#23 Dinner Pt.1

Posted on Mon Jun 6th, 2022 @ 5:25pm by Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson & Commodore Cyndi Song & Lieutenant Tara Herculoid PhD & Commander Jamie O'Connell & Captain Rogue Green {Meji} & Lieutenant Commander Kristian Long & Major David Hurd Senior & Lieutenant Thoros & Lieutenant James McTavish & Captain Alesha Rivers & Captain Tracey West Jr & Captain Sean Silk & Chief Warrant Officer Niraasha "Nira" Whisperwind
Edited on on Mon Jun 6th, 2022 @ 8:06pm

Mission: Rescue On Romulus
Location: CO's personal dining area
Timeline: current

ON:

Cyndi hated dress uniforms but certain times called for them, tapping her com-badge "Senior staff we'll be hosting our Romulan guests in the Commodore's Personal dining room, dress uniforms. Report there in two hours,"

Cyndi turned to look at Paul, "Your coming too, I'm not going into this without you."

"I was hoping you'd include me," Paul said.

{Two Hours Later}

Commander O'Connell returned to his Quarters to shower and get dressed for the Dinner with the Romulans. Once he had dressed in his Dress Uniform, which he was not a huge fan of, Jamie grabbed his PADD to head to the Commodore's Personal dinning room.

On his way he ran into a familiar face "Lieutenant McTavish looks like we're running into each other again" Jamie stated with a grin.

"Commander O'Connell it would seem so" James replied with a chuckle "So you ready to get this over with?"

"Yes I am but I have a feeling this is going to be a long drawn out affair" Jamie stated really wanting to be any place else but here...but duty calls.

"Ya I'm right there with you" James replied as they walked into the Dinning Room acknowledging the Commodore and the Rear Admiral.

Tara had met up with Kristian both in dress uniforms they headed to the commodore's mess together.

"I don't need to tell you I'm scared," Kristian said

"Your not the only one cousin," Tara said "We know what they are able to do to someone."

Alesha seeing them ran up to meet them "I guess here goes nothing."

"Let's hope things are not as bad as we're thinking," Kristian said as they walked into the commodore's mess and acknowledged those who were already there.

[West's Personal Quarters]

Second Lieutenant West took a long pull of whiskey and put the finishing adjustments to his dress uniform. He was not looking forward to spending the evening in it, but he was rather looking forward to getting to know the Romulan delegation.

He had studied the Romulan language for a few years and therefore had a rudimentary command of the language, meaning he knew enough so that whoever he was speaking to would smile politely and switch to Terran.

Still, a chance to practice conversational Romulan was not to be missed. He nodded at his appearance, and headed to the Commodore's personal dining room.
.

{Hurd's Office}

Hurd had finished dinning his dress uniform, and was looking himself over in the mirror. The recent deaths of his family was still replaying in his head as he ran his hand over his medal rack, ensuring everything was correctly placed. Ensuring his Officers Sword was in place, and his .45 was loaded and holstered, he made his way out of the office and to the Commodores Dining room, brushing the terrible thoughts out of his head as much as he could.

Commodore's Dining Room:

Alesha seeing a new marine officer walk in, excused herself from Tara and Kristian and walked over to where he was "I don't believe we've met, I'm First Lieutenant Alesha Rivers, I'm the fighter Wing Commander."

Lt Thoros and Lt Odac Yova arrived to the party in their uniforms and not the dress ones. Odac hoped to get time to speak to the Commodore. But Lt Thoros was far more interested in the new faces aboard.

Tag

As Hurd himself walked in, he said nothing to anyone. Rather he walked over to a slightly darkened part of the room, and stood there, studying those present.
Tag

Raena chose not to accompany her brethren to this little gathering the Commodore had 'so graciously' arranged. She knew exactly how too many of these people called Starfleet actually hated her kind, and with good reason. That was not a disadvantage to the Rihannsu. When people fear you because they don't really know you or understand you is perfectly acceptable. Romulans, all Romulans, are quite skilled at reading body language, eyes, and tone of voice no matter how covered it may sound. Of course, as always, whenever she left her quarters she had a security escort. Not to have one would have been foolish.

Liza came around a corner as smooth as always, her head crooked to see ahead in the turn. Noting Raena and her escort she came to an abrupt halt. "Jolan Tru, Envoy Raena." Kahn was in her full dress uniform, which she found silly considering these were just envoys. But, maybe the Commodore had something in mind. "If you'll allow, I shall join you the rest of the way."

"By all means, Commander Kahn. Shall we dispense with the haughty language as we go?" She gave a grin and a side glance.

Liza gave a low giggle. "I think we can do that. Diplomacy is not difficult. Find common ground, be yourselves, and the details will work themselves out." She swiped her hands with finality. "Done."

"If only it were that simple," added Raena. "Here, this is for you." She removed her shawl that had sleeves, sliding it off and presenting it across her arms to Kahn as they came to a stop. "As I said. Azala saved my Family. You, Kahn, saved my family. I present this shawl spun from Tholian silk. Feel the cuffs. They use your body's own kinetic energy to delicately adhere to your skin and not slide around with ease." She made a motion for Liza to take it.

Dumbfounded by the gesture Liza took the garment, tossing it over an arm and feeling the cuffs. She felt the hard object within, her brain telling her it felt like a jump drive. As she looked up at Raena, seeing the stoic yet pleasant expression, she played along. "You're right, that is amazing. Cant wait to try it on."

Raena gave a satisfied nod. "Glad you like it. But, we should get going. Anything above captain and they get snippy about being late for supper." The two enjoyed a chuckled between them as they went.

Tara hearing the door to the commodore's private mess looked to see who had come in. Seeing the Exec with the Romulan Envoy Raena. "Jolan Tru, Envoy Raena," Tara greeted reverting to the Romulan language for the greeting.

