[snip]

Ranlei sighed, it was a smart question and the girl deserved a honest answer, “That depends on the species. The Klingons tend to like us as we are one of the few species that are robust enough,” Ranlei was trying to think of a safe way to say things better left unsaid, “Um well to play the sports they enjoy most. The Vulcan’s tend to get aloof and unapproachable.”, she sputtered as her eyes fell upon a Vulcan mother and son both looking unhappy. “I grew up on a human colony so I know human reactions best.”, she said quickly looking away from the Vulcans. Academy finals had been less stressful than this roomful of children and their parents. “We don’t really like to argue so we don’t deal with Tellerites often. The Andorians are probable the Federation Member species that thinks the best of us as some parts of our cultures are simular.”, She wanted to stop talking but so many people so focused on her when she was trying to avoid attention had thrown her for a loop. All her usual tactics were exactly the wrong thing to do.
“I am sorry. She said after a pause. My species is unable to bear children with other species so I have never learned how to talk or act to children as I like any female desire children and seeing you all just makes me sad. Having grown up with humans I share the overall opinion of humans about my species so finding and marrying one of my own species is a distasteful idea. Orions are not a nice people. We do what we need to do to survive and maintain happiness. This often leads us to association with bad people. It is my opinion you are all better off avoiding Orions. Including me.”, and if not stopped she would finally exit the room.

Ensign Ranlei Greene. Engineering.

”..I’m so sorry to hear miss!” The girl and several other children said rushing to impose between Ranlei and the door and hugging her leg or arms where they could. “..You can come visit our classroom anytime!” Another chimed in with the innocents only children could muster. Drudoc for her own part smiled softly in a non-judgmental way she clearly found the children’s out pouring of kindness endearing.

”..You could stay Ensign, since you and Miz’uki were the only ones participating in the judging the children still have to make their call on who had the nicest setup.

Cheerfully the children echoed, “..Yeah miss Ranlei! Stay!” They cried in some form or another innocent to any looks their parents might throw looking up hopefully at the engineer.

GM CockRoach

Ranlei was looking at the kids holding her with mixed emotions that for once actually showed on her face. It was hard not to cry. But it took one look at how the parents of the children were responding to bring her back to reality. Kids didn’t know better but after tonight their parents would of told them everything and they would see her through a different filter. She let the Children pull her over to Miz’Uki’s display. And sat next to the Caitan’s display. “I didn’t really prepare anything So I think it is only fair to reward the Chief Engineer for her effort.” , she looked at the Captain as the kids huddled around their teacher choosing. “Why Captain? You can’t possibly want me near your daughter either. Why keep me here?”, Ranlei sounded very confused. Her paranoia that she was being set up brought the pain that kept waking her out of her nightmares to the surface again. Her hands started to tremble so she tucked them under the table. It was like when she was 16 before the judge after being falsely accused. Only she had been indignant and rebellious then. Typical teenager really. She hadn’t accepted that she was always guilty when accused. Not of any crime they used as a excuse to detain her. But of the worse crime of being a Orion trying to act like she was normal.

Ensign Ranlei Greene. Engineering.

”..What ever gave you the impression I didn’t want you near my daughter Ensign?” Drudoc inquired with genuine curiosity. “..My daughter is a good judge of character, and I am no stranger to being the odd person out in my life and experiences.” she added.

Drudoc Andone CO