The Transfer

Posted on Sat Oct 24th, 2020 @ 8:15am by Lieutenant JG Vespa Kale

Mission: Survival of the fittest
Location: Rendezvous Point

It had been a frantic few hours, and someone was packing. Clothes, awards and diplomas, photos, models, a lifetime of achievements and accomplishments packing up in portable crates for the long haul.

Well it wasn't technically a long haul... and it wasn't like SHE was going to be actually doing the hauling. Not on this side anyway. She heard that the Federation didn't have drones to assist in their day to day lives. Well, she always did want to work on the frontier of science, and giving up her drones would just have to be a sacrifice she'd have to make.

It was time. She picked herself up, gathered her carry bags, and the twin forms of Vespa Kale made their way to the door. Following behind her were a trio of attendant drones carrying her belongings to the transporter room. A final check of everything she'd need. Medical records, vaccination history, blood samples until the Federation replicators could adapt, a decent supply of M76, and the rest were personal effects.

She was ready. With the final word given and the all clear from both parties, Vespa's twin forms padded up to the transporter and awaited the transport.

"Federation Starship Pennsylvania Transporter Control, this is the DCS Venture's Gain Transporter control, confirm ..."

"...readiness for transport to receive one crewmember and personal effects." the transporter chief on the Dalacari craft called over across the gulf of space to the Pennsylvania.


Kamar stood beside Ensign Baker in the transporter room, he nodded and the Ensign opened the comm link, "This is Pennsylvania transporter control, confirming ready for transport."

Frank watched the twin forms appear aboard on transporter pad. It was so much quicker now than it was when he was a transporter engineer. Then again everything seemed faster the older he got.

Stepping forward Frank held out his hand, "I'm Captain Kamar, welcome to the Pennsylvania," Dang habit, he thought to himself, there were two forms but they were singular, should he shake one form's hand or both. He was slightly confused and felt awkward, but did his best not to let it show.

"Thank you, I..." and the first one to step off the transporter pad did so with a bit of an extra spring in her step. "Hmmm, Oh, OH that explains it. Sorry." she apologized, and took the next step with a bit of work. The next steps came much easier. "Gravity."

She smiled, a gesture that spread from one form to the next. One form took his offered hand, while the other honestly didn't seem left out. She felt included, by just proximity. "I'm Vespa Kale, it's very very good to meet you sir. I look forward to working with you and the rest of the crew. Making new friends, expanding horizons and..." and boom, she was done. Conversation over.

Her twin, standing very much next to her, picked up, "... generally just, well acting like a goodwill ambassador. Oh, but I'm not an ambassador. No no no, they get paid *handsomely*." she giggled, in unison. It was a cheerful sound. She eventually let go of Kamar's hand.

"I take it that the entire ship is keyed to your gravity. Seems a bit lighter than I'm used to, but that's for me to get used to." she admitted. A pause, before her sister spoke up, "You must have so many questions. Please, feel free." she offered up the floor.

Frank looked at the pair, "Thank you for volunteering to join us, I must admit I was presently surprised when the Overseer contacted me. I've spoken with the Overseer and as near as I can Lieutenant would be the closest equivalent to your rank. Would it be ok for my crew to address you as Lieutenant Kale?"

"Oh that'd be wonderful." One of the forms of Vespa said with a pair of smiles. "It was an opportunity, and I took it. I know, I know, bold and dangerous but..."

"... sometimes that's what you have to do for new experiences. Wouldn't want my brain to fall asleep now would we?" she asked, rhetorically.

"There is just, one thing. It's a little thing, and it's going to come up a lot so I have to get used to it, so I might as well start now." she took a breath. It was odd, to watch both forms take in that breath. She had a lot to say.

"I know I may not look like it, but I'm A Dalacari. So don't worry about having to greet me twice, or even shake my hand twice. I had to study for..."

"... an hour to get the hang of that. So don't worry about stuff like that, I'll forgive." a pause, "But, there's something I do need to say about being..."

"... a Dalacari. I, well... I don't like being separate for long. We call it ghosting, and it happens when my bodies are too far apart. I get nervous, jittery, maybe..."

"... even panicked and scared. So, try not to split me up, please. I'll actively avoid any incidental separations, and small distances I'm actually pretty..."

"... good with. Just, figured I'd let you know off the mound."

"Thank you for the heads up, I will do my best not to separate you two. Now then if you'll follow me i will show you, your new quarters." Frank began leading the way to the Lieutenant's quarters. "This ship is a Nebula class ship, It is designed with our most advanced scanning system and has a pretty high tech lab. It may not be as advanced as what you have but you will have free run of the lab and any other areas of the ship you'd like to see."

"Don't sell yourselves short, sir. I'm looking forward to working with everyone and everything." she remarked, a spring in her steps as she walked along the halls. "Kinda tight, but that's construction." she remarked.

Her twin started up next, "I'm not a 'two', though, but like I said that's a cultural thing, I completely understand. I know exactly what I look like to you all. I mean, imagine how odd you all..."

"... look to us." she offered with a smile. When they arrived the pair that composed Vespa Kale stepped in and inspected her room. Her quarters. "Oh these are fantastic! Oh this is perfect, this is.. Oh, ummm..." she paused, and both forms motioned to the bed.

"Can I have two halves? I know, you probably figured on just needing the one but.. it's a cultural thing." she asked.

"My apologies, I get a second bed in for you, immediately. We don't normally have two in a room but I will have that taken care of. Is there anything else you will need as far as accommodations go?" Frank asked. "I want to do whatever is needed to make your stay with us as comfortable as possible,"

"That's really about it. I'll talk to whoever is in charge of engineering or computer ops about loading up some of my fabricator settings but that's nothing vital." she commented, already pleased with the notion of getting proper bedding in here. The gravity was something she'd work on herself. Plus, if the room even COULD be set to a specific gravity, she'd just have to turn it down again if she ever had guests over. So, nothing vital.

"Once I get settled in, I'll make it a point to meet the crew, but thank you sir. Out of everything, you and the overseer made this possible. So, thank you again."

"There is a Padd on the desk for you to use while aboard the ship. There is a checklist therefor some appointments tomorrow. I'd like you to meet the First Officer, the Ship's Doctor, and our Head of Security. The rest you can meet at your leisure. If you need anything at all just ask for me. I look forward to working and learning with you Lieutenant Kale," Frank said with a slight smile.

One of the two forms of Vespa Kale found the PaDD on the desk, turning to look for it. The other remained fixated on the Captain. On the here and now. Watching her split her attention like that really worked to damage the notion that these two beings were actually one gestalt sentience. "Right, sir. I look forward to meeting them, and I look forward to working with you and everyone else." she was buzzing with joy at the notion. Her other form plucked up the PaDD, and displayed it so that Kamar knew she found it before returning to her side.

"Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a lot of unpacking to do."

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Lt. JG Vespa Kale
Assistant Science Officer
Resident Dalacari

Captain Frank Kamar
Commanding Officer
USS Pennsylvania