[Galaxy] [New-Darwin] 2158.03.02 || Joint Log || ACO, AXO, Civ || Morotai, Fisher, Randi ‏ (Back post.)

[Suzanna Batenburg]

 // New Darwin - Town Hall Exhibition \\
  
 LtCmdr Sam Fisher sat next to Lt Cmdr Kareem
 Morotai, who had taken the seat at the head of the
 table. On the other side of Sam sat Adavarre'
 Rahndi. The three of them had just had a very
 interesting 'meeting.' Sam was still trying to get
 over it, to fit into his new boots, so to speak.
  
 As he poured himself a cup of coffee, the
 Daliwakans started to arrive. "Aki'Nah', please
 come and sit," he said, motioning towards some
 empty chairs. " First I would like to say thank
 you for coming and I want to say its an honour to
 be here with you to day." Sam nodded to Kareem who
 replied with his own nod. " I believe you know
 what this meeting is about, so I would like to
 hear from you about what you think of the idea."
  
 Kareem stood up as the hall had filled with about
 50 or so Daliwakans. They had taken seats which
 sloped down at the sides and front.
 Everyone had a good view and Kareem was mic'ed up
 so they could hear him clearly.
  
 "The Academy presents us all with the chance to
 progress ourselves. Skills that interest us and
 will be useful to New Darwin's future and for
 those who want, a possible commission in Starfleet.
 In the years to come I envision some of you
 leaving this fine planet and taking to the stars,
 as explorers." he introduced.
  
 "Let us begin by having a question and answer
 session then disperse. Help yourself to food and
 drink and visit the various stations we've set up
 around the room." Kareem pointed to tables dotted
 in the central part of the hall. Each one carried
 different information "I will ensure your
 questions reach the Academy commandant Cmdr
 Ji-Ribalda as necessary" he added finally.
  
 A slender young man stood and awaited
 acknowledgement before speaking, "Is this Academy
 like a university? Will the students be awarded a
 Professional Certification when their studies are
 complete?"
  
 While the universal translator did a good job of
 translating the words, Varre' leaned over the
 table toward SamFisher and said softly, using the
 translator to try to clarify, "a Professional
 Certificate is like ." she considered a few
 moments, "in university you get a paper to show
 you have passed all exams in a certain topic. I
 have certificate in minerals and metals. Many
 classes in animal design [anatomy] and behaviour."
  
 Kareem waited for Varre to finish before speaking.
 "Starfleet Academy was set up on Earth to gain
 qualifications that will lead to eventual service
 in Starfleet as officers or non-commissioned
 personnel. The qualifications are recognised on
 Earth colonies and their associates. I am sure you
 can understand it depends how far you go in your
 training and what you train as." he explained and
 looked to Sam to see if he had anything to add.
  
 “That’s right, any of our allied planets or ships would
 welcome you wit open arms. If you hold the Starfleet training
 And recognized qualifications.” Sam smiled he wasn’t used to this,
 And he doubted that he ever would be.

 A short, round faced woman stood when they had
 finished their discussion, "When I complete this
 Academy, how long am I a servant of Starfleet in
 exchange for this education?"
  
 "I imagine it comes down to which course you do.
 If Starfleet were to offer you 2 to 3 years of
 education and training is it not reasonable for
 them to expect your service for at least that time
 back?" Kareem pondered. "I will have to get Cmdr
 Ji-Ribalda's answer to this when he arrives."
  
 “Kareem is correct, all Starfleet is asking is if we train you
 Please come work with us. Sure the Academy will give you
 the training but service no matter how long will help you apply
 it in situations that you could never dream about.” the newly promoted
 Lt. Cmdr. knew this was going to be a long meeting.
  
 "Is there financial compensation from working for
 Starfleet. How do I trade for clothing, food, and
 personal things while I am in Academy, or later if
 I am to serve on a Starship?" The young man who
 spoke was so professional, so astute and almost
 scholarly, it was hard to imagine him working as a
 miner.
  
 "On Earth and thus within Starfleet things do not
 work the same as we are used to." Kareem
 explained. "There is a standard pay for different
 commissions and whilst I am no expert on human
 economics I understand they use a kind of
 bartering system to trade with other species. Much
 the same as we've needed to do for getting
 resources here."

  
 “ Yeah that’s about right.” it would take Sam too long to
 explain the details and then he would get half of it wrong.
 Economics was his best subject.
  
 A middle age man rose next, taking a deep breath,
 he spoke in a slow relaxed manner, "What about
 those of us who are not so tender as some of these
 young people. How are we to be included? I am well
 educated from my home on Daliwaka. Is my past and
 my years of experience of value to this Starfleet
 Academy?"
  
 "Tarsus isn't it" Kareem recognised he man. "The
 application process takes into account your
 previous qualifications. They have years of
 experience in taking on people of all ages and
 skill ranges. However the Academy will be
 different here than on Earth as its reaching a
 different audience. They will have to adapt to us.
 Not everyone training there will end up as a
 member of Starfleet. It is a challenge I am sure
 Cmdr Ji-Ribalda is fully ware of" he smiled.
  
