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 (5) 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

She looked at him. Didn’t expect to hear that from a fellow Vulcan however logical in a way it made sense. “Well Commander, with my recent past of me being part of the maquis, I commanded men and women into combat more than I can count. If you’ve noticed that I’ve got a provisional captains pin. Kind of set me apart from everyone. Once command heard about my accomplishments as a maquis they have asked me to take command of the Ark Angel. Allow captain Becket to be relieved. I heard he was asked to go and teach at the academy which of course I find logical. He has taught you all what it was like to have a good solid crew and a solid captain to be served under and he showed that logically. I for one logically to say I want to uphold that and continue what he has begun. If not that’s not logical.” She explained to T’Varan. Not realizing that having a Vulcan as chief diplomatic officer made her feel comfortable.

Captain T’Nara
Commanding Officer
USS Ark Angel

Soral listened without interruption, considering each of the captain’s observations before responding. When she had finished, he inclined his head slightly.

“I appreciate your candour, Captain.”

He paused for a moment.

“Your history with the Maquis is… unconventional by Starfleet standards. Nevertheless, Starfleet has determined that your experience constitutes an asset rather than a liability. Given the thoroughness with which command evaluates prospective commanding officers, I consider that assessment to have been reached through careful deliberation.”

His expression remained composed.

“Captain Becket earned this crew’s respect through consistent conduct over time. That respect cannot be transferred to another officer, nor should it be expected to be.”

Another brief pause followed.

“It must instead be earned anew.”

He regarded the captain steadily.

“You remarked that your intention is to continue what Captain Becket began. I believe there is merit in preserving the standards he established. However, it would be… illogical to attempt to become Captain Becket.”

The observation was matter-of-fact, without criticism.

“The crew has already served under Captain Becket. They now serve under Captain T’Nara. They will, in time, come to understand your command philosophy as they came to understand his.”

His hands remained folded neatly behind his back.

“I have observed that officers frequently concern themselves with comparisons between successive commanding officers. Such comparisons rarely prove useful. Each captain brings different experiences, strengths, and methods to the centre seat. Diversity of perspective is one of Starfleet’s greatest advantages.”

For the first time since entering the ready room, the corner of his mouth almost imperceptibly softened.

“I suspect the crew will adapt more quickly than you anticipate. Starfleet officers are, by necessity, highly adaptable. Indeed, it is one of the few Human characteristics that has proven consistently predictable.”

His gaze met hers once more.

“You will have my counsel whenever diplomacy or cultural considerations require it, Captain. My objective is not to advise you how Captain Becket would have proceeded, but to assist you in achieving your own objectives as commanding officer of the Ark Angel.”

He inclined his head respectfully.

“I believe that is the most logical basis upon which a captain and her Chief Diplomatic Officer should begin their professional relationship.”

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

She smiled a little. “I appreciate it commander. Ill take that into consideration. I love to know that everyone is willing to be here being able to follow my command.” She said.

Captain T’Nara
Commanding Officer
USS Ark Angel

Soral inclined his head in acknowledgment.

“I believe you will find that they are, Captain.”

He paused briefly before continuing.

“Starfleet officers understand that a change of command is not an interruption to a ship’s mission, but a continuation of it. Loyalty to the mission and to the office of commanding officer is among the principles upon which the service is founded.”

His expression remained composed.

“Confidence in an individual commander is, of course, something that develops through experience. It cannot be requested, nor should it be expected immediately. It is established through consistent judgement and measured leadership.”

A brief silence followed.

“From my observations thus far, you have approached your new command with both.”

He folded his hands behind his back once more.

“I have every intention of serving this ship—and its captain—to the fullest extent of my abilities. Should my experience in diplomacy, cultural affairs, or first-contact protocol prove of value, you need only ask.”

The faintest trace of Vulcan humour entered his voice.

“Preferably before the negotiations begin. Retrospective diplomacy is considerably less efficient.”

Soral inclined his head respectfully.

“If there is nothing further, Captain, I shall return to my duties. It has been… informative to make your acquaintance.”

The last line (“It has been… informative to make your acquaintance.”) is about as warm as a Vulcan like Soral is likely to get, while the retrospective diplomacy remark is the sort of understated dry humour that another Vulcan would probably appreciate.

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