Things Past – Tip of the Iceberg: Part 4 - At The Consulate
by Arrival Kaia & Commander Isha t'Vaurek
Post Details
ON:
Crewman Jennings slicked his hair into a somewat more tidy state as he rounded the corner to the corner to the Romulan offices. He wasn't even exactly sure what this was, an embassey or maybe more precisely a consulate. Either way, he was about to take a serious step outside his element. Still, he figured the Romulans had to have SOME information about Alpha Mensae that wasn't in the Federation database.
He fiddled with the PADD in his hands, at his low rank he was uncertain of the protocols of such a situation as this. Would there be a receptionist of some sort? or a guard? Could anyone make an appointment to meet the ambassador or were there mid-level clerks. He was about to find out. He took a deep breath and held it as he stepped forward. The doors swished open, and he entered.
i-Orinwen had come to realise that working in an embassy was not glamorous, it rarely even rated interesting, just one stranger after another with varying degrees of rudeness. Even the ambassador's return from Romulus had done little to reassure her, she was aloof and treated i-Orinwen like a servant, whereas she had hoped for a mentor and (hopefully) sponsor. At least Raedheol had been approachable, if frightening; every look from him was an invitation to conspire but Isha ... she was like ice.
She straightened as a blinking light informed her that a visitor was imminent. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked in Federation Standard.
It was one thing to see Romulans on video captures and recorded images, but Jennings was unprepared for coming face to face with one. There was an exotic allure to the sharp features and direct manor of the woman behind the desk that immediately intimidated him. He shifted in his shoes. "Um. I... I'm afraid I don't. I suppose I should make one, if I may. I simply wanted to ask a few questions, and I don't know what the appropriate channels are."
For Nahir i-Orinwen this was something of a quandary. Both the ambassador and acting ambassador were now in residence and resolutely not communicating with one another; she was unsure which of them to ask, as t'Khellian had not yet formally resumed her duties. She reasoned through as she stared at the uncomfortable looking visitor and sent a message to see if Raedheol was available.
"Things would have gone more smoothly with an appointment," i-Orinwen said, not that there had been as much as a ripple. "erie'Khrein Rh'vaurek Raedheol is available to speak with you. If you will come this way," she said as she rose. Quite how he would answer a stranger's questions was beyond i-Orinwen, but he had replied with an affirmative.
Crewman Jennings was somewhat surprised at the immediacy of his meeting, he had expected to have been tangled in bureaucracy for some time, but was greatful for the opportunity nonetheless. "Thank you." he replied as he followed the receptionist. Her officiousness allowed him to overcome his uncertainty with discipline as he forced himself into the more formal manner taught and enforced at basic trainng.
Appointment or not, Rh'vaurek was always curious about people who actually wanted to meet him. As a rule, people, Romulan or otherwise, gave the Tal'Shiar a wide berth, particularly those who were at liberty to be open about their status within that organisation. This suggested that the visitor had something important to discuss, and the only way Rh'vaurek could find that out was to meet.
He had moved from Isha's office back to the smaller one; it was a preferable environment in his mind particulary if information was being sold.
"i-Orinwen," Rh'varuek said as she entered and stepped back to admit the visitor, "you mustn't admit strangers without an appointment," he teased, though to the guest it would sound like an admonishment. "Run along. And you, this had better be worth my time," he said to the man lurking in the doorway. "Sit," he said.
Jennings frowned at the man's apparent reaction to his breach of protocol. He obeyed the order and stepped into the room and sat before man. "I understand your time must be valuable, so I'll attempt to keep this brief. I've been trying to do some research and I've hit a dead end of sorts with the Federation databases. Part of the research I'm doing involves a star system in the neutral zone, so I was curious if there were any data that might be available through the Romulan empire." The crewman awaited a response, attempting to discretely wipe a hand on a pantleg.
In silence Rh'vaurek contemplated the stranger from across his desk before he spoke. "Your name, Crewman?" he asked, appearing to ignore the man's question.
Now why would he think that I would be willing to provide data, and why is he indicating to me an interest in an area of the Neutral Zone? Rh'vaurek asked himself as he continued to stare darkly at the man opposite. This might not be a waste of time after all.
"Crewman John Jennings," He answered, "I'd just like to know if there are any publicly available databases or libraries... that is, if Romulans have that sort of thing... You wouldn't have to do anything you didn't want or didn't have time for, of course..." He was begining to blather a bit, his nervousness creeping back into the tone of his voice as he raised a hand as though it were a symbol of the reassurance of his sincerity.
It was only years of training and practice that prevented Rh'vaurek from openly dismissing the suggestion. Publicly available information was propaganda and provided the populace with what the government expected them to know; that available to aliens was even more selective and carefully written. This security drone was hardly the sharpest, unless he really was asking for more than that.
"There are several," Rh'vaurek said, his face still impassive though the idea that he could be made to do anything he did not want to by the present company amused him.
"Oh that's a relief," Jennings said with a sigh. He sat back in his chair at the news, unaware of the true state of mind of the person across the table. "It's just that I've been trying to find out about something that happened in the system of Alpha Mensae a few years back, supposedly something big, but the federation databases don't seem to have anything about it."
"Presumably because there was no such incident," Rh'vaurek lied, a slow deliberate blink moisening his eyes. The location was different to the current target, but the reason for the empire's interest was similar. "Tell me, Crewman Jennings, where did you hear of this incident? Alpha Mensae is hardly a system of great political interest, if my memory is correct an axis shift rendered it largely uninhabitable some hundreds of years ago, and its natural resources are limited."
"Well, that's the thing." Jennings replied, thinking a moment. "I don't actually know what happened there. That's what I'm trying to find out. If the planet is uninhabitable as you say then perhaps it occured in orbit. If it's such a minor system, do you think the Romulan Star Government would permit me to enter the Neutral zone to see the system myself?"
"Are you an archaeologist, Mister Jennings?" Rh'vaurek asked, impressed by the way Jennings had challenged his assertion. "There are some ruins there. If you have access to the right equipment I'm sure they could be excavated, though the permissions would be challenging to acquire."
Jennings hadn't been aware of the impact of his words, and the seeming change of subject threw him for a loop. "Archaeologist? I- what?" It took him a moment to process what he'd been told. "I... guess I could do that. I'm not sure I'm looking to excavate ruins, especially if the planet is as inhospitable as you've said. Would there be any easier to get permits just to conduct a survey? I'm not sure even what I"m looking for yet, so I'd just like to go to the system and see."
Rh'vaurek raised an eyebrow, "A survey would be out of the question," he said. "Some of the more pleasant areas were excavated some years ago - little of interest found, but enough for someone who happened to have come across a copy of the team's paper to have a legitimate interest in making a short visit. Such a researcher would be alone and not be alowed any equipment that would make an aerial survey possible. He might be allowed an assistant to help with the manual search of the limited areas that could be covered during the window allowed for his research. By your classifications the planet is now class L, though I don't think spending long periods there is advisable anyway."
The crewman certainly wasn't an archaeologist, but he was begining to suspect neither was the man across the desk. Something in the Romulan's words stood out in his mind. "Wait.... what do you mean it's 'now' a class L?"
"I mentioned an axis shift - before that it was as lush as your own world, according to research. Before we go any further in arranging your expedition we must discuss terms, Mister Jennings." Rh'vaurek steepled his fingers and peered at the man, "What do I get if I help you?"
It was here that Jennings realized just how few bargaining chips he had. Having spent his entire life in the federation, he was accustomed to a life where you did your duty to your fullest extent and were simply given access to whatever rewards were within reason. His lowly rank had shielded him from the unavoidable unpleseantries of politics, and the idea of quantifying or withholding worth was foreign territory to him indeed. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean." He replied. "If there is some service which is within my power to grant I'll certainly do what I can, but I'm not sure what someone of my rank could get that a dignitary such as yourself could not already."
Leaning back Rh'vaurek drummed his fingers quietly against his thigh, was the man being genuine or simply making an attempt to flatter him? There were several ways to find out, but Rh'vaurek chose the least brutal one, he could always change his mind later on if Jennings failed to deliver.
"Why don't I give you permission to visit," he said in a thoughtful tone, "and then when I think of a suitable way for you to return the favour, I will inform you," Rh'vaurek said, it never hurt to have someone in his debt or where they will be when the time came to call it in; many a seemingly worthless obligation had often led him to rewards he could have achieved no other way.
"I would certainly be willing to assist you in whatever way I can in exchange for your help, and that would be very generous of you." Jennings shifted uneasily, uncertain what the Romulan wanted from him. "But as I am part of the crew of this station, I may be constrained by my duties. I suppose when my next furlough comes up that would give me the chance to go investigate. If you granted me permission, would it require me to do anything special?"
Rh'vaurek considered the question, he always collected his debts in full; this case would be no exception. "Nothing special," he told Jennings, which from Rh'vaurek's point of view was the complete truth. "I'm sure you'll do everything to return the favour should I need you to do so."
