A Request to Return

Posted on Wed Jan 4th, 2023 @ 7:01pm by Lieutenant Commander Ebrin Valek & Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail
Edited on on Wed Jan 4th, 2023 @ 7:02pm

Mission: Return to Dalacar
Timeline: Prior To Memory Lane

The day after the war. The day after the longest ... who even knows how long it was? Weeks? Months? It felt like months. The Astraea, the Wellington, the Vesta, the Pennsylvania... they all came here to this quadrant on a mission of peace. Today they saw the final result of what happens when you have to fight for that peace, bleed for that peace.

Die for that peace.

The Ts'usugi had deployed their ground assault forces, each with clever names like the Sons of Gravity or something to that extent. Machismo existed across the galaxy, which was perhaps a comforting thought. Seeing them in action was something to behold, their training and discipline, matched only by their hatred of 'The Enemy'. What they must have done to such a people to earn their ire...

Complimenting the Ts'usugi ground assault forces were the Dalacari Special Defense Division. Drones, armed and programmed for battle, marched across the debris without fear. Whenever one was taken out, the rest simply knew where the next target was. It almost wasn't fair to watch how the Dalacari did war. It wasn't even war for them, the 'Personal' aspect of Personal Combat had been so far removed from their literal equations that it was almost sterile. Two worlds in alliance, but they couldn't be further apart.

At the end of it all, it was time to part ways. The shipmaster of the IDS Western Dawn sent out the call for a final hail and a farewell.

"This is Shipmaster Wong, of IDS Western Dawn." he spoke. Federation standard was absolutely not his second language. The phrasebook he had in his grasp was obvious, but he tried his best to look the other captains in the eye as he spoke. He searched through the phrasebook for another moment before looking up, "We thank you for all of you are help."

(tags for any)

From the shipmaster's side, someone called out an exclamation of sorts, followed by a report. The contents of the report seemed to surprise the shipmaster, though he hid it well. It was in Ts'usugibito, the native tongue of the sons and daughters of Ts'usu though one word was recognized among the report: Dalacar. Another consultation of the phrasebook. This one wasn't expected. "We are receiving communication hail for you from Dalacar. Begin relay."

The screen switched from the dark blues and blacks of the Ts'usugi bridge to a far more illuminated setting. An office, with rounded edges on the desk, rounded edges along the walls, soft pastel colors on the walls, and a familiar face.

Familiar faces. The Dalacari ambassador assigned to the initial Pathstone talks, Alia Vass, was looking at the viewer.

"Are we connected?" she asked, one form looking just off viewer while the other was still looking dead ahead.

:: Yes Ambassador. A stable connection and relay jump have been detected. ::

"Oh thank Dia. Oh, umm, hello and good welcome. This is Alia Vass of the Dalacari Ambassadorial and Diplomatic division. We met briefly before..."

"... some of your crew were arrested for smuggling a planet into the Home Sector." she smiled, trying to cover that embarrassing moment with a little humor. "Word of what you and yours did for, well, people you've..."

"... never even met has reached the Republic and, well, we put it to a vote and I was wondering if we could resume those talks, at your convenience?"

Abigail stared at the screen for a moment in silence, the expression on her face most easily being described as utter bewilderment. Finally, after a moment, she seemed to remember her place and position. Straightening her jacket, she stood up and nodded. "Of course," she said calmly, ignoring the most immediately acerbic response that had sprung to mind. "We would be happy to resume talks. We are able to depart within the hour. Our ETA to Dalacar would be...." Pausing, Abigail glanced toward Valek, one eyebrow raising slightly as she silently waited for the ETA to be provided.

"Just under thirty minutes from departure," Valek replied, consulting his workstation.

Abigail nodded slightly and turned her attention back to the view screen. "We can be there within hours," she offered calmly, despite the rapid beating of her heart beneath her chest. "Will that be suitable?"

Alia gave a nod, consulting something on her desk at the same time. The joys of being binary. "Oh that's incredible!" The expediency of the Federation never ceased to impress. "That will be very suitable." She replied, "I'll transmit..."

"... the approach heading, and when you're on approach I'll clear it with orbital..."

"... defense. Keep me posted on your approach."

As the transmission ended, Abigail turned toward Ichiko, casting a curious glance toward her first officer. "Commander? Would you join me in my ready room?" she asked quietly, already knowing that the answer would be affirmative before the other had even spoken. "Get Captain Drell from the Vesta on comms. Priority one." Without waiting for further confirmation, Abigail turned on her heel and walked across the bridge, entering her ready room. It was only once the doors closed behind her that she sank down into her seat and leaned back, exhaling slowly. "Now what..." she murmured quietly.