Second Secretary Aitas - Acceptable Risks
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Aitas
Sep 7, 2025, 5:50:00 PM9/7/25
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((Observation/Briefing Lounge, Deck 1, USS Shelby))
The Shelby was a pleasant enough ship, though Aitas had experienced enough injuries from being tossed across a ship’s bridge to hope that the safety precautions for this one were extensive.
She’d spent most of the travel time reading over whatever she could find on the local system, as well as the Hovan language. Keen hearing at least would give her a natural advantage on attempts to understand it, though Aitas wouldn’t put much faith in her ability to speak it inherently. At least not without using Fureri.
Keehani: ::nervously:: Any signs of them answering?
Aitas: Records indicated minimal comms traffic given the level of Hovan technology. Not an infrastructure that lends itself to quick responses.
Admittedly, there were numerous reasons to keep a lower profile in the Delta Quadrant. Aitas was never going to get the nightmares about the fall of El-Auria out of her head.
Kizat: Response
Barberra: Maybe they’re having lunch or something.
Iko: They didn't particularly seem interested in answering before…
Aitas: Given what I’ve seen of the area, I’d not wish to draw too much attention.
Nevark: Response
Keehani: It would be a travesty of The Four if we came all this way and they didn’t want to talk to us--
Ch'raqath: =/\= Envoy Kizat, we are receiving a hail from Hova III. =/\=
Keehani: Any last minute information you’ve been able to glean, Second Secretary?
Aitas: They had some brief, positive interactions with El-Aurians at one point. And the Hirogen are aware of this system, but consider it to be poor hunting grounds. The Trenvonn have expressed complete disinterest.
She did have to wonder just what had led to that determination by the Hirogen. Aitas had to admit that she wouldn’t have much desire to pick a fight with the Hovans. Let alone trying to dig them out of the ice.
Keehani: Security/tactical and scientific assessments of the Hovans?
Iko: Well… If we piss them off there's not too much they can do to the Shelby, but if an away team annoys them, the favoured weapons are still projectile. Also, liquid methane on the surface could pose a serious risk with phasers. It should be fine for those who've had recent certifications done to have them, but I'd rather not accidentally burn the place to the ground.
Going down as a diplomat meant Aitas wasn’t about to be carrying weapons, but she would keep that detail in mind should it come up.
Which it hopefully wouldn’t. She certainly wasn’t built for ice.
Barberra: ::Tapping PADD:: Their signal is using a different carrier signal then what we’d use. It seems to also contain a hidden probing scan. Our systems will automatically block it.
Keehani: Does that indicate a natural suspicion? I’ll be keen on your assessment once we begin our conversation, Lieutenant Nevark.
If that alone was considered natural suspicion than Aitas had to wonder just what Keehani Ukinix thought of her.
Nevark: Response
Keehani: ::To Vaje, smiling:: Envoy, this is it. Let’s hope they’re welcoming. ::pressing small console in front of her built into table:: =/\= Commander Ch'raqath, patch them through. =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= And I am Consul Keehani Ukinix. It’s lovely to meet you. =/\=
Aitas: =/\= Second Secretary Aitas. A pleasure.=/\=
From what she’d gleaned about the Hovan language, many of their governmental titles derived from terms for positions within an intricate system of adoption and patronage. A slim thread to draw conclusions from, but more promising than some other options.
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= These our are Starfleet officers. May I introduce Lieutenant Commander Iko, Lieutenant Nevark, and Chief Petty Officer Barberra. =/\=
Iko: =/\= Hi. =/\=
Nevark: Response
Barberra: =/\= Hello. =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Bec looked at Keehani.
Keehani: =/\= No, they represent the exploration and defence arm of the Federation-- =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
((OOC: Can backsim here!))
Keehani immediately moved back to her seat after the comms ended.
Keehani: Well, it appears it’s not going to be a simple first contact after all.
Aitas: Given what else they have to contend with, I’ll take that they’re willing to speak with us at all.
Kizat: Response
Iko: Is it ever a “simple first contact”?
Nevark: Response
Keehani: ::To Vaje:: Envoy, I suggest the FDC staff meet with Chancellor Ril, and ::gesturing to Iko:: the Starfleet officers meet with the head of their Military Command.
