Posted by Civilian Vorraye Anders (Diplomatic Attache) in CO’s Office - Vorraye’s CO Check in

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in CO’s Office - Vorraye’s CO Check in

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) in CO’s Office - Vorraye’s CO Check in
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻

<snip>

She nodded. “It’s all right, Sir… I promise I have recommended after this rotation that she be brought back to Earth and limited to Earth, Mars and local Sol system human assignments. And yes, I am being kept apprised of the station situation. She is only there to negotiate mineral rights. The Fleet maintains an orbital station for scientific purposes to study local flora for medicinal purposes. It’s been non invasive so the locals are willing to let it be as long as they don’t strip the ecology and unbalance the ecosystem. But mining, on a large scale, is something they are hesitant about.” She took another bite of her dinner and sip of her wine.

“The good news is, they discovered a small section of the continent on the northern tectonic plate that could be mined for several years without affecting the inhabited areas. It’s cold and remote and the plate is stable enough not to let mining affect it either.” She was a bit embarrassed. “Sorry, didn’t mean to ramble.”

Raye

“Intel is intel, Ms. Anders. I’m happy to know what’s happening. As one of only three ships in the quadrant, Inprefer to know too much than not enough.” and he took a bite of curry and said “This needs something…” and he snapped his fingers. Reaching back into the drawer he pulled the wine from, he produced a clear bottle with a bright orange liquid inside. “Irn Bru. Drink from Earth. Been made in Scotland for hundreds of years. The sweet goes amazingly well with the curry. Want one?”

Cochrane, CO

She laughed. “Do you have a secret bottomless drawer or does a transporter from a secret stash on the ship materialize it in your hand?” She smiled and shook her head. “It looks amazing.” She finished the last of her wine and slid the glass to him. “I’m always open to trying new things.” She took another bite of chicken to get the last of the other wine off her tongue.

Raye
Diplomat

Alex laughed and said “Nothing so dramatic. I just keep a few libations on hand for those ‘just in case’ moments. He then produced two larger drink glasses and went to the replicator and filled them with ice. Returning, he filled the glasses and said “This is non-alcoholic. More like… a funky orange and bubblegum soda. Its odd… but good.” and he took a drink.

Cochrane, CO

Raye laughed as she held the glass and watched him fill it. “All right then… sounds like something a Ferengi came up with to replace orange juice for morning drinkers.” She took a sip and tilted her head this way and that. “Not my favorite, but I see the appeal. It does go well with the meal, strangely enough. I wouldn’t have considered orange juice with chicken.”

She took another sip and shook her head. “I may have to just show up periodically for a ‘just in case’ moment and see what other surprises your drawer provides. Who knows, your assortment may be the difference between good and bad First Contact relations.” She laughed and had more of her chicken.

Raye

“If my secret stash of eccentric drinks is the tool for a peaceful meeting, it will be a worthy sacrifice.” and he smiled. “So other than a troublesome Ambassador, how was the rest of your time? Meet any if the locals you think may be of assistance in learning about this place?”

Cochrane, CO

Nodding, Raye grinned. “Actually, I did find a friend in the Chief of the Security Administration. He had chosen to take the body guard role with me while I was there. Charming man. If Lorna had been experienced enough, she would have been offended as the Main Representative to the planet to not get the Chief as her own escort. But it’s fine. He agreed to keep an eye on her and is teaching me about the planet and it’s delicate balance. I am hoping to give him help in guiding the negotiations on his end. While I know Lorna has to do this on her own, I can’t help wanting to follow it and help it along.” She knew it was wrong, but she couldn’t help it. They were a good people and the Federation needed those minerals. She looked back at her drink and took a long draw that nearly drained it completely.

Raye

“Good for you, having the best wishes for all parties involved. If we are going to make ourselves a presence in this quadrant, then we have to make sure we keep in mind that we are guests here, and not succumb to thinking we are the biggest stick here.”

Cochrane, CO

Ray nodded. “I agree. But I don’t think it’s so much that she feels ‘stuck’ there. More along the lines of negotiations in the field being far from whatever we could train at the Embassies after Academic training. There are variables in every talk. And she just isn’t seasoned enough to read them yet. This seems to be a fairly easy posting for a first one off world.” She sighed and looked at him. “I have to just keep reminding myself I can’t hold down the posting of everyone I come across that doesn’t have my experience.” She laughed slightly and took another drink, her gaze wandering to the window.

Ray
Diplomat

Cochrane looked at her and said flatly “Why did the DC send an inexperienced Ambassador to a new quadrant of the galaxy? Do they want us to fail?”

