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Message #:629
Time to look for the author...*** "The Starzen Are Here" |
ON
The ever-so-familiar piping sound of a ship-wide communication came over the comm. Speakers throughout the Athena. The captain?s voice quickly followed.
?Attention all hands. We will once again be visited by the sovereigm forces of this area of space. I will expect that everyone of you will conduct yourselves in an appropriate manner befitting any visiting dignitary. Holodeck privileges are temporarily suspended, and all technologically sensitive areas are to be properly locked down. That is all.
?It always seems like I am leaving something out,? Jazmine said after closing the inter-comm.
?Such as?? Erei?Riov Ronov asked.
?I don?t know,? Jazmine admitted. ?Something. Anything.? She looked appraisingly at her executive officer. ?Hmm, you actually look good in the new dress uniform.?
?As do you, Captain,? Ronov stated. ?Though they do not make them comfortable?
Jazmine grimaced. ?No. They?re not supposed to be. It?s to keep us on our proverbial toes, Ronnie.?
Ronov raised an eyebrow. He was about to ask why she had called him that when the OPS officer called out.
?Captain. The Starzen shuttle has just departed their ship. They have a five minute e.t.a.?
?Thank you, Ensign,? Jazmine replied. She looked to Ronov. ?Has Security been properly briefed on who is now visiting us??
?Ie, Rekkhai,? Ronov responded.
?Well let?s get this over with,? Jazmine said, standing up. She looked over to the OPS officer. ?Inform Admiral Toran we will be in the shuttle bay, if she wished to join us. Mr. Svonn? Are you joining us??
?I did not realize I had a choice in the matter, Captain,? Svonn said, securing his console and rising.
?You don?t,? Jazmine told him with a wink to Ronov. ?I just saw that you were pretty intent on whatever it is you were working on over there.?
?I was conducting scans on the planet, sir,? Svonn told Jazmine. ?All power level readings are the same as when we left previously.?
?That is good to hear, Commander,? Mergahn commented. ?Now, let?s get a move on. Lt. Hayes, you have the bridge.?
?Oh? my?stars,? Chancellor Sanfer exclaimed as the shuttle neared the waiting Federation starship. ?Look at the size of this thing. And you say their organization is called Starfleet??
?That?s correct, Chancellor,? Admiral Detalya confirmed. ?And Starfleet is the protection force for the United Federation of Planets.?
?Can you imagine them bringing a fleet of these ships out here??
?I am not as worried about them bringing a fleet of ships out, as I am the Rihannsu,? Detalya reminded the head of the Conglomerate government.
?Yes. A very good point.?
Captain Jazmine stepped into the shuttle bay, with Ronov and Svonn closely behind her. She smiled when she noted that the rest of her senior staff were already here waiting. They were all in their dress uniform and looked as uncomfortable as she felt. She nodded to each as she made her way to the head of the line. She noted, as well, the Admiral Toran was already there.
The alert lights started to flash, indicating that the automatic landing system had been activated. The Starzen shuttle was on approach.
The shuttle made a circuit around the Athena coming to the opening at the rear of the large ship. Detalya felt a slight jolt as the Athena?s tractor beam took control of the shuttle. ?Amazing technology,? he muttered.
The shuttle was brought inside the spacious landing bay. Lining the one side of the bay were the ominous looking Rihannsu attack-shuttles. On the opposite side sat the more friendly looking Federation shuttles. Detalya chuckled to himself as he noted that it almost looked as if they were ready to wage war against one another right here inside the bay.
The Starzen shuttle was gently set down on the deck. The operator powered it down. Sanfer looked out, and was immediately impressed. The Athena?s officers were lined up in perfect order. A rather good looking woman stood at the head of the line, looking expectantly at the shuttle.
The entry port for the shuttle was opened, and the Starzen Guard went to step out first, but Chancellor Sanfer stopped them. ?We are among friends, ? he said to the guards. ?I shall go out first.?
?Chancellor, I don?t?.? Detalya started his objection, but the Chancellor quickly cut him off. He stepped out of the shuttle to greet the Starfleet officers.
Svonn noted the ever-so-slight reaction of surprise on both the captain and first officer as the first person to step off the visiting shuttle was neither a guard, nor Admiral Detalya. Without missing a beat, he said in a very quiet voice, ?That is Chancellor Sanfer.?
The special VIP, Jazmine thought to herself. She was equally surprised at the second person exiting the shuttle. A man somewhat smaller than the chancellor, but an imposing figure nonetheless. Admiral Detalya, I would guess.
?Chancellor Sanfer,? Jazmine said, stepping forward after the ?piping aboard? of the dignitaries had sounded. ?Welcome to the U.S.S. Athena. I am Captain Jazmine Mergahn.?
?Captain,? Chancellor Sanfer said warmly. ?A true pleasure to meet your acquaintance. I believe you already know Admiral Detalya.?
?Indeed I do,? Jazmine said with a smile. She resisted the urge to add ?you look taller over the comm..? ?Admiral. A pleasure to meet you face to face, finally. And I do apologize for my absence during your last visit. I was called back to the Alpha Quadrant.?
?No need for apologies, Captain,? Detalya replied. ?Your officers represented the ship very well in your absence.?
?Thank you, Admiral,? Jazmine said gratefully. ?Chancellor, may I present the rest of my command staff.?
She introduced each of the department heads, and finally Admiral Toran. She could not help but smile, and suppress a chuckle as the Toran and Detalya locked eyes, obviously sizing one another up as possible adversaries.
?Can I interest you in a tour of our ship before we begin the formalities,? Jazmine asked the two Starzen men.
?I would enjoy that very much,? Sanfer responded. ?This is quite a magnificent ship.?
?As would I,? Detalya chimed in. ?I certainly was impressed with what I saw my first time here.?
?Very well,? Jazmine acknowledged. She turned to Ronov and Svonn. ?Erei?Riov. Would you please check on the conference room readiness. Commander Svonn if you would accompany me on the tour?? After both officers acknowledged her request, she turned to Toran. ?Admiral. You are invited along as well.? Then to the rest of her staff, ?Thank you all, you are dismissed.?
The Athena officers slowly disbursed. Jazmine turned back to the Starzen delegates. ?Shall we??
