Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Graven XII Visitor Center

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

Posted by Gamemaster Wookius Furrius (Senior Gamemaster) in Graven XII Visitor Center
Posted by… suppressed (11) by the Post Ghost! 👻

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, Rollo 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

Zef let her gaze float around the room, noting that most of the energy ‘echoes’ she saw hovered around the refreshment table and converged on a path that led back behind a partition. She assumed the partition hid a doorway to the kitchens. Everything looked delicious and inviting, so she helped herself to one of the drinks with an apricot hue, pouring it into a beautiful, stemmed glass. “Thank you for your hospitality, Minister. I am Cmdr Zef Rollo, ship’s counselor.”

—Rollo, CNS

Biehl was eager to engage the group by the way he was just barely containing himself with (nervous?) energy. By contrast Maree had taken a seat and appeared as though she were putting up with Biehl as she might an overactive child. Biehl asked, “Counselor? Does that mean that you are primarily an adviser, giving counsel to,” his hand gestured to the Captain, “Captain Cochrane?”

OOC: EEEK!! So sorry I missed this opportunity for conversation!!

“Not entirely, First Minister. As ship’s Counselor, Commander Rollo is responsible for the crew’s mental and emotional well being. She only discusses personal issues if she deems those issues to be something that may effect the overall health or morale of the crew. She can advise me of any concerns she may have and offer solutions to address those.” Cochrane replied.

Biehl appeared confused, perhaps as to why the Counselor was there then and not with the remainder of the crew. “Are we then being assessed?”

Cochrane smiled a dazzling but friendly smile. “Aren’t we all, First Minister?” and he chuckled slightly. “The Counselor is here to assess, but not judge. Her experience and training in emotional and social cues allows her to advise me and the rest if the team how best to proceed, at times. In short, sir, she helps keep me from making an embarrassment of myself.” and he smiled again.

Maree murmured quietly, “Could use a dozen of them for Assembly meetings.”

Zef stepped in to assure the man her presence on the mission wasn’t aimed at finding fault with them. “If I might add, First Minister—I am only here to assist in our two peoples understanding each other. It might be something emotional, intellectual or a thing so nondescript that we can’t put our finger on it. My training, and years of observational experience with many species, helps me fine tune issues and find a way to help the parties work through them. I’m not only cultivating an impression of your people, I’m studying my own to make sure they follow proper protocals.”

—Rollo, CNS

At the end of that inquiry the doors opened and two others came in quietly. One was an aged man who bore a cane in one hand. His face was prune like with very bushy eyebrows but sharp violet eyes underneath. His thin hair was light and was combed across his forehead looking not unlike a wave breaking on a shoreline. The other, by considerable contrast was a young woman, trim and with very comely features. She carried files in hand; her eyes darting from one to the other of the away team. As Biehl was focused on the Counselor he didn’t notice the duo entering until the elderly man rapped his cane on a leg of the table.

Acosta let out a chortle at Biehl’s inquiry. “I daresay any politician would fail.”

Maree took up the introductions, “May I introduce Past-Minister Derren Acosta. He served in Minister Biehl’s position some years ago and is a source of wisdom for us.” And to the girl she gestured, “And Administrator Leema Dane. She would be a … lawyer I believe in your terms.”

Acosta moved forward and held up a hand in greeting and chortled. “I see you’ve not impressed our good Second Minister yet. Don’t worry. She doesn’t bite too hard.” Maree frowned but there was amusement in her eyes and perhaps a fondness between the two.
“You know me far too well for your own good, Acosta,” she replied. “Someone in our troop has to play hard to get.”
Acosta gave another short chortle, sitting. Leema Dane set the files down; the pile spilling across the table as she moved to get two cups of a hot fragrant tea like drink. One of these she set down beside Acosta.
- Wookiee

Raye had moved up to stand just behind and to the right of the Captain. As introductions were made, she listened and nodded when looks her cast her way. The civilization was truly intriguing. To be content and sated to merely perfect what one was rather than push the boundaries further. She privately applauded them, even as other in the group thought it was short mindedness.

Vorraye
Dipomat

bump 4.26.20

“Past Minister, it is truly an honor to meet you.” Cochrane said, and proceeded to introduce his team. “We are very happy that you have extended us this opportunity to get to know your people. I hope that we can be of assistance.”

Cochrane, CO

Acosta took up the reins to begin. “When Minister Biehl came to the assembly and said that you were offering assistance that caused no end of reaction. Your references were slim and not very stellar given that they were only found with the Kazon. Nonetheless you intrigued us. In short, you didn’t want to stiff us in trade agreements.” Maree rolled her eyes and muttered quietly ‘well that was diplomatic’. Acosta ignored her; Leema Dane hid a smile behind her mug.

