Flashback: Duty Calls
Posted on Fri Feb 3rd, 2023 @ 6:09am by Crewman Melly
Edited on on Fri Feb 3rd, 2023 @ 8:00am
2,171 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Short Treks
Location: Tantalus Penal Colony
Timeline: 2430-09-09, 09:00
Location: Tantalus Penal Colony
Melly sat dangling her feet in the chair as she sipped her Andonian Tea while looking with a happy smile up to Ms Tavera. Each session there was progress and she had gone from an emotionless broken doll to a smiling happy woman again.
“So Melly”, the Counselor smiled. “Tell me a story. Not about ‘him’ but about anything you want. Something of your past?” She sat in her chair sipping her tea eager to hear what the patient had to tell her. Melly was a bright spot even in the worst of moments for her schedule.
Melly thought for a second, “When I finished my cadet cruise I was assigned to the USS Enterprise-G….”
Location: The Buzz Steakhouse, Officers Shopping District, Spacedock
Zheph had barely enough time to stand up for when the Delphine Chief Engineer joined the group 'swimming' on his levitator pads. He returned to his seat, glad to see the universal translator that Hwii was wearing was tuned for him and his regional dialect. He responded, "Glad you could make it, Captain Hwii. Any type of libation you would desire, and a Gorn you say?"
"I prefer water, and a bucket of fish if you please." said Hwii. "Yes, a Gorn. I'm not sure of his name, but he's an old friend, at least what I've heard over the ....what is that human term? Ah, yes, the grapevine."
Jemma was quietly amazed at the sight of a dolphin-like Cetacean. She had only heard and read of such beings, but to see one up close was fascinating, to her. She smiled gently toward Hwii.
Zheph yiffered gently. A 'yiffer' was a cross between a chuckle and soft throat 'yips', almost a purr. They were a signature of Vulpinoid Races only. No other race could produce those sounds. Of course, many 'races' classified Vulpinoids as Caninoids, but they are totally wrong, of course. Vulpinoids are closer in DNA to matching Felinoids than Caninoids, and hence why once in while, a cross between a Felinoid and Vulpinoid could be found, while there was never a cross between a Caninoid and a Vulpinoid.
Zheph now added, "Yes, I do believe that is the Terran term for the gossip chain. Asteroid miners use 'on the bounce', Klingons use 'tlhup JoS', while L'Tandrey use 'chitter'. Well, we'll see if he finds the restaurant or not. I will have Resnandra keep a lookout on her personal computer." As he said this, the Felinoid White Tigress lifted a crystalline computer out of her purse, then stashed it back inside.
William had known that Karrak was still in the area. When the Sword of Kahless had left, his former First Officer had been left behind as the Klingon Ambassador to the Federation. From what Lynz had said he was going to be meeting with her and the President about a... recent development. It was strange that Hwii knew about him being here. William's knowledge of the meeting was limited.
"Anyone else heard about the decision to colonize New Vulcan? I'm pretty excited about it. I hope we get a chance to go out and visit it," the Admiral tried to change the subject. They all knew that he could just decide to take them all out there, but he hoped that a change of topic would be welcome. It was... hopeful.
Jemma remained silent, basically drinking in the conversation, to get a “feel” for the crew, most notably the Senior Staff. One of the best ways to gauge the mental health of any crew is to observe them in social settings.
Zheph snorted out a quick note of humor and stated, "Actually, no, I haven't. I have gone on a sabbatical leave to finish dating some ladies for approval to become fiances for my household. Three of the seven were approved and are on their way here on my yacht." He smiled to the others at the table, "Any of you hear about colonizing New Vulcan, and any news of the provisions for being able to do so?"
Jemma shook her head, looking to others for the answer, as she had not heard one way or the other..
The Admiral sat listening closely to what the guests had to say. It was interesting to him that life had brought him, yet again, back to this point in time. Ever since his father had coerced him into joining Starfleet it had been about the importance of family to him. He had wanted to show that he was deserving of what he had accomplished and that his Daddy hadn't just handed him the keys to the flagship.. Everything kept building back to that one moment, to his moment, where they were preparing for another mission.
For 39 years he'd been in Starfleet - 40 if you counted that whole Caretaker debacle. For the last 29 he'd been in command of a vessel in one form or another. For the last 21 of those years he'd been in command of a ship named Enterprise or had control over her mission. The first of those days it was because of his name, he realized that, but the shadow of the past was eclipsing.
His communicator chirped. He looked at the group, "Excuse me a moment."
Hwii nodded.
Zheph yiffered gently, "Of course." He looked at Suder and Hwii and said conspiratorially, "No rest for Admirals until away on a mission, and then, only maybe..."
“That does seem to be the case, from what I have seen so far,” Suder mused, smiling softly.
Stepping away from the table the Admiral ascended a small staircase to an upper level. Approaching a vacant alcove he tapped his communicator, "Teagarden here."
"Commander Vassen here, Admiral," the voice of his Operations Officer came through the small device. "We have received an urgent communique for you from Command."
"Bring me aboard," he ordered tapping his communicator again. He would return here as soon as he could but, for now, his meal would have to wait....
Even though Will had stepped away and Zheph's attention was on the food now being delivered by the waitstaff, he said out loud to Hwii and Jemma, "And there goes the Admiral. He just transported back to the ship."
Zheph nipped Avqarin's ear as she nipped at his throat. He turned to give a nip to Resnandra behind her whiskers, then took a long sniff of the food. "Nice, I smell spices, flavors in both meat and vegetables, as well as some exotic herbs. I can see why this place was highly recommended." He smiled at Jemma and Hwii, "Please, dig in. When the Admiral gets back, they will get him an entire fresh plate of food."
Jemma quietly observed the interaction, as this fascinated her, seeing how other species of “humanoids'' behaved and interacted. This gave her a better understanding of the cultural differences that made up the vast Universe.
Melly entered the restaurant and instantly felt out of place. Having only been done with her cadet cruise for a short time she had not become accustomed to the fancy places officers tend to go to. However, one person had recommended this place as a must try before leaving for the ship. Looking out over the 'tables' {water} she made a bit of a face. She was three foot eight inches tall, weighing slightly over a seventy earth pounds. Her hair was pulled back in a blonde tail as she gazed over the restaurant with gray eyes.
A waiter spotted her and came over, giving a cheerful smile, “Are you waiting for your parents?” It was a common mistake as she looked like a young child. But this was due to her race, the Onlies aging ever so slowly. “No, and I am probably older than you Sir..”, Melly said with a tone probably a bit too loud.
“So would you be dining tonight?”, the waiter continued without missing a beat.
“Yes Sir”, Melly said
“So would you like a menu?”, he offered, showing her a display.
Glancing at it for a moment, “Petrokian Sausage and Zabu Stew please, with a glass of Tranya please..”
With a nod the waiter went off to get her order.
Resnandra's purse chirped. She brought it out and a holographic display activated. She showed the signature to Zheph and he smiled. He stood up and said, "If you will excuse me, another of our crew has come into the restaurant. Let me get her to our table."
He easily walked over to where the newcomer was seated, adeptly dodging other patrons and waiters. L'Tandrey was very lithe and dextrous. He came up to the lady seated at a lone table. He yiffered gently to get her attention. Before her was standing what was best described as a Humanoid Fox. He now asked, "Ensign Melly, I presume?"
“Yes?” she said before looking up and then trying to stand but having a bit of issue getting up, so she stayed motionless hoping that she would not be offended by not standing.
Zheph bowed politely, "I am Captain Zhephryn Kaldiran, XO. Please, I have a table with plenty of room and chairs just desiring for the crew to sit in to partake of the exquisite food in this place.. Oh, and, on a side note, I'm paying, so would you please join Captain Hwii, Lieutenant Suder, my wives and myself?"
“Only if you all wish. I am happy to meet you all, but I do not wish to be a bother.”, she said but deciding it best to not turn down the offer and look rude she nodded. “I would be honored.”
Zheph held out a hand and helped her up while saying, "Splendid. Oh, that meal includes drinks as well, so if you're adventurous, you can try a couple different ones you have not experienced before."
He led the way to the private area where his party was seated. The reserved for Diplomat symbols were evident, but he ignored them and brought Melly up to the table. "Captain Hwii, Lt. Suder, this is Ensign Melly, Tactical/Flight for our group."
Melly looked to the assembled group and stood in perfect attention, as best as she could in the situation. She was a short human looking woman that looked like a young child. Her uniform, which was tactical red, helped to give the impression that caused the age question with the waiter. She had blonde hair pulled back into a single tail which kept the hair out of her soft gray eyes.
“Ensign Melly, reporting for duty Sirs!”, she said in perfect attention.
“Pleased to meet you, Ensign,” said Jemma, her voice gentle and welcoming. “Glad you could join us.”
She smiled at the senior officers then a frown came across her face as she heard the boarding call. "Seem's dinner will be delayed. I will pick something up from a replicator on a ship."
Commander Fula stood after having heard the boarding call for the Enterprise. Tugging on his black uniform, the Medical Officer saw the group of people across the room also getting ready. Despite the preparations he felt it best to introduce himself to the newcomers. Crossing the room the Caitian found the group, "Nice to see you," he said, "I am Doctor Fula."
Kaldiran smiled and performed a light bow, saying, "Nice to meet you as well, Doctor Fula. I am Captain Kaldiran, this is my Audvant Wife Avqarin Kaldiran, and my Secundra Wife Resnandra Kaldiran. Avqarin is a Vuliandrey while Resnandra is a Pantigrian, both from the L'Tandrey Protectorate." He looked over the group, "This is Ensign Melly, Lieutenant Suder, and Captain Hwii, all a part of the Enterprise."
Kaldiran now mentioned, "Doctor, on your food, I will get a fresh batch delivered to your quarters on board. Right now, My wives and I have to get to our quarters to pick up our belongings as well as check in on the arrival of the LPV Tian Shiani Ahra with my three fiances. Take care, I will catch up with you soon."
Zhephryn moved off with Avqarin on his left arm and Resnandra on his right. The trio headed out of the restaurant and towards the VIP quarters turbolift.
Jemma nodded, once more and quickly headed out, to grab her belongings and make her way to the boarding area, designated for the Enterprise.
Hwii headed out, nodding for Rover to follow him.
“That was a wonderful story, little one. You seemed to tell with zest and viewed this as such a happy memory. Do you ever want to meet them again?”, the Counselor asked as she moved around the table and helped Melly to her feet.
Melly nodded, “Admiral Teagarden and Captain Zhephryn Kaldiran. His wives seemed nice also. But many of the others are no longer with us.” Melly then gave the Counselor a happy hug and the guards took her back to her cell.
Flashback Segment Originally Posted On: 03/07/18
https://16thfleet.groups.io/g/BattleGroupOmega/messages?msgnum=65202
RSS Feed