"Well, I was thinking 'special' in terms of what form would my permission take? Such as a PADD document or transponder code that I might need to set up in a shuttle."
As he exhaled Rh'vaurek steepled his fingers, they thought differently, these Ha'vam. "If you have my permission," he said leaning back again and reaching for a drwar, "You should need nothing more, but I will give you this."
With a click he laid an isolonear rod on the desk top and slid it halfway across the desk though he did not immediately lift his finger from it.
Jennings looked down at it, contemplating. Some deep part of his psyche told him not to take it, don't even reach for it. "I would feel much more confident if I knew what you wanted from me..." He said, almost mumbled.
The part of him that wanted to resist made him feel as though he were betraying the Federation somehow. His thoughts conflicted as he tried rationalizing his curiosity. Was he doing all this because of some costume jewelry? What would Gabriel or Wallace say if they found out, if they could watch him doing this, if his old teachers at the academy, if his parents saw him doing this.
The sense of shame almost made his eyes well up. But the one nagging doubt that started all of this remained. The civillian's quarters he had been issued a warrant to search, and the United Federation of Planets Pip he had found stashed away. If it was real, why would the Federation bury the memory of somene who received its highest honor? He had to know, and from where he was standing, "This is my only lead..."
He reached for the rod.
"And you would be remiss in your duty if you did not take it," Rh'vaurek said keeping his finger where it was for a moment longer and leaving Jenning's hand hovering.
Rh'vaurek lifted his finger and flicked the rod towards Jennings so that he would need to grab for it. "You'll know when the time comes," he said, "that's the price."
The crewman caught the isolinear rod clumsily in both hands, keeping it from falling to the floor, but only just. He sighed heavily at his decision. there was no turning back now. He looked up once more before turning away.
"Thank you.... I think..."
OFF:
Jennings played by
Kaia
Civilian
Owner of Xenogy Survey Services
Deep Space 5
"No plan, no technology, is so perfect as to truly be idiot proof."
&
Arrain Rh'vaurek Raedhoel (now erie'Khrein!)
NPC by Louise
by Arrival Kaia & Commander Isha t'Vaurek
Post Details
| Title | Tip of the Iceberg: Part 4 - At The Consulate | |
| Mission | Things Past | |
| Author(s) | Arrival Kaia & Commander Isha t'Vaurek | |
| Posted | Mon May 23, 2011 @ 7:45pm | |
| Location | Romulan Consulate | |
| Timeline | Backpost (Interlude) |
Crewman Jennings slicked his hair into a somewat more tidy state as he rounded the corner to the corner to the Romulan offices. He wasn't even exactly sure what this was, an embassey or maybe more precisely a consulate. Either way, he was about to take a serious step outside his element. Still, he figured the Romulans had to have SOME information about Alpha Mensae that wasn't in the Federation database.
He fiddled with the PADD in his hands, at his low rank he was uncertain of the protocols of such a situation as this. Would there be a receptionist of some sort? or a guard? Could anyone make an appointment to meet the ambassador or were there mid-level clerks. He was about to find out. He took a deep breath and held it as he stepped forward. The doors swished open, and he entered.
i-Orinwen had come to realise that working in an embassy was not glamorous, it rarely even rated interesting, just one stranger after another with varying degrees of rudeness. Even the ambassador's return from Romulus had done little to reassure her, she was aloof and treated i-Orinwen like a servant, whereas she had hoped for a mentor and (hopefully) sponsor. At least Raedheol had been approachable, if frightening; every look from him was an invitation to conspire but Isha ... she was like ice.
She straightened as a blinking light informed her that a visitor was imminent. "Do you have an appointment?" she asked in Federation Standard.
It was one thing to see Romulans on video captures and recorded images, but Jennings was unprepared for coming face to face with one. There was an exotic allure to the sharp features and direct manor of the woman behind the desk that immediately intimidated him. He shifted in his shoes. "Um. I... I'm afraid I don't. I suppose I should make one, if I may. I simply wanted to ask a few questions, and I don't know what the appropriate channels are."
For Nahir i-Orinwen this was something of a quandary. Both the ambassador and acting ambassador were now in residence and resolutely not communicating with one another; she was unsure which of them to ask, as t'Khellian had not yet formally resumed her duties. She reasoned through as she stared at the uncomfortable looking visitor and sent a message to see if Raedheol was available.
"Things would have gone more smoothly with an appointment," i-Orinwen said, not that there had been as much as a ripple. "erie'Khrein Rh'vaurek Raedheol is available to speak with you. If you will come this way," she said as she rose. Quite how he would answer a stranger's questions was beyond i-Orinwen, but he had replied with an affirmative.
Crewman Jennings was somewhat surprised at the immediacy of his meeting, he had expected to have been tangled in bureaucracy for some time, but was greatful for the opportunity nonetheless. "Thank you." he replied as he followed the receptionist. Her officiousness allowed him to overcome his uncertainty with discipline as he forced himself into the more formal manner taught and enforced at basic trainng.
Appointment or not, Rh'vaurek was always curious about people who actually wanted to meet him. As a rule, people, Romulan or otherwise, gave the Tal'Shiar a wide berth, particularly those who were at liberty to be open about their status within that organisation. This suggested that the visitor had something important to discuss, and the only way Rh'vaurek could find that out was to meet.
He had moved from Isha's office back to the smaller one; it was a preferable environment in his mind particulary if information was being sold.
"i-Orinwen," Rh'varuek said as she entered and stepped back to admit the visitor, "you mustn't admit strangers without an appointment," he teased, though to the guest it would sound like an admonishment. "Run along. And you, this had better be worth my time," he said to the man lurking in the doorway. "Sit," he said.
Jennings frowned at the man's apparent reaction to his breach of protocol. He obeyed the order and stepped into the room and sat before man. "I understand your time must be valuable, so I'll attempt to keep this brief. I've been trying to do some research and I've hit a dead end of sorts with the Federation databases. Part of the research I'm doing involves a star system in the neutral zone, so I was curious if there were any data that might be available through the Romulan empire." The crewman awaited a response, attempting to discretely wipe a hand on a pantleg.
In silence Rh'vaurek contemplated the stranger from across his desk before he spoke. "Your name, Crewman?" he asked, appearing to ignore the man's question.
Now why would he think that I would be willing to provide data, and why is he indicating to me an interest in an area of the Neutral Zone? Rh'vaurek asked himself as he continued to stare darkly at the man opposite. This might not be a waste of time after all.
"Crewman John Jennings," He answered, "I'd just like to know if there are any publicly available databases or libraries... that is, if Romulans have that sort of thing... You wouldn't have to do anything you didn't want or didn't have time for, of course..." He was begining to blather a bit, his nervousness creeping back into the tone of his voice as he raised a hand as though it were a symbol of the reassurance of his sincerity.
It was only years of training and practice that prevented Rh'vaurek from openly dismissing the suggestion. Publicly available information was propaganda and provided the populace with what the government expected them to know; that available to aliens was even more selective and carefully written. This security drone was hardly the sharpest, unless he really was asking for more than that.
"There are several," Rh'vaurek said, his face still impassive though the idea that he could be made to do anything he did not want to by the present company amused him.
"Oh that's a relief," Jennings said with a sigh. He sat back in his chair at the news, unaware of the true state of mind of the person across the table. "It's just that I've been trying to find out about something that happened in the system of Alpha Mensae a few years back, supposedly something big, but the federation databases don't seem to have anything about it."
"Presumably because there was no such incident," Rh'vaurek lied, a slow deliberate blink moisening his eyes. The location was different to the current target, but the reason for the empire's interest was similar. "Tell me, Crewman Jennings, where did you hear of this incident? Alpha Mensae is hardly a system of great political interest, if my memory is correct an axis shift rendered it largely uninhabitable some hundreds of years ago, and its natural resources are limited."
"Well, that's the thing." Jennings replied, thinking a moment. "I don't actually know what happened there. That's what I'm trying to find out. If the planet is uninhabitable as you say then perhaps it occured in orbit. If it's such a minor system, do you think the Romulan Star Government would permit me to enter the Neutral zone to see the system myself?"
"Are you an archaeologist, Mister Jennings?" Rh'vaurek asked, impressed by the way Jennings had challenged his assertion. "There are some ruins there. If you have access to the right equipment I'm sure they could be excavated, though the permissions would be challenging to acquire."
Jennings hadn't been aware of the impact of his words, and the seeming change of subject threw him for a loop. "Archaeologist? I- what?" It took him a moment to process what he'd been told. "I... guess I could do that. I'm not sure I'm looking to excavate ruins, especially if the planet is as inhospitable as you've said. Would there be any easier to get permits just to conduct a survey? I'm not sure even what I"m looking for yet, so I'd just like to go to the system and see."
Rh'vaurek raised an eyebrow, "A survey would be out of the question," he said. "Some of the more pleasant areas were excavated some years ago - little of interest found, but enough for someone who happened to have come across a copy of the team's paper to have a legitimate interest in making a short visit. Such a researcher would be alone and not be alowed any equipment that would make an aerial survey possible. He might be allowed an assistant to help with the manual search of the limited areas that could be covered during the window allowed for his research. By your classifications the planet is now class L, though I don't think spending long periods there is advisable anyway."
The crewman certainly wasn't an archaeologist, but he was begining to suspect neither was the man across the desk. Something in the Romulan's words stood out in his mind. "Wait.... what do you mean it's 'now' a class L?"
"I mentioned an axis shift - before that it was as lush as your own world, according to research. Before we go any further in arranging your expedition we must discuss terms, Mister Jennings." Rh'vaurek steepled his fingers and peered at the man, "What do I get if I help you?"
It was here that Jennings realized just how few bargaining chips he had. Having spent his entire life in the federation, he was accustomed to a life where you did your duty to your fullest extent and were simply given access to whatever rewards were within reason. His lowly rank had shielded him from the unavoidable unpleseantries of politics, and the idea of quantifying or withholding worth was foreign territory to him indeed. "I'm not sure I understand what you mean." He replied. "If there is some service which is within my power to grant I'll certainly do what I can, but I'm not sure what someone of my rank could get that a dignitary such as yourself could not already."
Leaning back Rh'vaurek drummed his fingers quietly against his thigh, was the man being genuine or simply making an attempt to flatter him? There were several ways to find out, but Rh'vaurek chose the least brutal one, he could always change his mind later on if Jennings failed to deliver.
"Why don't I give you permission to visit," he said in a thoughtful tone, "and then when I think of a suitable way for you to return the favour, I will inform you," Rh'vaurek said, it never hurt to have someone in his debt or where they will be when the time came to call it in; many a seemingly worthless obligation had often led him to rewards he could have achieved no other way.
"I would certainly be willing to assist you in whatever way I can in exchange for your help, and that would be very generous of you." Jennings shifted uneasily, uncertain what the Romulan wanted from him. "But as I am part of the crew of this station, I may be constrained by my duties. I suppose when my next furlough comes up that would give me the chance to go investigate. If you granted me permission, would it require me to do anything special?"
Rh'vaurek considered the question, he always collected his debts in full; this case would be no exception. "Nothing special," he told Jennings, which from Rh'vaurek's point of view was the complete truth. "I'm sure you'll do everything to return the favour should I need you to do so."
"Well, I was thinking 'special' in terms of what form would my permission take? Such as a PADD document or transponder code that I might need to set up in a shuttle."
As he exhaled Rh'vaurek steepled his fingers, they thought differently, these Ha'vam. "If you have my permission," he said leaning back again and reaching for a drwar, "You should need nothing more, but I will give you this."
With a click he laid an isolonear rod on the desk top and slid it halfway across the desk though he did not immediately lift his finger from it.
Jennings looked down at it, contemplating. Some deep part of his psyche told him not to take it, don't even reach for it. "I would feel much more confident if I knew what you wanted from me..." He said, almost mumbled.
The part of him that wanted to resist made him feel as though he were betraying the Federation somehow. His thoughts conflicted as he tried rationalizing his curiosity. Was he doing all this because of some costume jewelry? What would Gabriel or Wallace say if they found out, if they could watch him doing this, if his old teachers at the academy, if his parents saw him doing this.
The sense of shame almost made his eyes well up. But the one nagging doubt that started all of this remained. The civillian's quarters he had been issued a warrant to search, and the United Federation of Planets Pip he had found stashed away. If it was real, why would the Federation bury the memory of somene who received its highest honor? He had to know, and from where he was standing, "This is my only lead..."
He reached for the rod.
"And you would be remiss in your duty if you did not take it," Rh'vaurek said keeping his finger where it was for a moment longer and leaving Jenning's hand hovering.
Rh'vaurek lifted his finger and flicked the rod towards Jennings so that he would need to grab for it. "You'll know when the time comes," he said, "that's the price."
The crewman caught the isolinear rod clumsily in both hands, keeping it from falling to the floor, but only just. He sighed heavily at his decision. there was no turning back now. He looked up once more before turning away.
"Thank you.... I think..."
OFF:
Jennings played by
Kaia
Civilian
Owner of Xenogy Survey Services
Deep Space 5
"No plan, no technology, is so perfect as to truly be idiot proof."
&
Arrain Rh'vaurek Raedhoel (now erie'Khrein!)
NPC by Louise