Posted by Captain T’Nara (Commanding Officer) in Captains ready room

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Soral T’Varan (Chief Diplomatic Officer) in Captains ready room

Posted by Captain T’Nara (Commanding Officer) in Captains ready room
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: This is before the Listening post and after the tour

IC: Lieutenant Commander Soral T’Varan made his way through the corridors of the Ark Angel at his customary measured pace, eventually stopping outside the captain’s ready room.

Since Captain T’Nara had assumed command, operational requirements had understandably taken precedence. She had already become acquainted with several members of the senior staff in the course of carrying out her duties. However, an opportunity for a formal introduction between the ship’s commanding officer and her Chief Diplomatic Officer had yet to present itself.

Soral regarded the oversight as neither unusual nor problematic.

Even so, effective diplomacy relied upon establishing professional relationships before they became necessary. As the officer responsible for advising the captain on diplomatic affairs, first-contact procedures, and interstellar negotiations, it was logical that they become acquainted under routine circumstances rather than during a crisis.

He straightened the front of his white diplomatic uniform—a habitual gesture more than one born of necessity—then folded his hands neatly behind his back.

After a brief moment, he pressed the door chime once.

There was no impatience in his posture as he waited. Whether summoned immediately or required to return later made little practical difference. The purpose of his visit remained the same: to formally introduce himself to the new commanding officer of the Ark Angel and begin what he hoped would be a productive professional relationship.

Lt Cmdr Soral T’Varan
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Ark Angel

After a while of settling in. She had known that it was that time. She had looked up and heard the chime. “Come in Mr. T’Varan.” She spoke from the other side of the door.

Captain T’Nara
Commanding Officer
USS Ark Angel

At the captain’s invitation, Lieutenant Commander Soral T’Varan stepped through the doorway with his customary measured pace. The doors slid shut quietly behind him as he came to a halt a respectful distance from the desk.

He inclined his head in greeting.

“Captain.”

A brief pause followed before he spoke again.

“I must confess to a measure of curiosity. You identified me before the door had opened. Unless your hearing exceeds the Vulcan average—which would be statistically unusual—I must conclude I have developed a sufficiently recognisable manner of pressing a door chime.”

The faintest hint of amusement flickered across his otherwise impassive features.

“I shall regard that as an indication that my punctuality has become… predictable.”

He allowed the observation to settle for a moment before continuing in his usual measured tone.

“I wished to introduce myself formally. Since your assumption of command, operational requirements have understandably taken precedence, and an opportunity for us to meet had not yet presented itself.”

His hands rested calmly behind his back.

“I am Lieutenant Commander Soral T’Varan, Chief Diplomatic Officer. My responsibilities include advising the commanding officer on diplomatic affairs, first-contact protocols, interstellar negotiations, and cultural analysis where such considerations may influence the success of a mission.”

He regarded the captain with the composed expression typical of a Vulcan.

“While I anticipate our duties will often intersect only as circumstances require, I believe it is advantageous that the captain and senior staff establish a professional understanding before it becomes necessary under less favourable conditions.”

Another brief pause followed.

“I also wished to welcome you to the Ark Angel. A change of command inevitably marks the beginning of a new chapter in a vessel’s history. I look forward to serving under your command and to providing whatever counsel my office may require.”

Having said what he had come to say, Soral fell silent, content to allow Captain T’Nara to determine the direction of the conversation.

Lt Cmdr Soral T’Varan
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Ark Angel

She said there in front of him for a while and then extended her hand out. As of course it is a human custom to do. However, she also knows that having another Vulcan would be very nice to have when it comes to diplomatic ties. “Thank you Commander.” She passed for a bit. “I’d like to know about you. I skimmed through your file. Captain Becket honestly never told me anything. Except good luck.” She said.

Captain T’Nara
Commanding Officer
USS Ark Angel

Soral accepted the offered handshake without hesitation. While the gesture originated as a Human custom, it had become commonplace throughout Starfleet, and declining it would have served no logical purpose.

He released the captain’s hand and resumed his composed stance.

“I am pleased Captain Becket’s final assessment was concise.”

A brief pause followed.

“It was also, I believe, accurate.”

The observation was delivered with complete seriousness, though another Vulcan might recognise the understated humour.

“As for myself…”

He folded his hands behind his back.

“I was born on Vulcan and educated there. My parents were instructors at the Vulcan Science Academy and anticipated that I would eventually follow an academic career. Instead, I elected to enter Starfleet.”

“There was… discussion.”

Again, the understatement was deliberate.

“My academic foundation is in the sciences, and upon joining the Ark Angel I served as Chief Science Officer. The position was both intellectually stimulating and professionally rewarding.”

His gaze remained steady.

“However, as my service continued, it became apparent that my aptitude extended beyond scientific analysis. I found myself increasingly engaged in matters involving cultural interpretation, negotiation, and advising the captain on interactions with other governments and species. Scientific understanding often explained how a phenomenon functioned. Diplomacy sought to understand why people responded to it as they did.”

“The transition to Chief Diplomatic Officer was therefore a logical progression rather than a departure from my previous discipline. Science and diplomacy are not mutually exclusive. Both seek understanding; they merely examine different subjects.”

He paused briefly.

“I have found that many situations cannot be resolved through superior technology or scientific knowledge alone. They require an understanding of culture, history, and perspective. In that regard, my scientific training has proven surprisingly beneficial.”

A faint hint of dry humour entered his voice.

“My off-duty studies continue to focus on the customs and social rituals of other species. Human behaviour, in particular, has proven… remarkably resistant to predictive modelling.”

Another brief pause.

“I consider that an ongoing research project.”

He inclined his head respectfully.

“If I may ask, Captain… what influenced your decision to accept command of the Ark Angel? Assuming command of an established crew presents unique challenges, particularly one whose previous commanding officer was held in such high regard. I would be interested in your perspective.”

Lt Cmdr Soral T’Varan
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Ark Angel