PNPC PO3 Xandeus Filistrien - Unclear Intentions: Intelligence's Greatest Adversary
LT Gila Sadar
((Wallace Colony, Kahines II))
Thus far, Xandeus saw no apparent reason to be suspicious of Mx. Fiell or the rest of the colony. But then, there rarely was obvious evidence of dissent and panic until it was already well in effect and practically impossible to douse. Catching the slightest of indications that public opinion was heading in that kind of direction, and managing to intercede before even the colonists themselves realized what they were barrelling towards, was his job on this mission, and he took that very seriously.
Bergmen: Klingons are cutting you some slack? I expected we would meet some of them by now.
Fiell: Not much, I’m afraid. They tend to stick to their Ship when they’re not at the digsite.
Xandeus’ frown was an infinity percent increase from his standard expression of professionalism, meaning that hardly anyone would realize his expression had changed at all.
Filistrien: They haven’t accepted your kind offer of accommodations within the colony?
Fiell: We are a small colony, and their Ship serves their needs much better than the meager accommodations we can provide.
Xandeus didn’t miss the fact that this was not a proper answer to his question, though he still didn’t know enough of Mx. Fiell to understand the reason for the deflection. Either their answer meant ‘No, they didn’t, but we understand perfectly’, or ‘We never extended the offer’. He wasn’t sure Mx. Fiell would be forthcoming about which one, so that was information he’d have to gain in a more roundabout fashion during their time there.
Bergmen: Where does that ship dock? I didn’t see it on the landing pad.
Fiell: They landed closer to the digsite itself. There was an old cargo area not too far a walk from it so we approved them landing there.
oO Smart. Placing them outside the colony proper avoids any unnecessary confrontation, but it also serves to isolate the colonists from the Klingons. Doesn’t agitate the status quo, but also doesn’t improve it. Oo
Lyara: You’ll have to guide us that way when we get the chance. I’m sure they’d love a visitor.
As their small group approached one of numerous silos lining the edge of the agricultural expanses beyond, Ensign Bergmen stepped close enough to Xandeus to be able to lower his voice without being overheard by anyone. Xandeus barely looked at the Ensign, familiar with the general body language of someone wishing to engage in discretion.
Bergmen: ::whispers:: I believe it's important for us to have a conversation with Mr. Barto and Hazel privately, without our chaperone. Do you agree?
Xandeus nodded. They could probably ask for a room at the Administrator’s Office to conduct a more formal interview - Mx. Fiell had no reason to deny them this, surely - but something in Ensign Bergmen’s expression told Xandeus that this wasn’t exactly what the officer had in mind.
Filistrien: ::whispers, slightly confused:: I believe that was the idea, yes, but-
Barely had Xandeus agreed with the Ensign, that the Gideon man seemed ready to put his plan into motion.
Bergmen: Looks like we find the place. Thank you, Mr. Fiell.
The shift in the conversation was almost immediate, and it took Xandeus a few moments to realize what had happened.
Fiell: Mister?
A misstep that hadn’t been accounted for. Mx. Fiell’s personnel record did list their preferred address, but on Starfleet vessels, the title of ‘Mister’ had long lost its gender-dependent usage and now instead was a general term usable for anyone. Xandeus was certain it was a force of habit for Ensign Bergmen - who had already served in Starfleet for more than a decade in various positions - but it was an unfortunate development, especially since the Ensign in question didn’t seem to notice. Instead, he wrapped an arm around Fiell with a warm smile and Xandeus had to resist the urge to grit his teeth.
The task just got a lot more difficult.
Bergmen: If I may, we planned to go to lunch after the talk with those two gentlemen. Since you’re familiar with the area, could you please help by making a reservation for us at a good restaurant? We would really appreciate it. Once we finish here, we’ll give you a call.
Fiell: I’m sure a waiter could give us better accommodations.
Bergmen: Thank you, you are our savior.
To say that Mx. Fiell seemed outraged was to put it lightly, and they stormed off, their pastel pigtails sweeping the air with every stride they made. Ensign Lyara had noticed this as well - no doubt informed by her own personal experiences - and approached Xandeus, also in a manner befit someone who sought discretion.
Xandeus couldn’t help but notice that Doctor Sadar had made a glaring error when making team assignments. These two Ensigns didn’t seem able to cooperate, at all.
Lyara: ::Whispering to Filistrien:: Can you go accompany our guide? Get a table for six. We'll take the colonists with us. ::Beat:: And get Fiall a drink and give them my personal apologies.
oO I wonder who’s going to start a violent outburst first: the paranoid colonists, the Klingons or these two Ensigns... Oo
Filistrien: ... ::sighs:: As you say, Sir.
