Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Show Us Your Pips!
Robin Hopper
((Chief of Mission's Office, Level 15, Copernicus Center – Amity Outpost))
Her time aboard Amity thus far had only compounded Robin’s awareness of the fact that she, unlike her sister, had not inherited the ‘Diplomacy’ gene from their Mama. If it was obvious to some at the table what the priorities of the Talaxian delegation were, or how to direct their attention around the station… it was not obvious to her.
She patted the table in front of her, releasing a little pent up impatience at what felt like the discussion of minute details when – at least in her mind – many of the broad strokes had yet to even be laid out.
Hopper: Has anyone, um, asked the Talaxians what they’re most interested in? ::To Keehani:: Do we know what their priorities are? Do they have any sort of, um… ::Not sure of the right word:: ‘Manifesto?’
Vataix: I'm sure we will hear from them soon enough.
Robin scrunched her mouth to the side, her brow furrowing slightly. oO What are they waiting for? Oo she wondered – that impatience bubbling to the surface again. She glanced, absent-mindedly, over her shoulder at her sister, who seemed to be engrossed in the unfolding conversation. That was reason enough to turn back to the table and try to stick it out.
Kizat: They sent over talking points for the peace talks but we do have a few families living on the station do we not?
Keehani: Yes, there is already a large number of Talaxians who have made residence here. Some with retail outlets on the Mezzanine. ::To Robin:: No priorities list as yet, they may not want to reveal their hand early.
Ylvor: Mr Moore and myself have a few friends in the Paxau district, we could ask around what way we can best accommodate them?
Moore: Not a bad idea. They have lived among us for a bit, but many came from Talax, and other worlds. They might have insight into what we can offer for their needs.
Carter: Perhaps we can include them in some small way, to give us more of a "common man" approach. What a Talaxian here on the station is concerned about might be vastly different than what the Talaxian envoys are We need to be well rounded so that we are not caught flat footed on either side.
Robin nodded. That was something. Assuming the Talaxian government was interested in representing the interests of their constituents, ‘taking the pulse’ of some of Amity’s own local Talaxian population seemed like a reasonable start in identifying their priorities.
Ukinix: Good call. I think also we could greet the Talaxians with the Indy once they are within range, and escort them in. ::To Harrison:: Ensign Blackwood, would you like to do the helm honours?
Blackwood: Response
Recap time.
Iko: What does all that bring is to then?
Kizat: Then are we looking at a tour, including a flyby, a state dinner, and a talent show, on top of the negotiations? It seems like more than we have time for.
Carter: That looks like a very full day, I think...
Iko: Honestly too full.
A lot of that would depend, Robin supposed, on how long the Talaxians and the President wanted to spend on each leg of the itinerary. Considering Narala had come all the way from the Alpha Quadrant, and considering the Talaxians’ reputation for curiosity, Robin could understand Bec’s apprehension – they probably wouldn’t want to feel rushed.
Kizat: Should we do the performances at the dinner? If we are settled on it?
Ylvor: If we need to consolidate, that would seem the most logical place to do so sir. It would definitely lessen the burden on the Security teams.
Moore: That would make it much easier. Any time we stop for long periods means there is a tactical risk, and resources needed to mitigate those risks.
Blackwood: Response
Carter: I agree. We have to keep everyone moving as much as possible while at the station.
Hopper: That said, we don’t want them to feel like we aren’t taking an appropriate amount of time… This is our first – potential – Delta Quadrant member of the Federation. We want to give them time to breathe, you know?
She looked, in particular, to Vaje and Keehani, then to Rivi, in hopes that they would agree. The truth was, she didn’t necessarily trust her own instincts with such things – but, trying to follow her mother’ advice, she was imagining herself in the shoes of the Talaxians… did they wear shoes? …and the long list of plans felt as though it might wind up being a bit of a whirlwind.
Kizat: What has the President said about their schedule during your meetings?
