Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek: Diplomatic Niceties
Lael Rosek
(( Time jump - Port Airlock, Deck 25 ))
::She’d managed to get dressed quickly enough that there’d been time to spare. It was time well spent as she’d been able to do a bit more research. The nerves had faded and she was feeling more confident. Watching Riley’s interactions with the man would be helpful as well. On her way here, she’d caught her first glimpse of Michael Goodwell in years. He looked well enough, though she knew better than most that appearances could be deceiving.::
::Clearing her throat, she snapped to attention, tucking her hands together behind her back as she waited the remaining minutes for the minister to arrive. A moment or two after her arrival, Riley arrived and she offered the man a nod of greeting.::
Rosek: ::smiles:: Commander.
Riley: Response
::Not a moment later, Mei arrived as well, greeting them both. They talked to kill time while they waited, Lael saying very little, too focused on her tasks following the minister’s arrival. She had the Pagrati lounge chef and waiters on standby just in case the minister seemed hungry and had the quartermaster preparing VIP quarters in case the minister was in need of rest while he was aboard. Anything and everything to offer him a good first impression of the Astraeus crew’s hospitality. She noticed how Mei tugged at the edge of his dress uniform collar. It seemed she wasn’t the only one who was anxious for the minister to arrive..::
Mei’konda: Any last minute adviice, Commander? I don’t beliieve I’ve ever met a Bajoran Minister before.
Riley: Response
Mei’konda: Mmh. I’ll do my best to keep that in mind.
::As Mei finished speaking, a man, Bajoran by the earpiece, came striding toward them with two security escorts behind him. She paid little attention to the women accompanying him, instead focusing on the minister himself. Dalen Martov. He was older if his salt and pepper hair was any indication and stood at least four inches taller than her. The man was not surprisingly good looking with the exception of a partially healed scar on the left side of his jaw.::
Mei’konda: Minister Dalen. I am Captain Mei’konda Delano. Welcome to the Astraeus.
::The smile didn’t quite reach Dalen’s eyes and Lael suspected the man wasn’t thrilled about Starfleet’s presence here. But then it wasn’t surprising. Given what the Bajorans had been through in the last century, they had a right to hesitate in trusting outsiders.::
Dalen: Hello, Captain. Thank you for being here. The station commander has been telling me that Starfleet has been unable to assist our investigation until now. Something about the Defiant undergoing a refit. At least they’ve sent someone.
Mei’konda: I assure you, my crew and I will be doing our very best for you, Minister. May I present my first officer and my mission specialist, Lieutenant Commander Lael Rosek and Lieutenant Commander Riley Delar.
Rosek: ::smiles and inclines her head:: Minister Dalen. It’s a pleasure to meet you.
Riley: Response
::Lael fought the urge to arch her eyebrows in surprise as she noted how the minister focused on Riley and the change in his expression that followed. It was as though the man had de-aged twenty years in a single moment, the warm smile brightening his features. There was something in his eyes that if she hadn’t known better she would have sworn was fondness. It caused her to wonder if these two had some kind of history.::
Dalen: Commanders. Riley. It’s very good to see you again.
Riley:
::Clearly she wasn’t the only one who’d noticed. She watched Mei’s eyebrows shoot up.::
Dalen: The fact that you have Riley Delar on your crew gives me a lot more confidence than I had an hour ago, Captain. You’ll be making a mistake if you ever let him get away.
Mei’konda: ::smiles:: You and I already agree on somethiing, Minister. It’s a good start to our paartnership.
Riley: Response
Rosek: ::smiles:: If I may, Minister? Our chef and his staff are at your disposal if you would like a meal or a beverage. We have recipes for several fine Bajoran dishes that you might enjoy. Also, if at any point during your time aboard the Astraeus you would like to rest, VIP quarters have been arranged for your comfort. Beyond that, please don’t hesitate to let myself or Commander Riley know if there’s anything we can do to make your visit more pleasant.
Dalen: Response
Rosek: ::nods:: Of course. It’s our pleasure.
Dalen / Riley: Responses
Mei’konda: Response
Rosek: ::to Mei:: The observation lounge is available whenever you and Minister Dalen are ready, sir.
Dalen / Riley: Responses
Mei’konda: Response
