Post Number 6 First Contact

Posted on Wed Apr 8th, 2020 @ 11:27am by Commodore Cyndi Song

Mission: Reporting Aboard
Location: Academy Campus
Timeline: Current

ON:

Lieutenant Alona stepped out of her classroom, for the last time, with a sufficient passing grade. After a year at Starfleet Academy, *wanting to vomit at the thought*, she had passed all her training classes to be able to join the pajama wearing organization. The galaxy was not opposed to wiping out the weak to perfect itself, natural selection always winning out, and humans were definitely on the list of 'natural order'. As adaptable and tough as they were, never caving despite insurmountable odds, they were destined to capitulate to some unknown force in a galaxy that had much more to discover than the speck of space the Federation and other governments surrounding them, occupied.

Her time in the Star Empire's war machine, then moving on to aid the Romulan Republic, Centurion Alona was a woman of destiny and purpose. When asked if she would be willing to take part in an officer exchange program with Starfleet, she could not help but say yes. A chance to learn another culture from the inside, out. She had raised her right hand with human symbolism, and had sworn an oath to defend the Federation with all that she was. At all costs. She was a proud woman; she was Romulan.

Looking back, she had raised that hand with vigor. Proud to have been chosen by the Romulan Republic for this program. Being Rihannsu. when she spoke the words of oath, they meant something to her, and would be carried out with all due-diligence.

At the center of the Rihannsu code of behavior is the importance of "mnhei'sahe." It is an abstract measurement of a Rihannsu's personal honor and is often used as a status symbol in their culture. Mnhei'sahe, which translates loosely to "the ruling passion," centers around a strong respect and appreciation of honor, duty, courtesy and strength. In all interactions between Rihannsu, it is imperative that all parties leave afterward feeling that their honor and "face," is intact. If not, it is paramount to denying mnhei'sahe to the offended party. If the offending party feels he can apologize without himself losing face, he does so. Wars, executions and deaths of entire households can be required to satisfy mnhei'sahe. If mnhei'sahe is always intact within the Empire, the Rihannsu believe that they can never lose.
If the disgraced party is beyond redemption, those present may simply execute him or recommend he commit ritual suicide by sending him swords in order to prevent further disgrace and loss of mnhei'sahe. Above all, mnhei'sahe is sensitive to the context of the situation and is a rather interpretive concept. It is not a specific codified set of rules, but an unspoken understanding which guides the actions of all Rihannsu throughout life. Rihannsu honor their word when it is given to another Rihannha [fellow Romulan]. To break with one's word means dishonor and a loss of mnhei'sahe, a fate worse than death. Politeness, respect, and quiet dignity are always required if mnhei'sahe is to be satisfied.

Rihannsu honor power as much as they honor loyalty. The goal of each Rihanha is power. If not for one's self or House, then always for the Empire. Rihannsu are always loyal to the Empire itself, not to any one person. For the Rihannsu, power can not be defined in the standard Terran terms, but is the power of mnhei'sahe, and it defines the structure within Rihannsu society and the daily decisions each Rihannsu makes.

Her life was service.

Standing in the California sun, her eyes never squinting as she had been born on Romulus with the inner eyelid of her ancestors, not just vestigial, and that sun was a bit brighter than Sol. Still, she reached into a pocket and brought out her shades, placing them on her face more for aesthetics than for ultraviolet protection. Currently, she wore the uniform for Starfleet, but with the exchange program, she was hoping to wear her own uniform while serving. Speaking of which she dug out her personal pocket PADD, tapping away as she searched for certain data.

Bam!

The USS Amandora, a fresh Galaxy-class cruiser, was looking for department heads and junior officers to fill the necessary slots. A sly grin crossed her face. ~The perfect opportunity to insert herself into Starfleet, with position and power. Intelligence Chief sounded appropriate, adding to that her knowledge of engineering, specializing in matter/energy. As the Intel lead she had knowledge of the inner workings of Romulan society like no human ever could, which made her perfect for the post. With the Hobus Event destroying Romulus and Remus what was left of the Empire had become far more ruthless. The Romulan Republic would need strength in numbers and she would not fail her brethren, serving in this capacity for the good of the people.

