Customs

Posted on Sun Dec 22nd, 2024 @ 7:49pm by Captain Kett V'Laass & Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: Season 6: Episode 5: A church beyond heaven
Location: Deck 21-Cargo Bay 2
Timeline: MD:3
973 words - 1.9 OF Standard Post Measure

::ON::

Ket had only been assigned to the USS Elysium just prior from it intergalactic accident to another galaxy, and had never really got a chance to un-pack. Ket was trying to get an item out of long term storage from Cargo Bay 2. It was registered, but it had a biological component and needed to be cleared by security as it was brought out of its large storage crate. It was a Tellerite Organ. A very large musical instrument that was, part church organ, part coral reef and what looked like part steam engine. Ket needed it transferred to his quarters. Though he was not sure how it would fit in it. But he was getting ahead of himself. The whole thing needed to be scanned by tricorder from a security officer, so he could have the all clear. Ket was now waiting by his crate for a security officer.

"Captain V'Laass I Presume?" S'hib said loudly, his voice echoing around the cargo bay as he clicked towards the Vulcan.

"I do apologise if you've been waiting for some time, my department is stretched a little thin as of late-" He added, catching himself before rambling on.

"-How may I help?"

Ket nodded respectfully to the chief of security. Though Ket was not new to the Elysium, the large ship did have a crew of over two thousand, and Ket did not often find himself interacting with senior staff. Ket stood smartly and in typical emotionless tones Ket made his request "Commander if possible i was hoping to have a personal item moved from long term storage to my quarters, but it will need a customs check please?"

“A customs check?” S’hib said in an almost bemused tone. “I haven’t done one of those in a while…” he added before pausing to scratch at his snout, wriggling the loose mass that was his equine lips.

“I’m surprised they didn't fully clear this when it came aboard originally…”

Ket stoked his beard thoughtfully and responded in the familiar emotionless Vulcan tone "It was Sir. But this cargo has an organic component and needs another sign off before coming out of storage." Ket walked around the large cargo crate. The container was about 12 feet tall, and Ket had to use a step stool to unlock the top clasps.

“You said you needed whatever this is transferred to your quarters?” S’hib asked, entirely unsure how such a large item could even fit through the cargobay door, let alone down the winding Elysium corridors

“Is it possible to take it apart?” He added as he clicked around to the far side, reaching up with very little effort to unlock the remaining clasps.

"I was hoping for a site to site transport if possible sir" said Ket as the last of the clasps came unlocked and the sides of the crate came sliding down. It revealed the large musical instrument. The Tellarite had the shape of a church organ, but its pipes looked like coral flumes, and parts of it looked like a steam engine. Ket nodded satisfactorily to himself, it had been time since he had last seen the contraption.

“Oh, I think I’ve seen one of these before…” S’hib remarked as he casually reached to his belt to retrieve his tricorder.

“Back on earth when I was a young Stal, There was an exhibit somewhere… I don't remember where but it had musical instruments from all over the alpha quadrant on display.”

He looked down at the tricorder, pausing his thought for a moment. “Not sure why we went, but it was probably my second mother's idea, she was the one into music.”

Ket nodded his agreement. The only time Ket had spent on earth was either Starfleet Academy in San Francisco, or Paris to see his mother at the embassy. "Alas, I never had the opportunity to visit any museums whilst I was on Earth."

"It was all I ever did as a kid, my mothers were fascinated by it all... granted they'd grown up thinking our people were alone in the universe and then in a short few years we had joined the federation and migrated to a different world..."

S'hibs smile faded somewhat as he scanned the giant instrument that sat between the pair. "It was a very different childhood compared to most," he added quietly before blinking a smile back onto his face.

"Well, it all appears to be in order, no contaminants or contraband detected... as for transferring it to your quarters, I will put in a request for ops to come help you, as they'll need to verify it fits before transport."

Ket nodded thoughtfully. "That is most agreeable sir, and thank you for your time." Ket stroked his beard thoughtfully. "I am looking forward to practicing my musical instrument again.

S’hib nodded knowingly before clicking his tricorder shut. “I still haven’t fixed my guitar, it’s been ages since I’ve played…”

He shrugged slightly, slipping his tricorder back onto his belt. “Life, eh?”

Ket brushed one hand on the thin, bone like metal keys of the Organ. Then pressed in a couple, letting out a mellow, harmonious yet synthetic wave like sound. He nodded to himself satisfactorily "Yes life does seem to find a way to keep you away from ones own musical musings."

S'hib nodded, taking a few steps towards Ket. "That and many other things too, unfortunately, but hey..."

He sighed softly through his nostrils, lost in his own thoughts as he placed his giant hand on Kets shoulder, patting it with his thick cloven fingers.

"At least you get longer than I do to get round to doing them... enjoy your music, Captain." He said with a smile before stepping past and leaving for the Cargobay exit.