Rank Has Its Disadvantages

Posted on Wed Oct 21st, 2026 @ 2:39pm by Lieutenant Cassia Cavendish [Lalor] & Lieutenant Sapphire Morgan [Lalor] & Lieutenant Samaire MacBride-Reece [Lalor] & Consul Josephine Carlyle-Cragen [Lalor]

Mission: Season 6 - Episode 8- The Price of Home
Location: Aureate Spire — Panoramic Gallery
Timeline: MD 1 — 1900 Hours
1157 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

There was an unfortunate point in a Starfleet officer's career when rank stopped being protection from diplomatic functions and started becoming the reason one was invited to them. Apparently Lieutenant was somewhere around that point. The Aureate Spire was already crowded with representatives from across Circinus. Uniforms mingled with diplomatic robes, ceremonial armour, elaborate jewellery and several forms of clothing whose purpose was considerably less obvious. For the officers of Elysium who occupied that awkward territory between junior crew and Senior Staff, there was another complication. They were important enough to be noticed. But not important enough to have an aide nearby who could tell them who was noticing them.

A soft chime sounded. Commander Rhael’ta Zovrenn stepped onto the central platform. “Honoured guests.” Her melodic voice carried across the reception. “Welcome to Zyphera Prime.” Her amber gaze moved across those gathered. “You have been invited here because tomorrow you will begin discussing matters of considerable importance.” A pause. “Tonight, however, the Concord has made the somewhat radical decision that you should first discover whether you can tolerate one another for the duration of a meal.” Scattered laughter moved through the room. “Tomorrow there will be agendas. Tonight there are none.” That seemed optimistic. “There will be no formal negotiations this evening. No motions. No votes. No commitments will be recognised as binding by the Zypheran Concord.”

A tiny pause. “For the reassurance of several delegations, I am informed this includes commitments made after consuming beverages from the Lorahn table.” More laughter. Rhael’ta raised her glass. “Circinus has no shortage of borders. Nor grievances. Nor histories explaining why cooperation is impossible.”

She surveyed the gathering. “Perhaps this evening we might begin with something considerably less ambitious.” A beat. “Conversation.” Her glass rose. “To new conversations.” Around the Aureate Spire, glasses followed. And conversation began. It didn't take long for one of Elysium's officers to realise someone was watching them.

Across the room stood a member of one of the smaller delegations. Older. Well dressed. Definitely not someone whose face had appeared prominently in the briefing packet. When their eyes met, the stranger smiled. Then began walking directly toward them. “Lieutenant.”

Apparently the rank insignia translated. “Excellent. Someone who might actually know how things work.” The stranger collected a drink from a passing server and gestured toward a quieter part of the room. “Your senior officers will tell me what your Federation believes.” A slight smile. “I am considerably more interested in what the people who actually have to implement their decisions believe.”

Naxea stood with her hands clasped casually behind her back, flexing her fingers to help ease the tension in her as she was dressed in her Marine Dress Uniform as she surveyed the room. She personally hated diplomatic functions. It was an entirely different battlefield to her. One where everyone had their own personal agendas.

On the other side of the large space, Command Kyle Reece was politely greeting various dignitaries as he moved through the crowd. Though the majority of those assembled were of what could be considered average height, he still seemed to tower over nearly everyone present. There were one or two representatives present that were either his hight, or a few inches taller. It was certainly an odd feeling to large Tac/Sec Chief, who was accustomed to being the biggest one in the room. As he glanced around, his eyes caught the Colonel's, and they shared a knowing grin. It was one that said quite clearly, yet subtly, You're having as much fun as I am in our monkey suits. He gave her a slight nod, then continued on his circuit of the room.

Naxea gave a simple nod in return as she returned to watching the room, watching the diplomats. In all honesty, she really wasn't in the mood to talk but she was here anyhow to put on a friendly face.

Emily was sticking firmly to her brother’s side, still getting over the mental repercussions of her imprisonment. At least she was verbal once again, albeit a little nervous. She gave George a look that said just how uncomfortable she found this whole gathering. << I wish we didn’t have to be down here. I’d rather be enjoying some quiet time aboard ship with Zac. >> her mood changed as she spotted Zac in the crowd giving him a smile.

Zac looked for Emily, he knew she was still dealing with the after effects of being in prison and he wanted to support her every way he could. Then he saw her and her smile filled his heart. He smiled back and began to move toward her.

Emily felt so much better seeing Zac, next to her brother Zac held her heart. He was definitely the man she wanted to spend her life with.

Zac weaved through the crowd until he was finally in front of Emily. "Hiya beautiful." He said with a broad smile.

“Hi Zac!” Emily’s smile practically shone as she gave him a hug.

Zac smiled and returned the hug. "Emily." he replied as he kissed her cheek.

“Am I glad to see you!” Emily smiled as she returned the kiss and took hold of his hand.

Zac took Emily's hand and held it in his "I am glad to see you as well. What do you want to do first? Would you like something to eat or drink?"

“I think that would be nice” Emily nodded. “What about you George?”


Kara what paused at the food table giving it all a look over. “What do you think Mal? I’ve no clue what any of this is.”

Mal looked at the unfamiliar food before them. "Your asking me? I've got no idea Kara. I was going to go for what looked the best color wise." He admitted.

Kara grinned. “I guess we get adventurous and hope we don’t choose the wrong thing.”

"I guess so. Let's both pick something different. That way it doubles are chances of picking something that tastes good." Mal suggested.

Kara nodded choosing a selection from her end of the table hoping it was going to be good.

Mal stood there looking over the selections and trying to decide what would taste good. He finally decided on something yellow that reminded him of a chicken leg.

Kara politely ate some of her sandwich nodding as she did so. “Mmm this is nice, tastes a little like a ham salad.”

"Really? Ham salad is alright." Mal took a bite of the sandwich he held and did his best to not make a face. "Ummm. This tastes like liverwurst. Ugh," As he looked for a way to dispose of the sandwich."

Kara couldn’t help but giggle at Mal’s reaction. “Let’s try something else.”

"I think that is an excellent idea." Mal replied. "Almost anything has to be better than that sandwich."

OFF