Vataix: Remember, the President and the Talaxians are here for a week. She didn't make the weeks long journey out here just for a day.
Keehani nodded in agreement with the Ambassador. Robin smiled, satisfied that she’d been on the right track with her concerns. It was hard to resist the temptation to turn towards Keri again and stick her tongue out. Only wanting to uphold the sanctity of her uniform kept her from it.
Vataix: It will be good to have a special event each day for them to look forward to outside of the negotiations. So we can have the dinner to start with and then plan for the performances by the crew to be on another night and so forth.
Keehani: ::Taking notes on PADD:: Yes, Ambassador.
Hopper: Makes sense to me.
Carter: Response?
Kizat: Are we ready to get underway then? It seems like they need to start allocating officers.
Iko: If we could please—though there's still a fair few unanswered questions.
Ylvor: ::To Iko:: Lieutenant, If we can arrange a meeting with both the President's advance security and the Talaxian service that would more than likely alleviate some of these questions.
Iko: Yes, but we still have ::circular gesturing towards table:: all of this to finalise first. When's the dinner?—if we're gonna do a concert people need time to prep things, and when is everything else in relation to that? Before? After? The next day? Six weeks from now when the President's back on earth?
Robin blinked a few times. She knew that Klingon emotions were strong, but Bec seemed particularly on-edge about things. Robin supposed that was only natural, given Iko’s recent promotion to Acting Chief of Security and Tactical… A particularly stress-inducing job, no doubt. After all, if some sort of ‘accident’ did happen – as Vaje had suggested – the life of the Federation President could hang in the balance, not to mention the result of their first prospective members from the Delta Quadrant.
oO Great. Now I feel stressed too. Oo
Moore: I wouldn’t mind coordinating with both the President’s escort ships and the Talaxian ships to handle orbital security around the station. ::He looked at Rivi and Wil again:: It will allow us to react faster to external threats. Do we know what ships they are bringing?
Ukinix: Not as yet. ((OOC – This line of dialogue was provided by Ukinix’s writer in order to integrate the above missed dialogue tag from Moore.))
Rivi, ever the level-headed Ambassador, helped calm the table with a reassuring summary of their plans thus far – with a few of the remaining questions quickly and efficiently ‘ironed out’...
Vataix: Let's do a basic tour on the first day, department demonstrations on the second and third days with the dinner on the second night, a tour of the nebula and the angels on the fourth day, the concert on the fourth night, and then a final departure ceremony for the President after what will hopefully be a successful diplomatic meeting with the Talaxians on the fifth day. Sound good?
That seemed to settle the overall mood of the table, Robin included. She smiled and nodded, and wasn’t the only one to do so.
Moore/Ylvor/Blackwood: Response
Ukinix: No worries Ambassador, Starfleet’s in full support.
Hopper: Absolutely. You can count on us to put on a good show.
Carter: Response
Keehani graciously acknowledged the solid support coming from those in uniform.
Keehani: The FDC appreciates everyone’s effort.
They might not all know exactly what would happen, or how it would pan out (Hopper included), but part of wearing that uniform was accepting that ‘rolling with the punches’ was sometimes – often – required.
Kizat: Response
Iko: Is there anything else we've missed?
Vataix: Yes, one last thing on our agenda. Ensigns Moore, Blackwood, and Ylvor?
Robin bit her tongue and clasped her hands in front of her on the desk – then pursed her lips to try and hold in a smile at the knowledge of what was about to happen.
Moore/Ylvor/Blackwood: Response
Vataix: If you would please stand up and make a line over here?
Moore/Ylvor/Blackwood: Response
While the three Ensigns lined up, hopefully feeling wildly uncertain about what fate was about to befall them, Wil surreptitiously retrieved the boxes that had been hidden on one of the many shelves on the office walls.
Vataix: Ensign Kaito Moore. Since your arrival to Amity, you have shown excellence in your performance of your duties as a security and tactical officer. Upon the recommendations of the Starfleet attache and your department chiefs past and present, I am pleased as your CO to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations!
