Meeting the Ambassador

Posted on Sun Nov 4th, 2018 @ 3:37pm by Captain Taliserra Tigran & Ensign Amanda Turell & Lieutenant Commander Radak & Lieutenant Commander Mariana Vaz & Lieutenant Galatea Polaris & Lieutenant Anthony Edwards Ph. D

3,381 words; about a 17 minute read

Mission: Negotiations and Apothecaries
Location: Various
Timeline: 20th feb 2395- alpha shift

ON:

The six hours since the meeting with the Yatal ship had passed just as slowly as the ships had been travelling to their destination, but now they had arrived at the meeting point and Taliserra stood alongside several other officers in the shuttle bay awaiting the Yatal ambassadors shuttle to land.

Radak stood next to the captain, also awaiting the arrival of their guests. He was nervous even though he didn't show it at all. These were difficult situations to manage at best. This was definitely not the best of circumstances. He didn't even really know what to expect. He knew from what little information they had, that the Yatal were somewhat tribal in tradition, but that was a rather vague description for many different things.

Not far away from Commanders Tigran and Radek, but in his ranked order of things. He was on the opposite side of the Doctor to them. He said to the doctor. "Well from here on out we have one direction, to go forward or stuff it up and we cause more trouble than we were worth."

Galatea sighed, she hated dress uniforms. It was stifling. She turned to her companion who'd just spoken. "It will go fine. My scanners are working, we'll know if there are any contagions and I will be able to tell if they are telepathic. I just wish we could have... dressed more comfortably. I'm itchy and cranky."

Anthony chuckled to himself. "Yeah give me a dust jacket and a duty vest over the science undershirt any day. At least during the peace negotiation we can be in working dress rather than these monkey suits."

"No one likes the dress uniform, but it is a necessary part of our duty and in these situations we should put our best foot forward... to use a human phrase," Radak explained in his dry Vulcan fashion.

Galatea resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She would put up with it because she had to. She'd been reading the autobiography of Doctor McCoy and she could that she sympathised with the physician more and more.

Mariana stood beside the officer she'd selected, Ensign Turell. They were both in standard uniforms and both held phaser rifles in hand. They weren't here to welcome the new arivals, they were here to remind them that security was alive and active aboard the Wolff

Amanda stood a discreet distance away from the group keeping an eye on everything, although the Captain didn't expect trouble both she and her chief were there to provide a show of force.

=/\= Bridge to shuttlebay. =/\= came a voice over the comm system

=/\= Go ahead bridge. =/\= Taliserra said after tapping her combadge

=/\= The Yatal shuttle is on final approach. =/\=

=/\= Understood, Tigran out =/\=

"Best behavior," Radak reminded. He knew that the people with him would not let him down, but it helped ease his nerves to say it out loud anyway. He hoped that no one thought he was speaking down to them.

Anthony smiled as it had been him saying it at the briefing and now the first officer was repeating the exact same words, he knew it was nervous tension and knew that a response would help, so he said, "Yes, Commander Radak."

Slowly and delicately the Yatal shuttle passed through the forcefield into the Wolff's shuttle bay. Like the frigate it had departed from the shuttles hull was sleek and smooth until it reached the blocky engine banks at the rear. Its Rcs thrusters firing one last time to control the descent it landed on the deck with a soft clunk. After a minute the humming sound coming from the shuttled died down as the shuttles power was turned off and the large hatch on the side opened.

A man stepped from the shuttle. He was human in appearance, middle aged, tall and lean, his salt and pepper hair pulled back tightly from his forehead in a short, high, but tidy ponytail. He had no facial hair, but his face was covered in the fine detail of a rather elaborate tattoo. The tattoo was almost tribal in nature, but lacked the thickness of line of Earth tribal tattoos. Instead the lines were delicate and swirled. His face was serious, lined a little with age and his features sharp. His eyes were a deep, chocolate brown and seemed kind. He worn long robes that were gold and green in color and also elaborate in design with many, many tiny buttons. He stopped at the bottom of the ramp.

