Ambassador Hyacinth Turnbull -- Hoity-Toity (part 2)
Rebecca Iko
((Outdoor Transporter Pad, Twentieth House Colony, Idrustix))
Ambassador Hyacinth Turnbull appreciated stepping foot on solid ground again. It was always an interesting time travelling to a new assignment—especially one so far from home.
The Starfleet commander was the first to come to properly meet Hyacinth and her associate, and she smiled and nodded in his direction—and the direction of the rest of the casually congregated group.
Turnbull: Good afternoon.
Keehani: ::Stepping forward, genuine smile, offering hand:: Ambassador Turnbull, Consul Ukinix. Welcome to Idrustix. Your new home. It’s wonderful to meet you. How was your trip?
Hyacinth shook the Consol's hand and gave her a smile.
Turnbull: Quite fine. Long, but I don't think there's much good in complaining.
Ukinix/Keehani: ::simultaneously:: G’day, Commander--/Welcome, Commander--
Hyacinth raised a brow at the siblings and turned to look at the FDC starfleet officer at her side.
Nilsen: It’s a pleasure to be here. I'm Lieutenant Commander Lhandon Joseph Nilsen, Senior Diplomatic Officer of the USS Octavia E Butler. I’m here to provide both operational and diplomatic support for the move from Amity to here.
He shook hands with them both.
Turnbull: I understand this is going to be quite a change for everyone out here.
One of the officers in gold quietly nodded her head.
Ariadust/Hopper/Richards: Response
Keehani: ::polite chuckle:: A little misunderstanding. Commander Nilsen is FDC after all. ::Quick glance to Wil::
Ukinix: ::to Keehani:: Yeah, but he is wearing a Starfleet uniform, with pips on it. ::To Lhandon:: Right Commander?
Nilsen: I'm both. I'm FDC and Starfleet. I chose to keep my commission so I could continue to serve permanently on the OEB. The purple represents that.
Some of the assembled group seemed confused about the dual role. The Ambassador briefly raised a brow again with a small accompanying nod.
Aitas: ::smiling:: Then we’re both quite glad to have you. I’m Second Secretary Aitas, with Cultural Affairs.
Hyacinth gave the Second Secretary a polite nod.
Turnbull: I trust we will be working closely then.
Ariadust: Madame Ambassador, it is my great honour to receive you here. I am Daughter Tri’lea Ariadust, of the Twentieth House of Betazed. I hope you will find your accommodations here comfortable after your long voyage.
Richards: Response
Nilsen: It’s certainly been a long journey from the gamma quadrant. I’m never going to complain about the wormhole again, but the Shelby is a nice ship.
Turnbull: Indeed. The ASDB have done a fabulous job with its design, and Admiral Shelby is a more than appropriate namesake.
Ukinix/Keehani: Response
Hopper: ::Introducing herself:: Ambassador, nice to meet you. Lieutenant Commander Robin Hopper, Amity’s First Officer. ::Nodding to the other two officers:: This is Lieutenant Commander Richards, our Second Officer and Chief of Operations, and Lieutenant Commander Iko, our Security and Tactical Chief. We look forward to supporting your continuing operations in the region.
Richards: Response
Iko: Greetings Ambassador.
Nilsen: I gotta say, it’s a small universe; some of us have met before. Commander Ukinix, you were the proctor of my final cadet exam:beat:: and Commander Richards, we have met on the race track. You were Amiteam Racing and I was in the Sufing’ Scouts. I’m really glad to see you both again.
Turnbull: Racing?
Richards/Ukinix: Response?
Turnbull: Perhaps a conversation for later.
Keehani: Response
Turnbull: While I would love to stay and chat, I do believe we have a few more “housekeeping” things?
Ariadust: Of course, Ambassador. The Embassy building is just over here. ::Gesturing:: At present, it is the largest building in the colony – though that may not last long if the Talaxians find a suitable location for their Cultural and Community Center nearby. The plans are rather… extravagant.
Now Hyacinth was mildly intrigued.
Nilsen: I’m going to enjoy getting to know you all and reuniting with you. Shall we get cracking? I don’t know about yourself, ambassador, but I’m excited to see this place.
Aitas: I quite agree. I haven’t yet had the opportunity.
Ariadust: Right this way. ::Beginning to lead:: This transporter pad is rather central, with the most important administrative offices in close proximity. Beyond that is a market and commerce quarter and the outer ring of buildings are primarily homes and utility buildings – though we have a few modest luxuries sprinkled throughout.
Turnbull: From what I have heard ::gesturing around:: and seen thus far, everything seems to have developed fantastically well.
Ukinix/Keehani: Response
Hopper: One thing’s for sure, it’s a lot more habitable than the last time we were down here on the surface.
The Ambassador raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Starfleet always had a way of making things interesting, didn’t it? Perhaps that was why it felt as if the numbers of Australians in the service were lacking. Though looking around her, that didn’t quite appear to be the case as the statistic of greater starfleet may think.
Hopper: ::Explaining to the newcomers:: Our first mission to Idrustix involved a surprise drop-in by the Trenvonn, a local species who called this planet Skraall and apparently seeded the Lucia bacteria here as a sort of experiment…
It was always interesting where Starfleet went, wasn't it?
