Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé Mardusk (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Shuttle Bay 1 - Family Reunion - (Open Thread)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Peter Sigmundsson (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Shuttle Bay 1 - Family Reunion - (Open Thread)
The Main Shuttlebay was having a more active day than usual. The staff had received orders that a VIP Shuttle was arriving today, no information on who or precisely when, only that it was important. The orders came from the Intelligence Office; however, it did not follow the usual requests from the oversized Intelligence chief: no clearing of the bay or requests for fewer on-duty personnel. The orders were filed under ‘personal visit’, but with the addendum of a potential dignitary. Peter had made sure to send a copy of the request to the senior staff so that they’d be informed that his personal guest might arrive with someone important.

Peter had been standing still for thirty minutes, hands clasped behind his back and staring straight ahead. He wasn’t in the way of any work getting done, but he still managed to unnerve the crewmembers preparing the bay. They weren’t sure if he’d blinked at all since arriving, but one was certain that he’d seen him breathe.

Peter was aware of this, so to pass the time, he’d started timing his blinks to when no one was looking in his direction. It was a challenging game, and after five minutes, he was already getting a mild headache, but the way the crew scurried and gave him unnerved glasses was more than amusing enough to endure the discomfort. He often did things like this to maintain his reputation, screwing with junior crewmembers by doing silly things like this. His cousin Adam was far better; he somehow managed to access the lighting controls of every ship he worked on and created shadows to lurk in and then appear from them. With the right manipulation, he could become practically invisible. Peter hadn’t figured out how he did it, but he suspected liberal uses of the ship’s forcefield system.

The warning light blinked; a ship had dropped out of warp and had been given permission to send over a shuttle. The ship in question was a Klingon passenger Freighter; the shuttle, however, was a high-end Romulan Private shuttlecraft. It approached the bay slowly, turning around once inside and landing with a hiss of the manoeuvring thrusters. Peter half-smiled and stepped forward as the side door opened and a ramp slid out. The bay staff froze at Peter’s smile, until now unaware that the man was capable of smiling.

Something small and quick exited the shuttle, moving like a shadow and leapt at Peter. He grunted and took a half step back as he embraced the young girl was sobbing into his chest. He whispered comforting words into her ear as one hand supported the child and the other stroked her hair. “I missed you to love” He whispered in Icelandic. Latila Dís, his twelve-year-old daughter, made a nonsensical reply, face buried into his chest, clearly overcome with emotion. Her dark hair had clearly been braided a little earlier, but had mostly come undone in her running leap. She was a little heavier than he’d last seen her a few months ago; he also guessed she was taller. He’d spoken to her only a few days ago, but it still never felt like it was enough.

Another person walked down the ramp, a tall Romulan woman in an off-duty Romulan Navy uniform. She had shoulder-length wavy black hair and an easy smile; she looked youngish compared to the rough-hewn Peter, although she was the same age in Romulan terms. Peter smiled and reached out the hand that was stroking his daughter’s hair “Luna” His voice was surprisingly emotional which made the Romulan woman laugh as she took his hand and lean up to kiss his cheek “You look old” She said with a fond expression.

Peter grunted, “I am old” He looked down at the dark-haired girl who was wiping her face in his uniform “Long trip?” He asked

Luna stroked their daughter’s hair with her free hand “Not really, the school trip was extended a few days so that Mother could escort her” She looked back at the shuttle, which elicited a groan from Peter

“Tell me you didn’t bring a Romulan Senator to the ship” Peter said quietly. He’d planned for the possibility but had hoped that the escort ship he’d orginized would be enough to deter his mother-in-law.

Luna snorted, “She saw through your ploy” There’s no shortage of amusement in her voice “She bullied the freighter captain into letting her shuttle onboard, then took over his cabin for the trip” Lunama giggled; she actually giggled, which elicited another groan from Peter as he stood up straighter.

Peter hoisted Latila up, getting her head out of his chest. He held her so she sat a little above his head; her eyes were a little puffy as she looked around curiously. He let go of Luna’s hand and tapped his combadge =^=This is Lieutenant Commander Sigmundsson to Senior Staff, my guests have arrived and there is a dignitary accompanying them=^= He hesitated and looked at Luna =^=The Dignitary in question is a Romulan Senator, I am unsure of the length of the visit, Bridge can dismiss the Civilian Freighter, they won’t be returning with the=^= Luna nudged an elbow into his side which elicited a grunt =^=She’s my mother-in-law, Peter out=^= He threw the last bit out quickly then closed the channel and glared at Lunama “Dirty play”

Peter, Luna, & Latila.

Cara heard the comm and she grinned. This had the potential to be a very delicate situation. Not that family wasn’t always delicate. She’d helped Peter get his daughter enrolled in the school classes and all her records transferred. She’d also made sure he’d been reassigned to family quarters so there was plenty of room for Latila. She quickly tapped on her screen, securing VIP quarters for his mother-in-law. A quiet discreet message appeared for him of the location and offer of any assistance she could provide.

Lt. Mardusk, counselor

Lunama simply grinned at Peter, a completely un-Romulan expression. A moment later, a short woman in Romulan formal robes walked down the ramp, trailed by a much taller woman in a military off-duty uniform who seemed to be unarmed. Peter passed his Daughter to Luna and faced his mother-in-law. He quickly checked the chirping PaDD and smiled, sending Cara Mardusk a brief ‘Thank You’. Then looked up at the approaching Senator ‘Back up would be appreciated, perhaps you and your husband’ he sent quickly before pocketing the device.

Senior Senator Loteena was a stately woman, with Black hair a little longer than was standard, an older fashion. The dark green robe flowed as she approached. She stopped just two metres from Peter and looked up with her impassive expression. Peter bowed formally “Jolan Tru, mother” He hid a smirk at the bodyguards’ flash of anger at his formal greeting in Romulan. Senator Loteena simply returned the bow “I hope you have prepared proper living arrangements” She didn’t return the greeting which would be considered an insult, but Peter took it as it was; he had amused the Senator.

Peter took a step to the side “Of course” He continued in Federation standard “Our VIP quarters are prepped although you’ll have to make your own arrangements for any desires for homely comfort” The Bodyguard bristled at that and seemed poised to speak but Peter shot the tall woman a warning glare “Let’s not have a repeat of the past young one” He warned. The woman bristled at his warning but didn’t step forward or reply. Years ago, she’d been sent by Loteena as a part of an assassination squad. This one was the sole survivor. Peter had called his mother-in-law and recommended the woman as a bodyguard. They met occasionally when Peter crossed to Romulan Space, and each time they sparred, so far she only one three out of every ten bouts, but she was improving.

The senator actually smiled and put a hand on the bodyguard’s arm placatingly, something that surprised Peter and seemed to entertain Luna “Uhm right, well, follow me” He put his hands out and took a napping Latilla from her mother “Welcome to the USS Atlantis, if I had been informed of your arrival Senator, I’m certain that the Captain would have liked to greet you in person”

CIO