[The time is 0530 hours] announced
the Ronin's computer system in the quarters of Commander Kira Markos.
"Acknowledged" said Kira to the computer's announcement. For once
Kira was up and awake before the ship's chronometer made it's daily announcement.
Last night was quite memorable. The Ronin was in orbit around Valaria, where
they were in the process of a diplomatic First Contact visit.
Last night the senior staff and much of the crew of the Ronin were treated to a superb meal aboard the ship that met them at the edge of Valarian space. Kira was the only representative from the Ronin that abstained from alcohol that evening. When Captain Evans questioned him about his rationale for abstaining from the Valarians' alcoholic wares, his response was well practiced. "Do you really want to see someone inebriated who has the equivalent energy of a standard warp core contained within his body?" After the response left Kira's lips, Evans burst out with a huge belly laugh. Kira had never seen his new Captain laugh so hard since coming aboard the Ronin; it was good to know that Evans had a good sense of humor.
However, not all of the meetings with the Valarians were to be as informal as the previous evening's festivities. That was the reason that Kira was awake this early in the morning; he was preparing for his newest assignment from Captain Evans. Kira was to lead the official proceedings for the First Contact mission to the Valarian Government. He had been awake since 0400 reading about the government, culture, and value systems of the Valarians. Some of it made for interesting reading, but the bulk of the material was about as interesting as some of the more mundane medical texts that Kira had to assimilate during medical school. One thing that was rather interesting concerned the way in which the government was organized. The whole planet was governed by a monarchy. The monarch, King Purol, governed with absolute authority, and yet was the most beloved of the monarchs of Valaria.
Suddenly the communications channel opened in Kira's quarters, snapping his concentration away from the PADDs before him and bringing him back to reality. [Commander Kira, please report to the Bridge.]
Kira tapped his communications badge and responded "Acknowledged."
As Kira tucked away his studies and headed for the Bridge, he could feel his nervous energy manifest around him; he looked down at his hands and noticed that they were covered with a faint blue twinge of energy. *Oh, no!* Realizing that his emotions were being externally expressed via the energy contained within his system, he mentally calmed himself down by taking a few deep breaths. Taking another look at his hands, he was relieved to find them back to their normal hue.
As the doors of the turbolift opened before him, Kira mentally took another deep breath and walked aboard the bridge. Before him stood Captain Evans, Lt. Commander Tyran Nige, Lt. JG Tricia McMillian, and the remainder of the bridge crew.
Kira entered the Bridge just in time to hear McMillian say, "Standard orbit established Captain; the Valarians have given us the OK to start transporting our people down to the planet's surface."
"Thank you Lieutenant," replied Evans as he activated the communication system console next to him. A high-pitched whistle was heard echoing across the bow of the ship in response to his motions. "All hands this is the Captain. Those of you assigned to Alpha shift may beam down to the planet at your leisure. Beta shift, you may beam down at 0600 tomorrow morning when Alpha shift returns. I expect all of you to be a shining example of what the Federation stands for. Remember, these people are applying for membership among the Federation so we don't want to portray a bad impression." With his orders to the crew of the Ronin complete, Evans closed the communications channel and concentrated on his Bridge Crew and Senior Staff.
"What are your orders Captain?" asked Kira with a thinly veiled nervous tone.
"You and Commander Tyran will meet with the Valaran King on behalf of the Federation. I would go, but I have been ordered to treat the acquisition of this technology as my top priority." Replied Evans as he turned to face both Kira and Nige simultaneously.
"Captain, with all due respect, don't you think I ought to be with you while investigating this technology?" spoke up Nige in response to the Captain's order.
"Commander, right now, it is more important for you to represent the Federation with Commander Kira." Nige reluctantly accepted the Captain's response and sat back down.
"Any problems with that Commander?" asked Evans of Kira, who was now standing to the right of Evans' chair.
"Not at all Captain." Replied Kira.
Turning his attention away from Nige and Kira, Evans concentrated instead on other members of his crew. "Lieutenant McQueen, I want you and Ensign McCloud with me."
"Yes Captain." Replied McQueen to Evans' orders.
"Ok, now that everyone's assignments are sorted out, lets get going. Fenris, you have the bridge." Said Evans in his calm, matter of fact tone.
"Aye Captain." Said Fenris who moved from his tactical position to the coveted Captain's chair.
Moments later Kira, Nige and Dinara were standing on the Ronin's transporter room pads waiting for the final go ahead from the transporter room technician to beam to the surface of Valaria. Captain Evans had allowed Kira to bring one other crewmember to the First Contact Ceremony, and Kira chose Dinara Jin, the ship's counselor. She was the natural choice to complete the compliment of representatives from the Ronin. Kira believed that she could simultaneously represent the softer side of the Federation, and provide the emotional and moral support of a friend during this, the most stressful meeting of his life.
"Transporter coordinates are confirmed and locked, Sir; shall I energize?" asked the technician.
"Energize." Said Kira to the technician as he closed his eyes in preparation for the brief trip.
As the away team materialized on the Valarian surface, Nige nudged Kira in the ribs and whispered, "You can open your eyes now Kira."
"You know how I hate those blasted things." Said Kira as he opened his eyes to take in the views of the Valarian countryside surrounding the royal city of King Purol.
The view was lovely indeed. Surrounding the royal city was a large mountain range with only one narrow pass. The mountains simultaneously provided an amazing view for the inhabitants of the city, while allowing the city nestled in the little valley to be given tactical control over who could be allowed to enter to seek an audience with the King.
"Are you ready, Markos?" asked Dinara in a quiet whisper.
"As ready as I'll ever be; let's get going."
As the words left Kira's lips, a small group of people made their way toward the away team. As the group came closer within view, the three officers recognized the entourage of King Purol, led by the king's foreign minister, Jares Elsie. Elsie was one of the few female ministers appointed to Purol's cabinet of ministers, and was quite striking herself.
As the group approached, Elsie was the first to speak. "Commander Kira, I presume?"
"You presume correctly, Minister Elsie. On behalf of the Federation I thank you for honoring us with the chance to visit your royal city."
"The Valarian government is pleased to have the representatives of the Federation here as well. If you would follow me, King Purol is waiting for you in the palace." Said Elsie as she extended her hands toward Kira in the traditional Valarian welcoming gesture.
Extending his hands toward Elsie's, Kira grasped her hands in the traditional reciprocal gesture that he had practiced on Dinara not 10 minutes before leaving the Ronin. As he released Elsie's hands, he allowed her to hook her arm around one of his own. Then the two moved toward the royal city with their entourages in tow. It was a Valarian custom to have the two highest-ranking members of the groups walk arm-in-arm toward the royal city to see the king. Kira marveled at the foresight of the custom, whether the two were greatest of enemies, or the best of friends, each must walk together in this gesture of friendship.
Walking this closely to each other provided the chance for Elsie and Kira to talk about their respective experiences. Kira was a little uneasy walking this closely to someone he didn't know, but Elsie was able to ease Kira's nervousness with her diplomatic air of calmness.
"So, have you always been a Commander aboard a Federation Starship?" asked Elsie of Kira as they trekked along the path to the city.
"Actually, I originally joined the Federation through the Medical portion of Starfleet. I was trained at Starfleet Medical as a Doctor of Medicine." Sensing Elsie's confusion at the response he gave, he asked, "Does my answer surprise you?"
"Actually, yes. Do you still practice medicine along with your current duties?"
"Unfortunately, no. I haven't seen a patient in a couple of months. I miss that portion of my life, though. I think that there are few things that are more sacred than the chance to practice medicine and talk to patients. Hopefully I'll be able to integrate my medical practice into my current position aboard the Ronin." Kira paused for a moment to concentrate on the terrain before the two of them then posed a question to Elsie. "And what about you, Minister, have you always been a part of the royal court of the King?"
"Yes, Commander, I have." Responded Elsie. "My family has served the Kings of Valaria for many generations. However, my position has not been very active in the King's court, until the arrival of your Federation, of course." Said Elsie with a slight smile.
"Sorry about that, Minister." Responded Kira with a slight smile as he helped Elsie walk over a particularly rocky portion of the path.
"Actually, I am looking forward to the meetings between our two governments, as is our King. King Purol is very interested in aligning the Valarian Monarchy with the worlds of the Federation." Said Elsie as she grasped Kira's arm a little bit tighter in response to Kira's attempt at humor.
"The Federation is grateful for the request of the King and the Valarian Monarchy to enter the ranks of our membership." Said Kira as the two continued on the path to the city before them.
Meanwhile, Nige and Dinara were walking behind the representatives of the King talking amongst themselves.
"I hope he's doing OK up there." Said Dinara to Nige as she tried to strain her neck to get a better view of Kira and Elsie.
"Looks to me like he's doing fine, Dinara. I think she likes him." Replied Nige in a low whisper.
"Tyran!"
Nearly a half hour later, the small group finally reached the gates of the royal city. Once they walked beyond the gates of the city, Kira let Elsie lead the way toward the palace where King Purol maintained his primary residence.
As they moved through the streets of the city, Elsie pointed out the various shops and historical highlights of the city. The streets of the city were wide and well decorated. Flowers indigenous to the planet were displayed in flower boxes in nearly every windowsill that reminded Kira of the pictures he had seen of Paris, France back on Earth.
Finally the group entered the palace, where they were greeted by an even larger group of Ministers and Courtiers of Valaria. Kira couldn't help think about the early part of Earth history where the kings of the Medieval Age held court in Western Europe.
After the bulk of the ceremonies were completed, King Purol motioned Kira, Nige and Dinara to accompany him to a small antechamber located to the side of the main chamber hall.
The Starfleet officers, accompanied by Elsie and her entourage, followed the King's motions and entered the small antechamber after the King.
*Well, here goes everything* thought
Kira.