The Security chief in particular seemed to look between her cohort rather than say anything further.
Richards/Nilsen: Response
Aitas: Oh, perhaps it’d be easier to list what I wasn’t interested in seeing. I’ll admit I’m not drawn to the cold.
Ariadust: ::Reassuringly:: There is little of that around here, Secretary. Our colony isn’t too far North of the planet’s equator, keeping it nice and temperate. Of course, if you were interested in exploring the polar regions and seeing the spectacular auroras that appear there, I’m sure we could find a way to do so from the safety and comfort of a shuttlecraft…
Turnbull: I may also take you up on that offer, Daughter Ariadust. If we have the time.
Everything needed to be in order before then. Ambassador Turnbull wasn’t one of those people who went to, say, Bali for instance, in the middle of important diplomatic or political business. Unless, of course, you wanted to rebuke that claim by noting that the climate of Idrustix might be similar enough to the Indonesian beaches (to which the Ambassador would reply that it actually where her office is located and the point is that she’s not running from her duties).
Ukinix/Keehani/Nilsen: Response
The Trio of starfleet officers fell to the rear of the group as they walked, which amused the Ambassador somewhat. She knew that change wasn't always accepted easily. But change was as good as a holiday, and she knew they'd all come around. Eventually.
Iko: ::quietly to Robin and Nathan:: It keeps getting more and more fancy…
Hopper: ::Quietly, to Richards:: Not a bad spot for a honeymoon… Plus we wouldn’t have to spend our entire time away in transit.
Richards: Response
Aitas: ::to Nilsen:: I am quite curious as to just what tempted you all the way out here to Delta Quadrant.
Nilsen: Response
Turnbull smiled. The reason for her acceptance of this assignment had not been too dissimilar.
The group slowed to a stop outside the Embassy. The Ambassador glanced briefly at Daughter Ariadust, admiring the architecture of the magnificent building that she assumed was constructed under her supervision. It did remind her somewhat of the Sydney Opera House, with the way the main roof curved into the walls and doorway, though this seemed almost more elegant than those white metal sails.
Ariadust: Well, here we are. Ambassador, it is my pleasure and honour to welcome you officially to the first freestanding Federation Embassy in the Delta Quadrant…
Hyacinth took a larger breath as she continued to admire the Embassy, where she relaxed her shoulders on the exhale, approving.
Making history. You don't become an Officer of an Order without having made some sort of history already, but that didn't make it any less special.
Turnbull: A momentous occasion for us all.
Perhaps some champagne was in order.
Ukinix/Keehani: Response
Richards: Response
Hopper: ::Smiling:: From one frontier girl to another, Daughter Ariadust, not bad. Not bad at all. I can actually see myself wanting to visit here and spend some time.
Iko: ::nodding:: As could I.
The Ambassador sure hoped so. With Idrustix now the centre of affairs it was likely they would have to visit more and more often.
Their host, Ariadust, gestured around the rest of the main circle. Places that Hyacinth would have to eventually become more familiar with, but all in good time.
Ariadust: And now, of course, you are all free to explore the colony as you like. My office will be available to you for any support you might require. I shall remain with the Ambassador, to ensure all her needs are met.
Aitas: I’m quite happy to split off and see wherever people would like. The outfit is rather sturdier than it looks.
Hopper: ::Smirking:: Opposite for our dress uniforms, unfortunately. But we can always change in the adventure calls for it. ::To Wil:: Skipper, where do you need us?
Ukinix: Response
Turnbull: I will say this idea of adventure is tempting…
Keehani/Nilsen: Response
Richards: Response
Turnbull: I believe the consul and I should sit down together first, but I would appreciate drinks or a meal later with whoever is available.
Diplomacy was almost more satisfying when paired with a bottle of wine.
Ariadust: I’m sure we can arrange that, Ambassador. How soon were you thinking?
She looked to the Consul, wondering just how long it might be before she would be tired out.
Turnbull: Perhaps in a few hours.
She then turned to the other FDC staff.
Turnbull: Secretary, Commander, you are welcome to join us in the meantime
Keehani/Aitas/Nilsen: Response
Ariadust: And, Commanders, is there anything else you need? Can I help point you to any particular amenities?
Iko: ::shaking her head:: I'm alright for now.
Ukinix/Nilsen/Richards/Hopper: Response
Turnbull: A pleasure meeting you commander. And your crew.
She offered him her hand.
Ukinix: Response
Turnbull: I look forward to seeing you all again soon.
She nodded, letting the Starfleet crew smile, nod, wave and depart off on their own adventures.
Ukinix/Hopper/Richards: Response
Ariadust/Nilsen/Aitas/Keehani: Response
Turnbull: Daughter Ariadust, if you could please escort us inside this magnificent Embassy?
With the centre of affairs changing from Amity to Idrustix, there was a significant amount to discuss.
Ariadust/Nilsen/Aitas/Keehani: Response
Tag/TBC!
Ambassador Hyacinth Turnbull, OA
Chief of Mission, Diplomatic Mission to the Delta Quadrant
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
A239810RI3