Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Quentin “Q” Dawson (Chief Weapons Officer) in Main Sim: Senior Officers’ Banquet with Colonel Malone

Posted by Captain Chris Taggart (Commanding Officer) in Main Sim: Senior Officers’ Banquet with Colonel Malone

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in Main Sim: Senior Officers’ Banquet with Colonel Malone
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
After returning with all the gear and equipment for installing the Romulan cloaking tech on the Chernov, Kastarak organised a banquet in honour of the Vulcanophobic colleague of theirs, Colonel Malone. It was the way it had to be done, it was the way of Starfleet. From the large window in the senior officers’ mess, the strange landscape of Titan could be seen in the orangy haze. Visibility was not far, but enough to see small boulders. Large drops (about the size of pebbles) of hydrocarbons were raining down slowly. Due to the gravity and other conditions on Titan, rain fell about six times as slow as on Earth – about 160 centimetres per second. It was slow enough for the eye to follow the individual drops.

Kastarak had changed into mess uniform as per the rules and regulations. He anticipated soon the arrival of all the senior officers (OOC all of you lot) and the guest of honour, Colonel Malone, and, of course, the ship’s own captain, Christopher Taggart.

The table was set. A group of other crewmen would be serving later. They stood lined up by the door waiting, too, for the guests to arrive. Kastarak made a last occular inspection of them and of the room, and all looked well.

He then looked out the window again, mesmerized by the hypnotic nature of the rain.

– Lt Kastarak (XO)

Chris came in wearing his white dress uniform with all of his medals on it, Even the secret ones and a large box in his hand that might fit one price of clothing, about 4 inches tall by 20 inches in length and 30 inches wide. He put up a hand to stop Kastarak from saying the formalities. Taking a deep breath and letting it out slowly he began in a very somber tone. “I’m deeply sorry that you had to be in the same room as that vile man and that you have to ensure again now. Rest assured. The time will come for him to receive what is due to him. I didn’t hear anything from the others but I know the man enough to know that he might have said some bad words against the Vulcans and perhaps about myself. Me personally, I don’t care what someone like him has to say about me but I try to create a safe place for Vulcans on this ship and it deeply troubles me what he thinks of beings like you and other beings as well. He has a very hateful dislike for Vulcans especially and I haven’t figured it out yet.”

Kastarak appreciated the captain’s candour. As usual, Taggart helped Kastarak feel anchored and attached to the ship as his family. Taggart was becoming more and more as a father to him.

But before Kastarak had time to formulate an answer worthy of Taggart’s speech, Taggart handed him a box and began speaking again.

Handing Kastarak the box. “This is for you Number One. I know that you are too good a being to say what you really want towards him. So I figured you can show it to him instead. This is not only well deserved on your part, but it will nettle him to the bone. With me around he might not be as arrogant as he knows that I’ll throw him out an airlock. Which I’ve done before to get him off the Chernov. He was wearing suit already so he would’ve been ok. Ok he might not have had the helmet secured yet but he’s still alive. So just be yourself around him and if you accidently lose control of either action or word, I’ll be there to sweep it under the rug or help you. You take care. I have to go meet our guest at the airlock. Go ahead and start getting the crew inside and start having the yowmen serve the drinks. It will piss him off that I didn’t wait until he got, which in turn is why I’m doing it because he’s always late and on purpose .”. He put up another hand to again stop formalities as he smiled and left.

I’m the box was a new mess jacket with all of Kastarak’s medals on it and Lieutenant Commander rank.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

Dawson came into the mess hall just as Taggart was leaving. He gave a brief nod to the Captain before continuing in and seeing Kastarak standing with a large box in his hand. “Evening Lieutenant,” He said and then, gesturing to the box, “Gift from the Captain?”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Taggart hadn’t given Kastarak a moment even to respond to his speech, and Kastarak was bewildered by what was happening. Humans were by habit bewildering. Even so, there was always an element of logic to whatever they did – it was just human logic, built on emotion and often – especially for Taggart – for flare of the dramatic.

