Hundreds of heart beats thundered in the backdrop of the room. All sizes and rhythms to the different specie's that sat in the vast and grand room. Hundreds of scents intermingled and situated throughout the air, the vast quantity ticked her thirst only a fraction but Michael' kept her attention to the front that pushed any desire away. Her gaze simply watching as Cornwell placed the Medal of Honour onto the bridge crew; herself, even Dr Culber who stood proudly next to Stamets with a wide grin.
Tilly beamed, a new badge adorned on her chest; exposing now her new rank. Ensign. Like most of the crew, there had been a few promotions. Tilly was thrilled to be going onto the Command Training program particularly so Michael knew to up her personal training with the redhead once she returned. That said, she knew Tilly was just bouncing to talk to her as soon as the woman saw her commander badge
"Commander Burnham." Cornwell inclined her head towards the centre, calling her forwards for the speech.
Michael nodded, moving forwards to her place, her arms folded into a formal stance behind her. All attention new shifting to her. If she could, she was sure she would have flushed under extreme scrutiny; she was not new to speeches and she had animated the possibility.
"Nineteen months ago, at the battle at the Binary stars, Starfleet found themselves caught into an impossible situation by a fraction of an enemy that use dishonourable tactics to unify their cause. Many lives and ships were lost that day and the days following. Our survival seemed bleak. Our future." Michael started, smiling softly as she continued.
"We were forced to evolve ourselves to deal with the new threats. New technology, new ships… and in a few cases, ourselves. I was taught a lot since my transformation into…what I am today. It showed me that….there is always an opening of change when we're at our lowest point. I was a prisoner. Mutineer. That I wasn't worthy of a second chance. I believed I would die in prison." She inhaled deeply. A belief that wasn't incorrect.
"I was…evolved in a more literal way, it gave I had new foundations to build on. What I was to…what I could become. Many others faced the same fate. The Federation adapted to this and we changed; allowing our organisation to keep going when we fell short. Keep enduring. War didn't stop us from doing our jobs. We stick to our principles. Those are corner stones of what it means to be Starfleet. We all are Starfleet. I grateful to still be a part of it." She finished with a smile, stepping back.
Almost immediately, her senses were almost overwhelmed with noise and cheers, echoing and rebounding from the walls. Pounding at her head that it felt… irritable. A glance to the left showed her both Stamets and Cornwell share the same expressions at the volume. Culber though touched his mate's hand to draw his focus, fingers coming to pat his new badge.
Cornwell was quick to regain control before they carried on.
"Thank you, Burnham." She smiled. "Now. As many of you are aware, this is a new era for Starfleet. We've changed and we have, as Burnham said, evolved for our new pathways. But now, It's time to announce that the part of vampire community had decided to pull away from the federation to…reform a culture that will develop as a…independent species. As your own."
Michel looked to the admiral sharply, surprised at the announcement. Logically though, it made sense. Their kind had to…evolve. Culturally especially. As odd as it was to hear it here. But she could see now—from the looks she could pick out in a few faces—that the vampire species had become a vast interest; the limelight now it was away from the Klingons.
"As a result, all pending applicants are no longer accepted—" almost immediately a few human faces fell; excrement dropping—more so in the faces of those, she could guess, had put forwards and application. Cornwell carried on, as if not noticing. "Any accepted applications are suspended under review while our clan leaders decide on our new….executive infrastructure."
Cornwell carried on, Michael vaguely listening as she did.
Logical and she could see now of all time, it was ideal. Perhaps that was to why she had been allowed to divert and stay here. Cornwell would no doubt be coming back with them; to why their kind would be recalled back to the facility; to decide on their future. Though, given the territorial overlap….
Someone was going to still lose a limb.
"Have fun?" Georgiou's voice remarked dryly as she strolled into the emperor's quarters to see the vampire in question lying backwards on her bed, a PADD in hand and feet up against the headboard. Clearly boredom had set in. Georgiou dropped the PADD off to the side, rolling around. "I haven't." Her ruby eyes near glaring. "I expected better."
