Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Diplomatic Attache) in You Look Pretty while I do the Work

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in You Look Pretty while I do the Work

Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Diplomatic Attache) in You Look Pretty while I do the Work
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Revna blinked awake as the alarm buzzed softly. One lasting benefit of her injury, she’d used a softer alarm to keep from startling herself from a dead sleep. She reached over and tapped the control to turn it off. She looked at Mike next to her and quietly got up and let him sleep. The shower could be heard running briefly. And then quiet movements. 20 minutes after getting up, Revna appeared, hair braided into small braids and then into one larger braid woven through the the copper beads. She was wearing a light grey heavy linen dress covered by a royal blue apron dress made of silk. Shoulder straps secured with gold half dollar sized Nordic wolf knot broaches connected by a delicate metal chain adorned with amethyst and rose quartz. And then a soft leather belt with a long tail in front to finish it. She secured her combadge to the belt. She walked over, leaned down and kissed Mike. “I’ll be back as soon as they are done showing off. I love you.”

---

At exactly 0555 Revna walked through the door to the private dinning room. Breakfast with the Ambassador at 0600. It was really too early for this, or maybe she was just not used to working to someone else’s schedule anymore. She’d been making her own schedules for years now. She entered the room and looked around, taking in every detail.
McKenzie, Diplomatic Attaché

The room was mostly empty save for two tables: one set with three place settings and one set for four. At the table for four sat four figures, all save one in the gold dress uniforms of Star Fleet Security. The odd one out wore a flowing dress deep purple. As the doors opened the four stopped and looked at Revna in unison. The purple dress turned back and the three Security officers followed her cue and resumed eating.

The table for three had two figures seated at it, both male, and who both stood up as she entered. One was an older Vulcan man, and who had a countenance of dignified welcome: the Federation Ambassador to the Delta Quadrant, S’tek. A slow, formal bow of his head was all the acknowledgement he gave Revna as she entered; but he remained standing as she approached.

The other man was human. A striking figure at just over six feet tall, immaculately styled black hair served to make the ice-blue eyes stand out even more. He was handsome in a rouge-ish fashion, and as he stood he put his hands behind his back and regarded her in a professional, appraising manner. He was dressed in the red dress uniform of Star Fleet Command officers, and Captain’s pips shone brightly on his collar.

“Ms. Edman. Do join us, won’t you?” the Ambassador said as she came closer, and the Captain politely pulled a chair out for her.

Ambassador S’tek

Revna bowed her head, with slight bed of her knee added. Why? Because that was her culture and it was just enough to represent it and not over whelm the rest of the customs in the room. Ms Edman indeed and a small smile flitted across her face, only noticed if one was really paying attention. She gave the captain a quick once over as she approached. Her face didn’t show it but mentally she raised a brow at the pulled out chair and laughed to herself. Too soon Cap’n. Even for a test. She angled to by pass the chair and came to a stop 3 feet from the Ambassador and raised her right hand, fingers paired and splayed. “Peace and Long Life Ambassador S’tek.”
McKenzie no wait Edman, Diplomatic Attaché

“Live long, and Prosper Ms. Edman.” the Ambassador said and returned the gesture. He looked at the Captain and then said “Please allow me to introduce you to Captain Alexander Cochrane, Commanding Officer of the USS Manhattan. Captain, Ms. Revna Edman, the new Diplomatic Attache assigned to your vessel.” Cochrane smiled a professionally friendly smile and extended his hand. “Ms. Edman, a pleasure. I look forward to working with you. And the crew of the Manhattan will do whatever we can to make your tenure with us as pleasant and safe as possible.”

Cochrane, CO / Ambassador S’Tek

Revna turned toward the Cochrane and shook his hand. It was firm and professional. She had no need to use a handshake as a power play. She dropped her hand to her side. Hands open and relaxed. Her body language conveying ease and self-assurance. “It’s a pleasure Captain Cochrane, but I do look forward to repeating this process when you can be physically present.” Without looking she pointed up and toward the aft wall where a Holo emitter was glowing faintly. “Is the Manhattan still on schedule to arrive tomorrow at 1900?” Now here was the real question: would they conform to Earth custom and wait for her to sit first, or to rank and prestige and wait for the Ambassador to sit first? And that was totally dependent on what they Ambassador would do.
Ed…McK....Revna, Diplomatic Attaché

The corner of Cochrane’s mouth curled slightly as he suppressed a grin. “1400. We do try to make things as inconvenient for Traffic Control as we can.” Cochrane replied. The Ambassador took a seat and Cochrane did as well.

