From: Takako Nagumo <tnagumo@pop.pitt.edu>
Date: Fri, 25 Jul 1997 11:21:26 -0400
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: First Impressions

MD 13.1430
Scene: Transporter Room 2

> An assortment of humans were there to greet them.  Livia 
> attempted a smile, but it came out as one of those diplomatic 
> smirks.
> 
> "Greetings, Duchess Livia.  I am Captain Amanda Bell, and on 
> behalf of my ship and the entire Federation, I welcome you to 
> the Chesapeake."  Captain Bell had a similar diplomatic smirk.
> 
> "It's an honour.  May I introduce Menary Coltair of the mining 
> guild, and my aide, Falgor."

* * * * *

Brennan watched as the Captain proceeded with her own 
introductions.

"Duchess," said Bell, as she gestured, "Commander Daniel Brennan, 
my Executive Officer."

Duchess Livia lifted her arm, and Brennan took it gently.  
"Duchess Livia.  We are indeed honoured to have you aboard."

She smiled pleasantly, and nodded.  "Likewise, Commander."

Bell gestured to the next figure.  "Ensign Aelyria Keyrin, our 
Chief Security Officer."

Keyrin briskly walked forward and shook the Duchess' hand, then 
stepped back just as quickly, her movements economical.  Bell 
watched without comment, then, with only a shade of a pause, 
introduced the last.

"Lieutenant Stavay Tats-Marush, Counselor and Protocol Officer."

The Counselor walked forward, somewhat less hurriedly than Keyrin, 
of which Brennan was relieved.  She took the Duchess' hand and 
shook it gently.  "A pleasure, my lady."

The Duchess looked over the Shrevashal officer, seemingly wanting 
to say something, but seemed to think better of it.  "Thank you, 
Counselor."

The introductions done, the Duchess looked back at Bell 
expectantly.  The Captain turned to Brennan.

"Commander, Counselor, would you please escort the delegates to 
their quarters?"

"Of course," Brennan nodded, then turned to the guests.  "If you 
would...?"

He let the Duchess and her entourage pass, then followed them out 
to the corridor.

"Have our counterparts arrived, Commander?" asked the Duchess.  
She had no problems keeping with up his naturally long strides.

"Yes, Duchess," replied Brennan, "about thirty minutes ago.  We 
will begin meeting tomorrow morning at 1030 hours -- I believe 
your aide has the schedule?"

She turned around.  "Falgor?"

The aide nodded enthusiastically as he tried to maneuver the bags 
he was carrying.  The Duchess frowned.

"Not *now*, Falgor.  After we are settled is soon enough."  She 
turned back to Brennan, the diplomatic smile appearing again.  
"Excuse him.  He can be... overeager, at times."

"Certainly better than undereager, I would think, Duchess."  His 
face was smiling, but his eyes were watching everything around 
them.  He looked back at the contingent as they turned the corner 
to the turbolift, and saw, from the corner of his eye, Keyrin's 
team unobtrusively securing their passage.

"Did you and the crew have a pleasant journey here, Commander?" 
asked the Mining Guild representative... Coltair, yes, Menary 
Coltair.

"Yes, thank you, Mr. Coltair.  Indeed."

There was a slight pause, then Coltair resumed.  "I am quite 
looking forward to meeting the other delegates.  I represent 
similar business interests as they do -- I should think we would 
have much to speak about, outside of these negotiations."

"Yes, of course," Brennan replied, then looked at Tats-Marush.  
"Counselor?"

"We hope, Mr. Coltair, Duchess," said the Shrevashal officer, 
"that you will be joining us for a delegates' reception tomorrow 
evening.  We can all meet in a more social, informal manner, which 
I'm sure Mr. Coltair will find quite conducive to that kind of 
conversation."

"Yes, I'm sure I shall."

The 'lift came to a stop, and they proceeded to their quarters.  A 
few more pleasantries later, and the three were situated.  The 
doors slid shut, and Brennan looked at Tats-Marush.

"Very good work, Counselor.  The Captain and I will see you at 
1000 hours tomorrow, in the Observation Lounge."

"Yes, sir," she replied.

"Anything else?"

"I don't think so, sir."

"Thank you," he nodded, "dismissed."

