MISSION POST: Shi Maro Space Station - Day 47 - OPEN

[enterprise_npc]

The air was one of breathless anticipation as all off duty personnel - military and civilian, Aian and Marosi - lined the viewports to watch the Starfleet ship come in to dock. Murmurs raced through the watching crowd at her strange design, at the unfamiliar words emblazoned across her hull

Comments

[lynn_creed]

It was with an oddly careful air that the buzz of conversation resumed again after their entrance. Everyone was on edge. And everyone was armed - not entirely unexpected for such a militarily-inclined culture, but still disconcerting to see. Her hand itched for her phaser.

The politicians were easy to spot. They moved differently from the soldiers, watched differently, and as the murmur of the crowd returned to normal they circled like buzzards. Creed sighed internally and tried to look uncommunicative. Politics made her head ache.

[miss_gaila]

Gaila was trying to hide the fact that she was completely on edge. She knew that she should just try to enjoy herself - it was a welcome party after all - but she was having a hard time calming the nagging voices in her head that said this mission wasn't what it seemed to be. Any why hasn't Uhura come back yet? she wondered as she entered the hall. She felt a few stares - no doubt the Aians weren't used to seeing Orions - but ignored them.

She found herself beside the Enterprise's Chief of Security, whom she knew by sight but had never spoken to, and wondered briefly what she thought of their armed but smiling hosts. She wasn't quite sure if she should ask, but she smiled in greeting anyway. "Commander."

[lynn_creed]

"Lieutenant," she acknowledged, nodding. It was so oddly reassuring to see someone else looking as on-edge as she felt. "What do you make of our hosts?"

[miss_gaila]

"They've welcomed us quite cordially, with good wine and firearms," she replied, voice neutral even if the comment was not.

[lynn_creed]

"A winning combination," she said dryly. The atmosphere wasn't even hostile, it was simply...careful. Not that future violence wasn't a possibility, however remote. They were still in the stage of sizing each other up.

[miss_gaila]

Gaila was watching their hosts carefully, and had come to a conclusion. "I don't think they actually know what to make of us either, sir."

[lynn_creed]

"Well that's something in our favour," she replied; she'd been half expecting outright hostility. She gave Gaila a considering look. "You're on the engineering away team, aren't you?"

[miss_gaila]

"I suppose it's better than if they'd already decided to see us an enemy." Gaila noted the look and turned a little towards the Commander. "I am," she confirmed.

[lynn_creed]

She nodded. "I thought so. Keep your eyes open when you're down there; there's something not quite right."

[miss_gaila]

It was a relief that someone else shared her suspicions. "Aye, Commander. It doesn't quite add up."

[lynn_creed]

Creed gave a tight smile - it was nice that someone else was paying enough attention to be wary. She nodded toward the crowd; "Let me know if you find anything out."

[miss_gaila]

"Understood, Commander." Gaila smiled. "I think I'll go see what our hosts have to say for themselves."

[lynn_creed]

" I should do the same," Creed agreed. "Good luck."