Meeting the New Spock er Spook

Posted on Mon Jul 24th, 2023 @ 11:19pm by Lieutenant William Henderson & Lieutenant Savar

1,398 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 1S: Shore Leave
Location: Intel Office
Timeline: Shortly after Arriving

The ship was docked and shore leave was commencing. Savar would go down later with Verelan. Right now he had heard the Defiant had a new Intel officer and he wanted to me said individual. There were occasions where Diplomatic and Intelligence worked together and needed to compare notes.

He made his way to the Intel office, past the first of the crew to get shore leave. He drew himself up straight and pressed the chime.

Having just returned from medical, William had just sat down at his desk, when the door chime rang again. Chuckling slightly to himself, he said softly, "Busy ship for shoreleave." He then pressed the comm panel control in his desk. "Who is it?" He asked pleasantly.

Standing there, Savar heard through the door speaker a voice inquiring who it was. "Savar. Chief Diplomatic Officer." He replied professionally and simply.

=/\=One moment,=/\= came the response, thentbe line went dead. A few beats later, the door slid open and a bearded officer in Intelligence grey stood there, a polite look on his face. "Mister Savar, Lieutenant William Henderson, Chief Intel Officer." He then raised his right hand and offered the traditional Vulcan salute. "Peace and long life to you."

Savar lifted his right hand in the traditional Vulcan salute. "Peace and long to you Lieutenant William Henderson." He returned. "May I come in? I wish to talk to you for a few minutes."

William grimaced slightly. "Unfortunately, only those with proper clearance can enter the Intel Suite." He brightened a bit as he continued. "However, we could go talk somewhere else, if you'd like."

"I assure you Lieutenant I have all the proper clearances. However, I do not wish to stand here and debate the situation with you. So, going somewhere is preferable. Did you have a specific destination in mind?"

William decided not to press the issue, as he knew who had what clearance level needed to enter his department. Instead, he replied, "As I'm new here, why don't we go back to your office?"

"Oh. I am sorry Lieutenant. As you have previously stated you are new here and as of yet, I have not received any transmissions in regard to your security clearance." Savar replied completely unfazed by the previous conversation. "Perhaps the officers mess would be more suitable?".

William nodded. "That sounds good." He smiled as he added, "Lead on."

Savar nodded, "Excellent, perhaps we can make small talk as we proceed there." He began to walk as he did he gave a sideways glance at William. "Do you play pool Mr.Henderson?"

William shook his head. "No, though I have watched it being played," he replied honestly. "Do you?"

Savar inclined his head slightly. "Yes. Captain Rhodes play. I am teaching Verelan my wife to play. I find it excellent for strategy. You should look into playing. If of course it interests you."

The young Intelligence Officer thought about it, then shrugged. "Sure, why not? It has always seemed like a very interesting game to play."

"I believe you will find it both interesting and challenging to play." Savar paused and continued, "And at times most frustrating as well."

"Sounds good," William replied with a grin. As they continued to walk, he asked, "So, how long have you been on the Defiant?" Whole he had already read the Vulan's personnel file, he had learned that small talk tended to illuminate little bits of data that a cold file couldn't give.

Giving his companion a sideways glance as they walked, Savar replied. "I have just recently arrived myself. My wife Veralen has also just recently arrived. Of course, I am sure you already know all this as Intelligence is your forte."

Smirking slightly, William replied. "I can neither confirm now deny such actions, Mister Savar."

Savar nodded at the reply. "I would expect nothing else. Mr. Henderson. You do your profession credit."

William gave the Diplomatic Officer a polite smirk and slight nod of his head in reply. "So, meet any new species to practice diplomacy with yet?" He asked as they entered the officer's mess.

"Unfortunately, not. At least not directly. Indirectly yes. The Captain has asked for my opinion and help on a topic, which I gave. Though hope springs eternal that my services will be needed and that I can be of service to the Captain and crew."

"Oh, I'm sure they will be," William responded as the two men grabbed something to eat from the replimat. "As we are on a mission of discovery, I'm sure your services will be needed quite a bit." He looked around the room and saw two tables being unused. "Preferance on table?"

"As I am sure your will be as well Mr. Henderson. One needs good intelligence to make informed decisions." Savar replied as he looked about the room. "The table in the right corner. We may talk and not disturb others with our conversation."

William nodded in agreement with Savar's choice. He then made his way over and sat down. "You know, as we are the same rank, you don't need to be so formal. You can just call me Will." He gave the Vulcan a slight grin as he spoke.

Savar nodded as he placed his tray down on the table and then sat down. "I appreciate that. Thank you Will. You may call me Savar, for as you pointed out, there is no need for such formality between us."

As the two men sat and started to enjoy their meals, William looked over at Savar and asked, "So, you came to see me because you said you said you had some questions?"

Savar nodded, "Yes. Correct. I was wondering what drew you to wanting to become an Intelligence operative. Is it a family tradition?

William finished chewing the food in his mouth, then swallowed. Wiping his mouth with his napkin, he replied. "Not at all. My family is in shipping. I'm a Boomer, in case you didn't already hear the scuttlebutt about me. As for going into Intel, that's as simple as nearly scoring off the charts on a few of my entrance exams. Someone up the food chain saw something in me and brought me aboard." He took a sip of his drink, then reversed the question. "How about you? What caught your eye about joining the Diplomatic Corps?"

Savar sipped his drink and jabbed at his shrimp salad with his fork. "Very similar to yours I am afraid. I like a challenge and meeting new races and finding out about their culture, beliefs and what is important to them, is a great help when sitting down at the bargaining table. Not to mention my scores were most impressive as well. Plus, at times a well-spoken word may stop a war." He surmised. "It is essential to know the person sitting across from you, Their strengths and weakness. Hobbies and habits. How to get them to reach the conclusion you wish them to have without them knowing it."

William nodded slowly as he listened. When Savar finished speaking, he responded. "Well, it certainly sounds like you could've gone into Intel just as much as Diplomatic Corps."

Savar nodded, "A valid and astute observation, Will. Our departments are closely related and will need to work together in unison when the need calls for it."

Shrugging slightly, Will replied. "When the situation merits it, certainly." He then took another bite of his food. He then seemed a bit confused by something. "Forgive my ignorance, but I thought all Vulcans were strict vegetarians, and ate no animal byproducts?"

Savar glanced at Will. "No apology is necessary as there is no ignorance. Most Vulcans are vegetarians. Notice I said vegetarian and not vegan. We can eat meat from a replicator if desired or have eggs. I suppose technically I am a pescatarian. As I do enjoy fish and seafood. Though my diet is largely plant based." He explained to his companion.

Nodding again, William replied. "Learn something new everyday." He gave Savar a slight grin as he spoke.

"A most astute statement along with being correct." Savar replied as he stabbed another shrimp.

For the remainder of their meals, both men talked and hot to know one another. Then, once done, they disposed of their garbage and went their separate ways, each glad to have made a new friend.

~OFF~

 

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