Star Trek: Erin

Part 48: Reception

     'Altogether lacking in malice' was actually a perfect way of describing the ambassador.

     They were a bit boring, but I never saw them react with anything other than empathy. No one tried to kill them in the first week, which was nice.

     But there was one thing. They had a habit of disappearing, which gave me a heart attack and then pissed me off every time. The ambassador was deceptively light on their feet. Still, it was mostly fine since Occolum didn't have a lot of places to go. They didn't see the point in visiting fellow ambassadors with the exception of chats with Calderra, and the Enterprise was trying not to host too many formal dinners.

     I missed seeing Nowak regularly, but it was good living with Leong and Klove for a change. We'd scheduled ourselves so that Klove could keep up with his junior lieutenant training and Leong could attend prayer. I tagged along with Leong to the ship's mosque a couple times. It was interesting, but I wasn't exactly the religious type.

     The 'day' of the reception arrived. Nowak's security planning for the thing finally culminated and we managed to meet. As we sipped steaming coffees in what was technically our early morning, Nowak let out a breath. "This reception must go well."

     I considered my drink. "Why so adamant?"

     "Too many personnel are involved and my future in Starfleet depends on this."

     There's a lot I'd do to help stop his promotions track stalling like mine. "Huh. Vulcans arriving later. Any family on your mother's side you wanna visit?" I smirked at his slight eyebrow raise. "I take that as a no."

     "Few of them tolerate me. None of them like me."

     "They're just mad you're funnier than they'll ever be."

     "I see."

     "Funny in a good way." Nowak did a complicated maneuver to avoid spilling his coffee as I elbowed him. "Hey," I said. "I'm sure the thing is airtight. Just let us underlings do our thing, lieutenant."

     "The title feels too large."

     I understood. "You'll grow to fit it. Just make sure your head stays the same size."

     "I would rather remain proportional, Erin."

     I laughed. God, I missed this. I hadn't laughed much since Marple died.

     Nowak and I went our separate ways, and I returned to Occolum. Klove was on duty, standing at attention at the ambassador's door. "Anything?" I asked, as I'd started doing.

     "No, ma'am."

     "Great." I grinned. "How's your training coming?"

     "Nearly complete, ma'am."

     "You'll pass me if I'm not careful." I grinned, managing to keep the pained note from my voice.

     "Ma'am."

     I went to get a few hours rest before the reception. Waking to a light knock, I was surprised by Occolum, Leong at their shoulder. "Is there something wrong, ambassador?" I sent Leong a questioning look, but she shrugged.

     "Apologies for waking you, Junior Lieutenant Cobos. I'm just worried."

     Leong and I tensed. "About what?"

     "I can feel violence coming."

     "'Feel?' Like an ability? Or have you heard something?"