Posted by Captain Aiden Voss (Commanding Officer) in Breaking bread - All Senior Staff

Posted by Commander Sifeda Itri (Executive Officer) in Breaking bread - All Senior Staff

Posted by Captain Aiden Voss (Commanding Officer) in Breaking bread - All Senior Staff
Posted by… suppressed (19) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Snip

“She sounds like a true leader, and someone I’d love to pay my respects to if given the chance, especially if our mission takes us near your home planet. I’m sure it would be a meaningful visit for you, even if only for a short time,” Aiden smiled warmly. His chief medical officer was certainly engaging in interesting conversation, and he wanted to ensure it remained inclusive. “Miz’uki, Caitians live by a collaborative culture, right? Divided into clans with a strong focus on loyalty. How does that dynamic work when interacting with other clans? Is there animosity or a greater understanding of each other’s differences?”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

“Well that’s just Politics isn’t it” she purred “To be honest our people have a way to settle differences when they become too hot…but ahem…that is probably best not talked about in this setting” she said hinting that it was not a dinner table subject

Miz’uki

Matt let a little smile out. That sounded very much the stuffy British way. He’d never say out loud. But he well understood what she had said. “Certainly not.”

Easton CSO

“Another time, perhaps!” Aiden said, not wanting to put his new chief engineer in an uncomfortable situation. He was genuinely interested in how other cultures, especially those so different from the Caitians, settled their disputes.

Just then, the door to the dining room slid open, and one of the ship’s operations officers, who also served as the part-time chef, entered with a small trolley. “Ah, food!” Aiden exclaimed, brightening at the sight.

“Good evening, everyone,” the chef began, smiling warmly. “Tonight, we have a selection of starters for you to enjoy. First, there’s a Terran charcuterie board with cured meats and cheeses from Earth. We also have Vulcan spiced sehlat patties, Andorian blue ice shrimp with a tangy dipping sauce, and Betazoid glimmerfruit slices paired with a delicate honey glaze.”

As the chef expertly placed the grazing board on the table, he continued, “For drinks, we have a variety of options: Altair water, Bajoran spring wine, Romulan ale—though just a small amount, of course—and a few Earth classics, such as iced tea and sparkling water. Please, help yourselves.”

Aiden smiled, appreciating the effort and the diverse selection. “Thank you,” he said, turning to his guests. “Please, tuck in and enjoy. No reason to put off the good stuff.” He took his own plate and began selecting a variety of food, waiting for the rest to do the same, eager to continue their engaging conversation over the delicious food. “Once again, thank you all for coming, I am hoping to hold regular informal evenings with both the senior and junior crews so I am open to recommendations”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial
Jake gave his uniform a small tug, it was amazing how much the silly things liked to ride up and wrinkle. The doors whisked open once again with its normal hisp and then promptly shut again. Jake stood there momentarily, his bright green eyes scanning the scene, looking over the table and finding a place to sit. His mouth formed a sort of knowing smirk of approval as he found his place at the table.

“Sorry I am late everyone” he noted giving the captain a brief glance as he migrated to his seat. His voice was confident and full of life. If there was any doubt or uneasiness about him it certainly was not showing.

“Ah, Lieutenant, I’m glad you could join us,” Aiden said warmly. “No bother at all; I understand the work that has kept you busy. We’ve saved a chair for you. Please, have a seat. We’re just about to start our main course.”

“Well, this looks amazing” he said pulling a glass of water taking a sip and looking around the table.

Lieutenant Jack ‘Blaze’ Turner
Chief of Security / Tactical Officer

As the Lieutenant settled in, Aiden continued, “We’ve been sharing our backgrounds and stories. For instance, Miz’uki was telling us about the collaborative culture of the Caitians and how their society is organized into clans with a strong focus on loyalty. It’s fascinating how they balance interactions between different clans. K’Mora shared some incredible stories about the geological wonders of her home planet, like the waterfalls of Ryna crystals and the hard-light rainbows of Ma’an Ridge. And KT-QT mentioned her illustrious leader, and how her teachings have influenced her.

“We’d love to hear a bit about yourself as well. Any interesting stories or experiences you’d like to share?”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

Jake smiled at the group, his perfect teeth almost twinkled in the lighting. “Thank you Captain, ” he said and selected one of the Glimmerfruit for the plate in front of him.

“I’m afraid I grew up in Millfield Iowa Sir, it’s about as close to nothing as you can get,” he paused a small grin forming on the corner of his mouth. “Hot summers and winters that will freeze the sweat onto your face.” he picked up his first fork and carved a small bite.

“Don’t get me wrong I loved growing up there but there is not a lot to look at. Though there is nothing like a storm on the plains lighting strikes for miles and miles it’s quite the site.” he shifted his thoughts to the second question not really sure, his life had been rather plain all be it fun for him as a pilot.

“I guess the only really interesting story is how I got my Call sign” he said the regretted that he brought it up the moment he mentioned it. “You all don’t want to hear about that it’s not really that interesting just a rookie mistake.” he said trying to deflect.

Lieutenant Jack ‘Blaze’ Turner
Chief of Security / Tactical Officer

“On the contrary, Jack, I for one would love to,” Aiden quickly interjected before anyone else had the opportunity. He always found it curious how pilots often acquired their callsigns, usually earned through notable but often negative feats rather than positive ones. This tradition had persisted since before the first warp flight.

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial
Jack smiled and leaned back in his chair. His eyes searching for the Memory. “Well,” he said as he took a sip from his drink and sat it down. “It was my first flight on the Titan” he said and paused for a moment. If he was going to humiliate himself all over again, he would do it with some style.

“The sensors on the fighter were not aligning and no matter what I tired I could not get a good target Id” he said his hands animating the scene as they waved about. “And target lock was impossible. So, when I sat down on the deck I told my crew chief what was going on and we began trouble shooting the system” he said with a smile and took a small bite of fruit before proceeding.

“Anyway, so I’ve got the forward maintenance panel open and he’s upside down in the cockpit testing lines and asks if I can replace the secondary sensor relay” he paused for dramatic effect. ” I thought sure no problem, I had done it several times when I was getting checked out on the craft after all.” he leaned forward on the table a little setting up for the final delivery.

“Well, I did not pay a lot of attention when I was pulling the relay and in the latest upgrade of the cutlas the contacts are reversed, Sparkes flew everywhere inside the compartment as I replaced the relay. Next thing I know I’m yanking the chief out by his ankles as the entire cockpit goes up in flames.” He said looking around the table, his cheeks a little red as the embarrassment set in.
“Thank goodness no one was hurt but the amount of damage to the fighter was extensive. Let’s just say the Chief never let me near the mechanics again.” he said with a laugh.

“So, I head into flight debrief about an hour later. Apparently, the CAG had been talking to the flight line when it all went down. ” he said, his eyes now closed remembering it. “The entire wing on shift that day was in the room, first words out of his mouth. ‘First order of business. New Callsign, Ensign Turner is now Blaze’ the entire room echoed in ’ Aye’ in agreement.” he said finally shaking his head. “Could have been worse I guess it could have been ‘Sparky’” he noted letting out a little snort of a laugh and then waited for the Jabs.

Lieutenant Jack ‘Blaze’ Turner
Chief of Security / Tactical Officer

Jack took a sip off of his drink waiting to see folks around the the table responded.

Lieutenant Jack ‘Blaze’ Turner
Chief of Security / Tactical Officer

The door swooshed open and Saxon stepped in. Looking around the table at everyone, he added, “Terribly sorry for being late everyone. When something Intel related pops up on my screen, it’s best to check it right away.”

Scanning the table and connecting names with faces, he said, “I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting most of you yet, but I’m Saxon McCleary, new Chief of Intel.”

Lieutenant Saxon McCleary
Chief Intelligence Office USS Memorial

Sifeda listened to Jack’s story, her interest in the unexpected and humorous mishap. She appreciated the light-heartedness that came with sharing such personal experiences. As Jack finished, she allowed herself a small smile, finding his self-deprecating humor endearing.
When Saxon McCleary entered the room, Sifeda shifted her attention to him. She observed his composed demeanor, noting how he quickly assessed the room and introduced himself. She appreciated the efficiency and seriousness with which he approached his role.
“Welcome, Lieutenant McCleary,” Sifeda said warmly, nodding in his direction. “We’re just getting to know each other a bit better. Please, join us.” She gestured to the empty seat at the table.
Sifeda turned back to the group, her eyes briefly meeting each person’s. “It’s stories like Blaze’s that remind us how much we rely on each other, and how even mistakes can become the bonds that strengthen our team.”
She reached for her own drink, taking a sip before continuing, “I suppose it’s only fair that we all share a bit about ourselves. It helps build trust. So, Saxon, if you don’t mind, how about you tell us something interesting about yourself? Maybe something that we wouldn’t find in your official record?”

Commander Itri
(Executive Officer)

Saxon took the empty seat and said “Thank you, commander.”

He adjusted his seat and continued. “Well, if it isn’t in my file, there’s a reason for it, Commander. You know, that whole intel and redaction stuff.”

Pouring some Altair water in a glass, he started again. “What I can tell, for those that don’t know, isn’t a bedtime story. I was born on Dessica Ii, in Balastrade. My father, was human, ex-Starfleet. My mother, ex-Tal Shiar. Dessica II is somewhat of a haven for rejects of both civilizations, so there’s nothing real fancy there. The Tal Shiar didn’t really appreciate my mother defecting, so they sent a hit squad to kill them. They succeeded, I escaped. That was when I was 10.”

“I spent 2 years surviving on the streets, thanks to the skills my parents taught me. Then I tried to steal from the wrong person. He was a Yridian smuggler. Thankfully, he appreciated my skills and took me aboard his ship. I spent 4 years with his crew, improving my skills.”

“One day, I decided I didn’t want that life anymore. They let me go and I headed to Earth with a name scratched onto a piece of paper. It was my father’s former CO, who was by now retired. Once I convinced him as to who I was, he and his wife took me in, gave me a good home, and sponsored me for the Academy. I’m sure you all went that route too, so no need to bring that up. I went through tactical and intel and eventually ended up here.”

He looked around the table at the others watching in silence. “I told you it wasn’t a bedtime story,” he finished with a half-grin.

Lieutenant Saxon McCleary
Chief Intelligence Office USS Memorial

As he finished, Sifeda acknowledged his half-grin with a subtle nod. His story added another layer to her understanding of him as not just a colleague but as someone who had truly earned his place at the table. She admired the resilience he displayed in overcoming such a difficult past. His journey from Dessica II to Starfleet was no small feat, and she respected the strength it must have taken to survive and eventually thrive in such diverse environments.

Aiden quietly slipped in as the CIO finished, having been overseeing the squadron as they settled in. That done, he managed to make it, albeit late, to this gathering.

“But a story none the less, I’m glad that your oath eventually led you to us.” Aiden said grateful that his command staff could take the time to join him. “I guess it’s only right I share something about me?”

He took a sip of his drink and continued. “So, I was born on Neria Prime, which is a pretty beautiful place. Think sweeping plains, thick forests, and just a lot of natural beauty. Growing up there, I fell in love with the natural world and got really curious about the stars beyond. My parents were both scholars, and they made sure I had plenty of books to devour on science, history, and philosophy.”

He chuckled softly. “But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Being from a non-Earth human background, I dealt with a lot of scrutiny and suspicion, even on a planet known for its cultural diversity. But I’ve got a funny story from my childhood that always makes me smile. One time, I decided it would be a great idea to build a makeshift rocket out of some old parts I found lying around. I was convinced it would reach orbit. So, I set it off, and instead of launching into space, it flew straight into my neighbor’s vegetable garden, scattering their prized tomatoes everywhere. Needless to say, I became the talk of the town for a while!”

