Posted by Ensign Tak (Science Officer) in Chief Engineer going on Break Mess Hall -Everyone’s welcome

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket (Chief Engineer Officer) in Chief Engineer going on Break Mess Hall -Everyone’s welcome

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade T’Mor (Chief Science Officer) in Chief Engineer going on Break Mess Hall -Everyone’s welcome
Posted by… suppressed (36) by the Post Ghost! 👻
While Lieutenant Becket had finally gotten himself used to having two new junior officers in his department, he had finally had time to go to the mess hall and take a little break. =^= Lieutenant Becket to Ensign Valhalla. Once you’re done, you are in command of engineering until I get back. =^= He tapped his com badge to inform his first junior officer and informed Ensign Valhalla.

Lieutenant Becket then went to the turbo lift. The doors then swooshed wide open and commanded “Mess Hall.” He said smiling. The lift doors then swooshed closed and the lift started to take off and is grateful for what he’s got.

The lift took a halt and then swooshed wide open at Becket’s stop and Becket had then walked off the lift. The lift doors then swooshed shut as he walked off. Becket then started to head over to the Mess Hall and the doors swooshed wide open. He then sat down at a bar in the Mess hall and ordered something that was from Vulcan. However, he doesn’t know the name of it.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

In the next seat over, a very small person stood atop her chair, trying very hard to reach a bottle of ketchup that was just out of her reach. Beside her on the counter was a heaping pile of fish and chips, which was the whole reason why she was trying to access the poorly placed condiment. Kota strained her little arm, but alas, she was too short. Big, deep blue eyes then turned slowly in the direction of the engineering chief, and she looked at the man in that way that kids do, when they’re working up the courage to ask for something. Kota might be a preteen in human terms, but she wasn’t above using her cuteness to her advantage. Wide eyes, sad face.

Ensign Tak
Science Officer USS Ark Angel

Becket looked at the young Ensign and scooted the bottle to her. “Here kid. My name is Alex Becket. What’s yours?” He asked.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Kota took the ketchup with a grateful look. “Thank you, mister! I am Kota.” The child adjusted herself upon the chair and poured a generous dollop of ketchup onto her plate. “It is nice to meet you, Mister Becket.”

“Pleasure is all mine Kota. And please call me Alex.” He said.

After a grueling day buried in paperwork, the ship’s new diplomat finally carved out a moment for herself. She needed a break—and food. Entering the mess hall, her mind was set on finding a refreshing assortment of fruit and, perhaps, indulging in several cans of orange soda, her guilty pleasure.

The Aurelian was nothing short of striking, her presence commanding attention the moment she stepped into the room. Her appearance was a blend of grace and unusual beauty, even among her kind. She bore a strong resemblance to a secretary bird, her sleek feathers a gradient of light blue that deepened to a rich, dark blue at the tips of her wings, legs, and arms. A delicate sheen caught the light, giving her plumage an almost iridescent quality.

Her brilliant violet eyes, vivid and piercing, scanned the room with practiced precision, taking in every detail. She carried herself with an air of confidence, her movements deliberate and poised. The sharp click of her talons against the polished floor echoed through the quiet hall, a sound that announced her arrival before she even spoke. Stealth was not her forte—nor would she ever stoop to such clandestine behavior.

Rakia’s gaze softened slightly as she ordered a bowl of vibrant fruit from the replicator. She adjusted her wings with a faint rustle, her thoughts briefly lingering on the peaceful reprieve this moment offered. As she moved to claim her prize, the faintest smile tugged at the corner of her beak. It was a small, well-earned victory after a day filled with negotiations and red tape.

Diplomatic Officer
Rakia

Kota
Civilian, USS Ark Angel

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Okay, Mister Alex. What, um,” Kota examined her paws for a moment, “What is your job on the ship? Do you work with my Ig’ta?”

Kota
Civilian
USS Ark Angel

He looked at Kota. “I work in engineering. I’m the Chief engineer on the ship lots of work. I’m sure your Ig’ta and I have seen each other but never really talked. I’m mainly in the engine room.” He said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“My Ig’ta [OOC translation; Ig’ta = Parent] is a scientist,” Kota grabbed a fish and took a little nibble. “They used to be a pilot too, but they stopped doing that when we moved to the Ark Angel.” Another bite of fish. “I am glad. It was scary when they were out there in a tiny ship, fighting other people.” And in a very small voice, mostly to herself, she added, “I do not wanna lose another parent.”

Ensign Tak
Science Officer USS Ark Angel

Once he heard about the losing a parent, it reminded him that his stepmother had died. But he didn’t want to bring it up. “Well I’m glad your here on the Ark Angel.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

If Rakia overheard the child’s comment about not wanting to lose a parent, she gave no indication. Her serene demeanor, a hallmark of her Aurelian heritage, remained unshaken. Being Aurelian had its advantages, especially when it came to maintaining composure and observing others with quiet curiosity. She had come to appreciate the dynamic between the ship’s engineer and the child, sensing an unspoken bond that spoke of trust and care.

“Would it be alright if I joined you two?” she asked, her voice carrying a musical lilt, a subtle harmony that seemed to soothe the air around her.

Her request was genuine. Since coming aboard the ship, her time had been consumed by duties and acclimating to her new surroundings. She hadn’t had many opportunities to connect with the crew, and this seemed like a chance to start. Rakia’s violet eyes, faintly luminescent in the light of the mess-hall reflected an unspoken warmth as she awaited their reply.

Diplomatic officer Rakia

Alex had then heard the new voice in the room and smiled. “Please. Come and sit. We would love to have your company.” He said with a genuine smile.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Kota jumped a little and hid behind her fingers at the new arrival, but the shy child calmed herself after a moment and took another bite of fish, dipping it in the ketchup. She then nodded shyly at Rakia, glancing over at Becket before eating a chip.

Kota
Civilian
USS Ark Angel

Rakia smiled warmly at the chief engineer and the child, her gaze softening as she took in their expressions. “Thank you,” she said, her voice carrying a mix of gratitude and weariness. “I haven’t had much time to meet the people living aboard this ship.” As she spoke, and sank into the chair with a sense of relief.

Diplomatic officer Rakia

“Anytime Ensign. I’m Lieutenant Alex Becket. The Chief engineer on this vessel.” He said smiling.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“I am Kota,” Kota added, in a soft voice. She gave a shy wave to the feathered lady.

Ensign Tak
Science Officer USS Ark Angel

A smile curved along Rakia’s beak, softening her sharp features. Her almost luminescent purple eyes gleamed with warmth, capturing the light as they shifted between her companions. Tilting her head slightly, she adjusted her posture with a graceful dip, her elongated talons resting lightly against the fabric of her robes. “It is a pleasure to meet both of you,” she said, her voice carrying a melodious lilt. Her gaze lingered for a heartbeat, the glow in her eyes deepening as if to emphasize her sincerity. “How have your days been?”

diplomatic officer Rakia

“Oh you know. Busy. Work. All that stuff if you know what I mean.” He had said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“We learned about Captain Archer in class today. The teacher said he was a really important Starship Captain. The first… uh… I think Warp 5? I don’t remember,” Kota shared.

Ensign Tak
Science Officer USS Ark Angel

“Heh. Captain Jonathan Archer USS Enterprise NX-01. First warp 5 capability vessel. He was a great captain back in the day. Him and his crew did some good. Saving and protecting earth and the galaxy.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Rikia sat gracefully at the table, her plate of neatly arranged greens and fruit reflecting her preference for order. She listened quietly as Kota excitedly shared what she had learned in class, a small smile curving her lips. The young one’s enthusiasm reminded her of her own early days at the academy, though she had never had the chance to share her lessons with such openness.

“Captain Jonathan Archer,” Rikia echoed thoughtfully, tilting her head as Lieutenant Becket elaborated. “Yes, his contributions to the formation of the Federation are legendary. Though, I admit, the methods of his time often seemed… unconventional to me when I first studied them.”

Her feathers shifted slightly as she leaned forward, addressing Kota directly. “Did your teacher mention the Xindi crisis? It was one of the most pivotal moments in his career. Captain Archer navigated challenges that would have torn lesser crews apart. It was not just his ship’s Warp 5 capability that defined him, but his ability to forge alliances where none existed before.”

Kota scratched her nose, listening to the feathered lady talking more about Captain Archer. She didn’t fully understand all the concepts she mentioned, but nodded along regardless. “Teacher did not mention anyone called the ‘Xindi’. Our lesson was about the Klingon crisis, and the crew members. Teacher asked if we knew anything about Captain Archer and Kelly said he was part of the formation of the Federation. I did not know that. I learned about the founders of the Alliance when I was little. We only started living on Federation Starships three years ago.” Kota thought that Rikia was nice.

Hayley entered the Mess Hall and collected a meal from the replicator - she wasn’t overly hungry so she requested an assortment of raw veggies and dip along with some cheese and crackers. She glanced around looking for a familiar face, forgetting for a moment that it had been three years since she was last on board. Shaking her head, she sighed and started walking toward an empty table.

Lt. JG Hayley Marshall CMO

Alex had saw a new person that came in. He looked up and noticed it was the new Chief medical officer. “Doctor. Please join us.” He said with a welcoming gesture.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Bump

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

Hayley looked over and smiled, “Thank you Lieutenant.” She responded and made her way to a stool at the counter, nodding to those already there.

Lt. JG Hayley Marshall CMO

Kota waved cheerfully at the familiar CMO. Tak had taken her and Paku to sickbay a few times, for check ins and fevers and vaccines, so the young teen knew Hayley’s face fairly well. Finishing her fish and chips, she slid off the bar stool and took her dishes to be recycled, then stood at the replicator for a few moments, deciding on what to get for her desert.

