Celebratory Tea
Posted on Thu Jul 16th, 2015 @ 2:44pm by Lieutenant Mickey McClane & Captain Elijah Michaels & Commander Cor Cordale & Commander Bertrand Cuprum & Ensign Honey Flanagan
Edited on on Sun Mar 13th, 2016 @ 12:59am
Mission:
Shoreleave and Repairs
Location: Ten Forward
Timeline: Arrival at Starbase
Elijah
Bertrand entered the ready room for a second time.
"It occurs to me," he began without preamble, and with a slightly impish smile, "that, as CO, it is your responsibility to support me into the command role. As such, if I hold a congratulations celebration for some of the crew, you are duty bound to attend, right?"
Elijah nodded. "I would be delighted." He smiled at the Commander knowing it would be good in easing Bertrand into a role he was not used to.
Bertrand checked his schedule to make sure he would catch the XO as she was coming off duty and had a bit of time up her sleeve. He was loitering, he knew, but there was no actual rule against it on a Starship. As he spotted her step out of the turbo lift on the level of her quarters he hurried up to her.
"Commander!" he called. "A moment of your time?"
"Of course, Mr. Cuprum. What can I do for you?" Michelle asked.
Bernard fell in to pace next to her, "I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together when we arrive at the Starbase tomorrow. I was hoping that you would join us. Ostensibly it is about celebrating my promotion, but it is really a chance to make connections with the crew."
"I think we could all benefit from that." Michelle said. "And I'd be delighted to celebrate for any reason... I think we all deserve it."
"As most of the crew will be taking shore leave I will be using Ten Forward. Can I count you in?"
"I'll be there with bells on." Michelle said. "Well, actually maybe not with bells. Walking around would be rather annoying. But regardless of the bell controversy, I shall be there."
Bertrand smiled, "You'll be welcome with or without musical accompaniment."
Finding anyone in Engineering was a nightmare. People were rushing everywhere trying to replace parts or replicate spares. Someone would kindly tell him where to go to find the CEO, but by the time he got to that location, he had "just left."
Eventually Bertrand had to use a tricorder scan to lock onto the Engineers comm pin and arm energy signature. He eventually found him hanging near inverted into an isolinear relay conduit.
"Um," Bertrand started, not entirely comfortable with addressing the only part of the Thux he could currently see. "Is this a bad time?"
"Not really, just give me a few seconds." Cor called up, or down depending on one's point of view. Tense moments passed, until the component he was working on clicked into place and sprung to life. "There. That'll hold nicely. Heading down." Cor announced as per standard procedure, before lowering himself to the Engineering deck.
"So, what can Engineering do for you?" The blue weaseloid inquired. If there was any animosity between their two departments, or their two persons, it was either forgiven or forgotten long ago.
"Well, not engineering, exactly," Cuprum allowed, "more you personally. I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together when we arrive at the Starbase tomorrow to celebrate my promotion."
Just for a moment Bertrand was aware of a wash of emotions from Cor at the mention of promotion; sadness, loneliness, and memories of Family.
Bertrand stumbled into the next part of his speech, "I... I was hoping that you would join us. Shall we say lunch in Ten Forward?"
Cor gave a nod and a wide smile, but no teeth were shown. "I wouldn't miss it for the world. Congratulations ahead of time, and, hell, I'll probably say it again tomorrow."
"Thank you," Bertrand replied. "I am not sure I am comfortable with it. Bit like new shoes. You got a wear them a while to see if you like them."
"Yeah, but unlike new shoes, most ranks don't come with a return policy. Well, they kinda do, but it stays on your record for QUITE a while." the Thux gave a chuckle. "Besides, you just made a shoe reference to a guy who has to replicate his own special work boots on account of, what did they call it... Non-Standard Feets." he gave another chuckle, as he waggled one of his boots. Yeah, broad paws tend to need broad boots.
"Anyhow, enough about shoes. Is this going to be an In Uniform party, or can we dress casual? It's your shin-dig, after all."
Bertrand took a deep breath, considering, "Well, I guess it is supposed to be informal, and I can't keep even dress uniform neat for more than an hour somehow. Guess we'll make it a casual affair. See you then."
"See you then." Cor replied in kind, then looked up at the manifold junction... some twelve feet up. "Frag it, I'll climb." and he returned to his task by means of a lengthy climb through the tubes.
Bertrand knew where to find Mickey. He knew the mans review was coming up later that day, but for now he was still confined when off duty. He nodded at the guard who was posted outside as he arrived. He pressed the chime and heard as well as felt Aladdin's happy bark on the other side. There were some things that language couldn't express.
Aladdin turned around to the door and looked at it. Aladdin Knew Commander Cuprum was on the other side of the door. "Mickey, it seems the newly promoted commander has come to visit us." Aladdin sat down and acted mature about it. Mickey was meditating as he needed to keep himself under control as he won't annoy the commander right now. "Come in, Commander Cuprum." Mickey said nicely to the other side of the door.
Bertrand stepped through the door and could sense the calm place Mickey had put himself in, but the current of nerves that were buried under it.
"At ease Lieutenant. I come here with a peace offering. I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together when we arrive at the Starbase in a few hours to celebrate my promotion. I was hoping that you would join us. Shall we say lunch in Ten Forward?"
"Will there be green tea there?" Mickey asked the new commander nicely.
Bertrand nodded, "I will make sure of it. I can see your preparing for your review. Stick to it, lad."
With that he withdrew leaving the other to his meditation.
Antos - A while later after visiting Mickey and Aladdin
Medical was winding down. The few cases needing serious treatment were being made stable to transfer when they arrived at the starbase. The rest were either back in their rooms or back on duty.
When Bertrand arrived he found the crew busy and efficient. He moved quickly to Antos who was completing some dismissal records.
"Sorry to rush off on you in the middle of that scare, Doctor," he began as he approached. "First chance I have really had to get back down and check on you and your team."
"No harm done, Mr Cuprum. Its your job to see all are safe," Antos finished off the release forms and placed the padds on each patients bed. Antos wished them all well before the corpsmen took them to the transporter room or evac site.
"When you have more time we need to talk about Mr McClane and the excessive guards," Antos said with a straight face.
"Sure," Bertrand responded amiably. "I believe he will be reviewed in the next few hours. It is really the CO's call. Save me from a world where Policeman gets to be Judge and Jury as well."
"The meeting will still go on, I don't have an issue about that, but I want the guards removed. There is no reason for them now, after his treatment from me. He is now fit for duty. If I have to make it a medical directive, I will," Antos said flatly to him, "or I can have Mr. McClane continue with me the rest of the time, as he deals with his duties, and I will do mine later after he is done for the night. Either way, he will have more freedom. Your choice; I can make it more."
"I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together when we arrive at the Starbase in a few hours to celebrate my promotion. I was hoping that you would join us. Shall we say lunch in Ten Forward?""
"If you want me around afterwards then that's up to you. I will attend if you wish it or if you decide not I wont have hurt feelings. I know I can be a problem."Antos said with a straight face.
Bertrand pinched the bridge of his nose, "All right. looks like we need to have this out now. Clear the air."
"Firstly, you don't get to make a call on what security is, or is not, needed. That is my call. Secondly, protocol is very clear about the action that has to be taken here and that is all I am doing; following protocol."
"Thirdly, and let me make this one VERY crystal clear," Bertrand said his eyes boring into Antos, "don't ever threaten me. If you are going to act, do what you need to do. If you try to pressure me you will find I act against that in the strongest manner possible. If you think insubordination is not a heavy enough charge, I can also level perverting justice, interfering in the function of a Fed Security officer, and a whole bunch of others."
"We are not enemies, Antos," he finished. "Let's not become them."
"Apparently, sir, you have decided for us. Mr Bertrand there was no threat involved but a warning as it could be a kindly suggestion or it could be an order. I am sorry I did not phrase that right. If I make it an order especially after treatment was given and such then who is being insubordinate? HUM? Being a flexible officer is also a trait of an effective security officer.
But apparently you missed that lecture in security training. If you wish to place me on report go ahead I welcome it. SIR! " Antos said calmly as a Betazoid could. "But remember I can do the same to you for not following orders, But I never gave you that order it was suggested. Correct??"
Antos moved to the master display to input some calculations, "Congratulations on your promotion, Sir! If there is nothing else you may go."
Antos tapped a few keys and transferred the information to his terminal in his office. "Think about what I have said. If you wish to try and be more flexible I am here to talk," As he walked away out of the main medical area to his office and took a seat.
Bertrand shook his head. He didn't understand why some people didn't feel the regulations applied to them.
Bertrand arrived at the debriefing room at exactly the specified time. Ensign Kilbane and Lt Wakeman were already at their seats. Bertrand dropped quickly in to his chair on the opposite side of the desk.
"I have looked over your reports," he leapt straight into it, "and I have to say it was damn fine work. Not the reports; there always the same damn monotonous thing of times and figures. No the way you both leapt into action where it was needed; made me proud of you both."
"Now, anything off the records you want to tell me about before we go on?"
Kevin waited for a couple of seconds to see if the Assistant Chief would speak first, and when she didn't he said, "I'd like to mention that if required Sir, I can still ask for help from certain quarters that aren't strictly...down the line if you catch my drift," and left it at that.
Bertrand nodded, "Noted. A diplomat will always know some unofficial channels. Should Starfleet give us the go ahead we may call upon that for info about our missing botonists."
"Just doing my job, sir," the Klingon hybrid replied with a smile.
"And a fine job you both did. It is for that reason I have a new assignment. Well, not exactly assignment, more of a voluntary invitation."
"I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together when we arrive at the Starbase, any time now, to celebrate my promotion. I was hoping that you would join us. Shall we say lunch in Ten Forward?"
