By Jariel Camen
80510.16
After Help is On the Way
-=Transporter Room, USS Serendipity=-
80510.16
After Help is On the Way
-=Transporter Room, USS Serendipity=-
[Vedek Jariel to transporter room one.]
Camen closed the book he had open. He was quite pleased with how the first discussion group had gone with Avery, Kellyn, Arie and Fleur, and he now had to prepare a service of his own to hold with them on the ship. He had not had occasion to hold service in quite a while, and now that he had several blank canvases on which to paint, he was not quite sure where to begin.
However, it was no matter now. Zanh Liis had two distinct voices when she spoke to him. This one was definitely the “Captain’s” voice, and Camen knew he was needed for official business.
He straightened his COMM badge and headed out for the transporter room. Camen was aware of the emergency call to report to Stra II, but not of the events that had transpired on the bridge between Liis, Vol and Lank during their sub-space communication.
He entered the transporter room to find Zanh, Blane and Tryst standing beside the transporter pad, rather than on it as he expected.
[[We aren't leaving the ship?]]
"The Stra Overseer Lank is coming aboard to discuss the situation on the planet. I need your diplomacy. Sorry for the short notice." Liis motioned for Tryst to fill in Camen on what he knew.
"He is anxious to help his people, but at the same time unnerved by our presence here. I sense there are secrets he wishes to protect."
[[Understood.]] Camen said. Liis received a hail from the bridge that Lank was ready for transport. She nodded to the chief, and a moment later Lank stood on the pad before them.
"Welcome aboard Overseer." Liis stepped forward and half bowed respectfully. "May I introduce my second officer, Commander TC Blane, our ship's Counselor Vol Tryst, and our ship's Chaplain and former Bajoran Ambassador to the Federation, Vedek Jariel Camen."
"Thank you for the warm welcome Captain. We have much to discuss."
"Indeed we do. There is a conference room just down the hall."
Blane took lead the group out of the transporter room, followed by Liis and Lank. Tryst and Jariel brought up the rear, taking the opportunity to study the visitor as he spoke with the Captain.
"Overseer, have you been able to determine precisely what has happened on your world?"
"No... not yet."
Tryst shot Jariel a look that made it clear he believed the Overseer was lying.
Lank continued, "Just that we know there has been a massive collapse of the control systems that keep everything up and running."
Blane turned into the Conference room, and the rest of the group followed him, filling out the chairs in the room. The room was small as it was designed more or department meetings than diplomatic events. The small round table afforded Camen the chance to closely observe Lank, his facial expressions, his body language, and anything else that may give a clue as to what he may be hiding.
[[Can I offer you anything Overseer? Food or beverage?]]
Lank looked at Camen apologetically. "Universal Sign, I am sorry, I was supposed to learn it as a part of taking this post, but never got around to it."
"He would like to know if you want something to eat or drink." Blane offered. "Computer, begin Universal Sign Audio Readout in this room." The computer chirped, indicated any further signs Camen made would be translated and recited audibly by the main computer.
"Oh, perhaps just some water if you please."
Camen left the room to find the nearest replicator, as Blane took the opportunity to question Lank again.
"Overseer, has anyone examined your central computers? Surely you have some backup systems that could be activated?"
"Apparently the backups have failed too. We cannot access anything."
The statement was true, if not thorough. MIM did indeed have backups programmed into it in case of some sort of mechanical or programming failure, what the Strasa failed to anticipate was the backups could only be used if MIM's primary systems failed, not if MIM simply refused to work anymore.
Camen came back into the room with a pitcher of water and several full glasses. He distributed them to each person in the room and retook his seat.
"My crew is ready to begin providing relief to anyone we can reach, but we'll be stretching our resources to their limits, Overseer." Liis said. "Our primary goal has to be getting Tower City back on line so services can return to the people, and I have my best engineers ready to assist your people in getting that accomplished. I'd also like permission to use your medical complex as a hub for my crew to monitor our activities on the surface."
Camen observed Lank nearly wince at the mention of the engineers.
"About that, Captain, I appreciate very much the supplies and of course you may use the medical complex, but I think it wise that any engineers you send to the surface are accompanied by my people at all times."
[[Overseer, Stra is not a member of the Federation, but we have worked very closely together in the past with nothing but good will between us. I can assure you the crew of this ship will only focus on bringing your systems back on line, and nothing else.]]
"I understand, it’s merely that many of those systems are extremely fragile and I don't know what kind of danger they would pose to your crew. If my people are with you, they can help prevent an accident before it occurs."
[[We have some of the brightest engineers in the Federation here, I am sure they can handle this task, and that leaves your people free to address other concerns.]]
Liis rested her forefinger on her upper lip as she watched the exchange. It seemed pretty clear that Lank was very nervous about having Serendipity people poking around the main power allocation center. She wondered if his concern for the safety of her crew was sincere or not, but she was guessing that was a line. A few moments with Tryst after this meeting would make that clear enough.
"I am sure your engineers are exemplary, but I'm afraid I must insist your people be accompanied at all times."
*Accompanied, or guarded?* Blane thought to himself, but bit his tongue.
Liis raised her hand to halt the discussion. "Very well, you may escort our people, but I assure you it is not necessary."
"Thank you Captain. May we discuss your plans to distribute aid? I know the population centers and where it will be need most."
"I believe my second officer knows those plans well. I will let him fill you in. Ensign Tryst, a moment please."
Zanh Liis and Vol Tryst took their leave of the room, allowing Blane and Jariel to hash out the details of the supplies distribution with Lank for the moment.
Liis took Vol across the corridor into an empty lab and turned to him as soon as the door was shut.
"Impressions?"
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Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship’s Chaplain
USS Serendipity NCC-2012
Vedek Jariel Camen
Ship’s Chaplain
USS Serendipity NCC-2012