Posted by Major Taylor Zigman (Battalion Surgeon.) in Starbase Magellan

She watched the security officer walk away, wondering how many times she would misstate a thing in the coming days. As she made a mental note to be more explanatory if needed, Aurra turned to RA M’Ressa. “It’s a long story, Sir. Let me see if I can condense it. One of Star Fleet’s ships, the USS Tamarind, made an emergency landing on Re’mar. They had no idea the planet was inhabited because my people live beneath the surface in areas that scans can’t penetrate. We observed the crew and their efforts to fix the damaged pieces of the space craft for many days before deciding to make contact. Once we made ourselves known and invited them below, they let us help with the repairs. All of our technology was underground, but once they saw it, Captain Tollman told us about the United Federation of Planets and wondered if we’d like to make an application.

Aurra sipped more champagne. “We wished them well and they left. After doing some investigating of our own, we did make a petition and the rest is history. We have kept ourselves isolated by choice, but opinions have changed over the last eighty years and a few of us have ventured out to live among the stars. I believe there are seven of us in Star Fleet now.”

—aCO Talisse

“Fascinating,” Murmured M’Ressa. “That does seem to be a common story for many planets. How do you like Starfleet?” She asked curiously.

Rear Admiral M’Ressa

OOC: Gene will be joining us in this thread.

Aurra pressed her lips together. Conversation wasn’t completely foreign to her, but it usually involved the work she was doing or an oral report she was giving about a situation. She wasn’t used to sharing information about herself with complete strangers, but the assignment on the Chimera would call for exactly that. The man at her side remained silent, which probably struck those around him as odd behavior.

“I like what I do. Starfleet gives me the resources to do it, so I like Starfleet just fine. This assignment though…isn’t what I’m used to so there will be challenges.”

—CO Talisse

The couple stopped at the large doors of the ballroom. Eleanor smiled at the dashing pilot standing next to her. It would be their first time together attending a major event like this.

Malcolm gazed down with pride at the vision on his arm. It was only the second time in two years the Marine had worn the iconic Service Dress Blues. As a Command Gala, Major Malcolm Dawkins had the uniform perfect, from the row of six major medals to the polished Officer’s Saber on his left hip and patten leather saber belt. Looking down to meet beautiful eyes, Mal smiled and raised his right elbow slightly. “Here we go.” His voice smooth as silk.

With her auburn hair in an elaborate knot, and wearing a light, flowing, knee-high black dress, Carnegie took a deep breath as she placed her left hand on Malcolm’s offered arm. In her right, she held a small clutch, carrying both her glasses and the box for the contact lenses she was currently wearing.

Mal patted Ellie’s hand softly, momentarily speechless as he once more took in the young woman by his side. He was externally stone firm, but inside… Mal felt butterflies. The way she looked at him made him never want to look away from her gaze.

Turning to Malcolm, she smiled. “Shall we?” And she walked with him through the doors.

There was a near two second pause before Mal broke out of the daze he was in and with a glowing smile nodded in response. “I’d love to. I already have the most beautiful girl in the universe on my arm… so I can’t wait to show’er off!” His Southern accent soft but detectable. Together they stepped into the room.

The room was beautifully decorated. It reminded Eleanor of some events her parents had taken her as a child. After a quick scanning of the room, the Recon pilot’s trained eyes fell over a table on the far side, carrying all types of different small pastries. With an eager smile, Carnegie dragged Malcolm across the room with her, more focused on the food than on the people.

Carnegie, Recon Pilot CO

Seeing the tray at almost the same time as Ellie, Mal laughed as the pilot drug him toward the table. “A woman truly after my own heart!”

Dawkins, CAG

Simon walked into the area, not too keen on such events. Nevertheless, he had done his best to dress for the part. He wore a velveteen suit of a deep plum color. The shirt underneath was white but the tie, and matching pocket square, a softer shade of lavender. A small purple carnation stuck out of his lapel. His black hair had been slicked back and his face freshly shaven.

As he walked into the party, there were already quite a few officers present. Some of the whom he’d met already and others, mainly from the Marine corps, that he had not. Taking a moment to clear his thoughts and brace himself for the waves of emotion and thought all around him, Simon took a few steps into the crowd, giving nods to those who met his gaze. He didn’t want to interrupt any of the conversations going on, so he grabbed a glass of champagne from a waiter who was passing by and sipped it casually as he strolled through the crowd.

-Counselor Simon Arbogist

Sheriye was standing off to the side a bit now as her granddam, the Rear Admiral continued to stand with the new Captain, her eyes were caught by a striking red-headed Betazoid crossing the room. She studied his outfit as she wondered who he was, not having met him as of yet. He must be crew, he strode too confidently to only be an Ensign she mused to herself. She smiled slightly at him as their eyes met, not wanting to frighten him off with baring her teeth too much. That always did frighten humanoids she understood, due to their cultural norm with bared teeth usually meaning something aggressive. Mind you they smiled with bare teeth so she found this just a bit confusing.

Sheriye CSO

Kate closed her eyes for a second before she tugged on her dress uniform and walked into the ballroom. It was definitely not her first time at these sorts of events, but this one of the few times where she wasn’t working. The crowds were not the problem, blending in and moving through them, all while keeping an eye on the principal, she could do that. It was the chit chat.

As she walked in she smiled as she grabbed an offered glass of champagne. One thing was for certain, if they thought you were not being entertained, someone would make it their mission to make sure you were entertained.

MCapt Hawkins - A CO Commander

Davon took a second glass of champagne and sipped away. This was the first time he had had the time to meet and talk to the senior staff. A good time to evaluate their characters.

–
CoS
OOC: had to edit
CoS.

OOC: I assume we’re going to continue this thread. If so I am bumping it:)

Krys

Garinder’Jen, or Jen as he preferred - too many beings simply could not pronounce correctly his name - entered the ‘Ballroom’ late and peered at the barely contained chaos of people milling about. He was in his dress uniform with pips newly positioned.

‘Colonel, you realize that in taking this position that you will require to subscribe to the Naval ranking system.’
‘I understand, General.’
‘You will retain your military rank in the event that you return.’
‘Thank you, sir.’

Commander. That seemed a strange rank. However, a rank was a rank and a position was a position. He went where he was ordered. This ‘Ball’ was not one that he was so unfamiliar with as much as he was unfamiliar with the people. He had been to his share of regimental dinners. As such his new dress uniform was impeccable. The general discomfort of such uniforms was a part of the job and to be endured. The only addition to this uniform, still within regulation, was his sidearm that was holstered at his hip.

The unfamiliarity was more poignant in that he was looking for the proverbial snowflake in the glacier. One person. He pulled out his issue PaDD – a thinner model that fit in his palm. On it was a face. Female by the identifier however alien in that Jen had never met anyone from this particular race before. Nor was he aware of anything to do with them, only that this one ‘Rem’ar’ was to be his commander. Catching a waiter’s attention he showed the similarly white clad man the photo who shook his head. Resolute Jen moved to a table that was dispensing foods and inquired to the girl behind. She, thankfully, nodded and pointed to a general area where she ‘thought’ she had seen her.

Moving then amongst milling, chatting or simply drinking individuals he sought out the face of the one whom he was supposed to report to.
Jen, XO

Jen was just stopping to ask a couple who was retreating from the dance floor when the curtain of revelers parted and he saw his objective. With a quick glance at the PaDD to confirm the image he made a beeline for her as he wove in and around others. She was with another who, by the short distance between them, evidently showed them to be together. That was to be expected. After all, this was a formal ball of sorts.

‘Captain Talisse is unique, Colonel, ah, Commander. She is Navy, but then you’ve been on ships like the Chimera.’
‘Chimera, sir? Mjolnir?’ Named after a Terran North mythology. Years ago when he had heard of that class and heard of the history he had approved. But then as an Andorian he found an affinity to any mythology out of the Northern climes.
‘Yes. You are uniquely skilled to be the executive officer there. Your job is to prepare that ship.’
A beep came to his PaDD. ‘Your transit orders and authorizations. You’ll find Captain Talisse on the Starbase.’

Find her he did. Slipping the PaDD into an inside pocket of the dress jacket he approached her. With a glance at her escort, his eyes snapped back to hers, came to attention, and saluted. It was not a Naval tradition that he knew was common, however in the marines it was tradition. “Captain Talisse. I am Col .. Commander Jen th’Jir, previously of 5th Marine Division Battlegroup. I have been assigned to you and the Chimera as your executive officer.”
- Jen, XO

Both Rear Admiral M’Ressa and Sheriye were aware of the approaching Andorian officer, M’Ressa herself had been watching his approach as she sipped out of her glass of mineral water. Caitians could not drink alcohol as it was extremely toxic to their species, even synthehol did not have a salubrious effect. She studied him and noticed his formal and stiff bearing and thought…ah definitely military. His slip at his own rank and explanation of it proved her guess right.

She had been a bit annoyed when Command had informed her that they were sending her the XO for the Chimera, without any input from her or Talisse. It was …unusual to say the least. Command was obviously concerned about the region though obviously she had kept enough control on the area that they hadn’t removed her as incompetent.

Glancing at Talisse she watched to see how she would accept her new XO.

Rear Admiral M’Ressa

Aurra had immediately tuned in to the Andorian because of the intent in his walk. He had a definite destination in mind and was not going to be dissuaded from his target. Once she determined he was heading straight for their little group, her brows rose with interest. Was he connected with the Admiral? She was more than a little surprised when the blue, skinned male locked eyes with her and announced he was to be her first officer. That couldn’t be right—the Chimera was being saddled with a new CO AND a new XO? Well, at least she would only have to deal with the situation for a bit until Admiral Soliz found a permanent Captain. “Cmdr.” Having never met an Andorian in the flesh before, Aurra wasn’t sure of the protocol. That being the case, she just went with her gut. “You are the first Andorian I’ve ever met. What is the proper way to address you?”

She was aware of everyone watching and wished this first meeting could have taken place in a more private setting.

—CO Talisse