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

<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

“Yeah… Irn Bru is an acquired taste. Those cocky Scots and their drinks.” and Cochrane chuckled. “I’m glad the wine is more palatable.” and he smiled and gave Rollo a conspiratorial wink. “As far as the Ambassador goes, I’ll let Ms. Anders explain.”

Cochrane, CO

Raye laughed. “It’s definitely an acquired taste. No worries. And always be honest,” she winked and settled back in her seat, “It certainly beats being served the same thing over and over because you lied to appease the host.” She winked up at the CO.

“Now… as to the ambassador… I have a new protege on a nearby station orbiting a planet that is and isn’t under Federation jurisdiction. We don’t inferfere and the locals don’t impose on us. But lately, we’ve needed more than the mere foliage samples they have been gracious enough to give. The Federation wants to mine there. Pretty much everything is in place, but the new go between is wet behind the ears.” She took a deep breath and let it out before rising to pace to the window. She crossed her arms and looked out into space as if she could see the woman at her post.

Zef watched the woman move to the viewport, part of her perception assessing her as a competitor, the other part listening to the situation she was supposed to comment on.

“I know the Federation wouldn’t sabotage something this important. So obviously she is qualified. But,” she turned to face the two. Her gaze lingering more on Cochrane than on Rollo before switching her gaze. “Something tells me she is in over her head. And I don’t know what to do.”

It was certainly a quandary, but one she, none the less, was caught sharing beyond the CO now that the ship’s ‘conscious’ had arrived.

Raye
Diplomat

“You say the planet IS and ISN’T under Federation jurisdiction, but how can that be? Something either IS or it is not. Also, Ambassadors are put through rigorous training like protocol and the legalities of their domain among other things. If you don’t believe this person is capable, shouldn’t you contact whoever was in charge of their instruction to see what was actually covered?” She sipped the wine, awaiting an answer.

—Rollo, CNS

Cochrane liked the new Counselor. She was not afraid to call something like it was, and that he appreciated. He looked at Raye and waited to see how she responded.

Cochrane, CO

Raye sighed and then took a deep breath. It was so hard, sometimes to explain without losing her composure. She had to fight to keep it in herself. She didn’t want the Counselr thinking it was aimed at her. “It would be nice to think that. That we head out into the dark abyss of space with the skills, manners and words to do good and represent the Federation on a level no mere Engineer or Doctor or Scientist can.” Raye came back and fairly flopped into her chair. “That’s just not how it is in reality. Just like any other station, position and job in the Fleet, we are trained, but that doesn’t mean we are ready. Those are two VERY different things. Nuances and miniscule details are things we pick up on site, so to speak. Just like an engineer can learn about a warp core, then arrive on a ship who’s been in commission for so long that the things they learned in the Academy are only a baseline…and not a very good one.”

She took a sip of her drink and leaned back. She was back to the alcohol one and grateful it only had a single finger depth left in the bottom. Otherwise, she would have upended the whole thing very unceremoniously. “For example. She was the lead Ambassador, yet it was myself the Head of Security was assigned to protect while there. She will learn, in time, that it’s an insult. Their most important security officer, their leader of that, either shouldn’t have been assigned to anyone, or should have covered her. Not the guest, me.” Shaking her head, she looked at the Captain then the other woman. “The planet is not technically Federation claimed. The inhabitants are descendants of Earth who set out ages ago to be secular from the Earth Alliance. But they have allowed an orbital station for scientific reasons. We study and harvest, with respect, from their forests plants that can be used for healing and other properties. But now the Federation wants to mine as well. The locals don’t want that kind of scar on their lands. So she is there to negotiate a location on a remote small continental type island. It’s a fairly straightforward negotiation.” She inhaled once more almost in resignation.

“Maybe I am over reacting. Perhaps I was that unknowing at one point. I guess I just didn’t have anyone to worry, so I can’t say if I am over reacting or not.” She glanced at Zef and wondered what the woman would think of her.

Raye
Diplomat