Friend or Foe

Posted on Friday, 7 May 2021 - 9:55am by Commander Soral & Ensign Oriana Skye Sety & Lieutenant Talarn Zilth
Edited on on Friday, 7 May 2021 - 9:56am

Mission: Operation: Neu Reich
Location: Starbase 21 | Briefing Room
Timeline: 2394 -- Shortly After Arrival

ON:

Soral had decided to team up with Zilth. They had agreed, that since all the security issues were a worry, they would meet with all new crew together to clear them. The first round included Ensign Sety and Ensign Hamura. They would, of course, be seen separately, but it was important that they not only be assessed for suitability of job, but should a battle be fought, they had to at least hold their own or be willing to learn.

Soral had arrived first and now waited for Zilth.

Lieutenant Talarn Zilth stepped into room and nodded to the Executive Officer. He had a PaDD with him, that he set down on the table, before he sat down. “Shouldn’t we include the helmsman? Or are we just worried about my department?” he asked, curious, partially in jest, which he knew was probably lost on the Vulcan.

"I do not see the logic in including Helms. All the new people have been vetted. This is a new formality that has been added, not just by us, but by Starfleet and we are... carrying a Commodore." There was clear distain when he said the word. He was not a fan of the woman. Especially, how she'd come aboard and taken the ship from Stillwater.

Talarn growled. Even thought he wasn’t aware of it, he agreed with the Vulcan about the Commodore. “I see... Starfleet,” he said sarcastically. “Alright... so what should we do? Do you think that any of the new people possibly answer to her?” He asked because for him it was a valid problem. “Not that we’re doing anything wrong... put people can sure spin it like we are if they so wish so...”

"We have a new incoming yeoman... I have it on good authority the Commodore requested her. Let's find out more about her." He paused. "She will be working with the captain closely and I need to know if she is friend or foe."

Talarn sat up, his brow ridges furrowed deeply. He made a noise deep in his chest. It was not a nice sound. He was trying not to repeat what he had said to Bear in their quarters. The light over his right eye started to blink faster and he fisted his hands on the table. Then he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Yes, let’s do that.”

Just then the door chimed. Soral looked over at Talarn. "Ready?"

Talarn stared at Soral. “What? Now?” He noticed that the Vulcan’s face didn’t change. “Fu... I mean, yes?”

Soral raised an eyebrow. "No time like the present." He hit a button and opened the door and a young woman entered. Average in height, beautiful eyes and long wavy hair. She had on a smile and a weary look. "Ensign Sety."

"Yes, Sirs." She looked between one and the other.

Soral gave a nod and motioned. "Sit, please. I am Commander Soral and this is Lieutenant Zilth, our Chief of Security."

"Hello," she said to them both. "Nice to meet you."

Talarn did not stand. Instead, he leaned back from the table and crossed his legs in front of himself. One hand stayed on the table, his fingertips just touching the surface. He waited for her to sit, using this time to look her over, as an opponent.

Oriana sat down, feeling very much like the fly that had entered the spider's web. She studied the Cardassian and then her brow furrowed. "Are you trying to intimidate me?"

“Is it working?” Talarn asked simply.

"Not really, no." She studied the two men, turning to the Commander. "I would prefer if you two would level with me. I get a distinctly bad cop, good cop routine here... it's not going well by the way."

Talarn’s gaze didn’t change. “I don’t honestly care what you think is happening. Call it what you like, but we are going to talk.” He glanced at Soral. “What sorts of weapons have you studied?”

"Me or him?" she asked.

Talarn raised his brows, not in amusement. “You, Ensign.”

"Not much. I know how to use a standard phaser. I'm a paper pusher, not a fighter. My hand to hand is atrocious, but I can talk someone to death if that counts."

Soral found her a little funny. "I see. How well do you know the Commodore?"

"I just met her, briefly, a few days ago, when she asked if I was able to take on this post."

Talarn was shaking his head, obviously disappointed. “So this is your first assignment aboard a starship?”

"It is," she said. "I have to say, I'm quite excited about it. A new chapter." She smiled at Talarn.

“How much did they tell you about what is going on out here? It’s important that you know. It might make some of this make more sense.” He glanced at Soral again. The Vulcan was a bad cop, period. Through the ruse of the truth was the best way to find the enemy.

"Not much just that I would be working with a CO that may be promoted soon and that this would be a trial for me to see if I like working with him and for him to see if he likes working with me and that I will be helping the XO out too."

“Breathe, Ensign,” Talarn said. “Did the Commodore tell you who I am to the captain?” He chuckled, cracking a little smirk.

"Not really, no. As a rule I try to read up on people I will be working with but still have no access to anything until my transfer is finalized. I was told it has to be approved by the XO." She looked over at Soral.

"Indeed." Was all he said.

“Well... maybe I should explain then. He’s my husband. So, I’ve got a personal stake in who works with him. You can’t ever be too careful. I have to look at everyone hard these days. You’re going to be working close to a man that I would do anything for. I just think it’s fair that you know. I also would like you to learn a combat skill. I can teach you. I don’t want to lie to you... and I’m not very good at it.”

She smiled. "I think that's very Romantic. I can understand how you feel. I'm always up for learning new skills." She giggled, "And now that I know you're his husband I can make sure he's home for dinner on time."

“I would appreciate that... although I know it won’t always happen. The Andorians are also causing us some trouble. We are concerned that it may escalate.”

She sighed. "I had heard about that. There were some incidents here on the station when I arrived." She shook her head. "It's a sad matter that."

Soral gave a nod. "Indeed. So Lieutenant Zilth, what say you shall we welcome the Ensign aboard?"

Talarn raised a finger. “I just have one more question. You don’t have to tell me... but like I said... the captain is very important to me. Why did you change your name? I noticed in your file. I mean... I know it might be personal....” He looked down at his PaDD and shrugged. “... confidential...”

She shrugged. She had been asked that a few times. “When I left home I wanted to leave my old life behind. I knew that I wasn’t wanted nor was I appreciated nor did I want to go through the pain I did growing up. I wanted a fresh start and Kitana Sky Became Oriana Skye Sety. A link to the past that made me who I am and that almost broke me but enough of a new start where I didn’t have to worry about family members finding me down the line.”

Talarn nodded and chuckled. “Alright... Commander?”

“I think that we can officially welcome you aboard.”

She smiled. “Thank you.”

“Alright, Ensign, dismissed.”

She gave a salute to both, as she had been thought to do at the Academy and then headed out.

Soral turned to Zilth. “I actually think I like her more then Grol.”

Talarn snorted. “I’m not sure. We’ll see.” He looked at Soral. “You’re a bad cop. Hide you suspects... in truth. More with honey? Friends close, but enemies closer?”

"Perhaps," was all that the Vulcan said.

OFF: