Dinner on Romulus, Part II

Posted on Sun Dec 18th, 2016 @ 4:11am by Captain John Theisman & Warrant Officer Mara Senra-Theisman & Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro & Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde & Lieutenant Commander Velah & Lieutenant Tristan Balor & Lieutenant JG Élan Val & Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Edited on on Sun Dec 18th, 2016 @ 4:12am

1,315 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Into the Raptor's Shadow

-= Previously on the Hyperion =-

John almost growled as he walked out of the bath room fighting his collar. Like every other time he had had to wear the white dress uniform, the blasted thing seemed to have shrunk another size. The waist line and neck line always seemed to be too tight. It was nothing more than some designer's twisted idea of how a formal uniform should feel, John thought as he finally finished straightening his uniform and made a disgusted sound. Mara, his wife, looked up from reading a news fax and nearly laughed at his expression.

"Keep on and I'll make you wear the damned thing," John threatened his wife as he attached his commbadge.

"And you wonder why I never joined Starfleet, dear," Mara said as she chuckled and went right back to her reading.

"I take it you're not joining me for this little adventure?" John asked.

"To a formal diplomatic dinner on Romulus with Romulans? I think I'd rather pass," Mara said as she shook her head. "Besides, you know how much I hate these kind of events."

"There's free food and all the Romulan ale you could possibly drink," John offered.

Mara seemed to almost give in and agree, but she finally shook her head and smiled. "I'll still pass. But the next one I promise I'll join you."

"Suit yourself," John said before he walked out of their quarters and down the corridor towards the transporter room. It didn't take long before he walked in to join his senior officers, who had all beaten him there.

"Good evening everyone. Who is ready for this little adventure?" he asked.

-= Continuation =-

Jayde raised an eyebrow when she did not see the Captain's wife, but said nothing. The woman was smart to not come to a diplomatic dinner. "Good evening, Captain," she replied formally.

Zhara smiled. "As ready as ever," she replied.

"Ready as I will ever be." Velah said as she boarded the transporter pad. "Either center of attenion and leers or walflower like the serving staff." SHe giggled. "Orions in polite society."

John nodded a greeting towards everyone before he turned towards the transporter chief and motioned that they were ready. Leading the others up to the transporter pad, John turned and waited for everyone to take their places before he nodded. "Energize," he said. As the transporter beam surrounded them, the transporter room on the Hyperion vanished and was replaced by an outdoors courtyard filled with plants and Romulans. Like the Hyperion officers, the military officers were dressed in formal uniforms and looked as uncomfortable as their Starfleet counterparts. The senator who had spoken to John before took a step forward.

"Jolan'tru Captain, and I greet and welcome you and your officers to Romulus," the elder Romulan said with as friendly of a smile as John had seen on a Romulan.

"Jolan'tru, Senator tr'Kellian," John said. "Thank you for welcoming us personally. I hope that our time here will enforce the peace between our governments."

"Indeed," Tavik replied.

"May I present my officers. Lieutenant Commanders Mira Jayde, Daniel Divaro, Velah, Tristan Balor, and Lieutenants Elan Val and Zhara Rynn," John spoke as he introduced each of his officers present.

Jayde gave a polite half bow. "Thank you for your welcome."

"A pleasure," Zhara said.

Velah gave an ever so slight but proper bow to maintain her hem line and still give the honor where due. "Thank you for your invatation and hospitality." She smiled as she made eye contact and tried not ot let her heritage roam any.

Élan was still feeling more than slightly uncomfortable, but she managed a warm and polite smile as the captain introduced her to the Romulan official. She wasn’t the most sociable person at formal events, and that was even more so given the present situation. She could feel Val’s chiding at her for being so quiet and uneasy. There were some times that the symbiont was right, and Élan knew that this was more than likely one of those times. Val would want her to open up and be more outgoing, but Élan knew that when dealing with Romulans you had to be cautious.

Tavik nodded politely in return, perhaps letting his eyes linger on the female officers longer than protocol normally allowed, but he finally nodded. "I hope that this joint expedition to the vast uncharted regions of our Empire brings our two governments closer. I've been informed that the dinner will be ready in a few minutes, in the meantime I offer you a few moments to mingle with my staff," he said.

Zhara smiled, not missing the man's wandering eye. "Thank you, we would love to get to know your staff."

Velah felt the urge to grab a glass of wine and get social enough but she figured by the aroma of the glasses as they passed Romulan Ale and Orion Psyiology are not that good a combination. She would start looking about for something less potent or likely to 'induce embarrassing reactions' with an Orion at the center. She started towards what had to be some type of a bar.

"Just what a girl needs." She said as she approach.

Zhara watched her go and hoped the Orion knew how to hold her liquor.

Jayde raised an eyebrow at the Orion's comment. Having Vulcan physiology, alcohol did not affect her as it did most humans. So she took a glass of Romulan Ale and took a sip. She pretended to appreciate the flavor. It was the least she could do to show respect to their hosts. It also gave her time to observe the other Romulans and how they reacted to the arrival of the Federation.

Politely refusing a glass of the potent Romulan ale, Élan managed to grab a glass of cold water before she started to mingle with the rest of the crowd. Most Trills avoided any form of alcohol because of the additional effects it had on joined Trills, but Élan occasionally enjoyed a glass of light alcohol when she could, especially if she knew that she could control herself or if the situation wasn’t a serious one. Unfortunately, Romulan ale was one of the strongest drinks known, and the last thing Élan wanted to do was cause an incident.

"Captain, I wonder if I might have a moment of your time?" Tavik asked, as he waved John over.

John walked over to stand beside the Romulan senator and take in the view of the courtyard terrace. The nearby ocean that the capital city sat near to was clearly visable. "What can I help you with, Senator?" he finally asked.

"As a part of our treaty that allows your ship full access to our empire, you know full well that we have reserved the right to place an officer on your ship," Tavik said. "I have just been informed that EnArrain Sevena t'Dhvael has been assigned to the Hyperion as your liason officer."

"I take it she's a problem?" John asked.

"No, but Sevena was once a member of the Tal'Shiar before the recent reformation. She can be...difficult at times. I've already briefed her on the limitations of her position. You may need to give her a reminder of those limitations," Tavik said. Turning towards the open doorway that clearly led inside, the older Romulan sighed. "I had nothing to do with her appointment, and I hope that this doesn't disrupt your expedition. I truly wish to see a day where the Starfleet and Galae can work closely together."

"We can handle it," John said diplomatically, although inside he was screaming. In his mind, the Tal'Shiar were the Romulan equivalent of the spooks, the spies of the mighty Romulan Empire. Once Tavik had walked away, John took a deep breath and released it slowly.


To be continued....

 

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