Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Stabilizing Common Ground

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Revna could see it. That fire suppression foam was like the blob; it never stopped growing and clung like tribbles to Klingons. She laughed at the mental picture. “You know that gives me ideas. And depending on how annoying she’s been to the security chief he might just help me, or those two are planning evil things for Mike at the moment. It’s a toss up on who she’s more irritated with right now: me, Mike, or the security chief.” She contemplates, “Or Mike’s cousin, but I’m pretty sure he’s safe. But I can honestly say that without her life would be so terribly dull.” Revna smiled, she missed Runa. She’d left a few weeks after her surgery to return to Atlantis. But as Mike said she was sure that Runa would visit, A LOT.
McKenzie, DA

“Gravel Mardusk still the CoS there?” Cochrane asked and took a drink. “Good man… big one, too. Makes Calloway’s beau look positively dainty.” and he chuckled.

Cochrane, CO

“He is. One of the best I’ve ever served with, and a good friend too. He’s been tasked with keeping an eye on my sister while she keeps an eye on Mike’s bar. I think he got the short end of the stick there.” Revna sipped at her drink. “Actually, come to think of it, it’s Mardusk’s fault I had to go on a date with Mike in the first place. I owe him one.”
McKenzie, DA

“From the way you light up when you talk about your husband, you probably owe him more than one.” Cochrane said and chuckled. “And Mardusk is more than capable of handling anything. Well.. except the one thing, but that’s a whole story in and of itself.” and he shook his head as if to dismiss the thought and then took another drink.

Cochrane, CO

“Hmmmm....probably, but I was also very drunk at the time. You ever matched an Orion, and Gravel Mardusk at that, drink for drink?” Gravel had been in a dangerous mood when she’d seen gone to his office that day, and she’d taken him to the bar to unwind, and that’s when she met Mike. If Mardusk hadn’t been in such a foul mood she’d still be avoiding Mike’s bar....yeah she probably owed Mardusk more than one. Maybe the Marine’s and Styxx too for that horrible fight in the bar, oh and let’s not forget the civilians that riled both security and the marines up....the list was never ending. She contemplated Cochrane, “Now that is a story I would love to hear. I don’t suppose it’s something you’d be willing to share? But I won’t press if it’s a story that can’t be shared.” And she laughed softly. She’d get it out of Mike or maybe let Runa know....
McKenzie, DA

Cochrane chuckled. “I have never been so foolish as to try and match Mr. Mardusk. As for the story? Nothing you cant find in old editions of Galactic Variety. So Mike, your husband, and Mardusk know each other from a long time ago. I met Mardusk professionally. Important side note… did you know Gravel is a sworn member of Klingon House? Yeah… owns the armor and everything. Anyway… apparently Mardusk was on leave at one point and travels with Mike’s band for a few weeks. They had some all-female band opening for them… um… Unsolicited something-or-other… so our dear green behemoth become romantically involved with one of that band’s members. The issue was that the two of them were like… well… pure oxygen and a plasma spark: wholly and completely disastrous. There was a massive fight and she ends up stabbing Gravel with one of her high heeled shoes. In public. During a show. While he was in uniform. Apparently he told her he was leaving and that set her off to no end. Now, according to Mike and members of both bands, Gravel had told her that from jump. But also according to them… that girl is not what you would call exactly ‘stable’. So they parted on bad terms… until a year later when she was performing at a station and Gravel was there. Then they were on again for a bit, then it went up in flames. Thats happened something like four or five times now? Regardless, that is the story of the one thing our dear giant Orion cannot handle.”

Cochrane, CO

Revna just smirked, “It was a night I shall never forget that’s for sure. And my sister yelled at me for hours over it.” Revna nodded, “I did actually. Mardusk and I have talked about quite a lot. There is a standing ‘threat’ that I may have to try and match the head of his house drink for drink. He found the idea quite humorous.” Revna listened quietly, her never ending composure and calm never wavering, but Mike was SO going to get it when she got home. “Bubbles. Her name is Racheal “Bubbles” Mathis. And she’s taking over as the manager of Mike’s bar on Atlantis.” And Revna had a first and powerful sudden regret for not returning to Atlantis. They were all like family to her and now on top of Lera’s recovery, though Revna had made sure there had been a break through there before she left for her surgery, and the strain that had put on Mardusk now this…yeah she and Mike were having a long talk and her sister was going to be warned to stay away. Oh Lords and Ladies…at least it was Runa and not Ragna on board. “Well unless something has changed in the 6 months since I left, I think Mardusk is safe from Bubbles.”
McKenzie, DA

“From what I understand, he is never safe from her. And she is going to the Atlantis, I may need to let Captain Bordeaux know. So weird calling her that. She was always Shultz.” and he shook his head. “She could have so much better than Ian. Smarmy little guy, that one.” and he chuckled.

