Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in Graven XII Visitor Center

Posted by Gamemaster Wookius Furrius (Senior Gamemaster) in Graven XII Visitor Center
snip

As Cochrane and Maree began their discussion, Zef listened carefully in order to learn more about each of them. With how advanced the Gravinians were technologically, she was surprised to hear that they were a superstitious people. She allowed her gaze to encompass the view outside the windows while also taking time to glance at those inside the vehicle. It was a way of participating silently. The Captain appeared to have everything under control at the moment.

—Rollo, CNS

“Everyone is unique, as are worlds. They have their own personality and .. quirks. We are not any different. We’ve hosted a score of different races and negotiated trade relations with some of them.” Maree looked out the dome to the buildings passing by them. “We abandoned space flight long ago. In your years, several thousand, and settled into this comfortable level of technology, albeit refined. We may appear like your .. Hutterites .. however nobody has crossed us in taking advantage of us in any agreements. Tell me, Captain, Counselor, are there other worlds in your Federation who are like us? Planet bound with no interest in being a part of the interstellar community?” She turned back to them as the vehicle turned into a drive that led to an old stone crafted building that looked more like an old British manor house. She fluttered her hand finishing her though, “Out there?”
- Maree

Cochrane looked at the Counselor and the XO, giving them the floor to answer as they saw fit.

Cochrane, CO

“Of course there are, but it is rare. Most want to keep reaching for the next upgrade, the next big thing that will advance them and their way of life. It is natural for a species to keep striving for more—a higher understanding, or to lead the way in technology and information. We can’t ignore that being a front runner in those fields puts a people in a position of power.”

Zef looked at Maree as she spoke, assessing the odd woman. “To go from a very advanced society to one that pulls back to a simpler way, like your people, is a singular occurrence. I cannot think of another people who have done it.”

Despite her best attempts not to draw conclusions from the Gravinians choices, Rollow found herself thinking there was something cowardly about pulling back the way they had.

—Rollo, CNS

“You think us unnatural then,” Maree stated to Rollo. The vehicle soundlessly pulled up around a circular drive and halted under an arched overhanging stone porch. Beyond was a simple set of doors, though an attendant came up and opened the door. As that happened the overhead dome cycled back. Here the air was fresher with a faint odor of blossoms.

Zef looked directly at Maree. “I don’t believe ‘unnatural’ is the correct word, Minister—‘exceptional’ would be more what I had in mind.” It didn’t take a psychology degree to understand that the Minister had taken a measure of offense at Rollo’s words. She looked on calmly, understanding that as advanced as the Gravinians might be, they were still hampered by emotion.

—Rollo, CNS

Maree met her gaze, though by her expression it might translate to ‘Nice recovery but I don’t believe you.’ As their vehicle silently pulled up, the only sound being the friction of the car on the stone and cobbles, Maree looked away to gauge the atmosphere. “First Minister Biehl will be meeting us,” she announced.
- Maree

With utter silence, Vorraye had followed the small group as they got in the car and headed out. She had a padd in her hand and ocassionally tapped on it. Perhaps she was keeping tabs on the various groups that were working, perhaps she was reading a book and bored. It was neither. The young diplomat was taking notes for the Captain to look over later.

While being in the uniform of the bridge crew, she had no pips on her collar. Being a civilian attache meant she had perceived and equal rank, but no true Fleet rank since her internment into the diplomatic corps, so to speak. She did look up, seeming to take note of the conversation being that of people not wishing to go into space, but better themselves where they were. The answer Rollo gave was to the point. It was an odd thing for them to encounter. But like all species, they would respect that and try and help them within that range of their self induced limitations.

It actually seemed to raise them a bit in her mind that they weren’t grubbing and scraping to become another race of space beings bent on destroying or claiming all the planets in the region. It was a breath of fresh air like the planet, itself.

Vorraye Anders
Diplomatic Attache
((Just coming back to the ship, so stepping in as the mousy silent type… heeheheh))

Maree exited and waited for the others. “Your secretary is quiet,” she observed, glancing at Vorraye. “Welcome to the Administrative Building. We have striven over the years for a small government. Things get done when it is small. How does your Federation come to decision making?” she asked, and was about to say more when the doors opened and Minister Jawn Biehl came out, smiling widely.

“Welcome welcome,” he said, approaching with a quick, if slightly waddle gait. “I’m so pleased to meet you at last in person.” He extended hands to Cochrane. “Come, come in. We have prepared refreshments. I trust that Maree has not scared you off.” Maree gave him a glance that might be considered ‘stink eye’. “She is the wise critic of our team. Invaluable.” Whether that was a pull back was anyone’s guess. Maree simply shrugged and followed.

Within was a finely crafted foyer of carved stone pillars between paneled walls. Paintings under hooded lights showcased various Gravenians, a plaque underneath giving their names. The carpet underneath covered footfalls as Biehl led them to a large set of dark wooden sliding doors. Within was a richly appointed room with similar decorations only in the place of paintings were decorous tapestries. Windows along one wall shone light in brightening the room. A large fireplace took up the bulk of the far wall, though at this time it was not lit. Above it, instead of a portrait, looked to be a view screen. It also was not on. A long table of dark wood with the corners angled to make it a squashed octagon was the dominant piece of furniture, though cushioned benches were between the windows along that wall. The opposite wall held a table setting that contained drinks on one end from transparent decanters to trays of foodstuffs that looked a mix of dessert items and fruits. “Please, help yourselves,” Biehl fussed. “There will be two more joining us shortly.”
- Biehl