06-18-2025, 04:11 AM
(This post was last modified: 06-18-2025, 04:31 AM by Morad Ameen.)
The turbolift doors swished open, depositing Ameen and Keir back onto the bridge. The atmosphere was different from when they'd left. The quiet focus was gone, replaced by a low murmur of hushed conversations and surreptitious glances. Ameen could feel the ripple effect of C'had Kestir's... declaration... spreading through the crew.
He walked towards the command center, his expression a neutral mask that betrayed none of the disbelief he was still processing. He acknowledged Lieutenant Ra'an as first.
"Thank you Lieutenant, I have the bridge," Ameen said, his voice calm and even as took back the center seat. He took a second to let out a long winded sigh before placing a hand on his head and rubbing his temples as if massaging away a headache.
Well, that happened, he thought, his mind replaying the scene in the transporter room. All that planning for a frail, elderly woman, out the airlock. Now we have... C'had. A one-man diplomatic incident waiting to happen. The mission just got a lot more complicated. And I'm pretty sure Gath is already calculating how many good deeds this 'babysitting' detail will count towards his entry into Sto-vo-kor... Songs will be sung for our legendary patience in dealing with this p'takh...
He needed to get his team refocused.
"Everyone," he said, calling his senior staff on the bridge to attention. "A moment."
He waited for them to turn their attention to him.
"Alright. Our guest is... not what the dossier led us to believe," he stated, the model of understatement. "However, the mission remains the same: we are to escort the Kestir symbiont safely to the negotiations and make sure he is well prepared and has all the tools he needs to ensure success. The... personality of the new host is simply a new variable we must manage." He leaned forward slightly. "First impressions are now more critical than ever. We need to establish a professional, welcoming, and unambiguously Starfleet tone. To that end, we will proceed with the formal dinner in the Mediator's honor. This evening. Dress uniforms."
"Commander Keir," he looked directly at his First Officer. "Please liaise with my yeoman, Petty Officer Jensen, and the Chief Steward to make the arrangements for the dinner. I want it done by the book. Everything must be seamless. Coordinate Lieutenant Gath on the security and protocol for the event. I want a security detail present, but discreet."
"Lieutenant Ra'an," he said, turning to his...
Wait... what exactly is she to me... is she my gi... oh... not now... focus Morad!
He turned to his Chief Science Officer.
"The dossier mentioned Kestir's interest in the cultures of Veld and Taveres. This dinner is our first opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to helping him prepare. I want you to prepare a concise preliminary briefing on the key cultural points of both worlds. Something we can discuss. Perhaps you can also advise the galley on a few appropriate, traditional dishes we might offer, even if the Mediator himself prefers... bland."
"Ensign Powl," he nodded to Tactical, "coordinate with Lieutenant Ra'an. Based on your research, prepare a tactical overview of the Veld-Taveres system to accompany her cultural brief. Nothing alarming, just situational awareness for the senior staff." He added, his tone underscoring the importance of the next point, "Furthermore, your department will be responsible for handling all formal communications with the authorities on Veld and Taveres. Transmit our progress, planned route, and final ETA. Ensure you have the correct diplomatic contact protocols and channels on file."
"Ameen to Sickbay," he said, opening a channel to Sickbay, "the dossier's medical information on the host is now obviously out of date. Can you advise on any general dietary or medical considerations for a new Trill host following an emergency joining? We need to ensure the menu is appropriate."
Let's show our guest full Starfleet hospitality, and maybe get a better measure of the man we're dealing with in a more structured setting. And hopefully, keep him occupied for a few hours...
He settled back into his command chair, watching as his officers began to move with a renewed sense of purpose. He then turned his attention to the helm.
"Lieutenant Krandall," Ameen said, his voice now crisp with command, "the Trill asked us to leave as soon as possible. Take us out of orbit, standard departure. Once we are clear of the system, lay in the preliminary course from Science and engage. We'll start with a cruising speed of Warp 5 until we have the full two-week travel plan finalized. Let's get underway."
