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#91

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by socrates200X - February 04, 2025, 12:02:21 PM

Raising a fruit drink to his respirator's straw, complete with uttaberry skewer and bright pink paper umbrella, Lt. Voshen looked between Cmdr. Les and Ambassador Dax and endeavored to better understand their mission.

Right as they had touched down on the Terra Four complex, Voshen had found himself a bit asea, almost literally as their beam-in destination commanded an expansive view of the surrounding waters.  His time at the Academy had acclimated him to the concept and view of Earth's oceans, but having the entire horizon ringed with shifting blue water threatened to dizzy him.  Sharing a brief commiserating look with Ens. Chev, Voshen adjusted the polarization settings on his goggles, and wondered what exactly it was about tropical settings that fascinated Humans so.

He was determined to find out.  Taking the ambassador at his word, Voshen performed some cursory research on the island's fashion norms.  He had settled on a blue button-up shirt patterned with some form of seaside tree, paired with red board shorts.  The combination appeared pleasing to his vision, at least, if slightly airy.  He was relieved at least to see other civilians wearing similar garb.

Swallowing the sweet local concoction, Voshen leaned forward and raised his brow in an open, friendly gesture.  "I have found that my tenure in Starfleet, and on the Drake in particular, has been both welcoming and edifying.  Zaran certainly has its own critics of wider Federation policy, but even they recognize the value of membership.  Speaking for myself, being recalled to the homeworlds would be..."  He looked to Cmdr. Les as he tailored his words.  "...it would be a great loss.  I sincerely hope our presence can provide the inspiration the ambassadors require."

#92

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Davy, aka GM - February 04, 2025, 10:33:10 AM

"Staying in a resort, taking an active role in a pivotal moment of history for my world? Could be worse," Tobin says, grinning. "But you're making this sound like a cakewalk, as the human expression goes. With respect, sir, there must be a catch."

"The catch is what I mentioned earlier. Ambassador Errickoa is popular among the delegations - he has a good number of supporters for council president, enough to make him a real factor in the election. If he remains opposed to the admission of Trill to the Federation and wins that post, it may set back our membership efforts for a decade or more."

He continues, "On the Trill side, Ambassador Voliax is coming here with a very, very thin mandate - she's fully authorized to withdraw the membership application on her own judgment. If that withdrawal comes, what will soon follow is a recall of all Trill home. You know our laws - they can be stringent when it comes to offworld travel. That's a lot of our people who would be required to return to Trill to reapply for travel visas, or face permanent exile.

"Our job," Curzon adds, "is to change hearts and minds. That's why I brought you and Miguel in. I need you to sway them by word and example. Show Voliax what it means to be a part of something bigger, something important. And show Errickoa that the Trill can be an asset to the Federation - that Trill and Novans already work together, and do so well. We in Federation service - and Starfleet, especially - are supposed to represent the best our worlds can offer to the galaxy - let that part of us shine for the greater good."

OOC: A couple things here.

First, this is a time that the existence of symbiotes is a secret that won't be widely known for another 80 years. Joined Trill are very protective of that secret, actively avoiding transporters and traveling with their own medical personnel (Curzon adheres to these restrictions). Even unjoined Trill will not divulge the existence of symbiotes and the joining to the rest of the galaxy.

Second, Tobin knows of Ambassador Lasree Voliax - she's joined, and served for nearly 30 years in the planetary government (including the symbiosis commission) before being named Ambassador to the Federation in 2285 (which is when Trill's push for membership began in earnest). He recalls that she has long been a strong proponent of stricter requirements on candidates for joining.

#93

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Nolmir - February 03, 2025, 02:45:05 PM

Curzon nods approvingly at the civilian attire (and, as usual, Tann-Tyra looks incredibly alluring, even as she's attempting to downplay any form of sensuality in her dress*). The Trill rises to greet her "properly" - which each man had done at least once when they first met the security officer; however, the crew have been around her long enough to acclimate themselves to her pheromones, and no longer become foolish around her.

Tobin chuckles quietly to himself as he observes Curzon's interaction with his Deltan crewmate. But who can blame him? No matter how many lifetimes of experience he has, he's still mortal, he thinks to himself.

"Okay, but why us?" Miguel chimes in.

"Oh, that's easy: You and Tobin are a Novan and a Trill working together as department heads on the same ship, and I know you all are trustworthy - saw that in the Schrepfermann affair. And, bringing in Cole and his security team will take a burden off the Federation Security detail as they do their own prep work." Curzon smiles broadly. "Tobin and Miguel will each be the primary liaison for their respective delegations; Voshen and Chev will be your primary aides in that regard, and Cole and his team will provide security for both groups. Not a bad assignment for a couple weeks in paradise, eh?"

"Staying in a resort, taking an active role in a pivotal moment of history for my world? Could be worse," Tobin says, grinning. "But you're making this sound like a cakewalk, as the human expression goes. With respect, sir, there must be a catch."

#94

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Patrick Goodman - February 03, 2025, 01:05:09 PM

There are worse gigs.

#95

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Curzon Dax Actor

Last post by Patrick Goodman - February 03, 2025, 01:00:15 PM

That works. If I'm honest, I went with Rene because of the episode where Odo embodied Curzon, so it was kind of biased to start with.

