From: Matthew Cunliffe <M.J.Cunliffe@durham.ac.uk>
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 1997 13:41:18 +0000
Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Protocol and Medical Problems

Stardate: 908.20.1120
Mission Date: 14.1955

Elanna stood sipping at a glass of juice, waiting for the first 
guests to arrive.  Besides the staff waiting to supply drinks to the 
delegates as they arrived, she was alone.  It gave her a moment to 
relax and collect her thoughts before the reception.  As Ten Forward 
began to fill up, it wasn't long before someone came to greet their 
new XO.

"Commander Miris,"  Derek held out his hand to the slight XO.  "I am
Lieutenant Fielding, Assistant Chief Science Officer."  Elanna took
his proffered hand, shaking it warmly.

>  "Lieutenant Murray sends her regrets," he added.  "She asked
>   me to take over for her; she's a bit under the weather." He quickly
> changed the subject before there could be any untowad questions. 
> "Welcome to the CHESAPEAKE, sir.  I trust you had a pleasant trip?"

"Thank you, yes."  Elanna could sense that Fielding didn't want to 
discuss his superior officer.  It could wait until morning.  For now, 
the XO was perfectly happy to move along with the flow.  "Although, 
it has been a hard day."  Elanna sipped at her drink.  She didn't 
really want to talk business, but it was inevitable.  Making new 
friends on a new ship would take time. 

"How's the Science Department getting along?"  Once again, Elanna 
felt Fielding's reservation, as he looked for a diplomatic way out of 
the question.

"We've...had a few problems.  But the department is running quite 
well.  In fact, we have been getting some interesting sensor readings 
from the spatial currents in this system."

"Spatial currents?"  Elanna was curious despite herself.  Science 
interested her, particularly since it was used continuously in her 
previous field.

