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

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

“Alfred, you have the holo program? And then the torpedo reconfigured for the fireworks display?” Alfred chuckled, “Mistress, of course. Tellek Bog did create me after all.” Casela laughed then, “Well let Cobb check the work anyway. Bog liked to leave surprises and we don’t want to hurt the village.” She turned to Cobb, “So Santa, Alfred is going to run a very special holo program, Valkyrja is going to look like Santa’s carriage, instead of sleigh, and pulled by 8 reindeer. The torpedo is going to give off a small fireworks display that looks like snow and Christmas lights. If you’re ready, I’ll start the descent.”

As requested, Zachariah ran his own eyes over the Tellarite’s code, enjoying the witnessing of a true master at work. Not that he had expected anything less. Tellek Bog might have been just about the most rude, argumentative, irritating and downright disgusting creature he had ever encountered…or, at least, until Gruv had arrived to mount a duel…but he was also one of the most creative and thorough engineers he had ever had the privilege to work with. And for that, Cobb was willing to forgive almost everything else. Almost.

“Aye, we’re all good here,” he nodded finally, pushing a button to begin setting parameters for the program.

Taking over for the autopilot Casela pulled the shuttle out of orbit and started the descent through the atmosphere, once past the initial turbulence they settled over the southern hemisphere and Alfred engaged the holoprogram. 8 full size reindeer appeared harnessed to the front of an old fashioned carriage. The shuttle circled several times going lower and lower. Casela set the autopilot. “Alright, Alfred, open the hatch.” She turned to Cobb and grinned, “Not a word if I break my leg.” She walked over to the hatch and looked down at the ground. “Lower Alfred,” and shuttle dropped again, she glanced at Cobb, “See you in a few.” and she jumped.

Landing against a snow bank she tucked, and rolled, the snow softening the landing. But not without a groan of “I’m too old for this.” But then there were the sounds of children, and adults watching Santa’s carriage take back off into the sky. There would be several minutes before Alfred launched the torpedo, with Cobb’s okay.

Zanya danced out of the snow, looking all the part of a toy making, Santa helping, elf. She had a bell with her that she rang as she walked. “Zanya!” Child after child, and adult after adult, came out having seen her launch herself from the carriage. She walked the village calling to each house to come out and join them. She gathered them with her into the large yard of the orphanage. That left more than enough room for the shuttle to land with the holographic deer still attached. “Shhh….look up!” Parents, children, orphans, Karra, and the rest of the village settled against the walls, chairs, children on shoulders. And littles on the shoulders of the bigger kids. Zanya pointed up, “Wait and watch….” and to Zanya’s trained eye she saw the small mini torpedo shoot off from Santa’s carriage.

On Valkyrja, “Mr. Cobb, at your leave, when you are satisfied with the torpedo adjustments we can launch it.”

“Aye, let her go, if you please, Mr Alfred,” the captain gave his consent.

At Cobb’s command, Alfred launched the mini torpedo and it flew up into the sky making a high whistling sound as it climbed higher and higher. The sound pulling the attention of the villagers and children to try and spot the source, and temporarily distracting them from Santa’s carriage and 8 reindeer pulling it along. The torpedo exploded into a dazzling display of lights and color. The patterns created, depicting winter scenes, universally found across the galaxy. Snow, winter games, a Christmas tree, Santa, elves, presents, and several from specific midwinter cultures that Casela was familiar with. Amongst the ohhhs and ahhhs the shuttle made a graceful turn to prepare to land.

The shuttle landed in the middle of the village and the hatch unlocked. “At your leave sir. Your sack of gifts is stored in the after cargo holds beneath the benches.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS/Zanya

Cobb let out the breath he’d been holding, relieved to feel the shuttle settle against solid ground. For a few moments, after witnessing Casela leap from the shuttle, he’s been overcome by a worrying thought that it might have been his only exit as well! Still, at least that answered the question of why Santa Claus was always so round. The old man needed the padding!

Retrieving the sack, Zachariah Slung it over his shoulder and gave one last, desperate glance to the holo-butler.
“I swear, Alfred,” he muttered with exasperation. “Only for Casela would I do this.”

Alfred laughed, “There are many things that we all only do for my Mistress, Santa. But it is well worth it, eh?” The butler deactivated himself as the shuttle door opened but continued to monitor the shuttle and ensure that the holographic display stayed steady.

Then, straightening his costume and adopting the most cheery demeaour he could muster, he stepped out of the shuttle and into the snow, calling loudly as he did so, “HO, HO, HO!”

• Santa Cobb

The children froze for just a moment at the sound of “HO HO HO!” and then they turned from the light display. And Santa had only a moment, led very quickly by Zanya to a chair, before the children were all trying to hug him. Not one asked for their present or what he had brought, they simply wanted to hug him. After a moment a small Ferengi woman stepped forward and ushered the children to step back. “Santa, this is Karra the house mother,” she whispered to him, giving him the woman’s name. Karra ushered the children into a simi-circle to wait their turn. Zanya stood beside Santa and gave him the names as each child came up. Karra sent the first child and Santa would recognize the name from the letter he had signed: “Neltus Omad,” Zanya whispered to Santa.

