December 2006 - Post Selection

ON : Assurances

Day: 7
Time: 09.00 Scene: Main Briefing Room

Even though Lars could see that his alien guests were excited at being on board such a large space-faring vessel, they didn't speak openly while they were travelling on the turbolift, and yet, each of them constantly glanced towards one another as if deep in conversation. This was another possibility, since they didn't use their mouths to voice their speech. Somehow, they appeared to be able use a multiple form of telepathic ability, one where at times only they could perceive what was being said, and another form where it could be utilized in a manner that enabled them to speak openly to outsiders. This fascinated the Captain enormously, for even he could see the advantages of using such a method of communication, especially under political and social circumstances. For a moment, Lars considered those from Betazed, and smiled to himself.

The lift finally came to a halt, and when the doors opened, they were directly opposite the entrance to the main briefing room, their destination. In the time honoured tradition, Lars bid them to enter and requested that they sit in the seating that had been placed there according to their stature. So that his guests did not feel uncomfortable, four chairs had been arranged on a stepped platform to allow easy access.

When everyone had taken their places, Commander Vvenik(npc) spoke up first. "On behalf of my people, Captain Persson, I feel that I must thank you for the considerations you have afforded us as your guests. We appreciate this greatly in view of the circumstances." He announced, allowing those assembled to hear his words without difficulty.

Lars turned to address the alien Commander. "It is with great pleasure and honour that I officially welcome you and your three guests to my ship, Commander Vvenik. This is the first time that a ship belonging to the United Federation of Planets has journeyed so far into this sector of space. Indeed, it was only because of the lack of star systems out here, that no one has visited this region before now." Lars explained.

"If this is the case, may I enquire as to what brought you so far away from your home at this time?" Vvenik asked him with mounting interest.

Lars considered the Commander's question for a few seconds before making his reply. "Oddly, it was by pure chance that we came out here. For some considerable period of time, our scientists have been searching the skies looking for anything that could be of interest to them. A short while ago, they discovered an extremely faint phenomena, one that at the time indicated the possibility of there being what we call, a worm hole, in this particular sector of space. Because of the vast distances between this phenomena, our furthest outpost and that of our home star system, they weren't absolutely sure that this was indeed, what they had discovered. Ever since the UFP built a starbase within this sector, the scientists firmly believed that we were now in a better position to be able to explore this phenomena for ourselves." Lars told them with enthusiasm.

Vvenik and the two that accompanied him on this visit to the Dark Matter, nodded between themselves and speaking telepathically, and were seemingly discussing what had been said to them by the Captain. While all this was going on, June Craig, Cmdr Vahl and Lt Tyvek exchanged glances in a manner that wouldn't seem overly obvious to their guests. As Lars sat there, he felt sure that they would have questions to put to their guests.

The aliens stopped as suddenly as they had begun. "Captain Persson. We can see by the multi-cultural make up of your crew, you form a vast socially interactive group that is able to sustain peace and lasting tolerance between you all. In our travels, we have experienced no other races that have been brought together in this way. Our experiences have shown that there is war, greed and intolerance between the races we have discovered. Most have sought to conquer, destroy or even kill those they come into contact with. Some they take as their slaves. But Captain, yours is completely new and quite unexpected to us.

"We would like to know more about your United Federation of Planets? We would also like to know what you plan to do, now that you have discovered this worm hole?" He said as he glanced at his comrades. "Furthermore, what assurances can you give us regarding our safety, and the possibility of my race being attacked, because you have opened up this sector of space to all that will hear of it in your passing?"

Lars remained quiet and yet at the same time, thoughtful as he considered Vvenik's questions in turn. His officers, including the only civilian present, June Craig, looked as though they were bursting to ask questions of their own, especially as the group had become more relaxed, now that the meeting was proceeding remarkably well.

OFF :

Captain Lars Persson
CO
USS Dark Matter