Cmdr. Alora DeVeau - "More Coming"
Amanda Nordstrom
((USS Magni, Selene, Solace System))
They were taking Raeyen back to her people. That was as it should be. Although the woman had come at them armed, the officers made it quickly obvious that they weren’t there to cause harm by literally saving her life from a deadly venom injected into her by a genetically altered viper….ax. That genetic alteration wasn’t limited to animals, but obviously some had been performed on the flora. That was the only explanation so many plants of various kinds could cohabit a space, even if it wasn’t the right type of environment. When Alora continued questioning, Raeyen admitted experiments were done on the humans as well. That caught everyone’s attention and Alora began to search for more clues for a suspicion that welled up in the back of her mind. However, by the time they were in the air, they were landing again, for they weren’t far, and shuttles were quick. For the moment, Alora left off her research, and turned her attention to the view now that they were on the ground at the same time Divya made an observation about what lay outside. Already, a group approached the vessel.
Tam: We have a welcoming committee.
Raeyen IV: Expect security to meet up, weapons pointed down but on the ready, showing them this will verify my identity and allow us to pass.
Tam: Please take the lead.
That only made sense since Raeyen was one of their people. If they stepped out with their own weapons at the ready, no doubt it would be taken as a hostile act, so even though Alora had a phaser on her, she left the weapon in its holster. Stepping to the side, Divya allowed Raeyen to exit first, and the others followed, staying close behind her.
There were several people gathered, but one specific person caught Alora’s attention - a woman who looked exactly like Raeyen. There could be more than one explanation for that, but the response from their version made it very clear Alora’s earlier suspicion had been correct.
Raeyen IV: …What the f- GREG!?
With unrestrained irritation, Raeyen stepped forward and grabbed the man she called ‘Greg’ by his collar. As she watched, Alora couldn’t help but think the pair looked like one of those old photos of teachers getting after a disobedient student.
Raeyen IV: My heart stops for less than a minute and YOU ACTIVATED FIVE?!
Greg: …Ah, I thought… I’msosorryRaeyen.
Raeyen V: Are we in trouble? ::Lookin to Raeyen IV then to the crew:: Hello!
While they looked exactly alike, the newer version smiled without any hint of hesitancy, and her mouth spread into a wide smile. Glancing back and forth between them, Alora knew Raeyen IV hadn’t really aged since she was ‘born’, but sometimes, it wasn’t time that wore down a face. Divya was the first to respond by raising her own hand and greeting them.
Tam: Hello there.
DeVeau:Hail and well met!
Alora offered her own smile in hope it made her look friendly because…well, she was!
DeVeau: I’m Alora. That’s Divya.
She motioned toward the Barzan, then swept her hand over to the Bajoran.
DeVeau: And this is Ay. We’re visitors to your world.
Aye: Response
At least Alroa didn’t have to worry about shy people on her team. Divya took the initiative, strode up to Greg, and extended her hand to the man in a typical human fashion.
Tam: Greg, is it? Nice to meet you.
Greg was far more nimble than he looked at first glance and he managed to extract himself from Raeyen…..IV’s grasp so he could turn and take Divya’s hand.
Greg: Oh, yes. Hello. This must look….
This must look…? Alora waited for him to finish, but the man’s eyes suddenly stared at something on Divya’s face - the very same things that had intrigued Raeyen. His head did a funny bob from side to side before he finally lifted a hand and poked her cheek. Oh boy…did they now know anything about personal boundaries?
Greg: What is the purpose of this?
Evidently not. Divya brushed the man’s hand away in a far kinder way than Alora would have thought, but glad that the Barzan had the patience needed to do so without anger - or at least, anger that was visible. Well, irritation, maybe. That was definitely not a good thing to do to anyone, even humans.
DeVeau: If you please, Greg, that’s not really polite.
She might have said something about his mother teaching him better manners, but knowing what she now knew, she held her tongue.
Ay/Raeyen IV: Response
Greg: Oh…yes…Imsorry.
At least he had the decency to apologise. At that point, the Barzan turned her attention to the other Raeyen, asking for clarification.
Tam: And you are Five?
Attention turned to the twin of the Raeyen who had started out as an enemy and became a tentative ally. For the moment, Alora would make no comment about the obvious reason why the doppelganger stood there, and it wasn’t because they were twins born of the same mother. Nor would she discuss the ban on outright genetic engineering. Even genetic therapy used for medicinal purposes was very carefully monitored. Outright cloning…the Federation would have a problem with that. No, it wasn’t the type for such difficult conversations, and they weren’t in Federation territory, so their laws and rules were not applicable, even if the residents were human.
DeVeau: A pleasure to make your acquaintance.
Ay/Raeyen IV/Five: Response
The guards shifted, uneasy, and Alora caught numerous glances thrown at her as well as her companions. Obviously, they weren’t used to meeting people not from their ‘mother planet’. Or…well, technically Alora was from the original ‘mother planet’, but she was not from Nova Terra, though it was likely only the presence of the two non-humans that made it obvious she was not from Nova Terra. Meanwhile, Greg continued to cross boundaries when he leaned over and literally sniffed at Divya.
Greg: I smell ammonia. Did you have an encounter with the Vampcat?
Watching Divya closely, Alora prepared to intervene, but the woman managed to keep her cool and replied simply.
Tam: No.
DeVeau: I understand that we certainly are a sight, but just as such things would likely not be considered polite and desirable to your people, they are not considered polite and desirable to hers.
That comment was directed pointedly at Greg, to whom she had already mentioned his behaviour as unwanted. If they weren’t to stare, then why was poking and sniffing considered acceptable? Turning to the original Raeyen, she arched her eyebrows up in a silent request for assistance.
Ay/Raeyen IV/Tam/Etc.: Response
DeVeau: We’re actually from…pretty far away. My friends are from planets of their own. Barzan.
At that name, she motioned to Divya, then once again, the motion swept over to Ay.
DeVeau: And Bajor.
Ay/Raeyen IV/Tam/Etc.: Response
Alora’s eyes darted to fall behind those gathered as a couple of more people approached. Unlike those who had met them, they had an air of authority about them. As they drew closer, Alora finally gave more information more about herself.
DeVeau: I am actually from Earth.
Ay/Raeyen IV/Tam/Etc.: Response
-- Commander Alora DeVeau Chief Science Officer USS Thor & Matriarch of the 15th House Betazed M239008AD0