[ACT 1] Envoy Keehani Ukinix - Outreach
Wil Ukinix
((Observation/Briefing Lounge, Deck 1, USS Shelby))
The equivalent of a conference room on a Starfleet vessel (such as the one on Voyager’s) was where the similarities ended for the Shelby’s observation/briefing lounge. The room was furnished with varnished wood-panels, and matching, aesthetically pleasing furniture - including the holo-emitting table in the centre of the room.
While the room was undisputedly designed for function, form was also a major player in its design. Classy, modern and chique, it was undoubtedly Keehani’s second favourite room on the fit for FDC purpose Shelby. Her first favourite, of course, was Ambassadorial Chamber on Deck 3 - a stunning fit out, designed to welcome dignitaries, and hold diplomatic conferences there. Despite its smaller size compared to say its equivalent in Copernicus, it still had that FDC feel - with one curved transparent aluminium wall that allowed a stunning view out into space.
But the Observation/Briefing room’s desk was where Keehani sat, the room that fed off the bridge of the vessel. Unlike a normal Starfleet vessel, the bridge was “commanded” by Starfleet Operations, under the direction of the highest ranked FDC person on board - today, that was Deputy Chief of Mission, Envoy Vaje Kizat.
Their mission? Try to make first contact with a species named “Hovans”, an early (compared to the Federation) warp-capable civilisation that thrived on the third planet in the Hova system. The simple fact that the Shelby carried a Quantum Slipstream Drive made the Federation many levels of advancement over and above the Hovans.
But technological prowess was not what the FDC’s outreach was about-- they were there to hopefully make new friends for the Federation.
Keehani: ::nervously:: Any signs of them answering?
Aitas/Kizat: Response
On one side of the table with Keehani sat Second Secretary Aitas and Vaje, and on the other, Starfleet officers Lieutenant Commander Bec Iko, Lieutenant Layla Nevark, and Chief Petty Officer Annamae Barberra - the recently promoted enlisted science officer who Keehani had a “colourful” history with (primarily due to them not getting along mostly).
Barberra: Maybe they’re having lunch or something.
Keehani gave Annamae a side-eye glance. That probably summed up why they didn’t get along. Did she ever take anything seriously?
Iko/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. =/\=
Commander Sesith Ch'raqath, the Andorian man who sat in the slightly off from centre chair on the bridge (near the other slightly off from centre “Mission Chair” where the highest ranked FDC person often sat), did not wear red. He was an operations officer, and while he did officially hold the Starfleet CO title on the Shelby, he answered to the FDC.
In fact, officers wearing red on the Shelby were rare.
Sesith’s bridge crew had been hailing the Hovans-- and finally, it seemed, they’d answered.
Keehani: Any last minute information you’ve been able to glean, Second Secretary?
Aitas: Response
Keehani nodded, and turned to the other Starfleet officers.
Keehani: Security/tactical and scientific assessments of the Hovans?
Iko: Response
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.
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. =/\=
On the view screen, a person appeared - the Hovan’s Chancellor and head of their government.
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= And I am Consul Keehani Ukinix. It’s lovely to meet you. =/\=
Aitas: =/\= Response =/\=
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/Nevark: Response
Barberra: Hello.
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Keehani: =/\= No, they represent the exploration and defence arm of the Federation-- =/\=
Ril: =/\= Response =/\=
Kizat: =/\= Response =/\=
(OOC: Can backsim here!)
With the comms ended, Keehani sat back in her chair. She smiled with a slight playful eyeroll.
Keehani: Well, it appears it’s not going to be a simple first contact after all.
Kizat/Aitas: Response
Iko/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: Response
Barberra: ::casual shrug:: I’m down, sirs and ma’ams.
Aitas/Nevark: Response
((Outside of Hovan People’s Assembly, Hova III - ten minutes later))
While they were “outside” of the Assembly, they were in fact inside - or underground, to be more exact. Hova III was an ice planet, and while there were some cities on the surface, billions of the planet’s citizens lived underground.
Vaje, Keehani, and Aitas materialised into existence, amongst strange gardens that surrounded the underground Assembly building.
Passers-by couldn’t help but observe the trio with some curiosity.
Keehani smiled when Chancellor Ril approached. She interlocked her fingers, and stood next to Vaje, giving the Chancellor a polite nod.
Kizat/Ril/Aitas: 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/Aitas: Response
Tags/TBC!
==========================================================
Envoy Keehani Ukinix
Consul, Diplomatic Mission to the Delta Quadrant
Federation Diplomatic Corps, United Federation of Planets
V239511WU0