06-12-2025, 03:42 AM
The transporter beam faded, leaving a figure on the pad that sent a jolt of pure confusion through Morad Ameen. He stood frozen for a second, his mind trying to reconcile the image of the frail, elderly woman from the dossier with the tall, handsome, and very much younger man standing before them.
Okay. That is definitely not who I was expecting...
Then the man spoke, his voice booming with confidence, his devilish grin taking in the whole room. Ameen's brain, still catching up, registered the comments.
Captain? Tall, dark, and handsome? Gorgeous? Tough? Is he... cataloging my senior staff?...
He thought he could sense the almost imperceptible tensing of Lieutenant Gath's posture and the utterly neutral mask that fell over Commander Keir's face.
When C'had Kestir offered his hand, Ameen's training took over. He stepped forward and took it, his own handshake firm and professional.
"Welcome aboard the Zephyr," he said, his voice even, deciding to ignore the man's provocative greeting for now. "And... Commander will do. Thank you."
But the explanation that followed hit like a phaser blast.
Tragically died... emergency surgery... woke me up at three am... The puzzle pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. The Ambassador's panic, the "urgent medical procedure," the delay... it wasn't about saving the old host. It was about saving the symbiont. They almost lost Kestir entirely...
Then came the final comment, the eyebrow waggle, the drawled "Sooo many!" and the proposition for a little "fun."
Ameen let go of the man's hand, his expression becoming a carefully neutral mask of command. He completely ignored the flirtatious question, addressing it as if it were a simple query about the ship's itinerary.
"Our immediate schedule involves getting you settled into your quarters, Mediator," he stated, his tone even but friendly. "I'm sure after your... unexpected experience, you'll want some time to rest and I must get us on our way. I assure you that we will have plenty of time for... fun... later."
I must buy us some time somehow... I'm sorry Gath, first shift of babysitting duty is yours... I sure hope this sacrifice will add to your tally toward getting into Sto-vo-kor one day...
"Lieutenant Gath," he turned to his Security Chief before the Trill could react or offer any protest. "Thank you for assembling the honor guard. Please escort Mediator Kestir to the VIP quarters and see that he is comfortable."
This changes everything, all that prep for a frail woman... out the window. We're dealing with someone entirely new. And clearly, someone who will be a handful in a completely different way. This mission had just gotten infinitely more complicated...
== Tag ==
Okay. That is definitely not who I was expecting...
Then the man spoke, his voice booming with confidence, his devilish grin taking in the whole room. Ameen's brain, still catching up, registered the comments.
Captain? Tall, dark, and handsome? Gorgeous? Tough? Is he... cataloging my senior staff?...
He thought he could sense the almost imperceptible tensing of Lieutenant Gath's posture and the utterly neutral mask that fell over Commander Keir's face.
When C'had Kestir offered his hand, Ameen's training took over. He stepped forward and took it, his own handshake firm and professional.
"Welcome aboard the Zephyr," he said, his voice even, deciding to ignore the man's provocative greeting for now. "And... Commander will do. Thank you."
But the explanation that followed hit like a phaser blast.
Tragically died... emergency surgery... woke me up at three am... The puzzle pieces clicked into place with sickening clarity. The Ambassador's panic, the "urgent medical procedure," the delay... it wasn't about saving the old host. It was about saving the symbiont. They almost lost Kestir entirely...
Then came the final comment, the eyebrow waggle, the drawled "Sooo many!" and the proposition for a little "fun."
Ameen let go of the man's hand, his expression becoming a carefully neutral mask of command. He completely ignored the flirtatious question, addressing it as if it were a simple query about the ship's itinerary.
"Our immediate schedule involves getting you settled into your quarters, Mediator," he stated, his tone even but friendly. "I'm sure after your... unexpected experience, you'll want some time to rest and I must get us on our way. I assure you that we will have plenty of time for... fun... later."
I must buy us some time somehow... I'm sorry Gath, first shift of babysitting duty is yours... I sure hope this sacrifice will add to your tally toward getting into Sto-vo-kor one day...
"Lieutenant Gath," he turned to his Security Chief before the Trill could react or offer any protest. "Thank you for assembling the honor guard. Please escort Mediator Kestir to the VIP quarters and see that he is comfortable."
This changes everything, all that prep for a frail woman... out the window. We're dealing with someone entirely new. And clearly, someone who will be a handful in a completely different way. This mission had just gotten infinitely more complicated...
== Tag ==