Sequus don't wear clothes

Posted on Fri Nov 26th, 2021 @ 9:15am by High Priestess An'Dalus & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Sovereign T'handu & Captain Garrett Lovejoy [ Taylor] & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: Transporter Room 1
Timeline: Current
2300 words - 4.6 OF Standard Post Measure

On the bridge of the Elysium, a young Ensign stared at her Ops screen, trying to make sense of the data it was showing. "Captain, I'm getting some unusual subspace readings on long-range sensors, I can't make any sense of it."

Captain Garrett Lovejoy leaned forward in the center seat. "What seems to be the trouble with the readings Ensign?" He asked.

"Sir, I'm not sure... I think it's a warp signature?" She replied, as a violent bright burst of light marked the sudden appearance of another vessel coming out of warp, A tall and bulky frame arriving right on top of the Elysium, Its dark coloured and well-armoured hull clearly visible from any window on her Portside.

Though clearly inspired by Starfleet design its U shaped configuration was entirely foreign, with two nacelles buried inside each extension of the hull itself, glowing a brilliant blue and barely visible from a frontal view.

In truth, the ship looked as though it had arrived on its side, even as it slowly manoeuvred around to the front of the Ely, Its lone impulse engine firing brightly between the two rear engineering beams.

"Captain, I'm not sure how they're getting a signal through but they're hailing us."

"Well, that in itself is impressive. On screen if you please Ensign. Lets hear what they have to say."

The screen flickered at first through the interference from the planet, though it quickly cleared up as the signal was amplified from the vast deflector array that was housed on the front of the Alien vessel.

Then there stood a proud-looking Sequus on the viewscreen, his onyx black coat making what little of a uniform he had on stand out even more.

A single white arm, the right specifically was all that was visible, wrapping up over his shoulder before changing into a dark red colour, finishing in a thick collar around his long neck that displayed his rank, something fairly similar in style to that in Starfleet.

Though from the out of focus officers in the background that did appear to be all that was when it came to a Sequus uniform

"Forgive me if we startled you Elysium, I am Captain Tor'sul of the SPDS Kenósogo, we have been trying to hail you for some time..."

Garrett looked at the image before him and replied, "I am Captain Garrett Lovejoy, commanding the USS Elysium. I apologize for any difficulty you had in contacting us. The interference from the planet is playing havoc with communications. How may we help you?"

"We noticed, though thankfully we are used to dealing with planetary interference..." Tor'sul snorted as he crossed his arms, finding it somewhat amusing that his vessel was the only one able to send and receive clear communications. "So, if you require any assistance after our delegation has beamed aboard, do say so."

"We appreciate your offer of assistance but I'm sure we can work it out." Garrett replied then continued. "Delegation? I wasn't aware of a Sequus delegation coming aboard." He replied, inwardly cursing the interference problem they were experiencing. *Orders probably got lost because of this damn interference.*

"I'm sure they will explain everything once they are on board, though we are also returning one of your crew." The Sequus captain replied, pausing for a moment as though trying to remember the name. "Lieutenant Commander S'hib, he will be beaming over with the Delegation shortly."

"Understood. We will be awaiting the delegation in transporter room one in fifteen minutes." Garrett replied even as he sent message to Legate an Vantar to meet him in the transporter room.

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Idle chatter filled the transporter room between Legate Vantar and Captain Lovejoy, though it was quickly silenced once the pads lit up and three yellow transporter beams began to materialise in front of them.

On the far right the familiar outline of a Starfleet uniform, albeit one that was in dire need of taking out of service, even the comm badge hadn't escaped unscathed, sandblasted into a dull and pitted shell of its former glory, much like the rest of S'hibs tattered and dirt-stained uniform.

on the left, however, two other Sequus appeared, wearing entirely nothing save for the copious amounts of body art, shaved into their coat and accentuated with powdery body paint.

The smallest of the two, a cream coloured mare glanced about with a smile before shaking her head, the intricate jewellery that hung from her neck and arms rattling gently as she did so.

"Sends a shiver down my mane every time I use one of those..." Snorted the mare, whom despite being smaller than S'hib still towered over the assembled officers before her.

"But, needs must..." She added as she clicked down from the transporter pad and swiftly approached Captain Lovejoy, oblivious to the wide look in his eyes as she clasped his shoulders with her stubby hoofed hands.

"Red blessings, I am High Priestess An'Dalus, but you may all call me Anne, as I have found it rolls off your humanoid tongues a bit better." She smiled, looking briefly over at Legate Vantar before thumping her forehead against Lovejoy's, her iron grip on his shoulders pinning his feet to the spot, pulling him closer to herself.

Garrett peered up at the High Priestess, "It, it is an honor High Priestess. I am Captain Garrett Lovejoy and this is Legate Vanessa an Vantar, our diplomatic officer." He said waving his arm at the woman to his side while still pinned to the floor.

"It is a privilege to meet you High Priestess. Welcome." Vanessa noted in her stately and formal voice.

"Oh my dear, the privilege is mine!" Anne neighed as stood up tall, smiling down at Lovejoy before clicking over to Vanessa and repeating the same greeting, pushing her forehead against Vanessa's "You are all such fascinating creatures, such strange manes... especially you males, so.. trimmed." She mused, moving her large hoof fingers to examine the woman's blonde hair with glancing back at Lovejoy.

"Captain... If you'll excuse me, I would like to go take a very long shower..." S'hib snorted as he clicked down off the pad, holding his left arm close to his chest as he left the transporter room.

"Yes, go right ahead Commander." Garrett replied as he straightened his tunic. "And welcome back."

"Thank you for your company Commander." Anne smiled, watching S'hib leave before turning her attention back to the two humanoids before her.

"It's so wonderful to meet you both," Anne replied as she circled behind them both as though examining an animal for sale.

