Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Package Deliveries

Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in Package Deliveries

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Package Deliveries
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Casela had put the request in weeks ago. She always took time off this time of year. Usually she just went. She was on detached assignment and she would just make it happen. Now though, she was on the Levi and she had to make the request. It had been approved. She had several packages she was loading into the small cargo holds under the aft benches. “Alfred, start preflight sequence.”

Alfred, the HUEY on board, designed by Tellek, appeared inside the cabin. “Where are we going Ms Casela? And has your flight and departure been approved? You aren’t skipping out are you?”

Casela, pink hair and purple eyes in place turned to look at him. “I am NOT skipping out. What in the world Alfred?” Taking one look at the mistress of Valkyrja Alfred nodded, “Ah Delo..”

“Hush! No get Valkyrja ready.” Casela stepped out of the shuttle to inspect the outside hull.
Lt Synthi-er, CNS

“Is that you, lass?” came a voice from across the shuttle bay. The speaker appeared a fraction of a second later, dressed in casual clothing - black trousers, boots and a black tunic made of a woolen-like material. His hair was neat and tied away, his beard untrimmed but combed into place. He was approaching Valkyrja at a leisurely pace, kit bag slung over his left shoulder, eyes fixed squarely on Synthi-er.
“The hair threw me for a moment,” he explained once he reached the pair, nodding a silent greeting to Huey as he continued to visually examine Casela. “I didn’t realise Ryder was such a fan of pink.”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela turned to look at Zachariah as he approached the shuttle. That’s right he’d never seen her as her alias. She’d left his office gone to McHarrie and straight to the shuttle. The alterations had been corrected on Valkyrja on the way back. They had been back to normal before they returned. “If you mean, am I Zanya, then yes you are correct.” She grinned, her voice was still the same, her facial features. Only her hair and eyes were different. Sometimes simple was better. Casela paused considering his question, “I have no idea. He never said. Zanya was decided on and created over a decade ago.” She grinned though as she continued her external inspection of Valkyrja. “He never said one way or the other what he thought. They all just gave me odd looks and looked surprised.”

“Zanya,” Cobb echoed as he continued to fix Casela with an undecided expression. Then with a shrug, he added, “It will take some getting used to. But…I like it. So who will I be then? Mr Zorg?”

Cas grinned, a wicked mischievous thing, added to by the crazy color of her hair and eyes. But she kept his alias totally to herself for the moment.

Alfred stepped to the door, “Preflight is done and I’ve already check with McReady to make sure he’s thoroughly scanned the surrounding area. I will of course perform my own check once we are outside the ship.” The stuffy butler returned inside the shuttle. Cas grinned, “Tellek made him very efficient. Alfred how are the external holo-emitters? I intend to put them to strenuous use this trip.” Alfred’s voice carried out, “At full efficiency, Why? Who are we hiding from this time? Mistress Casela? We will be following the previous flight path? We shouldn’t be running into…”

Zachariah had been about to congratulate the holographic assistant on his thorough preparations, but his words were dissipated by a wry smile at Alfred’s almost prescient, and most definitely over-revealing, dialogue.
He fired a different kind of glance at the Counselor now, the raised eyebrow confirming that he had caught every word. How did I know there would be more to this trip than meets the eye.

Casela shrugged holding up empty hands as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

She sighed, “Alfred, turn your voice off and be quiet.” Bog thought it was very funny to question her hot-headedness at every turn. Though at times it irritated her, right now it just made her miss the abrasive Tellarite. She boarded the shuttle. “Come on Zachariah, it’s time to go. And since the staff has determine I can’t go anywhere alone, as if I am a small child that can take care of herself, you get to be escort this time.” She couldn’t bring any one else. Bringing any of the original team back would only upset the children, making them wish for things, that they could not give them. She took the pilots seat starting the startup sequence for the impulse engines. “Take the co-pilot’s seat, or there are several bunks in the back if you care to sleep.

“Don’t worry Captain I won’t let her wreck while you sleep.” Casela glared at Alfred. Enough already.

Minutes later the shuttle was out of the bay and headed on its way.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

As the shuttle took to the air, Cobb settled himself into the seat at her side. “Sleep?” he chuckled, reaching into his pocket and withdrawing his hipflask. “And miss one single second of our first date?”
Drinking generously from the pewter container, Cobb wiped the neck of the flask on his sleeve and then began to extend it to his companion, before reconsidering the gesture and instead replacing the cap.
“Still,” he continued, all traces of teasing now washed from his tone. “I would appreciate a little information on our mission, if you can trust me enough with such knowledge, eh?”

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

“A date? I didn’t know you felt that way Zachariah.” She teased her normally tightly braided straight black hair, now bouncing with bright pink curls. “I’m not going to have to watch you and Ryder go at it like a couple of cave men am I?” Casela turned to the controls and with very adept movements set the course and engaged the warp drive after Alfred confirmed McReady’s report. The shuttle took off on it’s way. Casela wouldn’t have taken the drink anyway, but it was starting to bother her that the crew was still so adamant about not offering, afraid she’d actually say yes. She wasn’t going to make that mistake again. She’d just hide in her quarters with the door locked if she felt the need to get drunk again, but that wouldn’t happen. Maybe when was in her 120s and on her death bed.

It was a different feeling in the shuttle. Casela was very relaxed and seemed almost excited for whatever they were doing. “We’re going to Delotha. It’s the holiday season there. And as I said, you and the rest of the staff have decided I can’t be trusted to go alone. And since everyone else I trust has already been there, that leaves you. I can’t take them back. The children won’t understand. They’ll hope they are coming back to adopt them. And though I hope that one day they all find a family, I can’t do that to them. We are going to bring gifts that the house mother has written to me about. And you my dear captain,” Casela gets up and walks to the back of the shuttle, opening one of the cargo spaces pulls out a red and white trimmed suit “Get to be Santa.” Her eyes danced with amusement.

“Mistress Casela?” Alfred’s voice sounded through the shuttles computer system speakers, “There is a message coming from Delotha for....Zanya.” Casela turned to the screen and read the note, her face breaking out in a huge smile. The shuttle on autopilot she jumped up and programmed the replicator and returned with a paper letter, something looking very official, and envelope and an old fashioned pen. She handed all of them to Cobb. “Go ahead Santa, sign the letter. You are about to give one very special little boy the gift of a life time.”

Dear Neltus Omad,

This holiday season is all about family. And you have a wonderful one here on Delotha. But I heard you had a special wish this year, and I am happy to tell you that I am able to give it to you this year.

Ho Ho Ho,

(space to sign as Santa)

To: Neltus Omad
From: Judge Kentaira Arroz

In the case of Tabris Asam vs Pied Piper Orphanage, Delotha, House Mother Karra, the Federation courts have taken into account all evidence provided. After extensive background checks, interviews, and observation, the court has found that Tabris Asam is fit to adopt a child. Furthermore, I, Kentaira Arroz, Family Court Judge, Federation Courts Sector 293, find in favor of Tabris Asam adopting Neltus Omad. Here by this stardate 239612.10 do proclaim that Neltus Omad is now the legal and real son of Tabris Asam and will here by carry the name of Neltus Omad-Asam.

Signed,
Judge Kentaira Arroz

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS