Posted by Lieutenant Celina Rodriguez (Chief Tactical Officer) in CTO meets with CO “Prison shank filed down from a toothbrush,” she said with a serious face before losing her ability not to crack a grin. “I worked in detention on Orion for a lot of years. I was always amazed at what someone could make into a blade but if I could have any,” she looked up at the ceiling for a second, “A samurai sword made from the traditional tama-hagane steel. I like that it is temperamental and needs multiple foldings. The craftsmanship is so exacting. Legend also says the sword is the embodiment of the owner’s soul. It probably was because if you weren’t a good fighter you died but I like to think it was like you lucky charm or penny,” she nodded to the coin at the table. “I also like the feel of the sword in your hand. The way it feels balanced. When using it it feels like an extension of you and not a weapon,” Celina replied. Looking a the clock on the wall she knew she had to wrap this up. “Okay last question,” she announced. It felt a bit weird to say that to her commanding officer but if he didn’t want her to leave after this Balian would just tell her to sit her butt down. “If you were a set of footwear what would you be?” : : : : Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO : : Balian shook his head at her initial answer. Though he did know how to make such an implement. He would say the skills of a misbegotton youth, but he had been older than the Tactical officer was before he had ever learned of it. He had never been a fan of the Samurai sword, he thought it was a great attempt by a culture that had awful steel. The honor and tradition associated was the only reason anyone recalled the weapon, it was overly romanticized, the Gladius or the slightly larger Spatha was a better weapon over all. He was caught off guard by her final question. Footwear? what was that about? It was a brief contemplation, “A well worn pair of moccasins, aged, comfortable, prefferred company, but not always acceptable for public.” : : Captain Balian Ibn Barazan, CO Glancing at the time, Celina knew this little Q and A would be ending just when Balian was getting interesting. Still he bit the first time so there would be other rounds later after he had thrown her from his office. “Agreed but mine would flip flops. I love a good pair of stilettos but they are so not practical at a beach. Also, they take far more effort to put on whereas flip flops are a shove and a wiggle of the toes and you are off.” Her next question came so fast she didn’t even realize she was asking it. “If the only candy you could eat was a lollipop or bubble gum which would you choose?” Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO

Balian leaned back in his chair with his glass and put his feet up on the corner of the desk as he contemplated her question. On his feet were a pair of black leather moccasins that could at a distance be confused for the proper uniform shoes. They looked old and well worn, and immensely comfortable. Nothing more than a slide and tug and they were on, as compared to the boots, which took several tugs and closing the sealing flaps. Balian rarely thought about candy. He had gotten a lollipop today it was in his top drawer he had not eaten it. But then again he had not had bubble gum in over a decade or more. Which would he prefer, he really was not certain.

“As I do no often eat candy at all, I would go with the bubble gum it has more uses.” Balian finally responded, then finished his glass off, settling it back on the desk. That was the third of the afternoon, which meant it was the last. Balian sighed, and was actually relaxed, not on the verge of passing out but could easily have napped at the moment.

Captain Balian Ibn Barazan, CO

“Like what besides the obvious of getting wadded up in someone’s hair when a bubble is blown to large or you fall asleep with it in your mouth and it gets all squished between the pillow and your head,” Celina elaborated more than probably necessary. It was far time she left but Balian so far was unlike any CO she had served under. Jack was also on the bridge for the next three hours, Jasmine was checking in some newbee’s and Celina had finished her duty shift for the day. Following Balian’s lead, Celina propped up her feet on the other end of his desk. She had to slide down some in her chair due to how short she was to accomplish the task but she did sprawling a bit in her chair.

Lt. Celina Rodriguez, CTO

Balian laughed, “You can plug a whole in a boat with it temporarily. It helps with tension headaches. With a quarter and a nine volt battery, it can be part of an emergency welding rig. And without it, Kukaburra wouldn’t laugh. Apparently its part of shoes as well.” Balian Surmised.

“If you had to choose, Old Cardassian Gul, or Young Klingon in command of the enemy you are fighting?” Balian asked, it was a work related question of a sort.

Fleet Captain Balian Ibn Barazan, CO