 A handsome, unusually tall woman stood. She was
 dark skinned, sturdy, well built and strong. She
 wore her dark hair cut short to the length of her
 chin, and just a hint of cosmetics touched her
 cheeks and lips. Perhaps she had human women
 friends who had introduced her to such elements of
 style and adornment. It was definitely not common
 among the Daliwakan women. She spoke with a
 strong, almost severe tone that was unexpected
 from her blushed cheeks and glossy lips. "And
 suppose I do not choose to be a space runner. Are
 there opportunities for me to remain here, in my
 new home of New Darwin? Can I learn a skill from
 Starfleet Academy and not wear that uniform, but
 still live and work here?"

 "If you commit yourself to be trained as a
 Starfleet officer or non-commissioned crew you
 would logically, normally be expected to follow
 that career path. This Academy isn't going to be
 for everyone... It is here to serve us but
 Starfleet reasonably expect something in return.
 Isn't that just?" Kareem raised the question
 without expecting an answer. The woman nodded and
 slowly sneaked out of the room as things
 proceeded.
  
 “ Don’t have to worry about leaving, if you decided
 to train we have many position’s to fill here on New Darwin.
 And I would say if this was your position choice, Starfleet wouldn’t
 argue. And this place is as much your as it is ours, so even if you don ’t
 attend the Academy you would still be free to stay here ” Fisher knew
 Starfleet wouldn’t have any problem, letting these people stay in
 positions here. Because out here they needed every bit of help they  could get.
  
 Adavarre's friend, Kalli', stood next. She had
 been working with the Starfleet Communications
 Department for several months already. Varre'
 had to smile at her cocky, flirty girlfriend,
 "Well thank you, but I like my job working for
 Starfleet right now. Why would I go to the
 Academy?" She spoke in accented, but very clear
 English.
  
 Kareem hadn't noticed Kalli was here. She has a
 mischievous look on her face as she looked
 directly at Kareem. Feeling suddenly self conscious
 he took a sip of his water before continuing.
  
 "If you are already working for Starfleet then
 perhaps you do not need to attend the academy?
 No-one is telling you that you must. However it
 would be unwise to shut yourself off to the
 possibility of furthering your knowledge. It is
 worth mentioning that some of you may be working
 part-time and training part-time."
  
 “ We enjoy your help, but as Kareem said wouldn’t
 you want to further your knowledge. Either by training
 more in what your working in now or even cross train,
 within another area as well they possibilities are endless.”
 Sam took a mouthful of coffee and looked at the woman,
 he knew her and Varre’ were good friends but apart from that
 he didn’t know much about the woman.
  
 Varre' was surprised to see Annia Resaki in
 attendance. Annia was a shy woman, who like Varre'
 had suffered much at the hands of the Klingons.
 Annia was engaged and promised with Kaldeo Donni'
 and Varre' knew they planned to join soon. She was
 an educated woman, having worked in the accounting
 and valuations section of the Klingon operation.
 "I will soon be a joined woman. Will Starfleet be
 interested in my services? I would not want to be
 forced to leave my husband or a family should we
 be so blessed. Can I still partake of the learning
 in this school?"
  
 "No one is going to be forced to do anything
 Annia. They aren't here to man-handle us into
 their training program and ship us out like robots
 without a say. These people are reasonable,
 they've shown that already. You may find something
 that suits your plans for life, you may not. There
 are many married men and women in Starfleet. Some
 have to spent long periods of time apart. But not
 against their will. It will all be made clear"
 Kareem reassured.

 Sam smiled at the woman, he knew how she felt. He had been
 married and away from his wife. “ I understand your concern I
 was in the same state of mind when I joined. As I was married
 and away from my family, but that was my choice. And if you
 choose to stay here that’s fine.”
  
 He the looked at Varre' and Kareem to answer
 questions. Sure he knew a fair amount of
 Daliwakan, but it was limited to what Varre' had
 been teaching him while he had been injured.

 Varre' used some of her English, though SamFisher
 did occasionally clarify something or correct her
 pronunciation or shades of meaning. She was a
 determined woman and it would not be long before
 she could make easy conversation. Daliwakan was a
 much simpler language than English, with far fewer
 words. Though often there were several words that
 specified degrees of a basic meaning. But
 Daliwakan did not require all the 'of's and 'the's
 and 'to be's.
  
 SamFisher shifted in his chair. He was still sore
 and it hurt when he breathed and moved. But he had
 to be at this meeting as the AXO. He was going to
 be at a lot of meetings like this. Varre' was
 aware of his pain, she could see it in his eyes,
 in the tension in his breathing. When she caught
 his gaze, she smiled gently, a personal smile to
 encourage him and award his courage.
  
 A few more questions were batted back and forth
 and then part two of the event took hold and the
 room was filled with chattering Daliwakans
 discussing all that had been said and all that lay
 ahead.

  
 LtCmdr Kareem Morotai
 Acting Commanding Officer
 New Darwin Colony
  
 &
  
 LtCmdr Sam Fisher
 Acting XO/CAO
 New Darwin Colony
  
 &
 Adavarre' Rahndi
 Colonist
 New Darwin Colony
  
 NPC’s played by
  
 Adavarre' Rahndi