Ask, and Ye Shall Receive
by Captain Zanh
71231.22
After Rise. . .and Shine
--=/\=--
--=The Federation Embassy, on Bajor=--
by Captain Zanh
71231.22
After Rise. . .and Shine
--=/\=--
--=The Federation Embassy, on Bajor=--
"What do you mean, they're number fifty-three on the list?"
Zanh Liis tapped her toe impatiently as she looked over the shoulder of the current Federation Ambassador to Bajor, a human male called Lansing Stell, and pointed to the data on his computer display.
"I mean that there are fifty-two other facilities ahead of the orphanage at Altaan when it comes to providing a replicator."
Zanh stifled a frustrated growl. She knew that part already. She wanted him to justify that position, not restate it. "How long have they been on the waiting list?"
The man looked at the floor, ashamed. "Zanh Liis, I understand that you grew up at this facility, but,"
"But what? It's OK to keep the orphans waiting while you add yet another wing onto the Bajoran Governmental complex? Or re-gild the gold inlays on the murals at the Central Vedek Assembly?"
He didn't have a good answer for her, so he shrugged and replied in the only way that he could.
"I'm sorry, but my hands are tied."
"Look at this." Liis reached over his shoulder without hesitation and touched the screen, scrolling down to the bottom. "The largest children's hospital on the planet received just three replicators this year- and that was only because someone gifted the equipment to them. I have a real problem with the prioritization of these requisitions, Mr. Ambassador."
"You can feel free to lodge a complaint with the Government as a Bajoran citizen, Captain Zanh. There is really not much more I can do for you other than to make the replicators here at the embassy available to you today, so that you and your party can take some supplies to the orphanage, if it pleases you. I will even arrange for the goods to be beamed as close to the facility as possible." Stell seemed quite pleased with himself for making what he perceived to be such a ridiculously generous offer.
"So the old men and women who run it can walk meters in the snow, carrying everything? You're not serious." Zanh couldn't help but sigh now. "You won't even grant us use of a shuttle craft?"
Stell began to fidget in his chair. "Captain, you are currently between assignments," he spoke hesitantly, drumming his fingers on the surface of his desk. "I contacted Starfleet,"
[[It's okay, Liis.]] Jariel tugged on her sleeve and then began to sign. [[The Central Assembly has promised us use of one of their runabouts. We don't require a Starfleet shuttle.]]
Zanh nodded once to the man behind the desk as if to say "so there."
TC Blane stood quietly watching the exchange. It never ceased to amaze him how the tangled web of politics, and politicians, could hold up progress.
"Well then, we should get busy replicating." Liis said. "I want blankets, pillows, clothing, in addition to all the non-perishable food we can pack into the runabout."
"And toys." TC added. "We need simple toys. Ship models, rag dolls, games. Books as well."
"You heard the man." Zanh concluded.
"I will take you to our largest supply replication room, consider it at your disposal. Please, follow me." The Ambassador led them out of his office and down a long, lushly carpeted hall.
"Ambassador Stell," Zanh began again, sweetening her voice this time. "Wouldn't it be a wonderful public relations story. . .if somehow you managed to, I don't know," she paused and smiled, "secure a replicator for an orphanage during this sacred Peldor season?"
Stell thoroughly considered her idea. She was right, Starfleet's media department loved that sort of thing. Still, he was nervous.
"Even if I wanted to Zanh Liis, and I do want to, how do I justify moving Altaan to the top of the waiting list?"
[[The Orphanage at Altaan was emptied after Bajor joined the Federation,]] Jariel interjected, with Zanh acting as his voice. [[The children who have been sent there in the past year were all orphaned by the terrible storms on the Takesian Plains. Storms causing devastation that Commander Blane and myself saw first hand, as part of Starfleet's rescue response.]] He paused a moment before going on.
[[Perhaps, as a statement that the Federation is still dedicated to caring for the needs of the survivors, you might give Altaan a replicator with the assurance that all of the facilities that care for children and are on that waiting list will be moved to the top, above, say, the new public library named for the Kai... ]] Jariel paused again, letting the absurdity of supplying a replicator to such a facility first sink in, [[and that they will receive at least one new replicator per facility within the next twelve calendar months.]]
Liis' eyes lit up. Damn, he was good.
"Sounds like a perfect photo op." TC added to further entice the man.
Stell's expression betrayed his internal anxiety. He didn't like where this was going, not at all.
"That's a tall order, that would be," He gazed up at the ceiling in thought. "At least sixty replicators in the next twelve months."
