[Galaxy] [New Darwin] 2158.03.01 || Joint Log || Batenburg/Garroway/Morotai

[Kareem Morotai]

// New Darwin - Garroway Residence \\

 Kareem felt a bit like he had been whizzing around in the buggy all day
 meeting and greeting people. They had just stopped for refueling and crewman
 Davis was due a break, replaced by PO Wollard. He drove with a slightly more
 slower and cautious style than the young crewman. They arrived outside
 Thomas Garroway's cabin and Kareem leaned forwards and tooted the horn.

 Garroway was catching up on the latest job postings from the ECA, trying to
 work out possibilities for his boomers.  It was difficult, however, since he
 was still angry and distracted from the conversation with Starfleet
 Intelligence.  The horn outside his cabin was a welcomed distraction from
 his distraction.  He walked out and, standing on the porch, admired the
 buggy.  "What's the occasion, Commander?" he called?

 "Didn't you get my message earlier Thomas? We're going to meet Admiral
 Batenburg, her ship has just entered orbit." he queried. "I guess you can't
 trust technology for everything sometimes" he smiled.

 Apparently, not having Youngblood at Comms was starting to show.  Either
 that, or Garroway must have been more distracted than he realized.
 Whatever the case, he quickly grabbed his jacket and hopped in the buggy.
 "Lead on," he said with a smile.

 //// Shuttle pod //////

 Despite all the paperwork and subspace meetings she'd done during the travel
 to New Darwin, she felt so much better for being out of the office. Out in
 deep space again. And so far, Republic had withstood the rigors of the
 testing the ship had been subjected to during the voyage.
 In many ways, it had helped her remember why she had joined Starfleet.
 There such a thing as too much time on dry land. And now, on this final leg
 of the journey, on a shuttlepod slicing through the atmosphere, Suzanna
 couldn't help but smile. And knowing she'd see Thomas again when she got out
 of the shuttle wasn't the only reason.

 // Later - Landing Pads \\

 A shuttle which looked to be highly modified came down from the sky. It flew
 with a new sleekness than Kareem hadn't seen from any shuttle before. It was
 flanked by another armed shuttle and both settled down in the middle of the
 cleared landing pad area. Sam had arranged for the security presence
 to be increased for the occasion. Kareem turned to Thomas, "So you know the
 Admiral well, Thomas?" he asked curiously.

 Garroway smiled mischievously.  "I met her back when we were both captains.
 I was on medical leave from Meridian and teaching at the Academy module of
 Jupiter Station, and she had just taken over as CO of JuStat."  He glanced
 at Morotai, "We hit it off rather well," he winked.

 Kareem noticed the wink. "I see, I understand where you're coming from.
 I presume you'll be spending quite a bit of time with the Admiral then"
 he smiled, leaving the statement hanging as they walked over to the shuttle.
 The doors opened with a slightly hiss and out she stepped. In real life
 Kareem thought she looked taller. This was the first person he'd ever seen
 face-to-face from Starfleet command. Always seeing them in 2D on a
 communications screen. It was different to now see the Admiral in 3D.

 "Hello Admiral Batenburg. Welcome to the New Darwin Colony! I hope you had a
 comfortable trip" he said with a smile, not for the first time that day, and
 offered the Admiral his hand in friendship.

 That smile was still there, even if she'd tugged the edge of her jacket just
 before the doors opened. In public, there were standards to be upheld,
 examples to be set, and she didn't want to let anyone down. With a
 purposeful stride, she exited the shuttle pod and took, and shook, the
 offered hand of friendship. "Commander Morotai, it's a pleasure to finally
 meet you." Suzanna replied with a warm smile to the alien. She'd read up on
 his file and all the work he had done since joining Starfleet, and it had
 been impressive.

 "I believe you know, Thomas Garroway" he turned to the former Commodore.

 Garroway tried to put on some of his old debonair charm, rusty as it may be.
 "Enchanted as always, Admiral," he said as he kissed her hand.  The
 informality was afforded since he was a regular civilian, but he didn't go
 any further since she was still in uniform and in front of subordinates. But
 it was the first time he'd touched her in far too long, so he was already
 thinking of ways to change both counts.

 "It's been way too long, Thomas," Suzanna said with a smile and twinkle in
 her eye to Garroway and kissed him on his cheek. "We've known each other a
 long time, Commander Morotai," she added looking back to Kareem.

 "I see" Kareem summarised after a short pause. "I have arranged for one of
 our VIP suites to be opened up alongside Lake McKenzie for the duration of
 your stay. You'll be the first in, let us know how you find the experience
 sir" he smiled.

 "I am sure it will be more than adequate, Commander." Suzanna replied.

 "I've scheduled a tour of the colony in for tomorrow morning; that should
 give you plenty of time to get settled today. Lieutenant Commander
 Fisher has made the
 security arrangements for your stay, your own men may want to check things
 over with him?" he nodded to the two tough-looking body guards that were
 keeping a low profile at the shuttle doors.

 "You are most kind. I'm sure there have been some communications regarding
 that already, but the head of the detail will want to speak with Commander
 Fisher."

 "Finally, I have a personal request from our CEO, Lt Walker. He asked me
 whether or not the Republic was out-of-bounds for New Darwin personnel.
 We've got quite a few people around here who'd love to take a look at her,
 Sir." Kareem asked.

 "As long as they are Starfleet Personnel and they don't all come at the same
 time, it shouldn't be a problem." Suzanna replied. "Have Lieutenant Walker
 contact Lieutenant Commander Hopmann, and she will get it organised."

 Garroway watched the exchange.  He felt a little too much like an outsider,
 not only because he didn't have a place in the current conversation, but
 also because he used to be a focal speaker in such talks.  Now he had only
 to listen and, when he felt they had more or less concluded, be the one to
 move them along.  "That's a lot of excitement for New Darwin," he said with
 a smile only slightly forced.  "And on that note, I'm sure the Admiral would
 appreciate settling into her new cabin after her trip, and not having to
 make anymore decisions until the scheduled time tomorrow?"

 "Agreed Thomas. I still have several things to address today too."
 Kareem nodded to Garroway. He turned back to the Admiral. "Sir, I
 shall leave you in Mr Garroway's capable hands" he smiled and gestured
 for them to lead on.

 --
 RAdm Suzanna Batenburg
 Fleet Commander
 Starfleet: The First Era
 "Everything fits, otherwise we will make it fit."
 http://www.firstera.net

 Thomas R. Garroway
 Independent Freight Coordinator
 Earth Cargo Authority

 LtCmdr Kareem Morotai
 Acting Commanding Officer
 New Darwin Colony