The Captain's Visit

Posted on Thu Mar 14th, 2019 @ 12:22am by Commodore Jane Saulitis & Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy

Mission: Sojourn
Location: Marda III, snow resort
Timeline: several days after getting in orbit
871 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Being out, having fun, and just being with the person he loved. Patrick certainly felt this was doing his recovery far more good than being stuck in his quarters on the ship. He had more colour on his face and in general he was looking very happy.

Huddled in his parka, he stamped the snow off of his boots as he entered the lobby, knowing Murph wasn't far behind him. He had a huge smile on his face, his hair dripping wet from the snowball fight he and Murph had just engaged in. His eyes lit up as he saw a woman he recognized. "Captain!" he called out, "what are you doing here?" Then, he remembered Murph mentioning she would be visiting. "Have you been waiting long?"

"Freezing important parts of my body off." Jane answered seriously. "And no, I just came in."

Murphy pulled off his knit hat, his hair matted in sweat. "Captain," he said with a nod, clearly a bit surprised at her timing as he regained some protocol and stiffness now that Jane was here.

"Ahhw, relax Murph," Paddy teased, "I bet she's here on vacation too, and not that formal thing you mentioned... Right captain?"

"Formal thing?" Jane looked back and forth between the two of them. They were obviously enjoying themselves and since she had prior knowledge of their relationship and they knew that she knew, she saw no reason for either one of them to get all nervous.

"Uhm..." Paddy ran his hands through his wet hair, making it stick up in all directions without really noticing it. "Murph mentioned that you wanted to visit us, he said you had something to talk to him about?"

"I do, I've been in contact with Councilmember Haraain. She has a special assignment for you." Jane looked at only Murphy now, her face was slightly rosy from the cold outside but she planned to amend that by getting out of here as soon as possible.

"Ambassador Vayr's widow," Murph explained to Paddy, in case he hadn't made the connection as to who Haraain was. He furrowed his brows. "What kind of assignment? I figured this had something to do with the security situation you were in. The ship contacted me about it. I didn't tell Patrick what had happened, I didn't want him to worry, but it's why we moved to the mountains mid-week. Just to change things up for extra caution."

"What?" Patrick looked from one to the other. "What happened?"

"No, that's been dealt with. Just some trouble with some non-locals on a houseboat, nothing to be concerned about Patrick. No this is different. Haraain would like you to be Minvayr's Godfather. I told her you'd be honored." Jane held up a PADD for Patrick and Murphy to see. It showed round faced dark feathered baby bird with a big beak right in the center of her face and two little beady blue eyes that almost looked crossed.

Murphy picked the PADD out of Jane's hand and examined the little hatching intensely, zooming in on its little face. "She's beautiful... and I mean that in a completely weird way because I'm still freaked out by bird wings. So... wow."

"Yes, she is." Jane looked at the image again and couldn't help but crack a smile. "Anyway, I thought since you're required to attend her ritual aging ceremony every year you should at least have this on your collar when you do so. Angus Murphy, I hereby promote you to the rank of Lieutenant Commander for your outstanding service to Starfleet and the USS Majestic." She moved to put it on and then stopped, smiling again. "Patrick, would you like to do the honors?"

Murph unzipped the parka so that his civilian tunic was exposed for Patrick to pin it to. "I don't even have a uniform on, this is so weird," he flushed even redder. At least she hadn't surprised them two days ago at the nudist resort. "I'm honored... thank you, Commander."

Even so, Patrick fumbled a little to attach the one hollow pip to his collar. Seemly following his train of thought - despite not being a telepath at all - Patrick's cheeks flushed even brighter at having a similar thought. With the pin finally attached, he moved to kiss him, swiftly but no less intense. "Congratulations," he whispered, "I'm so proud of you!" Realizing the captain was watching, he quickly stepped aside.

"Oh no need to be shy, I'm leaving anyway. I just wanted to deliver this in person and get back to my ship." Jane gave a nod to both of them. "Enjoy your time off gentlemen. I'll inform Haraain to expect you next year." She gave a bit of a smirk and then was off.

"Thank you, again, Captain," Murphy said as she walked away. He turned to Patrick and let himself look truly surprised at the news.

Shrugging, the younger man grabbed his hand then started to drag him off to their room. "Come, let's change and then go celebrate," he said, fully intent having a decent meal.

OFF:

Commander Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic

Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy
Chief Engineer
USS Majestic

Patrick O'Malley
Chef
pnpc Lhaes