Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2018 11:50:37 GMT
T'ali has quickly become one of my favourite characters in STAB.
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 17, 2018 19:45:41 GMT
with Andrew as CO Captain Jiang
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T'ali was not one to take an order from her Captain lightly, be it direct or implied.
Jiang had tasked her with discovering what she could about both the mines that had disabled the Voltaire, and its suspiciously indistinct ion trail, and she had dug into her basic knowledge of subspace anomalies and warp theory to ensure he got the data he required. The fact that the Zorya's overly demonstrative pilot had beaten her to the punch was inconsequential, of course.
However, she was aware that her other, more ambiguous charge had been sidelined for over 24 hours now, and she was intent on leaving it to languish no longer than that.
She pressed the chime on Jiang's Ready Room door once and waited placidly, a PADD in her right hand.
Jiang was sat behind his desk. Moments earlier, he'd handed Captain Ishihara the final casualty reports from the Voltaire. He didn't envy her next task of informing the families. He could tell this had hit her hard, no doubt added to by the fact this was her first command. He wasn't sure if she'd get over it - something like this could permanently destroy a person's confidence as a commanding officer. He let out a sigh at the thought as he stood up and moved to the replicator. "Enter!" then ordered his drink.
"Captain," she greeted as she stepped with purpose into the room. "My thanks for seeing me, sir." She moved immediately over to his desk, despite him being elsewhere and placed the PADD on top of the ones already scattered there. Then she turned, looking at him finally, and blinked. "My preliminary report, sir. I do apologize for its tardiness."
"A drink, Ensign?" he asked, thinking he already knew the answer. He hoped she wouldn't try and tidy the PADDs up, they were scattered 'just right'
"No, Captain. Thank you. It is customary for me to have tea with my next meal and that is not for a further 4 hours 52 minutes." She clasped her hands lightly behind her back and stood silently for a moment, observing her commander. So far, she decided, he seemed adequate.
"Captain, I have compiled a list - cross-referenced, and annotated - concerning some of the inefficiencies, inconsistencies and points of repeated disregard for protocol and propriety I have observed since stepping on board this vessel. Do you wish me to summarise my summary for you? There are several points I would be willing to draw your attention to in particular."
He returned to his desk, sat down and gestured for her to do the same. He took a sip of his drink then put it down near the chess board. Without picking it up, Jiang tapped the PADD T'ali had put down and immediately saw how detailed it was, and how long it would take him.. no, Commander Feyna, to thoroughly read. "Yes, go ahead, sure."
Satisfied with his reaction she sat primly, and rested her hands neatly on her lap.
"If you open Section three, Paragraph 2, "Bridge Crew Interaction" you will see that on several occasions I have observed blatant, informal behaviour that does not belong within the rigid rank structure necessary to run an efficient bridge." She stood, stooped over the deck, reached forward and scrolled the PADD on a page or so. "Doctor Rousseau and Lt Douglas have both repeatedly disregarded each other's personal space, and have engaged in behaviour best left to a more private setting. They have also been vocal, unnecessarily, multiple times. Douglas in particular seems to take some pleasure in ejaculating loudly at his console... and both are guilty of distracted mellifluous vocalisations in addition. I have recorded the stardates and particulars on the next page, sir..."
She sat down. "Also recorded are two incidences of departmental overreach on the part of our newly promoted Lt Cordan."
It took all his strength not to burst out laughing and keep his straight face. When he was sure he could speak without smiling, and only when he was sure, he said, "I see... well, sometimes crew morale is more important than efficiency, or rather, sometimes crew morale boosts efficiency or maintains a higher level for longer. As it stands right now, the balance between the two seems to be in a good place."
T'ali's lip twitched. She absorbed this news with a simple nod, took a deep breath and continued. "Furthermore, I have been the recipient on... 6 occasions... of a sobriquet to which I did not agree and do not welcome. I am unsure how this is designed to boost... morale."
He looked down at the PADD, then back at her. "A sobri...? You mean a nickname? I see this section is less detailed than the others."
"On that score there is presently but one culprit. However, I have observed your species derives much amusement in observing and encouraging the spread of such behaviour throughout a social unit, viewing the behaviour's spread with some... glee... and therefore, I felt it pertinent to include at this time. I am not an anthropologist, Captain. The countless foibles of humanity are not the subject of my study; they are an impediment to it."
"Well, people tend to enjoy nicknames under two circumstances." He took another sip of his drink. "Either the recipient likes the nickname, and they stick, or people show they don't like it, and they stick. I suggest ignoring the nickname for now, but..." This was ridiculous. There was so much going on right now. The Voltaire, the return of the Maquis, the imminent war effort against Section 31... real problems, and he found it hard to give a damn about such a trivial thing as a nickname. "Do you have any more... serious, shall we say, issues you wish to discuss?"
Again, her lip twitched. All of that was serious. "None of immediate import, Captain. Nevertheless, I believe you will find much of the footnotes elucidating and likely quite prescient. I am more than willing to discuss these at length now, or in the future."
"Well, I am sure Commander Feyna will be available to hear your future reports of this nature," Jiang said, and carried on quickly, "However, I would suggest that you try to... be a little flexible. There is no ship in the fleet that follows all the minor protocols to the letter. It is part of what makes each ship feel unique, a home to her crew."
"Thank you for your time, Captain Jiang," the Vulcan replied, sensing she wasn't going to win this one, either. Standing gracefully, she considered bringing the PADD away with her, but decided on reflection to leave it be where it may yet do some good. "Am I dismissed?" her voice was a determined and studied neutral.
He could see through her thinly veiled irritation, but he wasn't in the mood to fight it. "Yes, Ensign. Dismissed." He lifted the PADD and handed it over to her, "See that Commander Feyna gets this." She took the PADD with distinct indifference. “She loves the really detailed, in-depth reports. Anything longer than ten pages excites her like a Ferengi striking oil."
T'ali raised an eyebrow and took a deep breath, displaying a predictable lack of enthusiasm for hyperbole. "Understood, sir. I'll be sure she receives it." With that, she turned smartly on her heel and exited the room.
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Post by Nola on Apr 17, 2018 19:52:10 GMT
Listen. I know that this word has multiple meanings, but I'll never not giggle when it's used in this context.
Excellent log, guys!
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Babs
Lore Committee
Posts: 210
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Post by Babs on Apr 17, 2018 20:56:35 GMT
<<... and both are guilty of distracted mellifluous vocalisations in addition>> To which I say, "Pththththththth." Little miss Tee apostroph aye ell eye needs to mind her own business...
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Post by Andrew Rice on Apr 17, 2018 21:47:55 GMT
Ahahahahahaha
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 17, 2018 23:50:40 GMT
<<... and both are guilty of distracted mellifluous vocalisations in addition>> To which I say, "Pththththththth." Little miss Tee apostroph aye ell eye needs to mind her own business... "humming" is just too pedestrian a word for her.
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Babs
Lore Committee
Posts: 210
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Post by Babs on Apr 18, 2018 1:32:58 GMT
I know what you were referring to. But, here's my take on it: logically, a vulcan who is well trained in emotional control should also be able to tune out distractions around her to focus on her work, so an entire mariachi band could be dancing around on the Bridge, and she wouldn't bat an eyelash. Background humming and other types of random vocalisations shouldn't bother her. Anyway, I loved the log and I'm enjoying the new character so far - I am looking forward to seeing how T'ali adapts to life on the Zorya.
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 18, 2018 3:04:21 GMT
Aaaah, yes, but she's also a control freak and homesick, so she's acting out like only a Vulcan can.
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 24, 2018 20:12:43 GMT
"Computer, begin recording on my mark... mark...
"T'laan, sister mine. "I send you tidings and salutations from on board the ship in which is located my new domicile, the USS Zorya. I trust that you are in good health and that if it is otherwise, I will hear so forthwith. In addition, I trust father and mother are both similarly in robust health, and Timpok, our brother, too.
"I have little to report, but nonetheless I am compelled to write out of obligation to you.
"I am surrounded, sister, by humans and several other more emotional species and have observed much that is to be lamented, if, indeed, lamenting was something to which we Vulcans descended. Perhaps it is felicitous that we do not, under the circumstances, for I believe I would do little else.
"It is... difficult at times to navigate through a shift on the bridge while observing so much that is undesirable in my crewmates.
"Humming, sister mine, is frequent and indiscriminate. Joviality seems to spring from unlikely sources at unpredictable moments. Indeed, even my Captain is not immune, though I have noted a direct correlation between the degree of modesty of rank and frequency of audible and wholly irrelevant chatter.
"There are several who are more prone to this than others. Notably, one Ensign Perez-Rome, of whom, you will forgive me, the less said the better.
"My duties are, despite those I am expected to associate with, fulfilling. I have been awarded with several shifts of “bridge time”, a singular mark of esteem for one with so little active experience. I endeavour to prove myself worthy of such trust and to be useful in myriad ways.
"Live long, my sister, and prosper, T'ali."
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Post by Einar on Apr 25, 2018 9:31:38 GMT
"There are several who are more prone to this than others. Notably, one Ensign Perez-Rome, of whom, you will forgive me, the less said the better. hahahahhaha
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Post by Chris H on Apr 26, 2018 13:22:22 GMT
Oh, I love this. I like T'ali more and more every time. You have outdone yourself with this one, especially describing the happiness on the bridge, You heartless person, can't wait to see what she eventually says to the XO with that giant list she has.
Again well done.
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Post by aoibheni on Apr 30, 2018 11:49:54 GMT
Thanks, Chris!
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Post by Chris H on May 3, 2018 12:39:33 GMT
Welcome
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Post by aoibheni on May 8, 2018 16:37:10 GMT
“It appears on the surface to be wholly illogical, I agree,” Varik replied as he carefully transferred a biological sample from his pipette into a small, conical flask. “However...?” T'ali replied, pre-empting the older Vulcan's thoughts. “However,” he confirmed, “humans can't be held to the same standard as we.” T'ali's eyebrow twitched up for a moment as she absorbed this. “Perhaps it would be better for all if they were. Then, it is likely they would conduct themselves with more decorum in an emergency, and comport themselves better during its aftermath.” “I believe holding humans to a Vulcan standard of discipline would simply result in fewer humans in Starfleet,” Varik observed, turning back to a large beaker and refilling his pipette. “I believe I would be content with that result,” T'ali concluded. “Perhaps.” Varik said simply, his attention on his work.
T'ali watched him in silence, appreciating the predictable calm to be found down here in Biology Lab 3. With the ship currently experiencing a range of mechanical and structural repairs, there was little for her to attend to on the bridge. Her own set of diagnostics, she knew, were ongoing, and she'd be able to check on their progress at any console. Her presence on the bridge was unnecessary, so she'd left.
Varik completed his task, and after resting his pipette carefully on a sterile surface, picked up a tray filled with flasks. He moved to a small wall unit, and opened the door, resting the tinkling tray gently on a glass shelf. He turned, and found T'ali standing at his side with a second tray. “Thank you, Ensign.” “It seemed efficient,” she replied.
He closed the door, and activated the unit. It hummed briefly then fell silent.
Varik nodded with satisfaction then returned to his desk. “Much of my work was destroyed during the encounter with the Voltaire,” he explained. “There is much to re-do.” T'ali rested her hands behind her back. “There are many changes on the bridge as a result of the attack, too,” she offered.
“Yes, it appears we have a new Captain.” “Indeed...” T'ali drew in a deep breath. “Though, I do not believe her appointment is based on sound judgement.” She paused for a beat and continued, “A field commission of this nature, no matter how shortlived it may ultimately be, is one made in the heat of the moment. It is very much the child of necessity. Had we the luxury of time, and a satisfactory pool of applicants, I wonder if she would still be awarded a ship like the Zorya, or would, in fact, a Captain be appointed who had not, so recently, misplaced their own ship. One must consider the possibility that she is simply irresponsible with her ships, and that we may fall prey to an identical carelessness as the Voltaire's crew in a similarly truncated manner.”
Varik blinked. “Perhaps it would be wise not to offer so strong an opinion to anyone else at present.” “My opinion is based on sound observation,” she pressed. “Nevertheless. With so much in disarray, such an opinion might do more harm than good. Humans, as you have also observed, are not renowned for their rationality in a time of upheaval.” “Indeed, they are not. Their tendency to indulge in performative self-flagellation is discomfiting, and appears to be contagious. I have noticed an illogical tendency to indulge in physical pain as a way to minimise or dismiss obvious mental anguish. Would it not be better to simply meditate on the cause of that distress, rather than further hampering ones performance by consciously reducing ones physical capacity?”
Varik rested his hands, palms down, on his desk and considered his response. He'd been on this ship for some time, and understood a little of how humanity functioned. But not much. “You may gather, Ensign T'ali, from my position, alone, in a Science Lab far from the bridge, that my tolerance for humanity and its oxymoronic practises is... not high. I advise you to apply for a similar role as I, if you find humans to be troubling you excessively.”
“Perhaps I shall remain and observe,” she decided. “It is feasible you may yet learn to appreciate their culture.” “Unlikely, but I would not be a committed scientist if I let personal prejudices cloud my observations.” “Humans have a saying...” Varik offered, pulling a new tray of small, conical flasks towards him carefully. “'Never say never'.” T'ali tilted her head to the right. “A remarkably self-defeating pronouncement.” “Perhaps,” Varik agreed, “Nonetheless, a very human one.”
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Post by Einar on May 8, 2018 16:53:46 GMT
just....fantastic
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