Shore Leave: Fidelity

[Gheskori]

USS Enzio Shore Leave

+++ SD 2400.0505 +++

The Rainier and Enzio accompanied one another back to Starbase. The Rainier led the way, her smaller but more advanced vessel trailing some 20,000 kilometres behind, as if part of it still lingered in the Kasan system, musing over what might've been if catastrophe hadn't been diverted, or if Cain had not played an active part at all.

Admiral Jackson was eager to get her ship back to base, to report news of the successful negotiations and the impending signing of a final peace treaty/armistice with the Kasan'thar hierarchy. It was a great day for Federation diplomacy; peace in the quadrant, plaudits not just on the flag officers responsible for completing the operation that led to the preliminary treaty signing, but also for the junior officers, the menial crewmembers, all involved.

The two ships slipped into spacedock in near tandem, the Rainier shifting gently with thrusters to the starboard side docking arena, while the Enzio stroked ahead and then made a minute correction to port with a burst of starboard thrusters to bring her to the farside docking port. It was there she took up her mooring.

Unexpected applause greeted Commodore Gheskori and Commander Matthew - Commanding and Executive Officers - as they stepped down from the vestibule leading from their ship on to the curving docking ring. A small throng of officers and a few from the centralised media agencies erupted in a burst of clapping, while holo-images were snapped of the slightly astonished CO & XO and the other senior officers following behind.

Ghes motioned with his hands for quiet and pushed through the crowds, making his way towards the central column containing the turbolift that would take them up to the immediate meeting with the brass. The hubbub around them died down as the welcoming party diffused from the area or went to welcome the other returning vessel, where surely there would be larger fanfare for Admiral Jackson. The mission's success had been down to her after all.

He looked around the great chamber of duranium that was the internal docking arena and smiled. High above, room lights on the inside of the dock glittered, signs of movement behind them; the foreground, starships hanging like white behemoths at various angles inside the grand port. It was good to be back. There were just two absentees from Ghes's senior staff: Dr Saryn and Tiana Galwyn, the latter still being looked after in sickbay.

Once they'd reached the lobby to the brass's main offices, Gheskori turned to Daya. "Commander, before we enter, I have some good news for you." He handed his COO a PADD. Daya looked down confusedly and then up again at his Captain. "Your new orders, Commander."

<Tag Daya?>

Ghes allowed a light pat on the shoulder (Denobulans weren't fond of physical contact) and grinned at Daya, and then they all entered the flag officers' abode for debriefing.

With that tiresome affair over with - although Ghes would be called back later regarding an extensive review of Admiral Cain's role and conduct in the peacetalks - they all headed for the promenade. Ghes grinned at his staff as they stood in a circle, "Make yourselves at home."

<Tag All>

Because I have a new helmsman to meet... he thought as he walked away; what was the human expression? No rest for the wicked?

He met her outside a bar near the far end of the promenade. Dressed primly already in Starfleet uniform with red collar, she sipped at a drink. "Commander Cavit," he stood before her table. "May I introduce myself? I'm Commodore Gheskori, Commanding Officer USS Enzio. A pleasure to meet you." He looked into the bar establishment behind the Commander. He asked politely, "May I sit? I take it you've been given your orders?"

<Tag Cavit>

[Deleted]

Cavit nearly choked on her drink when she realized it a commodore that sat beside her, she wasn't on duty and her oldest was babysitting her sister so she decided some vodka was in order, she gawked for a second when he asked to sit beside her, she braced herself to be hit on for the 12th time tonight so the young unjoined trilled rolled her eyes, but instead of hitting on her he asked "I take it you haven't been given your orders?"
*oh god she thought, my breath probably smells like a bar*
"No sir" She said her cool grey eyes where all hazy from the amount of liquor she's already consumed
"Good I have something for you" He smiled, if he smelled the booze on her breath it didn't show and he handed her a PADD
She looked down at it her assignment she was assigned to the commodore's ship "Your kidding"
"Nope" he said "see on board tomorrow at 1400 hours"
"I've always wanted to pilot a Prometheus class starship" said trying to made like she's sober even though she was far from it
"Well judging from your previous assignment, you'll enjoy this" He said " now lets drink up"
"I'm already pretty much loaded" She cringed inwardly
"So?" He blinked "I could stand a few drinks myself"
Semia Cavit signaled the bartender for another drink" they're triple shots with what you humans call pepsi"
He grinned "I'll try and keep up"

<tag Gheskori>
<Anyone>

[Gheskori]

"They're triple shots with what you humans call pepsi" Cavit said as she turned back to him from the bar.

