Dinner as Diplomats
Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 12:01am by Lieutenant Commander Chester Ripley & Lieutenant Callan Armidale & Lieutenant JG Kaydren Aukai & Lieutenant JG William Verhoeven & Petty Officer 3rd Class Brix Saad & Daniel Martinez & Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver & Commander Lorut Vila & Lieutenant Commander Jared Rush & Commander Rylen Lyo & Lieutenant Commander Frasier Greene & Lieutenant Desha & Lieutenant Dovenice Nyx & Lieutenant S'Tera & Lieutenant Daisheliss "Lissa" Kerr & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell & Lieutenant JG Aurora House of Kor & Lieutenant Commander Ukram Gocx
Edited on on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 12:03am
2,612 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
First Contact
Location: USS Intrepid: Grand Hall
Timeline: MD2: 1900 hours
The Grand Hall was too big for the diplomatic reception of just three people, so Max had the event moved to something smaller, though still accommodating the group that would assemble. He looked out the windows, which framed the Helivan ship perfectly. He’d chosen the change of venue for that reason as well, to assure the Helivans that their ship was intact and undamaged. Slowly, his crew filed in.
As XO, it was her responsibility to arrange the crew properly. So she came in, in her Class A's. Normally, she'd wear a dress or something for this type of affair, but she had decided that Class A's were more appropriate.
Commander Jared Rush hated these formal dinners, he thought to himself as he entered the dining hall. He immediately saw the Captain and First Officer as he pushed through the milling of his fellow officers.
“Cap’n, Commander. Yes sirs, I look as uncomfortable as I feel. I also see a few of us pullin’ at our collars. Could they make these things any more stiff? Either my neck is getting bigger or the uniforms are gettin’ smaller,” Rush said with his charming slight southern twang.
“I’m telling you, I’m gonna put the Quartermaster on report. My collar size has been the same for ten years.”
Vila was behind him, but made a face. Was he for real?
"Commander Rush. Lovely to see you. I wish we could've met under better circumstances, but I have been a bit busy. Please, sit here," she said, indicating a chair at a nearby table. "Will you be joined by anyone tonight?" she asked.
“Always a pleasure, Commander. This table right here? Very good, then. Perfect view of all the festivities. I’ve heard our guests are rather important. Kriosians? Mission briefings mentioned something about Enterprise and metamorphs? Can’t wait to see these people in the flesh.”
Max sat down next to the new arrival. Seemed like he’d gotten some of his crew reports and Helivan information backwards. His eye caught on Dani, standing by the younger crew, people his age as opposed to the senior officers. He smiled at his boyfriend from his temporary seat. “Commander Rush, pleasure to meet you,” Max said, extending his hand to the new Strategic Operations Officer.
“Pleasure’s mine, sir. Very glad to be here. A fine ship, the Intrepid, Cap’n. It will be, um, fun, to serve with all of you. Guess we normally don’t roll out the red carpet for just anyone. This is some shindig, y’all got goin’ on, sir.
“A bit more than I expected myself,” Max admitted. “But we’re at the edge of a new frontier, the former Romulan Empire is open to us. It only took fifteen years of negotiation and the threat of the Klingon and Reman Alliance to come in and explore. Put out any remaining brush fires.”
“I don’t mean to single you out, but we’re greeting the Helivan people tonight as a traditional First Contact celebration. I think they’ve crossed some wires in your report. We have a Kriosian Officer, Lieutenant Commander Rylen Lyo. I half expect you won’t know the difference except that Commander Lyo has spots similar to the Trill.
“Must be…I haven’t had the chance to meet everyone yet. I’ll treat this as an icebreaker. And, yes, sir, the markings are similar between the Trill and Kriosians. Remind me to spend some time with Commander Lyo. Nevertheless, I certainly hope they appreciate our hospitality. This is quite impressive.”
Max stood up and clapped a hand on Rush’s shoulder. “Well, have a good time. Remember the alcohol isn’t synthehol, so be careful. Most of all, enjoy yourself…” Max gave the man nod and a smile before purposely moving to Vila’s line of sight.
"Captain," Vila said, as she saw Max part from Commander Rush. Her brown hair hung down in rippling waves to her shoulders, and she wore a little bit of makeup. "I'll arrange the troops," she said, "I think organizing by department is a good idea, with spouses and partners intermixed."
Max nodded. “Thank you,” he answered, scratching at the dermaplastic bandage that was attached to his stab site. It must have been nearly ready to come off if it was that itchy. “Have Lieutenant Desha run another weapons check on the entire room. I don’t want any more incidents like we had in sickbay.”