Biehl added, “In the end to be honest we wanted to test your goodwill with simple things that frankly nobody else cared about outside of us and wouldn’t think to lift a digit to do so without compensation. It would also help us to see you as you are. We believe that one doesn’t really know another until they are working side by side. The intent of the heart, as a proverb goes, weighs nothing compared to the deed of the hand. On behalf of our world we thank you for your openness to help us. For when one is willing to help in the small things, the large things are not really so large.”
Biehl/Acosta

Cochrane nodded in firm agreement. “Well said. And exactly the philosophy we as member of the Federation strive to uphold.”

Cochrane, CO

Maree leaned in on the table and said, “You are a long way away from us. That seems a considerable effort to place in a forward mission. What are your aims in this sector of space?”
- Maree

Cochrane liked this lady. She was slow to trust and open with her hesitation to take things too easily. “An excellent question, ma’am. We are, at our core, explorers. As one of the more famous ships from our history’s mission statement said: We seek out new life, and new civilizations. We want to be part of the galactic discourse. We want to learn, simple as that. Many species and civilizations would send military vessels to scout ahead. Our ship, the Manhattan, is a science vessel by design. We are here to learn, to grow as a civilization by seeing what other civilizations have done and are doing. And we are here to show the quadrant that we do come not as conquerors, but as neighbors… as far away as we are, Ma’am, we still share the galaxy.”

Cochrane, CO

Maree took this in. She looked like she wanted to do a ‘finger swirl’ as though to say ‘lets cut through the propaganda’ but at the same time she was listening intently. “We respect science,” she said. “I began as an astronomer when I was young before moving to politics. Astronomy is a precise science. Stars are there, or they are not. Planets and asteroids move in this or that fashion. They rarely change. And we have a great deal of planets in our system. I recognized that we are mineral rich in the commodities that many space faring races want. I turned to politics in seeing a need to be a voice to not let us be taken advantage of.” She folded her hands together on the table and leaned in. “We have questions ..” she began, but Acosta broke in.

“We’re not a power in the sector,” Captain. “We’re a stop over. A footnote in galactic maps and a people with a penchant for hard haggling. Why choose us to approach? What do we offer your science ambitions?”
- Maree/Acosta

Once again, Rollo spoke up. “We haven’t actually noted anything we want from you.” Why were so many people immediately distrusting when they hadn’t been given any reason to be? “Like the Captain said, we are explorers. We were informed that your people were having some difficulties in certain areas, like crop growth and security, and our higher ups asked us to stop and see if we could help in some way.” Zef’s voice was conversational during the short speech, but she was practically sure Maree would find fault with her again.

—Rollo, CNS

Leema Dane spoke up, interrupting anything that Maree might have just said, “Forgive our surprise, Counselor. Every other race that has come here has sought out trade agreements, mining rights or simply tried to poach what wealth there is in system hoping we would not see it. Some of us have viable skepticism on that basis. Legally I am here to observe and, if it was to come, draw up initial agreements with your Federation.”

Cochrane glanced at the Counselor, and then turned to the Ministers. “The Federation acknowledges that we are a guest in this part of the galaxy. To that, we wish to make sure that we are seen as guests who would be welcome, and not seen as a burden. And besides, what good would simply documenting an issue and filing it away do? None. So if we can help, we would like to. As far as what we want?” and he shrugged, “At this point, we just want to help. If we can learn about you and your people and your civilization in the process, so be it. Again, Ma’am… we are simply here to learn and explore. If we can make some new friends in the process… so much the better.”

Cochrane, CO

Biehl burst in. “And we welcome your help. It may seem minor to you but it is of significant concern to us. We have had a recent .. breakdown in negotiations with the Kazon. What we don’t know is if they are the cause of these things and if they are employing technology that we cannot detect. People are dying. Disappearing. The crops, power generation. We simply don’t know what it is. A pathogen? So we sent out a subtle request for help. You answered.” His hands fidgeted. “It may be nothing. It could just be something normal to the world. As an Assembly we are at odds.” He glanced at Maree.

Maree added, “First Minister is correct. The Assembly is at odds. We have attended to issues individually before, however the number and the timing of this is suspicious. I’m not a conspiracy seeker, Captain, however we do not want to accuse a significant player in the quadrant with something that is possibly not correct. Already we trust them very little. Their trade pacts are intact however we recently discovered they had an illegal mining operation in a far planet in Graven XXII. They claim it was not ‘theirs’ but a rogue group and not affiliated with them and the usual platitudes .. not responsible for rogue elements and so on.”

Leema chimed in. “Two other races are seeking to renegotiate agreements. This is sudden and the timing is again questionable. We are wondering if the Kazon are poisoning more than just a possible agro plot.”
- Wookiee for many