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

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Dawson noticed the exchange, being seated on the other side of Pawl, and marked it as odd. He’d been around Kastarak a fair deal by now and was beginning to notice some of the XO’s quirks. There seemed to be tension behind his words, but Dawson didn’t know why. Had something happened between the XO and the engineer? Dawson may want to check in on that later.

“So, Colonel,” Dawson said, changing the subject, “Are you looking forward to another captured ship to poke around in? This cube seems to be quite the find, according to reports from the last planet we went to.” Dawson felt that the Colonel didn’t need to know that this information came from a planet of magical talking ponies.

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

The Colonel finished chewing his good and took a drink of the red wine before glaring at Dawson. “First off. Don’t use a familiar time with me. I’m a Colonel. An O6 and you’re a Lieutenant, an O3. Secondly,I don’t think you can capture a ship like this even with your pirate like Captain here.” He wanted a hand towards Taggart. “We have reason to believe that it is impossible and that they are,whomever they are,have advanced weaponry and technology that makes us look like we’re still in the stone age. But that information is not for your ears not your Captains. But I will tell you this much.” He leaned in and looked at everyone at the table and spoke in a dangerous tone. “If you see it, run and report it’s location.”. He leaned back and took another bite of the lamb. “So. What kind of planet did you all go to last time that have you this report of the Bo..,. Of the ship?”

Colonel Tom Malone Storyteller

Dawson’s face was all smiles. He felt he had the man down now. The more belligerent he got, the more Dawson was getting under his skin. Then he slipped, and Dawson caught it. His smile dropped as the realization hit him. “You know who they are, don’t you?” Dawson sat up straighter in his chair, staring the Colonel down, “You know exactly who and what they are, and you’re ready to send us all in blind.”
The revelation settled in and clicked into place. If Malone knew what the cube was, then what else did he know? How could he know unless he had gotten the information from elsewhere? And where else could he have gotten that information except the Husqvarna?
“I think you better tell us what you know about that ship, Colonel.”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO

Pawl was feeling more unnerved and concerned by all ofthe cloak and dagger routine. But he kept quiet about it

[[Lt_Jg ]] [[Pawl Batario]]
[[Chief_Engineer]] [[Uss_Chernov]]

Malone glared at him and stood up fast and pointed a finger at Dawson and then the others. “I don’t have to tell you Jack s##t boy! Or any of you! This dinner is over! Taggart! See me out!”

Dawson stood just as suddenly, a hand reaching towards where he usually kept a KaBar knife on his belt, but he didn’t have it with his dress uniform. He was thoroughly unarmed, but still bet he could take the Colonel in a fight if needed. He had several security officers with him in the hall, not to mention Taggart and the rest of senior staff. If Malone wanted to play old earth cloak and dagger, Dawson could play too. And you don’t make threats where you’re outnumbered.

Chris just calmly wiped his face with a napkin and sat it back down folding it again. “This dinner is not over Malone. We’ve gathered here to try and honor you and give respect to your rank. A lot of hard work and effort went into this. We’re all going to sit down and enjoy this nice meal of your homeland… With or without you. Preferably without you. You can find your own way out but with security following you.”. Chris pointed to two Security officers and they nodded. “Officers. When you have finished recording him out, please come back here and join us. Friends are always welcomed at this table. And Malone. Don’t ever talk to the crew of the Chernov like that again or you’ll find yourself looking up at the sky. Do I make myself clear?”

Dawson straightened slowly at Taggart’s words, forcing a sense of calm. He should really get with Kastarak to learn some of their Vulcan methods of emotional control. Still, considering how he was moments before, he thought he was doing well.

Malone was in a furious rage but kept himself in check and flatted at Taggart before turning around and leaving in a rush followed by the two Security officers.

Chris picked up his wine glad and raised it. “To friends and family.”

Colonel Tom Malone and Captain Taggart CO

As Malone left, Dawson re-took his seat and turned to Taggart, “I apologize for my outburst, sir. I didn’t anticipate he would get as belligerent as he had. I should have done more to maintain my composure.”

Lt. Q Dawson, CWO