From: "Melvin Pollack" <pollack@enews1.nrl.navy.mil> Date: Fri, 22 Aug 1997 13:23:39 -0400 Subject: USS CHESAPEAKE: Catcher in the Wry
[Second Officer's Log, Stardate 90822.1210. With the reception almost
underway, I believe that now would be a good time to reflect on the occurences
thus far. Both delegations have made their opening remarks, and while I may be
wrong about them, I don't believe I would buy a used car from any of the
delegates. Even under gunpoint. One in particular stands out, but I have yet
to screen the Correlian delegates. I'll attempt to do that during the
reception.
In the meantime, we also have an unusual sensor reading, some crazy science
readings, and a potential civil war, with the rebels funded by an unknown
source. While I believe that there is a definite connection, I will require
more evidence before I can make a decision....]
MD 14.2005
Scene: Take a Wild Guess.
{Boy, aren't we getting testy today.}
th'Tellan smiled as he watched Dixit laughing. The Captain couldn't
claim that ALL the mining delegates were turned off by him. Most, but not all.
Out of the corner of his eye, th'Tellan could see Yoshida and Taylor
whispering from a few feet off. th'Tellan started reading Yoshida's lips, and
realized that Yoshida didn't trust him either. Taylor seemed to think
th'Tellan was harmless, at least for the moment. How long until that
changed....
"Did you really compare a Holographic monster to your science teacher?
While he was in the room?"
th'Tellan snapped back to the conversation at hand. "That's right."
Dixit shook her head. "You really are nuts."
"Thanks. I try my best. So anyway, after that...."
> "High Duchess Livia." a yeoman announced from the door. The
>assembled starfleet officers turned. With her was Stavay, who would
>be her guide to the senior officers of the Chesapeake.
th'Tellan went back into agent mode. Quickly studying the Dutchess, he
realized that she wasn't the type to let body language betray her. th'Tellan
excused himself and moved to talk to the Correlian delegates.
MD 14.2010.
"Would you like a drink, Mr. th'Tellan?" Decker asked.
"No thanks." th'Tellan didn't need to be impared in any wway, even in
one so slight. th'Tellan's quick handshakes with Falgor and.... what's his
name....
{Coltair.}
Thanks. th'Tellan's quick handshakes with Falgor and Coltair had
turned up some interesting imprints, but he couldn't make heads or tails out of
them. He would have to meditate on the emotions tomorrow morning. Well, he
didn't need to sleep, anyway.
"So, tell me," th'Tellan said to Decker. "How are things in the
Science Department?" th'Tellan took one look at Decker's emotional change, and
started speaking before the officer could open her mouth. "On second thought,
I withdraw the question."
"Mr. th'Tellan," Tats-Marush interrupted, and came over to him. "May I
present High Dutchess Livia."
th'Tellan kissed her hand, and realized from the look on Marush's face
that this wasn't the smartest move that th'Tellan had done. Nevertheless,
Livia didn't show any emotion about it, so th'Tellan decided to just leave it
as it was. "Good Evening, Dutchess. Lt Cmdr Avikar th'Tellan at your service.
I'm the OPS manager, second officer, and Prince of Darkness. So, are you
enjoying yourself?"
"Yes, quite," Livia responded. "So, commander, I understand that
you've been assigned to host the ShipOres delegation."
"That's right. Real nice bunch."
"Well, I'm glad you feel that way. I was worried that some of the
rumors.... Well, they're really not worth mentioning."
"Then don't," th'Tellan replied. th'Tellan watched the Dutchess' poker
face fall, then dropped the bomb. "So, I understand that there's been a little
problem with some rebels. Have you heard anything about that?"
MD 14.2012
"That was cruel," Marush whispered. The Dutchess had moved out of
earshot to speak to a few junior delegates. "What made you think that
insulting the Dutchess like that would be considered in good form?"
"I don't think I did anything that bad. Besides, I needed to see her
reaction. There's something going on besides a mining operation."
"So, what should I tell her about this incident?"
"Tell her anything you want. Tell her that I've got bats in the belfry
and that I'm engaged to Dixit, and that the only reason that I'm on this
mission is that my fathers a Vice-Admiral. You're a better judge of character
than I am, so you probably know how to placate her. <Pause.> After that, ask
her about some of the fields on the southwest part of the main continent. I'm
reading some strange things down there."
"Is that the reason for the Yellow Alert?"
"Yes, but don't tell any of the delegates about that, or about the
sensors themselves. The more both sides have to guess about our hand, the
better off we are."
Out of the corner of his eye, th'Tellan saw Keyrin approach. "Good
evening, Ensign. You look lovely this evening."
"How dare you say that," Keyrin snapped.
"Fine. Keyrin, you look lousy this evening. Are we friends again?"
Keyrin shook her head.
{Or his head.}
Ahem! Keyrin shook her head. "I'm sorry. I guess I just haven't been
enjoying myself. I never really know how to act that these functions."
"Well, you seemed to be enjoying yourself," Marush responded. "I say
you dancing earlier...."
th'Tellan watched Keyrin and Marush talk to each other. He started to
think about what he had learned, but he didn't know enough. th'Tellan realized
that in order to really get an accurate feel, he'd need a longer connection.
The problem was, how could he hold on to someone's hand longer....
th'Tellan realized that Marush had started talking about th'Tellan's
delegation maneuvers. "I must admit, a part of me would like to see the
Dutchess a little more off-balance...."
"Well, let's just do that," th'Tellan responded. "Excuse me, ladies."
Marush watched th'Tellan walk over to the ShipOres delegation. "What
is he up to this time?"
Keyrin shook her head. "I don't know? I think that.... Oh, my God.
He just asked Dixit to dance."
"He's going to start a war, isn't he."
"Most likely. She just accepted."
"Marush, Keyrin," Brennan said as he walked over to them. "Well, I
must say that this reception is going quite.... WHAT THE HELL IS MY SECOND
OFFICER DOING?"
Keyrin leaned over. "Looks like the Fox Trot. A bit on the stiff
side, though. Fred Astaire he ain't."
Marush shook her head. "Oh, I don't know. I think he's doing well for
a guy who usually avoids casual contact."
NRPG:
All: Hope I got the Characters right. Hope I got the timeline right. Yada,
yada, yada.
Masako: th'Tellan is enjoying the reception quite well, thank you.
Takako, Keyrin, Marush, Greg, and.... what's his name.
{Trevin}
Right. Takako, Keyrin, Marush, Greg, and Trevin: Some stuff to work with. We
may have a plot any time now.
Fabian: You may be wilder. You may be fresher. You may even be funnier. But
you will NEVER be crazier than me. :-)
Submitted by....
Melvin Pollack....
Lt Cmdr Avikar th'Tellan
OPS USS CHESAPEAKE
mpollack@wam.umd.edu
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