Briefing: Dalacar

Posted on Mon Apr 1st, 2019 @ 8:22pm by Commander Rostra Tang & Lieutenant Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Valeria Mordin & Captain Michelle Bartlett & Major Hailey Weston & Lieutenant Commander Shaille Levine
Edited on on Tue Apr 2nd, 2019 @ 6:16am

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Conference Room

Rostra fretted as she got the conference room ready. Visuals? Check. Information packets? Check check. Carafes of coffee? Very check.

This was a briefing, but it was a briefing about her HOME! She shouldn't be this nervous to invite her friends and co-workers back to her HOME... but she had the jitters a bit. Take a breath, Rostra. Hold it... hold it.. and there. Stress gone. Time to get the meeting underway. With various taps of her comm badge, she started to make the call. Everyone willing to step foot on Dalacar, to report to the conference room for a cultural briefing.

Now, to wait.

As she walked into the conference room, Shaille glanced around. Clearly Rostra had gone all out for this. Normally everyone just stumbled in and did their own thing, but this was definitely going to work. The smell of the fresh coffee was mouthwatering. Sinking into one of the available seats, Shaille reached out and poured herself a coffee, adding sugar and cream before taking a sip and sighing contentedly. "You forgot the donuts," Shaille said trying to maintain a deadpan expression as she turned her gaze toward the Dalacari First Officer.

Rostra looked mortified. One of the forms that comprised the totality of the Dalacari actually facepalmed after a second, "Dia! You're right! Ohhhh, ohhhh is there time?" and the Dalacari quickly scampered towards one of the replicators in the conference room walls, quickly conjuring up an assortment of doughnuts of all covers and colors. Then, each twin holding a pan of assorted frostings and flavors, Rostra set the table appropriate. "Thanks for the reminder!" she cheerfully expressed.

Shaking her head Shaille decided it was better to just keep her attention on her coffee.

T'Krya waltzed in and took a donut from both the XO's tray's, "Ok so now where is the coffee?", she said trying not to be sarcastic by adding a laugh.

Felicie and Siobahn entered together, each heading to the back of the room, giggling about something between themselves as they slid into seats, stopping their laughter just long enough to acknowledge Rostra with a polite "Commander," before turning back to each other, Felicie making a remark that made Siobahn start laughing again.

Renee all but bounced into the room, little silver sparkles glittering around her rank pips, an obvious addition to her uniform that she'd never had before. She glanced at the doughnuts, she passed on them, not because she didn't like them, but because she'd decided she was on a diet. And that diet ended as she reversed course and grabbed one that looked like it could possibly be pineapple flavored, grinning at Rostra as she snagged another one that looked interesting and VERY colorful. "Thanks! They look good!"

"Thanks. I picked an assortment based on statistical projection and took a few liberties to round out the numbers. Honestly I expected the strawberry frosted to..."

"... go before pineapple. Well, no accounting for math when humans are involved." she mused with a pair of smiles. "Just waiting for the rest before we begin. I have so much to share, I'm..."

"... so excited I could just about burst!" the pair were almost vibrating with anticipation.

Michelle arrived in the Conference Room, taking her seat, along with Jason and Andrew. "Pineapple..." she said as she grabbed a donut and took a bite. "It's like you know us all too well." Michelle replied.

"Well, I like to THINK I'm a good friend." Rostra replied. In truth, it was the notes. "Is this everyone?"

"Relax Commander, this is MORE than okay!" Shaille said with a laugh as she decided to take a chocolate creme donut before they were all gone. "Trust me, you're going to make everyone else who ever hosts a briefing from here on out look bad!"

"Well, in Dalacarin there's a phrase that translates very closely between 'set an example' and 'set the basis'." she pointed out.

With everyone assembled, Rostra began her presentation. The lights dimmed, and on the display was a beautiful world of greens and blues with two moons and a small collection of orbital facilities. Some purely scientific, others more residential. Some were even proper space ports.

"Dalacar." she started. "Standard M class world, local gravity of one point three three gravities. We've installed gravitic compensators in almost every ground..."

"... based installation so as to adjust the local influence for whenever we host guests from off world. This region here..." and the view zoomed in to a lovely beach with a small villa nearby. Local shops, eateries, and other entertainments were present in the local region. "... and the surrounding thirty miles have been..."

"... adjusted for comfort within one gravity. It takes about a week for the average Dalacari to adjust, so they've been preparing for our arrival for the past seven to ten days..."

"... at least. Now, since you've all met the average Dalacari, let's talk for a moment about tech." she tapped on her PaDD, and brought up the image of a bipedal automaton. Obviously artificial, with a broad head unit, a singular optic for visuals, and the standard humanoid form. The unit depicted on the image had a very sleek chassis covering. White with gold trim. Looked expensive.

"Civilian model drone units are re-purposed military units. The only real difference is the chassis, which for civilian models is white. You shouldn't really expect to..."

"... see any of the current military units, but if you happen across any in a chassis that isn't white, just admire them and move on. We don't really have our drones..."

"... walking patrols, because they don't learn like that. Our surveillance is usually done through satellite or aerial drones anyway." she smirked a pair of smirks. "We take security and safety..."

"... very seriously. Each of these Drones will be informed of our status as guests, and will do anything in their power to make your stay comfortable and relaxing." she motioned to herself. "Except for me. I'm already..."

"... a citizen, so technically your needs would come before mine. See the sacrifices I make for the crew?" she joked with a giggle.

Shaille laughed and shook her head. Rostra was clearly having far too much fun with this.

T'Krya couldn't help but laugh, "Me thinks you are trying to make us laugh and it's working Commander".

Michelle chuckled a bit... Yes, yes it was.

"Moving on, all the drones in the sector are connected to one or maybe two massive computing units we call Thinking Engines. Now, before you get the torches, realize that..."

"... they AREN'T actually intelligent. They don't actually think. They're quantum computing and analytical engines. They process information, determine the responses..." while Rostra was talking, her silent twin brought up another image, this time obviously of a Thinking Engine. Large spheres, perhaps four or five feet with, with patterns of circuitry and pathways almost etched onto their sleek black surfaces. Rings surrounded them on the floor that housed them, no doubt hiding the power cables and cooling tubes that kept the machines running.

"... needed to arrive at the outcome of highest success, and then execute those decisions. In war, in peace, in service, it's all the same. For instance, Renee. You like..."

"... pineapple. The system would register that you have a preference for pineapple flavors. The first time, it learns. The third time, it remembers, by your fifth interaction the..."

"... drone that serves you will have something pineapple flavored available for you. Any drone, across the system. In twenty years, when you come back to Dalacar, the first..."

"... drone that sees you, when you ask for a drink, will bring you something pineapple flavored." Rostra smiled. Obviously proud of her people's accomplishments. "Now, replace Pineapple with Successful Battle Strategy and..."

"... replace Renee with The Enemy and that's how the Dalacari repel invaders." she pointed out, "Drones comprise ninty eight percent of our ground forces and one hundred percent..."

"... of our offensive fighter squadrons. I've arranged for a demonstration and a fly-by of some drone fighters during our stay so, all the flyboys will have something to oogle." she paused, "Aside from the beach, I mean."

Another pause, "Oooo, I should schedule it ON the beach. Sorry, distraction. Now, the fun parts. Food and Transportation."

"Dalacari food is superior to all other food in the cosmos. Personal experience here, sorry." she smiled, now having a little fun with the group, "But seriously, Dalacari fabricators are a few steps above..."

"... Federation replicators, so take a taste. As for transport, we're not afraid to use transporters but to make sure we've maximized safety, our transport units operate with a bi-phase..."

"... sweep, so beaming around takes a little longer because we want to make sure everyone winds up at their destination intact. Though, you don't have to be standing still..."

"... to use a Dalacari transit beam. So you can relax a bit, no standing so stiff." she giggled.

"Questions?"

"Just to make it clear to those who might get ideas, can you explain why it's not a good idea for anyone to stray outside the area that has been established for us?" Shaille asked quietly, glancing across the table, specifically at Felicie.

Rostra either didn't notice the glance, or didn't comment, "Certainly. See, Dalacar is a world with higher than normal gravity. Well, higher than what the Federation considers normal, what with being one point three three..."

"... gravities. The region in question selected for our shore leave has had its local gravity adjusted for comfort, setting it to Federation standard. The fence is there to let you..."

"... know when you're leaving that region. Sudden exposure to higher than expected gravity could cause injury and internal pressure." she pointed out.

"Aside from the gravity differences, is there any chance that my pilots and I can get a look at your fighters? I don't mean the drones, I mean the actual ones that are flown by your pilots?", T'Kyra asked.

"Actual ones?" Rostra paused for a moment. "T.. those ARE the actual ones. Oh, OH! You meant..." and the Rostra just stifled her first response and simply shook her heads. "Oh no no no, that's ENTIRELY too dangerous! We only use drones."

"We don't actually pilot them. No no no." she kept shaking her heads. "But, I can request a demonstration and maybe a meet and greet. With a drone assault fighter, I mean."

"Not an actual pilot." "Cause we don't have any." "And meeting a Thinking Engine isn't exactly that thrilling when you're expecting a pilot."

Tilting her head to one side, raising her eyebrow, "Interesting, so no pilots huh....only a Thinking engine? So basically you are saying is a computer flys the drones?", T'Krya asked.

Rostra gave a nod, then pulled up a few pictures onto the main viewer. The first was a bipedal drone armed with what could be assumed to be a standard issue Dalacari field rifle. The next was a sleek fighter craft in a vertical ring-shape design. "No pilots. In fact most of our military forces are drones. The only positions a living Dalacari really has in the combat field are as an engineer to ensure that..."

"... the drones are running smooth and that the numbers are consistent, and..." a pause as the other twin brought up a rare sight. A Dalacari in field camo. One had a backpack of sorts and some sensor equipment, while the other had an impressive looking personal rifle. Too large to be a simple combat rifle, it had to be a sniper rifle of some design.

"... long range harassment and resource denial. Snipers, for a simpler comparison. The GX-80 there is a rifle with an integrated fabricator unit. The spotter marks..."

"... a target, and the shooter selects from a range of options of munition. Non-Lethal polyurethane rounds, all the way up to advanced armor piercing . The round is then ..."

"...fabricated in the chamber. Then well, the shooter shoots. We initially tried arming the drones with the GX-80 but found there was actually a dip in efficiency.

"Turns out that living, intact Dalacari make dangerously efficient snipers. Very, very far from the front lines thank you very much."

Smiling and chuckling at Rostra's last line, "So basically you don't fight on the front lines but far in the background as snipers. Hm...interesting", T'Krya said smiling.

"Well, of course. The front line is far too great a risk." she said, simply. Like it was a simple basic fact. "And even then, only when necessary... but this isn't a relaxation and military..."

"... history course. We're all here to relax, and Dalacari ARE at the front lines when it comes to relaxation. The drones on staff will be there to ensure that you want for..."

"... nothing, and the actual Dalacari staff on station are experts in the field of relaxation."

"Just point me to the nearest massage station and I'm sold," Shaille said with a grin. "And then somewhere with food. I have heard only good things about the Dalacari replicators, I'm totally prepared to be impressed."

"Yes as am I. I do hope they have clothing shops", T'Krya asked.

Rostra giggled, "Well, you might have trouble with pants, but for Single Instance lifeforms, all Dalacari shops are buy one get one." she giggled at her own joke, then motioned down to her own leg structure: Digitigrade legs with paws more than feet.

T'krya roared wth laughter when Rostra laughed at her own joke. "You know I never dreamed that you Rostra could have such a great sense of humor bit you do and its brilliant. I don't know if you mean it like it comes out but it comes out smoothly, un-rehersed, it flows wonderfully', T'Krya said chuckling, wiping the tears from her eyes.

Siobahn had remained mostly quiet, listening to the majority of the briefling with interest. Finally, as there was a moment, she raised her hand to her shoulder. "Commander, is it possible to see a Dalacari medical facility? I would actually be genuinely interested in spending even a small amount of time learning more about Dalacari medicine."

Rostra came to a sudden seriousness. "Dalacari medical care is among some of the best I've encountered. For, obvious reasons you can imagine." and at that, Rostra motioned between her forms.

With a smile, Siobahn nodded. "Well, if there is any possibility we can see one of the medical facilities I would love to do so while we have the chance."

Rostra gave a nod, "I'd certainly recommend it, but not for a visit TO the medical facility, just a ... You know what I mean." she flustered a bit, "I can certainly arrange a tour."

"Well all I know is I want some sun, sand and surf, and some male company to spent time on te beach", T'Krya laughed.

Rostra joined in the mirth, "Well, I can assure you some of those are on Dalacar. If... if there's nothing further?"

Shaille stared at T'Kyra, her expression nothing short of incredulous at the comment. With the slightest shake of her head, she shifted her gaze back to Rostra, her expression becoming almost pleading. "For the love of all the deities, can we end this now before anyone else decides to share?" she asked hopefully.

"With the lack of any further questions about my homeworld and its rich history, I think we're done. Captain, anything official to add before we adjourn? "

"Just remember to follow the laws, don't antagonize the locals, and don't get carried away. Too carried away, anyway. If I have to go to a holding cell for one of you, you better have told your parents you love them because I might just kill you myself." Michelle said with a bit of a playful laugh.

With that, Rostra closed down the displays and concluded the meeting. "I've been looking forward to sharing my home with you all for so long. I really hope you like it."