Chapter Text
The IKS Ya’vang slowed to impulse along the outskirts of Breen territory, aligning its course to the USS Intrepid. The helmsman grumbled in response to the Federation ship coming within visual distance.
“Do you have something to say Commander Ch’targh?” the captain asked.
“No Captain.” he pushed out.
“Out with it!” Captain Tork growled lowly, “If you have a problem with this, I would hear it now.”
Ch’targh frowned, “What is the point of this? We don’t need them here.”
“The Federation are our allies. It is my understanding that this officer exchange program of theirs is meant to further mutual understanding and foster cooperation.” the captain said with an edge of sarcasm.
“Pbst...” Ch’targh sputtered with disdain.
“My sentiments exactly.”, the captain said, causing the bridge crew to chuckle. “They are sending us an engineering team though. They will not be underfoot, and can be assigned to duties less befitting a warrior. These Humans are clever, we will let them improve our ship if they want.”
“They are Humans then?” Ch’targh asked, glancing at their weapons officer who seemed to not notice the conversation going on a few feet behind him.
“I am told that one is. Lt. Tolkien is the engineer. The other is a Ferengi, if all things, and a command officer.”
“A Ferengi?” Ch’targh sputtered. “Is the crew expected to take commands from a Ferengi p’taQ?”
“No...” the captain grinned, “at least the Federation is not so naive to expect that. The Ferengi, Lt. Nog, is assigned to supervise the Human and act as a liaison to Starfleet.”
Ch’targh shook his head. “A Human and their Ferengi supervisor being transferred to serve on a ship of the Empire...it sounds like the beginning of a joke.”
“Captain,” the communications officer said, interrupting the derisive laughter, “they have transported onboard. The bekk in Transporter Room 2 says there is a problem.”
“Patch him through.” Captain Tork ordered impatiently. “What is it bekk?”
“Captain I was told that we were expecting a Human officer and a Ferengi Officer...I think there has been a mistake.”
“Well, is it a Ferengi?” the captain asked testily.
“Yes, but...”, the bekk began.
“Then send them up to the bridge!” he barked, “What is so hard to understand! Captain out.” he fumed. “Commander Ch’targh, most of the crew has not seen a Ferengi in the flesh, let alone a Human. I will not have my time wasted with this. Have someone assigned to them.”
“It sounds like a good assignment for you, Lt.” Ch’Targh said to their weapons officer. “You were raised in the Federation. You will know how to keep them out of the way.”
The officer nodded in acknowledgment of the order. “Yes, Commander.” he said, though he bristled visibly as he turned back to his station.
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Lt. Tolkien and Lt. Nog stood waiting in the transporter room as the operator hastily commed the bridge. As soon as they had materialized they had been met with the gaping face of the bekk.
/Here we go./ Lt. Nog said lowly to his Starfleet counterpart.
/Don’t mind them, Lieutenant. You have earned this assignment, just like me./ Lt. Tolkien said. /They will hardly object when they see your service record./ she whispered back.
Nog pursed his lips. He watched the surreptitious glances the Klingon sent their way. /I don’t think he has ever seen a Ferengi,/ he said before he noticed the bekk looking at Lt. Tolkien with equal suspicion. /...or a Human./
/Well, if they don’t know what to expect, then we should let them know what we expect./ she smiled sardonically. /Maybe we should do the unexpected, and keep them on their toes?/
Nog nodded, then walked up confidently to the bekk. /What is the delay? Are we to begin our duties immediately, or are we to report to your captain?/ he interrupted testily.
The bekk paused for a moment as a scowl screwed up his face. “The Captain has ordered you to the bridge.”he said. Then his eyes drifted to the female Lieutenant and the same look of confusion overtook his face as he seemed to examine her.
She took a few graceful steps forward to stand next to Lt. Nog. She looked at the bekk directly in the eyes, and he again began to gape at her. /Are we to go ahead by ourselves, or are we to wait to be escorted?/
The bekk paused a few beats too long as jaw dropped, as if in confusion that she was speaking directly to him. His glanced over her face again before he answered. “The Captain did not specify.”
/I would think that you are expected to remain at your post. We can find our own way./ she said wryly, before she turned to Nog.
/The ship’s specifications were sent to me beforehand. I can get us there, Lieutenant./ she said as she ignored the bekk and clipped a device over her ear, tapping it lightly.
/This will allow me to project our destination, and it is connected to my tricorder./
/Lieutenant, may I take preliminary readings as we go? It may be useful to be ahead of the game before we reach the bridge./
Nog smiled at her demeanor and nodded. /Proceed, Lieutenant./ he grinned a bit.
/Just follow the green line projected on the floor./ she smiled as they entered the corridor, ignoring the still confused bekk.
Nog observed the looks they were garnering from the Klingons they passed, and began to frown.
/Shit./ he said lowly as another Klingon passed by them. Each and every one of them first shot him a glare. That did not concern him much, as he had anticipated their disdain due to his species. What he found troubling was the double-take each of them did when they noticed his comrade. They were obviously looking her over from head to toe with marked interest that went beyond mere curiosity.
/It is best to just ignore xenophobia, Lieutenant. They will either get over it, or prove themselves not worthy of our attention./ she half mumbled, concentrating on her tricorder and occasionally glancing up to take note of their direction.
/It is not that Lt./ he said with an uncomfortable look on his face as they paused near the turbo lift leading to the bridge. /I don’t think they have ever seen a woman, much less a Human./
/I noticed Lt./ She raised her brow wryly. /That is not my problem, it is theirs./ she shrugged. She raised her eyes to a Klingon who was staring at them as he waited for the lift. He stood between them and the door, as he looked at them both dumbly.
/Excuse me,/ she said calmly, though she walked slightly into his space. To their surprise, the Klingon took a slight step back, but he was still in their way. She blinked a bit and suppressed a smile.
/We are getting on the lift. May we get by, or are you getting on too?/ she said with a pointed look. The warrior’s eyes widened, then he scowled a bit and moved out of their way, crossing his arms with a look of disdain on his face.
/Thank you./ she smiled as they passed.
Lt. Tolkien held it together until the lift doors closed then laughed. /Maybe they think we have cooties?/ she grinned, causing Nog to laugh along.
/Maybe./ he said as they waited to reach the bridge.