Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Learning Opportunities
Robin Hopper
((Type 6A Shuttle “Katraas”, En Route to Nygean Transit Port))
The image on the screen focused in on the space port ahead, bringing the entire structure and the nearest vessels into clear view. The complexity of its construction and traffic control was a testament to the organizational prowess of the Pact and its subsidiary states.
She leaned back in her seat, pleased as punch about the entire thing. While they were here to hopefully learn more about the Voth’s transwarp technology, that was hardly the only interesting thing about the Voth – and who knew how much more interesting they might have become in the decades since Voyager passed through.
Hopper: Alright, hail the port and take us in. Let’s get docked and get to work!
Blackwood: Will do, hopefully they’re friendly.
Reade: Opening a channel now to the port. ::tapping commands on console:: =/\= Nygean Transit Port Docking Command, this is a United Federation of Planets Shuttle with the callsign “Katraas” requesting permission to dock. =/\=
There was a bit of a delay – not surprising, perhaps, considering the amount of traffic moving through the area. It would certainly be a headache to try and coordinate them all. Fortunately, Blackwood seemed relatively adept at maneuvering in the ‘tight quarters’ provided by the authorized transit lanes.
Blackwood: :to Hopper: She’s a bulky one, ain’t she?
oO Excuse me? Oo
Robin shook herself free from her momentary daydreaming about the Voth and their technology, looking at the viewscreen ahead and noting the rather sizeable aft of a Mislenite freighter in their faces.
Blackwood: I could cut around her.
Hopper: Well, we’re in no rush. After all, they haven’t even granted us–
Docking Station ATC: Permission granted to dock. Bay 35.
The voice cutting in over their PA rendered her point moot. Hopper chuckled, and just offered Blackwood and Reade an amused shrug.
Hopper: Okay, well, I guess we have our clearance now. But, since we’re guests, let’s try to keep it polite. Slow and steady for now, Mr. Blackwood.
Reade: Take us in. What is the plan, Robin, when we dock? Are there any procedures to follow?
Blackwood: Yes, Lieutenant. What is the plan, Commander?
A good question – one to which she had been spending much of their travel time thus far mulling over and trying to work out the answer to. The entire venture was sort of a spur-of-the-moment thing, in order to take advantage of the unprecedented opportunity.
Hopper: Well, as you know, this isn’t a diplomatic mission. We’re not here to broker any trade agreements or cultural exchanges, but it never hurts to be friendly and open to discussion. Frankly, I’d be surprised if the Voth weren’t at least aware that the Federation has set up shop nearby – but, to my knowledge, there’s been no ‘official contact’ between our governments just yet. All the same, we’ll be representing the Federation in all our actions, so you know, best behaviour, gentlemen.
She chewed her bottom lip for a moment, clearly thinking about what she was about to add.
Hopper: And, I think it’s worth noting that social norms under the Kathesis Pact differ somewhat from the Federation. Remember, we’re in their space and will be expected to abide by their rules and customs, as well as we can.
Reade: Understood. I will keep that in mind when walking around the station. Now, do you think we should explore?
Blackwood: Do we have time to explore? ::looks at Hopper::
Robin nodded – there was most certainly going to be time, and while they weren’t there on any official diplomatic purpose, there was no sense in not making use of the opportunity to gather a little more information about the Pact, the Nygeans, and the other civilizations that comprised and interacted with the Pact.
Hopper: Sure thing. I think some exploration might be downright necessary. After all, we know the Voth are here, but since we haven’t been in communication with them, it’s not exactly like we have an appointment booked. We’ll need to ask around a bit, see if we can find reliable information that points us in the right direction. If we learn anything else or interesting or, say, stumble into a gift shop along the way, I wouldn’t say no to taking home a t-shirt or mug or something.
She smiled, satisfied that her response was both accurate and mildly amusing.
Blackwood: Aww, come on! :glances to Hopper: Sorry, not you.
Robin half-shook her head, half-nodded to indicate that she understood and was not bothered, as she looked at the viewscreen ahead. The heavyset Mislenite freighter was taking up more than its fair-share of the space in their transit lane and moving ahead at only 1/4 impulse, when they could have remained at half impulse for another few hundred thousand kilometers.
