Touring the Facilities, part 6: Diplomatic

Posted on Mon Nov 27th, 2023 @ 6:04am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Elisabeth Churchill & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Captain Taiga Aisaka

1,143 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Operation Tokyo Return
Location: Diplomatic Reception, Deck 9
Timeline: After 'Touring the Facilities, part 5: Flight Control/Starfighters (part 2)

The next stop on the tour route was Diplomatic. Commander Churchill had been made aware of the inspection, and had directed Captains Takahashi and Aisaka towards the Diplomatic Reception. Fortunately, there were a few stops ahead of Elisabeth, so she had plenty of time to get the Diplomatic Reception looking nice.

Elisabeth had actually managed to finish preparations early and was doing some work when the two captains finally walked in. As soon as the doors opened, Elisabeth immediately stopped what she was doing.

"Ah; welcome Captains." Elisabeth greeted.

"Thank you, Commander;" Maho nodded. "Captain, this is our Diplomatic Reception: It might seem counter-intuitive on an internal affairs vessel, but sometimes it helps to show that we're not monsters."

"Precisely," Elisabeth agreed. "This is where we welcome important guests who want to be welcomed in this century. Otherwise, I'd guide them down to the holodeck and show off-!"

"Perhaps another time, Commander." Maho shut Elisabeth down.

Taiga looked a little confused. "I'm going to be honest. I didn't even know there was such a department as 'Diplomatic' aboard Starfleet Vessels. Usually the Captain or a designated person takes care of such thing..." she turned to look at Elisabeth. "What is it exactly you do here?"

"Well, most of the time I'm cooped up in an office talking to other diplomatic corpsmen or my counterparts in the other major geopolitical entities." Elisabeth explained. "I've actually been in contact with the Romulans quite a lot lately. Turns out, the Tal Shiar splitting off and becoming an independent entity has rocked the Star Empire, to put things lightly..."

That got Taiga's attention! "Oh." She said as she moved closer. "In what way?" She asked curiously. "I have far too much experience with the Tal Shiar. Perhaps I could lend a hand?"

"Oh, good; I could use someone to help me make sense of what my Romulan contacts are saying:" Elisabeth said. She seemed giddy. "They tell me that recent events at Starfleet Headquarters have all the makings of a Tal Shiar job, but the only evidence I see pointing towards them is a series of bombs disarmed and recovered from around San Francisco. They were caught on CCTV being placed by individuals described as being either Vulcan or Romulan, but, even enhancing the footage, the individuals were dressed in a manner that wouldn't easily reveal their identities.."

"I'm sorry, there were bombs placed, Commander?" That got Maho's attention.

"Yeah, there were several bombs planted early in the morning the day of the 'Save the Federation' Rally:" Elisabeth explained. "One of these bombs was placed on the Golden Gate Bridge, which doesn't make much sense, considering the rioters that attacked Starfleet Headquarters that day walked across the bridge without knowing that a bloody bomb had been placed on it!"

"The Tal Shiar control others through fear. They always have and always will do" Taiga stated. "Even when they were part of the Romulan Empire, they made sure that everyone who crossed them feared for their lives. If that didn't work they will target families." She looked over at Maho. "Because Love is the most powerful thing to threaten."

Maho gave Taiga an intense glare.

"I see." Elisabeth noted. "Now, tell me; would it be within the Tal Shiar's wheelhouse to weaponize hatred in addition to fear?"

"Of course. It's their main weapon," Taiga said. "It's a form of self protection. If you fear what they're going to do, then you won't attempt to cross them."

"Hmmm... Perhaps there's some weight to what my Romulan contacts are saying in analyzing some of the tactics the insurrectionists used at Starfleet Headquarters:" Elisabeth said. "They say the rioters used textbook Tal Shiar tactics, and after hearing what you're saying, I'm not as inclined to believe they're wrong: Especially with their whole 'If you're not with us, then you're the enemy,' attitude."

"It seems you have more of a grasp on the situation that some people..." Taiga said as she glanced up at Maho. "You have to remember that some people are easily manipulated. The Tal Shiar would rather turn their enemies on each other than fight them outright. Why weaken them yourself when you can do it from the inside out..."

"I see..." Elisabeth muttered before looking up to see Maho making a slashing motion across her throat, instructing her to cut the conversation short.

"Well, it looks like our time here is at an end." Elisabeth said. "Though, perhaps I could persuade you to stop by the holodeck later on and we can continue this conversation? I am interested in learning more about the Tal Shiar, and I certainly wouldn't mind doing it where I feel more at home."

It seemed for the first time on the Myogi that Taiga actually smiled. "I would like that. I have a lot of experience with the Tal Shiar..."

"Wonderful!" Elisabeth said, seeming giddy. "I have a whole host of programs I've made that I'd love to show off. Are you into old Earth ocean liners of the late 19th and early 20th century?"

"Can't say I've been on one," Taiga replied.

"Well, prepare to have your mind blown." Elisabeth smirked. "Meet me on Holodeck 3 at 2100 hours, and I'll show you Earth's most famous ocean liner like no one has seen her for almost 500 years."

"I'll let you know if I get the chance to join you..." Taiga said glancing over at Maho. She had a funny feeling that Maho didn't want her to be wandering around the Myogi much

Maho glanced between Taiga and Elisabeth. It was evident that her diplomatic officer was eager to share her work.

"I'll see what I can arrange." She muttered begrudgingly. "Commander, I understand you're wanting to show off your work, and I wouldn't want to deny you the opportunity to have it referred to any potential holoprogramming contacts Captain Aisaka might have."

"Yay! It's a date, then..." Elisabeth said before realizing she might have framed things the wrong way. "Whoops. Shouldn't have said that..."

"But, there will be stipulations:" Maho said. "If Captain Aisaka begins asking questions about the Myogi and her specifications, your orders are to terminate the session and escort her back to her quarters. Do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal, ma'am." Elisabeth nodded. "However, I don't think we'll have to worry about Captain Aisaka blowing up the ship."

"God damn, I hope so..." Maho muttered. "Anyhow, I believe that's all the time we have for our diplomatic facilities. Captain, if you would follow me? There's still a lot to see."

Taiga gave Elisabeth a small smile before turning yo follow Maho out.

Posting by

Captain Maho Takahashi
Commanding Officer
USS Myogi

Commander Elisabeth Churchill
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Myogi

Captain Taiga Aisaka
Commanding Officer
USS Tokyo

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