“Well perhaps not physically safe from her…” Revna sighs, this really was the wrong time for her to leave Atlantis. If Lera got ahold of this information there was no telling what she would do. Had she made the wrong decision? “Ah yes Knight and Shultz. But as for Mr Bordeaux....I think I might have to agree with that assessment. He was....interesting to work with.”

“So why do you think he’ll be safe now?” he asked.

Cochrane, CO

“Well safe from falling into another relationship with her. Unless something has changed in the last 6 months, our good friend Gravel is seriously involved with someone. They are very good for each other. And if they aren’t still together, he and my sister have formed a friendship, and she’ll tell him flat out if he’s doing something stupid. But from what Mike tells me Bubbles needs a place to lay low, so hopefully she checks her crazy at the door.” Another sigh, she’d been selfish to leave. “A warning call to my sister may be in order. She’s managing the bar for Mike at the moment…”
McKenzie, DA

“Stupid isn’t a word I would use to describe Mr. Mardusk… a far cry from others he has served with and under, unfortunately. Some are simply too short-sighted to see past the size and look and the mind…” Cochrane said and shook his head as he took a drink. “So… what is it you wish to accomplish here, Mrs. McKenzie? And goals or benchmarks the Manhattan can try and assist you with?”

Cochrane, CO

“No it is not a word I would use for Mardusk, either. He’s one of the most insightful people I’ve ever met. However, our emotions rarely work on an intellectual level, and they have great sway over us. And well as for those ‘some’ let’s just say there are reports about them as well. And some of them have very large files of reports.” She sipped at the tea. She missed talking to Mardusk, he was always so calm and had a wicked sense of humor. Like Mike, it was no wonder they got along. What she liked most about Mardusk was his size was a reflection of the incredible man inside. It was shame more people couldn’t see that.

“Officially? My goal is to open communications with other worlds and species for trade, settlement, travel, information, and diplomatic communications. Professionally? Maybe I’ve been a counselor for too long, but I like to help people. Of course that’s usually on a more one-on-one situation but now I have the chance to help people on a larger scale. It’s not a boast, but I have, in spades, the skills and background for this position. So if I find I really love it, eventually I would consider being an ambassador in my own right.” Revna had the title and position for it, but would she? That was yet to be seen. “Personally? I want to find something that is wholly my dream that I enjoy and am successful at. I won’t lie and say there are not some lingering issues from the circumstances of my injury. I have already spoken with your Counselor Rollo. So as for the Manhattan I can’t say specifically. Your mission itself will provide ample opportunities to meet new cultures and gain practical experience. You have a uniquely qualified crew. That was apparent at the reward ceremony. I am certain there will be plenty each can teach me. Ambassador S’Tek suggested I start with you and Lt Namid Argimeau.”
McKenzie, DA

“Having read your file I am aware of the injury. I am glad to see you are recovering well. And you being here is a boon for that, actually. Dr. Wynter is a well-sought after authority on both transplants and cloning. So much so I am actually surprised that she and her husband choose to stay on the Manhattan… not that I am complaining.” and he chuckled. “And yes, Lt. Argimeau is a most interesting crew member. They are part of a new pilot program… Scientific Intelligence. Not affiliated with the gray suits, mind you. But a wholly autonomous new department with Fleet Science Command. I think it will be a great boon for our ship and the Star Fleet as a whole if the program gets off the ground.”

Cochrane, CO

Revna nodded, “I am very grateful for how well my recovery has progressed. Cpt Jameson was pleased there was an expert on transplants here when I told him where I was being stationed. So I’ve been told. She’s a very pleasant young woman and seems competent. I’ve seen her as well.” Sipped at her tea and then placing it on the table she leaned back. “I have worked with intel officers before, during my time on Centurion. Individually they are good people, for the most part, asked to place themselves willingly into impossible situations and operate constantly at more than 100%. It is an impossible pace to maintain without something giving way. I have always thought it would be more prudent for each department to have highly trained specialized group, and then create larger teams from those. I am looking forward to meeting Argimeau. Ambassador S’Tek is very eager for me to make use of her skills and talents. I believe he is excited, if one can say a Vulcan is excited, by the possibilities and stability her position will provide.

McKenzie, DA