Only Human

Posted on Thu Aug 1st, 2019 @ 3:08pm by Commander Logan Vance & Amanda Vance
Edited on on Sat Aug 3rd, 2019 @ 4:01am

Mission: Preludes
Location: Starbase 234 - D'Ral's Temporary Quarters
Timeline: 2387 - Three Days After 'Too Sweet'
Tags: Prelude

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Time: 1213
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"It's all lies!" D'Ral declared, throwing the PADD on the table.

"What?" Logan asked, picking up the PADD and looking at the information on it. Most of it was battles and strategies of the Dominion War.

"It says that the Federation was able to defeat the Dominion when I know for a fact, it was the Romulan Star Empire who ultimately defeated them. The Federation had to beg for their help or they would have been destroyed. I will not believe your propaganda!"

Logan folded his arms and tried to suppress a smile. "It's true that we were desperate for the Romulan's help during the war. And it's also true we likely would have lost without it. However, it was a combined effort of our forces that won the war. Not to mention, the Cardassian revolt and a virus that infected the Founders. No one faction can take credit for winning the war," he explained.

"That's not what I was told," she insisted.

"And you consider your sources more reliable than mine?" She hesitated to answer. "If it's one thing I've learned in my years working for Starfleet Intelligence is that no one races or species is invulnerable or all powerful. We all have our weaknesses. It's just a matter of whether or not your enemies can exploit that weakness. That is true of the Romulans, Federation, Klingons…"

"The Borg?" she challenged. "I'm supposed to believe the Federation defeated them as well?"

"I wouldn't say so much we defeated them as we… survived them. We did learn how to fight them more effectively though. As always, I'm sure they will adapt in time."

She sat on the couch and folded her arms. "I don't know how you expect me to believe all of this fiction. If the Federation were that powerful, they would have control over the Alpha and Beta quadrants by now. Perhaps even more. The fact that you do not proves you are not."

"Or it simply means we have no desire for conquest of other races," Logan countered. "Or a combination of both. Taking on one power enemy and defeating it does not mean we could take on the combined might of the entire quadrant, nor do most humans want that. Or Vulcans or Betazoids or any of the hundreds of species that make up the Federation."

"Your lie of being peaceful explorers?" she scoffed. "I've read your history. You're just as conniving and violent as Ferengi."

"We used to be. Some of us still are," he conceded. "But we also have a great propensity for curiosity, for growth and for compassion."

"Compassion for one's enemies is a weakness," she declared.

"Is it? There have been more than once instance were compassionate actions have served both the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire. Like now, the Romulan people in dire straights after the loss of their home world. Is that a weakness of the Federation?"

D'Ral dropped her head and was silent.

"I know it's difficult to think about your home being gone…"

"It's not that," she shook her head. "So much of what I've been told was a lie. I was told the Romulans were strong and the Federation was weak. That we… they were the superior race. But now they are in ruins and we have to rely on the Federation for our very survival. And I see everything the Federation, the humans, have overcome…"

"Well, I don't know if it's that simp…"

"The Romulan people are obviously the weak ones. They are so weak, they had to lie to their people so they wouldn't see how weak they really were. And everywhere I go, I will be pitied when my Romulan heritage is revealed."

Logan was taken back by her sudden change of heart. Although based on her reaction, he doubted it was as sudden as it seemed. "Perhaps we should take some time to think…"

"To think about what? They are a dying people. They are weak. They deceitful and they deserved their fate. I want nothing to do with them anymore."

It was clear to Logan that the issue was not so much about her Romulan or Human heritage. It was about protecting herself. To make sure that she was never exposed to the mistakes and consequences of someone else's decisions ever again. While he could certainly understand that position, he didn't want her to make a decision in the heat of the moment.

"Ok, I'll make a deal with you," Logan offered. "If you wait six months and think about everything, keep your mind open to all possibilities and learn about both your Romulan and Human heritage, then I will support whatever decision you make. What do you say?"

"Two months," D'Ral replied.

"Two months?"

"I will agree to your terms but I am only waiting two months."

Logan leaned back. Obviously she had some sort of plan if she already had a pre-defined time frame. "Why two months?"

D'Ral folded her arms, "Those are my terms."

Logan didn't have to accept anything. He had all the leverage. She was a minor in his care and would have to live with his rules and Starfleet and other would support that authority. That being said, D'Ral had already run once and she was obviously capable of doing it again. If he didn't want his progress with her to be in vain, he needed to give some ground. "I reserve the right as your guardian to prevent you from doing something I feel is not in your best interest. If you can accept that as a part of our deal, then I agree to your terms."

D'Ral stared at him as he considered her proposal. After a few minutes she nodded agreement. "I agree to your terms.... father…"

Agent (Lt. Cmdr) Logan Vance
Intelligene Officer