Irish Hospitality

Posted on Thu May 8th, 2025 @ 3:46pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson

2,264 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: USS Washington

The turbolift travelled to the bridge with Aidan. He had been working in Engineering when summoned to the bridge. The turbolift stopped and the door opened, Cmdr Grayson apparently the waiting traveler. "Commander. Summoned to the bridge as well sir?"

Stepping into the lift, Jon spoke, "Yes, Mr. O'Connor. It seems the captain has need of our opinions and skills." He finished as the lift gently jerked back into motion on its journey to the bridge.

The doors to the turbolift opened and Aidan let his superior exit before following. The bridge was quite busy in Aidan's eyes considering they were just doing some scientific work and on Delta shift. The captain was hovering over the Ops station as the two officers approached.

Shran looked back and spotted the two people he had called for. "Jon, good. We seem to have stumbled upon another colony of humans. Don't worry, not sending down just yet" he said with a grin.

"Thank goodness for small favors sir." Jon replied with an answering grin.

"We would've discovered them eventually, but honestly it is because the captain was bored that we found them now" Deanna said with a touch of playful flippancy.

"I want you and Lt O'Connor to go down to the transporter room and transport this assumed leader and her entourage. Ayana is the tactical senior officer on duty, take her with you. Escort these people up to our conference room and we'll see if we can get some answers in a safe environment" Shran ordered thoughtfully.

"Um, captain, not that I mind this diversion, but might I inquire why you need me to assist with this?" questioned O'Connor.

"I think you'll understand once we bring these people aboard" Shran replied.

Jon. glanced at Aidan, "Mr. O'Connor, don't question just go and be surprised." He told the engineering officer.

"Right sir" Aidan replied uneasily. "Suppose I'll just consider this a bit a craic." He turned and made his way back to the turbolift and waited for Jon and Ayana to join him. They quickly made their way to transporter room 2.

Upon entering the transporter room Aidan took to the controls and confirmed the transporter coordinates. "I got the bridge relay. Appear we will be transporting a trio who appear to be standing by. Ready to transport on your order Commander."

Ayana had her phaser holstered and nodded her preparedness to Jon.

Jon looked over to Ayana, "Stand easy Ayana but stay alert." As he nodded to Aidan, "Let's not keep them waiting any longer Mr. O'Connor. Transport them up."

"Aye sir" Aidan replied and began working his magic. The transporter cycled and three humans began to materialize. "Commander, I am detecting that they are all armed with bladed weapons. Looks like they are carrying short swords, weapons sheathed."

"Understood." Jon said simply as the figures began to materialize. He didn't even look at Ayana, he knew she was ready if the newcomers wanted to try something.

The figures full materialized and they were three females, each of them quite beautiful. They were all wearing clothing that made them look like they were from several centuries past, including belts which had their sheathed Irish short swords. The one in the middle was dressed almost regally in her green chemise overdress and white underdress. She stepped forward and with a thick Irish accent "My name is Maeve. Where is the blue fellow I spoke to?"

Jon stepped forward, "I'm Commander Jonthan Grayson, this is Lieutenant Hillis and Lieutenant O'Connor. You are referring to the captain. he is waiting for us, if you would all follow me, we'll go and see him."

Maeve looked at O'Connor, "Clan O'Connor? Your family is from Eire?"

Aidan was awestruck at the beauty of these three women but quickly came to his senses. "What? I mean, well, yes, my family is still back in Ireland, in Eire as you said."

"Your family is from a strong clan. Good warriors, strong and wise leaders. Do they still serve clan Carroll? Have they been given the right to rule?"

"I suppose that is true. My family eventually married into the Carroll family, centuries ago. The only Carroll that I personally know though is Admiral Carroll, and I suppose I do serve under him. But Ireland has had a ruler as you suggest in centuries. No where on Earth has" Aidan replied.

"Interesting. I will see your captain now" Maeve responded.

"Right. Well, let's follow the Commander then" Aiden replied.

Jon walked ahead while Aidan talked to Maeve. Reaching the captain's ready room doors. He pressed the chime to await entrance.

Shran stood and allowed Jon to escort the guests to seats at the table. Deanna took a seat next to Jon and directed with her eyes for Aidan to sit next to her. Once everyone had a place at the table, he greeted the delegation. "I am Capt. Shran dh'Klar. I welcome you to my ship, the USS Washington, on behalf of the United Federation of Planets. I must admit, we stumbled upon you. We had no idea that you would be here. Your planet is in great danger, and even more so, your people."

"I am Maeve, Queen of the planet Tuatha. I thank you for your generous greeting and your warning, but I can assure you, we are in no danger." She looked to her companions. Turning back to Shran she continued, "No harm will befall us or the planet. You must trust us that this is so. I understand that your technology may tell you differently, but your technology is not capable of understanding anything outside that which it is programmed."

"Might you explain to us why you think your planet and people are not at risk of calamity?" Deanna questioned respectfully.

"Words alone would not make you understand. You would need to see things from our perspective. Perhaps if you wish to come to our world, we can allow such a thing, if it is but for a short time" the woman next to Maeve stated in reply. "You may call my Ciara."

Jon listened as first Maeve and then Ciara spoke calmly and confidently that their world was in no danger. "I for one would like to see what you referring to and what gives you such confidence that you are in no danger."

Shran was quiet and contemplative. Only a couple weeks had passed since he sent an away team and they ended up being tortured and needed to be rescued. "I am intrigued to learn why your people seem so unafraid, but I hope you understand I need assurances that my people would be safe."