#96

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Curzon Dax Actor

Last post by Davy, aka GM - February 03, 2025, 12:41:29 PM

With two votes each for Rene and Billy, I will say, as much as I loved Rene Aberjoinois, I'm going to leave him to Odo and go with a young Billy Crystal for Curzon in the late 2280s.

#97

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Davy, aka GM - February 03, 2025, 12:39:17 PM

Tobin smiles as he greets the Starfleet Intelligence operative.

"It's good to see you again as well, Mr. Dax. But you do seem to enjoy being enigmatic, sir. I think I speak for us all in saying we've been wondering the whole way here what this all about. Not that I'm complaining about the locale, but I must admit I've never understood why we hold important events at these leisure resorts."

"Well, there's the isolation of it all. Get the diplomats away from distractions - the familiarity of San Francisco, the press, and the pomp and circumstance of the Council Chambers. Also, the aesthetics of the place - sets the mood, helps facilitate discussion. And, Federation Security decided to move conference venues around since the Orions infiltrated the Babel Conference in '68." He pauses to look over his shoulder - the only thing the others can see is some sort of fruity concoction sitting on one of the patio tables. "As for the other part - get settled, get changed, and be ready to eat some of the best food this side of the quadrant. We'll discuss your roles in all this then. Thirty minutes."

With a smile and a nod, he heads back the way he came, picking up that fruity drink along the way.

*~*~*~*~*

The rooms are quite nice - not so luxurious that they outshine the rest of the resort, but definitely a comfortable place to rest after a day's leisure. It's enough to make one wonder if this place is being run by a Risan. The senior officers - Tobin, Miguel, Cole, and Voshen - each have their own room (and Voshen's is somewhat separate from the others - a cabana with a sealed airlock that allows him to breathe his special gas mix without the need of his respirator); Chev shares a room with Ensign O'Neil, Ensign Tann-Tyra and Waymire each have their own rooms (on opposite ends of the building), and the rest of Cole's security team are paired up.

OOC: Feel free to post impressions and even interact with others as you're getting around.

About a half-hour later, the officers (O'Neil and Tann-Tyra included) gather back at the restaurant, meeting their host in a small side room. Curzon nods approvingly at the civilian attire (and, as usual, Tann-Tyra looks incredibly alluring, even as she's attempting to downplay any form of sensuality in her dress*). The Trill rises to greet her "properly" - which each man had done at least once when they first met the security officer; however, the crew have been around her long enough to acclimate themselves to her pheromones, and no longer become foolish around her. Dax hasn't had that opportunity. (Also of note, Chief Waymire, who was invited to attend as the "acting-captain's" yeoman, begged off, citing her allergies^ - i.e., she doesn't want to pass out in front of everyone.)

* Deltans - Ed.
^ Also Deltans - Ed.

A member of the wait staff comes by to take orders. Once that's out of the way, Curzon clears his throat to quiet the small talk.

"Thank you all for being patient with me on this. As you know, the primary focus of this conference was originally to approve Trill's application for Federation membership. With the death of Council President Fergus, they're also going to be electing his replacement. One of the candidates to replace him is the Novan ambassador - Davar Errickoa, who has been public about his opposition to Trill joining the Federation," he explains. "Because of this, I was asked to arrange for the Trill and Novan delegations to meet for a few days before the conference opens.

"Now, because this is all off the books, so to speak, and the rest of the FCAT** is busy prepping for the conference itself and the arrival of the other delegations, I was authorized to bring in my own people to facilitate those discussions."

** Federation Council Advance Team - Ed.

"Okay, but why us?" Miguel chimes in.

"Oh, that's easy: You and Tobin are a Novan and a Trill working together as department heads on the same ship, and I know you all are trustworthy - saw that in the Schrepfermann affair. And, bringing in Cole and his security team will take a burden off the Federation Security detail as they do their own prep work." Curzon smiles broadly. "Tobin and Miguel will each be the primary liaison for their respective delegations; Voshen and Chev will be your primary aides in that regard, and Cole and his team will provide security for both groups. Not a bad assignment for a couple weeks in paradise, eh?"

#98

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Renny - February 01, 2025, 01:06:29 AM

"It's good to see you two again," he adds to Tobin and Cole.

"Sir." Cole nods politely in response to Dax's greeting.

As Tobin speaks, Cole's eyes are roaming across the other members of the landing party. The involvement of Starfleet Intelligence always makes him nervous.

#99

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Re: Episode 2.03: The Trill Qu...

Last post by Nolmir - January 31, 2025, 04:12:26 PM

Tobin smiles as he greets the Starfleet Intelligence operative.

"It's good to see you again as well, Mr. Dax. But you do seem to enjoy being enigmatic, sir. I think I speak for us all in saying we've been wondering the whole way here what this all about. Not that I'm complaining about the locale, but I must admit I've never understood why we hold important events at these leisure resorts."

#100

Star Trek: Drake's Legacy [Modiphius 2d20] / Curzon Dax Actor

Last post by Davy, aka GM - January 31, 2025, 10:35:45 AM

I'm looking at Curzon as being 30-ish in this episode.