Finding Common Ground

Posted on Thu Aug 16th, 2018 @ 1:33pm by Commander Abigail Prescott & Telhas thu'S'Terion Sa-Shasol'kor t'Cheleb-Khor
Edited on on Mon Sep 3rd, 2018 @ 3:25pm

1,997 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: The Return to Faltan
Location: Executive Officer's Office
Timeline: MD04 - 1100

Telhas entered the office and said "Good morning, Commander," even before he could look at the person occupying the office. Then, between the moment where he noticed the green skin and his self-control took control, hostility could been seen in his eyes. Romulans had a strong dislike for Orions, and although he always thought of himself being beyond prejudice, at least this prejudice seemed to still have a place in his mind. He felt embarrassed for his reaction, but thought it was best to override it and save the situation. He smiled politely. "I am Telhas t'Cheleb-Khor thu'S'Terion, Romulan Ambassador, Senator, Patrician, and Duke of Cheleb-Khor." He remembered Nevala's thoughts when he introduced himself the same way to Captain Refelian and added "But for ordinary communication, outside diplomatic events, you may call me Telhas."

Mint noticed the flash of hostility in the Romulan's eyes and fought hard not to roll her own at him. "Well," she said after he finished introducing himself, "That's certainly quite the title, and please forgive me in advance if I mispronounce your full name, I'm terrible at that." She smiled and stood to shake his hand. "As you're probably aware, I am Commander Abigail Prescott, Executive Officer and Chief Engineering Officer. When off duty, you may call me Mint, or if you prefer more formal, Abigail." She wondered if her racial background was going to cause an issue, but didn't want to say anything first and potentially stir the pot.

Telhas nodded. "Thank you, Commander. Now, the reason for me being here is that when I have been welcomed by Captain Refelian we talked a little about the state of this station and I suggested that I could probably spare some of my ship's crew to assist you. What is your opinion on this matter?"

"Yes, he sent me a message informing me that you would like to meet to discuss assisting us," Mint gave him a genuine smile. "We appreciate all the help we can get. Currently, I'm trying to fix this station with less crew than they initially had to build it. We have the important areas covered, but unfortunately, we're still stretched pretty thin. Any assistance you can offer would be wonderful! I also hear that your wife is an architect and will be designing the Romulan embassy. I look forward to seeing what she designs!"

"Yes, she is," Telhas said and his eyes were shining, "A gifted architect, and a wonderful person." He smiled, then the emotion faded. "Anyway, regarding the help. I can offer the help of twenty-five of my ship's crew, probably more once the embassy is completed. Also, my wife offers to assist with any architectural or civil engineering issues."

"Twenty-five is more than enough for now," Mint nodded. She shuffled a few PADDs on her desk, still not having spent the time getting her console up and working yet, and picked out one. "We have several buildings that we need to get operational. Here," she showed him a general layout of the station. "This is an overview of the station. Everything in red still doesn't have power," she indicated the red blotches that took up just under half of the station, "and these grey buildings haven't even been started on. Mostly because Commander M'Mira and I have been searching for the source of some faulty power relays. Now, do you want full control of your crew, or do you wish me to direct them where they're needed?"

"It is be far more efficient if you have full command over them," Telhas said without hesitation. Then he looked at the PADD. "Everything in red still has no power, yes?" The next time, Telhas, when you are told that you should better wait as the station is a mess, you should do so. "Was there no maintenance team stationed to keep everything at least functional?"

"Yes, red has no power," she shook her head. "And no, they didn't really leave much of a team here. Just an administrative team. It is one giant headache. As it stands, neither my quarters nor Captain Refelian's have been restored. We both live out of our offices, preferring to direct our teams to ensure our crew has comfortable living spaces first."

Telhas nodded thoughtfully. "Quite an effort, but I am sure you are the right person to get the job done."

"It's been a challenge," Mint admitted. "One that I relish though. I came here knowing it would be one big mess, and it didn't let me down. We are making great progress though, all of the essential areas had working power within two days of arrival. Commander M'Mira has been an excellent help in getting things sorted as well. With her help, and your assistance, I'm sure we can have this station fully operational in no time!"

"You seem very young to me for a Commander," Telhas explained, "And from my experience with Starfleet this means that you excel as an officer. This rank is not earned easily, and definitely not without displaying exceptional skill on the job. You must have impressed your superior officers. This is why I am sure you are the right person."

