An Orderly Arrival

Posted on Mon Sep 8th, 2025 @ 1:17pm by Commander Alex Flynn & Ambassador Oriath Velt
Edited on on Mon Sep 8th, 2025 @ 1:18pm

776 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Shoreleave [3-4]
Location: Alpha Dock, Docking Port 3, DS13
Timeline: Afternoon - MD16

"The Order of Divine Harmony, a lofty name for a group as often mired in controversy as the trappings of success. One of the few remaining Vulcan religious orders to exist with the knowledge of the Vulcan state, the Order is also home to a handful of the Federation's leading scientists in their fields." Yeoman Telegin told the XO, doing her best to condense the pages of reading about this group into a simple summary. Her accent meant she missed the V's and got W's instead.

"Simpler." Flynn asked, wishing she'd done the reading when she'd seen it. Instead she'd chosen to play pool. Given the decision over, she knew what she'd choose.

"Simpler, simpler, da." Telegin said, reconsidering. "They are Vulcan monks who worship mathematics."

"And why in blue hell do they want to live on Dreizhen III?" Flynn asked, feeling that hadn't yet been clarified.

"They claim to have known about the planet since ancient times, apparently its relative coordinates are the site of a great prophesied temple. They want to settle on religious grounds. They were notified immediately when we took possession of the system."

"Let me guess. Federation Council said yes before we learned about the anomaly."

"Exactly, Commander." Telegin said.

Alex let out a long exhale. "Alright. Alright. Your service honours us. Your service honours us." She repeated it a couple of different ways, searching for her most dignified but courteous delivery.

"Oriath." Flynn said as she reached the docking gate, where the Federation's Ambassador awaited her.

"Alex." Ambassador Velt said with a nod. "I respect your commitment to arriving with mere seconds to spare." He said earnestly.

The hooded brown robes of the Order became visible as the docking airlock parted. They moved in a pack without an obvious leader. Ambassador Velt stepped forward to meet them. "Fraters of the Order of Divine Harmony, please accept my -" Velt went from warm welcome to confused double-take as the cluster of monks moved between him and Flynn, leaving them as if they hadn't seen them.

He looked to Flynn, confused.

"Computer, establish a level 3 forcefield over the exit to the docking concourse." Flynn ordered, and a forcefield sealed the exit.

The monks stopped and turned back towards her, moving more like a colony organism than individuals. "You have detained us illegally. Release us at once or we will file charges." A darkly-complected monk at the front of the pack stated.

"Hi. I'm Alexandra Flynn, Commander of Deep Space 13. And you are?"

"I am Frater Slok." The Vulcan said without elaboration.

"You're the leader of these Vulcans?" She asked.

"I am brethren keeper of the Order. The Grandmaster alone is our Leader, and through he, the will of divine harmony."

"Excellent. Then you must be looking for our representative, Ambassador Velt, who's come here politely to meet you. Ambassador?" Flynn called over to Velt.

Still slightly shellshocked, Velt wandered over.

"Frater. Welcome aboard. Your service honours us." Velt said.

"We do not consent to this social interaction. Release us." Slok said.

"This is a greeting. It's something we're giving you. It's considered polite to engage in the customs of one's hosts." Alex insisted.

"Your standards do not interest us. We serve divine harmony. All else is distraction." Slok stated evenly.

"Then I hope this distraction proves memorable. Consider yourself official welcomed and greeted, Frater. Don't be afraid to call us if you need anything. I'm told you've got all your own supplies other than power infrastructure we're supplying. Our Chief of Ops will be down in a few hours to assist." Flynn explained.

"We wish for no intruders. An offer of assistance is an insult to our competence." Slok stated.

"Great, fine. Knock yourselves out. Ambassador?" Flynn, out of reasons to hold them up any further, turned back to her comrade.

"Such a pleasure to have you gentlemen here. Live long and propser!" Velt said with an optimistic tone.

"Computer, lower forcefield." Alex said, and the Order shuffled away as soon as they were released.

"Where are they even going?" She asked.

"Shuttlebay 17. The shuttle to Dreizhen III leaves in five minutes. This is the schedule they requested." Telegin explained, reviewing the data.

"I get the impression our service doesn't honour them." Velt said, still quite puzzled by their conduct, watching their pointed hoods go as they left.

"I can live with that." Flynn said. "Drink?" She asked, realising they still had twenty minutes scheduled for this encounter with the Order.

"Get out of my head." Velt said appreciatively.

"Klingon joint is closest. Dangerous day to be a bloodwine." Alex suggested as they left. "Telegin, you like bloodwine?"

"Da." The yeoman responded.

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