Posted by Lieutenant Commander Viveca Arlander (Counselor) in Lounge - It’s Party Time!

Posted by Captain Aaron Foley (Commanding Officer) in Lounge - It’s Party Time!

Posted by Captain Aaron Foley (Commanding Officer) in Lounge - It’s Party Time!
Posted by… suppressed (18) by the Post Ghost! 👻
With the artifacts delivered, and the Challenger safely on its way back to Sol, it was time to finally let the crew decompress. Everyone was invited for drinks and food in the lounge. While it was not quite as good of a spread as their Demara would have put up, the lounge staff had done an admirable job.

Aaron walked in dressed in black slacks and a plain dark red shirt, just a bit before the event was supposed to start. Several of the lounge staff were still running food out to the tables. He chuckled at a couple of the young cadets already grabbing what food was out at one of the far tables. Trying to stay out of the staffs way, he moved over to the bar. There would be no fancy drinks tonight it seemed.

“Can I get an Old Fashioned?” he asked the bartender who walked over. As he waited for the drink he turned and leaned against the bar.

OOC: Everyone come and have some fun while we take a short break before our next simm!

Capt Foley - CO

After a long and intense shift in sickbay, Vincent decided it was time to unwind. The thought of paperwork and reports could wait; right now, he needed a break. He headed to the ship’s lounge, hoping to clear his mind and enjoy a moment of relaxation. The soft hum of conversation and the faint clinking of glasses, as he entered the room, was a welcome contrast to the sterile environment of sickbay.

“Two of those, please!” Vincent called out as he approached the bar, settling into the seat beside the Captain. “Captain,” he greeted formally, his signature smile in place. “Busy day, right?” he added as the ber tender acknowledged him, setting another glass out.

Lieutenant Yancey, CMO
Jake Ridgley | Contact Me
Discord: MintyNarwhal
Time zone: GMT0 | UK

“Oh I don’t know, it seemed like another typical day around here,” Aaron said with a laugh. As the glasses got filled he picked up one and handed it to Vincent.

Viveca strolled in noticing the Captain with the CMO, she approached the bar. She was wearing her blond hair loose tonight with a casual purple jumpsuit, “Captain, Doctor,” she greeted both officers, “Lovely idea this, should prove a great way for the crew to unwind after a mission.”

~Viveca Arlander~

Demil showed up on the dot of when things were supposed to start. He was in uncharacteristically casual clothes - grey slacks and a long sleeved shirt (science blue, of course - it was still Demil), and walked over to join the gathering group of senior officers. “Sir, Doctor, Counselor,” he greeted each in turn. “Where can I be helpful?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

“Counsellor, Lieutenant!” Vincent greeted with a warm smile. “We’re in downtime, so please, call me Vincent. I know I haven’t had much time to get to know everyone since I came aboard, but now that the chaos of the last few days has settled, let’s change that. How about you join us, grab a drink, and we can catch up? I’d love to hear more about each of you.”

Lieutenant Yancey, CMO
Jake Ridgley | Contact Me
Discord: MintyNarwhal
Time zone: GMT0 | UK

Pilar had been standing near the edge of the room, observing the flow of people as they entered. The lounge was gradually filling up, and she noted the easiness among the crew. It was always interesting to see them in a more relaxed setting, away from the rigid structure of their duties. She took a sip of her drink, something light, not wanting to dull her senses.

Her eyes followed Aaron as he walked in, dressed simply but sharply in black slacks and a dark red shirt. Then her attention went to the CMO as he entered the room. He exuded a different kind of energy more relaxed, approachable. When Viveca joined them, Pilar took note of the Counselor’s choice of attire. The purple jumpsuit was a bold statement, and it suited Viveca’s confident demeanor. The easy banter among the senior officers was a reminder of the bond they shared, a bond forged through countless missions and challenges. Then Demil arrived, ever the epitome of professionalism even in casual attire. Pilar watched as he greeted the group, his manner polite and efficient, as always. There was something comforting about his predictability, his adherence to the values of science and logic.

She considered joining them but decided to observe a little longer. She wasn’t in the mood for small talk just yet instead she let herself relax, enjoying the scene in front of her, content to be an observer and take in the calm.

Commander Halcyone
(Executive Officer)

“Certainly, I enjoy getting to know people over a drink,” Viveca grinned, “Usually makes it easier to drag you into a psych eval when those come due,” she joked lightly.

~Viveca Arlander~

“Nope, no psych evals tonight, we are all off duty,” Aaron said with a grin before taking a drink.

“When time allows it is nice to give everyone a bit of a break between our missions. Get a chance to know each of you a bit better, and thank you for a job well done.” He raised his glass to them before taking another sip.

“I know we have some new faces here, so who still needs to meet who?”

Capt Foley - CO

“Wait just one minute,” Aaron said looking around the room. He reached up and tapped his commbadge.

=^=Cadets Koerner, Sozenn, Conway, hope you didn’t miss my message, but we are expecting you to join us in the lounge.=^=

Capt Foley - CO

Zachariah was already on the way before he heard the captain’s tones over his commbadge.

He offered a small smile as he walked through the doors into the ships lounge. His eyes looked around for Demara briefly before he remembered that she had left the ship after he’d saved both her life and the life of her unborn child. Zachariah had never been informed as of why and he had never questioned it. He assumed he wasn’t on the list of those who needed to know.

The young cadet approached the bar and offered a smile. He ordered himself a whiskey from the bartender and stood around for a moment whilst he was served. Once he had his drink in hand, he approached the group of officers that had gathered and offered smiles around.

“Captain” he said softly, bowing his head slightly. “Commander” he continued, offering a smile towards the ships XO. He went around the group, making introductions to those present. The CO and XO, Lieutenant Yancey, the Chief Science Officer, the ships Councillor and now a random Cadet all gathered together. It was a collection you didn’t see often, but it was welcome after their last adventure.

“How is everyone?”

Cadet Zachariah Conway - Medical

Pilar decided it was time to join the group. Setting her drink down, as she approached, she caught the tail end of Zachariah’s question, “How is everyone?” Without missing a beat, she slipped into the circle, her presence seamless and natural.
“Better now that we’re all here together,” Pilar said with a calm, steady tone, offering a nod to the cadet. “It’s not often we get to relax like this, so let’s make the most of it.” She glanced around the group, attention to Zachariah Conway, her expression thoughtful. “Cadet Conway,” she began, her voice carrying the steady authority of her position, “how was your first mission on the ship?”
Her question was more than just a casual inquiry; it was an opportunity for the young cadet to reflect on his experience, to voice any concerns or share insights.

Commander Halcyone
(Executive Officer)

“Chaotic, Commander”

It was the most honest answer he could give. “A positive learning experience, honestly. No-one expects their first ever experience onboard a Star Fleet vessel to fall foul of an attack by enemy vessels” he offered a slight chuckle. “However, it taught me how well I handle when the pressure is piled on” he continued, taking a small sip of his drink.

“I like to think all in all, everyone did well onboard the Challenger”

Cadet Zachariah Conway - Medical

Viveca listened as the XO talked with the medical cadet, she was still relatively new to the ship, so she liked to make mental notes on the crew in settings like this. Not really to “trap them” in a later psych eval, but rather to inform her choices on what motivated members of the crew. She often found she learned more about the crew from just casually observing them in their own environments than she ever learned from the psych evaluations anyway.

~Viveca Arlander~

Vincent sat back, taking a moment to absorb the easygoing camaraderie around him. It was a rare sight to see the crew in such a relaxed state, and he found himself appreciating the chance to unwind. The lounge was buzzing with the quiet hum of conversations, the clinking of glasses, and the soft, ambient lighting that created a warm, welcoming atmosphere. This was exactly what he needed after the day he’d had.

As the XO engaged Cadet Conway in conversation, Vincent quietly observed. The young cadet’s response was honest and humble, qualities Vincent always valued. He could see the tension of their recent mission still lingering in the cadet’s posture, a reminder of the trials they had all endured.

Viveca, ever the perceptive counsellor, was also listening intently. Vincent could tell she was mentally cataloguing her observations, likely to use them in her evaluations later. He admired her ability to subtly gather insights without making anyone feel uncomfortable.

Once the cadet finished speaking, Vincent leaned forward, addressing Viveca with a thoughtful expression. “Counselor, I have to say, I’m curious about your take on all of this. You’ve been observing us for a while now—how do you think the crew is holding up after everything we’ve been through? I’d love to hear your insights.” He smiled warmly, genuinely interested in her perspective, knowing that her observations could offer valuable guidance for supporting the crew’s well-being.

Lieutenant Yancey, CMO
Jake Ridgley | Contact Me
Discord: MintyNarwhal
Time zone: GMT0 | UK

“I think everyone has been handling the specific challenges of this past mission very well,” Viveca replied, “It’s natural to feel a little....off after a mission like this, but I think informal gatherings like this are great ways to cope with moving past it.”

