Diplomacy Commences? Maybe, Maybe Not.

Posted on Thu May 13th, 2010 @ 9:08pm by Captain Benjamin Byrne & Lieutenant Commander Hannah Edroski & Lieutenant JG Nessa Jenarian & Provisional Lieutenant Commander Narayn Ballard

Mission: Metronian Diplomacy
Location: USS Endeavour - Unknown Galaxy
Timeline: MD24 - 1607

"Drop us out of warp," Benjamin said, as he walked from one of the auxiliary consoles at the side of the bridge, where he'd been monitoring sensor data to keep an eye on what was around them, towards his chair at the centre of the bridge, noting the empty first officer's chair, and logging the thought in the back of his mind. "We don't want to startle them by dropping out of warp on their doorstep."

As the Sovereign-class starship slowed to sub-warp speeds, sensor stations all around the bridge began bleeping, notifying new contacts. "Report," Ben ordered.

Stott was working quickly he looked over to the Captain," Sir i have multiple ships on sensors!"

"The design is not one we have encounter before, though it is similar in configuration to one of the ships we detected when we first came to this region of space." the science officer called out from her station as she kept pressing buttons and looking at readouts, her brows creased slightly in a frown. "Beyond that, I don't think there's much more that I can say definitely at this point."

"I wish we had more to tell you, sir." Ballard reported from the Mission Ops station. "The ships we encountered were using some kind of dampening field that disrupted the Science department's scans. Crewman Bannan managed to split some of it and we worked out a few tactical notes. They're relatively well armed but we can't quite tell what with and we managed to work out one area we should target if it comes down to it. Sorry we don't have more information for you, Commander."

"Bring us in nice and slow," Ben said, leaning forward and propping his elbow on his knee, from which he supported his chin in a cupped hand. "Open a hailing channel. Broadcast standard greetings on all frequencies and in all known languages."

"Opening communications channel." the science officer replied, pressing the buttons and then nodding curtly as she received an affirmative beep from the console. "This is the Earth Federation starship Endeavour." she said simply, adding the usual greeting reserved for first contact, a bit too distracted by thoughts about the discoveries she could make on this trip to actually pay much notice to what she was saying at this point.

"We are getting a hail sir from one of the crusier ships about one million kilometers off of port."He waited for orders then.

"On screen," Benjamin said, standing up and tugging his uniform jacket down to pull out the creases.

As the viewscreen snapped to a view of the commander of the other ship, Ben instantly took note of his prominent features. An odd pouch-like protrusion under the lower lip and where the chin would be on a human split into two just before it curved under and towards the neck, with the separating flesh covered in what looked liked tan-coloured, smooth scales. The remainder of the jawline was covered in cropped brown facial hair, similar to sideburns worn by certain men of the human race. The man was powerfully built, and wore a uniform that was simple yet at the same time indicative of high rank - and he wore it in a manner which showed he was comfortable with the authority it placed upon his shoulders.

"Camahnter Byrne and tei Vederaation Ztarship USS Endeavour." The man said, as the Universal Translator took a few extra seconds to snap into line. He spoke as if pre-empting what the Commander was going to say. "You are in the our territory and must leave, post haste.. You have attempted to scan our vessels and have found nothing of any note. Rest assured, Commander, we have ample defensive and offensive capabilities and I am prepared to utilise them."

"Than won't be necessary," Byrne said, holding up his hands as he took a few steps towards the viewscreen, anxious to prevent whoever this was from opening fire on his ship. "We're... new to this region of space. Frankly, we're more confused and curious than anything." He paused as he considered his next words. "I was hoping I could ask you to clarify a little situation we seem to have ran into when we entered the region."

"Yes, according to my sources you ran across a little misunderstanding with our neighbours," he replied, almost spitting the word out, "Frankly Commander, I have no idea why you're here but I am a man of instinct and my instinct is that you are not in league with them."

"Then I hope you could explain to me what exactly the situation is in this region of space?" Byrne continued, thankful that he wouldn't have to try and prove to this person - whoever they were - that the Endeavour wasn't involved in any way.

"It's quite simple, Commander. Ourselves and our neighbours have some, shall we say, territorial disputes?"

Narayn felt himself speak, barely realising he was doing so. "What would they be?"

The General cocked his eyebrow at the Intelligence Officer. Clearly speaking out of turn was not permitted by the look on Byrne's face and he respected the man for it. "They have taken our territory. They have come from another part of the Galaxy and settled in our space and refuse to give up their colonies to our control."

Stepping forward, to bring attention back from the Chief, Byrne spoke again. "Perhaps we could be of some diplomatic assistance? Surely you aren't looking forward to the losses you'll each suffer on your own sides if these 'disputes' escalate into full-scale conflict."

He took stock as he looked around the bridge of his ship. It was customary for his people not to make eye contact with a superior officer but he caught the eye of a young diplomatic officer who stood by an engineering station. The younger man nodded slightly and quickly turned away, pretending to read the schematic layout of the vessel.

"I think that would be acceptable, Commander." He said. "We have asked for intervention from the Audanian States who are seen by some as the region's peace keepers but they have declined to assist us. Perhaps our neighbours would be more open to outside intervention."

Smiling at the General's willingness to accept their help, Byrne set his mind in motion. "If I leave a few of my officers here to take down any information you have that could assist us and transmit it to us while we travel to your neighbours to attempt to open diplomatic channels there, would that be an acceptable course of action?" He was still uncomfortable about not knowing any names - of either species or people - but his primary thought right now was the large number of armed ships still aiming at them.

The response came quickly. "That is acceptable, Commander."

"Thank you. I'll send my officers over to you immediately." Byrne responded, and turned to his bridge crew as the viewscreen switched off. "Lieutenant Kinu, report to shuttlebay one," he said, tapping his combadge before turning to the others he had selected to go. Ensign Jenarian, Chief Ballard; you'll go with the Lieutenant. I want information on both groups; who they are, what kind of technology they use, political affiliations and styles - anything they'll give. Ensign, try and get some star charts while you're with them."

"Aye, aye, sir." The Chief responded, before adding with a wicked grin, "I'll gather as much as I can. Without getting spotted."

"Understood, sir." Nessa answered rather curtly, a slight crease forming on her forehead at the thoughts of exactly where they were about to go, clearly not enjoying the idea of practically walking into the hands of possibly hostile aliens. With a sigh, she nodded to a crewman who stepped in to take her spot at the science console and headed for the turbolift.

"Take the Delta Flyer runabout. It'll give you space to work out of, and a familiar communication system. I want you to send up status updates every six hours. We're going to need all that we can get if we're to pull this off."

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Commander Benjamin J. Byrne
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant JG Zam Stott (NPC)
Chief Ops Officer
Played by: Hannah Edroski

Ensign Nessa Jenarian
Chief Science Officer

Chief Narayn Ballard
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Endeavour NCC-86105