[Galaxy] 2161.10.11 - Federation Day

[Ethan Armstrong]

// Cochrane Arena, San Francisco, Earth  \\

The applause for Jonathan Archer’s keynote address to the assembly was
seemingly endless. Several times, Commodore Adrienne Sheppard stepped
to the podium. The applause only increased. She stepped back and
motioned for Archer to take yet another swell of praise for his
eloquent message. Finally, it was Archer who motioned Sheppard to the
podium and the applause calmed to a few exuberant whoops and whistles.

“Thank you, Captain Archer. The praise of this company of allies,” she
swept her hand to indicate the entire arena, “is ample evidence of the
impact of your words and the enthusiasm with which those gathered
stand behind your words, both here and watching throughout the
Galaxy.” A murmur of continued applause rose from the crowd, but
Archer’s respectful bow to the Commodore and a quiet “thank you”
seemed to pull the group’s attention to the Fleet Operations
Commander.

Sheppard was a woman of average stature. She was pale, with short very
dark hair and striking light blue eyes. Only on the enormous
vid-screens were those more intimate features identifiable, and yet
still, her poised bearing conveyed authority and strength even from
the great distances across the Arena.

She waited until she had everyone’s attention. “As Captain Archer
alluded, we are at this moment making history. Today, the members of
the Coalition will weave themselves into a much stronger entity,
infinitely stronger than the sum of its parts. At this table before
me, under your watchful eyes, a representative of each Coalition
planet will set his or her name to a document, pledging to ratify into
existence a cooperative union, The United Federation of Planets.”
Cheers again filled the massive space.

When order was restored, Sheppard continued, “We are agreeing to share
not only our military strength against the many foes that might, and
probably will at some point, come against us. We also are pledging to
seek better understanding as cultures, as peoples of like values,
recognizing the importance of Galactic freedom. Yes, we differ in
/many/ ways. In many ways we seem to actually contradict one another.
And yet, we set aside those differences for a greater cause.
Committing our strengths to one another, entrusting our weaknesses to
one another, and moving forward, deeper into the unknown than ever
before, with confidence, with trust, and with friendship.”

With its curiosity piqued for what might lay ahead the crowd listened
as the Commodore continued.

“I introduce you to the first of our distinguished representatives,”
Sheppard said. “Acknowledging a long and increasingly deep friendship,
I present to you Ambassador T’Jan of Vulcan.” Even the sometimes
ambivalent relationship Earth had shared with the Vulcans seemed to be
forgotten this day, as respectful acclaim and applause greeted the
Vulcan.

The Vulcan female walked up to the lectern, her long black robes
brushing the floor.  Tall, she had black hair shot with grey, and the
almost-black deep brown eyes typical of her race.  She gave Sheppard a
deep bow -- which resulted in more applause -- then stood motionless,
surveying the crowd as it quieted.  When she spoke her voice was rich
and mellifluous, her pronunciation of Earth Standard perfect.
“Greetings, peoples of the Coalition of Planets, from Vulcan.”  This
engendered a humming murmur of response.  But T’Jan was nothing if not
patient.  “On April 6th, 2063, a Vulcan survey ship, the T’Plana-Hath,
detected a warp signature near a little-known planet in a further
little-known system.  This warp signature was emitted by the first
flight of the Phoenix, Humanity’s first warp-capable ship.  The
T’Plana-Hath landed in Bozeman, Montana, and a historic first contact
was made.”  A section of the crowd, mostly Human, applauded politely
in acknowledgement of the historical reference.

“Although our shared history has been somewhat rocky,” T’Jan was
well-versed in Human colloquialisms, “it has always been the nature of
Vulcans to nurture and /protect/ civilizations it ‘discovers’,
civilizations that are new to warp-capable space flight.  It has not
always been the most popular of stances -- especially from the
viewpoint of Earth -- but we believe that your own experiences have
shown that it is the logical stance.  Non-interference in the normal
development of a first contact species has been, and will always be,
of utmost importance to Vulcan.  A people must be allowed to go forth
into the future along their own path.”

T’Jan looked up at the rings of people that encircled the central
dais.  “But there is nothing that says that path must be walked
/alone/.”  Nodding heads and murmured agreement came from the crowd.

“We meet here today to state our intentions to walk forward on that
path /together/.  We Vulcans, the Andorians, the Tellarites, the
Coridians, the Denobulans, the peoples of Alpha Centauri … we all come
together here to join in common cause with Earth, to forge a common
future.  This Coalition of Planets will evolve.  We shall continue
forward as a single entity, bonding our different cultures into one
cohesive group. Following the end of your world’s war with the unseen
Romulan enemy, such a union as we create here today is the most
logical course of action any of our peoples can take.”

