Working Out the Details

Posted on Sat Aug 18th, 2018 @ 4:48pm by Lieutenant Commander Radak & Captain Taliserra Tigran

1,878 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Negotiations and Apothecaries
Location: USS Wolff - ready room
Timeline: 13th feb 2395 - early afternoon

ON:

Lieutenant Commander Radak made himself comfortable in the chair across from Commander Taliserra Tigran's desk. He prepped everything on his PADD, which was sitting on his lap. "I feel that we have several things that we should go over together, Captain. As your first officer, I am responsible for crew and department reviews. How often would you like these reports and do you wish for any additional reports? I will set up a meeting with Lieutenant Navore for his duty rosters and shift management." He looked up from his PADD at the Captain. He knew this stuff wasn't super exciting to talk about, but it was still part of his job.

"We will stick with the standard quarterly department reviews," Taliserra replied, slipping into her chair as she spoke.

Radak nodded in agreement. "Very well. I will start on reports right away. I believe I was fortunate to start with the crew at the beginning of a quarter. It will also afford me some time to settle in better." He was making notes on the PADD in his lap. "I saw the doctor and counselor, so that is also taken care of. As far as what else we need to talk about, I was curious about the order of operations for this mission." He leaned back in the chair and tipped his head to one side.

"I am still working on it," Taliserra said. "We've not got all the information we could have. Hopefully, Command will give us some more to work with, but from what we have the Yatal homeworld is closest so we will pick their ambassador up first. They should be able to give us more information about the Kurai."

Radak nodded again. "Who will meet with them initially?" he asked. "From our crew? If you don't know yet, I would recommend yourself and two others, as to not overwhelm them. Plus security detail, of course."

"Of course." Taliserra smiled. "I don't forsee any security problems but we should keep the parties seperate until their meetings. Quarters on opposite ends of the ship, escorted to and from negotiating sessions."

"Does our Security Chief already have people picked out? I know it might still be early for those details. Who would you like to be at your side when they arrive?" Radak asked. He hated to be pushy, but less things went wrong, at least in his experience, when careful planning was in place.

"Probably Lt. Edwards," she told him. "He is trying to learn as much as he can about the Yatal, learning about the Kurai will have to wait until the Yatal send us more about them."

"That is creepy. We are getting the information about the other species from the first species? They have been in some sort of war?" He was looking intently at his PADD. "Are we going to bring them aboard with a shuttle or transport them to the ship?"

"We have no information on the Kurai from our own sources, no one in the Federation has encountered them before," Taliserra explained.

Radak shook his head. "It is going to be difficult going into this situation. I hope the translators will pick things up quickly. It sounds like there will at least one language we have never heard before. We will have to prep for that. Do you know if their environment is like ours?" Even though he was asking her he was also searching through the information that they'd been given.

Taliserra nodded. "From the information we have, yes, but the Kurai like it warmer and more humid then us though."

Radak nodded and made a note on his PADD. "I will make sure their quarters are more accommodating then. If they like humidity we should start on their quarters now, to build up the moisture. Do you wish me to be present when we meet the delegates?"

"Makes sense. You, me, Edwards and some security just in case and to show we mean business, that both parties will be in no danger from the other."

"Agreed," Radak said with a nod. "It sounds good. Should I make sure that Edwards is aware that his presence will be needed or will you handle that?"

"I will sort that, I need to go see him anyway," Tali said. "He's looking over all the information we have so far so he can give a more detailed brief on them."

"Alright," Radak agreed. "I believe that we have gone over everything I had so far. Can you think of anything else that we need to cover?"

Taliserra shook her head "About the mission, I don't think so. But I do want to talk about a few other things with you."

"Of course, Captain," Radak replied with a nod. He leaned back in his chair and propped his PaDD up on his knee. "I always welcome discussion."

"I like to keep things fairly informal, you'll often hear me calling our officers by their first names, even when issuing orders," Tali explained. "Do you have any problems with that?"

"No, Sir. I would actually prefer it. I understand the need to be formal at times, but I have found that I feel more connected to the crew if things are less formal. It has lead me to believe that such informality can solidify a crew together," Radak answered.

"It does certainly seem to help," Taliserra said nodding slightly. "The majority of the crew and officers have been together for several years now and we have had no trouble between them."

"It is ultimately your ship, Captain." The barest of smiles, curled at the corners of his mouth. "I am adaptable, or at least I should be to a degree. I wish to learn from you. If you wish for the crew to be informal, I am in support and will do my best to maintain that. It gives me a challenge as well. It is difficult to drop the Vulcan formality, even when I wish to do so."

"A Vulcan occasionally dropping their usual stoicness and formality, that is a rare thing," Taliserra remarked.

"It helps if the Vulcan has not been brainwashed clean of emotions," he remarked, his tone matter-of-factly. "Not that I have a problem with my people's ways or what they believe, but I do admit that I am rather... rebellious. Not that it bleeds over into my work, but I do have some rather unconventional ideas," Radak admitted.

"Unconventional ideas are often the best," she added. "As for a rebellious side. I need someone with a rebellious side. Over the years I found myself sticking to regulations more than I used to."

Radak smiled just a little bit again. "Then I believe we understand each other. I am glad of it. I have not served in this capacity before. I trust you will let me know if I am under or over performing."

"Of course." Taliserra smiled. "It has been a few days now, are you settling in alright?"

Radak nodded. "I feel like I am. I'm starting to gather all of the reports I need to get my paperwork done. I still haven't hung anything, but I do have a piece I would like to give to you. I think it would go well with your decor in here." He gestured around the room. "I believe you'll like it."

"What decor there is," Taliserra said. "I didn't decorate much, as I never really expected to get command. Didn't want to 'move in' if someone else was going to get command."

Radak was looking around the room now, with all seriousness. His gaze stopped on the crib in the corner of the room. He opened his mouth, as if he was going to speak, then shut it. He opened it again after a moment pause and turned his gaze back to Taliserra. "Do... do you have a child?" he asked curiously.

"Yes, a daughter Lashell," Taliserra said, knowing he'd noticed the crib. "She is nearly 7 months old."

"I had not remembered reading it in your file. Not that there is any sort of issue. Is it difficult to have a child and captain a starship?" he asked, then quickly added, "I have imagined such things as being difficult."

"It is difficult at times," Taliserra replied. "I am a single parent. My mother is also onboard to help care for Lashell. She usually takes care of her while I am on duty."

Radak nodded. "Ah. I see. That makes perfectly good sense. At least you know that her care is good and she is not with a stranger. I never had any children. I've always put my career first. Not that I see anything wrong with it."

"Lashell was not exactly planned," Taliserra said, standing up she went over to the replicator.

Radak chuckled softly. "Ah... good to know the Captain also has her wild side." He seemed genuinely relieved and leaned back in his chair for a change from his normal, stiff Vulcan posture.

"Not so wild anymore," Taliserra said. She turned to the replicator. "Tarkalian tea, can I get you anything commander?"

Radak shook his head. "I have had enough, but thank you for the offer. So, we have covered reports, we have covered what we know about these people, we have covered their accommodations, which I will attend to, we have covered that you and I and Lieutenant Edwards will be greeting them with a security detail, and we have covered command styles..." he smiled. "A productive meeting. I have one more question about which shift you would like me to take. I know most captains prefer Alpha shift, so I am more than happy with the other two or three." He looked down at his PADD with a frown. He wasn't even sure how many shifts they were running.

"Thanks to Lashell I am usually awake long before Alpha shift." Taliserra returned to her chair. "So you handling Beta shift would be the best. Naturally, you may be needed at other times though."

Radak nodded again. "Of course. Anytime, even if it is personal. I am not one for a lot of drama so I tend to keep people's personal information to myself."

"Good, now is there anything else we need to discuss?" Taliserra asked after taking a sip of her tea.

Radak looked down at the PADD on his knee. He was silent for a moment, chewing on the inside of his bottom lip. The nervous habit was subtle, but it was there. "I cannot think of anything else and we have covered my list and then some." He raised his gaze back to Taliserra. "Do you have anything else? Any questions for me?"

Taliserra shook her head a little. "Nothing I can think of."

"Very well, I think I shall start on some of these preparations. The delegates' room will have to be sealed from the humidity and such... Thank you, Captain, for taking time to speak with me." Radak stood.

"Enjoy the rest of your day, Commander," Taliserra said as Radak stood up "I'll will be in here if you need me."

"Thank you, Captain." He bowed politely and made his exit.

OFF:

Commander Taliserrra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Commander Radak
Executive Officer

 

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