Lieutenant Divya Tam: Awkward Family Reunion
mrsciroth
((USS Magni, Selene, Solace System))
Hopefully, the danger was past. Almost certainly, it was no,t but Divya would content herself with the knowledge that everyone on the shuttle had survived a vicious wildlife attack and the wounded member of the party was recovering.
The development of an antivenom had raised more questions about the interesting moon they were surveying. They now knew what brought humans to this moon and where they came from, but they did not have a clear answer as to why they were abandoned, and the animals were abandoned. Hopefully, a full picture would present itself when they arrived at Raeyen's village.
Raeyen IV: I work security, encountering the unknown is part of the job, and this is a scientist outpost… you’ve found the more open-minded population of Nova Terra.
Nera: Have you had the chance to meet many other races before?
DeVeau: Although we’re explorers, this region is new to us. So any peoples in this area of space would be new to us.
She shook her head in answer.
Raeyen IV: No, we don’t tend to get guests. ::motions to the scanners:: Most overlook Selene.
Tam: With two populated planets in the system, it is unsurprising that a moon would be overlooked by traders. ::glancing back at Raeyen IV:: I suspect that is part of why it was chosen for the experiments.
Nera: Well, hopefully they’re every bit as friendly and welcoming as you’ve been ::smirking::
Raeyen IV: …Most are not security.
Divya chuckled. Raeyen may not have pushed back on Ay's joke, but Divya had the feeling she understood it for what it was.
Nera: Anything more we should know before we land? ::pausing:: Oh, does the settlement have a name?
DeVeau: Before we land, we need to get off the ground first.
True enough. It was time to go. Divya noticed Raeyen watching them and the work they were doing. It made her curious about the technology here. From the changes in the life on the moon, their medical and science had to be extensive, but by the curious way Raeyen studied their systems, their technology might have veered in a different direction from that of Earth.
DeVeau: But let’s take care of that now. Raeyen, if this is your settlement, we’ll head over there and land close, but not too close.
A nod of the head let Divya know she had permission to take off.
Tam: I'll start the preflight check.
The course was already plotted. All she had to do was lift their little bird up.
Raeyen IV: It used to be called Gemini Outpost… but we just call it Gem.
Divya entered the name in her map, and it displayed on the viewscreen.
Tam: Gem it is.
Ay: Response
Tam: Away we go.
It hadn't taken long to prepare for flight. She realized how short a span of time it had been since they landed. The glow from the rain held enough light in the area that twilight might last for hours. Divya entered the sequence that brought the shuttle into the air. She watched the landscape speed by beneath them.
The commander deliberately turned her back on the view screen, and Divya was reminded of how uncomfortable the woman had been on the trip here. Her piloting skills were fine, which led Divya to believe she hated small craft travel. It should have brought sympathy to the forefront of her mind, but excitement took up that space. This meant Divya might get the pilot seat in the future. As long as she refrained from doing any barrel rolls.
DeVeau: Like Ay asked, if there are specific customs we need to be aware of, that would be good to know.
Raeyen IV: Don’t stare.
That was more than fair. It told Divya a lot about what would offend them and little of what they had been through.
Raeyen IV: Ask before you touch any of the animals.
Tam: Common courtesy. Got it.
Ay: Response
DeVeau: We’re close, so only a minute or two. These things go fast.
Ay: Response
Raeyen IV: I am envious of this speed.
Tam: Traveling through the stars, I forget just how we are going.
It was nice to get back to flying. All too soon, they arrived at a clearing near the village. As Divya lowered the shuttle, a group of people approached. It was expected, but Divya unconsciously checked for the knives she kept hidden in her boots and other places.
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.
Divya stepped to the side and allowed Raeyen to exit. The security officers in the back had their weapons pointed down. Their dress and stance were similar to Raeyen's, except for the man in front. His lab coat has seen better days, and his facial shield, while damaged, was scrolling through data. She caught Raeyen IV's name but not much else. The officer beside him looked like Raeyen, exactly like Raeyen. Facial features, hair, height. The hints she had been dropping suddenly clicked in Divya's mind.
oO Ohh Oo
Raeyen IV: …What the f- GREG!?
Divya looked from the scientist to Raeyen IV in surprise. The control they had been trying to ease her out of flew away the moment she saw the group. She rushed forward and grabbed the nervous man by his collar.
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!
The new Raeyen waved and smiled with a wide-open expression. The hard edge she had become used to on that face was utterly absent. It was unnerving. She forced a smile and raised her hand, and waved back.
Tam: Hello there.
Ay/DeVeau: Response
She wasn't sure what else to do, so she walked up and stuck out her hand to the man in a common human tradition she had picked up at the Academy.
Tam: Greg, is it? Nice to meet you.
He did a quick step out of Raeyen IV's grasp and took Divya's hand.
Greg: Oh, yes. Hello. This must look….
He stopped speaking when he noticed Divya's breathers. His head bobbed from side to side while Divya stared down at him, uncomfortably. He lifted a hand up and poked one of her cheeks.
Greg: What is the purpose of this?
Divya moved his hand aside. She didn't want to be rude, but Raeyen had said don't stare and don't touch. She took the chance that her refusal would bring him back to his senses. There was also no way she was going to give someone, who might be experimenting on living beings, information on how she breathed.
Ay/DeVeau/Raeyen IV: Response
Greg: Oh…yes…Imsorry.
She looked past him at the other Raeyen.
Tam: And you are Five?
Ay/DeVeau/Raeyen IV/Five: Response
The other security guards looked uncomfortable and shifted from side to side. They were probably expecting something more hostile than the socially awkward exchange Divya had no idea how to get out of. She longed for a fight but dutifully smiled and nodded.
Greg leaned over and sniffed her.
Greg: I smell ammonia. Did you have an encounter with the Vampcat?
She resisted the urge to grab him by the collar. It wasn't easy.
Tam: No.
Ay/DeVeau/Raeyen IV: Response
Lieutenant Divya Tam
Chief of Operations
USS Thor
A240104DT4
She/Her (character and player)
Lieutenant Divya Tam: Awkward Family Reunion