Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in While the Cat’s Away…

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in While the Cat’s Away…

Posted by Commander Shara Calloway (Chief Intelligence Officer) in While the Cat’s Away…

Bethany waved her officers off. “No, you all go. I’m not big on the holidays and parties anyway.” Truth of the matter was, with most of the crew gone, it was the ideal time for Elias to do something. Of course he wouldn’t take advantage because he enjoyed a challenge. But the moment she assumed that he would take advantage. Plus this time of year was really a big deal for most humans and those species that had adopted human traditions. They were important to Bethany’s family, but she had spent so many years away from home and family, it didn’t matter anymore.

This mission was going to be hard on the entire crew. Whether they stayed on board or at the station. They deserved a chance to let loose and relax and celebrate. Bethany shut down her terminal and left the security office to make her rounds. She’d make stops along the way to let those who had to stay get a break long enough to go enjoy the party.

Gadi, CoS

She didn’t make it far before a casually dressed Shara appeared, stepping silently, as usual. “You too, huh?” Calloway said, calmly looking over her shoulder, before focusing again on the COS. Despite the ease she projected, there was an edge to the CIO that while understandable, irritated Shara. She hated being transparent to people. Ever. And yet she couldn’t seem to shake it.

Commander Calloway, CIO

Bethy too was irritated. She was on edge and the thought of abandoning the whole project for whatever idiot brought Elias here to their fate. She tried to talk herself into the idea that it wasn’t her responsibility but it was. She hated that Calloway knew how she was feeling and imagined that Shara felt the same about her. Bethany just nodded, “Yep.” Her perpetual grin held in place by years of habit and nothing more.

Gadi, GoS

“The nice thing about having had the length of career I’ve had and being how old I am is that I’ve done all the party-going to information collecting nonsense. And now, unless Kiernan really wants to order me to go, I can say, ‘nope, not interested’. So I was going to head up to the bridge to relieve people there and watch over the junior officers and crew.”

Bethany nodded. “Same. I was going to take some spots so others could go. It will be the last normal day they will have in a long time. Easier for us than them, huh?”

Shara eyed Bethy as a twinkle formed in her foggy blue eyes. “Bethy… if you want to have some fun and still remain on duty, I have an idea. Ever played ‘Never Have I Ever’? We used to play it back in my Maquis days when we were hiding out. Made time pass better.”

Commander Calloway, CIO

“Many many times.” The grin in her face looked slightly more easy. “What are you thinking?”

Gadi, CoS

Calloway looked around like she was worried someone might overhear her before she fixed her slate blue eyes on Bethy. “I say we go to the bridge and shock the juniors with stories of life lived with shots alone. Though obviously no alcohol. We can’t break too many rules.” She wasn’t above rule-breaking at all but she also wasn’t going to possibly put others in danger.

Commander Calloway, CIO

Bethy stood up a little straighter. The idea was like a breath of fresh air coming down the corridor. “Yes. Let’s do it.” The idea of letting loose a little bit, after everything else going on, seemed a little reckless. Bethany was ALL for that. She really shouldn’t, but why not? Taunt fate just a little bit. She turned a quick corner to the nearest lift that would go to the bridge.

Gadi, CoS

OOC: We started this back in Dec when there was a holiday party going on, but it’s fun so we’re continuing it. If anyone wants to join in as an NE, feel free!
IC:
Making their way to the bridge, Shara stopped briefly to pick up the one food she detested: black liquorice. It wasn’t shots of alcohol but it would be unpleasant to have to eat a lot of.

Bethany shook her head, “Know what’s worse than black liquorice? Black liquorice soaked in Vodka.” She gave a shiver that went from the top of her head to her toes like an frozen icy drop of water.

“Eww,” Shara said, in complete agreement. “That’s a waste of good vodka.”

Stepping off the turbolift, Calloway eyed the quiet bridge full of junior officers looking bored as hell. “Gee, looks like they could use a party up here, don’cha think Gadi?” she said, a gleaming her steel blue eyes as she shot Bethy a glance.

Commander Calloway, CIO

The JO at the tactical station was slouched, elbows on the top edge of the console gazing blankly at the large view screen. Hearing the lift door open and Calloway’s observation she jerked up to attention. Gadi waved a hand and walked half way down the ramp before vaulting over it and landing in one of the auxilary command chairs, sideways, legs draped over the arm of the chair and grinned at the on duty bridge officer in charge. “Oh yeah, Calloway, a party is in order. Let’s start with music. What do you think? Punk rock?” Punk rock was infamous for it’s rage against ‘the man’ themes, and music was a great way to influence people’s minds set and emotions. Get the crew in the habit of thinking that way. “And all good parties need a game.” Her gaze travelled the junior officers, a hint of wicked amusement in her eyes. “What do you think Calloway? Should we play a game?”

Gadi, CoS

“I love a good game,” Shara said as she meandered her way around the central seating area, and resting on the guard rail. “Punk rock could do, though it’s more my daughter’s preference. Then again, she and I have wildly different tastes in music. Though some of our tastes converge. How about a bit of Queen? Old school, but classic.”

“Computer access musical database, Earth, 1970s, Queen.” Bethy waited for the beep, “Start with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ then move to ‘Another One Bites the Dust’ then randomize the rest of the collection. Begin playing.”

Slipping off the rail, Calloway moved to the centre of the bridge and set down a container full of black candies. “That there folks is the punishment. The game of the night is ‘Never Have I Ever’. Rules for the uninitiated are simple: People take a turn and say something you think others might have done and you may or may not have. If anyone has ever done that before, you take a piece of liquorice. The trick is that you don’t want to have to take a punishment. Loser is the one that has had to take the most of the terrible candies. Normally this is done with alcohol, but since Starfleet frowns on their officers being drunk on the bridge, Gadi and I have adapted.” Shara flicked her gaze to Bethy. “Did I miss anything?”

Commander Calloway, CIO

Bethany tapped her finger in the air, thinking, then leaned her head way back to look at the officers behind the tactical console. “From now until the end of your shift, we treat bridge duty like fight club. You do NOT talk about fight club.”

Gadi, CoS