Kira did not want to be there. She could think of a hundred things she would rather be doing at this moment. Being tortured by a Cardassian interrogator was quite high in that list. It's at times like this that I wish Benjamin was still here, she thought.
Kira was standing in her dress uniform, waiting at the airlock in upper pylon two. Ro Laren was there with her, wearing an armature support frame that connected to her waist, knees and ankles and carrying a walking stick.
A phalanx of Starfleet security was waiting with them; effectively a guard of honour. She had considered sending Ro alone or maybe Vaughn. She could always say she was busy or something. However, Vaughn had correctly pointed out that the arriving admirals would be expecting to be greeted by the station commander.
This is going to be bad enough as it is , thought Kira. No point it making it worse.
Kira took a deep breath.
First impressions are always important , she thought to herself. Best behaviour!
The airlock door rolled open and Admiral Ross and his adjunct were the first to emerge. Behind him were Nechayev, Akaar and Batanides each one with their posse of support staff.
"Admiral Ross, welcome back to Deep Space Nine," said Kira.
"Captain Kira, it's wonderful to see you again. The uniform suits you," said Ross. "Brings back memories."
Kira understood exactly what he meant. She thought back to when she was temporarily 'loaned' to Starfleet and went behind enemy lines to help the Cardassian underground. It was definitely an unusual and interesting mission. How the quadrant had changed in just a couple of years.
"Well, thank you Sir. If you'll please join Lieutenant Ro, her staff will take you to the quarters we've secured for each of you."
Ross proceeded to hand her a padd.
"This is the schedule my adjutant drew up for meetings with your staff," said Ross. "Could you please arrange for them to be available at the times stated? We have synchronised our timetables so that there won't be any clashes."
"No problem Sir. I will have it seen to."
"Thank you."
After Ross has passed through and to the side, Nechayev stepped forward. She had that cold-as-steel look on her face.
I wonder if she ever smiles , thought Kira.
"Admiral Nechayev, welcome to Deep Space Nine."
Nechayev immediately handed her own padd to Kira.
"Thank you, Captain. Here is my own schedule for meetings. We have much to discuss."
Kira was a bit thrown, though not overly surprised, by the bluntness.
"Of course, Sir" replied Kira.
"In spite of normal Starfleet protocol, I prefer to be addressed as Admiral rather than Sir," she replied, very matter-of-factly.
"As you wish, Admiral," replied Kira. "I'll make sure all the staff is informed."
Kira took a deep breath as she saw Akaar. She was NOT looking forward to this.
Nechayev walked on through and Akaar unfolded himself from the small space and gazed down at Kira. Kira pulled herself up to her full height. Even though she felt puny compared to his height, she stood proud and firm. She was not going to let him intimidate her.
"Admiral Akaar. I welcome you with an open heart and an open hand," said Kira, smoothly performing the traditional Capellan gesture. Kira was pleased to see that Akaar was clearly pleasantly surprised and had even allowed himself the tiniest smile. He then performed the gesture back.
"Captain Kira. I thank you for your welcome."
Well, one point scored for me , thought Kira. She hoped he would appreciate it enough to go easier on her later, though she very much doubted it.
Akaar handed her another padd and she was forced to juggle the padds in her hands to fit them all.
As Akaar stepped past Kira he noticed Lieutenant Ro. He subtly looked her up and down, taking note of her Starfleet uniform and her supports. He pursed his lips and looked distinctly unhappy. His opinion of Ro was no secret and it was clear to all present that he would have rather not have had her. Her being here was obviously a statement by Kira. She is trying to show who is in charge. Akaar didn't like it but he knew better than to say anything and undermine a commanding officer's authority.
Kira looked over at Ro. Ro had a frown on her face which indicated that she was no more happy to see Akaar than he was to see her and Ro looked like she was going to say something.
Kira gave her a 'Don't do anything stupid' stare and Ro got the hint.
"Lieutenant," he said, coldly.
"Admiral," replied Ro with a nod that showed that the feelings were mutual.
The last to emerge was Admiral Batanides. She shuffled forwards, struggling to manage her own armful of padds. She smiled broadly at Kira and held out her free hand to shake. The smile helped Kira relax a bit and she smiled back. The admiral was known to be clumsy and a bit of a scatter-brain but she didn't think it would be so obvious.
"Ah, Captain Kira. A pleasure to meet you at last. Just... bear with me a sec here, sorry..."
She shuffled through her padds, peering at each in turn.
"Oh for crying out loud...," she cried out. "Where is the blasted thing..."
In the corridor, Ross and Nechayev exchanged looks - Ross was amused but Nechayev was clearly impatient. Meanwhile, Batanides' adjutant, a Bolian lieutenant, calmly handed her another padd.
"Oh, thank you, Tomil," she said, and handed the padd to Kira.
"Here you go," she apologised. "Sorry it's a bit muddled. Always at the last minute."
"Don't worry about it, Admiral and welcome to DS9," replied Kira. How did someone so scatter-brained ever manage to get to become an admiral?
She then turned to Ro.
"Lieutenant...?"
Ro nodded to her staff who led the contingent back down the corridor. Ro hung back with Kira, taking the rear.
As they headed down the corridor, Ro whispered to Kira "Ready to kill yourself yet?"
"Actually, I was thinking more of murder. As commanding officer, am I allowed to do that?"