A woman came with him, apparently his aide. She was smaller, her hair more of a dark burgundy. She wore it loose and straight. She also had facial tattoos, but hers were much less complicated than his. They still contained much of the same design, even similar shapes, but she had fewer. She was a younger age than he was, potentially mid-twenties, and also wore a long robe, her's was a solid green that matched his robe, but like her tattoos it was much less elaborate. She exited the shuttle and stood behind him at the bottom of the ramp.

There was a brief moment where the Ambassador seemed to simply regard the group gathered before them. He nodded once and then bowed deeply. The woman behind him followed suit, but pressed her hands together in front of her, while he kept his to his sides. "We greet you Starfleet, your ship and your Captain. I am Al'mek of Traff, Grandmaster of my clan and Speaker of the People. This is my aide Ran'ai." He said her name as if it was an afterthought. It took a moment for the translator to catch up with him.

Taliserra took a step forwards. "Welcome to the USS Wolff, I'm Taliserra Tigran the Captain. And these are some of my senior officers. Commander's Radak and Vaz, Lieutenants Edwards and Polaris."

Commander Vaz looked on from an appropriate distance away, her rifle in hand and her face stone cold. She was there for a purpose; a purpose a marine could fill best. She offered no smile, but only made eye contact with the guests. It was for the other officers to project warmth and politeness.

Anthony was listening and picking up the syntax and other linguistic information he could gather and learn as Commander Tigran was introducing the crew. Something struck him as odd about the aide, but he wasn’t sure, but expected the aide was likely doing exactly what she was for the ambassador, which he guessed was exactly what was expected.

Galatea at this point observed the happenings. The scanning had picked up no danger, but some interesting points about the race. Their faces seemed a bit more rosy then humans and their body temperature higher. There were also a few more interesting items of note. Her scientific mind took over.

Al'mek surveyed the group. "You are not all the same species?" He stepped a little closer to the group. His tone was not one of insult, rather curiosity. The aide followed him closer to the group, always staying just a few steps behind him and to his left. While he looked at the group. Ran'ai's eyes stayed mostly focused on the bottom of Al'mek's robe, as if there was something interesting there. "I am surprised at the variety, at first meeting." His stern face cracked a small, seemingly pleased smile.

"The federation is made up of species from multiple worlds," Taliserra replied. "Species off all shapes, sizes and colours."

"We were told, but did not realize there would be such a variety right away." Al'mek smiled again. It was a little stiff, but it seemed genuine. "I would very much like to see the conference room, if you don't mind, Captain." His eyes remained on Taliserra, as if she was the only one in the room that merited talking to.

Taliserra smiled back. "Then if you will follow me, we will take you straight there." She turned and began walking towards the shuttlebays exit.

"Thank you, Captain. Is this considered a large vessel by your people? There must be many aboard." Al'mek walked next to Taliserra as space allowed. Ran'ai remained his shadow.

Commander Radak dropped behind the ambassador and the captain, trying to place himself next to the doctor. He was curious about her scans.

Anthony took his place behind Command Radak and the doctor and walked beside the chief tactical officer. “Well this should be interesting at least,” he said with a smile.

"I'm only concerned these people don't continue their little war all over this ship." Mariana repplied as she fell in at the back of the group, her eyes trained on the new arrivals. She nodded to a security guard she had assigned guard duty on the Yatal shuttle and he moved into position beside it.

Radek looked over at Galatea. "What do your scans show, Doctor?" he asked quietly.

Galatea shuffled closer to the commander, both keeping a bit of distance. "Interesting race. Their body temperature is higher than a standard human one and they seem to have a rosy complexion. No doubt due to the workings of their most interesting heart," she said in what sounded like a Vulcan tone.

Radak eyed the people ahead of them, before turning his attention back to the doctor. "Fascinating. Any sense of telepathic ability?"

"None but... they are curious about us. I would love to do a detailed scan though. My readings indicate that their heart is pumping remarkably fast." She indicated the device on her wrist and the readings cycled through. It was how she kept an eye on things, a contraption of her own creation.

Overhearing the conversation in front of him Anthony chuckled to himself and said, “Does it tell the time too, then you might be early for our next appointment.”

Radak snorted a little bit in humor. It sounded a bit like a sneeze. "Perhaps they will let you do a more detailed scan if we ask. Once they're settled," he said softly.

Galatea gave a nod and then turned to Anthony, "It won't tell the time but it can deliver a stun setting when necessary... I had some help on this one."

