Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Reia Shandy (C Intelligence -Comm Officer) in Main Sim Meet the Scientists and Engineers of Beltran

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Dagen Thor (CE) in Main Sim Meet the Scientists and Engineers of Beltran

Posted by Gamemaster GM Kate (GMT) in Main Sim Meet the Scientists and Engineers of Beltran
Posted by… suppressed (12) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Once the crew had ascended the stairs, they were ushered into a large ballroom-like space. The magnificence and luxury of the palace could not be overstated. The large room had ample places to sit, stand, or relax with numerous nooks and balconies for those looking to seek some quiet conversations. Wait staff circulated the room with cultural dishes, hors d’oeuvres, and drinks. Soft music filled the room along with the murmur of conversations that mingled into a static white noise filling the space containing over one hundred other Beltrans. The event had been labeled a formal dinner with the officials of Beltran. Instead, it reminded one more of a massive wedding reception. It was clear by the way the King immediately moved into the space, he expected the crew to socialize among his people at least in the short term. It could also been seen as a way to find out some of the information they sought by talking to the people of Beltran.

GM Kate

Reia knew she would get pretty much everywhere in this shindig that she needed to be eventually. Now, she wanted to meet with some of the people that might actually have information about this fascinating amazing shield technology that Starfleet was low-key interested in. So, she made her way into the glorious room and looked around for somebody interesting and a beverage.

• Reia, CIO/Coms

Dagen didn’t move far from the body of the fleet people. He frowned as he looked around. He did want to talk to someone related to what they’ve done and what’s going on on the planet but everyone looked like tall mannequins with no name tag in sight or their ‘color coding’ to at least tell who was fluff and who was, well, to use an ancient term from earth, a nerd. The sights and smells and sounds of the party had shifted from the flashy lights of the outside to something high society. High glitter ratios that outclassed anything he had ever experienced. It was a barrage to his sensibilities. Dagen liked parties. He was gregarious and enjoyed people. But there was a limit and this party exceeded that on the meter by a wide margin. In short, he didn’t like this. He felt like a guppy being thrown into a pond with other larger, well established fish who may or may not want to eat him.

“Hello,” a woman said coming up behind Reia. “You do not have a drink and you look like you are searching for something. May I be of some help?” There was no reason for this woman to come up to Reia except curiosity. This was the fourth group of Federation officers to come to Beltran. She was not in the typical colors of the science personnel which seemed to be blue but Della did not know the ranks well enough to be sure her assumption was correct.

Dagen was startled with the woman speaking. His attention was on the food being circulated. He should have asked the marine what was good. Turning about he looked up to the woman who had addressed not him but Reia. He had questions but he would let Reia tackle the girl talk; of that she was so much better.
- Dagen, CE

Reia smiled up, and up some more at the woman bowed slightly and nodded.

“Oh yes most definitely. Whatever passes for ice water here and I definitely am interested in speaking with someone regarding everything we’re here to discuss I suppose. I’m very curious about the whole situation. Can you tell me anybody here I might have a quiet word with? So pleased to meet you, please, call me Reia.”

• Reia, CIO,Comms

“We are in the castle. Why would you want to settle for anything as mundane as water?” The woman giggled and signaled for drinks enough for Reia and her companion.” Almost before the gesture was given a woman on the wait staff brought a glistening gold and jewel-studded tray with three glasses that looked so delicate a tight grip would shatter them. The way the woman handed the glasses to Reia and then Dagen showed they were far stronger. The liquid inside looked and would taste like champagne when they sipped it.

“I am in the scientific department. I am not sure about what situation you are curious about but I will try my best to help you figure it out. My supervisor has scheduled a visitation of our science labs for your engineers and scientists. I think you will find it exciting.”

GM Kate

Reia took the delicate glass and sniffed approvingly. She had no idea if this was a true alcoholic drink, but thirst overtook her. Sipping she marveled at the taste and again.

Dagen took up a glass. He was more the mug type of guy. Certainly he had rolled into the shot glass side of things back on OP42 in their lounges but since then had reverted back to the mug. He felt more at home with a mug of blood wine than the fancy stuff. This was the fancy stuff. He sniffed it too but was at a loss to what Reia seemed to catch from it. He took a sip of it. Champagne like but whatever he was to appreciate was lost on him and could be appreciated better by someone else. Like Reia. He figured he would be nursing this for some time tonight.

“Yes, I’m certain that everybody will find that really interesting. I was just curious if we could find out anything interesting before the official tours. I find those tours can be very dry and clinical. I’m more of what my species calls a people person. I would prefer to sit and talk with somebody say like yourself, or one of your colleagues and just learn things by talking with people. What is your function?”

• Reia, CIO/Comms

“I am the head of research and design for optics and refraction in our scientific department for the orbital defense platforms. I have helped create the technology your Federation is so eager to usurp.” Her tone was slightly brisk but not unfriendly. Taking a sip of her drink she gestured to an open set of couches. She had no problem answering the woman’s questions. At least she seemed interested in talking and not just demanding schematics.

GM Kate

Optics and refraction. Was this then more of a cloak than a shield, Dagen wondered. Still for something that large as an orbital platform. He pondered. Well, Shinzon had a particularly effective cloak too in his ship those years before. Idly he rubbed at the old wound at his belly as he moved with Reia and Della were but he opted to keep standing while they sat. Usurp. An interesting term. Was this the general mentality of the populace - that they were here simply to ‘usurp technology’? That would mean an uphill climb diplomatically and, perhaps in the same line as the royal theatrics, why nothing has moved very far to date on that.

“You must be very proud of your team who helped in the design of it,” Dagen said as they sat. He didn’t want to get into any shop talk and though that being neutral and talking about her and her team would (hopefully) help relations - that they weren’t just a bunch of tech greedy corporate pirates.
- Dagen, CE

Reia was actually a little relieved to sit down. After making her way to the couch and finding a comfortable position she smiled at Della and took a few more drinks so this delightful beverage.

“Usurp? Oh no, I’m sorry you must be mistaken. I don’t think userp is the word I would use in the situation. Where did you come up with it? I’m very sorry if that’s the taste you’re getting from these talks. Please, do tell me more.”

Reia’s tone was light and pleasant. She wanted to guide the conversation just a bit to find out where Della’s mind was at but not tell this new woman how to feel. Delicate was what she was trying to be.

• Reia, CIO/Comms

“Usurp. To encroach or infringe upon someone’s rights. No that is exactly what you are doing. Tell me is snuffing out one’s cultural heritage and traditions a normal requirement to join the Federation or just for us,” the scientist asked haughtily.

GM Kate

Dagen shook his head at that. Someone was spewing wrong propaganda. About to speak Reia beat him to it.

Reia’s eyes widened and she looked The other woman in the eyes directly. She didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings between them. She may be small in stature, especially compared to this particular species, but she would not be misunderstood.

“My apologies. You must have me mistaken for a senior diplomat or the President of the Federation himself. I am Reia Shandy, a simple woman here to discuss simple scientific principles with you. If you don’t wish to discuss them with me then, perhaps, you can find someone else who you can discuss your cultural heritage with and the usurping of it.”

-Reia, CIO/Comms

“I am the chief scientist of Beltran. I notice small changes in things. You are not a simple woman,” Della Dharma smiled sweetly taking a sip of her drink. Almost as soon as she finished her comment, there was a commotion in the center of the room. Looking up the trio would see King Casper Artemis had stepped up on a circular dias that slowly rose up several feet in the room. The platform turned transparent as it separated from the marble flooring. It was an ostentatious way to gain the attention of the room as the king seemed to float above them.

Partially distracted by the commotion Dagen did get in, “I can assure you that this is not so. Trill has been a member for over a century and our culture and traditions are intact and respected.” With a touch of annoyance at the interruption he turned toward the podium.
Dagen

“My people,” the king’s voice bellowed through the room. It echoed as if the King was using a microphone so that no one was unable to hear his message no matter where they were in the room. “Our guests are enamored with our culture and people. The Captain,” he gestured to Calvin which caused the room to make a path as they say in the military, “has begged me for a chance to see more of our glorious world. I have decided to permit him this honor. General Trell will escort those that want to see our defenses and Della Dharma will escort those that want to see our science and technology. These two groups will go tonight to see our world and all the wonders it will bring to the Federation.” The room broke into murmurs as the partying Beltran’s whispered among themselves sending scurried looks to the Federation officers.

“Well, it seems we will get a chance to show you what your Federation has sent you hundreds of light years from your home to acquire. I promise you that all your questions will soon be answered. If you will excuse me I will make the preparations for our trip. I shall meet you on the balcony in three minutes. Reia…Dagen,” she nodded at the two people before walking off.

GM Kate

OOC: I will keep this thread open for comments and start a new one in a day or so ~ Kate

Reia bowed and nodded slightly to the woman. She really had been very kind after the initial bristling they both had done. RReia did wait, however, untill she was gone before speaking to Dagen.

“I really hope they have more to show us on this latest excursion then the King’s party tricks in the middle of the room.”

• Reia, CIO/Comms

Dagen watched as the tall woman departed and frowned. “Reluctantly, it seems. Beyond the facade of the glitz here some don’t want us here and,” he gestured to the king, “Someone else who is all show. But I wonder, have some been heavy handed in their negotiations before us? She can’t have just made up that accusation. What do you think? Is she one who would sabotage her own discoveries if it meant, to her, preserving their culture?”
- Dagen