✨ XIMILIA TOWN HALL MEETING ✨ ( video/audio/action )

[farr]

[ some morning in the middle of the week, during their return to the station, an invitation will be taped on the door of every orber. though the calligraphy would suggest this must have been typed on a computer and printer, each invitation is actually very carefully hand-written and reads as follows: ]

[ the idea is for everyone to meet in the mess hall at the intended time, but if some choose not to attend, the meeting can still be accessed by the earpieces, allowing all orbers to watch or listen in and contribute however they wish, no matter where they are.

however, for those who do decide to attend, the mess hall features a full display of bagels and donuts, along with plenty of fresh coffee, all to help everyone wake up and feel refreshed for the meeting that's about to take place.

a makeshift little stage, arranged by stacking together a few metal boxes is at the center of the room, atop of it being the one and only rita farr herself, with a bright optimistic smile. when she sees enough people present and settled, she speaks up, loud and clear: ]

Hello, everyone! Welcome to our first Annual — or monthly, or however we decide to do it — Town Hall meeting! Thank you all for coming and please enjoy the food to your heart's content. For those who don't know me, I'm Rita Farr. Now— though my name does appear on the invitation, this is hardly about me. This is about all of us.

After our ... last mission, it became quite clear that our group could use a bit of improvement with how we approach our next missions moving forward. And I thought the best way to plan for that is to allow all of us an opportunity to discuss how we all feel about what we've done well and what we could do better. After all, everyone deserves a say in this, right?

[ she points behind her where a giant board is on display on an easel, once again, hand-written with careful and precise calligraphy in giant letters: ]


Here, I've written some sample questions we can all try to offer answers to, but the floor will also be open for any other questions and suggestions that anyone might have. Remember, there are no wrong answers! We're all here for an open forum discussion. But before that!

[ she reaches over to the board, pulling it off to reveal another one behind it. this one reads as follows: ]


Please consider the "Keys to Success", not only on our missions, but as we talk together in this room right now. We'll go ahead and take turns either stepping up here on the stage or speaking out from wherever you are. There are no microphones but the earpieces should get your voices out to everyone. Now, who would like to start?


( this post is open to all! the idea is that everyone is taking turns in each thread to speak out to the entire group (whether from within the room or from elsewhere), but thread-jacking and hopping around for discussion is the key here! feel free to run wild with ic suggestions or questions regarding mission layouts or planning or whatever floats your boat (ic complaining/protest is always an option too). though rita is organizing it, it's open to whatever people are inclined to discuss. )

Comments

action

[legalcy]

[Minimus arrives trying to hide his excitement, though failing as he takes a seat with a pile of notes and his personal datapad in his arms. ]

I first wish to thank Rita Farr for organizing this meeting in a timely and organized manner. [He stands while he speaks, his hands held together even though there is no slideshow presentation behind him.] I was worried after the latest mission that this sort of outcome was the norm, but seeing this discussion take place offers some hope that we can organize ourselves as the orb-hunting mission group we were gathered to be.

Now- [He reaches the datapad. The workings of a formal document pop up on the screen as he scrolls through his notes.] I was in the middle of drafting a sort of "guideline" document on how to interact with the native populace. I took some inspiration from my species' Code of Conduct, but that was written with Cybertronian action during wartime in mind. For those with experience in interacting with planets that may or may not have developed interplanetary travel, I wish to add language from your universe's protocol.

I wish to have this signed by the crew and submitted to Viveca before our next mission, or prior to the following, if additional reviews are to be held.

[firstroar]

[he frowns at...............UH IS HE PEOPLE-SHAPED OR ROBOT-SHAPED....................well whatever HE FROWNS AT THIS PERSON.]

"Guidelines."

What does it say? More specifically.

[legalcy]

The basis of the Tyrest Accord forbids Cybertronian technology from falling into the hands of planets that do not have access to it already. We avoid impacting the local societies and opt to be non-intrusive as possible.

[He scrolls to a second that outlines that in detail, in full legal language.]

Of course, there are exceptions, especially when the planet is in danger from another alien group, which in this case can be substituted by a rogue orb damaging their ecosystem, as we've seen in our last mission.

[firstroar]

[...]

I don't believe...any among us had intention to be overly intrusive in the first place... What would additional guidelines provide?

[legalcy]

Intentions are not enough. It is our actions that impact the mission. While some urged us to remain on the planet out of sympathy, we overstepped our responsibilities. Simply removing the orb or explaining the cause would have fit our goal...which was never agreed upon.

If we read these guidelines, all would have the awareness of the Ximilia's mission statement and have a core set of rules on which to fall back.

