Flt. Capt. Solzano: The Launch Party & Assignments

[Tony]

OOC: If you've served on other ships in the 118 fleet, then you'll probably be familiar with the 'briefing room' scene that tends to open missions. I'm not a big fan of that scene, so you'll often see me find ways around it as I write. This is one such way, but if you're at all confused about what happens here or what you should do next, feel free to ask your team leader (detailed later in the sim) or me directly!

(( Lounge ))

:: At 1800 the next day, Zalea strolled into the lounge exactly on the hour to find the launch party already in full swing. Of course, she expected nothing less--but a former CO had once told her never to be early to such things. The crew expected her to make her entrance at 1800, and that's just what she would do. 

She caught Noemi's eye from across the room. Noemi had already, of course, found a group of medical officers and was chatting away--but she still grinned at Zalea as she came in. Noemi liked to be early always, but she knew how Zalea felt about such things.

The space had already seen a dramatic transformation at the hands of Zogi, and Zalea thought it looked more like a starbase bar--not unlike a couple she'd seen on DS32, actually--than the rather standard, mostly inoffensive standard that was a shipboard lounge. It had character, and she liked that. She intended to indulge in some of that character, and she walked right over to the bar for a drink. As soon as she had it, she tapped on it to get everyone's attention. Once the room was mostly quiet, she turned to address them. ::

Solzano: Thank you, all, for coming. I asked for this particular hour to mark an important moment: At exactly 1804 hours, we will cross the Federation border and be in neutral territory. Computer, will you announce the time?

Computer: The time is 1803 hours. ::beat:: The time is 1804 hours.

Solzano: Ladies and gentlemen: The frontier.

:: There was a round of applause at that, and nearly every head turned toward the windows of the lounge. True, there was nothing to see--the border, after all, like most borders, was an idea, not a physicality--but she knew that most of her new officers were thinking what she was thinking, too: They were out there, now, really and truly. ::

Solzano: Please enjoy yourselves this evening. 

:: And with that, she began to stroll amongst them. As she'd promised Vondaryan the day before, she had some announcements to make. She was, therefore, very direct in who she approached, and first on her list was Vondaryan. She found him quickly, and then beckoned to him so that they both joined Williams, too. Zalea kept a smile, but she spoke in a direct, no-nonsense way to both men. ::

Solzano: Gentlemen, our first mission. Starfleet's been contacted by a species that calls itself the Deep. We are to rendezvous with one of their diplomatic scouts at the binary Zeta Pyxidis at 1100 tomorrow. We know nothing about the Deep except that they desire this meeting and have made friendly, diplomatic overtures.

Vondaryan / Williams: [tag]

Solzano: Vondaryan, I would like you to take an away team to the diplomatic scout. Meet the Deep's envoys on their turf and find out as much as you can--and why they've approached us now. It may be that they're interested in some sort of alliance, and that would certainly help us as we push into the unknown. Take Svalasdottir, Kustais, and Pandorn with you.

Vondaryan: [tag]

Solzano: Williams, you'll do the same here: The Deep will send over an envoy or two, and you'll lead the team that greets them. Take Socxo and Baxter to help you show off as much of the Za as seems reasonable and prudent. We want to be as welcoming and friendly as possible.

Williams: [tag]

Solzano: Any questions?

Vondaryan / Williams: [tag]

OOC: I'll backsim if so!

Solzano: Then I leave you to seek out your team members and brief them. 

:: She gave them a short nod, trusting both officers to do so as soon as they thought was prudent, and searched through the crowd for her next officer. She spotted Traenor after a few moments, then beckoned him over to where Falcon was standing. Again, she dropped her voice, though she never lost her smile. ::

Solzano: Traenor, Falcon: Tomorrow morning, we'll be arriving at the binary Zeta Pyxidis to meet a new species that calls itself the Deep. We'll be sending an away team and welcoming their envoys aboard--but while we do so, I want to know more about the system itself. They chose the meeting place, and I want to know if there's any special reason. I'd like you both to take one of our support craft and find out.

Traenor / Falcon: [tag]

Solzano: Falcon, you might take one of the Talons. Get a feel for it. ::beat:: And take Cattan with you. There's no reason to expect trouble, but it never hurts to have a good nurse along. Traenor, you'll command the mission.

Traenor / Falcon: [tag]

Solzano: Questions?

OOC: Again, I'll backsim if so. 

Solzano: Then I suggest one of you finds Cattan and preps her, too. Good luck.

Traenor / Falcon: [tag]

:: Again, she left the pair with a nod, and then sought out her final trio. As before, she led them all together before she spoke. ::

Solzano: Saveron, Scudder--thank you for following. I don't believe either of you have met Petras, dual comm and ops? But a communications specialist, aren't you, Petras?

Saveron / Scudder / Petras: [tag]

Solzano: Just so. ::beat:: We'll be making first contact with an alien species named the Deep at 1100 tomorrow. I would prefer if the three of you would join me on the bridge rather than participate in the meetings directly. I want a thorough understanding of their psychology, physiology, and linguistics in real time, and I believe we can best accomplish that behind the scenes as our teams meet with the Deep's envoys.

Saveron / Scudder / Petras: [tag]

Solzano: Good. Do you have any questions?

Saveron / Scudder / Petras: [tag]

OOC: Again, I'll backsim!

Solzano: Very good. I'll see you at 1100 on the bridge, then.

:: With all of the pertinent personnel briefed, she turned with new eyes to the launch party. True, she'd brought business into it, but that was no reason why she couldn't now enjoy herself too--with the added knowledge that her teams were now assembling themselves and prepping for tomorrow's work. ::

Tag! and TBC!

--

Fleet Captain Zalea Solzano

USS Za Commanding Officer

Executive & Captains Council Member

Writer ID: V238208LV0