"Not to worry, Doctor," Mariana responded with measured tone. "We've got the stun settings well in hand..."

Anthony raised an eyebrow at Commander Radak's sneeze recognizing it as not normal for Vulcans. Then openly laughed at Galatea's reply before he said, so only they could hear, "I concur, Commander Radak, scans should only be being done with the guests' permission."

Radak nodded. "At least any further ones..." he said in a whisper.

Taliserra turned to Al'mek as they walked. "Do you or your aide need any specific environmental conditions? Like more humid, higher temperature, things like that? The data we were sent didn't contain much information about that."

Al'mek looked over at Taliserra with a smile. "If your quarters are like the rest of this ship, then we should be comfortable. Thank you. I am certain, however, that the Kurai will prefer a much more humid environment. Will my aide have a seperate quarters?" His use of the word "quarters" was much more like he was trying to say room, but didn't quite get the translation.

"If you need seperate quarters than that can be arranged," Taliserra replied. "The Kurai party will be quartered on the same deck but on the opposite side of the ship to prevent any... incidents between you."

The Ambassador nodded. "We will require separate quarters and thank you. I would rather avoid any incidents as well. Our opposition can be rather overreactionary..." he said, his tone dry. "Will my aide's quarters be close?" he asked.

"We can quarter her directly opposite yours, all you would have to do is cross the corridor," Taliserra replied as they reached the turbolift, she tapped the button and within a few seconds the lift arrived and the group piled in. "Deck four," she called out and the lift started to move.

Al'mek remained calm as if a turbolift was the most natural thing ever, but his aide, Ran'ai grabbed the railing around the edge. She didn't say anything, but her eyes were wide and showed her surprise even with the smoothness of the turbolift movement. "I must compliment you on your magnificent ship, Captain. How did you come by such a vessel?" Al'mek asked casually, not understanding exactly how Starfleet worked, and suggesting that Taliserra was some sort of free agent with her own ship.

"The Federation's Starfleet builds them and positions on the ship are advertised similar to other jobs. Whereas, a ship's Captain is offered the job by the fleet's command based on skill, experience and several other factors"

Al'mek looked at Taliserra. "Ah. So you are compensated for your service?"

"You mean do we get paid?" Taliserra asked as the turbolift stopped at deck four, the doors opened and she stepped out. "The Federation doesn't use any form of currency. A way to explain it would be, we're 'compensated' with a place to stay, everything we need and in Starfleet's case a purpose. To seek out new lives and new civilsations, just like yourselves and the Kurai.

Al'mek raised his eyebrows and followed Taliserra off of the turbolift. Ran'ai quickly stepped off after him and looked back at the turbolift as if she was still unsure about it, or it might come after them. "That's a very interesting way to go about things, Captain. It makes sense though. Would you describe Starfleet as a military organization?" Al'mek asked.

"Science and exploration are our core principles but we are capable of military action if we need to defend Federation assets. Though that is a last resort, we much prefer diplomacy." Taliserra stopped speaking just as they came to the door of the conference room. "Here we are."

Al'mek waited for the door to open and then stepped inside. It was indeed a conference room without really much to look at, aside from the table and chairs that took up most of the room. He stood there for several moments, then he tapped Ran'ai on the shoulder. "You will work with someone and clear this room..." He then turned to Taliserra. "My aide will need access to this room before the meeting, to prepare the table. It is a simple ritual that my people observe. It is required to clean the energy."

"That can be arranged," Taliserra said glancing over at Radak. "Your quarters are a little further down the hall."

Radak nodded in confirmation.

The scientist kicked in and Anthony asked the ambassador, "Excuse me Ambassador Al'mak but is the ritual a secret or is there a way that I could observe it?"

Galatea stayed close to Anthony wanting to hear this. Something didn't smell right about clearing the room.

Al'mak looked to Taliserra for a moment and then at Anthony. Anthony was not the captain of this vessel and Al'mak, for a moment, was not sure if he should speak to him or not. They were here for negotiations though, it was possible he was going to have to speak to quite a few people that he considered beneath him. "It is a simple ritual, but I do not have any protests to silent observation." He said this more to Taliserra than Edwards, even though it addressed his question directly.

