Dogs and Ponies

Posted on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 @ 11:02pm by Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Lieutenant Day Smith & Lieutenant Mackenzie 'Mac' Grayson & Lieutenant Rianna Repatha Thibideaux & Lieutenant JG T'Pel
Edited on on Mon Apr 6th, 2020 @ 11:18pm

2,077 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Aftermath and Downtime
Location: Valiants Mess Hall
Timeline: MD003: 1400 hrs

Curtis walked into the newly renovated Nook as it had been named, not quite sure how he felt about the changes they’d made to Valiant to accommodate the ambassador. The Captain had given him a brief update as to his meeting and then Valiant’s executive officer had been summoned> along with members of the remaining senior staff.

Apparently to go over requirements and expectations.

The ambassador obviously wanted to meet the crew as well, but didn’t seem overly interested in touring Valiant itself, at least not yet. Today had been the first time he’d left his shuttle and that move had been to commander Valiant’s….Nook?

Curtis had met the ambassador’s aide while serving as Day Officer shortly after the shuttle had docked and he’d checked both of them into the Manifest.

“Why Commander,” the Orion female’s voice almost purred as he stepped into Valiant’s mess hall. “So good of you to show up on time!” Sidri told him, her bright white teeth flashing. She was still dressed in the form fitting diplomatic uniform and knee boots. Her red tresses were tied back in a pony tail and she’d kept makeup to a minimum for work.

“My time is the ambassador’s time, Sidri,” he commented dryly, drawing a brief giggle from the Orion.

Another meeting with the Ambassador, or actually the first meeting with the ambassador as the initial one had granted Day the advantage of a large anonymous crowd. She got the dress uniform out again. It was immaculately pressed and her hair was in the neatest bun she could manage. She stepped into the messhall and looked around, it was only appropriate to step up to the ambassador and introduce herself, get that out of the way.

She took in a deep breath and stepped up to the ambassador and saluted, "Lieutenant Day Smith, Chief Operations Officer, a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Rianna was next to arrive. Without hesitating she introduced her self. "Lt. Jg. Rianna Repatha, CEO USS Valiant," she said smiling.

T'Pel who had most of the hands-on arrangements for the Ambassador's arrival and accommodations stood in the mess hall. Her meticulous details and preparation had paid off given the limited space a Defiant-class warship allowed. T'Pel was no stranger to Ambassadors or their staffs whom her father once told her were more demanding than the actual individual. T'Pel took a seat in the second row and looked to the Ambassador to begin his presentation.

The ambassador who’d been studious going through files waited until everyone was seated before looking up and smiling. “Why hello. Thank you all for showing so promptly!” the man enthused.

“Today I’ll be laying out some things we’ll be doing once we reach Valdivae,” the ambassador started right off as he touched a few controls and a screen activated. “First and foremost, the Valiant will be taking part in a static display. After landing on Valdivae, Valiant and a number of their home built craft will be made open to the public for viewing and a tour. To coincide with that, this will also give their citizens a chance to interact with Star Fleet on a rare level.”

The ambassador beamed at them, as he continued “Prior to opening the exhibit for the general populace, there will be a VIP tour where I and we’re hoping queen Niss will attend!”

T'Pel raised an eyebrow at this announcement. It was not Vulcan protocol to allow civilians to tour vessels freely. On those occasions that it were allowed, the vessels were either training ships or had been decommissioned from service and caused no security threat or release of classified information. It also meant a number of resources were going to need re-aligned to accommodate for an unknown quantity of people walking through the corridors. It seemed in her opinion a regrettable and rash decision. It was also not her place to state that. Her focus was now the possibility of a royal dignitary may be in attendance.

Day saw the surprise in T'Pel and shared in the confusion, she looked around the group and didn't see the Security Chief in the meeting so her gaze drifted to the XO, "I'm sorry, sir, but do we feel it is appropriate for civilians to be touring a Starship that is currently in active service?"

Rianna didn't like the idea about showing the Valiant off to outsiders. However in the faireness of first contact she would allow it.

Curtis opened his mouth to respond, but the Ambassador saved him the time. "Of course it's appropriate, Lieutenant," he said decisively. "These matters were discussed at length between Star Fleet and the Diplomatic Corp, with the Valdivaeann representatives weighing in." Turning his eyes to the Valiant's exec, he said "As I told Captain O'Donnaghhue, the points made were that has a rich history, being a Defiant class ship. But it IS an older space frame and given that it is smaller, it will be easier to safe guard. Your security chief is working on these concerns now."

Mackenzie walked in, her hair pulled up into a braided bun on the back of her head, she wasn't very thrilled that she was having to show up in her dress uniform again, so soon after the ceremony that had them meet, and greet with bit of mingling that could have been more fun while if not for the stuffiness of the dress code. She gave those currently in residence a cheeky smile of greeting.

Day looked over at the XO again after the response from the ambassador, "I would like the concerns of the operations department noted on this matter, Commander." She then turned to T'Pel, "with that said, we will make sure that all the appropriate measures are taken in conjunction with the security department, so that the public can enjoy a tour of the USS Valiant without concerns for their own safety"

"I suggest we begin designating secured pathways for this...tour," she began, "We limit access to such operations as cloaking control and weapons. We can provide minimal allocation of work assignments to provide Security with additional personnel. Crew quarters should also remain inaccessible to visitors, unless Command has decided that how Starfleet personnel endure their off-duty time is fascination enough warranting their need to satisfy their curiousity," T'Pel said matter-of-factly and also with twinge of Vulcan upfront logic.

