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 (10) 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 gave Kastarak a big hug then turned and gave 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 tear. “Sorry. I’m getting emotional sorry, but I couldn’t help it. Now 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

William entered just in time to see a teary-eyed Taggart leave the room “Don’t be overly concerned…” He was about to call Kastarak by his old rank when he noticed the new rank insignia on his uniform “Lieutenant Commander, congratulations” He said with a slight bow of his head before returning to his original comment “The captain gets emotional especially when he has time away from the crew. You’ll get used to it” That wasn’t entirely true but it was something people said.

“Thank you, Mr Grey,” Kastarak replied quickly, reciprocating the head-bow. “It is often easy to understand what emotional state the captain is in. The difficulty is understanding why he is in that particular state. I do not understand why he is emotional now. We were only away for a few hours.”

William pulled the jacket of his dress uniform down, he didn’t like wearing the overly tight uniform and liked wearing it for this occasion even less. He only had the Medal of Valor and a Citation for Conspicuous Gallantry on his chest, the awards granted to many of the senior staff not long since.

CSO, 2O

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

“It would seem to me, Sirs,” Dawson said sipping at his drink, “That the Captain was emotional due to display of camaraderie we had just now, Lt. Commander.” He said the title with a smirk. “Given the Captain’s apparent history with the Colonel, he likely anticipated the man being his repugnant self, and so seeing us rallying to your side struck a sense of pride in his crew and first officer that made him emotional. At least, that’s my theory anyway.”

“Thank you, Mr Dawson,” Kastarak said with genuine appreciation. While he was a trained psychotherapist, he was more versed in exploring together the client’s way of looking at the self and the world than analysing people from afar from specific situations. Humans, especially, were difficult to behaviourally analyse in a neutral position. Nothing made sense if doing so. Yet, for humans, humans acted rationally and logically. Dawson helped Kastarak contextualize the situation and allow a greater appreciation for the captain’s behaviour, and indeed, for the camaraderie that they as shipsmates just had shared.

It was about 20 minutes later when Chris can back with Colonel Tom Malone in two. Anyone, even a blind person could tell Chris wasn’t happy. They both shared a brief but fierce battle when Malone came on board. It was heated but Chris took the high ground and the talk became more manageable. Time will come when Chris will take the low road, but he always hoped that it would never come to that. He never wanted to stoop to Malones level.

As Malone entered, Kastarak felt a chill in his spine. He despised that man. He could feel how Malone despised him, too. Malone’s hatred was less personal than Kastarak’s, but more on a global level against all that Kastarak represented – a survivor of the Vulcan genocide and a follower of the Vulcan ways. But the man needed Kastarak’s respect. Kastarak was not hosting the banquet for himself, but it was a function steeped in tradition, protocol and regulation. It was a necessary act, and Kastarak wanted it to go well. He wanted to have the metaphorical high ground in any exchange with the bigot.

Kastarak got ready to rise ––––

Stepping in Chris put up his hand to not have anyone get up from their seats. “At ease everyone. For those that do not know, the person to my right is Colonel Tom Malone from Section 31. He will be our guest today and after the meal and conversation will head back to his lair.”. Colonel Malone was incredulous while starring at Taggart. “How dare you,” he spat with venom on his words, “tell these people who I work for!”. His anger was clearly boiling up like a pot getting ready to overflow.

Dawson stifled a chuckle at Malone’s outburst as if they all hadn’t already intuited his outfit from their meeting on Titan.

Chris smiled. “These beings are all here because they can be trusted and they have been written in and have signed NDA’s. I have no secrets with them all. Now sit down and enjoy our company Colonel or leave The Chernov. You’ll sit over there.”. Pointing with his good arm. Before sitting down Chris looked at all of the beings assembled. “Feel free to ask anything you want tonight and I will answer, even if it’s classified or personal. I keep nothing from you all except for that which Starfleet deems me to but even then I’m forthcoming with most of the information.”

“Now. Let’s eat, drink, talk and be merry.” He sat down while. Looking at everyone with his singular ice blue eye with affection and respect until his eye fell on Malone.

Kastarak nodded and signalled for the yeoman to bring the food in.

Captain Chris Taggart CO/ Colonel Tom Malone Storyteller

Dawson took a sip of his drink and then turned to the captain and Colonel in turn and said, “Well, sirs, I don’t know about the rest of my colleagues, but I’m certainly curious about how Starfleet managed to get a hold of a Romulan cloaking device. I’m sure they didn’t drop it off with a bow for Christmas.”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Kastarak had devised a menu. It was the first time he was hosting a formal meal, and he was not entirely sure what to serve. Looking up the archives, Kastarak surmised that ‘Malone’ was Irish in origin, which inspired Kastarak to look for Irish-like food. He decided to skip the starter, as it often seemed overly pretentious to people like Taggart, and instead ensure there was a hearty meal followed by a good desert.

The yeoman brought in the main course. For the meat-eaters, which were most in the gang, Kastarak had ensured that there would be a lamb stew, consisting of rough cuts of lamb, potatoes, onions and carrots, and a base off Guiness stout along with herbs from north-western Europe. Wheat and rye bread were brought to the tables, with lumps of butter (or oil for those preferring that).

For the vegans, like Kastarak himself, there was an alternative, known as a Three Sisters stew, with a base of winter squash, corn, and beans, seasoned with tomatoes and herbs from the north American continent.

For drinks, Kastarak provided Irish stout, red wine from Greece (somehow, sheep and Greece went together in Kastarak’s mind), and kvass, as well as bubbly water (Kastarak’s favourite cold drink), normal water, and lemonade. They were in the Sol system, so Earth foods and drinks were a must.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer