With the dust settling on their time-bending mission, it was time to gather. It was going to be a vastly different one than previous ones and certainly more hopeful than when the previous Athena had gone down. There was a slight somber cloud that hovered over this aftermath, though it felt not quite as dire as before. At least this time she hadn’t lost a quarter of her crew. Still, there had been a few casualties for whom they had already had a service for, and crew changes that had left everyone trying to catch up.

Deciding that this gathering required a different feel, she crafted the following invitation:

To: ALL Crew
From: Fleet Captain Koraia, Ghubari [Commanding Officer]

Your presence is requested and required at a formal gathering tomorrow at 1600 hours in our recreation area. Formal dress would be appropriate but dress uniforms not required. There will be a formal portion the gathering down In 18 Forward at the beginning but afterwards it is a party, so stay for the fun if you like. The rest of 17 Forward, plus the Recreation Hall will host the rest of the gathering.

I know it’s been a turbulent time lately, but do know that I appreciate your continued dedication. You are the epitome of what is to serve the Federation that others look up to.

~Ghubari Koraia

Satisfied with the tenor and the intentions behind the invite, she sent it off.

The lounge was transformed only a little bit with some lower lighting, and banquet tables with food and beverages. Ghubari arrived dressed in a long black velvet gown that hugged her torso and flowed off her hips gently to the floor. She actually wore higher heels for the first time in ages, now that she actually could. Her soft mass of tight curls held a simple sparkling crystal band in silver and clear stones.

In her hands, Koraia carried a case in both hands, though she simply shifted it to one arm so her other hands could pick up the skirt of her dress so she didn’t trip as she moved down the stairs into the lunge space of 18 Forward.

“Can I help you with that, Captain?” one of the lounge staff asked.

She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Yes, actually. If you don’t mind, this box needs to go downstairs near the podium.”

“You go it,” he said with a nod and carefully took the box from her. It left her free to greet her crew as they arrived and point them downstairs.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO