Between Friends

Posted on Mon Jan 8th, 2018 @ 9:58pm by Captain Michelle Bartlett & Commander Rostra Tang

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Captain's Ready Room

The twin forms of Rostra Tang made their way towards Michelle's ready room door. It had been long enough for her to settle in as Captain, and things were slowly moving on from that tragedy that threw all their lives back together again.

Mind you it was NICE to see Michelle again, but Dia she wished it was under any other circumstances. Nevermind all the interesting and influential people that Jason and Michelle got to get in touch with... the Dalacari would trade it all in to undo the damage that was done. Still, time to check in and make sure things were progressing well. With that, Rostra reached up and hit the announcer chime.

"Come." Michelle said, sipping her tea.

Rostra walked in with a PaDD in one hand, and a pair of smiles on her features. "Captain." she said with such a tone that it almost sounded funny to hear. Once the doors closed, Rostra relaxed a little, "Hey, just hopping in to check on you. You know it's not everyday that a Starfleet officer gets a..."

"... promotion, a new chair, reunited with best friends, AND meets one of the most influential up and coming Fleetmasters in the Imperial Fleet, AND gets access..."

"... to the Ts'usugi Buoy Network." she paused to make sure she wasn't missing anything, "But, out of all that, the first part was the worst, so I'm just here to check in on a friend..."

"... and make sure you aren't being overwhelmed. Or, barring that, if you ARE being overwhelmed, if I can help."

Michelle looked up, and sighed a bit... Pausing to reflect. "I... I'm still coming to terms." she said. "I still look for him to be in this room when someone says 'Captain'."

Rostra gave a nod, and that smile of her's faltered for just a moment. "Religious Dalacari would say that they're in Dia's hands. Scientific Dalacari would remind you that energy cannot be destroyed, and that they're exploring the..."

"... universe in a way we'll never imagine. Friends offer sympathy and offer to listen to stories or memories." and at that, the pair smiled. "Or, if you'd rather dive into your work and avoid..."

"... all this Being Human business, I've charted out seventeen planets we should avoid since they're marked by the Republic AND the Empire as worlds to be..."

"... used for biodiversity or mineral worth." a pause, "Farms and mines." she clarified. "Unless you WANT to see an Ikaruga-Class mining craft." she said in that sing-song tease.

"I suppose the empire and the republic would get a smidge cranky if we encroached on them, hmm?" Michelle asked. "And Ikaruga Class? Sounds fancy."

Rostra actually shook her head, "Hardly an encroachment, just more of a notice. Farming worlds are fine to land on, with the right clearances. Mining worlds are loud and devoid of life." a pause, "And..."

"... I mean they're devoid BEFORE the drilling starts. As for the Ikaruga Class, well they're re-purposed capital ships that engage in orbital bombardment to..."

"... assist the mining process. They just kinda... target the ground." she made a hand gesture of a fist striking her other hand, then making the universally recognized 'explosion' motion.

"It's really something else to see. I've seen archival footage of one in action." she just gave a nod. It was impressive indeed. "Now, as for worlds slated for colonies, well..."

"... Ts'usugi like worlds with lots of moons, because real estate is nice. Dalacari like worlds with lots of gravity. Cause Dalacar clocks in at 1.3 standard." she paused, "And..."

"... that's why I don't go swimming often. We sink. Without buoyancy assistance garments." she muttered, "Which are not called 'swimmies'."

Michelle chuckled. "So noted. I can't believe how much more information we have about nearby systems now... Though I'll admit, I haven't really had much of a chance to play with the Buoy Network."

"On the record, I'm supposed to advise that the Buoy Network isn't something to play with. Off the record, it's an amazing source of knowledge, and I feel that the..."

"... Wellington having access to it will go leaps and bounds as far as mission preparation and general access of knowledge. Fleetmaster Tukal really stuck his neck out..."

"... when he gave Jason and you access to the network. I haven't seen a demonstration of trust that implicit in a long time."

"There's a lot of trust they've placed in us. And we're all quite appreciative of that. For all they knew when we came out here, we were going to wipe them out and try to conquer them. Key word being try. We'd stand a better chance against the Borg. Tea?" she asked.

"Yes please, you read my mind." the pair smiled. "At this point, I think everyone realizes that we all need more friends, and that seeing everyone as a threat works well at..."