T’Jan turned to face Commodore Sheppard.  “We, the people of Vulcan,
do hereby pledge our allegiance, our resources, and our future -- to
the next step in our joint journey -- to the United Federation of
Planets.”  She bowed to Sheppard again, then turned and bowed, deeply,
to the people as they applauded loud and long.

"We are truly entering a brave new world of peace, exploration and
security with the establishment of this Federation” began Thomas
Vanderbilt, recognisable as Earth’s key ambassador in recent talks as
he made his way next up to the podium. “As the Federation expands we
can focus on our core missions with greater resources. Earth and it’s
colonies pledge its full support behind this initiative of peace and
scientific exploration.” he said, and went on to speak further about
Earth’s scientific objectives. “This is a unique opportunity that we
must all embrace.” he closed before taking his seat. A long and
affirming applause showed the Ambassador that everyone was behind him.
For so long the mission of science and exploration seemed to have been
forgotten, faded out of view by more important issues and threats. His
speech reminded many gathered why they had set out in the first place.

Titus Oleet from Alpha Centauri was the next to talk, beginning with
praise. “I must applaud my friend, Ambassador Vanderbilt, for his
efforts in our negotiations. His intermediary skills were instrumental
in keeping us all focused in our recent meetings. He is a diplomat of
the highest order and a leader I feel confident to stand behind as we
go forward.” Vanderbilt seemed a little embarrassed about the outburst
but nodded his thanks to Titus from his position behind the table. “As
a newly independent colony, we have many challenges ahead. But we
stand alongside Earth on this matter and agree, the Federation is the
future,” he added, before taking the opportunity to build up his own
profile and promote Alpha Centauri’s new-found status.

Chancellor En’Ralan from Coridan stood up next, with boldness. “This
union is not been easy for us to accept. There is still much we all
need to discuss. Therefore, we will not be joining the Federation at
this time, but we praise these efforts.”

As a Coalition member Coridan would have been expected to join the new
alliance, so the crowd was quietened somewhat by this announcement as
the Chancellor took his seat. Yes, it was clear from En’Ralan’s tone
that a degree of healing had taken place. Everyone listening would
remember the conflicts on the Coridan homeworld and the treachery of
the Vulcans and Andorians during the early 2150’s.

Next to stand was the Andorian ambassador, Sarahd.  He approached the
dais, his receding white hair brushed back from his face, his antennae
twitching slightly.  “I, Sarahd, stand here before you to bear witness
to the continuing friendship that Andoria and Earth have enjoyed for
more than a decade.  Once we thought Terrans to be brash interlopers,
but events have proven the people of Earth to be honorable, brave, and
worthy of friendship.”

He cleared his throat and the frown never left his face.  “This
meeting is unprecedented.  These actions are unprecedented.  When the
Humans came to Andoria and helped stop the uprising that threatened
our world, we announced and predicted this would come to pass.  We are
proud to see that we were right.  Now we further predict greatness for
the Coalition of Planets as we join together and pledge to continue
into a more permanent union -- the United Federation of Planets.  We
foresee peace, prosperity, and rapid expansion of the member planets.
More will come! Together, we are stronger! Together, we will forge a
path into the future that will benefit us all.”

Sarahd bowed his head and stepped back.  Finally, Tellarite Natha Kell
had the chance to speak.

“I have been coached to be tactful as this historic event takes more
into account than just we Tellarites. Harumph,” Kell seemed to growl
as he cleared his throat.  “It is of growing importance that we better
understand each other’s cultures and I am proud to say we, the
Tellarites, are leading the field in that effort. We defy anyone, even
the Romulans, to test our resolve now for collective security,"
declared Ambassador Kell. “We are thoroughly and genuinely affronted
in the way this exhibition has been handled.” The crowd was quiet. All
knew the generally disagreeable nature of the Tellarite people and
they were unsure how to respond to the mixed message he seemed to be
expressing. With another deep grunt of displeasure, he turned and
returned to his seat without another word.

With all the key members of the Coalition done with their speeches and
pledges of allegiance there was a temporary pause in proceedings at
the podium level. The crowd talked amongst itself as the documents
were brought ceremonially into the hall, down the walkway and laid out
on the table. Triumphant music began to play over the speakers and
each founding member took up digital pens and signed the relevant
portion of the Federation founding document. Cheers rose up as each
person signed with the detail being shown on the large screens.
Finally the music was done and all the signatures were in place.

Ambassador Vanderbilt stood up again to address the crowd. “You have
witnessed today, the start of something incredible. Something that
many would not have thought possible. In light of this, I want to
quote a Human 21st Century inspiration, Christopher Reeve,” he said,
looking around at the gathered and taking a moment before speaking.
“So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem
improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become
inevitable’."

The quote was greeted with cheers which went on long into the the night.