The USS Zephyr was on the move again, but the nature of its precious cargo had changed the mission entirely.
== Tag ==
He walked towards the command center, his expression a neutral mask that betrayed none of the disbelief he was still processing. He acknowledged Lieutenant Ra'an as first.
"Thank you Lieutenant, I have the bridge," Ameen said, his voice calm and even as took back the center seat. He took a second to let out a long winded sigh before placing a hand on his head and rubbing his temples as if massaging away a headache.
Well, that happened, he thought, his mind replaying the scene in the transporter room. All that planning for a frail, elderly woman, out the airlock. Now we have... C'had. A one-man diplomatic incident waiting to happen. The mission just got a lot more complicated. And I'm pretty sure Gath is already calculating how many good deeds this 'babysitting' detail will count towards his entry into Sto-vo-kor... Songs will be sung for our legendary patience in dealing with this p'takh...
He needed to get his team refocused.
"Everyone," he said, calling his senior staff on the bridge to attention. "A moment."
He waited for them to turn their attention to him.
"Alright. Our guest is... not what the dossier led us to believe," he stated, the model of understatement. "However, the mission remains the same: we are to escort the Kestir symbiont safely to the negotiations and make sure he is well prepared and has all the tools he needs to ensure success. The... personality of the new host is simply a new variable we must manage." He leaned forward slightly. "First impressions are now more critical than ever. We need to establish a professional, welcoming, and unambiguously Starfleet tone. To that end, we will proceed with the formal dinner in the Mediator's honor. This evening. Dress uniforms."
"Commander Keir," he looked directly at his First Officer. "Please liaise with my yeoman, Petty Officer Jensen, and the Chief Steward to make the arrangements for the dinner. I want it done by the book. Everything must be seamless. Coordinate Lieutenant Gath on the security and protocol for the event. I want a security detail present, but discreet."
"Lieutenant Ra'an," he said, turning to his...
Wait... what exactly is she to me... is she my gi... oh... not now... focus Morad!
He turned to his Chief Science Officer.
"The dossier mentioned Kestir's interest in the cultures of Veld and Taveres. This dinner is our first opportunity to demonstrate our commitment to helping him prepare. I want you to prepare a concise preliminary briefing on the key cultural points of both worlds. Something we can discuss. Perhaps you can also advise the galley on a few appropriate, traditional dishes we might offer, even if the Mediator himself prefers... bland."
"Ensign Powl," he nodded to Tactical, "coordinate with Lieutenant Ra'an. Based on your research, prepare a tactical overview of the Veld-Taveres system to accompany her cultural brief. Nothing alarming, just situational awareness for the senior staff." He added, his tone underscoring the importance of the next point, "Furthermore, your department will be responsible for handling all formal communications with the authorities on Veld and Taveres. Transmit our progress, planned route, and final ETA. Ensure you have the correct diplomatic contact protocols and channels on file."
"Ameen to Sickbay," he said, opening a channel to Sickbay, "the dossier's medical information on the host is now obviously out of date. Can you advise on any general dietary or medical considerations for a new Trill host following an emergency joining? We need to ensure the menu is appropriate."
Let's show our guest full Starfleet hospitality, and maybe get a better measure of the man we're dealing with in a more structured setting. And hopefully, keep him occupied for a few hours...
He settled back into his command chair, watching as his officers began to move with a renewed sense of purpose. He then turned his attention to the helm.
"Lieutenant Krandall," Ameen said, his voice now crisp with command, "the Trill asked us to leave as soon as possible. Take us out of orbit, standard departure. Once we are clear of the system, lay in the preliminary course from Science and engage. We'll start with a cruising speed of Warp 5 until we have the full two-week travel plan finalized. Let's get underway."
The USS Zephyr was on the move again, but the nature of its precious cargo had changed the mission entirely.
== Tag ==