Vila nodded, and tapped her combadge. =/\= Desha, a full perimeter scan, at the Captain's request. Let's also make sure that the Helivan gentleman is unarmed this evening. If you need help with that, let me know. =/\= She clicked off, moving away.
=/\= Understood, Commander =/\=, Desha replied.
Aurora felt like a fish out of water in her dress uniform...an outfit she practically NEVER wore as she was constantly on the move in messy places where a dress uniform would totally be trashed.
Aurora stepped into the room as non-stiffly as she could, making a mental note to get her uniform to the tailor as she'd apparently put on muscle since she'd last worn it, and lowered her head in greeting.
"I've made a note to get my uniform refitted, Captain...just couldn't swing it before this shindig," Aurora apologized, sheepishly pulling at her collar.
Max smiled. “Invitation was casual, Lieutenant. You’re welcome to change if you’d like. The Grand Hall has facilities for such necessities,” Max said quietly. He didn’t need a rush on the changing rooms.
"Well bat quano! I...er...oh well...I'll stay in this as I want to make a good impression for our guests," Aurora grinned sheepishly as she pulled her collar again...getting it below her gills so she could breath easier.
S'tera was wearing her dress uniform. She didn't care for it too much but protocol and all. "Greetings all! So here we are. Never been much on dressing up. but, well, I guess gotta look good for our guests."
Next through the door was Rena. She had foregone her dress uniform in favor of a nice suit dress. She was an officer, yes, but tonight, her duties would be more diplomatic than counseling. She stood close to S'tera. "You look nice," she said to her girlfriend. They were quickly swept away by Lorut.
"Campbell, you and S'tera are up front. The Captain would like you near to him. On the opposite side of Mister Martinez," she said. She turned to Aurora. "Lieutenant Aurora, please sit at the head of this table," she said, pointing to one nearby.
"Ookay," Aurora gulped a little bit...not quite used to being 'in the spotlight'.
"So do you my darling!" S’tera responded once Lorut had rushed them where to sit, “Well, at least they let us sit together. C'mon hon, let's take our seats. This could be interesting."
As each crew member arrived, Vila passed them off to a table, making sure there was as equal a number at each one as possible. She rounded back to the Captain. "Where should I put Chet? In the Enslisted's Mess?" She asked, kind of joking. But kind of not. They got along ok but Vila wouldn't admit it.
“Wouldn’t he just bluster and fluster over that,” Max responded with a warm smile. “No, he’s our second officer, he sits with the command team, besides, his sense of humor might disarm these Helivans. They seem a little uppity still.”
She nodded. "Of course. I'll put him next to me," she said. Better to stab him in the thigh with her fork if she had to. She placed the man, and then waited by the door for the last few stragglers in before Lieutenant Desha would present the Heliv trio.
Doctor Greene arrived next and lingered at the table unsure where he should sit as the XO had arranged a sitting plan as if they were attending a wedding reception. They were certainly dressed like it too, himself included. He tried not to pull a face - he was no diplomat and had always dreaded this line of the role and wondered if it was too late to return to civilian life again.
"Ah, Doc. Over here by Lieutenant Aurora, please," she said. The unmarried officers were seated together, herself not included, though she wished she was seated anywhere else but at the head table. "Do you have a date for the evening?" she asked. Only to know how many more seats she had to account for, not because she cared about anyone's personal life. She cared less about that kind of thing than most XO's, but she couldn't bring herself TO care.
"A date?" the Doctor repeated surprised by the question. "I did not realise it was a requirement - are trying to play matchmaker?" he asked with more heat than he'd intended having already had his fill from his parents since separating from his wife prior to enlisting. He'd hope that topic wouldn't follow him across the stars - clearly fate had other ideas.
"I'm not interesting in being set up," the Doctor continued hotly before coming to his senses recalling whom he was addressing. "Sir," he concluded in subdued tone.
Vila raised an eyebrow. "Calm down, Doc. Do you need to see the Counselor? I simply asked so that I know where to place you. If you needed an extra seat for a plus one, I could arrange that," she said, cooly. "I wouldn't dream of matchmaking you. Or anyone," she said. "I don't know you well enough, and even if I did, I simply don't care about people's personal lives enough." She said. "So. Feel free to have a seat," she said, tightly.
Greene bit his tongue before he could comment about her ice cold heart and lack of interest in her crewmembers. He turned away to the table he'd been assigned to muttering under his breathe as he went.
"Hello Aurora," he greeted the other occupant already seated at the 'singles' table. "I'm afraid you've been cursed with my presence this evening," he continued drawing up a seat.
