06-02-2025, 02:39 AM
The full dossier on Kestir, their VIP negotiator, was even more detailed – and in some ways, more peculiar – than the initial summary. Ameen finished reviewing it on his command chair display, then looked over at Commander Keir 77 beside him. The PADD with Keir's report on quarter preparations still sat on the console.
So, our VIP is a 136-year-old Trill whose symbiont is a diplomatic powerhouse, but whose host is frail and needs very specific, almost coddling, care, Ameen thought. Likes bland food, elevator music, and gets upset if we're early or late, or if anything "unexpected" happens. And this whole journey to the actual negotiation site is supposed to take two to three weeks at her pace, not the few days this ship could do it in. Captain Sutch's confidential note from '74... that's nearly fifty years ago. Kestir's been at this a long, long time...
"Commander Keir," Ameen said, turning to hir. "This dossier on Kestir certainly paints a picture. 'Sweet but tough,' meticulous, and her host requires considerable care. Your preparations for her quarters seem to be an excellent start, covering the tea, climate, and even the step-stool. Good work. It seems the next leg of our journey, once Kestir is aboard, will be a very slow and carefully managed one – two to three weeks, according to this."
That's a long time for a new crew on an old ship to be just... cruising...
"Lieutenant Ra'an." He acknowledged his Chief Science Officer. "Your initiative in checking stellar cartography for the route to the negotiation site is exactly what I need from Science. Please continue with that, and factor in a significantly prolonged travel time. We need the safest, most uneventful route possible. No 'interesting phenomena' for this trip if we can help it."
He then addressed the helm station.
"Helm," Ameen ordered, "once Lieutenant Ra'an has some potential routes or a general destination sector for the Veld-Taveres negotiations, I want you to calculate the average sustained warp factors required to make that journey in precisely two weeks, and a separate calculation for a three-week travel time. We need to understand what those 'low and slow' cruising speeds will look like. Once you have those figures, coordinate with Engineering. I want an assessment from them on the expected engine stress and any recommended maintenance or monitoring protocols for such prolonged travel at those lower warp factors on this vessel."
And with a VIP who can't be transferred or unduly stressed, security will be paramount, not just for her, but for the ship ensuring a smooth passage...
"Lieutenant Gath." His gaze went to the Klingon Officer. "Good to see you're already thinking about intel for the route. Starfleet Intelligence might have some useful, up-to-date information."
He then turned his attention to his acting Chief Tactical Officer.
"Ensign Powl," Ameen continued, "once Lieutenant Ra'an provides those potential routes, I want your department to cross-reference them with long-range sensor data and any available Starfleet disposition reports. Identify any other Federation starships or known allied vessels projected to be operating in our general vicinity along those paths. It would be prudent to know who our nearest friendly assets might be, should we encounter any... 'unexpected phenomenon' that requires us to call for assistance."
The silence from Trill Control, however, was the most immediate issue. Ambassador Junde had mentioned a 'delay' and then cut off.
What kind of delay? And why the sudden alarm?
"Ops," Ameen said, addressing Petty Officer Molina. "Hail Trill Control, Ambassador Junde. Standard priority. Request a clarification on this delay and an estimated time for when we can expect to receive Mediator Kestir."
He settled back in his chair feeling a little restless.
One step at a time, Morad... he reminded himself. First, get clear instructions from Trill. Then, prepare for a very particular, very long, slow escort mission...
The initial rush to get the Zephyr here was just the prelude. The real test of this command and crew was clearly still to come.
== GM-Input: What is Trill Control's response to the Zephyr's new hail regarding the delay and what is the ETA for Kestir? Thanks! ==
So, our VIP is a 136-year-old Trill whose symbiont is a diplomatic powerhouse, but whose host is frail and needs very specific, almost coddling, care, Ameen thought. Likes bland food, elevator music, and gets upset if we're early or late, or if anything "unexpected" happens. And this whole journey to the actual negotiation site is supposed to take two to three weeks at her pace, not the few days this ship could do it in. Captain Sutch's confidential note from '74... that's nearly fifty years ago. Kestir's been at this a long, long time...
"Commander Keir," Ameen said, turning to hir. "This dossier on Kestir certainly paints a picture. 'Sweet but tough,' meticulous, and her host requires considerable care. Your preparations for her quarters seem to be an excellent start, covering the tea, climate, and even the step-stool. Good work. It seems the next leg of our journey, once Kestir is aboard, will be a very slow and carefully managed one – two to three weeks, according to this."
That's a long time for a new crew on an old ship to be just... cruising...
"Lieutenant Ra'an." He acknowledged his Chief Science Officer. "Your initiative in checking stellar cartography for the route to the negotiation site is exactly what I need from Science. Please continue with that, and factor in a significantly prolonged travel time. We need the safest, most uneventful route possible. No 'interesting phenomena' for this trip if we can help it."
He then addressed the helm station.
"Helm," Ameen ordered, "once Lieutenant Ra'an has some potential routes or a general destination sector for the Veld-Taveres negotiations, I want you to calculate the average sustained warp factors required to make that journey in precisely two weeks, and a separate calculation for a three-week travel time. We need to understand what those 'low and slow' cruising speeds will look like. Once you have those figures, coordinate with Engineering. I want an assessment from them on the expected engine stress and any recommended maintenance or monitoring protocols for such prolonged travel at those lower warp factors on this vessel."
And with a VIP who can't be transferred or unduly stressed, security will be paramount, not just for her, but for the ship ensuring a smooth passage...
"Lieutenant Gath." His gaze went to the Klingon Officer. "Good to see you're already thinking about intel for the route. Starfleet Intelligence might have some useful, up-to-date information."
He then turned his attention to his acting Chief Tactical Officer.
"Ensign Powl," Ameen continued, "once Lieutenant Ra'an provides those potential routes, I want your department to cross-reference them with long-range sensor data and any available Starfleet disposition reports. Identify any other Federation starships or known allied vessels projected to be operating in our general vicinity along those paths. It would be prudent to know who our nearest friendly assets might be, should we encounter any... 'unexpected phenomenon' that requires us to call for assistance."
The silence from Trill Control, however, was the most immediate issue. Ambassador Junde had mentioned a 'delay' and then cut off.
What kind of delay? And why the sudden alarm?
"Ops," Ameen said, addressing Petty Officer Molina. "Hail Trill Control, Ambassador Junde. Standard priority. Request a clarification on this delay and an estimated time for when we can expect to receive Mediator Kestir."
He settled back in his chair feeling a little restless.
One step at a time, Morad... he reminded himself. First, get clear instructions from Trill. Then, prepare for a very particular, very long, slow escort mission...
The initial rush to get the Zephyr here was just the prelude. The real test of this command and crew was clearly still to come.
== GM-Input: What is Trill Control's response to the Zephyr's new hail regarding the delay and what is the ETA for Kestir? Thanks! ==