Pomp and Circumstance
Posted on Sun Sep 30th, 2018 @ 3:02am by Commodore Jane Saulitis & Lieutenant Commander Angus Murphy & Lieutenant Sandra Adamson
Mission:
Run Afoul
Location: Grand Hall
Timeline: MD1 2000 Hours
2468 words - 4.9 OF Standard Post Measure
Jane tapped the PADD in front of her for the nineteenth time and the screen brought her to the same page she'd been looking at for days. Her speech for the banquet. Nervous did not begin to describe what she was feeling and despite having the speech memorized for an eternity her brain was misfiring and forgetting things. "Stop being stupid," she muttered to herself and turned the PADD off, wishing she had a pocket to stick it in but she was wearing her dress uniform and apparently one who was celebrating or entertaining dignitaries did not need someplace to store devices.
She entered the grand hall to find it nearly empty except for the staff still setting up last minute equipment and entertainment items including the buffet that Chef O'Malley had outdone himself on. She smiled and nodded her head at a few crew members and found a quiet corner to once again practice delivering her address.
Utterly resenting the requirement of the dress uniform, Lhaes walked into the Grand Hall, still tugging at his collar. "I've always wondered why this particular uniform is so uncomfortable," he complained softly, while reaching to adjust the Honour Blade at his left hip. Normally concealed in his left boot, he chose to wear it visible to everyone today. "Captain," he greeted as he approached the commanding officer.
"How are you Doctor?" Jane asked politely, the hint of a smile on her lips when she saw him pull on his collar. "Have you met the Ambassador yet?"
"I'm settling in well ma'am," the Romulan smiled, "the children seem to enjoy it here too and they are full of praise about their new teacher. Though Liviana keeps begging me to take her down to engineering. She wants to 'see the place that makes the ship go' she said." He chuckled. "I think she just wants to see Mister Murphy again..." He pondered on her question. "No I don't think I have... and I don't have much Intel on him either.."
"I wouldn't worry too much about that. The Creoli, although they are members, don't call on the federation often. They keep to themselves and stay out of trouble. As for your daughter I'd be happy to order Mr. Murphy to give her a tour." She ran a finger around the collar of her uniform and smiled. "If you should see the Ambassador, feel free to introduce yourself, he really is very friendly."
"I don't think Mister Murphy will appreciate such an order," the Romulan chuckled, "so its probably best if you didn't. As for the ambassador, I will when I see him, or if he finds me first."
"How could he not appreciate such an order? Giving a little girl a tour should be the highlight of his career. Future Engineers have to start somewhere after all. Introduce yourself when you have time, if you will excuse me I need to prepare my speech." Jane smiled at him and then moved away, mingling with people as she went. Though it was part of the job, it was what she dreaded the most.
"Good luck captain." The Romulan smiled as she walked off.
Lieutenant Murphy, on the other hand, didn't mind the dress uniform even as impractical as they were. Certainly not something one could work in, but hadn't really expected the need to crawl through a Jeffries tube on this day, at any rate. The Chief Engineer entered through the main doors of the hall along with another engineer officer. He surveyed the room with a quick glance, nodding to Lhaes and the captain in turn from across the room.
Sandy walked in behind the chief engineer. People said to her she made the dress uniform look nice. She wasn't much for occasions but this was one she didn't want to miss. She looked around at all the people that were there. She gave a nod to everyone present and then she walked to the corner of the room from where she could observe everything and everyone.
Isabella and Josh walked into the Grand Hall, both surprised by the grandeur of the facility. Both dressed in their formal uniforms, but Joshua was working the event whereas Isabella was merely attending. "I didn't realize Starfleet was building such beautiful accomodations for diplomatic events. Used to be they were held in whatever facility was large enough on the ship."
"Usually the lounge," Josh answered, having previously served as XO on a Majestic class ship. He was not as surprised as his wife. "But during the Dominion War, we decided to focus on something a little more impressive. The Majestic was the first to be fit with the Grand Hall module, bit other ship's are being upgraded."
Being the ship's head of security, Jex had already been buzzing around the Grand Hall, the deck around it, and a few trips to the transporter. She had to ensure her personnel was in the correct place and gave out any needed last minute instructions that were needed. Finally as satisfied as she could be, she decided that it was time to officially join the reception. The formal dress uniform felt right at home to Jex, though it lacked the looseness that she would have liked in order to chase down any bad guys who may appear.
"Greetings!" The tall feathered being appeared next to Jex. "I find it fascinating that the female of many of the species on this ship are so strikingly different from their male counterparts. Ours are so similar. Oh, I hope I am not overstepping any boundaries." His color seemed to shimmer a bit before settling down. "You are? Forgive my manners, I am called Vayr."
"No offense taken," the security chief replied. Pivoting a bit to get into a more comfortable position for conversation, she started to offer her hand. However, she remembered her training about diplomatic protocols she thought differently about the gesture. Instead, she settled on just an introduction, "Lieutenant Jexasi Rai, Chief of Tactical and Security. It is a pleasure to meet you, Vayr."
"Excellent," His beak several clicking noises with his beak. He offered her the tip of his clawed wing in a gesture of friendship, making sure that the claws were pointed in toward himself. "This is a beautiful ship," he want on chattering. "Though I enjoy this room the best, more room to spread my wings." He glanced at her to see if she'd get the joke.
"As long as you don't buzz the chandelier," Jex gave her attempt at some humor as she tried her best to mirror the gesture of greeting. "You wouldn't believe how hard it would be to remove feathers from the lighting." She smiled brightly as she replaced a loose strand of hair that had fallen out of place during her gesture of greeting.
"Oh no, I would not want to give anyone extra work. I will be careful." He gave her what he supposed was an approximation of a human grin. "If you will excuse me, I must mingle and meet. It was a pleasure to meet you Lieutenant Rai."
"Of course," Jex replied, not really sure how to take the gesture that the ambassador gave her. Deciding that he meant well, she added, "It was an honor to meet you as well."
Vayr bowed before heading off into the crowd to find some other crew member to chat up, preferably a species he had not had the pleasure of meeting but he really wasn't all that picky.
Shev walked in, tugging at the collar of his formal white uniform. A uniform he really didn't like to wear to be honest. But circumstances demanded it. "Note, design comfortable dress uniform." He said to himself as he decided to mingle with the crowd a little bit befor making his way to the CO. "Captain." he said.
On her way to the podium she heard a voice and turned to the sound. "Commander," Jane gave a nod, the corners of her mouth curling upward. "Thanks for coming. Enjoying yourself so far?"
"Break a leg I believe is the expression." he said. "I am indeed, Captain. Thanks for asking." he smiled
"Oh hello doctor." Lhaes smiled as he spotted the CMO. "Enjoying yourself?" He picked up two glasses as Patrick walked by with a tray. "Drink?" He offered, holding out the syntheholic beverage to her while keeping the juice for himself.
Sandy took the glass, "Thank you, not much of a synthehol drinker, but thanks anyways. And the enjoying part, well, I rather be in sickbay. The lighting here is not great."She looked around a bit uncomfortable.
"I don't drink at all," Lhaes smiled, "and I quite like it here. It's the perfect venue to be observing our guests and gather information."
"That's your job, I am here to listen to the speech," Sandy said. "Maybe make a quick exit to sickbay once its over." She grinned nervously at that remark.
The Romulan smiled at her. "That bad huh? Got anything more important in sickbay than being here?"
"For one there is more light," Sandy said, "And there is a lot to do in sickbay. Trust me, there is always something to do. I had to leave my colleague doctor, Sekat, on his own with all the work, seems very unfair, don't you agree?"
"I understand," Lhaes answered sofly, "can't leave your colleagues to do it all by themselves. I'll cover for you should anyone ask."
"Thank you, commander, I appreciate that," Sandy nodded to him.
Patrick walked on, smiling as he passed Murphy. He didn't really have time to stop and chat so he simply smiled at the man.
Murphy plucked a synthehol drink from Patrick's tray as he passed and he returned the smile. "If you have something stronger back there..." he murmured in jest.
