Memory Lane

Posted on Wed Jan 4th, 2023 @ 6:56pm by Lieutenant Commander Ebrin Valek & Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail

Mission: Return to Dalacar
Location: Ready Room, USS Vesta

"So..." Drell said, looking over at the two guests seated across from him, "I understand there's some history here from your last visit..."

Abigail's steady gaze turned toward Drell, one eyebrow arching slightly, her mouth quirking with the hint of a smirk. "That would be one way to put it," she replied. "The entire senior staff was summarily arrested and detained on Dalacar." She added acerbically.

It was clear from Laurens' tone that the experience had had an impact on her, and not necessarily a positive one at that. Drell knew how much had been riding on the negotiations, and so to have them turn out in such a way must have been difficult (to say the least). "How does it feel to have been summoned back," he asked.

Ichiko looked up from her tea, "It was technically a 'Special Investigation'. Dalacari hate confrontational terms like 'Arrested' or 'Detention'." the Daughter of Ts'usu said, partially amused at the memory of the entire event.

"Good afternoon. I'm Ezoi Mathe." it was a well dressed Dalacari. Male. No wedding bangle. Single. Not the right word. Just unmarried. Not like his job was dangerous. He confirmed that he was indeed the chief of security and Well Being.

Dalacari prized safety and well being over everything else. They knew too well the cost of injury, of death.

"You've all complied with the Special Investigation, and for that I extend an appreciation." the man paused. He was nervous. Dalacari didn't sweat, they twitched their ears. Especially out of sequence. It bothered them.

A Dalacari that could move independent of themselves was called an Exovert. They made fantastic resource and asset denial troopers. Geva Darra was an RAD troop. She served with a Ts'usugi detatchment on patrol. Ichiko was eighteen when they met.

"I believe our crime was planetary smuggling. Literally." she remarked. "The images of the system were breathtaking."

"It was the most idiotic thing I've ever been involved with in my life. Planetary smuggling?" She sighed with exasperation, just thinking about the incident making her irritated. "If we had the ability and the technology to smuggle an entire damned planet why would we be trying to negotiate access to Pathstone in the first place?"

Now it was Drell's turn to raise an eyebrow. He'd heard that things fell through, but this was the first anyone had said anything about smuggling an entire planet. "It does seem a bit illogical, when you put it that way," he agreed, pausing to take a sip of his tea, "Sounds like they are willing to give you another chance, though."

"Which begs the question... why?" With that Abigail took a sip of her chai before turning toward Ichiko. "You know the Dalacari better than anyone, what do you make of all of this?"

Ichiko gave the matter some thought. "Perhaps they felt terrible about the entire ordeal." she offered, "Though they might have had a change of heart after the Koldaran incident." another sip of her tea, before she took a quick nibble of the ginger snap she had. Wondrous cookie. She'd have to ask Abigail for the replicator pattern.

"The Dalacari are insatiably curious. The coincidence of the arrival of both of a federation craft AND a planet transmitting federation signals was just too coincidental and one of their concerns is that the Federation isn't here for the well being of all, but to expand to the home sector and establish themselves as an authority. The appearance of this ship, and that planet, rattled them."

"They saw you stop the Koldaran. They saw you lay down your lives and your ideals to help someone you didn't know. Hadn't even known existed for a minute. You heard a call for help, and you responded. THAT... is what impressed them." the rabbitess paused. "I suspect that is what changed their collective opinion."

Drell nodded slowly. He may not have been all that familiar with the Dalacari, but from what he'd heard so far, the commander's assessment seemed reasonable enough. What had taken place at the Acehaya planet had been no small matter. For it have made such an impression on their potential allies, therefore, came as little surprise.

"This is still your mission, Abigail," he said, looking to Laurens, "I am happy to support you in whatever way I can."

There was a moment of silence as Abigail sipped her chai, contemplating the facts. "Thank you," she said quietly. "For allowing us use of your ship.... for playing taxi if you will. I didn't think it was wise to subject my crew to the Dalacari again so soon, especially after everything they have just endured."

"Of course."

"Oh, they're literally harmless." Ichiko added with a smirk, "It's the drones you have to watch for."

"I think..." she paused momentarily, hands tightening around her mug, soaking up the warmth from within. "Well, if that's the case, let's hope that goes in our favour. Maybe they've realised that we aren't the threat they thought us to be. Either way, we need to make this work. If this fails again, I'll be honest, I'm not sure we'll get another chance. We..."

The thought was interrupted as the call from the bridge came through, Temperance's voice coming across the comm channel. "Captain Drell, my apologies for the interruption. We are approximately ten minutes from Dalacar. I've already contacted the Dalacari as we discussed and advised them of our imminent arrival. They will provide transporter clearances once we are in orbit."

"Thank you, Number One," Drell replied, "Keep me appraised."

Abigail stared at the liquid in her mug, her previous train of thought clearly well and truly derailed by their impending arrival. "Well, I guess we better go put our party clothes on?" she said quietly. "Or do we grab our blues and go in prepared?" she quipped snarkily.

"Could always put on stripes." Ichiko offered with a smirk, clearly amused. "Though, at the risk of sounding helpful, I think the more fancy attire might do."

"I guess Formal uniforms it is then." She sighed and took another sip of her chai, her face screwing up a little with distaste. "Ten minutes to change and mentally prepare ourselves to change the future of the Federation. Just another day on the job, right?"

“Indeed.”