The Ambassador steepled his fingers together and rested his forearms on the edge of the table. “As the two of you will be working closely together, I wanted to make sure we are all in agreement as to the various areas of influence Ms. Edman Captain Cochrane will share… and where lines will be drawn. Are we in agreement that is the most logical course of action?” and he looked between the two.

S’Tek / Cochrane

Revna sat, folded her hands in her lap and leaned, slightly against the back of the chair. Rather than showing laziness it conveyed a focus and intent on the work before her. There was a calm quiet to her, that had served her well as a counselor and would, she had no doubt, be equally useful in this position. “I am,” she spoke softly, Revna rarely raised her voice. She turned slightly to address Cochrane. “I would much rather iron out the wrinkles here and not in the trenches.” And Earth saying but accurate. Revna was also aware that depending on the situation she’d default to her Star Fleet training. Revna, a long time ago, it seemed, had completed her bridge officer’s test and she more than most diplomats would understand Cochrane’s responsibilities.
Revna, woman of many hidden talents

Cohran smiled and said “I don’t see many wrinkles we need to iron out, Ms.Edman… Ambassador.” He looked at Revna and said “The ship has had a diplomat on board for the past year, so we as a crew are well versed in what you may need to support your work. If something is falling short, please come and tell me. I will make sure it gets handled. Now, having read your file, I know you are prior Star Fleet. And while I am very pleased that you have more than a passing familiarity with star ship operations… I do feel it necessary to remind you that you are no longer an officer. My crew will respect you and support you… but just as we have no say in what you do; you do not have the authority to give orders anymore, either.” and he looked at the Ambassador. “I do not expect that to be an issue, Mr. Ambassador; but I felt it should be made clear.”

S’Tek nodded and said “It is far better to over-discuss such matters than to leave them to fester.” and he looked at Revna. “I have every faith that you will conduct yourself professionally, Ms. Edman. And I also know you will contact me directly if you are not getting the support you need form the Captain.” and he looked at Cochrane to emphasize the point.

S’Tek / Cochrane

By the Gods the posturing going on at this table. Revna glanced briefly from Cochrane to S’Tek. She spoke, again softly but clearly. “No captain you can be assured I won’t be issuing orders to your crew. I will respectfully ask that they be made aware that I want to meet them. I am not my predecessor, and I prefer to start with a clean slate as to what they can and are willing to do.” She looked back at S’Tek, “Now with that out of the way. I don’t foresee any reason why I would need to contact you about the crew of the Manhattan. Cpt Cochrane has his own impressive record. We are both tasked as being the face of the Federation while out there,” she motioned briefly towards a window. “We are partners in that endevor, Captain. And though how we approach our individual roles within that partnership, based on the circumstances, may shift, we are still partners. I see no reason we can’t work out any issues professionally. But if I must then I will.”
Revna, so this is the other side of the coin

Both men were silent for a long moment and then Cochrane looked at the Ambassador.

“I do believe she has the gist of it. S’Tek.” and he looked at Revna. “Ms. Edman Looking forward to seeing in a day and some change.” “Alex.” S’Tek said and the Captain disappeared.

Revna resisted the urge to roll her eyes, rather sitting there as if the whole by-play didn’t concern her. It was a poorly played game. Though Revna, unlike most, read people exceptionally well, and perhaps their little game worked on others. But then that was why the diplomatic corp sent her here.

The Ambassador then looked at Revna. “Well done. It has been my experience that Captain Cochrane is an excellent judge of character. And he seems at least comfortable with the idea of you being on the Manhattan. I will caution you, though. He is a man who is very protective of his crew. But he is also a man of reason… one of the reasons our diplomatic efforts are attached to his vessel rather than a more… typical ship for such matters.”

S’Tek

Revna turned to the give the ambassador her undivided attention. She nodded once or twice. Her voice as always was quiet and respectful but she didn’t hide her meaning in double speak. Not here with her boss anyway. “Speaking frankly Sir, if he wasn’t protective of his crew I wouldn’t have been sent here. We wouldn’t work.” Revna’s own reputation would be well known, she was fiercely protective of those she served with and for. She’d never tolerate someone who wasn’t strong enough to protect those that served under them. “I believe we will be fine, Ambassador. We shall find our way. Captain Cochrane is a man I can respect and work with. But more to the point, what do you require of me? The briefing for this assignment was lacking to put it politely.” Revna had a job to do here and she was eager to start and know exactly what Ambassador S’Tek’s expectations were and what he needed of her.
Revna, Game’s done Time to Work

S’Tek nodded. “Indeed, I am quite sure it has. That is a result of both necessity and logistics. Communications between ourselves and the rest of the Federation was very difficult and delayed before the crew of the Manhattan managed to equip a subspace relay network that functions and allows more consistent communications. But we are also careful of discussing matters in such a fashion.” He lifted the cup in front of him to his lips and took a drink.

