PNPC 1LT Alene Torado — Common Freakin' Courtesy (Part II)
Naxell
((Shuttlebay, Velithari Ship Jorogumo))
Semara was, fittingly, the first to descend, but Torado was close on her heels. The chamber the shuttle had entered was large, and open. They were badly exposed here if things went sideways, and the only cover they could count on was back into the shuttle.
Semara: Hi! Thanks for havin' us. On the behalf of the Federation of Planets, may I say: it's such a pleasure to meet like this. :: A bigger smile :: I'm First Officer Amelia Semara. :: Motioning through introductions. :: Chief Medical Officer Talia Ohnari, Chief Science Officer Rasha El'Her, Engineer Lera Michaels, and Marine Lieutenant Alene Torado.
Rana: Greetings. I am Captain Rana, and this is our Security Lead, Alya.
Alene's blue eyes shot to the other Velithari woman—Alya. It was helpful for Captain Rana to identify their greatest threats, but Alene didn't see anything on them that looked especially weaponlike. Then again, she wasn't sure what exactly she was looking for.
Ohnari / Michaels: Response
El'Her: Well met Captain Rana. I am Chief Science officer Ras- ::very quick pause:: -ha El’Her. Thank you for meeting with us.
Semara made a slight move forward, presenting the basket—which Alene had finally figured out was the source of the fish odor. The Velithari clicked at each other and Alene's hand started to hover near her holster.
Semara: I ain't sure what y'all like to eat, but I fancied you might be interested in samplin' somethin'. :: Beat :: Consider it a token of our appreciation for hostin' us. I always find talkin' is easier when you ain't hungry, personally, and we've got a fair bit we'd like to discuss... :: A little glance to the away team. ::
Rana: Take this 'token' and have it analyzed. We do indeed have much to discuss.
Ohnari / Michaels: Response
One of the Velithari stepped partway up the ramp to retrieve the fishy gift box. The tip of Torado’s ring finger grazed the grip of her sidearm, and her molars pressed together. She relaxed her jaw as the woman stepped away again.
Rana: But before that, allow me a comfort. Crew, begin initial scans.
El'Her: Captain Rana, if I may. What all does the scan entail? Our technology is very different than yours and as the science officer I am curious as to the process we will be subjected to.
Torado: Yeah, and why.
Alene shifted her position. She wasn't much in the way of a meat shield for El’Heem to hide behind, but size wasn't everything.
Ohnari / Michaels / Semara: Response
Rana: This is what was agreed upon, yes? We have invited you to our ship. We must be certain this is safe for us.
“What was agreed upon?” Alene wasn't sure whether that particular detail was included on the PADD she was handed, or if she had missed it in review. Not wanting to contradict anything she wasn't aware of, she held her tongue.
Ohnari / Michaels / Semara: Response
El'Her: We understand the concern, and if you would humor us and allow a similar degree of concern because of our lack of familiarity with your technology, we would be grateful. We must certain this is safe for us, as well.
Rana / Ohnari / Michaels / Semara: Response
El’Her: Yes, I understand the purpose and wholeheartedly agree to it’s application here. We would very much do the same, but I am ascertaining the nature of the scan’s mechanisms. For instance, our collective species harbor varying degrees of susceptibility to certain types of radiations.
Also, varying degrees of susceptibility to being food. Alene was certain she was a dish, and delicious at that. And Ohnari had quite a reputation among Khitomer security. El’Heem though? Probably an acquired taste.
Rana / Ohnari / Michaels / Semara: Response
El’Her: ::bowing her head:: We shall fair just fine then and the scans present no risk to our anatomy. Thank you for being forthcoming in the interest of mutual trust. If Lieutenant Semara sees it fit, please proceed.
Semara / Rana / Ohnari / Michaels: Response
Torado: Yeah, okay. Whatever.
The team spread out as Velithari technicians came to fetch them. Alene’s attention was split between the woman who'd grabbed her wrist and keeping tabs on where Alya was. It wasn't easy. The containment suits they all wore meant that if you weren't looking them in the face, there was little you could rely on to tell them apart. At least, not without spending a lot more time among them.
And because she was so distracted she was caught completely by surprise when the small device held by her assigned technician launched some sticky black goo at her chest.
Torado: Woah! Hey! Not okay!
Rana / Semara / Ohnari / El’Her / Michaels: Response
Torado: I'm just saying, in our society, it's common freakin’ courtesy that you—at the absolute bare minimum—warn a girl before you start spraying your… your liquids!
She looked around at the others for support. Ohnari would have her back on this, surely. Maybe Starfleet officers were willing to subject themselves to abject humiliation in the name of understanding alien species and civilizations, but at this particular junction, Alene understood perfectly well that these people had necks, and that meant they could probably be strangled.
Rana / Semara / Ohnari / El’Her / Michaels: Response
Torado: So what the hell is this stuff doing, exactly?
Rana / Semara / Ohnari / El’Her / Michaels: Response
TBC
——— ▯ ———
1st Lieutenant Alene Torado
Marine Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
As simmed by
Commander Nax-Ellarneii-Tellargo
Commanding Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
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