The Gatekeeper

Posted on Mon Feb 5, 2018 @ 12:12am by Radun Dran & Petty Officer 1st Class Ben Efits

Mission: History
Location: Bridge/Administration Area
Timeline: MD 32 || 1600 Hours

Dran entered deck 18, a man on a mission. He needed a story about how the Triumphant was doing, and one place to get that was here.

He was dressed in a typical outfit for a MRO ship side--a diplomatics-colored t shirt with the UFP logo on the right breast, and a light grey jacket that said 'diplomatics corp' on the opposite side--with a special device the size of an ID card that permanently displayed his for diplomatic access to virtually anywhere on the ship.

He also carried a small handheld PADD in one hand for notes, and he headed for the Commodore's office.

A young man sat behind a holographic terminal in the reception area of administration which was just off the bridge and looked up. He inwardly groaned when he saw the diplomat enter the offices and put on a smile. "Hi. How can I help you today?" Ben asked as he prepared to deflect any inquiries.

Dran groaned inwardly. This guy was the bane of his existence on this ship. He pulled out his ID card, "Radun Dran, Media Relations Officer. I'd like to speak to Commodore Avaran."

"Wouldn't we all?" Ben asked with a cheerful voice as he scanned the card. "What can I do for you, Mister Radun?"

"I need to speak directly with the Commodore. I have some questions for him."

"I'm sure you do, but you must realize that he's a very busy man," Ben said. "As his Yeoman, I'm responsible for making sure that he sticks to his schedule." He glanced at the terminal and brought up a file. "According to this, he should be available sometime next week. Would you like to set an appointment?"

"I need to speak to him today, Petty Officer."

"And I need ten more hours in a day for people who don't tell me specifically what they want the first time I asked them how I can help, Media Relations person."

"This card should be enough of an answer." Dran said, holding up his ID card.

"I'm aware of what the card says and who you are," Ben said while suppressing a sigh. "That does not mean that you get an immediate audience with anyone. The Commodore has a task force division under his command and he's a very busy man. Would you like to leave a message for him or shall I schedule an appointment?"

Dran stared down the man for a few minutes before speaking. "Tell him, today sometime to get in contact with me ASAP. Oh. And the Diplomatics Corps will be hearing about how you wasted my time."

"Oh, I certainly will tell him how a self-important individual who wants a story is far more important than running an entire division and the current mission of mercy into Romulan space," Ben said as the sarcasm oozed. "Be sure to get my name right. Petty Officer First Class Ben Efits."