could also send up the Starfleet ladder to help allocate scientific resources. Perhaps we could work with some scientists aboard this base,” He offered, giving weight to Zhi’rev’s suggested alternatives.

Quintan listened to that offer and the others as they slowly nodded. "I'll have to contact my manager to ensure I can get district approval, but if Starfleet is willing to allocate resources, I believe I would have full approval to take the Azulmire off. If we made a viable replacement to avert the war, I can convince the colony and management ."And with that, they got up confident, moving to what was a hand for a Sheliak willing to work with them

"Wonderful, I am glad you are willing to work with us," Zhi'rev said with what could be considered a smile, something non-threatening at the very least. He was sure they were ready for both sides to meet, or at least, that was what he hoped.

Maxson gave Quintan a nod, “We’ll speak with our science team, as well as the others speaking with the Kreetassans,” He too gave a small smile, before he turned to Zhi’rev, “Do you know how talks with the Kreetassans are going, Lieutenant?”

"I can step into their room to see how things are going, if that sounds like a good option." Zhi'rev responded quietly, showing that he did not know how the talks were going, it was that or calling them over comms.

“Might be better for a fellow diplomat to check in on things, given the…situation,” He didn’t quite think a security officer coming into the room where a guy who initiated a mob was speaking would blow over very well, “I’ll contact the science team.” (edited)

"Wonderful, I will step over to the other conference room and see how things are going. I will tell you how things are going when I get back," *he said before he stepped out of the room to go to #777-conference-room-1 *