~So uncharacteristic~ She thought to herself, about herself. ~Oh well, my altruistic side is showing~ Alona headed off across the gardens, making sure to use the footpaths out of respect.

Coming around a bend Alona noticed a man, back to her with a wide-brim hat on, was carefully digging up some flowers to preserve them, then replacing them with bulbs that would bloom in the late spring. "Boothby. Still alive, I see."

"Of course, I'm still alive," he shot back after glancing her way. "Who else will take care of the gardens?" His facade of crotchety old man was well-earned, and well-deserved. But, occasionally, there would come along a Starfleet cadet, or officer, that he would warm to, for whatever reason. Upon their first meeting Boothby had seen in Alona something unique, a cut above ordinary, and well above average, even if she was Romulan. So, his psuedo-grumpy towards the Vulcanoid was an act, with only a small bit of it being real.

"Need help with those bulbs?" Alona meant every word, having helped the elder in then past with garden maintenance. She found it relaxing.

"No--no. You get along, now. I'm sure you have more important things to do."

"True," she admitted. "But, I'm not doing them right now."

Bingo! Boothby had waited for that. Even when it was important to her, Alona was still willing to offer aid to another before seeing to herself. It was rare with this one, having listened as she had spilled her history to him one day, on a whim. As if she had needed to lift a great weight off her chest. "Yes, you are. Go do your thing and leave me be, please."

"As you wish." Alona turned from the old man in an instant, continuing on to the Science building for the campus. Entering, she then followed the directory, arriving at Cyndi Song's Academy office door. She pressed the chime and waited.

Cyndi closed the top on the tank that held her pet snake Walker and secured it. Turning to face the door "Come in!" she called as she signed the PADD that would beam her snake aboard the ship and into her quarters.

Being invited inside, Alona stepped through the opening door, stopping a meter in front of Captain Song as she stood in front of her own desk, near to a reptile enclosure. "Centurion..uhh..Lieutenant Alona coming to you, Captain, in regards to your new command. If I could have some of your precious time," her gaze danced to the snake in the tank, not to her desk, a bit cynical. "I would like the chance to personally apply for the position of Intelligence Chief, with my secondary being engineering. Is that something you would be willing to discuss, at this time or, do you need more time with your large...serpent?"

Cyndi had seen the glance to the snake "He's harmless, he was a gift several years ago from an old tribal chief. As far as your request I'm in favor of it. I can use someone good to handle Intelligence and most Romulans I know have had training by the Tal Shier and I'm sure your no different. That will prove to be an asset same with you being in engineering. I accept your requests." Cyndi was silent for a few minutes "I've put the word out for a science chief, a young officer who has been on extended leave for several years. An Amazon, her name is Tara Herculod, I'm aware of the issues between your two worlds. How will you feel working and serving with her?"

Alona took a moment to consider the last question, even with being elated that the Captain had said yes to the positions requested, maintaining her dignity as was required by the ruling passion. "In all honesty, I cannot say until we are around one another. As it stands, I am a member of the Romulan Republic, not the Empire or its servants. If she can look beyond my physical appearance, as mandated by Starfleet, then we shan't have a problem." She felt this was the time to ask. "In my service time here, Captain, may I don my Republic uniform when on duty, and perhaps even use my rank of centurion?"

Cyndi thought for a few minutes, the request was not out of the ordinary the last ship she'd served on had a similar . "I'll permit it, it's not out of the normal. As for Herculoid I'll be speaking to her when she arrives. From what I know of her she's not one to judge, I believe she's been a liaison between your two peoples."

Another note of interest, even though Alona showed no hint of it. "Then we should get along fine, Captain. I did not volunteer for this assignment by my government just to have it unravel at the expense of personal misgivings. I am a soldier and I will do my duty, Sir. My oath to Starfleet is on record, so long as I serve in this capacity."

Cyndi smiled "I have not doubt in that. I'm glad to have an officer of your qualifications aboard and I look forward to serving with you."

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