"I will be present to observe as well," Mariana stated, stepping forward. There wasn't even a hint of question in her voice and it was clear that this was a non-negotiable in her eyes. There was no reason to trust these people in such a contentious and delicate situation. She would ensure that no funny business took place.

Al'mek ignored her. The woman was not the Captain and in his eyes had no authority. His gaze remained firmly on Taliserra. "I will not be made a spectacle of, Captain. I understand that our ways may seem backwards to such an advanced race as yourself, but we take them very seriously." His tone was also firm.

"My concern is security, Sir," she responded firmly ignoring the fact that he was ignoring her. "I'm the Chief of Security aboard this ship and my first priority is to keep everyone safe, including yourself. Rest assured, there will be no spectacle."

Al'mek glanced at her. Security he understood. He wanted his aide and himself to be safe as well. Knowing that she was security also made her tone make sense to Al'mek. He nodded in agreement. "Very well. May we be shown to our quarters, Captain?"

"Of course," Taliserra said. "Lieutenant Edwards, will you show the ambassador and his aide to their quarters and show them how things work. You will have to excuse me Ambassador, but I must return to the bridge."

"Of course, Captain. I am sure that you are a very busy woman. Thank you for taking time to meet with us. I look forward to speaking with you again when there is more time," Al'mek replied. He bowed stiffly to Taliserra. He looked to Lieutenant Edwards.

"This way Ambassador Al'mek. You and your aide's quarters are just a bit further down the corridor," Edwards said, as he turned to lead the way toward the VIP quarters on this side of the ship.

"Ensign Turell, please go with them," Taliserra ordered watching as Edwards, Al'mek and Ran'ai made there way down the hall.

"Aye, Sir," Amanda replied and followed the group, keeping an appropriate distance behind them.

Taliserra looked at Radak, Galatea and Mariana. "What do you think?"

Radak clasped his hands behind his back, looking rather thoughtful. "I am not certain what to say, Captain. They seem sophisticated, yet still primitive in many ways."

"A pretentious personality; not necessarily arrogant, but he had a definite superiority surrounding either his person or position," Mariana cut in after Radak, offering her body language expertise. "They're a very hierarchical culture and he clearly had no interest in speaking to anyone but you, Sir. He may be an entitled personality, which would make him a bit more difficult to deal with, not that my people can't handle it."

"We just need to remember that this is a first contact as well as a diplomatic situation and be cautious. Not that we need to be lax, just cautious, about how we handle ourselves around them," Radak reminded. He knew they knew already how to behave in these situations, they were trained Starfleet officers, but perspective was always something to keep in mind and bore repeating, even if it seemed annoying and bossy.

"I sense no outright deception from them. Medically they are fascinating. From my covert scans I was able to determine a few interesting facts that I would like to review in sickbay. They are curious about us. His aid... I get a feeling about her, but it's not a sense per say. She is super intelligent, but quiet. The ambassador is more curious about learning about us and our ways which makes sense." She paused. "I am glad they are letting our people witness this ritual. I am only partly Betazoid, if we want a better picture I suggest we use Alexander, his senses are spooky good." She looked after the ambassadorial party. "I would like to study them in sickbay though."

"Maybe we could offer them a trade?" Radak suggested. "Perhaps some medical information about some of the Federation species in return for medical information about them? The worst they could do is say no..." He paused. "Or be horribly offended."

"Maybe, I should have plenty of time for more talking with him before we meet the Kurai, hopefully we can get some more information about both species, but for now we should get underway." Taliserra tapped her combadge. =/\= Tigran to bridge, set course for the coordinates of the kurai rendezvous. Full impulse till engineering green lights us for warp. =/\=

OFF:

Commander Taliserra Tigran
Commanding Officer

Ensign Amanda Turell
Sec/Tac Officer
Npc Taliserra

Lt(jg) Anthony Edwards (Ph.D)
Chief Science Officer

Lieutenant Commander Radak
Executive Officer
NPC Ambassador Al'mek/Aide Ran'ai

Lieutenant Commander Mariana Vaz
Chief Security/Tactical Officer

Lieutenant Galatea Polaris
Chief Medical Officer / Counselor

 

RSS Feed