Rushing to catch up to the Xindi-Primate, Xandeus made sure to still keep his senses open to any potential observation that could prove advantageous to the upcoming interview or the survey further ahead. It didn’t take long for him to catch up with Mx. Fiell, though he felt certain that this had more to do with the fact that they noticed him approaching rather than his actual moving speed.
Filistrien: Mx. Fiell, if I may?
The older Xindi nodded.
Fiell: ::terse voice:: Of course.
That tone of voice made it quite frank that Xandeus needed to bridge the unintentional divide that had occurred earlier.
Filistrien: I hope you realize that Ensign Bergmen was only following Starfleet regulations. Mr. has long serviced as a gender-neutral means of address aboard Federation vessels.
Mx. Fiell didn’t seem necessarily unaware of that fact - it would be strange for that to be the case for a Federation citizen, who’d likely encountered Starfleet officers before - but it still seemed to bother them. Was it a problem with the Universal Translator’s application of the title to the Xindi language, or was it more personal than that?
Fiell: ::shoulders untense slightly:: I... I see.
Regardless, it seemed almost certain that Xandeus couldn’t do much more to ratify the misunderstand than he already had, so he decided to change tactics.
Filistrien: The Ensigns seem to think that conducting the interview in a more relaxed atmosphere, sharing a meal together, would help with bridging any nervousness on behalf of Barto and Hazel. I understand that, as the Administrator’s Aide, you have more important things to handle than making dinner reservations, but if you could perhaps point me in the right direction-?
Fiell: ::tight-lipped smile:: Oh no, I was personally entrusted this task by one of our guests, whom I was instructed by the Administrator to assist in any way necessary. ::slight sight:: That said, I would not be opposed to some company. My intent to give you a tour was rather cut short.
oO They are going to be a tough opponent Oo
Xandues only hoped the only opposition Mx. Fiell would prove to be was in terms of a harmonic work environment, and not something more anti-Klingon in nature.
Filistrien: I would be delighted, thank you.
((The Muddy Targ - Wallace Colony, Kahines II))
Lyara: Did you get a table?
Xandeus greeted the two officers and the colonists they had brought with them, looking away from Mx. Fiell and their interesting explanation regarding the intentions to establish a secondary colony on the planet one continent over. Evidently, Wallace Colony was so self-sufficient that the colony was deemed well worth the investment from Starfleet’s side, and Xandeus too could see the strategic benefit of a well-established Federation presence this close to the Klingon border, in both peace and war times.
Filistrien: Yes Sir. Mx. Fiell was quite adamant on this location.
Fiell: Given our proximity to the Klingon border, we’ve been fortunate enough plenty of immigrants with ties to both the Empire and the Federation. One of them is the owner of this establishment. She is a very capable chef. Her grapok sauce is very well-liked.
Lyara: Sounds great! We thought we’d bring company.
Ensign Lyara motioned over her shoulder at the two colonists behind her.
Bergman: Response (if any)
Filistrien: Ah, you must be the individuals who discovered the site. Mr. Barto and Miss Hazel?
Hazel: That’s us.
Xandeus performed a civilized bow towards the two strangers.
Filistrien: A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’m Petty Officer Xandeus Filistrien, a subordinate of Ensigns Bergmen and Lyara.
If the two civilians took particular note of Xandeus’ uniform color, they didn’t show it, and instead seemed more interested in getting the matter squared away as soon as possible. In more ways than one.
Barto: Good to meet you. Now, shall we go? I’m starving.
Fiell: Of course.
The group entered ‘The Muddy Targ’ together and easily located their table. They ordered their food - with Xandeus opting for a dish with the Grapok sauce that Mx. Fiell had complimented - as the group engaged in some minor niceties prior to the actual intent of their meeting.
Bergmen/Lyara: Response
Barto: Just the three of you here then?
Bergmen/Lyara: Response
Hazel: ::tail flicking with interest:: Oh? And where are they?
Filistrien: They are currently getting the specifics of the archaeological survey negotiated with the Klingon research team. Since none of us are scientists, however, we were tasked with getting a first-hand account on the incident that led to the discovery of the site.
Barto: Huh. ::shrugs:: It’s nothing really exciting, but I won’t turn down a good meal.
Bergmen/Lyara: Response
TAGS/TBC
PO3 Xandeus Filistrien
Signals Analyst
USS Artemis-A
As simmed by
LT Gila Sadar
Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240006GS1