Welcome to the Jungle
Posted on Tue Sep 23rd, 2025 @ 4:35pm by Captain Ellis Thornwel & Lieutenant Commander Owen Cooper
Edited on on Thu Oct 9th, 2025 @ 7:35pm
989 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Assembling The Fleet
Location: Angel I
Timeline: Prior to Mission Day
Ellis and the Midway's vet, dentist, trauma surgeon, and shrink, Doctor O Cooper, beamed down onto the continental class M jungle. The Human looked around. He was standing on a concrete driveway, and a big old county house stood before him amongst the gigantic sky-reaching trees. The background was inspiring; Ellis had seen some sights, but never this picturesque. Brushing a hand through his hair, he adjusted his uniform and the UFP-sanctified French wine bottle under his arm, and he strolled up to the steps, the tropical heat choking him where the inhabitants of this house waited for him.
With a wishtle, Owen mumbled. "Ey up, look at that 'ouse, it's like bloody Buckingham Palace, that is." He might have been over 400, but it took a war to get the boy from his homeworld. The birdsong was like an opera performer, those the heat wasn't welcomed; it was like a hand was around his neck, slowly choking the air out of him.
At the head of the broad marble steps, shining in the noonday sun of Angel I, stood a male native selected for the privilege of welcoming Starfleet's captain. He was handsome, near-statuesque in his poise, but his clothing betrayed its intent: to charm.
His clothing was unmistakably upper-class, to drape and cling simultaneously. A sleeveless tunic of silver fabric stuck to his torso, slit deeply to show the chiseled contours of his chest and tapering to a thin, flowing panel behind him like a banner. Iridescent weave high-waisted culottes clung to his lengthy legs, jeweled cords knotted at his waist to accentuate instead of conceal. Every strand had been chosen for its beauty instead of its function.
Gold trim sketched his collarbones and wrists, delicate filigree cuffs that glowed softly against his skin. His hair was carefully styled, falling in sleek, golden cascades that framed an innocent but skilled face in its beauty. With each step as he moved, the fabric shifted to reveal just enough of an elegant display of sensuality learned from the customs of his world.
As he gazed down the curved marble stair, his eyes fastening hopefully on the ascending figure of Captain Ellis Thornwel. His smile was friendly, but over-shaded with something else: a mixture of trained welcome and genuine interest, as if this foreign visitor could make possibilities real beyond formality. His attitude was one of a man waiting to be given leave to come closer, but the unspoken magnetism that he brought hinted at the fact that he was as much a gift of the welcome as the world.
With welcome arms, he spoke softly as a bird. "Captain Thornwel, Doctor Cooper." With a smile that could charm a Klingon to peace. "Welcome to Uran esate. I'm Oran. I must offer my wife the Under Secretary's most heartfelt apologies; she has been called away on urgent business, but your crew has been approved to explore our wonderful planet. I hope they enjoy it as much as we do."
Ellis strolled up the grand staircase, Owen tagging along behind him. He read all the reports from the Enterprise, and he was shocked at how feminine the clothing men wore. "I bring greetings from the United Federation of Planets. An alcoholic drink we call 'Wine' from our capital city, France." It was well rehearsed, something he had done many times now. "My crew is looking forward to exploring your world." Now Ellis singled to the teenager he brought with him. "Doctor Owen Cooper." He'd brought someone else, but the Midway had heavy personnel issues, the Security Chief died, and Owen had assumed the duties on a temporary basis, but it was now nearing a whole year. The First Officer was preparing the crew on the prime directive while here, along with their laws. Owen was brought along simply because the CO had to have backup when he was on an away team.
Owen gave a smile with a tilt of his head as he watched Oran take the gift from Ellis's arms. He felt practically naked without a phaser or a medkit. They'd spent so long protecting ship lanes and probing ghost ships, he'd forgotten how to say hello to someone on a third contact mission.
Oren took the UFP gift; he was eager to explore this 'wine' if his wife permitted it. "Please come inside, we can discuss the arrangements for transporting the Under Secretary."
To be continued...
Post Written By: | ||
|---|---|---|
Capt Ellis Thornwel Commanding Officer USS Midway NCC-78833
| Lt Cmdr Owen Cooper Chief Medical & Acting Security Chief Officer USS Midway NCC-78833
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