[Galaxy] Solar News Network SPECIAL REPORT -- Your Galaxy-Wide News Source

[Anna H.]

// Solar News Network Special Report \\

 
// San Francisco, Earth \\
 
The camera panned the Arena, then shone for several seconds on the official system clock before it zipped back down to show SNN’s Denobulan reporter, Mitreena Four. She was smiling widely and was formally dressed in a shimmering gown, her hair in an elaborate coiffure.  “Greetings from the Cochrane Arena!” she sang out.  “And welcome back to our continuing coverage of what is being hailed as the most important day in recent galactic history.  With me is our host and anchor, Harry Oakman.”  The camera view widened to show Harry alongside Mitreena.  “Harry, this has been going on ever since the signing ended... do you think there’s any end in sight?”
 
"I think the party is only just starting as we are expecting more delegates to arrive in the next few hours" Harry began. "The newly formed Federation Council has just completed it's first ever meeting and elected a leadership team. Our own Ambassador Thomas Vanderbilt was voted in as President and Sarahd from Andoria was elected vice-president. They have set up a series of meetings to discuss the next step. The news is still coming in thick and fast as we move into the small hours of the morning"
 
“Right, Harry.  Viewers, as part of our continuing coverage, we’d like to show you segments of the post-signing interviews that SNN did overnight.  First off, I spoke with Major General Georges Picard, aide to Earth Ambassador /and/ -- as we now know -- future President of the Federation Thomas Vanderbilt.  I asked Major General Picard for his
thoughts on the conference and what he foresees in our galactic future.”
 
The view switched to a quiet green room, where Mitreena and the Major General were seated facing each other across a holo-topped table.  Mitreena leaned forward, smiling, and said, “Thank you for talking with me, General,” to which he nodded amiably.  She continued, “This has all been very exciting -- the end of the Romulan War, the return
of the fleet, the activities leading up to tonight’s climax -- tell me, what’s in the near future for you, and for Ambassador Vanderbilt?”
 
“Well, Mitreena, as you said earlier, the Ambassador was voted in as the President of the United Federation of Planets a few hours ago. First on his agenda:  we have a timetable we’re going to try to meet, as far as getting the new Federation ratified by all the member worlds, and I think we have a damn good chance of keeping to that
schedule.  And during the next six months, the new buildings will be completed that will house the new organization.  After that is when all the /real/ work begins.”
 
Mitreena nodded seriously and asked, “And what exactly is that, General?”
 
“The writing and adoption of a Federation Charter.  Our new organization is going to need new rules.  I couldn’t even being to speculate on how long /that/ might take, but we’ll see it done.”  The General smiled benignly.
 
“I’m sure you will, sir,” Mitreena said, answering his smile.  “So … what’s ahead for /you/, General? Will you stay with the President as he takes on his new duties?”
 
“Yes, I can state that with no hesitation.  I’ll stay right here on Earth, working at the new United Federation of Planets complex, helping the President in any way he requires.”  He gave a firm nod as he finished speaking.
 
The camera went back to the two reporters, sitting in the SNN booth at the Cochrane Arena. Mitreena smiled at Harry and said, “The general is a very interesting person, Harry … his family was once aristocracy of the region formerly known as ‘France’ on the EurAsian continent.” .
 
"I've got to admit Mitreena I didn't know that. I'll have to have a word with my producer," he glanced over as if looking for someone off camera to blame as the two reporters chuckled. "Further to the council voting in their leadership I have received some more information." Harry absent mindedly pushing his earpiece in a little more. "Council
meetings will continue to be conducted from San Francisco. But a new building is to be constructed as a base for the Federation moving forwards close to the historic old Presidio fort." he paused and turned to Mitreena.
 
She looked at him, too, and said, "Interesting choice, isn't it, Harry."  A small corner of the screen opened up to show a view of the proposed area, panning from the Presidio.  "As you can see, viewers, workers have already begun clearing the site in preparation for the construction of the Federation complex.  They're certainly not letting any grass --"
 
Harry cut the Denobulan off suddenly. "Wait -- we are getting reports of a scuffle between the Andorians and Tellarites. Taking you live to the scene.." he said as the camera cut from the booth to a view near the main entrance foyer.
 
