MSNPC Rana - Delegation

[Sarah P]

((Observatory, Jorogumo))

Rana: Lieutenant Semara -- may I address you as such? This is an appropriate title? It seems that there is more to the males of your species than of ours. They seem...capable, if disrespectful. You mentioned that Matews was instructed, and this communications assistant of the captain's...is it the bonding that changes them?

Semara: Lieutenant Semara will do nicely.

Rana took a second to give the Velithari equivalent of a nod of acknowledgement, which was really a soft difference in scent change that she realized Semara's alien nose might be too insensitive to pick up on.

Semara: I s'pose you could say that the bondin' changes 'em.  :: Beat :: But the better answer to your question is - no one's posted to a Starfleet vessel without showin' some capability.  Male or female or somethin' else.  Bonded or otherwise.  :: Beat ::  You ain't got any men at all on this ship?

Rana: There are indeed males present, but their function is not to...run things, or collect data. They give.

Semara: But there ain't even one that helps run the ship or maintain your nebula or scan folks or somethin'?

Rana: ::shaking her head, confused:: This is not something that our males are capable of, Lieutenant. It is not the way that the Velithari do things.

Semara: Then we are real different.  One a' the core beliefs a' the Federation is that everyone's free to pursue their own limits - physical or intellectual.  :: A little chuckle. :: Even Mr. Matthews, whatever his eccentricities.  Some men are more capable, some less, and they're all given the chance to try doin' more when they're ready.  Same as for me, or anyone else.  :: Beat ::  As for bondin'...

"Everyone"--an odd word. Typically, the Velithari translation would use an all-female variant of most linguistic plurals, but from the way that Semara was talking, it was clear that males were included in this as well. Alien. Strange. Rana interpreted that the alien males were far more functional than their Velithari counterparts.

And then there was a buzz from Lieutenant Semara that Rana almost would have interpreted as aggression if she hadn't quickly made the hopefully accurate prediction that Semara wasn't hiding wings to create such an aggressive buzz.

Matthews: =/\= Response =/\=

Communication from the male? And it wasn't in numbers and letters, either. Rana knew in the first place that none of her people would have given him a communicator, and certainly would not have returned one to him if they had known what it was.

Which meant that something had gone wrong. Matews was not where he was supposed to be, or he had somehow managed to wrangle communication to fit him.

Semara: =/\= First officer Semara here.  I hear ya perfectly, Mister Matthews.  I'm here with Cap'n Rana.  We were just talkin' about you, as it happens...  :: Beat :: How are you doin'? =/\=

Matthews: =/\= Response =/\=

Semara: =/\= Happy to hear it.  :: Beat :: You might be glad to know this all seems like a bit of a misunderstandin'.  If you're willin' to behave and we all promise to respect their nebula, I think Cap'n Rana might be real obligin' and let you come back home. :: Beat :: That ain't a problem, is it? =/\=

Matthews: =/\= Response =/\=

Semara: =/\= :: To Rana, but for both to hear. :: Cap'n Rana, would you let one of my crew see Matthews and take him back?  I'm happy to stay, if you like, and continue talkin'.  Like I said, we ain't meant for him to cause a problem for anyone. =/\=

Rana considered for a moment. There was no strategic value to holding the male, and perhaps a disadvantage--clearly this group considered him a member of their team, which meant they would likely fight for him. And while Rana was almost certain that they could take down the Kitomeer, they might not have been able to follow up with whatever was next.

Besides, there might be some advantage to having the "big player" on her side, especially if the Alliance ever figured out what their...warp drives could do to the Velithari nebular system. She doubted that an enemy would mind Federation buoys.

Rana: You may send one of your crew for the male.

Rana would have preferred the marine--she already found that particular member of Kitomeer abrasive--but she would leave it to Semara.

Matthews: =/\= Response =/\=

Rana reached out to Jorogumo, the change in scent making her realize that Alya had a message for her. Hopefully one that would resolve a few more things about the male.

Alya: oO =/\= My Captain. The male is not in his cell. He is not in the cleansing alcove. He is not in any eye I have asked. A second body moves with him. That body is none of my watch. The strangers have seen the empty chamber. Forgive me, my Captain. I did not lose him, but I did not keep him either. =/\= Oo.

Rana: oO =/\= Be forgiven, Alya. The male communicates with his superior officer--somehow, he freed himself. It seems he is more capable than our males. =/\= Oo

Alya: oO =/\= Response =/\= Oo

Rana: oO =/\= Indeed, he is trouble. See if you cannot take your tour group to retrieve him. Bring members of your unit if you see the need. =/\= Oo

Alya: oO =/\= Response =/\= Oo

Rana: oO =/\= If all is well in your eyes, you may send the male back to his ship with one or more of their crew. I do not believe he understood the danger of the nebula when he ventured into it. =/\= Oo

Alya : oO =/\= Response =/\= Oo

And with that, Rana focused back on the first officer.

Rana: This male of yours is certainly trouble, Lieutenant Semara.

Semara: Response

Rana: Regardless, I have sent Alya to retrieve him with orders to return him to your ship. Along with whoever wishes to join him.

Semara: Response

Rana: But I believe we have more to speak about. Would you not agree?

Semara: Response

TAG/TBC

--

MSNPC Captain Rana

of the Jorogumo

as simmed by 

Ensign Thomas Melville-Kilpatrick

Medical Officer

USS Khitomer – NCC62400

K240210TM2