"T'handu, I heard they were small, but I thought the reports were exaggerating." Anne mused openly as she looked towards her Sovereign, a hand hovering over Vantar's head to further her point. "And will you stop looking so serious and come say hello." She frowned, placing her hands atop her large hips.

"Apologises Priestess," T'han replied, nodding apologetically as he clicked down from the transporter pad, making a point to stand as tall as possible as he looked down at the assembled Starfleet officers.

"Now, Captain..." Anne snorted in a more serious tone, turning to face Lovejoy. "I was informed that you had no knowledge of our coming, so we took the liberty of beaming over a few supplies." She finished, waving her hand dismissively. "If you could take us to wherever it is you would like us to stay, then I'm sure I can have T'han organise the finer details..."

"Certainly High Priestess. We have you and T'han in VIP quarters on deck three. Your supplies can be transported into your quarters." Garrett replied. "If you will both follow me, I'll take you to your quarters." He finished, regaining his composure following his initial surprise at seeing the two Sequus au natural.

"Certainly..." Anne nodded politely even as T'han stormed out of the transporter room, his phase staff held at his midriff, scanning the corridor as he waited for everyone else. "Though I would appreciate having a tour of the ship at some point, could that be arranged?" She added as she followed Taylor into the corridor, ducking under the doorframe as though climbing inside a child's toy house.

"Certainly High Priestess. I would be delighted to arrange a tour of the Elysium for you. I believe you would be most impressed. However, let's first get you to your quarters and settled in." Garrett replied, his head turning and angled up to talk to the taller Sequus. As they walked to the VIP quarters, Garrett spoke again, "If there is anything you need or require to make your stay more comfortable, please let me know."

"You may regret offering such a thing, Captain... I'm quite used to having a dozen or so fillies in training as my aids..." She smiled, glancing down at the man as she walked, making sure not to take too big a strides with her long legs.

"Though if you are any good at plaiting braids... my tail could do with redoing." She hummed, trying to gauge his reaction.

"I'm afraid your quarters aren't big enough to hold a dozen fillies. Garrett replied politely as they walked. "As for plaiting braids. "Sorry, no talent at all. Perhaps Legate an Vantar could help?" Garrett answered with a smile of his own.

She snorted at the idea, glancing over at Vantar. "Yes, I did think It would be perhaps a bit too presumptuous to take over an entire deck," Anne replied, satisfied with her probing as she smiled down at a crewman as they walked past, his stunned unblinking eyes tracking her as he moved out of their way. "Your Lieutenant Commander S'hib did find the idea rather amusing... Though from our talks, I was left under the impression a woman commanded this vessel? Now granted, my knowledge of humanoid anatomy is limited... but you do appear to be male?" She snorted, keeping a single ear fixed on Lovejoy as they continued down the corridor.

Garrett turned to look at the High priestess. "Your information was correct. Captain Yasmine Carrington was in command of the Elysium. Unfortunately, she died during our last mission when an attempt was made to takeover the ship." He finished quietly. "And in answer to your question, I am most definitely male."

"Apparently so, but you do have my condolences, Captain..." Anne replied softly, touching the flat space between her eyes with her two central hoofed digits before placing them briefly on Garrett's shoulder. "Losing a herd leader is often felt quite hard even amongst those that did not know them well..."

"Thank you High Priestess. Thank you very much. It is indeed hard." Garrett admitted solemnly. "I like to think we were friends as well as shipmates. i wish the crew had gotten to know her better."

"They will if you embody all that was good, projecting her teachings as though they were your own... then they will come to know her as if she is still here." Anne replied, trying not to delve into her own people's way of dealing with death, off worlders simply couldn't understand even if she tried.

"A most despicable act, High Priestess." Vanessa noted. "The attack on Captain Carrington was performed, during a diplomatic luncheon, under the false pretense and banner of peace." She noted. "I can have an official report compiled for later review by your diplomats, High Priestess, if you are interested. It would be valuable to know of the New Canaanites before your people make contact with them. Suffice to say they are extremely xenophobic and I have been informing other spacefaring nations of them over the last few weeks." The Legate noted.

"That is rather troubling news, but that is why I am here Lagate... My people are currently rather naive of the wider galaxy, so our continued cooperation and guidance from the Federation and Starfleet will be most beneficial for all parties concerned."

"A very wise stance to take, High Priestess. Very wise indeed. That being said, I have a great deal of experience with the races the Federation has encountered, and for almost five years I was the Alindari ambassador to Earth. I also teach the diplomacy courses at the Elysium Academy, a branch of Starfleet Academy." Vanessa mentioned. "I will speak to the Commandant about allowing your representatives to attend my Interstellar Relations classes. And I would do even more for you. I have a great deal of friends with the diplomatic services of the major powers in the quadrant, and I will be more than pleased to introduce your representatives to my many acquaintences I have had the privilege to meet over the years. We should have your diplomatic corps up to snuff in a year." Vanessa smiled.

"I'm beginning to see why you brought her along, Captain, seems you have a resourceful crew." Anne snorted, her arms finally relaxing behind her back, delighted with the last few minutes of discussion.

"This crew has been through many challenges, and many perils. Lieutenant Commander S'hib amongst them. He has aided us against foes so bracing, and his strength saved many crewmembers. You should be honored to have such a Sequis in Starfleet." Vanessa noted. "He is a great hero to your people and an excellent Starfleet Officer, and a personification of everything Starfleet stands for." Vanessa mentioned. "And that is no idle praise. Without him, we would have lost many lives."

Anne smiled inwardly, for all his apparent feats and greatness in the service of Starfleet, it palled in comparison to what he had done for his own people, though unlike the praise he had just received from Lagate Vantar, all that he had done would be buried beneath the dunes and quietly forgotten to time.