Post Number 13 Guess who's coming to dinner...

Posted on Sun May 29th, 2022 @ 7:00pm by Commodore Cyndi Song & Commander Jamie O'Connell & Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Major David Hurd Senior & Lieutenant James McTavish & Captain Tracey West Jr & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind

Mission: Rescue On Romulus
Location: Main Shuttle Bay
Timeline: Current

ON:

The RUNABOUT, not shuttle, the Romulans were on had entered the same region as Amandora, and slowed to sub-light. The pilots talked back and forth with the mother ship, getting clearances. They were told to head for the main shuttlebay since the vessel was here to deliver their passengers, then depart. They angled and approached the Federation Starship, angling between warp nacelles to get to the main shuttle bay. Once landed and shut down the two Romulans within exited the runabout and stood on the deck, confronted by Starfleet officers and personnel.

Cyndi seeing the two Romulan officers walked forward "Welcome aboard the Amandora, I'm Commodore Cyndi Song the commanding officer, this is my first officer "Lieutenant Commander Liza Kahn, Science Chief Lieutenant James McTavish, my marine commanding officer, Major David Hurd, L And my two newest officers Commander Jamie O'Connell my new second officer and Second Lieutenant Tracey West who is part of the ship's marine detachment." The three Amazon officers were not among the assembled officers...yet "Once your settled and have had a chance to rest I'd like to invite you to a dinner with those assembled and some who were not able to make it due to other duties."

Major Hurd grunted at the Romulans. Eyeing them, he subtly slid his hand down and placed his hand on his .45, just in case they tried anything.

Lieutenant McTavish gave a nod as the Officers walked by wondering what their real purpose was for being transported to Romulus by a Federation vessel.

Commander O'Connell stood next to Lieutenant McTavish and as the Romulans walked past Jamie presented them with his best fake smile and a nod remembering just how cruel this race could be when provoked.

Second Lieutenant West simply nodded and stood at parade rest. He had been on the Amandora for all of an hour and hadn't even had the chance to meet is CO, much less get briefed on what Romulans were doing on board the ship.

In his last mission while on the Independence, he'd been in a fire fight with them, for Christ's sake.

He took a deep breath. Parade Rest was just thing when you had no idea what was going on.

Kahn had waited, not speaking as she let Song do the introductions. She glanced around casually and could tell by body language and the setting of people's eyes what this crew thought of the Rihannsu. Out of the corner of her eye she had caught Hurd's hand moving to rest on the butt of his sidearm. If she noticed then it was a certainty that the Romulans Noticed, being only the two of them surrounded by predators.

The male dignitary stepped forward a half step ahead of his companion. "I am councilor Tanin, envoy to the Federation from the Romulan Star Empire. A pleasure to make your acquaintance Commodore. That greeting is extended to your infamous crew as well." His eyes were hard and cautious, duplicitous, yet his grin tried to bely what was in his heart.

The female Romulan stepped in quickly, adjusting her shawl and sleeves as she did so. "Jolan Tru, Commodore Song. I am Envoy Raena, with all the trappings he spouted," she waved over her shoulder offhandedly and showing no respect for her companion or what he thought. "You and your gallant crew have done good things for your people. In some circles, ours mainly, that makes you infamous. My companion does not banter when it comes to his core beliefs, nor do I." Since her comrade was behind her now Raena decided to do something that would show her hand, more or less. Hopefully the Amandora crew was still on task and would poker face the situation. She gave Cyndi a wink and grin, an expressions that faded as quickly as it had appeared, and she even extended her hand which was uncommon with Vulcanoids. Most did not like to be touched. "We are here as your guests and passengers. We understand the difficulty this presents to your crew with all the hard feelings on both sides. We assure you we are not here to bring trouble."

"Jolan Tru," Cyndi greeted taking the offered hand "Yes going across the Neutral Zone is something different for us and I'm sure for your people as well. None of my officers and crew will give you and your companion a hard time as well." the action by Hurd with his hand going to his weapon had not gone nu-noticed by her ether "Commander Kahn if you join me in escorting our honored guests to the VIP quarters. A dinner in your honor will be held in a few hours." Cyndi hoped Long, Rivers and Herculoid who were not present could keep their feelings out of this."

***

Off to the side both Green and Nira were 'working' with the shuttlebay personnel in prepping the runabout and giving it a once over before its return flight to whatever installation it belonged to. That gave Ro an idea and something she would need to speak to Cyndi about later. Currently, she and Nira were doing scans of the warp engines on the exterior, both their senses on high as they listened and observed. The Core told Green that the female Romulan was sly and mischievous but that at her center she was a good person. The male Romulan, well, one didn't need the Core to know how he felt. Nira's whiskers, ears and eyebrows were constantly moving here and there and her quadrascopic senses were picking up a lot more. Whatever she would overhear she would relay to Green if Green missed anything.

***

The party began to move, exiting the main Shuttlebay. Tanin got caught up behind his counterpart, who had taken and center position between Kahn and Song, just behind their shoulders as they moved. "The Commodore called you Kahn. Are you the same Kahn that had shared with Azala?"

That caught Liza off guard but she recovered as quick as she could as she looked over. She knew her face had betrayed some of her surprise no matter how hard she tried not to. "Yes, I am. My name is Kelliza and I go by Liza. How did you know Azala?"

"I didn't," answered Raena truthfully. "However, it is rumored that Azala and Commander Taris, leader of the Tal Shava, were quite close as friends, causing suspicion on both sides. Her legions are unknown which grants them great renown in the eyes of Rihannsu everywhere."

A knowing smile crossed Kahn's face. "Oh, yes. We were both quite taken with each other. But, that can be discussed some other time?"

"Yes, of course," responded Raena. "My apologies. First we must not kill each other, then the time for niceties may begin. To our quarters then."

Green and Nira had quietly left out another exit, going up to the main lounge to have it turned into a dining hall. The officers would have to use the crews lounge for now.

They continued to the VIP Quarters, stopping Cyndi keyed in the access codes for the rooms and turned to look at her guests as she stepped aside "These are the VIP Quarters, I'm sure your tired from your long ride. Your guests aboard my ship and will be treated as such. Dinner will be as I said in about three hours. Before we leave to let you get settled do you have any requests or concerns we need to be made aware of?"

Raena removed her shawl and folded it nicely as she handed it to Liza. "Through the actions of Azala I am here. She saved my mother during a crisis, though they never met nor knew one another. The cuffs are exquisite, they remain in place but barely feel that they are there. Very fine craftsmanship. Here," she took Liza's hand and together stroked the cuff lining.

It took all Kahn had not to show anything on her face, but she kept a stoic loook as she agreed. "Very fine indeed, but I cannot accept a gift that was earned by my predecessor..."

"I insist." Said Raena, letting go of it and giving a polite push to it in Liza's hands and in her grasp. "Or, it may cause a diplomatic incident. Do we have an accord?"

LIza smiled. "We do. Thank you, Raena, Jolan Tru."

Raena nodded and entered her quarters, Tanin going to his, with both closing the doors behind them without a further word.

One of the Security officers gave a nervous chuckle. "Glad that's over. I gotta pee somethin' fierce."

Liza Gave a laugh. "Washburn, shut up and go have a pee. I'll go put this in my quarters then meet you on the Bridge, Commodore."

Cyndi snickered "I'll meet you there commander."

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