His initial reaction, at the physical onslaught of tiny hugs, had been to freeze to the spot as if under a terrifying and sustained attack. But gradually his demeanour softened to a mere trace of discomfort. Hidden, hopefully, by his exuberant adoption of the Santa performance.

“Ah, House Mother Karra,” he offered the woman a wide smile then, fixing eyes briefly on each child in turn, asked, “Have these children all been good? Shall we see if I have anything for them inside of this sack?”

Swinging the heavy load onto the floor with an audible ‘oof’, Zachariah found a rock to serve as seat, his own knees crying out to be spared the floor, and, pulling the sack towards him, allowed his head to disappear inside.

As the first name was announced, Cobb reappeared with a large, glittering envelope.
“Neltus Omad,” he repeated. “I have something very special for you.”
And with that he handed the child the envelope.

Neltus had met with Santa and received a gilded envelope where on the outside it was printed:

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,
Santa

He wanted to rip the letter open and read it but not knowing what it said, he was scared. Gilded envelope or not he wanted this to be somewhat of a private moment, one where he was sure he could react without being made fun of or judged by those around him. Neltus looked at Santa as he fidgeted with the letter and said “Thank you sir, I appreciate you bringing this to me.” He bowed softly before exiting the sleigh and heading back to the house. Vedi was out playing with the others as Neltus kicked off his sandals and walked softly into his room, avoiding the nail that had cut him earlier, to sit cross legged on his bed. He tapped his big toe against his leg nervously as he carefully peeled the envelope open with baited breath. He read the letter but it didn’t register. He read it again and again as tears started to flow down his cheeks. The letter read:

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

Neltus sat quietly in his bed reading the letter over and over and over again as he was overwhelmed with joy, it radiated from him as he hopped up and ran out of the room clutching the letter, tears still dripping from his cheeks as he went to Yarla to make a once in a lifetime call to his new dad.

And then several more children came forward:
“Sulme”

Santa Cobb emerged from the sack, his arms wrapped around a plastic recreation of a small child. It was dressed in a style similar to the orphans, its long hair braided neatly to its head. As Cobb stared into its blue, glassy eyes it began to make a noise. “Waaah.”

“Ah, I think she is crying for you,” he declared, holding it out to Sulme and offering a wide, yet relief-tinged, smile.

“Lanshay”

Two items were retrieved for Lanshay - the first, a set of shooting targets, gained a raised eyebrow from Cobb. The second, a phaser, was held back for several minutes while the captain examined it thoroughly. Then finally, satisfied that it had been appropriately customised for the child, he held it out with a wink.
“You look like you can handle this,” he complimented the child. “And I am sure your friends will sleep sounder in their beds knowing that you are here to protect them.”

“Jokoth”

For Jokoth came a heavy cookbook and a parcel of utensils, Cobb’s attention always captured when it came to the matter of food.
“Are you the chef around here, then?” he winked. “I can not lay claim to any talents of my own where the creation of meals are concerned. Although in the eating of them, I am the foremost expert in the galaxy.”

“Pimola”

“What do we have here, then?” was Zachariah’s response to Pimola’s gift, the metal contraptions resembling antique medical braces. Holding them out, he was curious how the child would react and made a note to discuss with Casela later whether they could perhaps offer some more…modern solutions to their medical needs.

“Terul”

“Ah, now this was a favourite of mine when I was a lad,” Cobb exclaimed, producing a large sketch pad and box of coloured pencils for Terul. “Although I am sure your artistic talents far surpass my own limited skills.”

“Vetad”

The next gift was an old tricorder, although not one ever sanctioned by Starfleet.
“Klingon technology,” he remarked, handing the device over to Vetad, “may not always be the most advanced in the Federation, but for robustness and durability there’s none can beat it.”

“Carlin”

Carlin’s gift earned a wide grin from the captain. “Ah, now these look like fun!” And indeed, the colourful bowling skittles and ball, the tennis racquets and the antique croquet set were a delight.

“Petall”

“Oh, we have ourselves an engineer” Santa roared with glee as he retrieved the next item. For a moment he seemed almost reluctant to part with it but then with a grin, he handed it to the child.

“Bella”

Another doll. Cobb lifted it as he might a live grenade, eager to hand it over before he could once again trigger a cry.

“Karrith”

A journal and several writing pens came next, followed by a curious stack of cards. Resembling miniature digital displays, each one bore a different item, key to creating a story - a character, a place, a motivation, a challenge. They could be shuffled and drawn at random to, each time, assist in the creation of a new and unique tale.

“Ahelli”

Another loud roar of laughter as Santa Cobb examined the next gift. “What do I have here, eh?” he chuckled to Ahelli, handing over the large, stuffed targ. “I don’t know whether you should cuddle it or challenge it to a duel.”

“Graga”

A book of fairytales for Graga, this one reminding Cobb of a gift he once received from his own mother, several lifetimes ago.

“Apiraa Sh’rharhok”

And finally, shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, looking not entirely dissimilar to one worn by Cobb himself on occasion.
“And who is the snappy dresser, eh?” he held the clothes out to Apiraa with a nod of complete approval.

Zanya, Santa’s Helper

The sack finally empty, Cobb ran a hand through his beard and then got to his feet, unable to shake the suspicion that some children had been missed.

• Santa Cobb