USS Eagle, Transporter Room

Kirby adjusted the collar of his dress uniform while the rest of his officers that would be attending the dinner to meet the two royal families filed into the transporter room: Lieutenant Commander Allen, Lieutenant Saunders, Doctor Weaver, Lieutenant Iziraa, and Nurse Parker.  He originally picked Lieutenant Ohtani, but she asked to be excused from attending.  Not wanting to press the matter, and hearing from Lori that her new nurse was eager to go, he added her to the group.  He could see it was a good choice, as she was beaming a large smile.

“Now that we’re here and ready to go, we’ll do a quick review of the briefing,” said Kirby.  “The dinner tonight is in the Great Hall in the Equamar capital city, with the wedding tomorrow in Canbolla.  We’re beaming onto the grounds outside the hall, which will certainly be covered by the media.  I’m sure we’ll be bombarded with questions, but security should keep them back.  Be polite, smile, wave, but don’t say anything controversial.”  He glanced at Iziraa, who wrinkled her nose at the comment.

“Inside there will be a receiving line, conversations, and photographs.”  Kirby paused.  “Unfortunately, I’ll be giving a speech, then the dinner.  After that will be music and socializing.”  He paused again.  “I can’t emphasize enough that we need to be careful.  Someone tried to assassinate the Prince, so keep your eyes open.”

When that sank in and they were ready, Kirby motioned for the team to step onto the transporter pads.

“Energize.”

Equamar, Great Hall, Doctor Weaver and Nurse Parker

“So, Renee, what do you think?”

“This is amazing, Doctor!” said Parker.  It’s more exciting than I thought it would be.  I fluttered when I met the Prince.”  She giggled.

“He is a handsome man,” said Weaver.

“I watched some archive footage of royal weddings on Earth,” said Parker.  “If tomorrow is anything like them, it ill be the highlight of my year.”

“Going where no one has gone before is worth all the hard work and sacrifice,” said Weaver.  “Treasure every moment.”

Lieutenant Iziraa

Izi had done her best to enjoy the festivities, while being vigilant as a security officer.  Now that the Royal Orchestra was performing, with people dancing, she was watching.  Seeing someone approaching, she did a double take when she recognized it was Princess Yari.  Izi stood a little straighter.

“Lieutenant Iziraa, may I speak with you?”

“Yes, of course, Princess.  I’m honored.”

“How are you doing?  Are you enjoying yourself?” said Yari.

“Yes, Princess.  More than I thought I would,”

Yari cocked her head to one side, her tail swishing in a circular pattern.

“What I meant, Princess, is I’m generally more focused on duty rather than fun.”

“I certainly understand that.”

Izi saw a sad expression flash across Yari’s face, but just for an instant.  It was so subtle, most would have missed it.

“You don’t need to call me Princess all the time.  I’m really just like everyone else.”

Izi doubted that.  Observing her, Princess Yari had a bearing and a presence that showed she really wasn’t like everyone else.

“I’ll try,” said Izi with a chuckle.

“I’ve done a lot of studying of Starfleet and the Federation,” said Yari.  “You have such a wonderful organization, with so many different people working together for the same goals.”

“It’s not quite like that,” said Izi.  “We do work together, but goals aren’t always the same.  Politics never truly go away.”

“I suppose it doesn’t,” said Yari, ”but you’ve done so much good for so many.  Your technology is absolutely fascinating.  You’re more than three hundred years beyond what we have.  Warp travel, transporters, holograms, language translators.  Your food replicators alone would end world hunger.  I understand why my people want to join.”

“But you wish there was a different way.”  As soon as Izi said that, she was horrified.  “I’m so sorry, Princess.  It’s not my place to say that.”  Her face was purple with embarrassment.

After a tense few seconds of silence, Yari spoke.  “You’re very observant.”

While more seconds passed, Izi wondered how much trouble she would be in once the Captain heard about this.

“May I ask a favor?” said Yari.

A favor?  Izi was both surprised and relieved the Princess seemed to be moving past her comment.  What could she want?

“Of course, Princess.”

“May I tour your ship?”

“A tour?  I would need to ask Captain Kirby, but I don’t see why not.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant.  I look forward to your Captain’s answer.”

USS Eagle, Transporter Room

Izi had taken Princess Yari’s request to Captain Kirby, who took it to the two families.  Permission was given and Yari had changed from her gown to more casual clothing.  Her head of security, Berathor, wanted to go as well, but Yari assured him she was in good hands with Lieutenant Iziraa.

After materializing on the Eagle, Yari stared in awe.  “That was incredible!”  She was slightly out of breath.

“I suppose it is,” said Izi, “but I’m accustomed to it.”

Stepping off the pad, Yari approached the transporter operator.  “”What’s your name?”

The operator looked at Izi, who nodded.

“I’m Petty Officer Ronald Taylor, ma’am.”

“I’m Yari.  It’s nice to meet you, Petty Officer Ronald Taylor.”  She turned back to face Izi.  “Where should we go first?”

USS Eagle, Observation Lounge

Yari was looking out the window, staring at her home world.  “I’ve seen satellite pictures, but seeing Lenal like this, it’s breathtaking.”

“Being in Starfleet is a great life,” said Izi.  “The opportunities are almost limitless.”

“Opportunities,” whispered Yari.  Her tail stiffened, she took a deep breath, and she looked back at Izi.  “Lieutenant Iziraa, I formally request sanctuary on the Eagle.”

“Wh-what?”  Izi’s antennae rose like a letter V.

“I want political asylum.”

Izi froze, her stomach churning.  She slowly moved her hand to her comm badge.  “Lieutenant Iziraa to Captain Kirby, we have a problem.”