"I don't see it as a curse at all Doctor!" Aurora smiled, happy for a familiar face.
"That's very kind, though you may want to defer that thought until the end of the evening," Greene joked reaching for the water jug in the centre of the table. "I'm not fond of these events, especially forced pleasantries. Considering only yesterday the Helivans were in a coma having been in cryo I'm surprised they've agreed to this in the first place."
"I hear ya on that one! I'm not in the 'high society' type circles either!" Aurora grinned sheepishly.
"And where do you want me?" the Chief Engineer asked. She silently quizzed herself on the names of the ship’s crew while waiting for the Executive Officer to round back to where she waited. Without a crib sheet, Nyx admitted she'd forgotten most of the officer's names.
"Nyx, please, next to Commander Rush," she said, pointing to the chair next to their newly arrived Strat Ops chief. StarFleet really just threw them all in, didn't they?! At least the Bajoran Militia gave you a week to cry about missing home.
Lieutenant Kerr waiting behind the engineer for her seat assignment. She took a look around. She wasn't a huge fan of large formal gathering, but sometimes you had to play the part.
"Lieutenant Kerr! Wonderful. I am glad you were able to come aboard in time for this...gathering." The Bajoran sighed. She was determined to not appear as unhappy as she felt. "Please, sit by Dr. Gocx," she said, pointing to the Klingon, whom she'd sat with Nyx and Rush.
The briefing regarding their guests has been succinct, but nonetheless informative. These were royals, the uppermost echelon of their world’s political hierarchy. Who better to greet them than someone of high noble birth? Someone well-schooled in the decadence and the niceties of upper society. After going back and forth over several outfits, Rylen had eventually chosen a matching ensemble in midnight blue with gold trim. Elegant, but not overstated. The Kriosian came into the reception area, wearing his trademark bravado like it was a badge.
Finally, Vila spotted the Kriosian. "Commander. Please sit with Dr. Gocx, Lt. Aurora, and the rest," she said, indicating with her closed palm.
Finally, the main crew had arrived and been seated, and Vila took her seat, sipping at her glass of water. She would KILL for a Springwine, but it was almost time for her shift. She whispered into her subdermal transmitter.
"Lieutenant Desha, please prepare our guests for the procession." Finally, it was done.
"They're ready whenever you are, Commander", came the response from Desha.
"Well , here we go hon!" S'tera said to Rena as she squeezed her hand lovingly.
Rena smiled. "Yes." She turned her brain "on" and then sat back. It should be great. "I am looking forward to it, actually."
Rula was excited, a bit, but didn't show it. She was a lady of success-her aide to the Helivan monarchy stretched back three decades. She was dressed today in a simple but elegant green dress with a matching hat, and a smart broach. She was trying to be the diplomatic one to the Princess's flakiness and Rustav's combativeness-truly, it came from a place of care for the Princess, but it was sometimes a little much.
"I hope they have a good spread," she said. "I spoke with the one they call Executive Officer today, and the mind-reader. They are interested in learning about our culture," she said. "I think they DO mean well."
Rula took a deep breath as she pinched the bridge of her nose.
"We're not here for the food, Rula. Though I suppose good food does make things go down smoother," Rustav remarked as he assisted Filia into the room.
“We are not here to be crass. We are representing Heliv and we will show this Federation and its Captain Culver, that we can hold ourselves to a standard,” Princess Filia said, her words as sharp as her tongue. Glistening from the wide neck dress to her feet, thousands of precious stones, called diamonds, adorned her regal dress. Her hair was pulled back severely and a headpiece perched on top of her dark locks. She wanted her ears to show, they seemed to remind this Federation that they were outside of their own territory.
Rula chuckled softly at the joke she accidentally made. "Might as well eat something if it's free," she shot back. "You look...lovely”
Filia adjusted herself one last time before they were to be called upon, her sharp eyes catching the glint of Rustav’s concealment.. “Rustav, put your weapon in the recycler," Filia commanded sharply, giving him the LOOK.
=/\= Lieutenant Desha, please present our guests. =/\= A bit louder, Vila spoke.
"Everyone, please prepare for the presentation of Princess Filia of Heliv and her consorts. The Royal Guard Rustav Belu and the Counsel to the Princess, Rula Belu," she said, standing up.
"Well, shall we?" Rula asked as she adjusted her green dress, making sure her matching earrings were in place.
The other Helivans with her nodded their agreement to Filia at their announcement. "Let us go," Princess Filia said.
Rula smiled as she took a deep breath and lead the other two to the Grand Hall.
’Here goes nothing, Rula thought as the trio entered the room.
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