Mint blushed, her pale green skin turning a slight ruddy brown colour. "Thank you, Ambassador," she couldn't help the grin that spread on her face. "I worked hard to get where I am. It was definitely made hard by my," she searched for the right word, unsure if she should actually divulge this information, but Telhas need only do a simple search of her in the database to gain this information, "paternal genetics." She frowned and tried not to show disgust about her biological father, but felt she didn't do a very good job. "But I rose above the negativity and put all my effort into being the best engineer I could. And now, I have this to show for it," she pointed at the schematics to indicate the station.

Although he had not read any files from intelligence on the station's staff yet, Telhas understood what she just said. "So your father is Orion." It took him a moment to sort out what to say next. "My people and the Orions had not the best time in the past, despite the fact that it was just one brief moment in history where we encountered each other. Just major encounters considered, of course. Anyway, when I first saw you I thought you were Orion, and I have to admit prejudice won over logic for a moment. However, I could not be more wrong. And even if you would be Orion, I would still have been wrong. You are not like them."

"I strive hard to not be like them," Mint frowned. "My mother did not choose my father, and that is all I will say about that." She set the padd down and folded her hands over it. "Most people hold prejudices against Orions, including me, and I'm half Orion. My mother and adoptive father are both human, and they raised me as a human child. I am glad you see that I am not like my biological father's people."

"My father always told me that the only thing that matters of birth is the difficulty to maintain mnhei'sahe, but gaining mnhei'sahe is only determined by what you do. Of course, much more is expected of a Patrician than of a commoner, but in the end, I am the one who can destroy whatever mnhei'sahe has been gained by my House in its six thousand years of history within a second, or add to its mnhei'sahe with years of hard work." Telhas smiled gently. "I think I am a little jealous for your opportunity to start from scratch and build your name."

Mint chuckled. "It's just as easy to destroy your name when you've built it from scratch," she pointed out. "And it's a lot tougher to get recognition. In some ways, you have it easier than I ever will."

"People always think it is easy to be Patrician. Patricians are wealthy, powerful, with a famous name and impressive titles. But the people never see the burden it is. I must not fail. I have to be there for everyone. It matters what I do, it matters whom I marry, it matters where I spend my holidays, even what my relatives do matters. My life belongs to something bigger than myself." Telhas sighed. "Sometimes I wish I would be born into a lower House. But I should not complain, should I? It is an honour to serve my people, and hopefully also all other sentient beings. It is an honour to be in the position where I could help to make the universe a better place for all sentient beings. Although there are thousands of possibilities to fail, and only a few to achieve this goal." He chuckled. "Be happy that you are who you are, it is easier to get mnhei'sahe than to keep it."

She didn't know what to say to this, Telhas was a very profound man, and she felt like she'd only sound stupid compared to him should she open her mouth. Instead, she nodded and leaned back in her chair. "I find that life finds a way to balance itself out," Mint finally said after a moment of thinking. "Some aspects are hard, for you it's maintaining your public image, for me it's building a name for myself. While others are easier, for me it's doing every day things without worry of damage to my family, for you it's getting others to listen to what you have to say." She rubbed the back of her neck and sighed. "Not that either of us have it easy. We just have different troubles. Every day is an opportunity to learn from them though."

Telhas nodded thoughtfully. "You are a wise person, Commander. And who knows, perhaps in six thousand years the descendants of Telhas may l long be forgotten, but everybody in the galaxy will listen to your descendants. But regardless of what the far future may be alike, I can assure you that at least I will listen to what you have to say." He bowed slightly.

Mint's blush deepened, now making her cheeks and neck appear a dark brown. "I..." she started to talk, but couldn't think of anything to say. Finally, she returned the bow and stuttered out, "T--thank you, Ambassador!" The blush lingered for a few moments before beginning to fade. This was the first time she'd ever been told she was worthy of being listened to, given basic respect. Normally, she was the subject of extreme hatred and rumours. "I just hope the rumours of my past don't tarnish the reputation I'm trying to build for myself here. Hatred destroys many a person before they even step through the door. The fact that I am half-Orion caused many people to assume that I use my body and not my brains or skill to gain promotions. I guess I just have to agree with an ancient Human television show's main character's statement that 'it's not easy being green'."

Telhas raised an eyebrow, then grinned, and finally laughed. He was rarely seen laughing, but that quote in the end amused him a lot. "Pardon me," he said after he regained his composure.

Mint grinned from ear to ear, like the Cheshire cat. "It's quite alright," she said after a moment. "It was meant to be funny, and I'm glad it was. Now," her grin faltered a bit. "You'll have to pardon me. I would love to sit and chat more with you, but I really must return to work. My door is always open if you'd like to come discuss anything else. Also, pass my welcome on to your wife! I look forward to meeting her and working with you both, and your crew."

"Thank you, I will do this for sure." Telhas smiled politely.

 

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