* * * * *

MD 13.2030
Scene: XO's Office

------------------------------------------------------------------
First Officer's Log, SD 90725.  The two delegations are now safely 
aboard the CHESAPEAKE.  The opening session is scheduled to start 
tomorrow at 1030 hours until 1230 hours, to resume at 1400 until 
1600.

The ShipOres delegates arrived first.  Their appearance on our 
screen in such a miserable piece of civilian engineering was quite 
unexpected, but Taylor Meredith explained that it had been a 
rather desperate measure taken due to unforeseen circumstances.  
Meredith seems a reasonable fellow, and a friendly one; I doubt we 
will have much trouble with him.  His aide, Yoshida, on the other 
hand, seems intent on not speaking to anyone at all.  We shall see 
how he handles the reception tomorrow evening, after the first 
round of discussions.  Ms. Dixit, their corporate lawyer, seems a 
skilled and accomplished attorney... and certainly, if I may say 
so, far from unpleasant to the eye.

The Regent's representatives showed themselves to be as one would 
expect such people to be; my observation has been that royalty (or 
as close to it as a Regent can be) anywhere in the galaxy develops 
the same kind of hauteur as those of my native country.  Duchess 
Livia does indeed seem quite at ease, although perhaps that is 
natural, as she had served as Minister of External Affairs for her 
father, and now her brother, Regent Kadaris.  As for her 
entourage, the aide seems harmless enough, but Menary Coltair... 
there is something about Coltair that seems to hang in the 
balance, but I cannot provide myself with any visible or tangible 
evidence that such is the case.  In an ideal world, one hopes that 
such feelings are dashed, but our world is not.  I only hope that 
my fears are unfounded.  Caution is warranted.  End log.
------------------------------------------------------------------

Respectfully Submitted,

Takako Nagumo,
CDR Daniel J. Brennan
CO, USS CHESAPEAKE (NCC-31813)
Task Force Bravo, Green Fleet

NRPG:

Of course, the next day will *not* go as he plans.  <G>  Anyway... 
that's Brennan's take on the two delegations. :)

Thank you all for your patience as personnel matters were taken 
care of, as well as all of your good wishes.  Now that the guests 
are all on board and our new XO is on his way, let's keep the plot 
moving forward.  Please try to finish your backposts by the 
weekend; I hope that the negotiation proper will start midweek.

Also, all senior officers are expected to be in attendance at the 
reception for the delegates MD 14.2000, Officers' Mess.

Greg, Trevin: Thank you both for such wonderful entrances.  Your 
reactions to the change in command MD 14 is welcome. :) Intrigues, 
within intrigues, within intrigues.... <G> Separate NRPG follows 
later today.

Melvin, Lynn, James: You've seen the hints in their respective 
posts... if you have any questions as to what might *really* be 
happening with either side :), feel free to ask me, and/or 
coordinate with Trevin and Greg.

James: Meredith's requested a tour.  Game? :) Maybe the Duchess 
would like one, too....

Fabian, Masako: Great post. :)

Chris, Jim: Not too much happening in Sickbay or Engineering yet, 
but soon.  Don't worry.  (Or maybe you should... <insert evil 
laugher here>)

Matt: Jokinen was notified of the opening MD 14 morning.  Please 
come aboard evening of MD 14, between 1600 and 2000 (let's just 
say her eagerness to leave SECIS and our eagerness to get an XO 
expedited things <G>).  This way, you don't have to wait too long 
to jump in.  Separate NRPG follows later today -- we need to talk. 
(whispering in conspiratorial tone, as the crew looks on 
suspiciously)

-- 
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Takako Nagumo                              <tnagumo@pop.pitt.edu>
            http://www.oocities.org/TimesSquare/6318/
-----------------------------------------------------------------
CDR  Daniel J. Brennan      CO        USS CHESAPEAKE, Green Fleet
LCDR Sian-Mairead Flynn, MD CMO USS ALEXANDER NEVSKY, Green Fleet
LCDR Duncan A. Morrell      Instructor             ALB Holodeck 4
CDR  Julianna M. Sforza     COMREC   Commander, Starfleet Records
Civ  Meyran Cates Semple    Undersecretary                UFPDOCA
Civ                         Director-General              UFPESCO
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"In our darkest moments,
                   it is always good for a little light to fall."


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