Diplomatic Arrival

Posted on Wed Jul 30th, 2025 @ 9:37pm by Captain Andre Hunt & Vira Mihal
Edited on on Wed Jul 30th, 2025 @ 9:41pm

2,017 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Trillius Prime
Location: Airlock

Captain Hunt stood at the airlock. As he watched, the scientist exit into the transport ship that arrived with the new passenger. As much as enjoyed learning from the scientists, Andre was happy to officially have them off his hands. Now they had the ambassador who would be joining them on this joint mission.

Not one for fanfare or grand entrances, Vira Mihal stepped through the airlock opening. A very large human male was standing near the entry-point...Captain Andre Hunt, she presumed. She craned her head up to look into the man's eyes and smiled in a controlled manner. "

Before Hunt stood a petite woman who barely reached his chest. The sides of her face and neck were speckled with tell-tale brown spots that identified her as 'Trill.' Her pale blonde hair was swept up into an elegant chignon, and her ice-blue eyes bored into his with a determination and purpose that belied her small stature.

"Greetings Captain Hunt. Your dossier did not adequately convey your size." She said by way of greetings. "I am Vira MIhal."

"Greetings to you as well Ambassador Mihal," the Captain spoke, extending his hand. "Welcome aboard the Meridian. I hope your short trip here was a good one?"

Vira looked at his outstretched hand for a second too long, but reached out and grabbed it in what she had learned in her research was called a 'handshake.' "It was uneventful, which is certainly preferred given our recent exchanges with the L'Dira. You have my peoples' thanks for your assistance in this."

"It's no problem at all. Stability in this region is what's best for everyone."

"Well said, Captain. Spoken like a true diplomat." She smiled warmly, feeling quite at ease. "I hear you have a mixed-species crew. To think of Vulcans and Andorians working together on anything? Well...if your people can help pave that kind of reconciliation, it will be quite fascinating to see how you will reshape the quadrant."

"It wasn't easy," Hunt admitted. "But overall everyone realized that we had so much more in common. Our goals were the same. All the petty pickering seemed irrelevant in the grand scheme of things."

"Petty Bickering?" Vira laughed softly. "I suppose it was, thankfully. It is an interesting premise, this United Federation of planets. Earth managed to not only successfully prevent all out war between generations-old enemies, but then brought a full reconciliation between Andoria and Vulcan as well? Your species proved yourselves worthy to two very difficult species to impress and managed to ally yourselves with some very powerful neighbors, Captain Hunt. Personally, I think it's rather impressive." Her tone was completely sincere. Humans appeared outwardly so similar to Trill, minus the spots, of course. But they were relatable in a visual way, and their behaviors weren't too alien on the surface. She really was happy to meet Captain Hunt.

The Captain couldn't help but to smile at the compliment. "Hopefully as time goes on, we can bring your people into the Federation. Just on our journey to your world, speaking with the scientist, there is so much that we can learn from each ."

"I don't know about us Trill joining anything - but given some of our 'neighbors' it would be prudent to have...friends." Vira chose the word purposefully, knowing how Humans felt about the concept of friendship and connectivity. "I do agree though, Captain Hunt, we do have a lot to learn from one another. Right now, I would love to see more of this ship if you would be willing to show me about the areas that won't spark an intergalactic conflict?"

"Well follow me, Miss Mihal." The two exited the airlock as they made their way down the corridor. "Do you have any particular interest, science, recreation, medical or just a full tour?"

"I know nothing about ships, really...a general tour would be fine if you don't mind?" Vira replied, keeping pace with Hunt's long strides.

The two walked into the mess hall, which was mostly empty but had a few crew members having dinner. "And this is our mess hall. Where Chef and his staff prepare and serve meals for the crew."

Vira looked around, taking the place in. It was different from Trill vessels, but that was to be expected. "Your people favor the color grey?" She asked with a smile - there was something about military forces favoring dull, bland coloration for their equipment and spaces. It was something that multiple species seemed to share...ha! Strange similarities, yes? Suddenly there was a smell that registered to her nose...it smelled...good. "What's that smell, Captain?"

"That would be dessert." Walking over to a display, Andre opened the case pulling out two small plates containing sweet potato pie. Handing over plate, along with a fork. The Captain had a very excited look on his face. "You definitely arrived on a good day. Our Chef just happens to be one of the best in all Starfleet.

Taking the plate and looking at the dessert with a contemplative expression, Vira realized that the captain had moved away to an empty nearby table and quickly moved to catch up to him. "Sweet potato pie. Am I to take it this is an Earth fruit?" She gracefully sat down, tucking her clothing underneath her in a practiced manner that spoke of unconscious action on her part. It was interesting to try new things. It was part of the reason she had gotten into diplomacy - curiosity. At least it wasn't something that was alive and wriggling.

"Wouldn't call it fruit," the Captain answered. "But an amazing dessert. It has a way of making your day a little but better."

