06-06-2025, 04:02 AM
The bridge was quiet but for the soft beeps of the consoles. Petty Officer Molina's report that Trill Control was still silent was a hard fact that settled over the command center. Ameen sat in his chair, processing everything he'd just learned from the full dossier and the reports from his team.
So, Trill isn't just delaying, they're stonewalling us. And we're left here in orbit with a dossier that feels more like a riddle. A 136-year-old host, likes elevator music, and we have to travel for weeks at her pace. This is going to be... unique.
He looked over at his First Officer, Commander Keir.
"Commander, your suggestion about the piano player is a good one, especially since the dossier confirms her preference for light piano music. A holodeck program with appropriate music, or even finding a crew member to play, as Lieutenant Ra'an mentioned, could be a very considerate touch while we're on this extended journey. Please do look into that further."
His attention then shifted to his Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Ra'an. He had listened to her step forward and lay out her concerns and suggestions. She saw past the simple instructions to the complex cultural and political reality underneath.
She's right. Completely right, he thought, a wave of private pride washing over him, so strong it almost made him smile. I was so focused on the host's age, I was thinking like a caretaker, not a diplomat. She saw the real person. Makes it easier to keep my voice even when she's this damn good at her job...
"Lieutenant Ra'an," Ameen said, his voice holding a clear note of respect, carefully modulated to betray none of the deeper warmth he felt. He was genuinely glad she had spoken up. "Thank you. Your analysis is... exactly on point. You're right. We shouldn't treat Mediator Kestir's age as a handicap. She's one of the Federation's top negotiators; she deserves to be treated as a working professional."
He leaned forward, addressing her suggestions directly, keeping his focus strictly on the professional matter at hand.
"Your idea to develop cultural immersion holo-programs for Veld and Taveres is excellent. That's precisely the kind of proactive support our guest will need to prepare effectively for the upcoming negotiations. I want Science to take the lead on this. Please, proceed with that immediately. Work with Lieutenant Keti and your anthropologist, as you suggested. Focus on creating resources that will genuinely aid her in understanding the nuances of these two cultures." He then gestured towards Keir. "Commander Keir, perhaps you can liaise with Lieutenant Ra'an on this? Your idea for music would fit perfectly into a broader cultural immersion package, perhaps explore the music of these two cultures too."
He continued, addressing Amila again. "And the idea of offering her choices for the route is also a sound one. It gives her agency, which a person of her standing would expect." He looked over to the tactical station. "Ensign Powl, your intel gathering on the two planets will be vital for this. Please coordinate with Lieutenant Ra'an's team."
Finally, he addressed her most critical point. The Symbiosis Commission.
She probably saved me from walking right into a political minefield there...
"Lieutenant, your warning regarding the Symbiosis Commission is... well taken," he said, his expression serious. "Extremely well taken. We will tread very carefully on anything related to Trill physiology and culture. Thank you for your candor."
"It seems we have a new plan while we wait," He looked around at his bridge crew as he announced. "We will prepare to receive Mediator Kestir not just as a passenger, but as the accomplished diplomat she is. Let's get to it."
Having tasked his senior team, Ameen turned to the immediate problem of Trill's silence.
"Ops," he said, addressing Petty Officer Molina. He caught her earlier use of the title 'Captain' and decided to address it gently. "Petty Officer," he began, his tone soft but clear, "and just 'Commander' is fine for now, thank you." He then gave her the order. "I want you to prepare a formal, coded message for the Trill High Council. In it, you will reference our orders from Starfleet Command, our arrival time, and Ambassador Junde's last communication regarding an unspecified 'delay.' Request clarification on the status of our mission and an estimated timeframe for when we can expect to receive Mediator Kestir."
"But do not send it yet." He held up a hand before she could act.
Amila's point about their sensitivities is key. We can't appear impatient...
"Given the delicate nature of Trill customs, we will afford Ambassador Junde every professional courtesy. If we have not received any substantive communication from his office within the next... thirty hours, then you will transmit that message to the High Council on my authorization. Understood?"
He looked around at the bridge crew.
"Alright everyone, you have your assignments. Let's use this waiting period productively. At the same time," he added, "we don't know how long we'll be holding this position. It's important the duty shifts remain fresh. Commander Keir, please coordinate a rotation for bridge personnel to take brief breaks from their stations. I want everyone on watch to remain sharp."
