Do I Have To?

Posted on Sat Nov 16th, 2024 @ 10:22pm by Captain Abigail Laurens & Commander Ichiko Gail

Mission: Let The Games Begin
Location: Captain's Ready Room

Both teams had come aboard and been shown to their respective temporary quarters. The production crew was still working effortlessly to make sure the arena was ready for game play. Everything was running smoothly and to what ever plan it was that the Ts'usugi seemed to have in place. Largely her crew were just standing by, watching and waiting.

That is, everyone except Abigail, and of course, her Ts'usugi First Officer, Ichiko.

The dark haired commanding officer handed the steaming mug, fresh from the replicator across to the rabittess and set a plate of gingersnaps in front of her before returning to the replicator for her own mug of chai latte.

"So Watabi is the serious one, the perfectionist, and Neela is the rebel..." She blew across the top of the mug as she walked across to the view port, looking out at the Ts'usugi vessel along side. "And I have to meet with them both?"

Ichiko accepted the mug with a nod, and the conversation wasn't allowed to begin until Ichiko had at least given a nibble to a gingersnap. "It's a bit deeper than that. The Nebulae are what's known as a Shujinko, or Hero. If you imagine Kinetic to be equal parts sport and story, the Nebulae are the heroes of the story. Wataba held the Imperial Favor for a whole season, and their record was almost untouched."

A pause. "Almost."

"Enter Neela and the Flames. They're what you could call Akuyaku. Villains." a pause, "They don't behave, they don't conform, and the story for them is to always have the proverbial short end of the stick. BUT... their prefecture loves them. They're the champions of the underdogs. Neela is proving to the empire that it's not the size of the Ts'usugi in the fight, but the size of the fight in the Ts'usugi. She lead the Flames to victory over the Nebulae, and there's speculation that she went, pardon the term, against the season... to do it."

"Wataba is the example of a traditionalist. He's incredibly proper and polite, and steeped in tradition and procedure. Like you said, he's a perfectionist. His team shows him the utmost respect, and he makes sure they want for nothing." Ichiko paused, "Neela makes sure the cooler is full and the vidscreen works."

"It would be bad if you met with one and not the other." Ichiko warned.

"So both it is..." Abigail paused. "What do I say to them? Welcome them to the ship? Wish them well in the game?" She shook her head slightly. "They are so different. I'm not sure I know where to begin."

"Well for starters, avoid meeting them both." Ichiko warned, the obvious. "They absolutely hate each other. Put them in the same room, and one of two things will happen. Wataba will say something that'll anger Neela, or Neela will rib Wataba until he loses his cool. Putting the two captain in the brig won't do well." a pause, "Unless the director of the Kinetic foundation clears it with you. But he won't because while it would do great for a story it would paint Starfleet in a terribly compromising posture. I'm all but certain the director would rather eat his clipboard that embarrass Starfleet."

"No no, talk to them one at a time, and meet them someplace... hmmm." a pause, "Abigail, I have a question? Not to my Captain, but to my friend..." Ichiko hardly ever used Abigail's name. At least not while they were on duty.

She was taken aback by the use of her name, but tried not to let is show. "Ok?" she asked curiously.

"Are you looking to impress them, or send a message?"

"Yes." Abigail replied with a brief nod followed by a laugh. "Can't I do both?"

"Meet them in the lounge. Fill it with people. *Different* people."

"That!" Abigail suddenly exclaimed. "That, my friend, is brilliant!" She laughed and shook her head. "You know, I would not have thought of that, I would have stuck to meeting them here, or in a conference room, or somewhere else much more typical. Your idea is fantastic!"

Abigail's praise caused Ichiko to gently blush, "It gives them the opportunity to experience what the universe holds, in a controlled environment. Wataba will get to see the scope of the universe, and wonder if our traditions will survive. Neela will see people."

"Would it look too obvious if we made arrangements for some crew members to be in the lounge at the right time?" she asked with a laugh. "You know, just to really get the point of diversity across?"

"I'm not sure what you mean, Captain. Even I can't remember everyone's lounge schedule." Ichiko said with an innocence to her. A halo held up by horns. "Right time, right place, yes?"

"Of course, you are correct," Abigail replied warmly. "Commander, please make the arrangements for the necessary meetings. Notify security that we will be meeting in the lounge, in case they deem any extra precautions to be necessary." She paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath. "And then wish me luck," she added quietly.

"Abigail Laurens, Badass... doesn't need luck." Ichiko smirked, amused, "But, I'll handle all the arrangements." she paused, another nibble on the dwindling cookie.

"Good luck."