Michael gave her a stern look. "We're on our way now."
Georgiou's expression didn't change though her eyes flickered down, narrowing a fraction as she spied the badge. "You got reinstated. Can't say I'm surprised, at least one of us gets a job at the end of the mandatory time."
"All vampires are being recalled, Georgiou. Did Admiral Cornwell brief you on the more recent update from our event?"
"No."
Her eyes narrowed a fraction. "I would have thought you of people would have been informed…." Given the woman's former position, Emperor, Cornwell could use the woman's advice to help in the wide and vast experience of leadership in scale; just without the murder, xenophobia and torture. Of course, including Georgiou in anything had its risks but… it could be helpful. Especially—Michael stomach twisted at the thought— if the vast majority of humans started to see them more as monsters than a new species now they were no longer 'useful' in the way that they were made for.
"A part of our population is going to help become independent from the Federation and have a separate… government. We're all been ask to help, or at least Clan leaders such as myself."
The more she spoke, the more displeased the woman looked. "You?"
Her head nodded once. "Yes."
Georgiou snored, shaking her head. "You still think you're on top?"
Michael's eyes narrowed, feeling the implication that set her teeth on edge. "Just because I didn't fight Ophelia and you did, that doesn't change your position."
"You submitted to her. Michael. Why should—"
Immediately, Michael darted forwards, surprising the woman in the motion alone, her hands grasping around Georgiou's neck and pushed on straight into the wall, her fangs extended and growled; allowing the sound to resonate as she dug her fingers into her flesh.
"She is my sire, just as I am to you."
Georgiou hissed out though she didn't do anything more than her and wrapping around her wrist in a tight squeeze. She didn't fight back. That in itself told her enough that her position was still upheld. Her previous emotions since Ophelia about her clan position felt… insignificant now. She knew her place.
"How easy do you think it is to push through all those instincts to fight me, huh?" Michael continued, "You submitted to me. Not to her. Your personality isn't submissive like Stamets. You fought my sire but that doesn't change our position." Michael moved back after a moment, letting go and pulled out the creases from her jacket.
Georgiou glowered with a sour expression before looking away. Her posture remained tense though Michael felt pleases that the emperor didn't push her luck. Right now, she was a mixture of emptions. She didn't need the reminder about Ophelia to bring it all down.
"This isn't going to be like the Terran world of governing so it will be different to your expectations. But your experience as a governmental leader would be invaluable once we've got a starting ground to work from." Michael stated calmly, washing away the hints of aggression, her teeth returning to normal. "If you want to have any part in this, Philippa, then behave."
"What makes you believe I want any part in it?"
"I don't but… call it a gut feeling. It'll impact vampire lives more than humans so I think you can't resist having a part of power."
Georgiou's lip curled up, her eyebrow arching with hints of amusement. "And you…trust me with more power?"
Michael didn't answer. She didn't know quite how to answer because… trust wasn't part of this. Not really. The clan dynamics have a…primal sort of bond that did establish a form of trust but she wasn't sure how it'd be presented in a vastly different environment with other vampires. A whole lot of other vampires.
"I see…" Georgiou's tone shifted though she shook her head. "How long until we're at the vampire nursery?"
"Nine hour. Be ready to leave when we do."
"I can't believe you're going! Tilly groaned out, trailing behind her as she slipped into her quarters, "So soon!"
Michael laughed softly, pulling her bag from storage and set it on the bed. The newly appointed Ensign immediately settling onto her bed with a pout and her bushy mass of red curls framing her face.
"It's only for a few months. We both knew this day would come."
"But who's going to help me with my training? I have a lot of work to get through now and… I could really do with your support."
"I can always asked Stamets to chase you around the corridors for motivation if you want."