Cyndi watched knowing how her three Amazon officer felt about the Romulans. Tara was being diplomatic, that was a credit to her and she'd speak to the three Amazons first chance she got. "Envoy Raena is your companion not joining us for dinner? I'd like you to meet my Husband Paul Sanderson."

Alesha after introducing herself to Second Lieutenant West walked over to where Kristain was standing and reverted to the Amazon language "I'd like to talk to you about something I saw while on my flight into that moon with Nix when this is over," she said her voice low and barley above a whisper

"I take it, it's not good?" Kristian asked her voice low too.

Alesha shook her head no and Kristian nodded indicating they'd talk later.

All was heard as the two approached, Raena answering Song as Liza came to a stop among them all. "My companion's timings are his own doing, Commodore. I am not tasked with caring for the young." She gave a grin to show she was being funny. "I'm sure he'll arrive shortly. No one can sit and be truly comfortable until he arrives, and he knows it. Part of diplomacy and all that rubbish."

Kahn noted how, for a Romulan, this Raena's voice had a distinct British that could be clipped and haughty, or drawn out with cynicism, sarcasm, or even both. "We know how you assholes can be Raena, we get it. No matter the cause this is a break in the monotony of their day for most of these people."

Ro Green and Nira came in as a pair. For the first time ever Nira was wearing a full Starfleet uniform, dress uniform for this occasion, with all pips and regalia in the right spots. She and Green wore the dress uniform long tunic to have a belt at midriff, not at waist. Ro had her saber hilt hooked to her right side and Nira sported her pair of regal, yet lethal daggers. Nira was fidgeting with her chest. Namely; reaching up and grabbing both in a handhold each to move them about.

Ro slapped her forearm. "Stop it!" She hissed as they approached the group.

Nira's hands dropped but her expression was unpleasant. "Too many clothes. Tings are mush."

Liza gave an utterance of a chuckle but stifled it quick, clearing her throat for cover.

"Ohhh, I like her," said Raena, moving over next to this lavender colored creature.

"Shall we have dinner?" Cyndi asked "Envoy Raena would you like to sit with me, my husband and my first and second officers as our honored guests."

The Romulan envoy Raena gave a nod to Song. "I would find that most pleasant, Commodore. After all it has been a while since we all dined together."

Green was glad Raena's companion wasn't here yet since all within earshot had heard what Raena had said. Not that she had been loud about it, nor quiet. Just a simple tone. She caught Liza'a eye and the XO gave a barely perceptible shake of the head saying 'leave it alone' for now. Ro kept it in the back of her mind, instead choosing to turn slowly and reach out with the Core, to know where every nook and hiding place could possibly be.

Nira remained steadfast, placing herself near to Cyndi. Yes, she was playing sentry, but her demeanor was casual so as not to offend the Amandora's matriarch.

Hurd remained silent in the shadows of the room, watching the proceedings. He wasn't sure what to make of this situation yet, but remained ready just in case.

"Please everyone take your seats and dinner will be served momentarily," Cyndi called out

Paul being the gentleman he was pulled out and held the chair for Raena

"In honor of our guests I've asked the chef to prepare some traditional Romulan Cuisine," Cyndi said taking her seat and signaling for dinner to be served

The assembled officers took seats as well.

Thoros exited the gathering as they began to sit down . The mere presence of a Romulan in his vicinity was too much for his stomach.

Odac wanted to leave but stayed all the same as he had not seen Romulans in years. Free food was free food.

Cyndi's yeoman slipped in quietly and over to where she was seated and whispered to her, seeing Cyndi's nod the yeoman left as quietly as she had entered "That was my personal yeoman, she's informed me that we've assumed orbit around Romulus with the escort of a War Bird."

Tara glanced quickly to Kristian and then to Alesha, it was such a quick glance that had you been looking for it you'd not have seen it.

***

Commander Taris stood at a massive panoramic window overlooking Romulus. The window was on the defensive station for the entire system. A facility that matched Jupiter Station for size and mass. It was hidden within a cloaking field, as were the twelve warbirds around her at all times, one of which was her personal command. A Valdor-class Warbird, the I.R.W. Raptoress.

Off in the distance she watched as the Starfleet vessel Amandora and an escort warbird dropped from warp, positioning for standard orbit. This area was off limits to all traffic, and at this range it was a long shot for plasma beams and torpedoes, but still viable. She tapped her combadge. "Raptoress, this is Commander Taris. Beam me directly to the Bridge." Within moments she was standing right in front of her command chair. Her throne, really. She had commanded this ship for fifteen years and many of the crew and officers were like family to her. As a member of the Romulan sect of Section 31, Taris found it hard to maintain her position as a loyal Imperial officer and, at the same time, make sure the Federation survived to keep two quadrants stable. "Cloak and bring us about. Thrusters only, leave from the opposite side of the field from the Starfleet vessel. Crawl our way toward them, Halm."

"Of course, Commander." The Helmsman tapped keys and adjusted equipment. "Ship spun about, now moving at less than one-quarter impulse power, thrusters only."

Taris had sat down and leaned back in her seat. There were trinkets, shawls, belts and bandoliers from various worlds hung all around and over the back of her chair. The viewport showed the ship spin about and begin moving, albeit slowly. She tapped some coordinates and sent them forward. "Take us to those coordinates and stop. Station keeping protocols. Enact." Helm did as they were told and now everyone went about their duties as they got moving.

***

Senator Aris Tovan was due to arrive at any moment and Green stood ready. It was why she had brought Nira along. After all the Puazi was in Security. One senator to pick up two envoys. Seemed logical since Romulans despised everything about Starfleet. Now, the waiting game while trying to maintain civility.

END:

TBC... in Pt. 2