"Once I'm reassigned," Zanh assured him, "I would be happy to help you with this project. I am certain that I can present a case to Starfleet that will help, along with your influence, of course, Ambassador."
She knew that ego was huge in many of these political types and didn't want to miss the chance to stroke his. "It is definitely something that can be accomplished. They don't even have to be top of the line replicators. The people in those places don't ask for much, really. So long as they provide the bare necessities, I know they'd be overwhelmed by your generosity."
One of the Ambassador's aides approached from the sidelines, obviously having overheard. He was wringing his hands nervously. He begged Zanh's pardon for interrupting, and then whispered in the Ambassador's ear.
Stell nodded and made a 'calm down' motion with his hands. He thanked the man, and then the aide disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived.
"I'm sorry. As much as I would like to, I just can't promise you that even with your help we'll be able to deliver that many replicators to the children's facilities by next Peldor, Captain Zanh." Stell seemed stuck halfway between stark terror and sincere regret. "But perhaps, as a gesture to reassure you that I do care, and I am trying my best, I can offer you something to take with you today."
"That would be kind of you," Zanh nodded graciously. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, what about the state-of-the-art replicator that is currently installed in my office?"
Zanh considered his words, and Jariel's eyes implored her to accept the offer.
"That would be a very generous gesture, Ambassador. And if I were to make that complaint to the Provisional Government about the waiting list?"
"They would certainly hear from me that perhaps, the criteria for assigning replicators should be reconsidered."
Jariel nodded to Liis, and she to the Ambassador. It wasn't all she'd hoped for, but it was the best she could do for today.
"Thank you very much, Sir."
"If you'll follow me, I will leave you to get started in the supply room, and I will summon the maintenance staff so they can remove the replicator from my office."
"The power generator as well?" Zanh knew she was pushing her luck, but decided to go for broke.
"Absolutely." Stell smiled through gritted teeth, wondering exactly how he was going to explain this to his superiors. "You can't run a replicator without a power source, can you?"
Stell passed them and began instructing the staff in the supply replication room to give them what they wanted.
TC Blane wasted no time in stepping up to the first in a row of half a dozen replicators.
"One toy train, made of wood." He requested. The replicator whirred to life, and a moment later he held the simple toy in his hands. He turned, grinning at Zanh and Jariel.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas."
Zanh Liis tapped her toe impatiently as she looked over the shoulder of the current Federation Ambassador to Bajor, a human male called Lansing Stell, and pointed to the data on his computer display.
"I mean that there are fifty-two other facilities ahead of the orphanage at Altaan when it comes to providing a replicator."
Zanh stifled a frustrated growl. She knew that part already. She wanted him to justify that position, not restate it. "How long have they been on the waiting list?"
The man looked at the floor, ashamed. "Zanh Liis, I understand that you grew up at this facility, but,"
"But what? It's OK to keep the orphans waiting while you add yet another wing onto the Bajoran Governmental complex? Or re-gild the gold inlays on the murals at the Central Vedek Assembly?"
He didn't have a good answer for her, so he shrugged and replied in the only way that he could.
"I'm sorry, but my hands are tied."
"Look at this." Liis reached over his shoulder without hesitation and touched the screen, scrolling down to the bottom. "The largest children's hospital on the planet received just three replicators this year- and that was only because someone gifted the equipment to them. I have a real problem with the prioritization of these requisitions, Mr. Ambassador."
"You can feel free to lodge a complaint with the Government as a Bajoran citizen, Captain Zanh. There is really not much more I can do for you other than to make the replicators here at the embassy available to you today, so that you and your party can take some supplies to the orphanage, if it pleases you. I will even arrange for the goods to be beamed as close to the facility as possible." Stell seemed quite pleased with himself for making what he perceived to be such a ridiculously generous offer.
"So the old men and women who run it can walk meters in the snow, carrying everything? You're not serious." Zanh couldn't help but sigh now. "You won't even grant us use of a shuttle craft?"
Stell began to fidget in his chair. "Captain, you are currently between assignments," he spoke hesitantly, drumming his fingers on the surface of his desk. "I contacted Starfleet,"
[[It's okay, Liis.]] Jariel tugged on her sleeve and then began to sign. [[The Central Assembly has promised us use of one of their runabouts. We don't require a Starfleet shuttle.]]
Zanh nodded once to the man behind the desk as if to say "so there."
TC Blane stood quietly watching the exchange. It never ceased to amaze him how the tangled web of politics, and politicians, could hold up progress.