Gheskori grinned, "I'll try and keep up." He made Cavit review the PADD of her orders so she knew exactly what was in store, although she seemed to be having some trouble; flicked back a page or two at least twice, occasionally squinted at the page. He smiled knowingly without her seeing.

They waited for the drinks to arrive, Ghes eager to taste this combination of Earth beverages. "One thing you should know - or should have known at first sight - is that I'm not actually human," he said to her, then indicated his brow ridges, darker patches of skin and pallid complexion. "Denobulan."

"Of course," she replied after a moment.

He grinned again. If there was one thing Denobulans didn't mind seeing in people it was indulgence. It was part of the Denobulan urge, not just to explore out of sheer curiosity, a trait they had in common with humans, but to experience and to appreciate the essence of experience itself. Hence he didn't see anything particularly wrong in going three sheets to the wind now and again, when the situation called for it. Even in the presence of his new CNO.

The drinks arrived, then another set, and by the time it got to the third round Ghes was already starting to feel a bit hazy in the head. He grimaced, annoyed at himself; what had happened to his Denobulan constitution? A consequence of all those dry days and nights during the Kasan'thar peacetalk debacle he suspected. He'd been too wired with the constant threat of flag officer disaster - trying to balance the combined might of two Admirals in his hands and hoping they didn't kill each other - to consider for a moment taking a break and having a... what was it called? Earth whiskey. Which he'd grown fond of.

"My apologies, Commander, I seem to constitute less 'stern stuff' than I used to. So you are a Trill." He sat back, drink in hand, blinking occasionally, "Does your symbiont help you metabolise the alcohol faster." The only explanation, he thought.

<Tag Cavit> <Any other staff wandering past>

[Daya]

Commander Daya walked behind the commodore as they exited the enzio on to the space dock. He could see various officers and media members crowding around as the members of the Enzio attempted to leave the docking area. He continued following until they reached the turbo lift, where he approached and called for the lift. As they reached the lobby to the main offices Ghes turned to the commander. "Commander, before we enter, I have some good news for you." He handed his COO a PADD. Daya looked down confusedly and then up again at his Captain. "Your new orders, Commander." Daya took a moment to look over the PADD before entering the office where they would make their report. After reading the PADD the next few minutes seemed to mesh together, he was being given command over the USS Rainer, effective immediately.

Once the report had been finished, Daya followed his two former commanding officers out, where he shook hands and saluted both. "it was an honor to serve with you" was his final words as they separated and went about their own business.

OOC: I would to thank you all for the opportunity given to me to be a part of your great ship and crew. Good luck with your future

[Deleted]

Sickbay was quiet, save for the beeps and blips coming from the monitors around the bay. There were several patients but only one that was here to stay for a while. Saryn made his way over to the bed that was obscured by privacy screens and quietly parted them to slip through. He studied his son's pale face, knowing he was sleeping now. Every mission, he feared this, losing his oldest child to something reckless. And nearly every mission, he seemed to be in this situation. He wondered, if there was any sanity in keeping his son on board, or whether he would send him back to Vulcan. But, he knew Savin was old enough to decide for himself.

Approaching the bed, he observed that his son was not asleep but was actually studying him in return. Father. The younger man signed weakly.

"Do not exert yourself Savin, you were badly injured and you may not walk again, if you do not keep to bed rest."

Sighing, Savin grimaced. "I have no intention of getting up," he now spoke. "Tiana?"