As it swung around and focused some angry voices could be heard, distorted as the sound team tuned in. The camera steadied, pointing toward the back of a small group of Tellarites who were now walking quickly away from the scene. Natha Kell was obviously amongst the group. "Ambassador" a voice called from behind the camera, but the
Tellarite continued walking without looking around. The camera moved around unsteadily to face the opposite direction. It stared into the face of an Andorian security guard who looked sternly toward the news team. "Do you have any comment on what just happened?" the reporter's voice from behind the lens asked.
 
"Nothing happened. We have no comment," the Andorian shook his head and motioned to his fellow guards, who came into view as the camera panned out, to move along. The men shifted away into the crowd in orderly fashion and the camera switched back to the booth.
 
"Um. Looks like we just missed whatever happened" Harry said. "But our team on the ground is saying there was a confrontation between Sarahd of Andoria and Natha Kell of Tellar. This could be the first sign of tensions in this new deal." he looked around a little uncertain due to a lack of solid information. "We will bring you confirmation and more
on this, as we find it out" he shrugged and turned to Mitreena.
 
"Looks like the Federation already has its first order of business, Harry. Diplomacy between Andoria and Tellar," Mitreena said, smiling at Harry and then at the viewers.  "Our Tellarite friends might want to tread softly -- as we've just reported to you, Ambassador Sarahd will soon be taking up a new title -- that of Vice President of the United Federation of Planets."
 
"I am sure just now was more to do with the Tellarite cultural tendency to argue their way through a discussion. Vice-President Sarahd will have to learn quick about Tellarite diplomacy," Harry fed back with a knowing smile.
 
"I agree, Harry.  To continue our coverage, I also spoke with two of the commanding officers of Star Fleet who were instrumental in bringing an end to the Romulan aggression.  Captains Sasha Spearling and Ethan Armstrong spoke with me several hours ago as the first meeting of the Federation Council was taking place.  Access the entire interview from your screen."  A corner of the display bloomed again, this time with a link to the interview.  "Quite an interesting session, don't you agree, Harry?"
 
"It was really great to put some real names and faces to the men and women who have been serving on the front lines out there." Harry nodded enthusiastically. "You seem to be getting all the good interviews lately Mitreena. Another question for my producer I think." He smiled and rolled his eyes.

Mitreena chuckled and said, "Just lucky I guess.  But Harry, before our viewers think it's all been fun and games at the ceremonies, let's play the Remembrance one more time."  Her voice softened and quieted.  "Viewers, this is earlier this evening at the Cochrane Arena, where galactic representatives are meeting together to work on the new alliance."  Harry and Mitreena looked soberly, solemnly, into the camera.  The picture changed to a shot of the new banner representing the Federation that hung over the ramp at the Arena.  
 
A voice began speaking -- timed beautifully with a subdued banner across the bottom of the screen that said "Ambassador (and future UFP President) Thomas Vanderbilt".  The camera panned the crowd and then settled down on the multi-racial group on the main dais.  Vanderbilt said, "Everyone ... everyone please.  If I may have your attention."  The crowd quieted in spurts, but then it did happen:  the Arena was like a held breath.  It was almost eerie.  
 
Ambassador Vanderbilt continued.  "Let us not forget the brave men and women who gave their lives that this moment in history could come into being.  If you will allow me, I will paraphrase one of Earth's greatest statesmen, Prime Minister of England at that time, Winston Churchill ... and afterwards, please pause and remain silent, offer up your thoughts or prayers, for an Earth Standard minute of silence."  He paused.  And when he continued, he raised his eyes and scanned the crowd as he spoke, with a voice that rang with emotion.  
 
"We cannot tell what lies ahead. It may be that even greater ordeals lie before us. We shall face whatever is coming to us. We are sure of ourselves and of our cause and that is the supreme fact which has emerged in these months of trial.  We must remember all the fallen who, undaunted by odds, unwearied in their constant challenge and mortal danger, turned the tide of the war by their prowess and by their devotion. Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.

"For my own part, looking out upon the future, I do not view the process with any misgivings. I could not stop it if I wished; no one can stop it. Like the Milky Way, it just keeps rolling along. Let it roll. Let it roll on full flood, inexorable, irresistible, benignant, to broader lands and better days."
 
 

This has been a Solar News Network Special Report
Stay tuned to your SNN local news for continuing reports on
 
Foundation Day, 2161 -- The Birth of the United Federation of Planets
 
 
<Brought to you by Chris (Harry) and Anna (Mitreena)>
 
<OOC - Ethan/Sasha interview to come!>  

 		 	   		  
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