Moore: Response
Wil handed the silver pip to Rivi, then watched as she pinned it on Kaito, before offering his hand to Kaito in a gesture of “congratulations”. Robin clapped, hoping to instigate a polite general applause that underscored the celebratory nature of the occasion. Now, she hoped, the others were clueing in to what was about to happen to them.
Vataix: Ensign Harrison Blackwood. Like Lieutenant Moore, you came to us from the Academy, literally thrown into the chaos and dangers that this quadrant is known for. You have tackled these challenges with great enthusiasm and skill. It is my privilege to promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations!
Blackwood: Response
Wil handed over another silver pip, and watched Rivi proudly pin it to Blackwood’s uniform. While another handshake took place, Robin clapped again.
Vataix: Ensign Torvi Ylvor. Having reviewed the performance evaluation from your previous CO aboard the USS Gorkon as well as your performance since coming to Amity Outpost, I must concur with the opinions of my first and second officers that you are ready for the next challenges and responsibilities that await you in your career. I'm pleased to see how well you have taken to your new posting, and I look forward to getting to know you better as you continue to serve me and the residents of this station. You are hereby promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade. Congratulations!
Ylvor: Response
Wil offered his hand to Torvi to offer her congratulations, before turning to face the officers in the room, cutting off Robin and any others who’d joined her in clapping for the Ensigns with a swift–
Ukinix: All officers at attention.
Pushing her chair back, Hopper stood, hands at her sides, heels together, eyes forward, facing towards the front of the room where the three freshly-promoted officers stood in the proverbial spotlight.
Carter: Response?
Kizat: Response?
Ukinix: ::Turning to Blackwood, Moore and Ylvor, intentionally loud whispering:: Not you three. Relaxed attention is fine.
Blackwood/Moore/Ylvor: Response
Ukinix: Officers, presenting Lieutenant Junior Grade Kaito Moore, Lieutenant Junior Grade Harrison Blackwood, and Lieutenant Junior Grade Torvi Ylvor. Congrats, champions, we’re all proud of you. At ease, everyone.
Blackwood/Moore/Ylvor: Response
Released from the taught military stance, Robin once again clapped for the three former-Ensigns. It was a particularly exciting point in a Starfleer Officer’s career – that first promotion. Robin, like others like her who had completed her PhD with the Academy, had graduated as a JG and skipped the rank of Ensign. Her first promotion, to a full Lieutenant, had thus taken a good long time in coming. Still, she was sure they all felt just as proud as she had at that moment. With good fortune on their side, it was surely just the first of many.
Keehani: Congratulations. As FDC personnel, it’s an honour to have witnessed this moment.
Kizat: Response
Iko/Carter: Response
Robin followed the others, making her way excitedly towards the front. Looking over the three baby Lieutenants with pride in her eyes, she began to offer them her personal congratulations.
Hopper: And, may I just say–
And then a tornado pushed past her and, in a manner perfectly befitting a student of Tellar Prime University, interrupted her.
Kerilyn: Hi, Kerilyn Hopper, FDC intern. Congratulations. ::offering hand::
Robin turned to her sister, aghast at her behaviour – and her distaste only grew when she saw the look on Keri’s face… her sister’s gaze lingering on Ensign Blackwood. She knew that face. Ugh. Keri could be such a pig.
oO Well, better him than Nathan, I guess… Oo she thought. Looking back to Harrison, she felt a pang of pity. oO You poor bastard. Oo
Blackwood/Moore/Ylvor: Response
Deciding it was best to just let things unfold as they would, Robin smiled once more and fled the scene of the unfolding disaster. There’d be time to congratulate them each in person later. After all, she was already planning on stopping by Kaito and Torvi’s apartment at some point with a housewarming gift – surely she could find a way to rope in Harrison as well…
END Scene for Hopper
See you all in Act 1!