"She has sat with you for several hours, but she had to report for debriefing. I am certain someone from security, or possibly even the captain, will stop by for your debriefing. Are you up for it?"

"It is necessary," Savin replied. He sighed a second time. "You do not approve of what I did."

"No. But it was not my decision to make. You chose to follow her, and I have to respect that choice. It was a noble cause my son. Foolish, but noble."

"I would do it again. I have feelings for her father, and she has for me and we desire to explore them. I could not let her go there alone."

Saryn smiled ever so slightly. "There is no need for you to explain. Rest now, I will see to it that visitors will be send to you. But...as soon as you get tired, if the monitors indicate you need rest, I will send them away."

"I understand.." Savin's eyes closed again as he allowed himself to drift back to sleep.

[Deleted]

Gheskori grinned, "I'll try and keep up." He made Cavit review the PADD of her orders so she knew exactly what was in store, although she seemed to be having some trouble; flicked back a page or two at least twice, occasionally squinted at the page. He smiled knowingly without her seeing.
"My apologies, Commander, I seem to constitute less 'stern stuff' than I used to. So you are a Trill." He sat back, drink in hand, blinking occasionally, "Does your symbiont help you metabolise the alcohol faster." The only explanation, he thought.

Semia Squinted at the PADD as she kept seeing two of them, she was quite intoxicated, she rarely drank but this was an occasion with her return to starfleet, "Actually .."she said without looking up from the PADD, more due to the fact she'd probably fall over backward, "I'm unjoined"
Gheskori blinked for a moment clearly the affects of alcohol taking its toll "Oh well, for someone your size its a bit of wonder that you actually can drink so much"
They reached the couches abd both fell back into them relaxing , if one ever heard a Denobulan burp the whole bar heard it
Giggling Semia let out her own little burp seemed puny compared to the commadore's , "So three wives eh" ?
"yes why" He blinked
"Doesn't that make sex confusing?" She wondered,
"No not at all" He seemed quite surprised "there's also 3 husbands"
Semia gawked trying to understand it
Semia who only stood five feet even and about 100 pounds rose her glass "To earth vodka and pepsi" then slammed it
She stood up only to fall over and burst out lauging "I think i'm a little drunk"
Gheskori who wasn't so steady himself, helped Semia to her feet "Lets go sit on the couches untill we can at least walk"
"but but ... I don't wanan walk" She burst out laughing again

[Gheskori]

"Well," Ghes was saying, swallowing the dark liquid, "Most Denobulans have three wives. I only married twice..." he sat back into the couch, sighing, "Was looking for a third until my first wife fell sick. She developed a... rare terminal illness. Protracted and painful." He shrugged, swirling the vodka in his left hand while the other rested on the couch behind Cavit's shoulders. He was careful not to touch her, not out of prudence but out of Denobulans' natural dislike of physical contact with non-intimates. "But there's always new females on the horizon... I was thinking about taking leave to visit Denobula and pick up another wife; perhaps two, if I'm lucky. There 'are' all the husband permissions to work out first though..."

Cavit seemed to have stopped listening to him. She was on her feet again, drink raised in a toast, "To earth vodka and pepsi" then slammed it. She stood up only to fall over and burst out laughing "I think i'm a little drunk."

"Really?" Ghes said, placing his own glass on the edge of the bar and helping her up from the bar's hard floor. After several attempts at getting her to stand steady, Ghes eventually decided to physically carry the slightly-built Commander; he grimaced as he saw the looks from others in the establishment. He guided them unsteadily towards another of the low couches, this one a little further from the bar. There was no way Ghes would be having another one; else this might get quite embarrassing.

"But but ... I don't wanna walk" She burst out laughing again.

It wasn't uncommon for a Denobulan to mate with a member of another species. It'd happened countless times across the centuries Denobula had been in contact with other lifeforms, and the species' gregarious nature only helped to encourage that cross-breeding. He couldn't recall a Denobulan mating with a Trill. Maybe not compatible; fundamental mismatches in physiology. Probably for the best, he thought, but now that he and Cavit were sat on the couch he found himself sitting a little too close...