Tilly snorted before shaking her head. "Just because the sense of impending doom makes you run faster, it's not always a positive motivation."
"Hm." Michael shrugged though she smiled a little, darting to and from her cupboard, collecting up her clothes, PADDs and other personal belongings. Though she didn't display them out like Tilly had in her room. From under her bed though, Michael paused a fraction as she pulled out the large circular case.
Her Philippa's Telescope. Her eyes ran over it for a long moment, cool fingers drifting to its handle. She hadn't taken it out since….she had accepted her will. Hadn't moved it since getting to this room. It stirred up the feelings of guilt… Her Philippa should be here. Here and alive and happy… she knew the Philippa she brought wasn't hers, perhaps she was going to the superficial to fill the void but…
"Michael?"
Michael stood up sharply, the case in hand though she masked her emotions behind a smile. "I can develop a training schedule for you if you struggle. Lieutenant Tyler's transferring to the orbital station above the planet so he can send anything forwards to Discovery in my absence or vice versa…though security will check though it."
Tilly nodded though her face lined with concern. "You okay?"
"I will be." She patted Tilly's arm. "It'll just be…weird. A non-human facility, surrounded by vampires…. Ugh."
"Not looking forwards to that? Your own kind?"
"You mean to a facility that has a mass of vampires and not all have an established placements with each other in a confined area?"
Tilly winced. "Oh."
"Yes, 'Oh' indeed." She checked through the final corners of the room before she zipped the bag shut and slung it over her shoulder, grasping the handle of the telescope case and nodded towards the door. "Keep me in the loop though. I'd still love to hear about anything in my absence."
"Of course." Tilly promised with a smile. "Will I be able to learn what your….vampire government is gonna be like."
"It'll depend on if it's classified…. So I'm not sure." Michael admitted, leading the way out. "We'll see."
Michael bid her farewells to the others like Saru, Ariaim and Detmer. Stamets had come to see her off too and Georgiou had been ready and waiting on the transporter pad as she got there. Cornwell had long since left already. Though she watched them all vanish in gold.
Immediately, her senses were lit with a strange scents and smells as soon as her senses returned. Garlic mostly, hung distantly in the corridors and she could feel a…strange atmosphere that tingled through her body. It was familiar.
The building itself was new by the old smell of fresh paint jobs. Crisp and clean and looked oddly like the interior of a star-base if it weren't for the white plastered walls. She couldn't hear a lot throughout. Sounds echoed from hallways, but… there was a cut off. More so than the Discovery. Audio suppressors must be lining very inch of the place.
In front of the transporter controls, there was an awaiting Vulcan female with light, pale skin and dark brown eyes. A green flush tinging her skin ever so slightly yellow though in her arms, were a collection of PADDs
"I am Lieutenant Commander T'tal. I run the teams that are assigned to this facility and designate new arrivals." The Vulcan started with, getting straight to the point. "As I'm sure you can tell, this base had been strictly monitored with all recent technology that inhibits your speed and hearing. At least, in this sector of the facility. The technology is turned off in the strict vampire areas."
"How much of this facility is vampire controlled?" Georgiou questioned first.
"There are three main complexes on this planet. This is our most protected one and where most of the non-vampire species work and our only transporter on and off this planet. Once you've settled in, you won't be allowed access out through this building until your designated time is up. The second buildings houses the turning vampires and our interactions with you can take place in a mixed environment. Please, Follow me" T'tal spoke, nodding her way to follow her before immediately setting a brisk pace.
"What of our living arrangements?" Michael questioned, following the Vulcan with ease, despite the bags she carried.
"The third complex is the largest and currently stretches over a 10 miles of this continent. Admiral Cornwell has a few homes built separate from one another to allow for territorial comforts for each clan. There is a central building is for social gathers in and when needed for meetings. Admiral Cornwell is there now as are most of the other clans. You've been assigned to the Homebase in Zone 5, section 1." The Vulcan held out a PADD in hand out, one for each of them.
