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

[miss_gaila]

Eventually Gaila wandered away from Creed and into the crowd, smiling at anyone whose eyes met hers but not feeling at all comfortable. Much as she loved parties, this mission bothered her immensely. Finally she paused long enough to accept a drink from one of the staff. "Thank you," she said, and then returned to aimlessly wandering through the throngs of people.

[enterprise_npc]

He'd been moving through the crowd when his attention had been caught by one of their guests who had managed the distinction of standing out even more than the rest. Of course one crewmember was as likely to prove useful to know as any other, but he'd be lying if he claimed that curiosity wasn't at least in part responsible for choosing to stop and speak to this particular woman.

"Welcome to Ravanna," he said, clasping his hands behind his back and inclining his head in the standard polite formal greeting of Aia. "Corporal Varan Andryosha."

[miss_gaila]

Gaila wasn't entirely sure she wanted to engage in conversation, but it was better than wandering around worrying, and perhaps talking to one of the Aians would help assuage her fears. She smiled at the rather handsome man who's introduced himself and mimicked his greeting, clasping her hands and inclining her head. "Thank you," she replied. "I'm Lieutenant Gaila Vro. It's a pleasure to meet you, Corporal."

[enterprise_npc]

"Likewise," he replied, returning her smile. With the introductions out of the way he relaxed somewhat. "Your arrival has been greatly anticipated. This affair is causing something of a stir throughout the system."

[miss_gaila]

Although she still felt rather on edge, she was quite used to pretending to relax. He has a nice smile, she noted, almost academically, and continued to smile herself. "Oh? All positive attention, I hope?"

[enterprise_npc]

His smile took on a slightly sly edge. "If I were to say yes, would you believe me?" he asked innocently. Not if she had any sense she wouldn't. Reactions on the Aian side of the alleged dispute had ranged from anger to suspicion to downright confusion.

[miss_gaila]

The subtle acknowledgment that the situation wasn't necessarily a pleasant one actually relaxed her more than anything else she'd seen thus far. "I can't think of any reason why I would," she replied, voice warm and pleasant.

[enterprise_npc]

"Very prudent," he replied. He'd never had more than a passing association with the diplomatic corps, but he found he was rather enjoying this testing little dance of a conversation. "Though I'm pleased to say that from what I have seen so far, the more dire predictions seem likely to be somewhat exaggerated."

[miss_gaila]

"That's always what I like to hear: that we aren't quite as horrible as rumor makes us out to be," she answered, amused and interested by his willingness to discuss this. "I don't suppose you'd be willing to tell me some of those predictions, Corporal Andryosha?" She was honestly curious, but wasn't sure how much he'd be willing to say.

[enterprise_npc]

"Of course not, Lieutenant Vro," he replied, poker-faced. "It would be terribly poor form for me to tell a member of a potentially hostile third party that many people suspect that a faction within our own system is attempting to use you to weaken us."

[miss_gaila]

She almost laughed at the comment, but by now her training had kicked in, and it was easy to merely smile and look vaguely amused. "Terribly poor form indeed," she agreed. "Since you would never say such a thing, I would never have the opportunity to ask what such a faction has to gain from weakening you."

[enterprise_npc]

"Fortunate for both of us," he replied wryly, "Given that I am having trouble comprehending these theoretical conspirators' motives myself. And then of course I would be obliged to break protocol by attempting to determine if the visiting crew had any ulterior motives of their own. Better not to take such a risk."

[miss_gaila]

She just regarded him for a few moments, smiling innocently and taking a sip of her drink. There was only so much she could expect him to say, after all, even if he did know more. "Very wise," she replied neutrally. "A breach of protocol hardly seems in order, especially given that not all of the visiting crew knows what the Federation's motivations are."

[enterprise_npc]

"Absolutely," he agreed, nodding. By dint of incredible self-control he managed to keep a straight face as he added; "Our strict adherence to protocol is a credit to our respective superiors."

[miss_gaila]

Much as she wanted to laugh, she didn't. It felt as if this game they were playing required them to pretend to be serious. "Exactly," she agreed, with a satisfied nod. "And now that we've settled that, perhaps you'll agree to tell me a little more about your culture? Anything at all that doesn't violate protocol."

[enterprise_npc]

"It would be my pleasure," he responded, relaxing almost imperceptibly now that they had successfully navigated their way through the trickier part of the conversation. He snagged two drinks from a passing tray and held one out toward her; "What would you like to know?"