Kevin was quite surprised at the invite, but none the less delighted to have it extended to himself none the less so replied "Thank you Sir, I'd be more than happy to attend."
Tag:
Bertrand was approaching the door to Morolith's quarters when he stopped dead.
"Appointment?" he said to nothing. "No, of course I don't ha..."
"She may well be, and I won't take..."
"You keep out of this. You are not helping."
"Look, I am not asking anyone's permission..."
"Very well, you tell her that I am here and ask her if she would like to talk to me."
Having verbally battled his way past imaginary personae, Moriloth's quarters door opened to him. "Come in, Bert." The near-sounding voice however, didn't have an immediately visible body associated with it. True, there were many distractions and obstacles to navigate. Hippie bead curtains, lava lamps, morphing holoptic art, and not-so-safe animated plants. Yet, she wasn't insight. "Up here." Bert looked up to see Moriloth covered by an ornate throw blanket, laying on a soft pad... on the ceiling. "I ran out of room in here for stuff, so I had a gravity pad installed on the ceiling." She popped a couple of peanuts into her mouth and began crunching. "People completely under-utilize ceiling space. Want a peanut?"
Bertram chuckled, "No thank you, Morolith. I haven't had a chance to say how impressed I was by that clover pattern maneuver you pulled yesterday."
She smiled, "Thank you. There's nothing like random angular accelerations."
"Now that we are docked at the Starbase, and you are officially off duty, I have a request. I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together to celebrate my promotion. I was hoping that you would join us. Shall we say lunch in Ten Forward?"
Moriloth threw off her blanket. With a light push from the ceiling, she lithely dropped into the zero gravity point and then rolled into a stand as floor gravity prevailed. "I like parties!"
"I will take that as a yes, then," Bertrand responded. "Yes you can all come, but this is a luncheon, not a Klingon Feast or Orion Dance meet, understood? Mori, I expect you to keep them all in line."
She stood there for a few moments trying to comprehend if such a possibility could be real.
Honey & Valeria
Bertrand stopped at the door of the science lab. n front of him were so many flickering lights and whirling images that he considered briefly how anyone with any form of epilepsy could function in such a place.
He glanced around but couldn't see the Chief Science officer. He did see the new woman though. He just couldn't remember her name; jam, treacle, marmalade?
He cleared his throat to try and catch her attention.
Honey turned around, offering a smile and a wave to Bertrand, her rows of small, razorsharp shark-like teeth visible as she smiled. "Hiii." she offered. "You mussst be Lieutenant Commander Bertrand Cuprum." She added, tail swishing behind her. Then she blinked, two golden eyes out of synch with eachother, and cringed. "Oh! I'm sssorry, can I try again?" as she snapped to attention. "Ensign Honey Flanagan, xenobiologissst. It'sss a pleasssure meeting you, Sssir!"
Bertrand nodded, acknowledging the attention, "At ease, Ensign. I was looking for the Chief Scientist. I am gathering a few key personnel from the crew together to celebrate my recent promotion. I was hoping that she would join us for lunch in Ten Forward."
Bertrand suddenly realised he was being rude by discussing an invite with someone he had not yet invited.
"Oh... and you are welcome to come too. A good excuse to get to meet some of the crew."
"I think Lieutenant Mordin isss in her office, Sssir. at leassst that'sss where ssshe wasss half an hour ago." Honey explained, though she seemed distracted. The reason for that distraction became evident as Abigail Biscuit, the Voltaran multipaw, came creeping closer and closer to Bertrand's feet, tongue sticking out in concentration and one paw heft high as if to swat at said feet.
Bertrand glanced around, "There is no need to be afraid of that. It is a ... oh... it wasn't fear you were feeling, was it?"
"It might've b - " Honey didn't get to finish her sentence before Abigail with her entire 4kg pounced onto Bertrand's leg, starting to gnaw on the hem of his uniform pants.
"... Meet Abigail Bissscuit. Ssshe'sss harmlesssss, I promissse." Honey quietly said, flicking her forked tongue out at Bertrand.
Bertrand sighed heavily, reverting to his grumpy baseline, "What is wrong with this ship? Was there a memo that every crew man needs to bring a pet?"
He picked the multipaw up by the scruff of the neck and passed her back to Honey, "Just make sure you keep her out of Ensign Aladdin's way. I will see you and Valeria at lunch."
"Yesss Sssir." Honey cringed a bit, taking a disgruntled Abigail from Bertrand, much to the chagrin of the multipaw who protested with an audible 'murp!'. "Do you want me to notify the Lieutenant, Sssir? Or would you prefer to invite her yourssself?"
"Eh?" Bertrand asked, momentarily distracted. Honey's thoughts were like a thick broth. Things kept surfacing but before he could make them out they sank from view again. "Oh, er, no. You can pass the message along. I have to go make the preparations."
"Well, ok." She blinked golden eyes once again out of synch with eachother. Not sure what to do or say she simply stood at the classic at ease position, semi awkwardly looking at Bertrand, flicking her forked tongue out at him. "Sssir."