[firstroar]

[he still wears a frown, but all the same:] I don't mind...reading the detail. If you have it prepared for review.

[farr]

[ rita smiles at the start of his speech, bowing her head. ]

Thank you very much for taking the time to come, Minimus.

[ because, in all honesty, she hadn't been sure exactly how many people would actually come and speak up. ]

Honestly, I think there's potential in a very good idea there. Though I don't expect every planet to be the same, there probably should be certain limitations on how much ... "interrupt" the existing populace. After all, at least in my two missions here so far, the main instruction we received before arriving was to blend in. And we ... might have stumbled in doing so at the end of our last one.

[ she clears her throat, a little embarrassed, aware that she'd turned into a 60-foot tall woman, doing the very most opposite to blend in anywhere. ]

As an actress, I have plenty of experience in putting on a role, so if it's necessary for us to limit ourselves in exposing our identities and capabilities, I'd be happy to help train anyone in how to put on an act.

[legalcy]

[He does give her a brief look for commenting on blending into the setting while growing to the size larger than a Cybertronian.]

I appreciate the offer, but acting is not the same thing as espionage. [He tugs on his mustache with something weighing on his mind.] To pretend that you are another person, or even to pretend that you belong in a exclusive group...there's a level of self-deception required.

[farr]

[ hey, now. ]

I'm sorry— [ rita holds her smile, but there's definitely a slight twitch. ] Are you ... suggesting that a theatrical performance is mere child's play compared to spy work?

[legalcy]

Dramatics makes others suspicious. A noble is not deemed a noble based on his spending and public acts of selfishness. [He huffs a little.] They'll watch your every move, even when you aren't doing anything in particular. You must fit their narrative else you are discovered.

[farr]

Well.

[ she breathes a soft laugh, because it's the only thing to help her keep her cool. everything else here she can approach with a level of collectiveness. but when it comes to her craft— ]

I'm not sure you realize the lack of respect you're placing on an actor's ability. I'm not talking about amateurs like Deborah Kerr or Steven Seagal who wouldn't be able to act their way out of a speeding ticket. I am talking about those that can pour their heart and soul into becoming one with their character to the point where it's nearly impossible to find where one ends and one begins. Because, for an actor, there are no rolling credits to the sweat and tears that go into that perfect mastery.

Now, I beg you, do reconsider your stance about the cons of dramatics. Because aside from playing with a few fancy technical gadgets, there is nothing that any spy agent can do that a critically acclaimed actress can't do even better.

[ hmph!! ]

[homeostatic]

I'd like to read what you have so far.

At home, we have a regulation known as Starfleet General Order 1, or the Prime Directive. Non-interference "in the natural, unassisted, development of societies, even if such interference was well-intentioned", as such interference includes "the introduction of superior knowledge, strength, or technology to a world whose society is incapable of handling such advantages wisely."

( Yes he's quoting directly from memory because all the Fleet men are nerds, all of them. )

Starfleet officers are expected to give their lives, even the lives of their crew, to uphold it.

[legalcy]

[Minimus resumes sitting and types away furiously, copying McCoy's every word. It's best that he quotes the order directly rather than paraphrase it; they mustn't overlook a loophole created with approximate wording.]

We have something similar regarding the sharing of technologies. By "strength", do you mean armed forces? What is the different between lending strength to repel hostile alien forces and lending our aid for their personal matters? Would that have meant refusing to ally ourselves with the Fables?

[homeostatic]

( Just so they're not talking across the room, McCoy abandons his post by the breakfast table to have a seat by Minimus, setting down his coffee. )

Let me start with your first question. "Strength" in this case would mean providing superior weaponry, supernatural powers and might to one side of a civil conflict. It could also mean givin' them land surveys, scans and knowledge of their enemy's personnel movements, giving them transporter technology (or the magical equivalent), or matter synthesizers like the Ximilia's armory unit.

When it comes to the interference of an outside alien force, such as in Giva, we would be able to provide aid, even assistance in repelling them, if the affected society asked for our help. It's rarely so straightforward though, as many pre-warp societies aren't unified, so while one group might be gettin' chummy with the Klingons in their backyard, another might be subjugated by them. Things with multiple moving parts like that are difficult to tell from orbit, so we would first send a forward team for diplomatic talks and make further decisions from there.

( which... they could maybe?? do here?? they did send staggered teams to Badrock, after all... )

Lending aid for personal matters would be more like simple humanitarian aid. Medical care, building or maintaining homes and structures using local supplies, ensuring they have access to clean water, things of that nature. We wouldn't leave anything behind that they would not be able to maintain themselves, with the technology they have.

