Press Meeting (2/2)

Posted on 12 Feb 2013 @ 12:44am by Raifi Zaren & Trija Natyal & Justin Baker

1,441 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2
Timeline: MD02: 0800 hrs

Previously.....

Zaren set the PADDs aside and cuddled his bowl of pudding closer, snacking happily. He'd already taken a look at the red, orange, and black list the day before. The badges were common; he'd worn them during the Dominion War when he'd been on the starships. "Do we know if anyone's volunteered so far?"

"Mm," Trija glanced down at the lonely PADD left in her hands, which were bejeweled as always. "Not that I can see. It's only early, we should with any luck have a suitable list by tonight or tomorrow." She then let out a breath and looked to them all. "Something's up with this ship. Something they don't want people to know. Don't parade around demanding answers, but... we're journalists. There's something more interesting here than just planetary survey. Just keep that in mind, and try and stay out of the brig." She shook her head.

And Now....


Tapping his own PADD against his hip, Justin scratched behind her neck for a moment as he studied Trija. "Any chance permission can be given for some action shots? People at work and all of that? It doesn't need to be in area we aren't allowed, it can be simple like staff in sickbay, scientists in the arboretum, security on drills. There's many ways around the constrictions without having to push the line too far."

"Many ways," Zaren agreed, "like getting some of the Level 4 clearance officers on our side."

Trija started writing, typing out something on her PADD as she did. "Good ideas, both of you. I'll see what I can do on the official front." She nodded at Baker. "We haven't exactly lucked out here, with the support team. Even if you and Coleman are on friendly terms, she's wary of us. So this is an opportunity we'll have to make ourselves. I want that star system. I want that story and any other stories you can find. Within the terms we've been given. The Federation needs it, Starfleet needs it, and so do we."

"I spoke with Eve, after we broke that official 'welcome party' yesterday," Zaren told her. "She doesn't have anything personal against us; she's just trying to protect the ship. I can't speak to Holliday's deal, but if we're up front and honest with Eve, she won't stand in the way of the story. I told her I'd talk to you about it. Maybe give her a chance to look over some of our copy and reports before we send it in to the network. Show her we're not looking to turn their ship into a gossip rag."

"There is a story here," Jool said. "Though I have never worked for a 'gossip rag' and never will. Nor, do I think any of us will. But there is a story here...several in fact. But I want to know the big one. The secret that has Holliday wetting his pants thinking we might discover. Something that big must have dangerous implications for the Federation and they should be informed."

"If you continue to go around sprouting ideas like that then you will get us thrown off of the ship. The reason we are here is for the upcoming mission and the element of the crew and who they are. Nothing more and nothing else." Justin glanced across at Feran wondering once again why anyone had thought it a good idea to bring her around.

"And why is the help part of this conversation?" she asked Naytal, having absolutely no doubt now why the woman was being pushed out.

"Save it, the both of you," Trija shut them down flatly. "And you're both right. We need to be discrete, and we will be."

Zaren lifted his brows, eyeing Trija meaningfully. She wasn't really going to let Jool insult Justin outright, was she? She had to be aware that Justin was necessary to the success of this mission, if not more necessary than both him and Jool when it came right down to it. Images spoke far more than any words could, and Baker was the king of images.

"Then, Naytal, perhaps you might want to let your overgrown remote control jockey know that I didn't get to where I'm at by announcing every detail of the story I'm working on. I'm a professional and know what I'm doing. Which is more than I can say for some in this room."

"We're all on the same side here," Zaren spoke softly and seriously. "If we're all acting like professionals, perhaps we can lay off the name calling and give each other the respect we're all due."

Trija looked up from her PADD, setting her gaze on them all hawkishly. "If I hear another outburst of petty, childish nonsense from any of you, you'll find yourself packing. You all are necessary components to this team and were chosen accordingly. You're grown ups. Act like it. Insults get us nowhere. We need to present a unified image, one that people will trust and respect. If you can't be genuine in your respect, then for the sake of the Deities," she threw up her hands, "lie! Now that we've got that out of the way, draw up your lists and send them to me when you're done. I'll see what I can do about easing some of these restrictions. We all want the same thing."

"We are?" Jool asked, "Cause it certainly doesn't seem like it."

"Baker will make you look just fine. You will not resort to name-calling. You will not jump all over Romulus." Trija glared at them all. "And I will do my best to facilitate this. Because we are a team of grown-ups who are good at our jobs. Save the personal stories. Save the bitching. Save the gripes. We're going to be here for a long time. Let's get it done." She finished handing out her collection. "Lists. Now. It's morning, the crew should be just starting their shifts and ending others. Go do your jobs in the meantime." And I'll try not to have my head explode from all the crazy. Trija swept past them all and headed to the replicator, pulling out her customary raktajino and sitting behind her desk.

"Here's to you," Zaren murmured with a small lift of his own raktajino and offered a broad grin to the others. "Guess I should go get journaling. See you all later? Poker tonight? No?"

Moving to his feet, Justin has purposely stayed silent as he just observed everyone. He'd learned more about their editor in this meeting and what he'd learned hadnt been good. Despite her needing to be the team leader, she preferred to place blame on everyone unanimously and it seemed that Zarin was stepping forward to act as the neutral party to resolve the issues and bring them together.

Rubbing a hand across his forehead, he nodded his head towards Zaren as he allowed an easy smile to play across his lips. "Sounds like a plan, you know I'm always up for relieving you of some of your hard earned cash, or even pretzels, whichever is being used. They always taste sweeter when taken from you."

"Mmm," Zaren chuckled over the laugh, "Sweet, sweet latinum-covered pretzels. You girls in?" he asked.

"I don't play with the help," Jool said, glaring at the boys.

Zaren exhaled softly through his nose. "Okay, then," he lifted his brows as though laughing at his own private joke, and turned to Trija. "Anything else you want to say?"

"Fenta," Trija muttered warningly. "Enough. Get to work, all of you. Out. Let's go. And Zaren - maybe if you go a full day without landing yourselves in trouble, we'll see." She gave the Trill a bland smile.

"I shall do my utmost, most beautiful and queenly," he bowed deeply to her, grabbed his coffee, and offered an arm to Justin, "Going my way, love?"

Rolling his eyes, Justin placed his hands on each of Zaren's shoulders and started to propel him towards the door, tossing over his shoulder his final words at Trija. "Boss, I'll call back later. I've got some preliminary clips I'd like to look over with you, just give me a time and I'll be here."

[OFF]

Jool Fenta
FNN Journalist
USS Galileo

Trija Natyal
Assistant Producer, FNN
USS Galileo

Raifi Zaren
FNN Journalist
USS Galileo
(pNPC Lilou Peers)

Justin Baker
FNN Cameraman
USS Galileo
(pNPC Pola Ni Dhuinn)

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