Vasha and Ramata'tar

Posted on Fri Sep 2nd, 2022 @ 8:47pm by First Ramata`tar

1,494 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 113 - No One Left Behind
Location: Security Office
Timeline: MD1 - 1430hrs

ON:

Vasha didn't mind the immense amount of work that still lay ahead of her in the form of the great multitude of personnel files that her PADD contained. When she put her mind to a task, self-assigned or not, she would see it through to the end - even if it took her years to complete. Said (self-given) task at the moment was meeting with and getting to know everyone she was to work with, and hopefully assure them that she'd have their back no matter what. It was only the basest of her duties as an assistant head of department after all.

She'd spoken to many so far. As expected her crew were a veritable cornucopia of individuals, hailing from a multitude of planets and walks of life before choosing to take to the stars under Starfleet's wing - much like the athletes she'd competed against (and sometimes beaten) whenever she left Kaminar to represent her home planet on the wider galactic stage.

Of particular interest right now, though, was the person whose file she was now reading. For this one she would need to package and present their meeting in a somewhat different fashion. No matter. It would be only a small disturbance.

"First Ramat'atar, this is lieutenant junior grade Vasha. Please meet me in the security office whenever you're available." With that she simply settled down in waiting, the cogs of her mind already turning as she planned their encounter.


Ramata'tar was aboard the USS Laffey helping recalibrate the targeting sensors after a malfunction during the ships last patrol. The Defiant Class ships was docked within Starbase 400's internal docking bay while work was ongoing. After tapping in a few more commands at the Tactical One station, he turned to do the same at Tactical Two when a Boatswain entered the Bridge through the Port Egress.

"Ah, First Ramata'tar. A message was just delivered for you. We have the comms offline while making upgrades." She handed him a PADD and waited for a reply.

"I will go now. Input the same commands into Tactical Two as I just entered in Tactical One and inform the engineer when finished.

With that, Ramata'tar walked off the Bridge and left the young Boatswain standing there confused as to what to do.


Several minutes later, Ramata'tar walked into the Security Office. He didn't know who Ltjg. Vasha was, so he reported to the first person he saw. A Kelpien with Lieutenant JG pips. "I am First Ramata'tar, reporting."

Suffice to say that Ramata'tar looked exactly like the picture which had been attached to his profile. Tall, burly, muscular and... scaly. What had she been expecting, honestly, she thought to herself with a chuckle. Jem'hadar tended to look quite similar across the board after all.

She was on her hooves in a second, standing straight in front of the (normally) intimidating reptilian soldier. Jem'hadar respected strength and professionalism and demanded that from their peers at all times, moreso from her as his superior. She hoped that her first impression had conveyed that.

"First Ramat'atar. Thank you so much for being prompt." She said in her Northern Kaminar drawl. "I'm lieutenant junior grade Vasha - I'd like you to help me with something. I promise it'll be worthwhile for you."

Ramata'tar leaned his head to the side, slightly confused. He was use to be assigned tasks to preform, assisting with training, or being given assignments by the Admirals...but this seemed different.

"What kind of help do you require?" Remata'tar asked.

"Well..." The Kelpien simply smiled, placing a hand on her hip. "The sort of help which involves you telling me a bit more about yourself. I don't want to hear about your service to the Dominion or to the Founders or the battles you've fought and won and all that; your given rank of First speaks for itself, and I can find all that in your personnel file." The young woman's beady blue eyes gleamed with a mix of mischief and curiosity. "You've been here a little longer than me. So I want to hear your perspectives. On our way of life, on how we do things, on... anything, really. I'm sure living with us here must have made you want to at least scratch the surface on some other things."

Vasha's tone was light - but there was something about her choice of words that seemed to suggest that she wouldn't take an answer such as 'I don't have any such thoughts'.

Ramata'tar studied the Kelpian for a moment, glancing to see if her threat ganglia were exposed. There was another Kelpian on Starbase 400, in the Science Department, and everytime Ramata'tar passed him his ganglia came out.

"I requested to serve aboard Starbase 400 ten years ago after my commando team assisted Fleet Admiral Bremer's task force in eliminating a rogue Vorta and his JemHadar troops on Iconia. The Fleet Admiral saved my life in battle and I owed a debt. The Founder you know as Odo approved. Since that time I have found many of this crew to be honorable and formattable in battle. I have worked closely with Fleet Admiral Bremer, Commander Roebuck, Commander MacLeod, and Vice Admiral K'Temoc. While officially I am assigned to the Security Department as an Exchange Officer I have also worked with Intelligence, Marines, and Special Operations. I have found many Federation species to be much more robust than I was taught. I have also found Klingons to be better warriors and more honorable that I was taught. I do not like the Romulans, they are deceptive and self-serving only." Ramata'tar explained.

A smile blossomed over the Kelpien's lips - not because of the content of his answers, but because he'd given her an answer at all. She'd half expected him to tell her that she was wasting time better used to train and refuse to carry on, but he had surprised her pleasantly. If anyone ever dared say that the Jem'hadar people were simpleminded brutes with no opinions other than 'I see, I shoot and kill' (as had been the case with some of her Academy mates) she knew now to give them a smack for good measure.

"I'm pleased to hear that." She remarked. "And I'm happy that so far you've had so much to exprience. Life really is the best teacher, isn't it, though its methods may occasionally be unorthodox, don't you think?" A rhetorical question, of course.

"But who am I to ask you about yourself, without letting you do the same? Ask me anything. Here and now, I am an open book. Surely you must have some questions."

"It is the order of things." Ramata'tar replied, then added, "As a Human may say, you 'live and learn'.

Ramata'tar really did not know what to ask. While he had convocations with several people, mostly Commander Roebuck, starting off a convocation wasn't easy for him.

After a momentary pause, he asked, "What was your last score on the phaser range?"

Maybe she shouldn't have been surprised that that was what he asked. Jem'hadar were bred for combat. It made up a sizeable deal of their mindset and thought process. Perhaps Ramata'tar was sizing her up, she reckoned, determining just how big a threat she'd be in a fight - or perhaps gauging her worth in comparison to himself.

Well, that was fine by her. She could handle herself in a bout - well, that and she did have the stripes to prove herself to him, so to speak.

"Forty-nine out of fifty. I missed the last one when a crewman walked into my side by accident." She said with a smirk. "How about you? No doubt yours must be equally as impressive."

"Fifty out of fifty...the last four times I've been on the range." Ramata'tar said, almost with a smug tone.

About the same time, the comm beeped and alerted both of them to an incoming message. They accessed different wall monitors, but found the same message awaiting them. They had been assigned to a mission and expected in Tactical Operations soon.

"We should go." Ramata'tar said as he turned to the door.

"Indeed we should." Vasha reckoned. "It seems to be quite important. I'll see you later, Ramata dear, on the battlefield if need be - and I expect that excellence that I've read so much about. Which, of course, I'm certain you'll deliver. Victory is life, isn't it?"

Ramata'tar nodded, "Victory is life."


"Oh, and." She turned back around to smirk at the scaly man. "I'd love to continue our old conversation over... let's say a cup of hot chocolate. Whether you order or not doesn't matter. I want to hear about [i]you.[/i] Just let me know what you think of that idea, hm? For now we have a briefing to go to."

"I do not eat, or drink. However, perhaps we can talk again." Ramata'tar replied before leaving.


OFF:

RSS Feed