Captain Ertmo - It's really them!
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Aitas
May 12, 2026, 8:08:57 PM (2 days ago) May 12
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((USS Kepler – en route to United Alliance of Worlds Territory))
Ertmo had been shivering with excitement even before a flash of light moved him onto the Federation vessel. He’d thought it might be decades until they sent a proper ship of their own over to speak with the Federation, and yet despite everything here they were.
Hopper: Captain Ertmo. I’m Lieu– Mm. ::Correcting herself:: I’m Captain Robin Hopper of the USS Kepler. Welcome aboard. This is my Special Operations Officer, Chief Petty Officer Ilid Zakrem, and my– Captain Nicolette Ashwood.
Ertmo took the offered hand; the Federation members seemed to have so many fingers compared to his own complement of two and a thumb. They all looked very much alike, as well.
Ertmo had been shivering with excitement even before a flash of light moved him onto the Federation vessel. He’d thought it might be decades until they sent a proper ship of their own over to speak with the Federation, and yet despite everything here they were.
Hopper: Captain Ertmo. I’m Lieu– Mm. ::Correcting herself:: I’m Captain Robin Hopper of the USS Kepler. Welcome aboard. This is my Special Operations Officer, Chief Petty Officer Ilid Zakrem, and my– Captain Nicolette Ashwood.
Ertmo took the offered hand; the Federation members seemed to have so many fingers compared to his own complement of two and a thumb. They all looked very much alike, as well.
Ertmo: It is good to meet you all. You have my deepest thanks.
Zakrem: Response?
The first Captain who’d spoken gestured toward the door.
Hopper: On behalf of the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, I’d be happy to discuss further the challenges your people are dealing with and determine what sort of assistance we might be able to render. I suggest taking the conversation to our conference room for now, where we can talk candidly.
Ertmo: Of course, Captain. We’re very grateful for your involvement.
Ashwood: It will give you a chance to see more of the ship. I'm rather fond of her myself.
Zakrem: Response
Hopper: The Kepler is, in fact, the same class of ship as the Voyager – we call it an Intrepid Class, though you may have known that already. She’s a fine ship, and recently upgraded. Captain Ashwood is typically the Commanding Officer however, given my familiarity with the region, I’ll be leading this mission. ::Raising her eyebrows:: But I’m very curious to learn more about you and your ship, Captain.
Ertmo’s eyes widened at the class detail, turning his gaze from a vibrant green to mostly black. He promptly looked around, eyes darting in every direction, before turning back to his hosts.
Ertmo: I would love to offer you a tour in turn, Captain, but we’re in rather poor shape for guests at the moment.
Let alone distinguished guests from the Federation. It wouldn’t do to have a bulkhead simply melt away in front of them!
Ashwood: :: extends her arm :: After you, captains and Mister Zakrem.
Ertmo let the other Captain lead. oO Jumper, was that it? Oo But it was better to use the title. It wouldn’t do to make a poor impression.
Ertmo: Your Federation has been an inspiration to us. Our United Alliance of Worlds wouldn’t exist without your influence.
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
They entered some sort of lift. The frills on Ertmo's back lifted slightly; they’d never quite gotten the uniform to fit properly around them. He usually kept them strapped down to provide the proper silhouette, but everything had been far too urgent.
Ertmo: I am from Ilidaria, but it is my honor and duty to represent all our worlds.
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
Ashwood: Captain Ertmo, I'd love to know more about the history of your people, how did this union come about?
Ertmo stood up a little straighter, though that still left him shorter than everyone nearby.
Ertmo: It was Voyager’s influence, of course!
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
Ertmo: The Terrellian government was most impressed by their actions, and sought out whatever information they could, a desire that they found mirrored by both my own people and the Yallitians.
He opened his mouth again, then shut it; they had better things to listen to than a long overview of the politics involved.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Ertmo: I have begun to worry that this insurgency is supported by those who had the opposite opinion of Voyager’s actions. But I must ensure my crew are cared for first.
The UAW had far too grand a destiny to be waylaid by such an incident, especially with the Federation itself coming to their aid. Ertmo still couldn’t quite believe how lucky they’d been.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Ertmo: We initially had hoped to model the Enterprise more closely on your vessels, but ::he raised a finger and extruded forth a thread from it, which he used to form a silhouette of a ship in the air.:: There were material limits. I’m sure it won’t trouble your experts.
The back of his uniform rustled, the frills there fully overcome with his excitement.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Tag/TBC
Zakrem: Response?
The first Captain who’d spoken gestured toward the door.
Hopper: On behalf of the United Federation of Planets and Starfleet, I’d be happy to discuss further the challenges your people are dealing with and determine what sort of assistance we might be able to render. I suggest taking the conversation to our conference room for now, where we can talk candidly.
Ertmo: Of course, Captain. We’re very grateful for your involvement.
Ashwood: It will give you a chance to see more of the ship. I'm rather fond of her myself.
Zakrem: Response
Hopper: The Kepler is, in fact, the same class of ship as the Voyager – we call it an Intrepid Class, though you may have known that already. She’s a fine ship, and recently upgraded. Captain Ashwood is typically the Commanding Officer however, given my familiarity with the region, I’ll be leading this mission. ::Raising her eyebrows:: But I’m very curious to learn more about you and your ship, Captain.
Ertmo’s eyes widened at the class detail, turning his gaze from a vibrant green to mostly black. He promptly looked around, eyes darting in every direction, before turning back to his hosts.
Ertmo: I would love to offer you a tour in turn, Captain, but we’re in rather poor shape for guests at the moment.
Let alone distinguished guests from the Federation. It wouldn’t do to have a bulkhead simply melt away in front of them!
Ashwood: :: extends her arm :: After you, captains and Mister Zakrem.
Ertmo let the other Captain lead. oO Jumper, was that it? Oo But it was better to use the title. It wouldn’t do to make a poor impression.
Ertmo: Your Federation has been an inspiration to us. Our United Alliance of Worlds wouldn’t exist without your influence.
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
They entered some sort of lift. The frills on Ertmo's back lifted slightly; they’d never quite gotten the uniform to fit properly around them. He usually kept them strapped down to provide the proper silhouette, but everything had been far too urgent.
Ertmo: I am from Ilidaria, but it is my honor and duty to represent all our worlds.
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
Ashwood: Captain Ertmo, I'd love to know more about the history of your people, how did this union come about?
Ertmo stood up a little straighter, though that still left him shorter than everyone nearby.
Ertmo: It was Voyager’s influence, of course!
Zakrem/Hopper: Response
Ertmo: The Terrellian government was most impressed by their actions, and sought out whatever information they could, a desire that they found mirrored by both my own people and the Yallitians.
He opened his mouth again, then shut it; they had better things to listen to than a long overview of the politics involved.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Ertmo: I have begun to worry that this insurgency is supported by those who had the opposite opinion of Voyager’s actions. But I must ensure my crew are cared for first.
The UAW had far too grand a destiny to be waylaid by such an incident, especially with the Federation itself coming to their aid. Ertmo still couldn’t quite believe how lucky they’d been.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Ertmo: We initially had hoped to model the Enterprise more closely on your vessels, but ::he raised a finger and extruded forth a thread from it, which he used to form a silhouette of a ship in the air.:: There were material limits. I’m sure it won’t trouble your experts.
The back of his uniform rustled, the frills there fully overcome with his excitement.
Zakrem/Hopper/Ashwood: Response
Tag/TBC
Captain Ertmo
UAW Enterprise
United Alliance of Worlds
O239307A10
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