"Have you not heard of Irish hospitality?" Aidan offered and then shrank in his seat knowing he had spoken out of turn.

Deanna patted his hand. "Just look pretty dear. You have lost your speaking privileges for the foreseeable future."

"You may rest assured captain; we have no desire to do you or your people any harm. Send people or not, it matters not to us. But if you do wish to send people, we ask that they be a small group of people. We may arrange for you to send more people in the future, but for now, a small scientific and diplomatic contingent would be best" Maeve said in an emphatic diplomatic fashion.

"I would volunteer to go down to the planet" Deanna stated softly. "I would volunteer Mr O'Connor and Inara as well."

Jon just listened as first Maeve and then Deanna spoke about visiting the planet. He would let the captain make up his mind on who if any went on the away team.

Shran was feeling a little gun shy, but you wouldn't know it by looking at him. "I think such a journey deserves to be seen. I'll join this little expedition, sign of good faith and all. If you like, we can transport you back and then join you in one hour."

Maeve nodded. "That is acceptable. Please keep your group limited. Once we have established more formal relations we can come to a more agreeable set of terms regarding your people on our world."

"Understood" Shran replied simply. He turned to look at Jon, "Please escort our guests back to the transporter room and see them off."

"Slán go fóill" Maeve offered.

Aidan looked over at the captain. "Just an old Gaelic way of saying goodbye in a polite fashion."

Shran nodded and smiled. "Until we see you again."

Aidan quickly rose and led the way out, the females in tow. Shran stopped Jon, "Keep an eye on them until they are off the ship. After our recent surprise colonial meeting, I'm not taking any unwarranted risks."

"Absolutely sir and I agree." Jon replied. "I'll keep an eye on them."

Once Jon had left Deanna walked over to Shran, "Don't act like I don't know exactly what is going on in that Andorian brain of yours. Are you seriously going down there rather than sending Jon?"

Shran looked at Deanna, "This is a scientific mission at the moment. Jon isn't a scientist, I am, or I was long ago. If trouble arises, and it seemingly always does with us, I want to be there firsthand. Go brief Inara and see if you can put her into some semblance of a good mood. I want that anthropologist to come along as well, Lt Dalton. I'll have Ayana and Phoenix come as security, and I'll speak with Sam about having a medical officer with us as well. That will be the extent."

"I still don't like how this all feels. And I especially don't like having you on the planet, and I suspect neither will Jon or Imik" Deanna replied crossing her arms in a faux huff.

Shran looked Deanna square in the eyes, "Last time I checked I had four pips on my collar and that means I am the captain, unless somebody changed things without telling me. I'm more than capable of handling myself on an away mission. Treating me like I am some past his prime admiral doesn't fly with me."

"My apologies your lordship" Deanna replied mockingly as she gave an exaggerated curtsy bow.

"Go talk with Dalton and Inara" Shran said, trying to contain the joviality he was suddenly feeling.

In the turbolift Maeve and her entourage were fairly silent. Aidan was desperate to speak but feared saying something that land him in further hot water. He looked to his superior to see if he would say anything.

Jon was curious about the women. "Maeve, how is it your people got to this world?"

"Tuatha is the fairy realm, or it was at one time. we were brought here by the fairy folk. We have people from every native family and clan of Eire here. Our population is probably modest compared to what you might consider to be normal, roughly about 20,000 people spread out in the three cities and farmsteads" Maeve replied. "I'm sure at some point the High King will want to speak with your people, and the Druids will read their signs and portents about your arrival as well. But we told your captain to keep your visiting party small so as to not cause much strife. With that big rock so close by it is sure to be keeping the attention of Dagda and Danu."

Maeve's response had turned Aidan visibly a shade lighter. "Are you saying you have fairy folk and leprechauns down there? Ancient druids sending prayers to the Dagda, Danu, and the other ancient gods?"

"Do you no longer do such things?" questioned Ciara.

Jon was silent he wanted to know about the fairy folk and the Druids but kept silent as Adian and Maeve spoke about the ancient ways to some and current to others.

"Stories are still told, but no one back in Ireland views things like that seriously anymore. It has been centuries since anyone worshipped gods, but we still tell stories about the fairy folk and leprechauns" Aidan replied.

"And the families, are they still fighting against the Welsh, English and Norse invaders?" Maeve asked as the turbolift reached the destination.

"Your ancestors must have come here nearly a millennia ago if you think that. The Welsh and English eventually unified and conquered Ireland. We were under their yoke for centuries. Ireland was finally free and unified again in 2028. Sadly, shortly thereafter was the third and final world war. Ireland was lucky though, not hit by any of the bombs. When the world government was formed, Ireland was one of the first to join up" Aidan replied as they walked into the transporter room.

Jon listened as Aidan gave Maeve a quick history lesson on Ireland and their place in the world. As the lift stopped and they walked to the transporter room. Jon spoke, "I do not think I'll see you again. Maeve it was a pleasure to meet you."

Maeve nodded her appreciation. "I thank you and your captain for this pleasant encounter. We will look forward to receiving your party on our world." She and her companions got upon the transporter and left the ship.

With them off the ship Aidan looked to Jon, "Do you think they really deal with mythological creatures down there? Maybe we should inform the captain of this development."

"I wouldn't put it past them Mr. O'Connor and I plan on letting the captain know. Now, let's get back to the bridge." Jon replied as he turned and left the transporter room.

 

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