Drinks and Information

Posted on Thu Oct 15th, 2026 @ 4:11pm by Commander Rin & Tir Lorran

Mission: Season 6 - Episode 8- The Price of Home
Timeline: During the event in "A Little Diplomacy."
1163 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

"I'm curious. What makes you think this is more suitable?"

With a gesture to the assembled food and drink. "There is nothing here I have not tried. My skill as an expert in matching customer to product is nearly unrivaled." Tir Lorran smiled. "Now tell me if I am correct."

Rin considered the drink for a long moment, frowning at it. "Sorry to say... you're still off for this particular customer."

She knew a power play when she saw it. Taking away her drink as if she was a child, informing her he knew better than her, she wasn't playing into that. "You mentioned working together. In which capacity can I assist? I'm going to be pulled in a million directions."

"Admirable direct," he said, taking an orange star-shaped object from a passing tray. "I admit, I do not know yet," he said. "There is so much to learn about your Federation. I am happy to exchange information for information as we prepare for the project ahead." He raised his hand. "I would not expect anything confidential, but it will be easier to work with you if I have an idea of your structures and procedures."

"I know your ship has few material wants, but I can provide many of those if you do not need information," he added, snatching up a cup of blue liquid from a passing tray.

"That's acceptable. Shall we sit?"

"Please, I am not as young as I once was," he says.

"As far as structure, we are organized as a military: ranks, chain of command, etc. But we see ourselves as more than that. We're explorers. Not colonists. We actually have rules about how to interact with new cultures. The Federation attempts to work for a common good. Definitions for that, of course, vary. We are made up of very diverse people, and individuality is an important value. We have a couple dozen different races on board. our ship, and several dozen more make up the Federation."

"As far as functionality on the Elysium, we are divided into distinct departments, and each of them functions semi-independently. But there's a lot of cross training too, which has been important over the last year. We've needed to be even more flexible. So you'll probably see some of the same crew members filling multiple different roles. Was there something in particular I can address?"

Tir took a swallow of his drink. "You have done well. You have survived attacks from some of the most dangerous local powers, crossed vast distances of, to you, unknown space."

He finished the drink and gestured to a server to bring another. "I represent those who trade across this space, knitting together diverse groups through mutually beneficial commerce. We are intrigued by the possibility of expanding this network further but worry that there are others that may wish to use it for less benign purposes."

"There are undoubtedly those who wish to use it for less benign purposes. Every advancement brings risk. Reward and strife travel the same roads. But we are hoping the assembled powers can find an arrangement or technology that mitigates as much risk as possible."

Swirling his new drink in one hand, Tir thought for a moment. "I think we will be able to work together for the benefit of all. Unlike some, we have no wish to monopolize this technology. But to see that it is used to open travel and trade for all interested."

"So, theoretical question," Rin said. "If this project works, and it opens trade and travel for all interested, how do you separate those interested in trade from those who have less...benign uses for it, as you put it."

"A fair question," he said, leaning back. "Perhaps we could restrict warship travel by requiring unnamimous approval of all the allied powers? With a small dedicated defensive force drawn from all of the allies?"

"Certainly a good place to start. Of course, you'll have to come up with a definition of 'warship.' I imagine some of your merchant vessels are very well armed. And not every bad actor has a warship."

"True, some routes are more dangerous than others, but they are no threat to a proper military vessel," he says with a dismissive wave of his free hand. "It will be impossible to stop all of these 'bad actors' as you call them, but as long as their foolishness is minimal and does not threaten the proposed transit network, they should only be a minor irritation to the Allied powers. While many have tried, imposing good sense upon people has proved to be a bridge made of smoke."

"Quite so," Rin replied. "I have to remind my compatriots of that occasionally. Make something foolproof and they'll invent a better fool."

Tir laughed. "Well said." He flagged down another server. "We must do the best with what we have. Your Federation seems mostly sensible about the difficulties ahead. It will be a challenge to satisfy everyone but I believe it can be done."

"Ah, our reputation precedes us," Rin said. She had also snagged another drink and found this one far more satisfying. "What have you heard?"

"That you have survived encounters with some of the most dangerous societies in the local area . . . and the Lonians," he said. "That last may cause the most repercussions in the negotiations."

"That was less than diplomatic," Rin acknowledged. "I don't know the specifics because I was in sickbay getting my eye reconstructed. The Lonians thought it was spying on them. It was not."

"I suggest that your diplomats begin explaining why you were forced to engage in acts of war against a local power," said Vir. "It will be the question everyone is asking and the Lonian will be on your tail soon enough."

"I'm confident our diplomats have been addressing the matter for some time. That is their job. It's quite reasonable for other delegates to question the event. I just hope they have similar questions for the Lonians. They kidnapped 17 members of Elysium's crew and passengers, including several senior officers, some of which were beaten and tortured despite complying."

Tir sips at his drink. "The Lonians are known to more people than you and have greater ties among the local groups. I know of their . . . odd obsessions with certain groups. I may be able to find some Lonian media that places things in context. I will ask around."

"That's fair," Rin laughed slightly as she sipped her actually pleasant drink. "I'm rusty with dealing with politics. We've been away from it for so long. Never been my forte, regardless. That's more the diplomatic corps. Any assistance would be appreciated."

"Have them get in touch with me," he says, standing. "It has been a pleasure. Now I am sure there are other people we need to talk with as well. I look forward to working with your ship. A new future may emerge."