Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Side Sim- Bridge- Coming Aboard Check in
[snip]

Captain Glen had just ended a communications call and viewscreens still displayed star maps and a document written in Klingon. He seemed to been deep in thought, but smiled and stood up when Saelk entered. “Ah! Lieutenant Saelk!” Glen said. “I’ve had Vulcan officers aboard the Merrimack before, but none that were recommended by the Vulcan High Command!”

Saelk stepped into the room and gave a nod to the Captain. “Hello Captain. I was supprised as well. But my father would not send me out like this unless it was important I imagine. I hope to do well and offer great aid and assistance on this ship.” He said his face ever stoic. “I have been conversing with some of the other officers while waiting. It seems that you have a good team here Captain.”

“I think so,” Glen said, “I’m glad that you think so too… How can I help you? Are you settling in okay?”

“There is nothing I require Captain. I am here to check in with you, recieve orders and the like. I am doing rather well thank you. Is something troubling you Captain? You looked troubled when I came in.” Saelk said as he moved closer toward the Captain.

“No, No… it’s only that our next mission involves Klingons. I’ve never got on well with Klingons. That, and there is a primitive world, contaminated by Klingon contact, and we have to try to pick up the pieces. On the bright side, we will be exploring a region that no Starfleet or Vulcan ship has visited before!” Glen replied.

Salek’s face breaks from the unreadable mask just a little some concern showed on his face. “Yes… our peace with them is fairly recent… I can only imagine that there are many on both sides on both the Federation and Klingon that still find that the war being over is distasteful… I for one am glad that we did not war into Klingon Genocide. They may be a people of fighting, violence, and war… Vulcan nearly did the same… before Surak… Vulcan nearly destroyed herself… it is a past that we are most regretful of, but we have gotten past that. Maybe one day who knows mayhap we could even see them in the Federation.” He said seriously. “I may be too hopeful.”

Glen smiled his agreement and merely said, “Yes,” although he wondered to himself if Saelk had met many Romulans, and whether if he had, that he would feel the same way about Surak’s success. But few people would have had the access to speak to Romulans that Captain Glen had been given, with his very intimate relationship with Commander Andone, and absolutely no one would suspect that in the future Romulans, such as Andone’s daughter, might become Starfleet Captains themselves. Glen had never met a Romulan himself until he had met Commander Andone, and even he himself, had found it hard to believe how the future turned out. Unfortunately, he could mention none of this to Saelk as it was still classified material, some that Merrimack crew had given their lives to keep secret.

“Great!” replied the Captain. “So, if you’d like to stow away your gear in your quarters, you can get started right away. Your should take a tour of all the science laboratories and see what is going on in those. Then you’ll need to take a visit to Sickbay to have your obligatory medical exam, unless you’ve already had that.”

Saelk turned his attention back to the captain pulling himself out of his lofty ideas. He nodded. “It was the first thing I did after getting off of the shuttle. Everyone seems to be at ease once they know you have nothing to harm the crew… so I made it my first stop.” He explained, he didn’t know what was on the captain’s mind and just nodded. “I should indeed take a look over the labs. I am sure that there are many things that I would need to know. Or mayhaps brush up on my Klingon, get prepared for what is to come.” He said thoughtfully.

“Qapla’ !” Glen replied and hoped he had pronounced it correctly.

Saelk gave a gruf and forced laugh. It sounded a bit guttural and more than unnatural. “Maj!” He said then cleared his throat. “It is a little rough on the throat.” He then repeated in federation common. “Good.” After another moment he said. “Not bad Captain.”

“Thanks” replied the Captain, “but I’m glad that the Universal Translator was invented!”

• Glen, CO

Saelk nodded. “Indeed. It does make things a whole lot easier. Thank you Captain. I will take my leave if you don’t have anything for me.”
Lt. Salek, CSO