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Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival

Posted March 17, 2023, 7:49 a.m. by Lieutenant Sozi Zakene (Diplomatic Attache) (Katy Darrah)

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival

Posted by Lieutenant Sozi Zakene (Diplomatic Attache) in Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Pre-Sim: Shuttlebay arrival
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
“We should be coming into view of the Manhattan in a moment, sir.” NE Williams said to the half-asleep Bajoran in the rear of the shuttle. Zakene jumped slightly, reaching up and taking off his earring. He only wore it when he was off duty, as he never got it approved as a cultural variation of the Starfleet uniform, so he stuffed it into his pocket.

He moved to the front of the shuttle, taking the empty seat as he stared out at his new home. It was a lot different from the medical ships he previously served on. Williams was one of the many pilots-for-loan that Starfleet kept on staff for this very purpose, in this case flying shuttles between various ships with crew transfers.

“Thank you, Ensign.” Zakene said, entering in a few commands. “Preparing the shuttle for docking with the ship.” Williams replied, and after a beep from the controls, looked at Zakene and said, “Captain Cochrane will meet us as soon as we touch down.” Zakene nodded, moving to the rear and picking up his bag.

As the shuttle landed, the door opened into a ramp off, and Zakene walked down it, taking in the hustle and bustle of a true Starship.

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

Three months earlier…

“I don’t care what the organizational chart stipulates. I don’t want another Diomatic Corp rep on my ship!” The speaker was a human male in the red Command uniform with Fleet Captain pips on his collar. His ice blue eyes flashed with anger as he almost-but-not-quite yelled at the large screen in the Conference Room of the USS Manhattan where he sat by himself.

The faces in the monitor looked at each other and one, an Antican in a gray suit, said “I’m sorry, Captain. Your ship?” to which Cochrane said “Yes. Mine. I’m the one running it. I’m the one supporting a crew on the opposite side of the GALAXY from their homes and families. I’m the one making sure we put our best face forward to the resident of the Delta Quadrant. So yes, Mr. Hessf… my ship. If you would care to come out and try it out yourself, you are most welcome. And it’s Fleet Captain to you… ‘sir’.” The Representative from Antica Prime started to say something and a Vulcan woman in uniform with Admiral pips held up her hand. “A moment, if I may.” she said cooly. She looked at Cochrane and said “Fleet Captain Cochrane…” and she cast a look at the Antican, “… many of us understand the pressure that you and your crew face. And we commend you and the crew of the Manhattan for your continued success in the quadrant. This move is not meant to make your mission more difficult; but to give you more tools to be successful.” She paused and then continued. “Perhaps there is a compromise. Instead of a representative of the Federation Diplomatic Corps; perhaps we could assign a Star Fleet officer with the appropriate skill set? That would make the Chain of Command more clear, and still give you what we* believe is a necessary addition.”

Cochrane thought for a moment. Gods above, why did Revna have to leave? She made this easy. “Fine. But I get to make the final selection from your list of candidates. Do that, and I will agree.” There was some brief discussion and then the Admiral said “Agreed. You know your crew best. It is logical that you determine the best fit.” Cochrane nodded and said “Thank you, Admiral.” The conference members exchanged polite goodbyes and the screen went dark.

Present Day…

As the shuttle touched down, Fkeet Captain Cochrane stood with his hands clasped behind his back. When the figure, recognizable from his file, stepped out; Cochrane said “Lieutenant Zakene. Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane. Welcome to the Manhattan.”

Cochrane, CO

Zakene kept quiet about the naming scheme of Bajorans. He’d learned to deal with it over the years. “Thank you, Fleet Captain. I was surprised when I was chosen for the position. I was still expecting my career to be stuck on a medical ship for the next decade.”

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

“If you don’t speak up for yourself, it will be. Don’t ever waver from correcting people about Bajoran naming conventions, Lieutenant. It is your name, after all.” and he smiled and offered his hand.

“Bajorans aren’t the only ones who put surname first. I try to get a sense of new crew members when I first meet them. That is a relatively good barometer of how comfortable they are talking to me.” and he chuckled. “First rule of the Manhattan: speak your mind. We are a long way from home, hesitation is a luxury we don’t have.” He turned and said “You can leave your bag here if you want, it will be taken to your quarters. And if you are amicable to the idea, I can give you the tour. Otherwise, we can go somewhere and chat about your role here on the ship.”

Cochrane, CO

Zakene smiled, shaking hands. At first it was confusing to him as to why humans would do that, but then again, his people grabbed ears in greeting usually. “Noted, sir. I’m not used to my superiors caring for my correcting it. Last CO said he’d call me whatever he wanted.”

“Oh, he sounds like an absolute gem.” Cochrane said with unabashed derision.

He dropped his bag next to the shuttle. “Please, lead the way. I never pass up a tour. Rule number one of not insulting other cultures. Many seem to enjoy giving visitors tours and showing off their technology.”

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

Cochrane nodded. “Thats a good perspective. And the Manhattan is no exception. She is an amazing vessel,and I do like showing her off.” and he chuckled. “Alright, follow me.” and he led the way out of the shuttlebay. As they walked, Cochrane spoke. “The Manhattan, or as we call her ‘The Manny’, is rhe largest science vessel in all of Star Fleet. Built on the frame of a Federation dreadnought, the Manny is equipped with…” and he began describing the ship, not so much as in detail, but more as a point of pride.

It took several hours, but Cochrane managed to get through the tour without having to break away and find liquor.

Cochrane, CO

Zakene smiled, “lovely ship.” Was all he said. He also hadn’t said anything about the ship besides ‘uh huh’ ‘yes’ or ‘cool’ throughout the tour, taking everything in with little comment.

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

They arrived at the Conference room by the bridge, and Cochrane said “Have a seat. Want anything to drink?” as he approached the replicator and ordered a glass of water.

Cochrane, CO

Zakene sat down, nodding, “Arnold palmer, please.” He’d taken to enjoying the drink during his time at the Academy with some of his human friends.

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

Alex retrieved the drink and set it in front of the Diplomat. Taking a seat across from him, Cochrane took a sip and then said “So tell me about yourself, Lieutenant. And how you managed to get your name on the short list for this assignment.”

Cochrane, CO

“Grew up on Bajor, originally everyone wanted me to be a Vedek, but I got wrangled in to being an Ambassador’s Aide fairly early. Spent time on Deep Space Nine with various ambassadors. Also irritated some of them because apparently the thing is that Aide’s aren’t supposed to speak. But based on the fact that we aren’t in multiple long term wars I’d say that’s a load of garbage.” Zakene took a sip of his drink. “I suspect that’s part of why I was on the shortlist. Also the fact that I already was doing a similar job on a medical ship. Though that’s less stressful than trying to explain to a Breen that an Ensign was not trying to insult them…wait, I already did that.”

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache

I wonder if he knows he’s cocky? Cochrane thought, immediately followed by I wonder if he knows how detrimental that is as a diplomat? He mentally shrugged it off and said “Well, I would posit that the reason they didn’t want aides speaking was so that they could listen. Something I always tried ot teach my Security Division students. Listen first, then assess.” He sipped his water and then said “But I am sure you are well aware of that lesson. So tell me what it is you expect your role here to be. How you see your day-to-day agendas being filled, how you will contribute consistently to the Manhattan and her crew.”

Cochrane, CO

“Day-to-day, I see myself being a valuable asset on the bridge when encountering alien powers. However I’ll keep my schedule available since I don’t actually have bridge officer privileges.” Zakene said, “otherwise, learning as much as I can about the regional powers and the languages of those powers”

Sozi Zakene, Diplomatic Attache


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