Cochrane, CO

The smile on Raye’s face was a sympathetic one. “She needed the experience. And this is an old Earth Colony so she is getting off world experience we can train for in the Embassies on Earth. I was tossed in the same way, though it seems I was not quite so green.” She laughed and shook her head with a hand up to stall his comment a moment, “Or at least if I was, I was as blessedly oblivious as she is.”

She lowered her hand and finished her drink. Setting the glass down she sighed. “She will be fine. This is more formality than anything. They wanted a face to put to the Federation was all. I think things will go peachy. And after a couple years here, will be much better suited to a more unknown environment.” She laughed then. “Sorry to bust your bubble, Sir… but most of us who come out here can’t tell a Romulan from a Vulcan at 100 yards. This job, like yours, is learned out here.” She waved her hand towards the window to reference the space outside.

Raye
Diplomat

Zef had been occupied with thoughts of the Captain since he’d left her office the day before. He hadn’t been wrong when he alluded to a sudden change in her dealings with him, but it had taken her 24 hours to figure out what was going on in her own head. She was attracted to him and it wasn’t purely biological, although he was a handsome specimen. In private moments, he was easy going, relaxed, and quite accepting. As she crossed the bridge to the ready room, she wasn’t quite sure of the words she would use to apologize and explain the situation, but she was sure she’d be able to smooth over the misunderstanding.

She passed her hand over the chime and waited for admittance.

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane looked up and he said “Come.” and the door slid open. Seeing the Counselor, he smiled and stood. “Ah, Counselor. Good to see you. Have you met Ms. Anders? She is our Diplomatic attache. Just arrived from the station. Ms. Anders, Lieutenant Commander Rollo, ship’s Counselor.” he said by way of introduction.

Cochrane, CO

Well, he’d done it again hadn’t he? Cochrane had thrown her off her game for the second time in as many days. Zef’s mind raced trying to find a graceful way out of what she’d barged into.

Raye stood up, setting her glass on the desk where dinner was scattered with two plates, a couple decanters and drinks in various stages of being finished. She smiled and nodded. “Of course. A pleasure, Counselor.” She turned to the Captain. “I had to see her this afternoon before seeing you. Apparently it’s protocol to weed out the crazies before they have clearance to see you.” She winked teasing at him where Rollo couldn’t see, then glanced back. “It’s good to see you again.”

While part of her wanted to quip about being crazy and slipping the chains to still gain entrance, she didn’t know Rollo well enough to know how it would be taken.

Raye
Diplomat

“Umm…yes. Yes, we’ve met, Ms Anders.” Rollo nodded at the diplomatic officer, then took in the setting that screamed familiarity between the two at the desk. “I apologize, Captain, I didn’t realize you were involved. I came by to…never mind, its nothing urgent, we can talk later.” She turned to leave, desperate to get away and back to her own office.

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane chuckled warmly and said “No, no Counselor. No interruption. Working dinner. Ms. Anders is bringing me up to speed on the new Ambassador assigned to Event Horizon station and this quadrant. You are most welcome to join us, if you like. I would certainly not mind your take on the potentialities having such a…” and he looked at Raye with a quizzical look for a moment before looking back at Rollo, “… diplomat who is… unencumbered… by years of potentially disruptive expectations. Yeah, I think that’s the best way to say it.”

Cochrane, CO

At Cochrane’s invitation, Raye went around the desk to get a couple more glasses. “You really should join us. The Captain has been so kind to offer up samplings of a couple drinks. I think they are both amazing, but I have a simple pallet.” She laughed and came back around with a couple glasses for their guest. “Honestly, I would love you giving an opinion.” She poured the soft wine into one glass, and the boosted orange juice drink in the other. She was curious how the Counselor would react to both the drinks and the Captain’s questions.

Raye
Diplomat

Oh she did not want to be there with the two of them, but there was no way to back out of it now. Zef found herself turning back and reluctantly selecting the chair that was left on the opposite side of Cochrane’s desk from him. “That’s very kind of you both.” When the drinks were placed within reach, she selected the bright, orange one and took a sip. It was offensively sweet to her pallet. She hadn’t been ready to hide a strong, negative reaction, so both the CO and civilian saw the dislike for it on her face.

“Ohh my, that’s disgu…I mean, I’ll pass on this one.” Hiding her embarrassment, she traded it for the glass of wine and tasted it. “Mmmm, much better. Now why don’t you tell me about the diplomat?”

—Rollo, CNS