"Sure do," Patrick chuckled, hurrying on to get back to his kitchen.
"Good," Josh said, having overheard the quiet comment. "Would you happen to have a beer back there as well?" Josh asked. Holding up the champagne made with synthehol, he added, "This is vile."
Patrick looked over his shoulder, recognizing the counselor's husband. "Yes sir," he answered politely, "what kind of beer would you like?"
"Surprise me," Josh said, just happy to have real beer available.
Patrick returned shortly, handing the man a glass containing a golden liquid with an inch thick foam collar. "I'm afraid we're not yet brewing the real stuff sir, but we're aiming to in time.
Josh swallowed the beer, satisfied that it was real alcohol and, more simply, that it was beer. "I look forward to it. Until then, this is good enough. It'll make the night a little more tolerable."
Isabella stepped up, smacking Josh's arm. "Don't be such a grump. It's a fine party."
Jane stood in front of the podium, slightly raised above the crowd. All faces turned towards her. At least Vayr had chosen to stand next to her for her speech. "Thank you for coming," she started and a slightly amused expression played on her face as she remembered this had been mandatory for all personel who weren't on duty at the time. Now that she was up here she was less nervous because it would soon be over.
"I won't take up too much of your time as I'm sure you'd like to get back to this excellent food and company. But I'm here today to tell you a story. A story is not just about a beginning, a middle and an end. It is also about what came before and what especially remained after. This story is about the Mavill and the Creoli.
A century ago today, on the planet Bairl two enemies became friends, two friends became family, two families became one. The reason for their strife does not matter. We are here to celebrate that they overcame it." She paused for a moment. Holoimages began to appear behind her.
Wilfred yawned, now that everyone was preoccupied, it would be the perfect time to slip out one of the doors. They didn't make that much noise. Surely no one would notice. Right?
"Sneaking out already?" Patrick thrust a tray into the brig officer's hands. "Here, you can help me with this."
Frowning, Wilfred took the tray. "Maybe I have somewhere to be?" He mumbled so softly he didn't think anyone else could hear him.
"Like where?" the chef challenged, "here is where all the fun is, and I sure could use the help. Please?"
Ugh. He was giving Wilfred a look. Though he'd never had any doubt about which sex he was attracted to, this man could certainly play up the sad, desperate face. "No where I guess." He sighed. "What do you want me to do?"
"Help me pass the drinks around? The girl who was supposed to help me never showed up and I can't do this all by myself." He smiled in relief. "I'll owe you," he promised.
"Yeah, alright." Wilfred wondered what this man could possibly do to make it up to him but didn't have much time to ponder as suddenly he was handed a tray and sent spinning around the room. Perhaps some anti nauseous medication?
"You're a lifesaver Wilfred," Patrick promised gratefully while moving off in the opposite direction.
"And so, despite the split and separation of the Mavill people, both parties agreed that in the end working together was best. A century later we are on our way to Bairl to celebrate their peace as well as the sacrifices both made in order to have a lasting peace."
Jane ended her speech to general polite applause. She knew it was corny but what did they expect? She was no speech writer, she wasn't really a writer at all except for the occasional poetry she dabbled in but only one person in the universe had ever seen any of it. Vayr stepped up to her happily and gave her an unexpected hug which she tried to look as if it had been planned. She tried not to breath for several moments as his wings flattened her, then as suddenly as he had grabbed her he let go and approached the podium himself for what would no doubt be a long and animated affair.
Commander Jane Saulitis
Commanding Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Commander Shev Th'aziavak
Executive Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Commander Lhaes Sommers
Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Murphy
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Isabella Torres
Counselor
USS Majestic
Lieutenant Junior Grade Sandra Adamson
Chief Medical officer
USS Majestic
Patrick O'Malley
Cheff
pnpc Lhaes
Vayr
Creoli Ambassador to Earth
USS Majestic
Commander Joshua Hart
Media Relations Officer
USS Majestic
[pNPC Torres]
Lieutenant Jexasi Rai
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Majestic