Kizat: Response
Iko: Uh… yeah.
Barberra: ::casual shrug:: I’m down, sirs and ma’ams.
Aitas simply gave Keehani a nod.
Nevark: Response
Iko: We can probably head off about the same time as you guys.
((Outside of Hovan People’s Assembly, Hova III - ten minutes later))
Aitas had slipped a long coat over her other clothing and pinned it at the throat with the brooch
Keehani had given her. Enough to keep out most of the cold, though it still struck her as they beamed in.
She’d left Fureri behind on the Shelby. Both to keep that tenuous link if anything should happen and to avoid any more interesting assumptions should the bot’s origin be recognized.
The Chancellor quickly approached them, and from the curious looks (and vague emotions) of the Hovans passing through the gardens the area had not been utterly stripped of any save a small selection of approved residents. Perhaps a good sign, though it did also bear with it certain risks.
Kizat/Ril: Response
Keehani: ::Polite nod:: It must be wonderful to see a world so close to yours almost able to reach the stars with their own warp capability?
Ril: Response
Kizat: Response
She took a simple step forward, gloved hands held open at her sides.
Aitas: That there are risks and opportunities alike with every change; we cannot fault your caution.
Especially not from a species who could wind up with horrifying methane fires; that seemed likely to impact their general approach to risk assessment.
Keehani/Kizat/Ril: Response
Aitas: It is a beautiful place. I’m honored by the chance to see it.
She let her gaze linger on the edges of the building, which had been carved to resemble thawing ridges of ice, and reflected color in much the same way. Light glinted off the surfaces, reflected back to the edges of the cave, and then back and back again. It all made the area surprisingly well-lit for how few light sources Aitas could actually spot.
Keehani/Kizat/Ril: Response
Aitas: I am here because I wish to see matters with my own eyes, and to learn from the wisdom of others. It has been a humbling experience, at times.
Perhaps the Hovans had tales of subspace serpents; perhaps they thought of their own world as the greatest wonder of all. It would be insightful to see what her words drew forth first: curiosity, perhaps, or pride.
The Shelby was a pleasant enough ship, though Aitas had experienced enough injuries from being tossed across a ship’s bridge to hope that the safety precautions for this one were extensive.
She’d spent most of the travel time reading over whatever she could find on the local system, as well as the Hovan language. Keen hearing at least would give her a natural advantage on attempts to understand it, though Aitas wouldn’t put much faith in her ability to speak it inherently. At least not without using Fureri.
Keehani: ::nervously:: Any signs of them answering?
Aitas: Records indicated minimal comms traffic given the level of Hovan technology. Not an infrastructure that lends itself to quick responses.
Admittedly, there were numerous reasons to keep a lower profile in the Delta Quadrant. Aitas was never going to get the nightmares about the fall of El-Auria out of her head.
Kizat: Response
Barberra: Maybe they’re having lunch or something.
Iko: They didn't particularly seem interested in answering before…
Aitas: Given what I’ve seen of the area, I’d not wish to draw too much attention.
Nevark: Response
Keehani: It would be a travesty of The Four if we came all this way and they didn’t want to talk to us--
Ch'raqath: =/\= Envoy Kizat, we are receiving a hail from Hova III. =/\=
Keehani: Any last minute information you’ve been able to glean, Second Secretary?
Aitas: They had some brief, positive interactions with El-Aurians at one point. And the Hirogen are aware of this system, but consider it to be poor hunting grounds. The Trenvonn have expressed complete disinterest.
She did have to wonder just what had led to that determination by the Hirogen. Aitas had to admit that she wouldn’t have much desire to pick a fight with the Hovans. Let alone trying to dig them out of the ice.
Keehani: Security/tactical and scientific assessments of the Hovans?
Iko: Well… If we piss them off there's not too much they can do to the Shelby, but if an away team annoys them, the favoured weapons are still projectile. Also, liquid methane on the surface could pose a serious risk with phasers. It should be fine for those who've had recent certifications done to have them, but I'd rather not accidentally burn the place to the ground.
Going down as a diplomat meant Aitas wasn’t about to be carrying weapons, but she would keep that detail in mind should it come up.
