Diplomacy, Part 1

Posted on Thu Aug 2nd, 2018 @ 11:25am by Commander Abigail Prescott & Captain Horatio Refelian & Commander M'Mira & Lieutenant Bradley Damon & Lieutenant Calista Aereen MD & Lieutenant Mika Rai'z D.Sc.
Edited on on Mon Sep 3rd, 2018 @ 3:40pm

1,880 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: The Return to Faltan
Location: Captain’s Lounge, Command Deck, Falton Station
Timeline: MD03 - 1400

Mint brushed dust off her uniform as she entered the Captain's lounge. Noting that Refelian wasn't there yet, she let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. She chose a seat on the couch along the right hand side of the room. She tucked her legs under herself and idly wondered how many people had, unlike the Captain, actually read her file. A small smile spread across her face at the thought of those that hadn't learning the young, literally green, woman was actually their XO.

Calista entered the lounge and nodded to the two, she had yet to meet the XO but having reviewed the medical records of the current staff assigned the XO was as an easy place. She sipped her mug of iced coffee and continued reviewing the latest updates from Starfleet Medical.

Entering the lounge, M'Mira gracefully strutted. The moment she saw the Captain, however, she started looking for his dog. Shuffling about, looking pointedly at the floor for dust, dirt, or other imperfections, she practically danced to one of the couches. Once there, she touched her chosen couch with her left paw. Nothing happened, as the couch gave a little way. She then sprung onto the couch, folding her legs beneath her and facing her comrades. Her green eyes where a bit darker than normal and her eyelids drooping slightly. "I see that this area has been thoroughly sterilized. Most satisfactory."

"It's probably one of the few." Calista chimed in, but she had a team at work even as they spoke working on the medical hub. A Zakdorn CPO med tech had taken it upon himself to coordinate the cleaning and sterilizing of the medical hub and she was glad to have toe coordinating of that particular task off her plate.

"I had assigned a team to clean your arrrea, yesterday. Do you mean to tell me that it is not clean yet?" M'Mira asked, obviously annoyed. "I have had everyone working double shifts but if I have to demote someone for not getting medical up to standards, I would be most perrrrturbed."

"It's been slower going with medical, we also not only have to clean but sterilize and some of our sterilization equipment has arrived yet." The Doctor replied.

M'Mira gave a low growl at that statement, expressing her displeasure with StarFleet.

Refelian strolled into his office with his dog following behind, “My apologies ladies and...” He almost said continued with gentleman but quickly remembered his senior staff at the moment was comprised entirely of ladies. He quickly clear his throat to cover up his near miss of a mistake and carried on. “Laddie decided now was a good time for some out door time. Can I get any of you a drink?” He asked as he moved towards the replicator.

"No thank you, Captain," Mint reached a hand down to Laddie, in an effort to offer the pup some pets as she spoke.

M'Mira was about to answer but was distracted by Mint petting the dog. She shot Mint a disgusted look, huffed, and pointedly looked the other way. She called to the Captain, "A white Rrrussian, if you please. Heavy on the crrream."

Mint rolled her eyes at the Caitian's reaction to her petting the dog. Just because he wasn't as pretty as M'Mira deemed herself to be, didn't mean the pup didn't deserve some love.

The doors opened, and a handsome man with a graying stubble beard and in a blue uniform cautiously stepped in, quickly taking in everyone, doing a double-take before directing to the captain, "Excuse me, Sir. I'm Lieutenant Mika Rai'z, your chief science officer. I came to report in and was told about this meeting."

The Caitan's head swiveled again. She looked at the Chief Science Officer and concluded, Not bad looking for a human. For the moment, she remained silent, waiting for her drink.

The replicator just finished the order of a White Russian with extra cream and a chilled water. The new Chief Science Officer finished talking, “Ah, perfect timing, Lieutenant. Please take a pew.” He said gesturing at the free spaces on the sofa and at the small table. “Drink?” He asked as he walked Commander M’Mira’s drink to her.

Mint tilted her head at the newcomer. She'd not read his file, therefore did not recognize the face. 'I'll have to see why his file didn't cross my desk,' she felt annoyed enough that she temporarily forgot she didn't actually have a desk yet. She hadn't gotten around to clearing out her office and getting it set up.

Mika gave a slight nod and smiled back to Refelian, and then sat on the opposite side of the couch from Mint, his eyes once more taking her in. “No, thank you. I'm good, sir, ” he replied to the captain, settling further into his seat.

The new chief of security entered the room and looked around, then headed to an empty chair.

“Thank you everyone for coming, I know everyone is busy getting their departments up and running. I’ve called you all here as we’ve been invited to the Faltan Colony Government Building to meet the Colonial Governor. I wanted to extend the opportunity to the senior staff. This isn’t mandatory but I would like a good showing from our side.” Harry explained to the gathered officers.

"I would like to join, I've been trying to get into contact with the Faltan Ministry of Health and have had limited success," Calista replied.

"I feel it is mandatory for me," Mint gave Refelian a cheeky grin. "But I wouldn't say no anyway. I am curious about the people of Faltan."

"Count me in," said Mika, wanting to help and feeling curious too.

Not wanting to sound too eager, yet being equally interested and curious, M'Mira stretched the paw not holding the White Russian and said, "I cerrrtainly could use my legs being stretched. A nice strrroll would be welcome."

“Excellent.” Refelian said, visibly pleased by his senior staff reaction. This would be an interesting meeting on more than one level. “Anyone else?” He asked looking at those who hadn’t answered yet.

Damon looked up. "Captain. I assume that you will take the standard security with you during this meeting."

“No.” The Captain said simply. “If you wish to come, Lieutenant, that’s fine but no one will be armed and there will be no security detail. I will not try and gain a new dialog with these people being armed to the teeth. New beginnings need trust, we shall take the first step towards that trust.”

Mika listened to the exchanged with interest, and all things considered, especially this being the Faltan's world, felt the Captain's decision was wise. "We could prepare ourselves by reviewing their cultural norms," he suggested, "and there's what's on record by the former diplomatic department."

Refelian nodded, “Thats a good idea, Lieutenant. We need to be on best behaviour, it’s been noted that the Faltan’s aren’t Federation friendly. The previous Station commander noted it several times in his logs.”

M'Mira curled her tail around her. This was just a simple meet and greet. What could be so difficult? She was getting bored with this discussion and it was starting to show. Her eyes started to droop while she imbibed another swallow's worth of her White Russian with extra cream.

"I'm sorry, captain, but regulations call for an armed detail if the commanding officer leaves the station or ship, sir." Damon replied to the captain.

"Surely you see the fallacy in bringing a full armed guard to a diplomatic meet and greet," Mint restrained herself from rolling her eyes. She was never one to follow all regulations to the T. "It will not look good if we show up with a bunch of officers with weapons, they'll believe we don't trust them and that will make our jobs that much harder."

“I understand your need for prudence, Lieutenant, but as the Commander stated, this is not the time. The Federation has had a difficult time with the Faltan’s as well as other groups within the RTC. This is the first time in 18 or so months that they’ve dealt with us. We want to be their friends and build a relationship with these people. No weapons, that’s an order.” Refelian replied. “The invitation is for tomorrow at 1400 Hours. I recommend we leave via runabout about 1330. Any questions?”

The cue of "Any questions," caused M'Mira to pull up her head up to make it appear as if she had been paying attention all along. Hastily she threw back the rest of her White Russian and responded, "None here. Runabout, 13:30. Got it."

"I have one," Mint waved her hand in the air like a school girl. "Are we to wear uniforms or civilian attire?"

M'Mira made a clicking sound. I should have thought of that. Maybe the White Russian had too much cream. My brain got sleepy because of it. That must be it. She turned to the Captain expectantly.

“We are Starfleet Officers, we shall wear the uniform proudly. No need to shy away from it, regardless of the problems which have been had in the past.” Refelian replied.

"Dress uniform or standard duty?" Mint decided she should get clarification on that one too, since this was an important meeting.

“Normal. We’ll save the dress uniform for the official Faltan Station launch party next week.” Refelian replied. “Any thing else you want to address?”

Mint shook her head. "No sir, just wanted to make sure we all dressed the same," she gave him a cheeky grin, though some could argue it was a flirty grin. She leaned back in her seat and indicated the the 'floor' was now open to anyone else who had questions.

"Bringing a bottle of wine?" Calista asked the Captain, "You should always try to make a good impression on a first date?"

“We’ll leave the wine at home until the second date.” Harry said with a chuckle. “I don’t want them thinking we bring alcohol every time.”

"The dog will be staying here, right, Captain?" M'Mira asked discussing the repulsive subject. "We do not know enough to know their reactions to us, let alone it. Perhaps they are allergic," she said hopefully.

The Captain chuckled, “No, Laddie will be staying here.” The dog lowered his head, the look of disappointment was evident, even for a dog. “If there’s nothing else then you are all dismissed.”

As everyone got up and started to file out, Refelian realised he hadn’t spoken to his new science officer. “Lieutenant Ria’z, could you stay behind please?”

Only thrown off for a quick moment, Mika nodded, "Of course, Sir," and then watched the others as they continued to leave.

Mint didn't need to be told twice that she was dismissed. She had a lot of work on her plate getting the station back in working order. Without a second glance, she stood, gave the Captain a nod, and walked out of the lounge.

M'Mira gave the dog wide birth as she strutted out of the meeting without further comment.

 

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