[Astromancer]

Good Fences

Carrhae used to be our enemy, or we were their preferred prey. They nearly crushed us, but the Tazzoult Merchantile Alliance conquered their home world while their fleet fought us. We each were broken backwaters after that.

But the Tazzoult saw no profit in us, so Garumna was left free. Free, but isolated from trade and our cities shattered. We had spaceflight before Vulcan but we were centuries behind the Federation when they offered us membership.

We jumped at the chance. Garumna has never been so prosperous and stable. But now the Carrhae are back. The Tazzoult Merchantile Alliance lost a major war and most of their captured worlds broke free.

But surely Carrhae knows that Garumna is part of the Federation and protected by Starfleet.

They do, it makes things worse.

Garumna is an isolated border world on the side of the Federation away from the Klingon and Romulan empires. They've long been content and productive members of the Federation. They are distinguished in art, letters, the physical and biological sciences, and in the design of recreational and educational games. They've been willing supporters of Starfleet but very few Garumnians ever serve in any military service, except when the Federation is attacked. Then the Garumnians serve loyally and with valor. But Garumna always said they joined the Federation to be free of war.

The Carrhaens are a warrior people, at least by culture and training. The Tazzoult Merchantile Alliance used them as shock troops and for occupation duty. The Carrhaens are now thoroughly sick of war. But the only way the Carrhaens know to establish governments is through the military.

Carrhae knows it can't beat Starfleet. They'd like to be conquered. Being conquered would free them from the burdens of honor and tradition. If they remain unconquered, the disgrace of not having conquered Garumna when they had completely destroyed the Garumnian fleet would be unbearable. Mass suicides are highly likely.

The Garumnians have proposed to bring Carrhae into the Federation. This would both make the border with the Tazzoult Merchantile Alliance more secure, and it could free the Carrhaens of the burden of tradition.

By any standard the Carrhaens are a poor choice for Federation membership. Added to that, the complex burdens of their systems of honor and duty make them asking for what they desperately want and need wildly difficult. Their religious scholars ( think of them as Cannon Lawyers, Mediums perform religious rites and ceremonies) fear losing all social standing if the Honor system is set aside.

Basically, this is a delicate diplomatic mission. Both agents of the Tazzoult Merchantile Alliance and the Carrhaen Religious Scholars will actively try to sabotage the negotiations.