Diplomatic Meeting
Posted on Fri Jan 31st, 2020 @ 6:30am by Vice-Consul Radun Dran & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor]
Mission:
Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Diplomatic Section
Timeline: unknown
1605 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure
Anje stood at her desk, Rhodes fallen in behind and to the left of her, "So, you going to try and be my permanent diplomatic security chief?" She asked.
"Not on your life, Princess." Rhodes sneered, "Your aunt was enough of a pain in the ass and you're even more spoiled. Besides, I can't leave that buncha devil dogs unsupervised, most of 'em ain't even housebroken yet."
"Well, I'm glad you're here." Anje smiled as she took her seat and waited for the senior officers of her section to arrive, ~I've got a section with senior officers.~
Dran sauntered in, an aloof grin on his face. "So you must be Envoy Anje Brett, the one who gets to boss me around."
"I am." Anje nodded, "Welcome! Smiley behind me is Gunnery Sergeant Timothy Rhodes who's helping me set up my own diplomatic security team, while he doesn't get to boss you around, he is terrifying."
Rhodes looked the guy over, ~Ponytail, earring... Guy looks like a Parris Island deb.~ He merely nodded, "Sir."
"So, while we await our other colleagues can I get you a drink?" Anje offered.
Rhodes stoic expression never changed, but he was cringing inside, "Madam Ambassador, why don't I get one of the Embassy staff to take everyone's drink order?"
"Right, of course." Anje nodded, she was mentally still in Ops most recently and, before that, she was a member of the Embassy staff, "Someone will come around shortly for us, Consul."
"Embassy staff getting my drink order? Did I just get appointed Ambassador again or something?" Dran said, remembering how nice life was then.
"That's how we run things here." Anje replied, ~I guess. Maybe Auntie did it this way? Yeah, she did, this is the way.~
"Interesting, considering how inexperienced you are as an Ambassador." Dran said, smirking.
"Inexperienced in the big chair, maybe. Inexperienced in diplomacy, hardly." Anje stated, "I've grown up in diplomatic circles and served on Ambassador Zhukov's staff for two years prior to coming her as Ops manager, after which I was asked to return to the diplomatic service."
~Smug son of a bitch.~ Rhodes surmised, already having decided he didn't like this guy.... AT ALL. "Begging your pardon, Vice-Consul, but are you in the habit of disrespecting your immediate supervisor or is Envoy Brett getting special treatment, Sir?"
"It's fine, Gunny." Anje sighed. It actually wasn't, the guy was being an asshole, but she'd promised her Aunt she wouldn't let him get busted down so close to retirement, "I've had my credentials questioned before, all part of the game, I suppose."
"As you wish, Madam Ambassador." Rhodes nodded, ~Her aunt would've disemboweled the bastard for half that. Damn Russians are getting soft on you, Tim.~
Dran chuckled, "Oh really? I doubt you have my level of experience, even if you have grown up in the service." The smirk was still present, and while he was speaking to Anje, Dran's eyes never left Tim, readying himself if the Gunny decided to do something stupid.
"Well, be that as it may, I do have these three pips and you seem to only have one and a half." Anje fired back, she was already sick of this guy, though she kept her stoic Vulcan facade on perfectly, "So, regardless of your concerns about what you perceive as my lack of experience, I am still in charge. For those keeping score, that is."
"Yeah." Rhodes interjected, "You can count, right, Mr. Experience?"
Dran nodded, "yes, but experience gained on the battlefield fighting for your people's freedom from tyrannical overlords tends to rank higher in my book."
"In that case I should be the boss." Rhodes said bluntly, "I've been killing the enemy since you were shittin' yellow, Junior."
Imik heard the two men talking as she entered, "Excuse my tardiness, but I had a transmission from Ekotsy Prime (Ojnas Home World). Are you gentlemen intending to continue your testosterone fuelled discussion?" She bowed to everyone in the room, "Blessings to all who here attend, may I assist where I can". She then crossed the room and sank down to sit on the floor, placing her PaDD in front of her.
"What overlords has the Federation ever had to fight for freedom from? Bugs?! You'll never know what it was like on Bajor during the Occupation, and I'd prefer you don't compare it to any supposed 'freedom fight' the Federation has had, as nothing will compare." Dran said, his voice falling into almost a growl the further he got into his little speech. "The Cardassians tried to take everything that made us Bajoran, and we will stand tall and never let our identity as a people be stolen again." He recited the Resistance motto from heart.