"The currents of space.  Space isn't empty, but is filled up with 
molecules and atoms.  They flow through space in currents, mainly 
hydrogen and carbon."  Fielding explained.  Elanna listened with 
interest as the Science Officer continued.

~~~~
Mission Date: 14.2010

The reception was filling up.  Elanna looked around, noting that 
th'Tellan had arrived with the ShipOres delegation, and had 
successfully engineered it so that they were quickly introduced to 
various officers, leaving him free.  A young looking officer with 
bright red hair was steadily downing an unknown substance, which 
appeared to have an intoxicating effect on him.  Elanna mentally 
placed him.  Ozwald O'Graeach, the FCO.  From his file, he seemed a 
little erratic.  She hoped he wouldn't drop a diplomatic faux pas.

As the High Duchess Livia made her entrance, suitably late as her 
status demanded, she could sense the almost palpable fear coming from 
the FCO.  A picture of a snake, somehow all fangs and a large 
flicking tongue was conjured up in her mind.  Quite obviously, Mr 
O'Graeach was not keen on the Corellians.

Looking around, Elanna found herself momentarily at a loss.  People 
were walking past her, intent on their mission to partake in the 
delicacies that lay on the tables.  She noted the Doctor, Ledoux, 
standing at the bar, also looking a bit lost, and was relieved to 
see Fielding move over to talk to her.  He seemed to be a good 
officer, perfectly capable of handling himself in situations such as 
these.

"Commander."  Elanna turned to find Captain Brennan standing at her 
shoulder, drinking from a tall glass.  "I hope you don't find 
yourself at a loss."  He smiled.

"No.  Well, actually, I was for a moment.  I think I'm a bit tired."  
she replied.

"That's understandable," Brennan hesitated.  "I would rather this 
wait until tomorrow, but Mr th'Tellan informs me that he felt it 
necessary to move to Yellow Alert."

Elanna felt the stirrings of tension in the pit of her stomach.  "I 
didn't hear the klaxons."

"No.  He thought it would be inappropriate.  Sensor readings have 
indicated an unknown energy pattern on Corellia itself.  They are 
continuing to monitor it."

Elanna sighed.  She had hardly set foot on the ship and already 
things were cropping up.  "Lieutenant Fielding informed me that 
Lieutenant Murray is unwell."  She left it open, hoping that the 
Commander would fill her in on the situation.

He sighed.  "Murray has been having a few problems.  However, I would 
have thought she would turn up to the reception."  Brennan frowned.  
"I would be grateful if you could find out how she is.  Doctor Ledoux 
may be able to help."

Elanna nodded.  A polite cough, made both of them turn, as Stavay 
ushered the High Duchess over to meet them.

> "Hello Commander.  I would like to express my gratitude for
>  your  fine reception." Livia said with a smile.  She looked to Miris. 
> "You must be the new executive officer."
> 
>  Brennan managed a smile of his own.  "Duchess Livia, may I
>  present Lieutenant Commander Elanna Miris?"
> 
>  "A pleasure." Miris said warmly.
> 
>  "Congratulations on your assignment, commander."
> 
>  "Thank you very much.  If you'll pardon me?  I'll let you
>  three talk."

As the Duchess bade her permission, Elanna gave a small bow and left 
the three.  It would not have done for the two senior officers on the 
Chesapeake to be seen entertaining one delegate at the same time.  
She thought ruefully back to some of her previous diplomatic 
encounters, when such a slight had resulted in a complete cessation 
in negotiations.

As she headed over to the bar, hoping to catch the Doctor, someone 
she recognised as one of the delegates interposed himself.

>  He forced a ridiculous smile.  "Hello Commander."
> 
> "Hello.  Are you alright?  It's Falgor, right?"
> 
> "R-right.  I'm fine."
> 
> "You seem a bit... nervous."
> 
>  Falgor clasped his hands.  "Nervous?  No..."
> 
>  Miris tilted her head slightly.  "You don't think I'm
>   reading  your mind do you?  Probing non-betazoid diplomats 
> without their permission is considered the height of rudeness. 
>  I can sense your nervousness, but that's because your feelings are 
> so strong."
> 
> That calmed him down, slightly.  "Oh." he said warily, "My
>   apologies."
> 
>  "Please, if there is anything you need, do let me know."

She smiled as he rushed off, evidently embarrassed with his reaction 
to her.  At least she was not the only one having trouble at the 
reception.  Glancing over, she noticed the FCO standing quietly in a 
corner, gulping a drink.  She decided to pay him a visit.

"Mr O'Graeach?"  The Irishman jumped out of his skin as she walked up 
to him.

"Yersh?"  O'Graeach was well on his way.

Elanna decided to take a firmer line.  She didn't want anything 
untoward to happen, particularly on her first day.

"Ensign, my name is Commander Miris, your new XO," she told him as if 
she were talking to a child.

"Commander.  It's a pleashur, a pleashurre to meet you."  He stuck a 
warm palm out, adding a "Sir" as Elanna frowned at him.

"Ensign, I would be grateful if you would refrain from any further 
drinking.  In fact, I would suggest that you keep well away from any 
of the delegates.  Should I see you partaking in any misdemeanour, I 
will have you removed.  Is that clear?"  Her forceful tone seemed to 
get through to him.

"Shir."  He tried to straighten up, but settled for resting against 
the bar.  As Elanna left, he muttered to himself.  "Shnot fair.  Just 
wanted t'enjoy meself."

Elanna moved over to the Doctor, still engrossed with Derek Fielding. 
 "Lieutenant," she interrupted their conversation.

"Commander Ledoux, may I introduce Commander Miris, our new XO."  The 
two ladies shook hands.  Elanna smiled up at the stunning Doctor, 
some four inches taller than herself.  Not for the first time, she 
wished that her hair would grow to the same length as the Doctor's.  
It had been a mistake to have it cut.

Sensing that Elanna needed to talk to Catherine alone, Derek excused 
himself, walking over to the inebriated O'Graeach.

"I do hope I wasn't interrupting anything,"  Elanna began, sensing 
the Doctor's uncertainty.  She smiled, hoping to allow Ledoux to 
relax.

"No, not at all.  It's nice to meet you."  She paused, sipping at her 
fruit juice.  "What can I do for you?"

Elanna took a mental deep breath.  "Lieutenant Fielding mentioned 
that Lieutenant Murray was unwell, and couldn't make it to the 
reception."  Her eyes searched those of Catherine.  "I was wondering 
if you could fill me in on the details."

~~~~~
NRPG:

Finally!  With a lot of rereading of posts and cutting and pasting!

Chris:  Not too sure how well Catherine knows Anne, so I'll leave it 
up to you.  Basically this is leading into Takako's post, The Science 
Shuttle.

Fabian: Ich hoffe dass ich O'Graeach gut gespielt habe.  Right, 
that's my German out of the way (and probably badly written).  Don't 
worry, Elanna is really quite nice unless you _really_ mess about.  
Oh dear....<EG>

Masako:  Derek seems to be getting about a bit (fnarr, fnarr).

Jim N.:  I'll get to you eventually.  Give me until the weekend, and 
I'll post a little reprimand <G>

Respectfully submitted,
Lieutenant Commander Elanna Miris,
XO USS Chesapeake, NCC 31813

~~~~
Regards,
Matthew

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