"Separate? Wouldn't it be easier to have a single facility that's structurally similar to a general Starfleet building?" Michael questioned softly, taking the PADD from her anyway.
"That was the original purpose of our central building. But… it was inefficient in housing all vampires. That recised. Not all became part of the same clan despite common Sire. Fighting was often and damage became extensive. Distance was required for comfort of all parties."
In her hands, she could see the map pop up over the screen, designated to what she could assume was their home for the next few months. Near the furthest side to a boundary line and a cliff side was where a red dot flashed over. The entire area also had a red hue all over; designating the land to the home. She couldn't deny how thorough this was, perhaps overkill but caution was clearly taken.
"I see."
T'Tal carried on bluntly as she had started. "Each of the houses are equipped with the same restrictive technology but you're able to turn features on and off. I'll leave you to read those in your own time. Now, you're able to contact other homes and free to go about this complex. Blood replicators are built in to your homes. If it breaks down, let us know and we'll fix it. You get into a fight and lose a limb, that's not our responsibility."
"Okay."
"While you live in the complex, you can move about the surface but must wear a communicator and it's advised you stay in the general area if you do leave the complex area but it's not mandatory."
Georgiou's lip pursed more and more as the Vulcan spoke. "What do we do while we're here?"
"Each home is supplied with recreational activities, blood-training manuals and a work system for you. It's up to the clan leader or sire to organise their schedules. Blood training is however mandatory for new-borns to be practised every day for a few hours to optimal results. All new-borns are assessed near the end of their term to see if they're ready for working with humans or not. Time is extended if not." The Vulcan came to a stop as they came to a door, her finger pressing over the palm reader before a new transporter came into sight "We'll transport you directly into your zone and will be in contact with you shortly once you've orientated. All other information will be waiting for you."
Michael spared a glance to Georgiou, though the look of displeasure didn't need to be showed as much for her to feel how much this Vulcan bothered her, not just in attitude but the blatant info-dump that they could read up about later.
"Let's just get there." Georgiou grumbled, glowering at the Lieutenant as she passed
There was no real expectations to what she was expecting to see as their new home came to appearance. Far too used to the interior design of a star ship that seeing a….house was odd.
It sat more or less alone, while large to a standard human home, it wasn't massive. Its outside was sparsely decorated with light grey colours and stood at three levels with a slanted room and large windows that exposed a fairly modern interior. A small pathway of grey slabs and steps led up towards the front double doors. There was no lock, but a simple panel that was lit up.
Michael darted forwards, pressing her palm onto the panel.
"Commander Michael Burnham. Authorised access." Came a familiar, computerised female voice before there was echoes of the locking systems that unclipped and the two doors parted.
Michael smiled, feeling the welt of joy at the reminder.
Inside was still just as plain but opened immediately to the living space. A large sofa, coffee table in front of a large-space. She could see the holo-emitters stationed about for any calls or videos Shelves on the side also had a few old books. There was no kitchen, obviously but a two replicators were fixed into the wall on the furthest side as well as recycler and a sink. There was also a small island table that floated in the vast space with small collection of PADDs that lined over the surface.
"Ugh. Such an ugly building." Georgiou muttered, pulling a face "it looks like they couldn't decide between a house and a starship... and blended the whole lot together."
"Just be glad there's no bathroom." Michael remarked, running on the assumption that rooms they didn't need, they wouldn't have. She dropped her bags down to the floor, fluttering to the PADDs awaiting attention. Her fingers touching over the first; the house manual "Given the size, it must be built for at least three people. Our clan size does include Stamets. He must have been in mind when constructed."
Georgiou scoffed, "This looks like…a shore leave house. How can they expect me to take this seriously if they decorate this prison like it's something else?" Her steps echoed around before she darted up the stairs. "I call the master bedroom."
Michael chose not to reply, though she couldn't help but smile a fraction.