Articles of the Federation - Keith R. A. DeCandido [30]
Adopting a supercilious tone that Sephara found rather enticing, Atkinson said, “So you haven’t talked to them yet?”
“I am not in a position to speak to them, Mr. Atkinson, as those communications are being made by the personnel at Outpost 22. However, since you are no doubt speaking figuratively, I can only say that several attempts have been made to contact the vessel that is approaching the outpost, but they have yet to respond. Sensor scans indicate that their communications systems are only operating at a low power level, and it is possible that they are using their minimal power only for internal communications.”
Velisa said, “Well, let’s assume that they do ask for asylum. What happens then?”
“The petition will be reviewed by the legal office and a decision will be made.”
“And what would that decision be?”
Sephara thought that while Velisa was being a bit too aggressive in her question, the Vulcan lawyer was being ridiculously obtuse.
“Until the actual petition is reviewed, it would be the height of illogic to speculate as to what the legal office’s decision would be.”
The Antedean spoke in a high, squeaky voice. “It should be added that the legal office’s decision is only a decision for the legal office. It will then take the form of a recommendation to the council, and the council will make a decision.”
“Councillor Quintor, do you think that the Federation will grant an asylum request-if that’s what the occupants of this ship are after?”
“I’m not entirely convinced that that is what they’re after, but a lot of it would depend on the reasons for the asylum request.”
Atkinson chuckled without mirth. “I should think that would be obvious, Councillor-they’ve lived as slaves for centuries, and violence between Klingon vessels protecting Remus and Romulan military vessels has been escalating since the incident in the T’Met system two months ago, and the settling of the Remans in the Ehrie’fvil colony has not gone especially smoothly. Just yesterday a dozen Remans were attacked in their homes by supposedly unidentified attackers.”
“It should be pointed out that the Remans are not slaves now, so if that is their only reason, they would not be granted asylum.”
“That’s ridiculous!” Atkinson said. “They’re being attacked in space, they’re being attacked on Romulus. What other reason do they need?”
“One which actually applies, Mr. Atkinson.”
Velisa spoke up before Atkinson had a chance to respond to that. “Admiral Janeway, you look like you want to say something.”
Janeway hesitated for a moment. “I’m sure, of course, that certain legalities need to be worked out, and I can understand Ms. Sorlak’s reluctance to commit to any course of action-but the Federation was founded on the principles of freedom, of self-determination, of equal rights for every sentient being. I can’t imagine that the Federation would turn away refugees who have suffered oppression in an enemy nation for so long. When I commanded the U.S.S. Voyager, and we were trapped in the Delta Quadrant, we took in several people who had separated themselves from the Borg collective. One of them is at Starfleet Academy now. They were in the same situation as these Remans, and if they want to seek a better life in the Federation, who are we to turn them down?”
The Antedean councillor wiggled again. “You make a very compelling argument, Admiral, but there are several flaws in it. One is that the Romulan Star Empire is not an enemy nation. They have not been our enemies since they joined forces with us and the Klingons during the Dominion War six years ago. And, indeed, the Romulan Star Empire barely exists as a political entity right now.”
“The kind of chaos that results in the fall of a government,” Janeway said in a tight voice, “is exactly the sort of situation into which the Federation must provide humanitarian aid.”
“What an ethnocentric term,” the Antedean said.
Atkinson joined the conversation again. “The word’s root may come from the word human, Councillor,