Tour Guide’s Guide: Don’t Spook the Chancellor
Kait
((Docking Bay, Deck 86, StarBase 118 → Ivory Tower))
Dylan kept her shoulders relaxed and her hands visible as the airlock cycled. Chancellor Sael’s delegation filed through in tight formation, tall and armored, moving with a cohesion that made “escort” feel like an understatement. The Ameoneians filled the docking bay. Dylan resisted the reflex to compensate with extra friendliness. Caution met with pressure rarely became trust.
Fairhug: Chancellor Sael. Welcome to StarBase One-One-Eight. I am Captain Gogigobo Fairhug, commanding officer. ::indicating them in turn:: And this is Lieutenant Commander Evan Ross, our head of mission research and Ensign Dylan Bryce, one of the base’s counselors.
Ross: A pleasure to meet you, Chancellor.
Dylan stepped half a pace forward, enough to be present without crowding, and dipped her chin.
Bryce: Chancellor Sael. I’m Ensign Bryce. Welcome aboard. If you’d like us to slow the pace at any point, you only need to say so.
Sael: Your welcome is received. You have gone to considerable effort to clear the approach. I will take that as a sign of respect… rather than concern.
Dylan let the comment sit without contradiction. Explanations could come later if Sael asked for them. For now, it was enough to acknowledge.
Bryce: Thank you for saying so. We wanted you to have space to arrive without distractions.
Fairhug: I hope your journey was enjoyable?
Sael: It was efficient. Ameoneians value journeys that end without incident.
Ross: It's an honour to welcome you on base.
Dylan kept her voice light, careful not to add to the moment.
Bryce: I’m glad it was without incident. If there’s anything you or your entourage need water, medical support, or a quieter route, please let us know.
Fairhug: We would like to take you on a tour of some of the diplomatic areas of the base. We thought perhaps you would like to see how we handle such things, given the reason for your visit.
Sael: Observation precedes trust. Very well. Show me how the Federation conducts its diplomacy. My people survived three centuries by enduring strain. If this station tests me, I will endure that as well.
The phrasing caught at Dylan. Tests. Endure. Language that framed the visit as a trial rather than an exchange. She kept her expression composed, mindful that her role was to keep this readable and voluntary.
Bryce: Understood, Chancellor. We’ll make sure you have the time and clarity you need to observe. If you want to pause at any point to ask questions, or to stop, we’ll respect that.
Ross: Are there any questions before we start our tour? Anything you need?
Sael: Only this... if at any point I choose to halt this process, I trust that choice will be respected without debate. But please... let me see what the Federation has to offer.
Fairhug: You have my word, Chancellor. We have invited you here to extend the hand of friendship. Nothing else.
Dylan let Fairhug’s assurance stand, then added only what was necessary to reinforce consent without escalating.
Bryce: If you ask to halt, we will halt. No debate.
Ross nodded.
Ross: It is a huge base, but we will only cover a few parts of them today.
Sael: Then lead on, Captain. I will decide what is worth seeing.
Fairhug: Absolutely, Chancellor. Please, follow me.
Ross: Response
Dylan fell into step slightly behind and to the side, watching spacing and pace more than faces. The corridor’s acoustics made every armored clink feel amplified. She kept her own footfalls quiet, letting the delegation set the volume of the walk.
As they neared the turbolifts, Fairhug’s combadge vibrated. Dylan’s attention flicked briefly to the interruption, then back to Sael’s formation. A private call in a public corridor could read as secrecy. Fairhug’s over the shoulder check helped, but Dylan still adjusted her position to keep herself out of Sael’s direct line of sight, minimizing any sense of deliberate exclusion.
Wethern: =/= Wethern to Fairhug or Ross =/=
Fairhug: ::tapping his badge:: =/= Fairhug here. Go ahead. =/=
Wethern: =/= Yeah we have a slight situation in sickbay. Foster and Drex have started to what all I can say is regress. It's like babysitting cadets. =/=
Fairhug: =/= Lieutenant, I’m not sure what you mean, but now is not a good time. ::he looked over his shoulder, making sure Sael couldn’t hear the conversation.:: We are with the Ameoneian delegation. I suggest you tell them to stop whatever prank it is they’re pulling or find a way to snap them out of it. =/=
Wethern: =/= We will look into it but suggest we keep our guests at least away from sickbay for now until we know what is going on. =/=
Fairhug: =/= Understood. Fairhug out. =/=
Dylan didn’t react outwardly beyond a slow inhale. Whatever was happening in sickbay, the recommendation was clear enough. Keep the tour’s route predictable and away from potential confusion. Conveniently, that aligned with the plan already in motion.
Fairhug: We will be taking the turbolifts to the Ivory Tower. The base’s diplomatic hub. It’s a short ride.
Sael / Ross: Response
Dylan offered Sael a small, deferential gesture toward the turbolift doors, inviting rather than ushering.
Bryce: The Ivory Tower is designed to be calmer than most of the station. If you prefer more or less security presence around you while we travel, please tell us and we’ll accommodate within station protocols.
((Short Timeskip - Main Office, Ivory Tower, StarBase 118))
The Ivory Tower’s main office had an intentionally different energy than the docking ring. Movement carried purpose rather than transit. Voices stayed professional. Security was present without looming. Dylan took in the scene in quick counselor’s snapshots. Who held themselves tense, who leaned into their work, who glanced up at the newcomers and then back down.
Fairhug: Welcome to the main office of the Ivory Tower, Chancellor. As you can see, our diplomatic corps is afforded their own space to conduct their business. It’s incredibly important to us that our diplomatic relations are given the attention they deserve.
Sael / Ross: Response
Dylan stayed close enough to be included, far enough not to crowd. She aimed her attention on practical reassurance. What this place was for, and what it was not.
Bryce: This is where we try to keep discussions structured, with quiet spaces available, translators on call, and staff trained to slow down rather than rush. If you’d like a private room at any point, we can arrange one.
Fairhug: From here, our diplomats can engage with representatives from any of our allies, other members of the Federation, or even those who are… not as friendly, shall we say.
Sael / Ross: Response
Dylan chose her words carefully, supporting without correcting the captain in front of their guest.
Bryce: And when we do speak with those who aren’t friendly, we still keep the process transparent and controlled, with clear agendas and clear boundaries. You’ll see that today, at whatever pace you choose.
Fairhug / Ross / Sael: Response
...TBC/TAG...
Ensign Dylan Bryce
Counselor, Starbase 118 Ops
Writer: A238909RJ0
"Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself."