Face to Face

Posted on Mon Nov 28th, 2016 @ 8:35am by Colonel S'er'in'e & Captain Liarra Von & Lieutenant Commander Thomas Byrne

Mission: Indomitable Will
Timeline: Before 'Tense Tour'

S'er'in'e found that he had to slow himself more than once when walking with Von and Byrne, so much hinged on this meeting and yet he couldn't shake the feeling it would be another encounter with similar results to that with Samanthia. He remained silent as he walked, the last time he met Mar'ess was on the Homeworld when he took Samanthia there for a visit but also to see his family again. This time however she was here for a purpose, a driven, focused reason and she would push however hard to get what she wanted. He knew Samanthia was a cool headed individual, protective of course at what she called her own just as he would but Samanthia was not out to cause a problem, Mar'ess could.

Byrne on the other hand, felt himself lengthening his stride, with their pace being quickened by the Caitian's urgency. His usual stride was a lot more sedate, designed to allow him to blend into a crowd with ease. The captain was a couple of inches shorter than he was, so he tried to balance his pace between keeping up with S'er'in'e, and not out-pacing the captain, conscious as he was of S'er'in'e's earlier advice.

Von, however, was just anxious to get this meeting over with. Diplomatic entanglements were not her forte, but an unfortunate result of her position. Her legs were the shortest of the three of them, and keeping up the rapid pace did leave her right leg a little sore. Despite the doctors ability to easily repair the damage, she had noticed and increase in minor aches and pains, something that she worried would stay with her for some time. But her thoughts were not on her injury at that time. She was only thinking about Mar'ess, and what kind of mess they were going to get into.

As they neared the airlock Mar'ess's guards were already waiting, dressed in golden robes which overlaid lightweight plates of armour. Each wore a face plate to mask what they looked like but there was no doubting they could see the three of them as they approached. Ear sheaths much like S'er'in'e's but with additional decorations to denote position of significant import and the double joint in the legs revealed plates to protect the front sections of the legs.

Byrne automatically took in the details of the Overseers guards, noting their armour and likely places they could conceal weapons. Not that they'd need them, with their claws. That combined with their size, he imagined that a human would have to be quite the martial artist to best them in close quarters.

The guards were certainly intimidating with their size, but Liarra was not about to let that unsettle her. If the Overseer's guards wanted to kill her, there was little that she could do to stop them, so why worry. Instead she simply stood at attention, attempting to appear disciplined, but someone worthy of respect. Mar'ess may have been used to getting her way on Cait, but Von was the Overseer of Three-Three-Two.

Mar'ess appeared a few moments after the trio arrived having been informed by her guards. When she stepped through the doors S'er'in'e bowed but her attention was to those with him. A small Trill female of thin build and brown eyes. The other was a slightly taller Human...male. Her nose wrinkled that that, an alien male in her presence. Her guards flanked her closely watchful and alert.

"Overseer." S'er'in'e spoke still bowed having not been permitted by her to rise. "May I present Captain Liarra Von, Commander of this facility and her Chief of Security, Lt. Commander Byrne." S'er'in'e chose his words carefully, her Chief of Security, not our. He didn't want Mar'ess to think he was putting Starfleets import above her agenda here knowing exactly what was at stake.

Mar'ess stroked once S'er'in'e between his ears, a typical greeting from an Honoured Elder in her position, this act allowed S'er'in'e to stand upright again. Mar'ess gave Liarra a once head to toe looking but gave no visible impression of her reaction, she didn't look at Bryne at all. "I am Overseer Mar'ess, leader of the Sha'lee'it Caste. These are my guards, they have no names and will not answer to you." She paused already unimpressed. "I have come regarding information about Cr'erl. A disgraced Caitian of my Caste that my warrior dutifully and rightfully killed."

Liarra noticed Mar'ess looking her over and sizing her up. Von did the same, and likewise made no comment or visible signs of her opinion. She would be lying if she said Mar'ess wasn't intimidating. She was considerably taller than the Trill, but Von attempted to exude just as much importance as the Overseer. Whether she succeeded or not was up to interpretation. "Overseer Mar'essm, it is an honor to have you on my station." Following S'er'in'e's lead, she was careful to say 'her' station rather than 'our' station. "I am Captain Liarra Von, commanding officer of Starbase Three-Three-Two." She didn't bother to introduce Byrne again, and there was no need for her to introduce S'er'in'e. "I have asked my chief of security to prepare reports of the incident. Would you like to go someplace where we can speak more privately?"

"This, is whom you serve warrior?" Mar'ess spoke to S'er'in'e clearly displeased but indicating Von. "So small, fragile." Again she didn't even look at Bryne. S'er'in'e felt sorry for him, a victim of everything and all none of his own doing. Judged for everything but done nothing, it reminded him when he joined Starfleet Academy.

"The Captain is quiet capa..." he was cut off by Mar'ess

"Unimportant. I will tour this place, I would see that which you do here that takes and keeps you away from our world." Mar'ess looked at Von waiting.

Von ignored the insinuation that she was weak. Physically, she was certainly not as strong as the Caitians, but that did not make her weak. Liarra considered herself to be fairly sharp when it came to tactics, and she was more than capable of handling a phaser. But now was not to the time to argue over her pride as a warrior. "Of course, Overseer. Let me know where you would like to go and I'll make the arrangements."

"I would see where you have assigned my warrior." Mar'ess spoke flanked by her guards ever ready to act. "See what he does on this....station."

"Of course. This warrior leads our fighters into battle. The station's aerospace wing is a critical component of our defensive forces, aiding in not just the defense of the station, but of the entire Archan sector. I'll arrange for you to visit our flight control center so you can see where he works."

Mar'ess didn't appear overly fond of the description of S'er'in'e's duties on 332 and S'er'in'e noticed that in subtle changes in the Overseer. "You have others of my kind on board this station?" Mar'ess wanted to know how many others were placed away from the homeworld on board.

Von considered the question a moment before answering. It was a big crew, so there was always the possibility that there was someone she couldn't remember. "There are a few Caitians aboard the station or one of our garrison vessels. Ensign M'Gora is a member of our science department. Then we have Lieutenant Erica De'Havean, chief helmsman on the USS Jackal, though I think she is only half Caitian. There's also a Lieutenant Yalane, but she is actually Calidae."

Mar'ess hardly seemed interested in most of what was said, all she needed to know were there are others on board. She would see for herself that which occupied her warrior, that which kept him away from the Homeworld and undoubtedly a far more lucrative position.