The Ambassador

Posted on 06 Apr 2016 @ 1:51pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Ambassador Caymen Greener
Edited on on 07 Apr 2016 @ 7:10pm

1,547 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 1, Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: MD 94 - 1040 hrs

[ON]

"Saalm to Ambassador Greener, please report to my ready room," said Lirha after tapping the commbadge at the top of her chest. Situated in her private office next to the bridge with a plethora of PADDs scattered across her desk, she was currently in full administrative-mode and was trying her best to process all of the last-minute crew transfers, supply requisitions, and maintenance reports. The day before Galileo's scheduled departure was turning out to be a paperwork nightmare -- but Lirha should have expected such considering the recent events of the past several months, and in part is was her fault for not recognizing the warning signs ahead of time. Now, she found herself scrambling to take care of the small details that would have a much larger impact upon the crew when they left Jupiter Station.

Greener had been in the middle of some research on Celes III - a system near Romulan space, although not too close. But it would be an interesting call since the Romulans had a stake there at one point. The chirp on his badge, or rather the fancy Federation pin he wore that, now reprogrammed, served as a commbadge for Starfleet communications and location services, told him he had a call. And it was indeed the captain of this vessel. He tapped the badge. "On my way, admiral."

He closed down his work, and a few hallways an a lift ride later, he was at her ready room. Greener let the door chime before being let in.

"Enter," replied Lirha's light voice, after which the doors parted to allow the visitor to come inside the ready room.

The older man entered, wearing what he would call his uniform - the very dark green with lighter green highlight robes. Caymen gave a bow of his head, his hands foled behind his back. "Admiral Saalm, Ambassador Caymen Greener at your service. It's an honor to finally meet you in person." He was again on his best behavior - his grumpy side being overruled by his excitement of being back on duty once again.

Taking in the sight of the older Human gentleman with gray hair and spectacles, Lirha found his features rather soothing. Perhaps it was a sign of his position as a diplomat, and she was curious to get to know him further.

"Ambassador," she acknowledged with a single nod, then motioned with her green hand towards the vacant chair across from her desk. "Thank you for coming...please have a seat. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Was your trip to Galileo uneventful?" she then asked, beginning a bit of small talk while she brought up his personnel file on her monitor.

Greener sat at her gesture and got comfortable. Her question would provoke a small delay in response. "Well, that's complicated. The trip from Earth to here was nothing. But the last six months of training and re-introduction have been enlightening. I mean, most of the protocols and such are old hat for me, but things have indeed changed." Things always changed in the galaxy... but it always seemed different after events like a retirement.

She remained silent for a short moment while she pulled up his personnel file on her desk's LCARS screen. "Yes, I see..." she mumbled to herself while looking over his prior service record. He was no doubt much older than she, and he seemed to have a few prior commands under his belt as well as diplomatic postings. "It seems you have much experience in Starfleet. Tell me about your background," she then asked. Much of the 'official' version was obviously on the screen in front of her to read, but she always preferred for new crew members to explain their past adventures from their own perspectives.

Caymen grinned. "How long do you have?" He crossed one leg over the other and, in his cabin back on Xatria, he would have packed and lit his pipe. "I was always the studious one - learned that from my grandparents early on. That's what carried me through everything: the academy, my first two ships, the quick rise to command. Without that upbringing and proper work ethic, I might not be the man before you."

Caymen paused at that point. "Now, the interesting parts start coming into play when we began fighting Species 8472, or the Maquis." In the past he might have gritted his teeth at the spoken word of those who killed his wife, but that was in the past. "Running a small station was also interesting... challenging... the cause of many early grey and white hair." He chuckled a bit.

"Most people want to hear stories of how I handled early command, or unbeatable enemies - ok, that just cost us a Galaxy cruiser - or they want to know what it meant to broker relations between the Federation and the Romulan Star Empire in a time when Shinzon was still a close memory in many people's minds.

"But what I find most interesting is how relationships can be built up over many years... a lifetime, and then crumbled and destroyed in an instant. In my half-century in these stars, that has been both the loveliest and harshest parts of life. And in Starfleet, the Federation, even the back woods of Xatria... it only exaggerates that fact when you sit back and look at events unfold.

"Now, I'm not bitter or depressed or upset over this fact, and that's the trick isn't it?" Greener was leaning in a bit now, and pointing his finger upward as if he came to a grand conclusion with his last statement. "We should not relish in the vast destructive power of the galaxy and its inhabitants. Instead, we should bask in the warmth of the hearts of people who wish to bring the galaxy closer. Because if you look closely enough, even through gruff and grumpy eyes like mine, that warmth is there, anywhere life can be found."

Caymen gave a sigh, more to relax his vocal chords and lungs. His diatribe was more a description of the human condition - the sentient condition - than a summary of his career.

Lirha raised her eyebrows at the semi-poetic nature of words. She agreed with much of his sentiments and observations about the different worlds in the galaxy -- and she, too, was not a person who preferred conflict. Being an Orion trader by birth, she had always been taught the value of words and diplomacy over force, and it remained present to this day in her unique style of command. "Well...I suppose I could not concur more." She then frowned and looked more carefully at him. "Are you sure you should not be at the Academy teaching interspecies communications?" she half-joked.

Caymen chortled. "Never been one for education... at least on the podium end." He shrugged and looked off to the side a bit. "Although I suppose it would be a good way to occupy time if needed."

The ambassador looked back her way. "Although that would undermine your and the Federation's wishes for my presence here no?" He smiled politely. "So on that note, is there anything I can do more immediately? Besides learning about the Celes system and surrounding cultures?"

She smirked and tried to hold back a small chuckle at his question. "Perhaps you can begin your official ambassadorial duties by speaking with our mission's VIP -- Doctor Iroh's AI unit. If there was ever a time to establish good relations between species...I assume now would be a prime example." She paused and rubbed her chin while she pondered the idea for another moment. "Have you had any experience dealing with mechanical creations? Exocomps, Borg, perhaps Data's successor, B-4?"

"Ah," Caymen said, taking a smaller padd out of his robes and pulling up the manifest. "I have not met any of the ones you mentioned, other than a routine meeting with B4 regarding a diplomatic run, many years ago."

Greener paused, still scrolling through data. "But can you connect me with this doctor or the AI unit? That is wise."

"I will let both of them know to expect you," Saalm answered with an affirmative nod. "Our rendezvous will take place in a matter of days which will give you time to prepare. I will also forward you all of my recent data regarding Doctor Iroh's project to help bring you up to speed. For now...you are dismissed, ambassador. And welcome aboard Galileo. I will be in the mess hall later tonight if you wish to talk more."

Caymen completed the note he was jotting and put the padd back in his robe pocket. "Thank you, admiral." He rose and bowed his head. "You have been gracious, and I look forward to serving."

The diplomat took his leave, exiting her office. He could see out of the corner of his eye that look a commanding officer gives to a stack of datapadds. But he could also tell she was the right woman for the task. Twas a good way to serve out of retirement.

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

Ambassador Caymen Greener
Diplomat
USS Galileo

RSS Feed