~Viveca Arlander~

“And what about you?” Vincent asked curiously before adding, “As the old saying goes who counsels the counsellor… or something like that anyway” It was a rather crude joke amongst medical professionals who treats the doctor etc etc and it seemed relevant here too.

“That is the beauty of video calls, to some extent,” Viveca replied, “I can contact any number of mental health professionals, provided communications are up.”

Lieutenant Yancey, CMO
Jake Ridgley | Contact Me
Discord: MintyNarwhal
Time zone: GMT0 | UK

Pilar couldn’t help but overhear Vincent and Viveca’s conversation, she strolled over to both them and said, “Lieutenant Yancey raises a valid point,” her gaze now resting on Viveca. “We all play our part in ensuring the well-being of this crew, but it’s just as important to remember that those who provide support need it in return. I used to be the counselor of this ship, it is a role I do miss sometimes so, Viveca, if you ever need to talk, whether it’s about the mission or anything else, I am always here to listen.”
Pilar understood the weight of leadership and the importance of maintaining a strong, cohesive crew. Viveca was an integral part of that, and Pilar wanted to make sure she knew it.

Turning her attention back to the group as a whole, Pilar allowed a small, encouraging smile to play on her lips. “It’s been a challenging mission for all of us, but moments like these remind me why we do what we do. We come together, we support each other, and we keep moving forward.”
She lifted her glass, a subtle gesture that invited the others to do the same. “To the Challenger and her crew. May we continue to rise to every challenge, and may we always find the strength to support one another.”

Commander Halcyone
(Executive Officer)

The young cadet sipped his drink as he listened in to the conversation between Commander, Councillor and Lieutenant. All made valid points, it was important that everyone on board the Challenger from the lowest ranking cadet to the highest ranking officers was given the support that they needed to ensure their own wellbeing was looked after.

Zachariah lifted his glass along with the USS Challenger’s XO and he offered a smile. The Challenger had become his home, it’s crew his family. Lieutenant Vincent Yancey, and the two recruits whom had joined him, Bejal Dozenn and Ethan Koerner had become his cloest family. They were the ones he worked with one a daily basis in Sickbay. He throughly enjoyed his time on the ship, he couldn’t deny it.

Cadet Zachariah Conway - Medical

“To the Challenger,” Aaron said raising his glass before taking a sip.

The doors slid open as Ethan entered the lounge wearing a slightly creased black jacket and blue shirt, as though it had been thrown on in a hurry. Noticing the group he smiled and hurried over. “Sorry i’m late. Had a call from Starfleet medical confirming the date for me to defend my thesis. Luckily its the day after we get back. Have i missed anything?” He asked, as he went to grab a glass.

Cadet Ethan Koerner
Doctor USS Challenger

“Well I think since we have everyone’s attention, now seems as good as time as any. I did have another reason to ask you all to gather here, and that is for probably one of the best reasons to be the Commanding Officer of the Challenger.

“The nature of the Challenger is that a lot of our crew is just here for a short visit before moving on to bigger and better things. It is of course our hope that during their time here that they will learn something, and carry a part of their adventures here with them. So without further ado, now for the fun part.”

Looking off to the side, Aaron waved over one of the servers who was carrying a tray that had 3 small boxes as well as 3 PADD’s on it.

“Mr. Conway, front and center if you’d please,” Aaron said picking up the first box and PADD.

He stepped forward upon request of the Captain.

“By the powers vested in me by Starfleet Command and the Commandant of the Academy, and upon the recommendation of the senior staff of the Challenger, I hereby promote you to the rank of Ensign. With all the rights, privileges and responsibilities that go with that rank.

“Congratulations Ensign and good luck on your next assignment on the USS Wolverine.”

Aaron held out the box and PADD towards Zachariah in one hand, and extended his other hand towards him.

Capt Foley - CO

Viveca clapped politely as the newly minted Ensign was celebrated.

~Viveca Arlander~

He offered a smile.

Ensign. It was both an incredible achievement but disappointing at the same time. He didn’t want to leave the Challenger, but he was also excited for his new challenge on board the Wolverine. He knew he would have a lot less oversight on board the Wolverine, knew he would lose the tutorship that came with being a cadet. It was almost overwhelming to think about.

At that moment he made a comittment to himself. He would step foot on the Challenger again in the future. Either heading up the Medical Department or in the Centre Chair. He would step foot on board the Challenger.

He took the hand of the Captain, knowing that it solidified his future.

Ensign Zachariah Conway - Medical