"... the start, but long term it just wastes resources. The Ts'usugi trusting you with the Buoys is, well, the first step toward something bigger."

Michelle poured a cup. "Back on the diplomatic end, there were rumblings that would occasionally come up about whether the Ts'usugi or the Dalacari would join the Federation or petition for membership. I mean... Nothing ever came of those rumours but one day I'd like them to be true. Granted, I understand Ts'usugi reluctance to join. The Dalacari, on the other hand..."

Rostra took her cup, then the next, "We're a package deal." she offered simply. "Ts'usugi are reluctant to join because they fear that joining the Federation will cost them their social and ancestral structure." she warned.

"But..." her twin picked up, "If WE join, that'll put the Ts'usugi in a very awkward posture. With Dalacar as a Federation World, that'd put the Federation essentially..."

"... right on the border of Ts'usugi space, and with us allied to an unknown outside power, there's no assurance that we'd still have Ts'usu's best interests at..."

"... heart. So they'd probably feel very betrayed, and close off their borders." she explained. "So this, here, is the biggest step they've taken as a people."

"If we can show them we respect their ways, and show them they won't have to give up their heritage, it'll go a long way towards a formal alliance and even joining." she pointed out, "BUT... we can't just come right out and SAY that. They have to see it for themselves." Her twin picked up the flow.

"What few Ts'usugi that joined Starfleet are their windows into the Federation's soul. Now, they want to see it up close, and that's where we are now."

"Or, to put it in Earth terms... The Ts'usugi are our best friends, and we don't want to go anywhere without them but they're really shy."

"Can't fault them, I suppose." Michelle said. "Managed to get your office all set up?" and the pair gave a nod each, "Oh yes. I mean, as well as anyone can really. Though, it's very nice." the pair smiled.

"I'd say come see it whenever you want, but knowing you you'd bring work with you." a giggle from the silent twin, "Mostly because you know I appreciate keeping busy."

"We are going to have to learn to relax one of these days." Michelle said with a chuckle and then a sigh. "But it's not going to be this round of leave. Unless I get down to New Earth for more than just lunch with Admirals wanting express their condolences." she paused for a moment. "It's not that I'm not unappreciative of their words but by the time you've spoken with what feels like every group, division, and squadron head in the Delta Quadrant, you almost start reliving events to a rather unhealthy level."

Rostra gave a nod. "I prefer the Ts'usugi way of grieving. There's a ceremony, everyone says everything that needs to be said, and you move on." the pair was silent for a moment, before her other twin spoke, "They're planning a mass, group service for the Dalacari injured, killed, or left Single from the Klingon attack, mostly because emotionally I don't think Dalacari really..."

"... have a coping mechanism for an incident this massive. Though, I'm just a big softie, I think. I get all teary-eyed when I see those video ads for animal adoption..."

"... centers. I mean if it were up to me I'd adopt them all." she admitted. "But, I think the point here, is that everyone manages in their own way. If you need a distraction..."

"... from all of it, from someone who won't bombard you with apologies, just let me know."

"Of course." Michelle said. "I may ask Commander Honn to make sure that we have someone going to that event from the Federation but I suspect she may already be on that."

Rostra gave a pair of nods, "I'm certain it'd be appreciated by all. Just make sure they know not to record it." Rostra warned, "Ts'usugi tradition forbids recording a grievance ceremony."

"And well, we kinda adopted it since it kinda makes sense. They believe that you should only take one moment to grieve, and then any future memories of the departed..."

"... should be positive and natural. You remember them because you want to. Because something positive reminded you of them." she paused, "Besides, not like we're..."

"... gonna sit down with popcorn and beer and say 'hey, let's watch the funeral again' anytime soon."

"No." Michelle said. "I think they'd probably haunt us the rest of our existence if they knew we did that." Michelle replied.

Rostra gave a pair of slow nods, "Right, so just make sure they know. I mean, no one actually records it, but just... make sure." she paused, "So, that all out of the way..." each form took a slow sip of tea, just to enjoy it and relax in the moment.

"What. A. Week." one said, exhausted. "I may just go to the holodeck, replicate up a lake, and just float for a week. Care to join?"

"Oh god, yes." Michelle replied. "I could go for that."

===========

Comm. Rostra Tang
Executive Officer / Mission Advisor
USS Wellington

Captain Michelle Bartlett
Commanding Officer
USS Wellington