"We will make the appropriate arrangements in conjunction with the security department," Day reiterated and then looked at the ambassador, "Is there anything else the Operations department can be of service with? Are your quarters to your liking, sir?" She thought it best to try and deescalate the situation by focusing on other things.

The ambassador nodded affably and smiled to Curtis. "See commander, I knew your crew would be as excited as I am. I plan to sit down with your chef, who makes a wonderful omelet by the way, to go over the menu that was prepared for hosting the VIP's. Just some simple samplings from other Federation worlds that the Valdivae should enjoy."

Looking to the others he continued, "Among the VIP's is a contingent of their engineers who wish to speak to Chief Repatha and your esteemed officers about some thermal dynamic problems they've been having. The culture mainly lives below the surface and uses the planets core to heat their living areas. But some of the conducting/transfer mechanisms aren't behaving and the Diplomatic Corp thought a discourse might be helpful."

The ambassador looked from Curtis, to Lieutenant Repatha with a proud look on his face, "I think it's a very good idea."

Blushing rather badly, Rianna nodded her head, "Ye..yes I would be happy to help if I can. Thank you", she said smiling.

The ambassador smiled at Valiant's chief engineer again and said, "Nothing to thank me for as I am doing simply what I must in the service to the Federation. However, it might be invaluable for you and I to speak further on this. Perhaps a working supper later onboard my shuttle?"

"I'd be very honored Ambassador, thank you very much," Rianna said.

As the ambassador contemplated Rianna for a moment, his aide moved closer and whispered something in his ear. The ambassador looked as if his mind had been elsewhere for a moment, but then he nodded his thanks to Sidri. Then he looked over the table at Valiant's Chief medical officer. "Dr. Grayson? I did have a request for you from the Federation Council of Being's Rights, now that Sidri reminds me. The Valdivaeann's have a corrections facility that the Council would like you to inspect with the Captain at some point to assure all that they are being humanely treated. Perhaps you could join us for supper?"

Mac had gotten settled into an empty seat and started to take a bite from a stack of pancakes but at the sound of her name she set down her form and looked across the table at the Ambassador, "I can do an assessment of the facility once we arrive yes, as for joining you for dinner I wouldn't mind at all." She replied with a cheeky grin and added after a moments pause, thoughtfully, "Though haven't you just finished inviting our Chief engineer? I don't know much about shuttles, but they are usually limited for spaces after a certain amount of people." Mac finished while regarding him in open curiosity, as to how he might respond. Maybe he meant different days she wasn't certain but she wasn't going to just assume either.

"Ahh, you're in for a treat then," the ambassador assured the Doctor and a reassuring look toward Rianna. "It was modified for me by Fleet Engineers. Though to be honest, the dining part will be outside of the shuttle in the docking bay which has been re-decorated to be more appealing."

Mac nodded, now very curious, "Sounds like an adventure within the ship indeed, what time should I be there and what is the dress code?" She retorted lightly smiling cheekily at him, Ambassador or not she was being herself if a bit toned down because she didn't want to get Curtis in trouble by proxy.

Telford beamed and assured her, "Wear what you would for an evening out my dears." Then he chuckled slightly, "I expect the cuisine to be delightful and the company to be intoxicating. All other variables we will do our utmost to perfect." Then he glanced around the table and smiled slightly. "I'm sorry the space doesn't really allow me to dine you all in. Perhaps we will get the chance once we arrive on planet."

"I believe I would enjoy that very much, thankyou", Rianna said grinning.

Mackenzie nodded her head, "I will be honoured. See you then."

Shaking his head, Curtis could see this meeting was about over and stated, "No concerns there, Ambassador. While I think all of us would enjoy your hospitality, there's also a mountain of things to prepare for." Glancing around the table himself, Valiant's first officer asked, "Unless anyone has any questions, we all have duties to be about?"

"Yes sir I have a diagnostic that needs my attention", Rianna added.

Mackenzie made a face but instead of voicing her complaint she picked up the plate of pancakes she hadn't even gotten to get a bite from, took it with her as she headed out of the room. She wasn't going to waste a good food especially real pancakes....

Curtis watched the breakup of the meeting and glanced at the Ambassador who stood, stretched and gave him a wink. "Lovely, I am truly enjoying my time aboard your vessel so far Commander. Thank you for your time."

Then the man, trailed by his aid toddled off and the Valiant's XO frowned, shaking his head. Idly, he wondered why Mac had taken her food out of the mess hall, but shrugged and went to get himself another mug of Caf.

Commander Curtish Thibideaux
Executive Officer
USS Valiant

Lt. Rianna Repatha
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Valiant

Lt. Mackenzie 'Mac' Grayson
CMO
USS Valiant

Lieutenant Day Smith
Chief Operations Officer
USS Valiant

Lt (JG) T'Pel
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
USS Valiant

 

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