“We are visitors here, Ms. Edman. Strangers on a doorstep far, far from our home. We have few friends and even less support. We are, in your human parlance, ‘in the wind’, so to speak. While not wholly on our own, help is far from immediate. In that vein, we are here to engage with the species and civilizations of this quadrant and try to garner new and productive relationships. Relationships that will allow us to further our knowledge and understanding of the quadrant and its peoples.”

S’Tek

Revna nodded, picking up a glass of water and sipping it while she thought. “How much leeway do I have? In other words what are we willing to trade freely to anyone. What can I use to garner talks, to open dialogue so that you can then come in and take care of the actual details? And which species do we need to have a dialogue with right now, to ease our way forward?” Revna could pull the information they had on those cultures, but she needed to know where to work first. She was in no way prepared to offer trades, but a peak, at say holo technology, to wet the appetite or the suggestion of an exchange of raw materials, the details to be ironed out, was information that could get her in the door, so to speak, with people. Revna was good with people but she knew the value of offering ‘cookies’ to ease the way.
Revna, all business

S’Tek nodded and sipped his tea as she spoke. When she finished, he took a moment to set the tea aside and then set his hands flat on the table.

“You are the lead Federation diplomatic personnel in this quadrant. As such, you have as much leeway as you need to identify and establish preliminary diplomatic relations. Trade negotiations are typically taken on after that. However; should it be determined that trade is ‘in play’, as our Ferengi friends say, then I would suggest discussing such matters with Captain Cochrane and the ship’s Scientific Intelligence Officer. Cochrane because he has a good deal of experience in First Contact negotiations and operations, and thus a high degree of understanding of the Prime Directive. The Scientific Intelligence officer will aid you in determining what level of technological development your target civilization is at… and what effect your proposed trade may have. I would recommend making those two individuals your friends, Ms. Edman. You may be relying heavily on them.”

S’Tek

Revna nodded making mental note of the two individuals. She’d remember later. “Where is the line Ambassador? Cpt Cochrane and yourself made quite the show of him not crossing into my job and I not stepping into his territory. Cochrane and I are doing very similar jobs. Now I have no intention of trying to run his ship,” the faint trace of smile crosses her face. “But when it comes to our similar duties where is that line? I could easily feel my way through this, but I’d rather have a solid idea. I know I’m not the first in this position on Manhattan but I don’t need to waste time with the crew thinking I’m simply a carbon copy of the previous attaché. Unless of course, you insist I proceed as such.” She would also be reviewing the files of the previous attaché. She’d get Krissy to pull those files for her.
Revna, Diplomatic Attaché

“The line?” S’Tek asked rhetorically. “The line is up to you and the ship’s crew to sort out, I’m afraid. You have a great deal of authority, Ms. Edman. You are not restricted by Star Fleet rules and regulations. You are a representative of the Federation as a whole, not just a part. We operate outside the chain of command of Star Fleet… indeed it may be said that logically we hold sway over them. Star Fleet, after all, answers to the Federation. But…” and he leaned forward and looked at her intently. “You are on the Manhattan at the Captain’s discretion. And to be wholly honest, a Diplomatic Attache is on board at his request; not ours. So while your authority may supercede his in matter outside of the ship… I would tread carefully. An asset such as that is nearly impossible to replace if you should step on toes too stringently.”

S’Tek

Revna sat back, hands resting on the arms of the chair, and nodded slowly a couple of times. “I have no intention of stepping on toes, Ambassador, but that does answer my question. Thank you.” At least she’d be busy. Revna was comfortable with silence and at this point she had no more questions for the Ambassador, time to see what and if there was anything left on his agenda.
Revna

S’Tek nodded once and said “I selected you for this role because I believe that you will be proactive and engaging. I also believe that you have the temperament to be successful in this… rather daunting… endeavor. All that is left is for you to do so. If you are ready, of course.”

S’Tek

“Ambassador S’Tek, let me assure you if I wasn’t ready, I would not be here. And as Cpt Cochrane put it, in a day and some change, we’ll find out how successful I’ll be.” If Jameson had any doubt about her fitness she’d still be on Centurion, star fleet officer or not. He’d sent her off cleared for whatever she wanted, his only order: grab life by the horns and don’t let go. And that’s what she was here to do.
Revna

S’Tek simply inclined his head and said “Very well. I will leave you to your preparations then.” and he stood. As he did, the other figures stood simultaneously. “Live long, and prosper.” S’Tek said and raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan farewell.

S’Tek