Posted by Lieutenant Logan Kelleher (Chief Engineer) in Arrival: A Fortunate rendezvous

Posted by Ensign T’Mera (Linguist/Comms Officer) in Arrival: A Fortunate rendezvous

Posted by Lieutenant Logan Kelleher (Chief Engineer) in Arrival: A Fortunate rendezvous
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The bulky shape of the vessel, identified on sensors as it entered the systems as a Y-Class freighter, eased its way in to a matching orbit with the Sojourner.

“SS Sojourner, this is Captain Keene of the ECS Fortunate. We have your replacement crew and stores on board, permission to transfer via shuttle pod?”

“Permission granted, it’s good to see you Fortunate”

The battered civilian model shuttle pod eased its way into the bay and settled gently to the deck playing. The hatch swung open and a petite figure stepped out, a large, somewhat battered travel bag slung casually over one shoulder. She glanced about, taking in the utilitarian, almost spartan appearance of the landing bay, her nose wrinkling slightly the only sign given of her first impressions of the ship.

She looked around for the nearest crew member to accost for directions.

Sublieutenant T’Mera - Linguist/Comms Officer

“Good morning!” Came a pleasant sounding voice from off to one side of the pod and where she was standing. “Welcome to the Sojourner.”

Behind the voice was a large, solid figure wearing the uniform of the Star Fleet ship and the colours of Engineering. That figure paused as he looked at her, the friendly smile fixed on his face as the mans eyes landed to the side of the womans eyes. “Pointy ears, you must be an Elf.” His eyes moved back to hers and the smile half twisted into a grin. “I’m Lieutenant Kelleher, the ships Chief Engineer. Call me Logan if you like.”

Taking the last couple of steps towards her Logan held out his hand in greeting.

Lt Kelleher, CE

Other than the minuscule raising of one eyebrow for a fraction of a second, the ‘Elf’ comment appeared to cause no reaction. After looking at the outstretched hand for a moment, T’Mera placed her bag on the deck and gingerly took the hand before shaking it briskly with a firm grip.

The womans’ grip surprised him for a moment. It was far firmer than he expected and far more businesslike than greeting like. Logan had little idea what to expect from the woman and none of Starfleets’ courses on interacting with non-humans had actually stuck with him. He was more the type to learn by experience anyway.

“Thank you…. sir,” she said, releasing her grip.

“Don’t mention it.” He placed his hands on his hip, partly to hide the conscious desire he had to flex his hand after her handshake. In the slight pause the followed, he looked at her expectantly.

“Would you be able to direct me to the Captain?” She asked, removing a small bottle from her hip pocket, squeezing a small amount of a fragrant gel on to her palm, and then rubbing her hands together.

“And also have my belongings transferred to my quarters?”

Sublieutenant T’Mera - Linguist/Comms Officer

“Of course, that’s no trouble.” Logan waved over one of the nearby crew members to come and collect her bag, and take care of moving anything else she might have on the shuttle to the quarters assigned to the Comms Officer.

“The Captain is probably on the Bridge or Ready Room. If you’d like to come with me I’ll take you to him.” Turning and indicating the door, Logan made to walk beside her.

T’Mera inclined her head to indicate her assent to the suggestion, setting off in the direction of the door.

“You know, you’re my first.” He glanced at her for a moment as they walked. “Vulcan I have met, I mean. Do you have a name? Might make it easier to greet you in the future.”

Lt Kelleher, CE

“Sublieutenant T’Mera. You may call me T’Mera should we in a suitable social or informal situation. I believe that is the Earth convention, yes?”

The slight pause and inflection that this was a question, rather than a statement was the first real indication that the Vulcan did not appear as at ease as her posture and tone suggested.

“Usually, yes T’Mera” Logan nodded, used her name informally immediately and looked at her with a grin. “Sometimes humans prefer a more formal address until you get to know them better. Some, just want to be called by their name. It’s total chaos. Of course I think we all have some learning to do, seeing as our races hardly know each other really.”

“It is hardly unusual that you have not met one of my race before. Earth is hardly a centre of learning or spiritual enlightenment that would cause my people to gather in any great numbers after all.”

“Oh I’m not sure about that. You just need to give us a chance, I’m sure there are plenty of Earth traditions and enlightenments that Vulcans would love. We have great food, great music. Like a million religions and spiritually enlightened groups, and we have Rugby.”

As they walked off, a crew member could be seen in the background, barely being able to lift the travel bag and calling for a wheeled trolley.

Sublieutenant T’Mera - Linguist/Comms Officer

Through the doors to the shuttle bay as the two walked through, another crew member could be seen helping the first lift the bag onto a trolley that had been set aside for the supplies from the shuttle that T’mera had arrived in.

The doors closed behind them, Logan turned left and headed towards one of the nearby turbo lifts. “Okay T’Mera, question for you. What was that hand gel all about? Are you a germaphobe? I swear I washed my hands right before coming to the shuttle bay earlier and I shower at least once a month.” The tone of his voice indicated a tease, but as he said it he wondered if she was able to read the tone or if it would sound as unusual to her as hers did to him as she spoke so matter-of-fact.

Lt Kelleher

“It would not be usual for Vulcans to exchange physical contact at a first greeting. That is seen as something reserved for someone that we are close to, such as a close family member or spouse. The gel is simply a mixture of cleansing oils and unguents, designed to both physically and spiritually cleanse.”

T’Mera paused in her walking, giving the Lieutenant, who stood a good foot taller and almost twice as broad, an appraising look before continuing.

“However, I believe that it is important that Vulcans learn to follow the customs of others, rather than try to impose our system upon others. Part of my choosing to travel in this manner is to learn your customs and idiosyncrasies as a species through participation and immersion rather than through observation. After all, if we Vulcans act in a manner that appears unnatural to your species, than you will in turn, act unnaturally around us. It is only logical.” She said, the eyebrow again raising briefly.

She resumed walking, fully expecting the Lieutenant to follow.

“From my appraisal you appear to be in good health and physical condition for one of your species. Perhaps while I am aboard, we could engage in cardiovascular fitness sessions or sexual intercourse?”

Sublieutenant T’Mera - Linguist/Comms Officer