Posted May 11, 2022, 3:36 a.m. by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) (David Fergusson)
[snip]
“First of all,” Glen began, “can I take a step back again and ask what we should call your planet and your species? Also, you said that Dol is a title, like my title is Captain. You may call me John and this is Tia. Can we also call you by your first name?”
Glen had a sudden thought to himself, I’m treating the Dol like this is a perfectly normal conversation between two emissaries, and I’ve completely forgotten the fact that they are all still wearing those tin-foil hats!
Tia was glad she was allowed to stay. She realized, as the others departed, that they were alone from the ship. She was double glad she stayed, just then. Captain shouldn’t be alone on an away team.
As Glen asked about the people and planet, she smiled. She’d been part of one other diplomatic mission. That had been so sterile and pretentious that she assumed they were all like that. A smile lingered on her face as she realized that actual conversation was allowed as well. Perhaps this would be easier than she thought.
Glen thought Tia seemed happy at the more relaxed atmosphere too, and they awaited the Dol’s response.
With the others now gone, Glen and Tia were left only with NE Maxine (one of their security red-shirts), plus the three servers by the buffet table from earlier now cleaning things up, plus Dol and one of his own attendants and probably guard. Said attendant was off to the side as well quietly clearing up the leftovers off the table, and moving them over to the buffet. None of the local inhabitants were armed, unless you counted the various plates, bowls, cups, forks, spoons, and non-sharp knives around the table.
Dol himself sat relaxed on the simple chairs that were spread around the table. “..Well we have no name for the planet we orbit, its just to us ‘the planet’. But if you mean what do we call our habitat you see around you? It’s name is Error Unknown Word,” The last part their UT buzzed indicating it did not have a point of reference to translate. “..as for my own name? As I explained for now it is simply Dol, as all who hold this position during our terms take up. However, I assume you mean my given name when I do not hold this office. In which case it is Vornell. But for the sake of my office and our culture I would ask you remain just calling me Dol..” he requested.
“I understand completely Dol,” replied Glen, “I had no wish to offend.” He made a note of the unknown word to repeat it to Lt. Ferris later.
“You said that you could go into more detail of your encounter about the Zok-Dorn Merchant Cooperative?” Glen asked.
“Tia, my engineer, is rather interested in your engineering capabilities, some of which appear very advanced when compared to others. For instance, your seed pod stasis technology compared to your ship engines. Could you go into more detail about where you found that technology?” Glen asked.
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