Aiden shifted slightly, relaxing his posture. “Despite all that, I was determined to explore the stars. I joined Starfleet Academy, initially focusing on the sciences—astrophysics, exobiology, warp theory, you name it. But as time went on, I realised I wanted to lead these kinds of missions rather than just conduct them. So, after graduating, I started climbing the ranks, serving on different starships and starbases.”

He smiled ruefully. “Of course, it wasn’t always easy. I had to work hard and be patient as opportunities came my way. But here I am now, ready to lead this amazing crew on the USS Memorial.”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

When Aiden began to share his own story, Sifeda shifted her focus, her eyes on him as he spoke of his upbringing on Neria Prime. The image of a young Aiden, brimming with curiosity and determination, attempting to launch a makeshift rocket into space, brought a faint smile to her lips. It was easy to see how that same adventurous spirit had guided him to his current position as their captain.
Sifeda appreciated the personal touches Aiden included, the mix of humor and sincerity that made his story relatable. She admired his ability to lead, not just through rank or authority, but by making genuine connections with his crew.
“Captain, your story about building that makeshift rocket was quite amusing. It sounds like you’ve always had a knack for innovation and a bit of a rebellious streak, I cannot say that I am surprised. I’ve got to ask, did the tomato incident make you rethink your approach to launching things, or did it just fuel your determination to explore space more carefully?”

Commander Itri
(Executive Officer)

John laughed at the mental image of rocket-launched tomatoes flying everywhere. “And did you try it again?”

Major John “Firefly” Arlen
Commander, Air Group

Aiden chuckled, “Lets just say I think I had enough tomato to make a good ketchup or tomato soup!” He was pleased that his command staff was getting along so well, he knew this would help their ship cohesion and morale in the long run. The night was starting to run late and the time had slipped away from them all. “I wonder how long we could all hold up in here before the ship or the crew mutiny?” He chuckled jokingly. “I feel like I have kept you all to myself far to long.”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

Jake had been wandering around in his own head a little two much as of late. “Well, if we are doing our jobs right, i seriously doubt we’ll be missed much” he noted. “Train your replacement I always say.” he said digging into his desert.

Lieutenant Jack ‘Blaze’ Turner
Chief of Security / Tactical Officer

Tolly chuckled as he took another bite of his meal. “I wish my last department head had the same mindset,” he remarked, taking a sip of his drink. “Honestly, I think I got the posting despite him, not because of him,” he added with a shrug.

John Tolly Chief of Operations

Aiden laughed at Jack’s comment, nodding in agreement. “Absolutely, Jack. If we’re doing things right, we should all be looking to train our replacements. That’s how the ship keeps running smoothly—even when we’re off-duty or, you know, deep in tomato soup mishaps.”

He leaned back in his chair, glancing around the table at his officers. The camaraderie that had naturally formed among them brought a sense of satisfaction to him as their captain. These moments—away from the chaos of space and the constant demands of Starfleet—were vital for building the trust and connection that could hold the crew together in tougher times.

“Still,” Aiden added with a grin, “I’d like to think they’d notice if we all vanished in here for too long. But it’s a comforting thought that the crew can keep the ship together without us hovering over them. That’s real leadership—knowing when to step back and let others take the reins.”

He raised his glass, offering a small toast to the group. “To training our replacements and to nights like these. We might not get too many of them, but when we do, let’s make them count.”

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

As Aiden finished his toast, Sifeda raised her glass, mirroring the captain’s gesture. The words “training our replacements” and “nights like these” lingered in her mind, a reminder of the balance between leadership and fellowship. She took a sip of her drink.
She glanced around the table, noting the easy smiles and the way the crew members interacted.
The personal stories and laughter had created a deeper understanding among them. She was ready to return to the demands of their missions, knowing that these moments of bonding would be a source of strength in the challenges they were going to face together.

Commander Itri
(Executive Officer)

OOC: A personal thanks from me for indludging me in this post! I wanted to see if it would be possible to simply have multiple officer engage in small talk! (It appears you can!) thanks!

Captain Aiden Voss
Commanding Officer
USS Memorial

OOC: I wasn’t here for much of it, but it was fun! We should do this more often ;)

Major John “Firefly” Arlen
Commander, Air Group