Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Government Tower- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive

Posted by Major General Charles Tenkiller (Vice-Commander, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency) in Orbital Platform- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive

Posted by Civilian Jeannette Mathis (Federation Ambassador) in Orbital Platform- Ambassador Mathis & Co Arrive
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Ren gazed at her with those grey eyes that always seemed to pierce through her. “Breathe. Everything will be okay, and if it isn’t, well, you’ve dealt with worse, Love.”

“Hmmm,” was Jeanette’s only reply as she flicked her gaze downwards to study her PADD.

Her spouse gave her a disbelieving look before turning to Jones with an expression the two of them had shared many times before. “You talk to her. I think I’m on the wrong frequency today.”

Dashiel grinned at Ren, knowing their frustration was only surface and that they both knew Jeannette was under a great deal of pressure in addition to knowing that there were specific issues that needed to be addressed soon after they arrived on the surface. And none of that factored in settling into the home he had helped arrange, nor getting Jessie set up for school and whatever else the teen needed. He himself had a bunch of things to tackle including likely meetings with various people, both with Jeanette and on his own.

As the shuttle docked and their diplomatic security clearances triggered various notifications to people both on the Platform and the surface, the group was waiting to disembark. Leaning against the bulkhead, Dash eyed his boss and friend. “You’ve reconsidered your approach and you’ve dug a little deeper. Go with your plan and give them a chance to react. They’re allowed to be upset and we both know it. But we’re all going to have to work together so just be yourself Jean and let them get to know you. We may not have a lot of time, but they are aware of that as well. If we’re not all on the same page fast this will be an unmitigated disaster.”

Jeannette burst out laughing, tension flowing outwards. “And that is supposed to be encouraging?”

Jones gave her his trademark grin. “Nope, just reality.”

Inhaling deeply, she gazed at the attaché intently. “So the usual?”

“Exactly.”

Mathis gave him a grateful look. “It’s not like I haven’t been put in difficult situations before but these feels different. Maybe because I’m used to being given the full picture before being asked to handle such a delicate bomb of a situation I’m second-guessing myself knowing I had about half the info needed.” She shook her head in frustration. “Even after giving the Corps an earful, I don’t think they quite know the fullness of my displeasure. But regardless, too much is at stake for me to walk in miffed, so I’m just trying to shake it off.”

Dash nodded. “Well, do it quickly because”-he peered around her-“it looks like we’re on the go now.”

And indeed they were. Jeanette gathered her bag and with an arm slung over Jessie’s shoulder and Ren at her side, the family and her aide stepped through into the spaceport and joined others going through customs.

~Ambassador Mathis

As they stepped into line, a group of armed and armored figures came into the Customs bay via a secure entrance marked ‘Restricted - CCDA Personnel Only’. The four figures were led by a dark-red skinned human male with long, straight black hair. Major General stars sat on his collar and he walked as he looked at a micro-PaDD in his hand. He looked up and quickly spotted Mathis and company in line and walked towards them. Putting The device in his pocket, he said “Ambassador? Major General Charles Tenkiller, Colonial Customs and Defense Agency. Governor Hyrushi has asked us to see you through customs and bring you to the surface.”

The woman with long bright blond hair stepped forward. She was dressed casually but still had smiled at Tenkiller. “It’s nice to meet you Major General.” She gestured to the slightly taller androgynous adult and the teen. “This is my spouse, Ren, and my son Jessie.” She gestured to the other man with piercing pale blue eyes and short trimmed beard. ” And this my attaché, Dashiel Jones.”

Jones gave a nod accompanied by a warm smile. “General,” he greeted.

“I appreciate showing us where we need to go, Mathis said. “We’ve been on the go a lot recently.” And indeed while Jeanette had a great memory, it was nice in a new place to not be getting lost right away. Jeanette readied her Diplomatic Credentials that also covered her family and Jones grabbed his as well as they followed Tenkiller.

He motioned them forward and led the past the myriad individuals and groups waiting to get into the spaceport and to the front of the line. He waited for the party being screened to move inside and ushered the Ambassador forward. “Customs and Immigrations forms.” the Andorian at the screening station said languidly without looking up. “What, you wanna know if they’re bringing in any fruit or something?” Tenkiller asked pointedly. The Customs agent looked up and their eyes went wide. “G-G-G-General! Oh, sir! I’m sorry sir! I didn’t kn-” and Tenkiller held up a hand and quieted the stammering. “Easy. Just stamp the Ambassador and her party through, will you? And how long have you been on screening duty today?” The agent began electronically approving the customs records and said “Sorry sir. Eleven hours today sir. Some bug going through and we’re short handed.” Tenkiller nodded and looked at one of the guards. “Pull second shift in early and make sure everyone is up on vaccinations. And get this guy some help right away.” The guard nodded once and lifted a comm device to his lips and began mumbling.

They accepted their credential back and Mathis offered the agent and understanding smile and nod.

Tenkiller looked at the Ambassador and said “Sorry about that. This way, if you please.” He led them out of the main bay and towards a set of unmarked doors off to one side, and then through and into a clean and unoccupied hallway. “Your shuttle down to the surface is standing by. Your bags and belongings are being loaded for transport right now and will await your call before heading out to your residences. Once you are planet-side, a slider will take you to the Government Tower. Your clearances are already set and the Governor and Lt. Governor are waiting.” as he led them down the hall.

Tenkiller, VC- CCDA

“Understood,” Mathis said. She looked over at Ren. “Once Dash and I are dropped off, just ask them to take you to the new place and I’ll join you after our meeting.”

Ren smiled. “It’ll give us a chance to get our bearings, right Jessie?”

The teen nodded but looked unenthused. “Sure.”

Ren and Jeanette exchanged a knowing look and the Ambassador returned her attention to Tenkiller as they made their way through the secured side of the station. “Any dining suggestions? We like to eat out our first night anywhere and see what’s out there. We’re pretty adventurous eaters, but something towards comfort food might be nice.”

~Ambassador Mathis & Co.

Tenkiller smiled as they walked. “Tons. All depends on what you want. With the massive influx of workers, traders, entrepreneurs, and the like over the past year; Oed has developed a really incredible food scene. I have a lotta favorites, but I’d really recommend asking Dorma Fen. She’s the Governor’s receptionist. Huge foodie. She knows all the good spots, new and old. And here we go.” he said as they came to a door that slid open to reveal a private shuttle bay.

A runabout sat on the deck in one of three marked places in the hanger. Six CCDA agents, all armed and armored were standing guard in various places. One saluted as the party came in. “Major General, sir. We’re ready when the Ambassador and her party are.” Tenkiller returned the salute and said “Thank ya, Green.” and he turned and looked at the group. “Your chariot awaits, as they say.” and he gestured to the open hatch.

Mathis gestured for Ren and Jessie to go in first, and then waited for Jones. As an Ambassador, her rank took precedence many places, but here with her family they always came first.

As they moved to their ship, Tenkiller lightly touched the Ambassador’s arm and nodded away from the group and started walking away a distance.

Jeanette stepped away and gazed at him curiously.

“Ma’am. The Governor and Lieutenant Governor has briefed the senior staff on the Vren. But we’re gonna need something said publicly before we can bring their ship in. ‘Cause a ship of theirs just showing up is gonna ruffle all kinds of feathers if folks aren’t expecting it. Tge CCDA would like you and the Governor’s office to make that a priority.”

Tenkiller, VC-CCDA

“Of course,” Mathis said quietly with a nod. “I expected that might be the case. I certainly don’t want a Vren ship entering the system without people expecting it. We won’t be sitting on this information for long, I assure you,” she said seriously. In fact she would be very surprised if they didn’t have a statement ready for this evening or tomorrow. Despite being on the go travelling, she had fully expected these first couple days to be long and busy. The situation was too critical for her to wait until she felt settled in. Luckily, Mathis was well used to this sort of thing.

~Ambassador Mathis & Co.

“Good to hear. Oh, and a bit of advice. When you talk with Governor Hyrushi… don’t be diplomatic. Be direct and honest. You’ll get a lot further with him if you are up front and open from jump.” Tenkiller said with a slight smile. He gestured to the shuttle and said “I won’t keep ya any longer, Ma’am. Safe travels, and if you need anything form the CCDA, just holler at me. Happy to help.”

Tenkiller, VC- CCDA

Jeanette gave a gracious bow of her head with a warm smile. “I appreciate the advice and will take it to heart,” she said sincerely. The thing about her position was that people often assumed that she was always speaking to say what people wanted to hear, and on occasion that could be true when it was necessary, but Mathis had spent far too long in her line of work to be anything less than pragmatic. That and she was generally a sincere person.

A few minutes later, Mathis and her family were settled on the shuttle and it was cleared for departure.

At the designated spot, the shuttle was cleared for landing. Jeanette leaned over and kissed her spouse on the cheek. “You okay to go on to the house, or did you want to stay here and meet people, maybe get a tour?”

“Seriously, do we have to?” Jessie said, with an all-too-expected theatrical sigh.

“No, but I thought it might be nice,” she said, exchanging a look with Ren.

Ren smirked. “I’ll get us settled in lest we create an incident in the first hour. I think you have enough to deal with.”

“You’re not wrong,” Jeannette said, offering a smile of affectionate gratitude. this was why they worked so well together: Ren understood Jeanette’s job sometimes better than she did and never begrudged her the idiosyncrasies that came with it. It certainly helped that Ren’s work was portable and thus they could travel the galaxy together, but ever since Jessie was born they had tried to have a stable place to call home more often than not. Sometimes it worked out, sometimes it didn’t. “I’d say I’ll be home for dinner, but I could be here awhile. Save me something?”

Ren winked. “Done deal.”

The shuttle had settled on an pad designated ‘For Official Use Only’. It was on the ground and surrounded by high walls, but open to the sky above.

The ambassador stepped out, work bag slung over her shoulder in anticipation of a possibly long day. She stepped away to give clearance and gave a wave before it lifted off. Dash was right behind her, his usual calm presence steeling her for the inevitable meeting. They exchanged a look and he just quirked a brow- ne simple gesture saying plenty.

Turning to the security waiting for her, she gave a bow of her head. “Just point us in the right direction, if you don’t mind?”

~Ambassador Mathis

The officer said “Of course. The Government Tower is that building there-” and she pointed up towards a tall building nearby. “There is a ground car waiting for you, but it is only two blocks if you wish to walk. We will, of course, have a small security detail escort you.” and she made a gesture and two figures pushed off the wall by the door and walked forward. One was a Deltan, and one was Klingon. The Deltan spoke and said “Ambassador, welcome to Oed V. I am Sergent Rills, this is Officer G’tok. Oed Police.” and they showed the Ambassador their badges and holo-IDs.

Oed Welcome Wagon