Tarambar

Posted on Tue Dec 31, 2013 @ 9:59pm by Fleet Captain Rhea Kennit & Lieutenant Samantha Raylen & Lieutenant Nicole Anderson

1,906 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: A Whole New World, Part 2 - Durbatuluk
Location: U.S.S. Victory :: Bridge
Timeline: Stardate 62541.743 (Thu, 06 Dec 2384 13:15)

1315 hours, Stardate 62541.743 (Thu, 06 Dec 2384 13:15)

[Bridge]

On the viewscreen, the long range sensors now offered their first view of the planet Tarambar. The planet was fairly unremarkable, a vaguely familiar mix of blue oceans, white clouds and scattered landmasses in varying shades of green, brown, and white (no doubt snow tipped mountains).

Boring.

Yeah. Boring.

But.. sometimes boring was good.

Boring usually meant no one was getting shot at, the hull wasn't suddenly weakened by a breech and no one was screaming at her that the warp core was about to go critical..

Boring could be nice for a bit.

From the helm, Lt. Davenport said "We just received permission to begin final approach and assume orbit from the Raeru Planetary Control. We should arrive in orbit in the next 40 minutes, with Heru Imlad ready to embark as soon as we are orbit. Apparently, he is eager to get his entourage and their equipment aboard so that we can get underway as soon as possible."

"Send acknowledgement." the Captain answered.

Thumbing the comm switch, she said "Captain to Senior Staff. We will be entering orbit around Tarambar in 40 minutes. I expect each of you present in the hanger deck to green Heru Imlad's shuttle upon his arrival."


Blackburn's face showed no emotion as she overheard the captain's orders as she stood in the center of the Communicore--the center of Intelligence Operations aboard the Victory. The lighting in the center was dimly lit as she continued to look over the information scrolling on the monitor screen in front of her. She wanted more time to get to know her department but she also wanted to learn as much about this Heru Imlad as she could. "Mr. T'lok," she turned to a Vulcan sitting at a console on the lower level in front of her. "I want active scans of the Heru Imlad, his shuttle, and his guards.

"Aye, ma'am. But if I may, we are to trust and protect the Heru Imlad," T'lok pointed out.

Blackburn's voice was stern in her reply. "There is an old terran saying, Mr. T'lok. In God we trust. Everyone else we investigate."

"Fascinating quote," T'lok responded before turning to begin his scans.

"Let me know of anything important that comes up." Blackburn turned and exited the Communicore. She stopped for a moment after exiting the room to allow her eyes to adjust to the brighter corridor before heading to the turbolift and the shuttlebay.

The duty of preparing the shuttle bay for the arrivals fell to Chief Barnes and the Bosun. For the last hour, they worked closely with the hangar crew to tuck all of the shuttles in the maintenance bay and clean up the bay. Commander Torres and Lieutenant Daystrom had been kind enough to spare a few members of their teams to prepare the hangar as well as prepare the guest quarters. Thomas believed greatly in hopping into the trenches with the enlisted, so he kept himself very involved with the preparations. He even mopped a section of the floor.

In fact, just as he put away his mop, a crewman arrived to report that the enlisted barracks selected for some of their guests had been vacated and... sterilized. He thanked the crewman and began to clear the hangar of unnecessary personnel as the senior officers began to arrive.

Yarin made his way to the hanger. He was excited to meet a new species and his coloring suggested the same.

Volos filed int the hanger behind Yarin, taking up a spot next to him as they lined up for the arrival of their guest.

Nicole walked in a moment later, smoother her uniform and nodding to the other assembled before taking a position by the rear side of the group.

Resh entered soon after and stood near the other science officers.

A few minutes after the Captain arrived accompanied by the XO, an alarm rang out and the force fields rose to allow the hanger doors to be opened without venting internal atmosphere into space. As she watched the massive hanger doors glide open, Kennit moved unconsciously closer to the XO, not quite able to fully suppress the nervous response to the doors parting. She just barely managed to restrain from reaching for his hand, swallowing down the rising echo of panic which lingered now, still years later after an accident aboard this very same ship during her first tour of duty aboard as First Officer had resulted in the hanger doors failing, the force fields not rising and being trapped in here for what had seemed an eternity, holding onto a deck fastener bar normally used to keep cargo from shifting or to secure a shuttle in place.. feeling that terrible mix of intense cold and burning heat from the atmospherics which had continued to pump air and pressure into the deck only to be pulled out through the gap in the hanger doors..

They watched through the slightly golden haze of the force fields as the Raeru shuttle approached. It entered the hanger, the force fields rippling visibly to allow the shuttle to pass without allowing atmosphere to leak. The shuttle was.. unusual. It's hull was ornately decorated with golden scrollwork patterns, painted a rich crimson embellished with blue and yellow. The Captain blinked, looked at the brilliantly colored, very ornate ship and said simply, "Wow.."

Alec felt Rhea slide closer to him. He understood her nervousness. He knew first hand the horrifying experience she had gone through years earlier and would have given anything to keep her from reliving it.

The the shuttle doors began to open and the Raeru shuttle was coming into bay for a landing. He stared at the garishly colored ship and whispered to Rhea, "Wow is right. It looks like a pleasure ship. for goodness sake."

"It is.. unexpected.." she answered softly, watching as the garish vessel settled to the deck and was secured by the deck crew.

Dakar stepped into the hanger just as the shuttle settled to the deck, surreptitiously making a few last entries on the PADD he was holding before passing it off to a security officer standing at the door. While the senior officers formed a formal greeting party, he was there coordinating the security arraignments. Two guards flanked the doorway inside the hanger, with more outside. There were also guards outside the Raeru contingent’s quarters. He knew that it was largely a formality, but it never hurt to be prepared, and besides, such things were expected.

"Are we sure he's not a Ferengi?" Blackburn asked to nobody in particular as she took in the symbols and gold decorations of the incoming shuttle.

"I highly doubt that Lieutenant." Yarin said turning an amused shade of lavender whilst sidling up to the human female. "Many species find ornate displays of wealth can be used as a powerful advantage when dealing with the unknown, it is always best to deal from a position of strength."

Volos grinned. "Sure is a work of art, either way."

"One man's art is another man's yuck," Nicole said quietly.

The hatch opened, an extension sliding out with stairs to facilitate the exit of the shuttles passengers. The beings who exited were flamboyantly dressed, wearing heavily embroidered robes of a thick, heavy velvet looking material dyed in rich green, gold, and red tones. Their skin was a mottled, pale mix of blue and white with ridges and nodes rising from their skin on their heads along the cheekbone and forehead. Brilliant orange/yellow hair obviously died as more natural hair remained which was varying shades of blue slightly darker than their skin. Wide eyes, almost white in color looked about at the Victory's hanger bay and somehow their expressions seemed.. unimpressed. One of them turned, reaching an arm back to assist a tall male whose garments were considerably more ornate than the others, revealing skin patterns with green/yellow and orange rather than blue as was visible on their faces.

That must be Heru Imlad the Captain thought as she watched their guests disembark.

Stepping forward with Alec at her side, the Captain said "Welcome aboard the Federation Starship Victory. I am Captain Katrijn Kennit. This is my First Officer, Commander Alec Hunter and my staff officers."

Imlad looked down his distinct, sharp nose at her. "I am Heru Imlad of the Raeru. This ship is.. so lacking in color. Is there something wrong with the eyes of your kind?"

Nicole, in an impressive feat of self-control, managed to stifle her snort of amusement, and instead bowed her head, as if in prayer, covering her smile.

Somehow managing to not look either amused or insulted, Kennit replied, "No Heru Imlad, this is standard color schemes used aboard Federation Vessels. In our private quarters, and homes.. we do enjoy the use of color accents."

He snorted. "Such blandness.. The Creator gave us color to enhance and beautify our lives.. to ignore it is to diminish the Creator's gift."

Having absolutely no clue how to respond to that, and mentally cursing whoever came up with the brilliant idea to send HER of all people and all the ships in this region to deal with this.. the Captain said simply, "If you would follow Ensign Dakar, and Lt. JG Daystrom, they will show you and your staff to your quarters. Arrangements have been made as requested for the artifacts you bring with you, with security provided in your personal quarters to allow you to keep the artifacts close as was specified."

Imlad turned towards the two indicated officers. "You may proceed.." he told them, somewhat haughty in his demeanor.

Temek tapped his comm badge and spoke softly. “Dakar to security. Stand by, the Raeru contingent is preparing to move out.” Judging it wise to defer to his superior, he stepped up behind Lt. Daystrom. “Security is ready to move on your command, ma’am,” he whispered.

12/15: Daystrom?

Nicole had a hand over her mouth to hide her smile. *And here I thought I wouldn't have any fun,* she thought.

Hunter cut his eyes toward the CMO but offered no comment on her little sidebar. "This is going to be a loooong trip." Hunter said to no one in particular.

"As soon as their ship is secured and their cargo moved to their quarters, report ready for departure to the Bridge," the Captain ordered the hanger bay and security personnel. "We have a short window here to remain in orbit, we need to get underway if we're going to deliver Heru Imlad to the colony on schedule."

"I will remain here in the bay, captain and aid Security," Blackburn offered. She really didn't want to escort that pompous buffoon anywhere. At least in the bay, she would be able to get a better look at the Raeru's equipment.

"I must return to the Bridge to oversee final onload of additional supplies and preparations to get underway," the Captain said. With a nod to Heru Imlad, she said "It would be an honor to have you and your entourage share a meal with us this evening in the Captain's Dining Room."

Imlad inclined his head ever so slightly, "We accept."

Kennit smiled, "A Yeoman will be sent to escort you when it is time. If you will excuse me.." and with that, she turned and left heading back to the Bridge.

 

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