Ensign Tak
Science Officer USS Ark Angel

As Lieutenant Marshall entered the Mess Hall and was invited to join, Rikia inclined her head in polite acknowledgment, her smile serene. “Doctor Marshall,” she greeted warmly. “It is good to see you again. I trust you are having a good day?”

When Kota slid off her stool to return her dishes, Rikia watched the young girl with a quiet fondness. “Kota has a lively mind,” she commented softly to Alex and Hayley as the girl made her way to the replicator. “It is refreshing to see such enthusiasm for history. It is through understanding the past that we ensure a brighter future.”

Turning back to Alex, she added, “Lieutenant, it is fascinating to think how much Starfleet has evolved since Captain Archer’s time. Yet, even now, we face challenges that require the same creativity and courage he once showed. What do you think he would have made of our current starship technologies?”

Rakia diplomatic officer

“Well the current starship technologies is very well put but also much more advanced then back when Captain Archers time. Now however if he were here right now he’d be impressed. Even his Chief engineer Trip Tucker. He’d be impressed.” Alex had said with a smile on his face acknowledging Rakia back.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

(accidentally split the thread by taking a little too long to post!)

“Well, Kota. I must admit. For us who are here. As we went through Starfleet Academy, we had to learn about the previous captains of each vessel and who they went up against. Even Archer. The Xindi were one of the species that was a very rare species that the federation has made First Contact. However, not really the most pleasant First Contact. Hence the reason why Captain Archer had done that in the first place.” Lieutenant Becket said.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“‘Unpleasant’ is an understatement,” Rakia said, her tone laced with a diplomat’s practiced calm, though a hint of bitterness lingered beneath the surface. “If I remember correctly, the Xindi made their intentions known in the most horrific way possible—by using some kind of weapon to gouge a massive crater into a place on Earth called Florida. Thousands were killed. I doubt anyone would call that a misunderstanding.”

Her knowledge of the specifics was limited—Rakia wasn’t an engineer, nor did she need to be. Her work revolved around negotiating peace, not analyzing the technology that destroyed it. Yet the Xindi’s first strike was a moment etched into her memory. It wasn’t the mechanics of the act that stayed with her; it was the sheer brutality of it, the devastating loss that left a scar not just on Earth but on every world that valued diplomacy over war.

Ensign Rakia

Kota’s eyes went wide at Rakia’s words, shivering at the thought of so much death. “Is that why we don’t see any of them in the Federation? Cause they killed so many people?”

Kota
Civilian Child

Someone, who up until this point had only been listening in, decided at that moment to come over and join the conversation. A Vulcan man, possibly mid-50s, who didn’t so much walk as glided over. He was in loose civilian clothes, had disheveled hair with long wispy bangs covered almost to the bottom of his eyebrows. He lend against the wall and spoke with a surprising amount of authority,

“From what I heard there are a few Xindi officers in Stat Fleet. One cannot judge an entire race for what their governments did so many generations ago.”

| Solkar, Civilian|

“Oh hello there I am Lieutenant Becket Chief engineer. Please have a seat.” He looked over at the civilian.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Solkar,” he said with a half nod as he slid into a seat, “I’ve only recently come aboard. My wife is… an officer. She is occupied so I thought I’d familiarize myself with the ship. I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation, please continue.”

| Solkar, Civilian|

“No no. Please it’s okay. So your wife? As in T’Mor? Chief Science Officer?” Becket asked Solkar.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

“Yes, that is she. I am rather surprised you could tell. I did not believe she wanted to…” he paused, “Nevermind.”

“Don’t worry. Her and I work very well. I’m more stuck in Engineering while she’s on the bridge.” He said.

He glanced over toward Kota, a glimmer of lightness in his eyes though his face remained neutral. He enjoyed being around children, even if T’Mor and him never had any of their own. They might, someday when they are older, and when he would be more ‘responsible’.

Kota listened as the adults made their introductions. She was lost in thought, contemplating the new information she’d learned. Xindi. Xindi. She repeated it in her head. She was going to ask Tak about it when they finished work tonight.

Kota
Civilian

“So what about you? I assume you have a parent that works onboard.” he addressed her.

| Solkar, Civilian|

(OOC: Personal apology for continuously misgendering Ensign Tak I’m not very good at reading and my brain just skips pronouns most of the time.)

OOC: It’s alright.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Alex Becket
Chief Engineer
U.S.S. Ark Angel

[OOC; it happens.]

Kota nodded enthusiastically towards Solkar. “Yes, my parent is a science officer. I live with them and my little brother Paku. I like living on a Federation Starship. There are a lot of people. It’s scary sometimes but I like learning about all the people.”

Kota
Civilian

MaQ walked into the Mess Hall to see if they had any prune juice and noticed the Chief Engineer sitting and thought about approaching them to give an update but saw that they were talking to someone and decided against it and continue looking for that delicious warrior drink, prune juice.

MaQmlgh, Engineer