Lieutenant Ras El'Heem - Never split the party

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((OOC: I apologize for the delay. Life be lifing.))

 

((Shuttlebay, Jorogumo)) 

 

Whether Rasha’s secret went undetected remained to be seen. If they had figured out she was actually male, they didn’t let on. Rasha stood by and watched the subsequent scanning of the Velithari. That was data she needed to get her hands on after this. It wasn’t every day that you got to experience First Contact in person. Especially not for a species so peculiar. The profile she was building in her head was growing steadily and soon enough she’d be able to make educated guesses to things she would never get to ask about or have the opportunity to gather information on. What was it that she knew so far?

 

An insectoid genus of some kind. Chitinous exoskeletons, mandibles, compound eyes, trilobed composition. Sexual Cannibalism (assumed, as there had yet to be confirmation that they actually ate their males after breeding, just that males were not respected.) She pushed on the ground beneath her and noted the slight give and then looked up at the vast open space around her. Architecture suggested organic, although that couldn’t quite be confirmed. A technological tree that deviated drastically from the vast majority of advanced civilizations in the sector. Their level of intelligence suggested they could be warp capable, but the lack of obvious signs of that also suggested they were reclusive. Perhaps they hadn’t thought of faster than light travel because they had little ambition for extraterrestrial introductions.

 

A large portion of that was speculation, but they hadn’t rightly been there long enough to make more profound conjecture.

 

Rana: While this scan occurs, perhaps you all may answer a question for me. What does this word, 'Lieutenant' mean?

 

Semara: It's a rank. :: Eyes casting to Rana. :: A title of experience, knowledge, leadership, responsibility, and trust for us.  Typically a more seasoned officer, trusted to lead a department or teams under the direction of their cap'n.  :: Beat :: And an officer is someone who's already gone through extended higher education to learn their specialty and how to serve aboard a starship, and taken an oath of service, 'sides.  :: An easy smile. :: On our ship, we might consider Alya your Lieutenant.

 

Chances were high they’re command structure differed greatly, but unless they were monarchal or possessed a hive mind of some kind, it was likely they had ways to differentiate their authority that mirrored theirs. After all, lieutenant was old terran French for “one holding a place” as in “someone acting in place of a superior. An officer that acts on behalf of a higher commanding officer. In this instance, even Rana could qualify as a lieutenant for another, assuming the ship they were on wasn’t the only one the Velithari possessed.

 

Rasha watched as the first of their species not in protective gear, joined their group in the shuttle bay. Without having realized it, her prosthetic was stroking her chin and the other and supported her elbow. Her hip was cocked to one side and as the unnamed woman approached, Rasha nodded to her.

 

Rana: I see.

 

The short remark exuded an air of apprehension. The thought crossed her mind that much of the way they presented themselves was a ruse. Rasha’s true gender wasn’t the only lie they had entered into diplomacy with. Amelia wasn’t their first officer, nor was their captain a woman. They would have to keep their stories straight. Rasha dropped her hands to her sides and assumed a more dignified posture as the woman introduced herself.

 

Vidya: ::bowing:: Greetings visitors. I am Vidya. Chief Technological of the Jorogumo.

 

Semara: Pleasure to make your acquaintance.  :: Beat :: Your cap'n speaks highly of you, Vidya.  Our own Chief Science officer's been itchin' to meet you... :: A little smile to Rasha. ::

 

The Kressari mirrored Amelia’s warm smile. Or at least a caricature of it for many reasons. For one, Rasha’s smile was always only an imitation of outward emotion, for another, Amelia’s came with many layered complexities that loomed just beneath the surface and if she was beginning to understand that complexity further, she would say there was a hint of mischief in this one. That was usually one of Rasha’s favorite smiles, but in this instance, and in many others, it meant that she was the recipient of the mischief rather than a coconspirator. She refrained from tutting at her.

 

Vidya: ::bowing:: It would be my pleasure to meet with your Chief of Sciences. I am sure we have much to discuss.

 

Rasha’s eyes danced onto the smaller Velithari who stood at relatively the same height as Rana. That was another thing she noticed. The three titled officers they had met were smaller statured than what seemed to be their security escorts. A similar quark could be found in Formicidae. The worker ants were small and nimble so they could accomplish their busy tasks while the large looming soldier ants stood guard, slow but powerful. She let her eyes slip to the taller Velithari that stood looming behind Rana, Alya, and now Vidya.