The petite Trill woman looked down at the plate with a scrutinizing mien. "It is quite orange, but I look forward to trying it." Picking up the utensil, she cut off the point of the slice and popped it into her mouth and began chewing thoughtfully. "Oh wow, this is really quite good!"

Andre smiled with satisfaction and was obviously happy that she enjoyed one his favorite desserts. "You can thank Chef Antwon Burton for that. One of the best Chef's in the Federation."

"I will have to do that. There have been some culinary 'excursions,' that I have engaged in that were far less...ah...tasty." Vira chuckled to herself and took another bite and chewed happily. This 'sweet potato pie' was quite tasty, but that really wasn't why she was here. "Captain...you have my people's thanks for assisting the Relut (I hope I spelled that right)."

"It's no problem at all," he assured the diplomat. "How many years of experience do you have?"

"I've been wrangling powerful people off and on for hundreds of years, Captain Hunt." Her symbiote chose willing candidates who held strong backgrounds in diplomacy. "However, don't let that intimidate you." She popped another bite of the sweet potato pie into her mouth.

Raising a confused eyebrow, Hunt obviously had no idea what she meant with the hundreds of years comment. The woman in front of him barely was out of her thirties. "Hundreds of years."

Vira saw the look of confusion on the captain's face and realized her error. "Oh, well, I am in my 30s, but my symbiont, Mihal, has had three life-times to perfect their diplomatic craft." Knowing this would only lead to further questions, she continued, "My people have a symbiotic relationship with a sentient vermiform life form native to our home world. They are called 'symbionts.'"

"A symbiotic relationship?" This information was definitely left out of the mission briefing. And all the time, he spent with the scientist on the Meridian. Neither one of them ever brought up having a symbiont attached to them. "So, all Trill are attached have a symbiont?"

"No. It's not common at all. The joining process is a carefully managed affair, filled with a rigorous evaluation process. I can speak from numerous experiences that it's a ridiculous affair."

"So, half the population are connected?"

"Hmm..." Vira responded, and then took another bite of the pie. She would need to get the directions on how to make such a confection. "You know, I'm not certain how may Trill are joined. It is generally considered quite rare - but it is considered a privilege to be chosen as a host to a symbiont. I am somewhat surprised this wasn't explained more comprehensively in the cultural communique that the Trill government forwarded to you."

"They didn't mention it whatsoever," Andre brought up. "Now that I think about it. Went it came to exams when checking out the scientist we rescued they didn't allow the doctors to do any x-rays. Perhaps they were trying to keep these symbionts a secret."

Vira smiled warmly at the human captain in an attempt to diffuse the situation. Having mistrust this early in the proceedings was not a good position in which to negotiate from. She quickly had to quell this line of thought. "Captain, I can assure you, we are proceeding in these discussions with the stance of transparency. I am uncertain why there was such a glaring omission in the cultural data you were presented, and I will personally look into why this occurred. However, I am willing to answer any questions you may have to the best of my knowledge and ability. I cannot speak for this scientist regarding their refusal to obtain x-ray imaging - however joined Trill biology is naturally resistant against numerous forms of radiation and toxic damage due to our symbiotic relationship. If it would ease any concerns you may have, I would be willing to submit to a full physical."

Hunt simply waved it off. "No need for a full physical. Yes, it would be nice to know more about Trill biology for obvious medical purposes in case of emergency. But I won't subject you to an unnecessary physical. I do appreciate the offer though."

"I understand. You do have a Vulcan physician on board that is a part of the Interspecies Medical Exchange though. They discuss our species' special anatomical and physiological variations. I believe my kind would be in good hands if any medical emergencies happen aboard your ship, Captain."

"My previous doctor on board didn't have the same experience as my current one," the Captain admitted. "That's why I requested Doctor T'Ria. Figured the further the Meridian travels and more people we encountered, her expertise was going to be required."

"That was smart on your part. Although they may...struggle in the personality department, every Vulcan I have ever encountered has been a knowledge matter expert in their chosen field. How are your crew doing with the mixing of species. It is still quite unbelievable that Humanity was able to hold back the Andorians and Vulcans from all-out war. That story made it's way around all the diplomatic circles."

Thinking about the question, Andre smiled. "The first non-human was Talariana, an Andorian. She adjusted well and even decided to stay on board. T'Ria is the second non-human to have arrived on the Meridian. Honestly, I hope to make this crew more diverse. Have your people tried mixing crews with other species?"

"Not with either of those species...to be honest, it is mostly Trill crew from my knowledge. We have other alliances, but that does not generally extend to allowing them to serve on our ships unless there is a specific reason for it."

"When you're finished eating, I'll show you to your quarters where you can get some rest. Got a big day ahead of us in the morning."

Vira took her last bite and chewed thoughtfully. She knew the captain's time was limited but appreciated the few moments he had carved out so they could speak...and eat. This pie was really something else. "That sounds like an excellent plan, captain."

"We can continue this tour once your all settled in."


==========
Captain Andre Hunt
Commanding Officer
USS Meridian

Vira Mihal (apb T'Ria)
Diplomat

End?


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