Which it hopefully wouldn’t. She certainly wasn’t built for ice.
Barberra: ::Tapping PADD:: Their signal is using a different carrier signal then what we’d use. It seems to also contain a hidden probing scan. Our systems will automatically block it.
Keehani: Does that indicate a natural suspicion? I’ll be keen on your assessment once we begin our conversation, Lieutenant Nevark.
If that alone was considered natural suspicion than Aitas had to wonder just what Keehani Ukinix thought of her.
Nevark: Response
Keehani: ::To Vaje, smiling:: Envoy, this is it. Let’s hope they’re welcoming. ::pressing small console in front of her built into table:: =/\= Commander Ch'raqath, patch them through. =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= And I am Consul Keehani Ukinix. It’s lovely to meet you. =/\=
Aitas: =/\= Second Secretary Aitas. A pleasure.=/\=
From what she’d gleaned about the Hovan language, many of their governmental titles derived from terms for positions within an intricate system of adoption and patronage. A slim thread to draw conclusions from, but more promising than some other options.
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= These our are Starfleet officers. May I introduce Lieutenant Commander Iko, Lieutenant Nevark, and Chief Petty Officer Barberra. =/\=
Iko: =/\= Hi. =/\=
Nevark: Response
Barberra: =/\= Hello. =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Bec looked at Keehani.
Keehani: =/\= No, they represent the exploration and defence arm of the Federation-- =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
((OOC: Can backsim here!))
Keehani immediately moved back to her seat after the comms ended.
Keehani: Well, it appears it’s not going to be a simple first contact after all.
Aitas: Given what else they have to contend with, I’ll take that they’re willing to speak with us at all.
Kizat: Response
Iko: Is it ever a “simple first contact”?
Nevark: Response
Keehani: ::To Vaje:: Envoy, I suggest the FDC staff meet with Chancellor Ril, and ::gesturing to Iko:: the Starfleet officers meet with the head of their Military Command.
Kizat: Response
Iko: Uh… yeah.
Barberra: ::casual shrug:: I’m down, sirs and ma’ams.
Aitas simply gave Keehani a nod.
Nevark: Response
Iko: We can probably head off about the same time as you guys.
((Outside of Hovan People’s Assembly, Hova III - ten minutes later))
Aitas had slipped a long coat over her other clothing and pinned it at the throat with the brooch
Keehani had given her. Enough to keep out most of the cold, though it still struck her as they beamed in.
She’d left Fureri behind on the Shelby. Both to keep that tenuous link if anything should happen and to avoid any more interesting assumptions should the bot’s origin be recognized.
The Chancellor quickly approached them, and from the curious looks (and vague emotions) of the Hovans passing through the gardens the area had not been utterly stripped of any save a small selection of approved residents. Perhaps a good sign, though it did also bear with it certain risks.
Kizat/Ril: Response
Keehani: ::Polite nod:: It must be wonderful to see a world so close to yours almost able to reach the stars with their own warp capability?
Ril: Response
Kizat: Response
She took a simple step forward, gloved hands held open at her sides.
Aitas: That there are risks and opportunities alike with every change; we cannot fault your caution.
Especially not from a species who could wind up with horrifying methane fires; that seemed likely to impact their general approach to risk assessment.
Keehani/Kizat/Ril: Response
Aitas: It is a beautiful place. I’m honored by the chance to see it.
She let her gaze linger on the edges of the building, which had been carved to resemble thawing ridges of ice, and reflected color in much the same way. Light glinted off the surfaces, reflected back to the edges of the cave, and then back and back again. It all made the area surprisingly well-lit for how few light sources Aitas could actually spot.
Keehani/Kizat/Ril: Response
Aitas: I am here because I wish to see matters with my own eyes, and to learn from the wisdom of others. It has been a humbling experience, at times.
Perhaps the Hovans had tales of subspace serpents; perhaps they thought of their own world as the greatest wonder of all. It would be insightful to see what her words drew forth first: curiosity, perhaps, or pride.
Keehani/Kizat/Ril: Response
Tag/TBC
Second Secretary Aitas
Federation Diplomatic Corps
Amity Outpost
O239307A10
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