 

Rana: Indeed. The Chief has already had many questions for us.

 

El’Her: ::bowing slowly:: Well met. I am Chief Science Officer Rasha El’Her. There is much we can share with one another, if you would be so hospitable.

 

There was something about imitating female Kressari that had her falling back into formality and tradition. Of course, all the Kressari women she knew back home were either jovial and wizened or, more commonly, stoic academics who had little time for alacrity. She wove that inspiration into her more current comrades’ demeanor. Her eyes lifted back over to Amelia for a moment.

 

Semara: :: A glance to Talia. :: If we're all done with all our scans, perhaps there's somewhere more convenient to talk, cap'n Rana? :: Beat :: If Vidya would be so kind as to indulge El'Her's curiosity about your people, I'm sure there's plenty she could share in return?  Then, perhaps, you and I could speak more freely.

 

El’Her: Indeed.

 

Rasha nodded to Vidya.

 

Ohnari: Captain Rana...would it be too forward to perhaps ask for a tour? It would be my honor to speak with this Vidya you mentioned. ::glancing to Amelia, hoping she hadn't overstepped:: If, you permit, of course, Ma'am.

 

Torado: Or, maybe let Ras’ha talk to Vidya? Don’t mean to overload the woman. If you’re worried, maybe Alya can show us around. You know, murder us if we step out of line and stumble upon your secret chrysalis chambers or whatnot. ::hands up:: Ideally, though, keep us away from the rooms punishable by death.

 

Rasha stifled a chuckle.

 

Semara: :: A somewhat-amused smile :: I think Torado's wonderin' how you so easily defeated the Alliance, but doesn't know if it's some state secret y'all have.  :: Beat :: We're all curious, but mean nothin' but respect to you and all Velithari.  Just ain't sure how to show it yet.  :: A slight tilt of her head to the team. :: It might be easier to let 'em ask each other questions so we can talk.

 

Rana: Vidya will be able to speak to this. And I'm certain Alya would be happy to give you a tour, Torado.

 

Alya: Yes of course Captain.

 

Rasha’s eyes narrowed subtly. Was it wise to split themselves up so readily. Amelia alone with captain Rana. Talia and Torado with Alya. That left Michaels to join herself and Vidya. Were anything untoward to happen to one group, none of the others would be able to intervene quickly. A stone began to develop in the put of her stomach and she swallowed.

 

Torado: ::hands clapped:: Great! Lead on.

 

Vidya: ::To Ohnari:: I would be most pleased to speak with you, but it seems you have been selected to accompany Alya and your ‘Marine’. Perhaps another time then? I am sure your Chief of Sciences can ask any questions you may have in your place.

 

Another time? Did the Velithari anticipate they would be staying within the nebula for the foreseeable future?

 

Ohnari: Oh...yes of course. ::bowing her head politely:: And of course, I trust Rasha to cover all bases.

 

Vidya: ::to Ohnari:: Yes of course ::to Rasha:: It would be my honor to give you a tour of our technologicals. But first I must consult my Captain as you have your officers. But a moment.

 

El’Her: ::palms up towards Rana:: By all means.

 

Rasha inhaled through her nose as her hand returned to her chin. She watched as Alya guided Talia and Torado in one direction of the shuttlebay. Just to the right of them, Rasha caught sight of Michaels speaking to another Velithari in front of one of the shuttles. The exchange seemed tense but she came away with two square panels and the Vulcan equivalent of accomplishment plastered on her face. Behind her, Vidya and Rana finished their conversation before she returned and Rana escorted Amelia away in another direction.

 

Vidya: ::Bowing:: Yes Captain at once.

 

Michaels and Viday arrived where Rasha was standing at the same time.

 

Michaels: I would like to join you. If that is permitted, of course.

 

Vidya: If you would follow me this way.

 

Rasha simply nodded and followed Vidya.

NT/END

---------- ●● ----------

Lieutenant Rasha El‘Her

Chief Science Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

K240106RE3

As simmed by

---------- ●● ----------

Lieutenant Ras El ‘Heem

Chief Science Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

K240106RE3