It was Now 0900 hours almost 7 hours since the first contact with the Mullura, and since they made their demand. Captain Wallace had spent three hours discussing the matter with Command, namely Captain Roberts. The discussion wasn't very helpful, and very sketchy at best. However Wallace would obey his orders, and confer with his senior staff.
"Attention Colonel Tarik, Lieutenant Anderson, Commanders Loran, Carter, and Ensign Razek please report to the senior staff lounge." Wallace said over the station wide comm channel. He picked up a PADD and walked towards the door where Lieutenant Kelly was standing.
Lieutenant Kelly was doing his job rather well. According to Wallace he thought the Lieutenant was trying make up for his grave mistake he made one month ago. So in Wallace's mind Kelly was a brown noser.
The Staff was assembled in the Conference lounge, they were eager to hear what was going to happen and Command's response to the new Aliens demands. Tarik hoped as did Garek, and Carter that the Federation would send someone or them to resolve the problem diplomatically. Captain Wallace walked in and took his seat at the head of the table, and went directly to work.
"All right listen up. Command and the Federation Counsel have decided against keeping the Colonist on Morristown. We will evacuate them in two days. I've sent a message to them informing them of the situation."
Colonel Tarik, wasn't at all pleased. He spoke up. " Captain why has the Counsel decided to not seek a compromise?"
"They feel from our first encounter that the Mullura are a possible threat species, based on the status of their ship, and demands. They said and I quote. That the Colonist lives are more important then territory."
"So to put bluntly, Captain we are giving in." Tarik said with disgust.
"Yes, I feel it's cause of me. The Counsel doubts my negotiation skills. And to prevent an incident they are pulling them out." Wallace, hated that he was told he couldn't handle this situation with diplomacy. To him it was a slap in the face.
"Ensign Razek, I want a Civil Evacuation plan on my desk by the end of the day. Commander Carter, I want you to use one fighter and work with Garek on this, and see if you can increase the Banshee performance range.
Colonel and Lieutenant I want a recent performance evaluation of your Marines. Colonel how many Marines do you have? "Wallace asked working on a PADD.
"Little over 140" Tarik replied. Wallace entered the number on the PADD.
"Garek will the Arizona be able to handle the Evacuation of the Colonist?"
"Should sir, but would better to take a transport just in case."Garek replied as he scratched his chin thinking.
Wallace didn't like this, as did the other crew, but he knew that it was done to keep piece. He valued piece very much. He didn't want to be known as the Captain that caused a cold war between two powers, and have another Romulan Neutral Zone. Then came a interruption in the meeting.
[Captain Wallace, Kelly here.]
"Go ahead."Wallace said tapping his comm badge.
[It's Captain Roberts, on the emergency broadcast channel.]
"Very well route it in here. "Wallace said turning his chair around to the wall behind him that had a 16 inch view screen. The Screen came on and Roberts appeared in it and in the background was the bay of San Francisco.
[Captain Wallace, We have just negotiated a peace treaty, which will be finalized and sent to you in the morning. It says this. That whole new star system is off limits to the Mullura and Federation. This will take affect in 13 days.
Like it or not it's final now. Roberts out] The screen went blank, and Wallace stood up, with out saying anything and headed towards the door. "You all have work to do, lets get to it."