Reade: Response
Hopper: Permission to put our small size and maneuverability to use, Ensign – just, uh, do it “politely”, and give them plenty of clearance. I don’t want to rub anyone the wrong way.
Blackwood: :Low: Learn to fly… :louder: Hold on.
Blackwood’s hands moved across the console, adjusting thruster angles and getting closer to the freighter before using the sleek and nimble shuttle to their advantage. It went up and over the lagging freighter, soaring across its hull and accelerating to their dock, easily avoiding the other incoming and outgoing ships.
Hopper: ::Eyebrow quirked:: That could have been a little politer, Mr. Blackwood… Then again, I see we aren’t the only ones…
She brought up a display of the rear sensors, which indicated a number of other smaller craft had opted to pull almost the exact same maneuver. Maybe that sort of thing was ‘normal’ in Kathesis space.
Reade: Response
Robin stood quickly, rested a hand on the back of Blackwood’s chair as he guided the Katraas in with a precision docking sequence and with a hiss they were locked in.
Blackwood: Docking clamps engaged, initiating power-down sequence.
Hopper: Nice work – and look, two minutes earlier than anticipated. ::Turning to look at Reade:: Scotty, why don’t you set things up to continue running passive scans while we’re docked, collect some data… I think the power grid can handle it, right?
Reade: Response
With a nod, Robin rested her hands on her hips, expressing the determined excitement she was feeling. With a little luck, this stood to be an exceptional learning opportunity.
Hopper: Sounds good. Alright, fellas, get your things together. I’m going to go speak with the dock supervisor. ::Grinning:: Field trip starts in twelve minutes.
((Nygean Transit Port))
As the trio of Starfleet Officers stepped through the hatch that led from their docking spire to the central core of the transit hub, Robin looked around and found herself immediately marveling at the sights. She felt a little like she had the first time she’d set foot inside Starfleet Academy. The Nygean port was sleek, surprisingly spacious, and filled with an electric atmosphere generated by the many diverse people that frequented it.
What she found most interesting, though, was – for the first time in many years – being somewhere where there were no other Starfleet Officers… a space station, not entirely unlike Amity, yet governed and peopled entirely by Delta Quadrant locals! In their uniforms, the three of them stood out almost like sore thumbs. Robin just hoped nobody was feeling sore at the Federation.
Blackwood: This place has certainly got a lot going on. It might be worth recommending a liaison’s office here, Commander, if we’ve got the logistics for such a thing.
They continued strolling through the ‘promenade’ if one could call it that. It was smaller than Amity’ Grand Mezzanine, and built in a thick ring. The center appeared to open up to a view up-and-down the station.
Hopper: ::Smirking:: Maybe we’ll have to send you back here with Keehani some time, Ensign, to make some connections… Who knows, you might find yourself running regular shuttle duty to-and-fro!
The thought briefly popped into Robin’s head that this could be an opportunity for her sister, Keri, to gain some firsthand experience in a (relatively) controlled diplomatic environment – but she quickly set the idea aside. oO Good way to make enemies of the Kathesii! Oo she figured.
Blackwood/Reade: Response
At last they came to what Robin was hoping to find – a terminal with a map of the station. She waved the other two over.
Hopper: Now, according to our sources, the Voth vessel is undergoing maintenance, which means their ship would most likely be docked on one of the outer levels… ::She gestured to the layout, which showed work hangars closest to the station’s outermost sections:: …The upside to that is, we’ll have plenty to see as we make our way out of the core levels! With that in mind, see any stops of interest along the way?
She figured they’d at least have time for a few sightseeing stops based on their interests.
Blackwood/Reade: Response
Hopper: Sounds good. Personally, I’m interested in visiting one of their archives. I’ve been hearing really interesting things about this Kanaisan author, Daa’aganar VII, who apparently wove a lot of what is now considered ‘science fiction’ into classical religious texts several thousand years ago as a storytelling device… Can’t think of a better way to learn more about their culture, which I understand is a little – ::waving a hand:: complicated. Anyways! Looks like your stop’s first, Scotty. Lead the way!
Blackwood/Reade: Response
((OOC – Feel free to pick/invent anything you’d like for us to check out. We can make a few stops before running into the Voth.))
TBC
