Captain Gogigobo Fairhug - The Ivory Tower
griz86
((Docking Bay, Deck 86, StarBase 118))
Gogi, Ross and Bryce had formulated a plan and made their way to Deck 86 after being informed that the Ameoneians’ shuttle was preparing to dock.
Now, they stood, looking their diplomatic best, as the airlock opened and Chancellor Sael and his entourage began to file through.
Gogi’s immediate impression was that the Ameoneians were an impressive species.
Tall and svelte, with a striking purple hue to their skin. Shining, violet eyes, black hair and cranial ridges that rose into spikes at the top of their foreheads.
These people may have been peaceful until the Klingons arrived in their system and subjugated them, but they *looked* like warriors.
Of course, the plated armour that Chancellor Sael was wearing went a long way to complementing that look.
Stepping forward carefully, the Bardeezan made a small bow towards the Chancellor, opting not to go for the Terran-style handshake, which some species found too intimate.
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.
Bryce: Response
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.
With the introductions taken care of, Gogi took a breath, remembering Bryce’s advice to take it slow. The docking area had been cleared to make sure there was no one else around. This was a good chance to get an early read on the Sael in particular and the Ameoneians in general, while also easing them into the meeting.
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.
Bryce: Responses
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.
He didn’t want to sound too pushy, but they all knew why they were there. Ultimately, it was their job to convince the Ameoneians to finalise their application to become a Federation world. Surely they would be interested in seeing how the Federation treated the art of diplomacy. It may even be reassuring to see that they would not be forced into anything, like the Klingons had forced them into submission all those centuries ago.
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.
Gogi resisted the urge to raise his eyebrows. Chancellor Sael wasn’t doing much to dispel the stereotype of the Ameoneians being overly cautious, perhaps even paranoid.
But still, given their previous interplanetary experience, he supposed he couldn’t blame them.
Instead, he offered a soft, warm smile.
Bryce: ?
Ross: Are there any questions before we start our tour? Anything you need?
Sael’s eyes swept the cleared docking ring. Gogi wondered exactly what it was he was looking for. Threats?
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.
Gogi clasped his hand together and inclined his head in the smallest of bows.
Fairhug: You have my word, Chancellor. We have invited you here to extend the hand of friendship. Nothing else.
Bryce: ?
Ross nodded.
Ross: It is a huge base, but we will only cover a few parts of them today.
Sael stepped forward, armored boots striking the deck with measured
weight.
He and his entourage were an impressive sight to behold. Gogi couldn’t help thinking that it was no wonder that they gave the Klingons a run for their money.
Sael: Then lead on, Captain. I will decide what is worth seeing.
The Bardeezan swallowed a surprised laugh. Sael was certainly forthright, if nothing else.
Fairhug: Absolutely, Chancellor. Please, follow me.
Ross/Bryce: ?
Gogi turned and began to walk down the corridor. After a few steps, he turned to see that Chancellor Sael had been swallowed into his entourage. They flanked him on all sides and moved in perfect synchronicity, like a school of fish. The plates on their armour, like scales, added to that analogy, as they clinked and rattled with every step.
The Captain shared a brief look with Ross and Bryce, as of to say “these guys are for real!”
As they approached the end of the corridor and the doors to the turbolifts, Gogi’s badge vibrated on his chest.
oO Who is this? They know I’m meeting Chancellor Sael! Oo
Wethern: =/\= Wethern to Fairhug or Ross =/\=
Well, that answered that. This better be good.
Fairhug: ::tapping his badge:: =/\= Fairhug here. Go ahead. =/\=
Ross: (if any?)
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. =/\=
Gogi frowned and looked at Evan again.
What could that possibly mean?
Ross: (if any?)
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. =/\=
He slapped his badge, more than a little annoyed at being interrupted for something so trivial.
Stopping outside the turbolifts, he gestured towards them.
Fairhug: We will be taking the turbolifts to the Ivory Tower. The base’s diplomatic hub. It’s a short ride.
Sael: Response
Ross/Bryce: Responses
((Short Timeskip))
((Main Office, Ivory Tower, StarBase 118))
The main office of the Ivory Tower was somewhere that Gogi had begun frequenting more often when he had become FO of the base. Now that he was CO, his visits had become even more frequent.
It was a comforting space. Busy, but calm. The perfect place to bring the Ameoneians.
There were diplomats walking around, security officers dotted about the room, vidscreen calls ongoing with diplomats from various other factions and races. There were even science stations, with officers performing various tasks and/or experiments.
As the entered the room, Gogi smiled, a genuine, proud smile, as he turned again to address Chancellor Sael.
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: Response
Ross/Bryce: Responses
He turned around in a circle, almost pirouetting around the room, to illustrate everything that was going on around them.
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.
He almost grimaced at that last sentence. Should he have said that? Would that make the Ameoneians feel insecure?
But they weekend not stupid people. Surely they understood that not *everyone* was a friend of the Federation.
Sael: Response
Ross/Bryce: Responses
(OOC: Leaving it here, guys, because there’s a fair amount of tags already. Feel free to have your characters start experiencing memory loss symptoms, if you feel it’s appropriate now. I’ll have Gogi start to experience it in my next sim. :))
TAG/TBC
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Commanding Officer
Starbase 118 Ops
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