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

Posted by Civilian Vorraye Anders (Diplomatic Attache) in Graven XII Visitor Center

snip

Raye lightly touched the Captain’s arm to get his attention from slightly behind him. “Sir… do you need me on the ship? I thought if I stayed here, I could learn more of what they need to settle with the Kazon and their desired outcome.” If he looked back to her, there was a bit of concern… or perhaps fear… in her eyes. “And I could easily relay to them as the rescue progresses as well.”

In her own mind, she wasn’t happy. This ‘accident’ while the Manhattan was present… it didn’t sit well with her. And the surprise on everyone’s face made her realize this wasn’t a common occurrence. In her profession, there weren’t any true ‘accidents’… only calculated missteps guided by outsiders.

Raye
Diplomat

“Excellent idea, Ms. Anders. I’ll have Commander Creed stay with you to assist with any… specific needs you or the Graven people may have while we attend to the injured and look into the Kazon issue.” and he looked to the Graven delegation. “Who will be accompanying us to the Manhattan?”

Cochrane, CO

=^= Standby Captain. We are in the middle of an emergency situation here. We will arrange transport as soon as we get our team back. And I’ll brief you when you return to the ship. =^=

WO Darach - COO (crosspost)

Unthinking, Raye’s hand reached to rest on the back of the Captain near his right shoulder. It was a comfort and a query. It was instinct and she hadn’t even realized how many might see it. She knew what the ship and crew meant to him.

Raye
Diplomat

Cochrane turned and said quietly “Yes, Ms. Anders?”, thinking she was trying to get his attention subtly.

Cochrane, CO

Raye just gave him a gentle smile. “Nothing…” she said softly for him alone, and nodded in reassurance. At least, she hoped it came out that way. She would have been more overt. But that wasn’t his style. She just wanted him to remember, in times like this, that he wasn’t alone.

Maree stood quickly. “I need to,” she said, almost pleading to First Minister Biehl.
“Of course, Maree,” he said quietly. The First Minister had paled and was working to regain some composure from this sudden turn of events.
“With your permission,” Dane said. She stood with her stack of folders still on the table.
Biehl nodded. “I’m sorry Captain,” he began. “We’ll help however we can.”
Acosta gripped his cane and stared at the tabletop, concern evident on his features.
– Wookiee

Cochrane simply said “We will assess and plan after we have all the information, ladies and gentlemen. Let’s not borrow tragedy from the future. First Minister, I will contact you as soon as we know the circumstances. Minister Maree, stand here please.” and he indicated the spot to his right. “Transport can be a bit disorienting the first time. Just relax. You will see some swirling lights, a brief sense of vertigo, and then we will be on the ship.” he nodded at Rollo and then to Raye and tapped his comm badge. =/\= Cochrane to Manhattan. One life sign to my right, myself, and Counselor Rollo to beam up. Emergency Transport to Sickbay. =/\=

Cochrane, CO

=^= Transporter room. Porter here. I have the lock. Hmmm. =^= Was all he said before the whine of the transporter claimed the three. In this instance there was only a momentary lag that those witnessing the transport and were familiar with would recognize. That lag was mainly in the initial lock though once that was performed the transport was complete. =^=

Biehl nervously wiped his cheek with his fingers. He appeared at a loss without Maree’s presence but at a subtle clearing of the throat from Acosta accompanied by a bushy eyebrow raised in his direction he steeled himself. “I .. I trust your doctors are well versed in working with us aliens,” he said both as a hope and to convince himself that all would be well. “You have many physicians on board? I mean .. your two senior doctors are here, unless you have recalled them?”
- Biehl

Raye spoke up, her smile genuine and trying to be comforting. “I give you my word our doctors will do their best. And I am sure they will contact you if there is a need for additional assistance. Perhaps a drink?” She rose and went towards the table laid out with food and drink. This had been meant to be joyous occasion. She couldn’t turn this into a soiree, but she could at least help make folks comfortable.

Moving back to those who were left, she set down a tray with a pitcher of water, several glasses and a plate with small pieces of fruit and cheese. She poured a drink and handed it to Biehl. “Here… drink this. It will help.” She smiled and handed drinks to the rest, her hosts first, then herself and the XO and anyone else still around.

Raye
Diplomat

Biehl appeared to have a difficult time settling. He moved nervously, looked outside through the window then turned again to Raye and the others. Acosta tapped his cane on the leg of the table. “Sit, Biehl, or I’ll rap your knee.” Biehl stared at him and then let out a sudden laugh. It sounded more forced than free but it focused him and he sat and took a glass offered. “Thank you,” he said. “You,” he said to Raye, ” come from another part of the galaxy. What are the differences and similarities that you have noticed between there and here?”
- Biehl

Jack wasn’t one to talk right now, as he stared at the group. He didn’t need to be a part of negotiations like this, he much preferred being the quite observing type but he did know his diplomacy skills needed some work. Even when he was an engineer, he often went the route of banging on the console until it did as he said instead of trying to rewire it properly. Celina certainly didn’t help when she came into his life, her firecracker personality mixed with family, especially her Abuela who was the fiercest grandmother he had ever meet. He still wasn’t sure Alba was ever going to fully accept him but she had grown softer over the years. They were the big family he never really had.

Creed, XO

Raye smiled once everyone had a drink and the platter was within reach of those at the small cluster. “I think the biggest similarity is the desire to protect those who we call family. And that isn’t just those tied to us by blood. It’s the house, the village, the area, the continent, even the planet in most cases. Regardless what world we live on, it’s that innate need to remain close and hedge outsides with vetting and talks to be sure they will align with what we feel is best.” She looked around. “We know that every species and planet had that need on some level. And I know we will care for your people as we would hope you would care for ours if the tables were turned.”

“The differences are as plentiful as the people and planets themselves. From simple things like the way a blanket is created,” she nodded to one draped over a nearby seat, “to the way we set a table.” She nodded to the small banquet. “The motivations and drives are different with each place as well. From where they are in the desire to get to the stars,” her hand rested on her own chest, “to those who are happy to better themselves without exploring beyond the stars.” She dropped her hand and nodded to her hosts and hostesses. “There is nothing better or worse in each choice. And despite your desire to enter into space and travel so fast the stars blur into single long lines of light, it makes you no less or more than any other species or planet we have encountered.” She smiled and it was soft and understanding, not condescending or condemning. “The Kazon have an agreement with you. It’s hard to keep them in line without the ability to meet them on their term, out there.” She nodded upwards. “It’s why we’ve offered to help. You ask what the differences are between those of us out there and you here. And I will say this with utmost respect, and with no judgement. We have the ability to help you in ways you can’t help yourself. It’s one of the reasons we go out there, to the stars. To make friends, and help others and in return, make friends and allies. You have such a lovely place here. Perhaps when things are concluded and we can be called friends, we may be offered a chance to come here when time permits and seek solace and respite. A place our people can leave the recycled air of the ship and see a sunrise and breathe fresh air. The Captain has already offered to show off the ship, so perhaps, in time, we can also offer a view of your home from above to those who wish it.” She paused and looked to the XO. She hadn’t overstepped her bounds but she wanted to be sure he wasn’t wanting to add anything. She also hoped he wasn’t glaring at her. Sometimes folks didn’t like diplomats and she’d rather know now. She then gazed back at the others to see their reactions.

Raye
Diplomat

It was possible that Biehl had simply asked that question to break the silence, still in shock over the accident. He blinked at the long answer and it looked like he pushed himself to listen. His face might give away the unspoken ‘well you asked for it’ look before he settled back into his chair. “Beings are beings and there is that commonality that transcends space,” he said, trying to sum up what Ray had said. “I understand a sense of mutual communication - our .. space is very distant from yours in your quadrant and that you might like a kind of ‘port of call’ in your explorations. Given the .. distance we are talking, may I ask what you are thinking you may support us with?” The talk was helping him center himself better and that could be seen as the moments passed by.
- Biehl

Raye smiled. “Well, being so far away, I fear immediate aide in the time of a crisis cannot be promised. And I would be remiss to say so. That being said, I am sure if there are times, perhaps a yearly renegotiation or renewal of a term of contracts you need that are off planet, I think I can see to it that our Captain, or someone from the Federation, may plan to be here to aide you. In the more immediate future, we can offer aid of other types. We cannot give you access to technology that you have not begun to realize on your own. But we can help in small ways to help make things more efficient, or aid in material items, again within limitations. Things such as seeds, blankets, and food. Right now, we are glad to offer our healing technology to aid your friends as well.” She tilted her head slightly in inquiry. “Was there something, in particular, you were seeking?”

Raye
Diplomat

OOC: Hope you guys don’t mind me hopping in here, I know I eventually made it down to the planet XD Don’t mean to be a big blue creeper with a big red shirt in the background! :O
OOC: Wait, what? A red shirt! <evil laugh>
OOC2: Sorry for the delay. Boss showing up early cramping my posting style. Cat dying on weekend. Blubbery Wookiee. Not a pretty picture. Trying to catch up.

OOC: Sorry to hear about the fur baby :’( I’m not looking forward to anything like that happening to my cat .. she’s an asshole, but I love her more than anything else.

IC: Tyv shifted uneasily as he stood by a distance away keeping guard as usual. An accident aboard the Manhattan made him uncomfortable not knowing what could have caused it. With the conversation shifting towards technology made him want to focus on the conversation a bit more .. one of his antennae couldn’t help but shift in the direction to listen a little better while the other continued to swivel around at random to keep his surroundings in check. He didn’t know much about this species yet, but was always intrigued to know more.

Ensign Tyv (Security)

Leema seemed moderately distracted by Tyv’s antennae and one pointing one way and the other doing twirls. Acosta tapped her on the ankle with his cane eliciting a quiet ‘ow’ followed by a subtle reach to rub said ankle.

Biehl started to talk but Acosta interrupted. The elder statesman gave a kind of harrumph and replied to Raye. “Kala*, if you have an embassy here you could simply be on site to moderate contracts. As for physical aid, or even technological, I might point out that in reading of your history you were writing on cave walls when we had out brief venture into space.” He sighed as though to calm himself. “However, that said, both you and I will undoubtedly have invented things that the other had not considered to mutual benefit. We have adopted a technology that is some hundreds of years before where you are now? And you know why? Because it suited us as a people. But ..” he said stamping his cane on the floor. Leema shifted her foot quickly out of the way. “.. we have gotten very good at what we have within that framework. Miniaturization. Data storage and transfer. Optical telescopes. Battery and heat transfer methods. Solar collectors and transmitters to name a few. I’m sure you can name things you have developed that is your own specialization.” The way he said that indicated he would like to know some.

Herrik slipped into the room and glanced around and motioned to Tyv and waving him out into the hall to join him.

Wookie for Herrik, Acosta and Leema

OOC: Kala could be found in the syllabus as a Gravinian expression for ‘little girl’. It could reflect both sides of the ‘respect coin’, and, alas, given that Acosta is quite old, could be both.

Tyv noticed Herrik and turned to glance his way as he motioned to him. He glanced back towards the Diplomat somewhat uncomfortable on moving out of view, but though that everything would still be alright even if he was outside. He gave a slight bow of respect to the delegation before he stepped out into the hallway with Herrik before speaking, “Herrik, is everything alright ..? Have you heard anything about the Manhattan?” There was a small tone of concern in his voice, but he knew any news could wait until he was off duty if it came down to it.

Ensign Tyv (The Red Shirt)

OOC: I had a reason .. what was it!? lol
IC:

Herrik only went as far into the hallway as required to keep the sound low. He was young and evidently a kind of junior administrator assistant type. “My Tyv, I do not wish to concern you. I believe there is no injury to your ship, however, the details of this .. incident .. are unusual. As it involves a senior official as well as dignitaries, ah, that is yourselves, then our investigative people should be informed. I understand that your principle investigator is with ours and you are a part of his unit. It may be prudent then for you to bring him into this sooner than later.”
- Herrik

Raye smiled. “Unfortunately, we have a Prime Directive that prohibits us from sharing specific technology other worlds and species without prior permission from the Federation. However, that being said, I am not opposed to presenting your ideas or requests for technology with our Captain, or for having either an embassy, or at least an ambassador, here for instant communications as well as a Federation presence. Just knowing you have us coming by now and then may alleviate many problems you currently have, or will have, with other species who deal with you. Sometimes a mere Federation presence can deter some species from starting trouble.”

Biehl opened his mouth to speak, but Acosta again beat him to it. “I’ll take that as a no then. We are not as simple and backward as you seem to think of us, miss Raye. Pity.”

She had watched the security guard walk to the door and glanced with a questioning look at the XO. Then she replaced her slipped look with a smile once more and turned back to their hosts. “If we were to establish a presence here, would you be willing to start small with perhaps a Representative and their entourage and build up to a regular rotation embassy? And perhaps allow us to see if there are assets here for our advantage as well?” She nodded once more, “And of course, if we do, we take great care to respect your locations and planet in the process. Would you be open to a small crew coming to assess a mutually beneficial arrangement?”

Raye
Diplomat

“I rather thought that you were the ‘small crew’,” Acosta said, a bushy brow raised. “Who had approached us relating to the potential of an embassy.”
Acosta

Raye smiled. “We are not a small crew ship, merely a small contingency who came down to speak with you. And we came to learn more about your planet and society. While the embassy was a nice side per chance, our main mission on most ships is to get to know new civilizations out beyond our own galaxy.” The subject of technology was a touchy one in this case because while the people she was dealing with were far more advanced in most areas, they had chosen to live a more simple, and she observed, happier life. It briefly crossed her mind that perhaps humans on Earth may have been more content and less violent had they made a similar choice. But the other half of her mind told her she wouldn’t get to do the things she did and meet the people she did had they chosen that calmer, quieter life.

Raye
Diplomat

(My mistake on the technology part… have rewritten the response, slightly, to reflect what SHE would have known, but apparently I had forgotten… Meli)