The Antarian belief that a demonstration of masculinity is essential to acceptance as a trading partner is well known. With the reestablishment of the Andorian Gateway, Alpha Quadrant Trade is possible. Trading partners like Andorian, Tellar and Cait have come forward to work with the Antarians on acquiring the Accelarant.
The Cardassian Union had significantly benefitted from Temporal Dilithium. The Cardassian vessels tend to be older and slower and the enriched Dilithium allowed the lifespan to be increased and increased the range of influence and trade. With the loss of the Temporal Dilithium, Cardassia needed access to the Accelarant but the ambassador of choice to make such arrangements, Thua'ra Varno was in a relationship with another male. Because the relationship could not produce offspring, the virility of the relationship was called into question.
Minister Gowan Garak demanded all stops be pulled to generate the Antarian Accelarant trade. Gowan simply said to Ambassador Varno, "Do whatever you have to."
When the Cardassian ships started showing up, the question became how did Thua'ra make this happen. The truth is that we should never ask a question that we do not want to know the answer to.
Christine set to the task of discovering how Varno had demonstrated his masculinity to the Antarian Consulate. She set her source to work. Christine discovered how. She sat on the information for a bit. While she had an obligation to her audience on CBS, she was also the information officer for the King's Fleet and knew how damaging the information could be to two prominent members of the King's Fleet staff.
Christine knew that her audience would demand proof of the exposure and this is where she struggled. Admiral Viceroy had ordered the members of the King's Fleet to be very sensitive about including racy information in the personal logs.
Christine was not really about embarrassing Ambassador Varno more so about verifying his virility. The problem was the verification would be very damaging. Christine sat at the evening desk deciding what to do.
Christine has a reputation for just blurting it out and letting the chips fall where they may. No one knows the struggle she goes through each time. Christine finally went live describing in detail the increased Cardassian trade and the sacrifice made by Ambassador Varno giving up his relationship to demonstrate his virility. The obvious question came how or with whom?
Christine showed images taken from Varno's personal logs including details of sexual dalliances with Bella Pan'Taar
The Tellarite was also trying to convince the Antarians that she could fulfill her role as a female as well. Christine and Nicole had slowly been building a relationship and now this damaging information was on full display.
Christine could literally sense the outrage across the invisible broadcast waves. She did not want to go on but word needed to get out. She described the reason for the Antarian trade being increased. Varno had a reputation for his prowess with Bajoran Comfort women on Platform 1968. Now he had this.
First Nicole and now Tania. It was never intended to be a blasting of the Bransons. It just became so. Varno had slept with both women because they too were looking to expand the Tellar System trade. The Antarians have clearly defined, almost Victorian values for gender roles.
Christine went off the air. Marino, Nicole and Tania were left devastated. This type of diplomacy is tragically reminiscent of the city states of the Roman Empire.
The fallout will be very real.
Posted By:
Christine T'Nley
Celebrity Watch
Camelot Broadcasting System
Hatherton Station
King's Fleet
Commodore Tania Branson
Tactical Officer
USS / CGV Tanmesad
King's Fleet
Governor Nicole Branson
Carlisle Asteroid
King's Fleet Protected Territories