"Never heard of the Borg, dipshit?" Rhodes snarled back, adding, "And we fought the Spoonheads, too. Unlike you, we won, but at least you have that dandy earring or yours."
Raising her head, Imik fixed the pair with her eye's. "Freedom is different for each of us, the Bajorans lost a war and their freedom but kept their home world. We Ojnas kept our freedom but lost a war and our home worlds, in fact we lost our place in the universe". She slowly rose to her full hight, "You speak of loosing your identity, as one who lost more than that I can say only this. Be grateful your people remained on their home world, be grateful your history is unbroken". Imik now crossed to the two men, "If you wish to beat your chest and flaunt your masculinity, please go elsewhere. For it has no place here, we seek to understand others not berate them". She now returned to her spot and sat back down on the floor, "Three thousand Earth years we have been without a home, migrants unwanted and despised. Your display embarrasses me, for both of you have learned so little".
"Yes, Gentlemen, that's more than enough." Anje stated, a subtle way of reminding them that she was still the one running the show, "Imik, welcome."
Turning to face Anje, Imik smiled. "I thank you Envoy, blessings upon your house. I apologise for my outburst, perhaps I overstated my point".
Dran gave Tim a glare that said this wasn't over, but backed down, muttering obscenities in Bajoran.
"Vice Consul, if you have nothing constructive to say. Please keep your abuse to yourself, negative thoughts and actions benefit no one". Imik glared at Dran as she spoke.
"No, Imik, if anything you're the person here making the most sense. Thank you for your help, blessings also upon your house." Anje replied, "And, yes, we could definitely turn down the testosterone levels in here a little. So, we're waiting for our new Tellarite colleague, then we're off and running."
It was at that moment a young petty officer with a glossy black bob hairstyle walked in and whispered to Anje, "Madam Ambassador, Vice-Consul mox Grishi has been re-assigned to the Tolkien."
"What? Really?" Anje sighed, it was always nice to have the info she needed going into things, "Okay, thank you, Petty Officer." As the young woman sashayed away Anje turned to Rhodes, "Who was that?"
"She's one of your aides, Madam Ambassador." Rhodes replied, adding, "Try to stay focused."
"Okay, then let's get started." Anje said, quickly changing direction, "Anyone have anything we want to start off with?"
Imik stood up, "May I request we expand our remit, as diplomatic negotiations are not always required. It will allow us to aide the ship further, and give the members here other duties to get to know the crew better".
"That's an excellent idea, Imik." Anje agreed, "You should offer your services to Lt. Cdr. Vaii, I'll offer aid to Lt. Cdr. Norris, and Dran, maybe you can help out Major Azhul and Gunnery Sergeant Rhodes in the Marine unit?" He was probably a better fit for intel, but she wasn't about to do that to one of her best friends, ~Besides, maybe Rhodes will kill him.~
Looking up at Anje, Imik nodded. "Is she open to outside assistance?"
~If she ever takes her head out of my baby sister's panties...~ Anje thought, quickly pushing it away, "I would hope so, but if she declines your offer I'm sure there are plenty of department heads who would be delighted to have your assistance."
"I know about fighters, and their use. And cross information from both the Federation and we Ojnas, will only benefit both". She noted the name down on her PaDD, "Can you suggest any other departments to which I can be of assistance?"
"You've probably seen a lot of places we haven't." Anje mused, "Maybe stellar cartography? I know the historians would love to talk to you about your people."
Once again Imik nodded, "Is there an Officer I should contact?" She had suggested this course of action, as such she now wanted to get things right.
"That would be Arriana..." Anje began, then stopped herself, not realizing how familiar she had gotten with the science officer, "Lt. Cdr. Sallanis an Vantar, Chief Science Officer."
Imik stood up, "I feel the Vice Consul is unsure of this path, why is this?" Nobody responded, and Imik now felt she had insulted them all. "Is there a problem with my speech? You seem reluctant to reply, have I offended?"
"You've not offended me, Imik." Anje reassured her, this was not going as well as she'd planned, "Okay, if there's nothing else, you're all dismissed."
-Off