== GM Input: What is the response, if any, from Trill Control or the Ambassador's office during this 30-hour waiting period? And if none, what is the Trill High Council's response to Ameen's formal inquiry after that time frame had passed? Thanks! TAG everyone. ==
So, Trill isn't just delaying, they're stonewalling us. And we're left here in orbit with a dossier that feels more like a riddle. A 136-year-old host, likes elevator music, and we have to travel for weeks at her pace. This is going to be... unique.
He looked over at his First Officer, Commander Keir.
"Commander, your suggestion about the piano player is a good one, especially since the dossier confirms her preference for light piano music. A holodeck program with appropriate music, or even finding a crew member to play, as Lieutenant Ra'an mentioned, could be a very considerate touch while we're on this extended journey. Please do look into that further."
His attention then shifted to his Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant Ra'an. He had listened to her step forward and lay out her concerns and suggestions. She saw past the simple instructions to the complex cultural and political reality underneath.
She's right. Completely right, he thought, a wave of private pride washing over him, so strong it almost made him smile. I was so focused on the host's age, I was thinking like a caretaker, not a diplomat. She saw the real person. Makes it easier to keep my voice even when she's this damn good at her job...
"Lieutenant Ra'an," Ameen said, his voice holding a clear note of respect, carefully modulated to betray none of the deeper warmth he felt. He was genuinely glad she had spoken up. "Thank you. Your analysis is... exactly on point. You're right. We shouldn't treat Mediator Kestir's age as a handicap. She's one of the Federation's top negotiators; she deserves to be treated as a working professional."
He leaned forward, addressing her suggestions directly, keeping his focus strictly on the professional matter at hand.
"Your idea to develop cultural immersion holo-programs for Veld and Taveres is excellent. That's precisely the kind of proactive support our guest will need to prepare effectively for the upcoming negotiations. I want Science to take the lead on this. Please, proceed with that immediately. Work with Lieutenant Keti and your anthropologist, as you suggested. Focus on creating resources that will genuinely aid her in understanding the nuances of these two cultures." He then gestured towards Keir. "Commander Keir, perhaps you can liaise with Lieutenant Ra'an on this? Your idea for music would fit perfectly into a broader cultural immersion package, perhaps explore the music of these two cultures too."
He continued, addressing Amila again. "And the idea of offering her choices for the route is also a sound one. It gives her agency, which a person of her standing would expect." He looked over to the tactical station. "Ensign Powl, your intel gathering on the two planets will be vital for this. Please coordinate with Lieutenant Ra'an's team."
Finally, he addressed her most critical point. The Symbiosis Commission.
She probably saved me from walking right into a political minefield there...
"Lieutenant, your warning regarding the Symbiosis Commission is... well taken," he said, his expression serious. "Extremely well taken. We will tread very carefully on anything related to Trill physiology and culture. Thank you for your candor."
"It seems we have a new plan while we wait," He looked around at his bridge crew as he announced. "We will prepare to receive Mediator Kestir not just as a passenger, but as the accomplished diplomat she is. Let's get to it."
Having tasked his senior team, Ameen turned to the immediate problem of Trill's silence.
"Ops," he said, addressing Petty Officer Molina. He caught her earlier use of the title 'Captain' and decided to address it gently. "Petty Officer," he began, his tone soft but clear, "and just 'Commander' is fine for now, thank you." He then gave her the order. "I want you to prepare a formal, coded message for the Trill High Council. In it, you will reference our orders from Starfleet Command, our arrival time, and Ambassador Junde's last communication regarding an unspecified 'delay.' Request clarification on the status of our mission and an estimated timeframe for when we can expect to receive Mediator Kestir."
"But do not send it yet." He held up a hand before she could act.
Amila's point about their sensitivities is key. We can't appear impatient...
"Given the delicate nature of Trill customs, we will afford Ambassador Junde every professional courtesy. If we have not received any substantive communication from his office within the next... thirty hours, then you will transmit that message to the High Council on my authorization. Understood?"
He looked around at the bridge crew.
"Alright everyone, you have your assignments. Let's use this waiting period productively. At the same time," he added, "we don't know how long we'll be holding this position. It's important the duty shifts remain fresh. Commander Keir, please coordinate a rotation for bridge personnel to take brief breaks from their stations. I want everyone on watch to remain sharp."
== GM Input: What is the response, if any, from Trill Control or the Ambassador's office during this 30-hour waiting period? And if none, what is the Trill High Council's response to Ameen's formal inquiry after that time frame had passed? Thanks! TAG everyone. ==