Luxa Lorana - Politics of the Federation (are very complicated)
Ava Munro
(Arboretum - Deck 3 - USS Artemis-A))
Lorana: So, Captain. What's new with you? I know a lot has happened since we last met. The Borg. War :: shakes her head :: A lot.
Luxa glanced at the redheaded human, her ears cocked eager for the answer. In genuine curiousity for her former captain. Her first commanding officer whom she had met in her academy cadet cruise. A nervous, eager cadet that was willing to please. She remembered staying up late to memorise the personnel file of Addison MacKenzie. Determined not to be caught off guard.
Yet, there was things a personnel file didn't tell you about her. There was burning steel in this woman. An air of controlled authority followed her wherever she went and Luxa wondered if the fleet captain was ever able to fully let it go. They all carried so much and each individual had their own way of dealing with the burdens they carry.
MacKenzie: That is an understatement. Probably too much to get into, I'm afraid, but at least the reports make for some... interesting reading.
It was, as the humans would say, a long shot but she had to try. She wondered what it must be to be in command.
Eager to change the subject to something more comfortable, Luxa smiled and looked at the ship around them. The bulkheads beyond the beauty of the arboretum.
Lorana: Yet, she's still here after all that. The Artemis.
The redheaded commanding officer offered a look that suggested mock-offense.
MacKenzie: Oh, please. As if there was ever any doubt?
Lorana: :: fondness :: She's taken her fair share of beatings over the years, you have to admit that, at least. I remember that drill in the nebula. Didn't exactly go to plan, Captain.
MacKenzie tutted several times.
MacKenzie: Ye of little faith. You might not know many of the new crew members, but surely you have faith in your old captain…
Luxa nodded respectfully.
Lorana: :: raises her paws and laughs :: If I was being hunted by the Borg, I'd want you covering my back. I consider that high praise.
MacKenzie nodded in a way that suggested a "yeah, sure" attitude.
MacKenzie: You know, you could consider staying on in a civilian capacity. We just lost a civilian scientist, so there's precedent for it…
Luxa’s joviality faltered slightly and she paused. The gravity of the request was not lost on the Caitian. Each of her micro movements would have told the Captain how it meant for her. The small quiver of the tip of the tail, the ears angled slightly off centre and the drop of her eyes.
Another Caitian would have been able to identify the emotions immediately. Luxa Lorana was deeply moved by the request.
Lorana: Captain :: beat :: My scientific research is secondary to my diplomatic duties.
She faltered and hesitated.
MacKenzie: Response
Lorana: The last year, while I was recovering I was restricted to a chair: containment fields kept my body together. I returned to Cait, at the insistence of my family. I had to continue my research, I couldn't live my life that way. I couldn't.
Her tail dropped low, along with her shoulders and her eyes raised. Shame, she loathed how it made her feel. The desperate struggle to return to her normalcy, and escape what it was to be othered. She wished that she could have had the strength of character to accept that life - but she was simply not strong enough. She wanted what she had lost.
MacKenzie: Response
Luxa was eager to change the subject.
Lorana: Well, in my endeavours I became involved, almost by accident, with the political class of my planet - one of my siblings is a representative to the Prime Chambers of Sophocractic Union. In the last few years there's been significant disagreement within the governing clans and the Federation representatives. Mostly, Caitians feel like an afterthought :: breathes out :: It's caused a lot of unrest.
Luxa didn't mention the resurgence of the terrorist group, True Nature. A group of fringe, extremist radicals that have been spewing anti-federation propaganda for decades. Largely ignored but in recent times several off-world clans have adopted their beliefs - not helped by the events of Frontier Day - which has resulted in more prominence than they should be given.
MacKenzie: Response
Lorana: Frontier Day was difficult for all worlds. It has ignited a chain reaction, not just on Cait. The negotiations resulted in a greater diplomatic presence specifically in the sciences :: indicates herself :: and the commission of more advanced Caitian ships. My hope is that it will benefit the Federation. I guess, what I'm asking is if you do want me to stay a little more permanently, then have you got some offices I can borrow :: smiles :: I don't travel light, Captain.
MacKenzie: Response
Tags/TBC
((OOC: I get a deliberate kick out of making all Caitian institution names overcomplicated and a little pretentious because they are, at their root, cultured snobs))
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2