“The captain did hand it to me, but I didn’t have the time to say anything back to him…,” Kastarak said softly. He lifted the lid of the box slightly, and saw what it was. He had been promoted. He had to think quickly. And he needed to thank the captain at an appropriate time. Now it was not…

“I shall require your assistance, Mr Dawson,” he said speaking slightly fasther and louder than before, “I need help in putting this mess jacket on. Please, Mr Dawson”

Dawson began to say, “But you’ve already got you mess jacket-” And then Kastarak pulled it out.

Kastarak took the jacket out, gave it a slight whiff in the air, all medals and rank insignia still attached, and handed it to Dawon. At that, he took off his current jacket which he quickly rushed to the sideroom to hide it from any guests, who might come any minute. He didn’t want Malone to see any mess, and he especially didn’t want Malone seeing him in his undershirt. He needed help putting the jacket on right now. Why were mess jackets so hard to put on on yourself? That was human illogic at its best…

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Dawson admired the jacket with a smile while Kastarak quickly discarded his previous one, “Well look at you, sir.” He said as Kas returned, “Let’s hurry up and get this on you, shall we?”

He quickly had Kas turn around and waved over one of the yeomen to help get the jacket fitted properly. The mess jackets were always tricky, but it wasquicker and easier when you had assistance. Once the jacket was squared away, Dawson gave him a final look over to make sure they hadn’t missed anything before saying, “There we are, a proper XO ready for a bit of inter-department diplomacy. I’m sure the Captain gave you some words of encouragement earlier, but know that we all have your back sir, and, speaking at least for myself, am very pleased to be serving with you, sir.”

With that, he gave Kas a pat on the arm and went to take his seat.

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Dawson’s gesture was welcome. Kastarak could now easily return to a serene state of mind so that he, in Dawson’s word, would be ready for a bit of inter-department diplomacy.

“Thank you, Mr Dawson, for your words of encouragement and for your swift and elegant assistance. Indeed, we are now ready. And before anyone or anything else interrupts us, please, allow me to state that I am equally pleased to serve with you.”

Now, wearing the pins of a lieutenant commander, in an updated jacket with his medals (how had the captain found them all?), Kastarak was ready to meet the villainous Mr Malone – and of course – all the other senior officers from the Chernov, too!

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Chris didn’t really leave to go get Malone. He was but stopped and turned back around when Dawson nodded to him which he nodded back. He went down the hall and turned around as to not be noticed. He teared up when he witnessed the interaction between the two. “This is what it is all about.” He said in whisper. He supposed that he needed to go get Malone but $#@$ that guy. He couldn’t contain himself anymore and walked right back in and have Kastarak a big hug then turned and have The Dawson a big hug. “This. This right here is why we do what we do. So future beings know the safety and security of not only The Federation but friendship and cooperation of different beings across the Universe.” He wiped away another year. “Sorry. I’m getting emotional sorry, but I couldn’t help it. No if you excuse me, I have to go get someone that doesn’t get this.”. With that he turned and left with a purpose.

Captain Chris Taggart CO

OOC: This is so sweet!

Kastarak didn’t get this either. What had just happened? Why was the captain all emotional now? Why did the captain hug Kastarak and Dawson? Kastarak looked bewildered and confused.

Dawson was surprised to see Taggart come back in and give them their spontaneous hugs. Before Dawson could say anything in response, he left to go get Malone. Dawson turned to Kastarak and said, “Well, that… certainly happened.” Then he cracked a grin and began to laugh to himself, “Never a dull moment, I suppose. Yeoman! Might have a glass of whatever it is you’re serving tonight? Come have a seat Kas, I don’t think we’ll need to stand on ceremony for our Colonel.” And with that, Dawson retook his seat and straitened his jacket.

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Kastarak nodded, and took his seat at the table too. Where were the other senior officers?

“Mr Dawson,” he said once sat down, “why, do you reckon, the captain acted like he did just? I am at a loss to understand the situation.”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer