Lines of Communication

Posted on Tue 14th Jan, 2020 @ 5:07pm by Lieutenant JG Artyom Mikhailov & T'Vala & Tessanna (Tessa) Valeri
Edited on on Fri 17th Jan, 2020 @ 11:03pm

1,433 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Resolution
Location: Vulcan Consulate
Timeline: MD 13, 1600

Lieutenant Artyom Mikhailov had taken a detour from picking Matthew up at daycare. First, he needed to visit with the Vulcan Consulate Office on a more personal matter; an item that he'd neglected since returning from MIA status. Because of various diplomatic issues preventing him from contacting friends and family on Saga-Prodigy directly -- (seeing as how he was still regarded as a traitor) -- Artyom had resorted to using the Vulcan Consulate. The Vulcans were one of the few Federation member worlds that had been allowed to maintain an ambassdadorial presence on Saga-Prodigy.

His last message to Saga-Prodigy had been just before his disappearance. A lot had obviously changed in that time.

Entering the Consulate, Artyom made his way towards the reception area with a small isolinear chip in his hand. Even though he'd been successful in getting his messages out to in the past, he knew that there would be some effort required with this new request.

Tessana looked up to see who came into the consulate. When she saw Artyom she grinned. "Hi. Can I help you?"

"Uh, yes. I believe you can." Artyom greeted, stretching a friendly smile in the hope that a little added kindness might go a long way towards getting his message out. He held the isolinear chip in the air for her to see. "I have a personal message that I would like to have relayed to a contact on Saga-Prodigy; it's a former Federation world that seceded many years ago." His impulsiveness already started to rear its head as he felt obligated to provide justify his request further. "I am, shall you say, not allowed to send it myself. It would be intercepted by the government and would likely never reach the people I'm trying to reach. My name is not held in high regard there from what I understand these days."

"I'm sorry." Tessa frowned. He was cute, and he seemed nice. She wanted to help him, but... "I don't understand how the Vulcan Consulate can be of assistance. I don't think T'Vala knows anyone there."

That stopped Artyom for a moment. "Ah, I believe that the Vulcan's still has an embassy within the capital. Perhaps your... T'Vala could contact the ambassador there? I believe his name is Malvyrk, or at least it was. It has been some time so I am not sure if that is still the case... three years at least." Artyom shrugged. "To be quite honest, I am not even sure how this was accomplished in the past. I would only be told that the message was delivered."

"Oh? Lemme see," Tessa said, going to her computer to look up the information. "You're right. There is a Vulcan embassy there." She looked up at Artyom and smiled. "Fancy that. Shows how little I know." She grinned and looked back at the computer. "Yep. It says that the ambassador is Malvyrk. He's been there five years. So, you wanna talk to T'Vala?"

"Um, sure." Artyom said, a little surprised at the prospect of talking to a Federation ambassador. In all honesty, he felt a little strange for it as if using the consulate for a personal matter was somehow wrong. He knew this wasn't actually the case. At least Malvyrk was still on Saga-Prodigy, which meant that his odds of being able to get this particular message out was about the same as before his disappearance.

She leaned closer to Artyom. "I'm happy to help you, but we need to get the boss's permission first."

She smiled brightly. "Gimme a minute.

She disappeared through a back door, returning two minutes later. "She'll see you now." Tessa held the door open so he could enter.

Artyom swallowed a breath of air and prepared himself... albeit unsuccessfully. He wasn't sure what it would take to convince them to send out this message, or how persistent he should be. He stepped into the office and tried to keep his focus directly on the woman in front of him who appeared to be no older than he. The Vulcan aging process being much slower than those of humans, it was impossible for him to discern her true age. Nor did it matter in this particular regard. "Ambassador." Artyom greeted. "I appreciate your seeing me, especially given that this is more of a personal matter... er, request... than anything else."

T'Vala sat in her chair, watching him as he entered. She dismissed his thanks with a wave of her hand. "Tessa says you have a request? Tell me, why do you need my assistance?"

Artyom held the isolineaer chip so that it was visible. "Ma'am, with your permission, I have a personal message for some family friends left on Saga-Prodigy; it's an independent world that had seceded several years ago. At the time, I was a service-member there and assisted in a somewhat illegal evacuation of Federation citizens before they could be used as prisoners. During the incident, I was wounded and taken back with the rest of the evacuees." He gestured again towards the message in his hands. "If I were to attempt to send this message in the clear, it would be read and scrutinized by the government without ever seeing its intended recipients. I would request that you deliver this to Vulcan Ambassador Malvryik on Saga-Prodigy. He will ensure that it is safely delivered. And I can assure you that there is nothing classified." He almost started to give away some of its contents, but held back for the time. Artyom also opted not to mention that this had been possible from his last duty station, as this was an entirely new ambassador. He wanted to let her set her own precedent, for better or for worse.

T'Vala leaned forward, carefully watching the man. "I know of the world, and its government." She glanced at Tessa. "I see no reason why we cannot be of help. Tessa can make all the arrangements."

"Me?" Tessa squeaked, surprised that the Ambassador was giving this to her.

"You," T'Vala repeated. "The young man will need to make regular contact, yes? That will involve more time than I have at present. You, on the other hand, should enjoy working with the lieutenant." She almost smiled at that. "You need more responsibilities, anyway. Let this be your first."

Artyom felt a surge of gratitude. Much of his family and friends had likely presumed him to be dead after so many years without contact. He tried not to let the excitement vocalize itself too much. "You have my thanks, Ambassador."

"You are most welcome. It is nice to have a pleasant task to deal with for a change." She sat back and turned to Tessa. "Use official channels, and affix my seal to the message. Oh, and give Ambassador Malvryik my regards."

"Yes, ma'am," Tessa said. She grinned at Artyom. "I'll be happy to help."

She led Artyom back to the reception area. "Well, let's get that message of your sent..."

She opened several cabinets and drawers, looking for something. Finally she pulled out a small data chip. She slipped it into a slit in her computer. "There. Now, let me see that message of yours." She held out her hand.

Artyom passed the chip to her.

She opened the official correspondence, pulled the electronic seal from the data chip as validation, then attached Rob's message. A moment later, it was on it sway. When she'd verified the message had been sent, she pulled out the chip and put it away. "All done." Tessa grinned. She was not one to overlook an opportunity. "Would you think me terribly forward if I offered to buy you a drink?" she asked.

Artyom's brain failed to shift gears during the first three or so attempts. Even after he managed to catch up to the new topic, he wasn't sure if she meant now or perhaps later after his shift. "Bozhe moy," Artyom blurted out as he considered a response. "I appreciate the offer, but I am on duty until 1800 hours. After that, I must pick up my son from school." It didn't feel right for him to turn her down given the favor she'd just done for him. A soft grumbling of his stomach gave him an idea. "That being said, according to Starfleet regulations I believe I am allowed to take at least one lunch break a week. If you'd like to get something together, I mean."

"I'd love to." Tessa smiled broadly. "You should definitely insist on lunch once a day. Maybe twice if they work you too hard."

 

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