Does that make sense?

( He'll wrap up here in a second with Minimus' last question, but this is A Lot he's summarizing. )

[legalcy]

I like the idea of scouting teams. We all are given the same information at the start, but it helps to stagger our investigations. Those that can gather intelligence are prioritized, followed by those who can act on that information. Medical care or aid can be implemented depending on the situation.

[He's organizing this as one would a military mission. It's the best thing he knows.]

The question also remains: How much information do we give about the orb? It feels as if this would also depend on where it is located and with whom it has a contract. I've never been on a mission where it was not in someone's possession, but I imagine it must be difficult explaining such a thing.

[homeostatic]

( Be still his beating heart. )

The few orbers who've done so were successful. If we can continue to meet locals where they are, and be honest about our intentions, and the dangers of the orbs, I believe we'll keep seeing positive responses.

Though we should also prepare for the worst. All it takes is one local to decide we're stealin' something of theirs, and things will get messy.

( And then they get mired in more worst case scenario business he keeps to himself. Disagreements aside, he's reasonably sure most of the team wants to do good wherever they land. )

action

[spacedisaster]

[ Peter can't help but notice Minimus's enthusiasm about the whole thing, and it gets him smiling behind his cup of coffee. Mostly he is here to see what others think or suggest, rather than draw attention to himself. He listens to the bot's points and suggestions, watches the back and forth between Minimus and Rita, and waits until things have calmed down a bit again to slip into the seat next to Minimus'. ]

Ey...You seem to be in a good mood. [ Peter speaks in a low voice, a small smile on his face as he addresses Minimus. Considering that the last time he saw Minimus in person things were less than great for the poor Cybertronian, Peter is happy with the change. ]

[legalcy]

I seem to be? [After that spat with Rita? Well, he apparently can recover his composure quickly if Peter can say that.] It's been months since I could use my skills. If I am no charismatic leader, then I can support the group by laying down the groundwork for our plans.

[spacedisaster]

I mean...slight differences notwithstanding. [ He gestures vaguely around them, towards Rita's current general direction. Then gives Minimus a shrug, happy to pretend he didn't see them arguing. ]

You often offer well-thought-out insight, and I'd say you're charismatic enough, Minimus. I'm not sure how well we would be able to follow those guidelines you're working on, because we all have the tendency to be a bit chaotic, but the idea has merit.

[legalcy]

[Minimus takes his stack of notes and taps them on his lap to straighten them. They weren't in disarray, but it hides his careening thoughts at the complement.]

Next time, we can include slideshow presentations in our talks. A visual chart helps in highlighting the key points of our talks.

[spacedisaster]

[ Peter watches Minimus shuffle the papers with interest, and try to keep his smile in control. Oh, did he fluster him? Either way, it's cute. ]

Picture sound for the best if we're going to have meetings at this hour. Easier for my sleepy brain to understand. I'm a night owl, waking up before 10am it's almost against my religion.

[hikae]

No, it's ain't a "norm". [ Majima's not sounding defensive, no sir, not at all ]

The idea of a manual, these guidelines I mean— that sounds pretty good. [ The wartime aspect aside ] We got plenty of mission vets around, their input and experience could be of use here. The missions they threw us at varied a lot— All, aside of one or two included some kind of blendin'in among the locals. Any tips 'bout that?

[legalcy]

I can speak as a Cybertronian. Our war mainly took place on uninhabited planets, but many of those that were inhabited were frequent targets of Decepticons. [He's trying very hard not to look at Megatron.] To mitigate immediate and future damage to the - usually organic - species, we remained in our alt-modes to assume the roles of equipment or local animals. If need be, we had our holomatter avatars.

One key difference between then and now is the amount of cultural research that we did before touching down on a planet. It's one thing to mimic gestures and download language packets, but it's another to appear natural. Things like popular culture, memes, the like.

[hikae]

[ Man, oh man, he really needs to step up his game in learning about his team-mates worlds and associations. He slept on it lately. ]

Having more time to prepare— [ Majima muses. ] Would be great to have that — info early and have time to plan properly. It's rarely been longer than a day lately tho... I landed in the livin' world of Giva, a few missions back, and been cut off the team for weeks. But man, amazing how many useful connections you can make in a given time.

[legalcy]

My strengths lie outside the domain of socialization and interpersonal connections. It's why in our previous mission, I went straight to the library instead of finding the key players in the history of the planet.

[When you don't have the charm to get people to talk, you have to find other ways to help.]

A cultural debrief from the first arrivals would be beneficial.