"Well then, we should get busy replicating." Liis said. "I want blankets, pillows, clothing, in addition to all the non-perishable food we can pack into the runabout."
"And toys." TC added. "We need simple toys. Ship models, rag dolls, games. Books as well."
"You heard the man." Zanh concluded.
"I will take you to our largest supply replication room, consider it at your disposal. Please, follow me." The Ambassador led them out of his office and down a long, lushly carpeted hall.
"Ambassador Stell," Zanh began again, sweetening her voice this time. "Wouldn't it be a wonderful public relations story. . .if somehow you managed to, I don't know," she paused and smiled, "secure a replicator for an orphanage during this sacred Peldor season?"
Stell thoroughly considered her idea. She was right, Starfleet's media department loved that sort of thing. Still, he was nervous.
"Even if I wanted to Zanh Liis, and I do want to, how do I justify moving Altaan to the top of the waiting list?"
[[The Orphanage at Altaan was emptied after Bajor joined the Federation,]] Jariel interjected, with Zanh acting as his voice. [[The children who have been sent there in the past year were all orphaned by the terrible storms on the Takesian Plains. Storms causing devastation that Commander Blane and myself saw first hand, as part of Starfleet's rescue response.]] He paused a moment before going on.
[[Perhaps, as a statement that the Federation is still dedicated to caring for the needs of the survivors, you might give Altaan a replicator with the assurance that all of the facilities that care for children and are on that waiting list will be moved to the top, above, say, the new public library named for the Kai... ]] Jariel paused again, letting the absurdity of supplying a replicator to such a facility first sink in, [[and that they will receive at least one new replicator per facility within the next twelve calendar months.]]
Liis' eyes lit up. Damn, he was good.
"Sounds like a perfect photo op." TC added to further entice the man.
Stell's expression betrayed his internal anxiety. He didn't like where this was going, not at all.
"That's a tall order, that would be," He gazed up at the ceiling in thought. "At least sixty replicators in the next twelve months."
"Once I'm reassigned," Zanh assured him, "I would be happy to help you with this project. I am certain that I can present a case to Starfleet that will help, along with your influence, of course, Ambassador."
She knew that ego was huge in many of these political types and didn't want to miss the chance to stroke his. "It is definitely something that can be accomplished. They don't even have to be top of the line replicators. The people in those places don't ask for much, really. So long as they provide the bare necessities, I know they'd be overwhelmed by your generosity."
One of the Ambassador's aides approached from the sidelines, obviously having overheard. He was wringing his hands nervously. He begged Zanh's pardon for interrupting, and then whispered in the Ambassador's ear.
Stell nodded and made a 'calm down' motion with his hands. He thanked the man, and then the aide disappeared as quickly as he'd arrived.
"I'm sorry. As much as I would like to, I just can't promise you that even with your help we'll be able to deliver that many replicators to the children's facilities by next Peldor, Captain Zanh." Stell seemed stuck halfway between stark terror and sincere regret. "But perhaps, as a gesture to reassure you that I do care, and I am trying my best, I can offer you something to take with you today."
"That would be kind of you," Zanh nodded graciously. "What did you have in mind?"
"Well, what about the state-of-the-art replicator that is currently installed in my office?"
Zanh considered his words, and Jariel's eyes implored her to accept the offer.
"That would be a very generous gesture, Ambassador. And if I were to make that complaint to the Provisional Government about the waiting list?"
"They would certainly hear from me that perhaps, the criteria for assigning replicators should be reconsidered."
Jariel nodded to Liis, and she to the Ambassador. It wasn't all she'd hoped for, but it was the best she could do for today.
"Thank you very much, Sir."
"If you'll follow me, I will leave you to get started in the supply room, and I will summon the maintenance staff so they can remove the replicator from my office."
"The power generator as well?" Zanh knew she was pushing her luck, but decided to go for broke.
"Absolutely." Stell smiled through gritted teeth, wondering exactly how he was going to explain this to his superiors. "You can't run a replicator without a power source, can you?"
Stell passed them and began instructing the staff in the supply replication room to give them what they wanted.
TC Blane wasted no time in stepping up to the first in a row of half a dozen replicators.
"One toy train, made of wood." He requested. The replicator whirred to life, and a moment later he held the simple toy in his hands. He turned, grinning at Zanh and Jariel.
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas."
-=/\=- Captain Zanh Liis
Currently on Bajor
NRPG: May old acquaintance never be forgot. Happy New Year!~ZL
Currently on Bajor
NRPG: May old acquaintance never be forgot. Happy New Year!~ZL