[Mission Start] Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Fangirl Patriotism (Part 1)
Robin Hopper
((OOC – Hiya, folks! This one was getting a bit lengthy, so for the sake of everyone’s brains (including my own), I’ve split it into two parts. The split occurs around the last dialogue tag in Vataix’s Mission Start sim, just for context.))
((Chief of Mission's Office, Level 15, Copernicus Center – Amity Outpost))
It had been a while since Robin had actually seen Rivi – which was a rarity, in her experience. At Keehani’s behest, the gregarious Ambassador had been spending more and more time out of her office in the months leading up to President Narala’s arrival on the station. Now, Robin could probably count on one hand the number of times she’d actually spotted Vataix ‘in the wild’. Clearly, whatever conversations were being had between Amity’s top FDC leaders and the President’s staff, they were sensitive enough to warrant that extended privacy as well as demanding a significant portion of Rivi’s time and energy.
Robin didn’t envy her. Navigating the social nuances of her division was stressful enough without having to consider the broader impacts on Federation policy – or press coverage, for that matter. Amity had also been swarming with journalists lately… Well, perhaps ‘swarming’ was a tad dramatic. But it was hard to miss the increased presence, especially as a member of the station’s Starfleet Command team. Rather than the usual handful of dedicated Delta Quadrant FNS reporters, Robin had been noting a steadily-growing number of unfamiliar faces at the press briefings lately.
In a weird way, it almost felt like they were closer to Federation space than ever – an Outpost on the edges of the Alpha or Beta Quadrant, rather than one on the other side of the galaxy. Adding to that feeling was the presence of her sister. During her trip to Earth with Nathan, Robin had almost forgotten that she’d be returning to find FDC Intern Kerilyn Hopper still on the Outpost. But, of course, she’d actually offered up her apartment to Keri to use in her absence… a decision she had immediately regretted upon her return. There was a lingering smell to the place now that she had yet to find the source of. She was almost certain it was bananas.
Now Keri was sitting in on their morning briefings – a fact that set Robin slightly on edge. It shouldn’t, she knew it, but it did all the same. Try as she might to convince herself that Keri’s opinions about her life, her choices, and her work didn’t matter to her… the truth was that Robin had always deeply wanted to be someone Keri could look up to, someone that her little sister respected. That goal remained a work in progress.
Between the President’s ongoing visit, the additional press coverage, Keri’s presence, and returning from her time off rejuvenated and refreshed, Robin had plenty of reasons to be on top of her game. Bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, Robin sat in her seat with a PADD and a Brew Continuum macchiato in front of her, ready to tackle whatever new developments Rivi was presenting… and to put on a good show doing it!
Vataix: Harrison, we haven't received the full details from the Talaxian delegation, but I'd like to make sure they have accommodations ready for them on the Habitat Ring.
Blackwood: Yes, Ambassador. I’ve gone ahead and reserved the tenth floor of the Talaxi Palms Hotel for their use. I’ll get this confirmed with the delegation’s liaison.
While it was hardly within her sphere, Robin had taken some interest in the recent announcement by the Talaxian government of its intention to petition for Federation membership. It would mark the first Delta Quadrant species to do so – a fairly significant turning point not only for the UFOP, but also for the balance of local power in the region… It would definitely send signals – whether those were signals Narala and the FDC wanted to be sending, Robin couldn’t be sure. But there was no doubt that, approved or not, the petition was already making waves.
Rivi nodded, then turned her attention to the station’s Security and Tactical officers.
Vataix: And how are we looking in regards to security? Any special requests?
Iko: The president has a couple of her own private, personal, presidential guards. We've been meaning to have our teams connect to figure out who is best where, but with Iov's departure and everything else going on that just hasn't happened yet.
Bec, currently the Acting Chief in Cassian Iovianus’ indefinite absence, shared a quick glance with the two Ensigns accompanying her – Kaito Moore, and Amity’s newest arrival, Torvi Ylvor – so that they could weigh in with their own observations.
Moore: Tactically, we are ready. All phaser arrays have been serviced, tested, and triple-checked. The same goes for the launcher tubes, shield arrays, and countermeasures. Externally, we are fairly prepared for most threats, short of the Voth showing up.
oO Wouldn’t that be something? Oo
Moore: That being said, it wouldn’t hurt to have combat flight crews for the Daintree, Yosemite, and Miombo on standby. Also, maybe the Targhee if we can persuade Lieutenant Richards to let us use his baby. It also wouldn’t hurt to have The Indy crewed and orbiting the station, just in case.
Robin felt a slight pang at the mention of the Targhee… Of course, not the original, but the Targhee II, built to replace the original that she and Nate had spent months bringing to life. She pursed her lips and took a silent sip of her coffee, trying to maintain her shiny demeanor.
Ylvor: Response
Iko: And so far that has been fine, but if we can make things at least appear to be smoother…
Kizat: While I am sure there will be some intermingling I do not think we should really let there be much mixing without some of your people present. We do not need accidents.
Sipping at her drink, Robin’s gaze shifted between Iko and Kizat as they spoke. oO What sort of ‘accidents’ are you anticipating? Oo she wondered… Or was he suggesting something quite the opposite of an accident? She patted her lip to make sure she hadn’t left a milk moustache on her face and continued following the conversation.
Keehani: The Talaxians are friends of the Federation. We should look to honour any reasonable requests from them.
Ukinix: They like a drink too. I can take them to the pub. How’s that for diplomatic outreach.
Keehani shot Wil a look that clearly conveyed her disapproval of the idea. While she could understand Keehani’s reservations, Robin had to admit that Wil’s approach did sound more fun – and from what she knew of Talaxian culture, might actually be an effective way to break any remaining ‘ice’.
Carter: Or take them to the Terrible Targ…
Robin chuckled.
Hopper: ::To Wil:: Maybe getting the delegation plastered shouldn’t be our first step – ::To Keehani:: but I don’t think we should rule it out entirely, even if it’s just a few Talaxian cocktails at the Hotel Lounge. ::Slight shrug:: Just my two slips of latinum.
Rivi, perhaps sensing they were getting slightly ‘into the weeds’, concurred that some sort of demonstration of hospitality would be needed, without getting into how much alcohol would be involved.
Vataix: The President--and the Talaxians for that matter--will likely want to tour Amity during their visit. We'll need to make preparations.
Vaje rotated his seat towards Keehani.
Kizat: If you will take the Talaxians I will stay with the Presidential party. We can share notes at the end of day.
Keehani: ::taking notes on PADD:: Of course, Envoy Kizat.
Ukinix: Commander Hopper, could you give the Talaxians a tour of our SRC? And after that, Commander Carter maybe, you could show them around the Medical Centre.
At the mention of her name, Robin turned to face Wil with a beaming smile.
Hopper: I’d love to. ::Slight amused eye-roll:: Something tells me they’ll make for a more enjoyable tour group than the Hirogen. ::Nod to Carter:: John?
Carter: I would be happy to.
TBC in Part 2
