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In Your Hands

Posted on Wed Nov 27th, 2019 @ 2:30pm by Commander Rita Paris & Jaeih Dox-t'Aan
Edited on on Sat Nov 30th, 2019 @ 2:43pm

Mission: Neutral Zone Neutrality
Location: USS Hera, Deck 2, Commander Paris' Office
Timeline: 2296

The summons had been sent out, as Commander Rita Paris sat in her anachronistic uniform, in her anachronistic office, a reproduction of the office she had once maintained on the USS Exeter, back in 2268. While she was sentimental to a fault and prone to dwelling, quite literally, in the past, she also recognized the needs of the here and now, and the duties and responsibilities she shouldered as the first officer of the USS Hera, in the year 2396.

One of those responsibilities needed tending to before she left the ship to board a private vessel, to travel to a diplomatic mission which might just begin to make steps toward unification of the Romulan and Vulcan peoples. It was a small but significant step, and she was coming along to watch for trouble, be frighteningly paranoid, and if the truth were to be told, to provide moral support to the delegates while ensuring their safety. Given that one was her husband and the other her adopted sister, in a manner of speaking, she knew she was being overly cautious.

A part of her knew that the Hera was heading into battle, and that by devoting herself to the diplomatic mission she would not be on deck to man the tactical systems of the mighty starship, which was far and away one of her duties which she relished. But she was only one officer, and she had to place her trust in the officers below her whom she had trained, and believe that they would stand in her stead and protect the starship that was her home in this distant and wondrous future.

One of those officers, who was not an officer at all, she had summoned to her office for a meeting before she left the starship in their hands. Because being Rita Paris, she needed to reassure herself that she took care of the person, not just the position. Because she needed reassurances, as well as to offer reassurance. Because despite being a civilian operative assigned to the command, the old-fashioned officer felt quite responsible for one Jaeih Dox.

Arriving to the office with the nearly perpetually open doors, the older Rihannsu Intelligence Operative stepped into the doorway, hands folded behind her back and standing at attention. She might not have been an officer officially, but she acted like one, respected the chain of command and, in truth, thought of herself as such. Jaeih Dox found purpose and satisfaction in serving on the Hera, and had a unique fondness for the straightforward woman who somehow encapsulated everything humanity usually only pretended to be. Jaeih's respect for Rita Paris had been earned, and she would show as much by respecting the rank. "Reporting as ordered, Commander. Permission to enter."

“By all means, Mrs. Dox,” Paris looked up with a small smile, addressing the operative in the manner that she always did. While she clearly knew the woman’s first name, Jaeih couldn’t recall the old-fashioned officer ever using it; instead, she perpetually chose to address the Romulan intelligence asset with the honorific one afforded one’s elders in Human society, as an act of polite deference. “Please, come in and take a seat.”

As Jaeih did so, Paris closed the door behind her, then folded her hands on the desk cluttered with PaDDs, flimsies, and bric-a-brac that were the sign of a disorganized mind. Yet she knew that Rita Paris was nobody’s fool, and the chaos of her work environment was instead reflective of the chaos of her life. Perpetually moving from one crisis to the next, the woman was adaptable and flexible, and in chaos she always seemed to manage to never lose her direction. Which was ironic, given her nickname as the ‘lost navigator’.

“As you know, I’ll be accompanying the diplomatic delegation to the Reunification colony… well, for a number of reasons. Not the least of which is that I want to keep an eye on the delegates, considering who they are,” Paris began, speaking frankly. “While it was initially suggested that you accompany us, I was the one who requested that you remain onboard, and I thought you deserved to know the reason why.” Paris paused at that to see if there was a question or comment.

Sitting across from the golden-clad commander, Jaeih's posture was stiff as usual as she raised an eyebrow ever so slightly, "I would assume it has more to do with just my knowledge of the Aldeberan nebula that will be our destination."

“Of course,” Paris admitted. “While we appreciate and value that expertise, the Hera is acting as a decoy in this particular affair. I am assuming that the guide ship meant to bring us to the colony is being followed. I also think the backup plan will likely also have some skullduggery afoot, but that’s not our focus at the moment.”

“The reason I’m asking for you to remain on the Hera is twofold. One, I expect a stealthed ship to be tailing her. I expect there may be more than one stealthed ship tailing her, in fact, because why would you send one lone starship if you plan to decimate a colony and make an example of it. Despite stealth technology, the Star Empire is, historically, fond of large-scale shows of force.” Spreading her hands as she spoke, the fulsome first officer continued. “The captain will need your expertise in locating, tracking and identifying these threats so that she can formulate cohesive strategies.”

Nodding, Jaeih crossed her fingers before her. "She will have whatever she needs from me, of course. And I agree. The Imperium has... an ingrained and deep-seated... inferiority complex. For lack of a better term. When they choose to do something, it is usually to excess in such matters. I also have my own fair share of expertise with the tactics my people prefer to employ. Particularly this Rendal, who seems to have an excess of self-importance. She will want it to be known that it was she who destroyed the colony, should she get the opportunity. I will do whatever I can to aid the Captain in our mission."

“I know you will Mrs. Dox, and I feel it will be critical in this mission. Beyond that… “ Paris paused, taking a deep breath and furrowing her brow, clearly choosing her words carefully. “Unofficially…with Lieutenant Commander Dox and myself off the bridge, I would appreciate someone watching out for the captain. We have a large and loyal crew who are all quite good at what they do, capable and competent. And it is frankly a bit unfair of me to ask this of you, just as it would be insulting to the crew were they to know I asked this of you. But… just as you will be worried for Miss Dox as she is on her mission, so too I will be concerned for the Captain in our absence.”

“I will safeguard Miss Dox as I will the entire delegation, which I know you would not ask of me, because you assume it to be so. I know that you will do the same, but… I… well, I worry.” Paris sighed at that, shaking her head. “Rendal is out there, and we’ve stymied her twice now. She is going to try to get at this colony, and if she’s frustrated again, she’s only going to become that much more vindictive and eager to get her vengeance. The Captain is able and competent, I know, but… “ It was clearly difficult for Paris to frame, but she finished the statement.

“Watch her back for me while we’re gone. Please, Mrs. Dox,” the pretty pilot pleaded. “As a favor to me. I swear I will do everything in my power to protect Miss Dox on the mission, but I have a bad feeling that the greatest danger will be here on the Hera, and…” Shaking her head, Paris rolled her eyes. “I can’t be in both places at once, and… I can’t quantify it, but I… worry.”

Pausing again, Jaeih looked deep into Rita's eyes and leaned back slightly in her seat, untenting her fingers as she drew a long breath and replied. "The only reason I have not formally protested not going on this mission with her, is knowing that you will be, Commander. I know that you will do everything in your power to both protect her and support her as needed." The gray-haired Rihannsu woman leaned back in slightly. "I have known the Captain since she was young and I would not see her nor this crew come to harm if it is in my power to prevent it. I swear to you on my honor and on my daughter's, I will protect her with everything at my disposal. From Rendal. From this… escort ship I trust as far as I can throw it. From any unforeseen threats. From herself, if need be."

"I am... unsettled by this situation as well. There are too many variables in play here, Commander. Variables are the wide margins within which treachery finds purchase. I shall… remain vigilant."

“Thank you, Mrs. Dox,” Paris replied, the gratitude clearly evident in her voice. “I know you would without my asking, but… I’ll feel better knowing that you’re on alert, and on the case. I’d leave Az’Prel behind too, but I can’t rationalize that move, and if there is trouble at the colony it’s entirely likely we’ll need her help. Plus… honestly, I think being exposed to a colony working together might be a bit of a balm for her soul, but please don’t tell her I said so. As a logician she eschews emotion, but she still has them, and I know that seeing some harmony and cooperation at work between your peoples will likely do her a world of good.”

"We may hope that her… unique… skills go unneeded in this instance, but it will be an additional comfort knowing she will be with you all, I will admit." Jaeih said with the slightest hint of a grin forming.

"But I agree. It is not my place to speak of her so, but I know you care for her as well. She is to me as you are to my daughter. We are as sisters, and she struggles with the acceptance of her emotions." Jaeih's face got slightly more somber as she thought on her bond-sister. "I hope she finds… inspiration in that harmony. Something to help calm her fires."

"On that note, I hope you find harmony there. It will make your tasks easier to manage, to be sure." Jaeih added with a light smile, her tone lifting slightly.

“Well, I am bringing one of the greatest minds Vulcan has to offer, whose capacity for logic and clarity is second to none, and a Romulan ambassador whose passions have brought her quite far in her young life. Not to brag, but I myself have brokered peace between some very unlikely factions in my day, Mrs. Dox. Admittedly at the business end of a phaser at times, but one does as needs must in the moment,” the anachronism admitted with a peal of laughter. “We’ll do fine, I have confidence.”

“So… thank you for this. If you could see your way to keep this conversation between us, I would appreciate it. I have the utmost faith in the Captain and the crew… but you’re the element our opponents won’t be able to account for, and that will hopefully give Captain Telvan the edge she needs in this conflict.”

Standing back up, Jaeih adjusted her gray intel tunic, and looked around at Rita's office for a moment. The office that looked like a time capsule of a long ago age, of idealism and noble intentions. A reflection of it's occupant, to be certain. Then, the cagey operative looked back at the cheerful commander with a positively Romulan grin on her lined face, as she spoke in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Why, Commander Paris. What conversation?"

 

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