He blinked, his befuddled senses suddenly pierced by a strain of logic; that intoxicant-free part of the mind that told him What the hell are you doing?! This is your new Navigations Officer. And on your very first meeting with her you've ended up... well, here like this.

"Don't you think it's unbecoming behaviour for a newly assigned officer that she's getting drunk on her first meeting with her new CO?" he asked her. He paused to place his glass on the edge of the couch but thanks to his uncoordinated state it missed the armrest and shattered - a light sprinkling sound - on the floor, "But I think we'll omit it from your personal record, just this once."

<Tag Cavit> <All>

[Tiana Galwyn Cet]

Tiana had been ordered out of sickbay for debriefing and although she knew she really should be getting some more sleep, that was assuming sleep grabbed in a chair at Savin's bedside counted; but , equally she knew that there was no way she could sleep at the moment. She could have just locked herself in her quarters waiting for news, she knew Savin was stable and healing (that was the only reason they had gotten her to leave sickbay) so, really, what more news could she want?

The debriefing hadn't exactly been pleasant but it had been a whole lot better than being in the Brig again; and she couldn't deny that she had been slightly concerned that that was where she would end up when she had taken the undercover mission. Perhaps that was why she was so keen to been somewhere with a bit more space. She knew that Ghes's status had been sorted out and that Daya had been given command of the Rainer, she had worked alongside him but she couldn't say she knew him well, but it was always good to see good people advancing.

Tiana checked for the third time that she had her communicator with her. She was in civilian attire on the Prommenade she was still full of nervous energy, a walk hadn't helped. She saw Ghes talking to a woman who had her back to Tiana, maybe this would be a good time to clear the air of whatever this tension was between them. Then again, maybe not. If Ghes didn't trust her anymore it wouldn't be pleasant, she might have to leave the ship...

Ghes looked up just then and some expression played across his face but it was replaced with a smile before she could interpret it. The woman he was speaking to turned to look over her shoulder, Tiana could make out the spots along the side of her face, another Trill, that could be interesting. Tiana walked over to them.

"Greetings, may I join you?" her words were addressed to Ghes. She smiled at the woman, was it her imagination or was her gaze a bit unfocussed?

"I'm Tiana Galwyn, the Enzio's CScO. Are you joining us aboard?"

Tag: Ghes / Cavit

[Deleted]

"I'm Tiana Galwyn, the Enzio's CScO. Are you joining us aboard?"
"Semia Cavit your new pilot, don't worry fly us into an asteroid" She slurred a little
She looked at the female trill , there seemed to be two of her, she leaned forward on the couch and shook her hand
"I sure am joining you, join us for a drink? we had a bunch already"
"Pleasure," She said as Semia handed her a beer
"Hope you can keep up" she grinned and slugged back her drink
Noting the look on the female trills face, she smiled "I'm unjoined and I can probably drink you under the table see if joined or unjoined will make a diffrence"

<tag anyone> ? .. who wants to join in on the party?

[Gheskori]

"I'm Tiana Galwyn, the Enzio's CScO. Are you joining us aboard?"

"Semia Cavit your new pilot, don't worry fly us into an asteroid"

Ghes smiled apologetically from the couch. He was still sitting close to Semia - No. Commander Cavit, too close perhaps for what was socially acceptable amongst senior officers and now that his science officer had arrived... "Tiana, I'm glad you could make it. We will discuss... the other matters later, yes? But please, do join us." Ghes said, his voice also showing signs of slight intoxication.

Slight? a voice inside chided him, You're halfway gone. And you're about to do something very stupid - Shut up, Ghes told his sober self.

Would Cavit be drinking anyone under the table now? He very much doubted it. Tiana took the seat across from the couch that Ghes and Cavit sat on. A low glass table lay between them, half-covered with empty fluted wine and shot glasses, and a couple near-empty bottles of liquor, one at least, which contained or had contained a famous Earth whiskey. The name escaped Ghes... Glenphidik?

The bar was emptying, nearing closing time. Waiters swiped tables and last orders were called. The promenade remained alive outside, a murmuring hubbub of exploding noise reaching into the bar and attracting the departing clientele out to its richness. He addressed Tiana, "Commander, whatever differences you believe we have to work out, there are none. I gave you the mishion. You carried it out. And I resqwueed you..."

He was embarrassed, but broke down in laughter all the same. When even the basics of communication were breaking down, how could he even begin to propagate this shared... whatever it was. He'd lost his train of thought.

The three bid each other good night, choosing their own ways to meander across the promenade. Ghes reached the docking ring, thoughts a blur. Thank Denobula that was over with.

Near the Enzio, he found her. He stopped before the vestibule, her slightly ahead of him, "Well. After you, Commodore." He obliged, walking as steadily as he could. It wouldn't do to give the impression he was so gone that this meant nothing, now would it? They walked side by side, unsteadily, their laughter echoing through the Enzio's dimmed decks, power conserved while the Starbase diverted energies to recharging the warp core injectors.

"Semia. Stop." She'd charged on ahead several paces. "This is ridiculous, we can't...." Ghes struggled to find the words. "I'm your Commanding Officer!" he blurted the words with a sense of desperate indignation.

"Well. If you say so..." she drifted off. It was only then that Ghes realised he was still carrying the bottle of 'Glenfidik'. This isn't good, he thought, But somehow, right. No. In fact, this seems like the best idea in the whole galaxy. It need not be a big deal. He would be careful in the aftermath. Yes, why not? Just one time. No big deal.

The doors to his quarters opened, the silhouette of his new navigations officer cast uncertainly against the stars visible through his portal. The bottle dropped from his hands. That slight five foot tall silhouette as it moved against the background was virtually the last thing he remembered.

<Tag>

[Deleted]

"Semia. Stop." She'd charged on ahead several paces. "This is ridiculous, we can't...." Ghes struggled to find the words. "I'm your Commanding Officer!" he blurted the words with a sense of desperate indignation.

"Well. If you say so..." she drifted off. It was only then that Ghes realized he was still carrying the bottle of 'Glenfidik'. This isn't good, he thought, But somehow, right. No. In fact, this seems like the best idea in the whole galaxy. It need not be a big deal. He would be careful in the aftermath. Yes, why not? Just one time. No big deal.

Cavit grinned as she picked up her pace and she took a swig of her bottle of smirinoff "We need to drink more"
She skipped into his quarters which seemed to be unlocked and went straight for the replicator "bottle of Pinot Grigio white wine"
She popped the cork as she heard the doors open behind her and Geshkori Staggered in swigging his Glenphidik
She purposely left off lights for a reason she looked back at him and smiled and went to his bedroom, it was the last thing she remembered

When she woke she heard loud snoring ..she looked over and realized she wasn't in her quarters and she wasn't wearing clothes, "aw crap" she whispered
she looked over to only to see feet and legs, she peered over the side of the bed, and the Denobluan was on his back on the floor with his legs propped up on the bed
she was tempted to tickle his feet but she decided it was best she quickly leapt out of the bed, and quickly put on her clothes,
While trying to hop into her pants she fell over and  into a pile of shot glasses and liquor bottles Geshkori snorted and from the other side of the bed on the floor came his voice "I don't wanna go to school" then the snoring continued ,she bolted out of his quarters and down the corridor
she was just out side her quarters when she slammed into an ensign and both fell backwards on their backsides
Blinking in shock and surprise the ensign meekly said "sorry commodore"
*commadore ?* Semia seemed confused then it hit her she got up and ran"oh god"
"Ma'am?" the ensign said
She ran into her quarters and looked in the mirror , her hair was in a mess and dark bags under her eyes but what caught her attention was that not three gold pips that was supposed to he on her collar but the shirt was too big and there where five of them
Banging her head on the wall she tried to remember what happend, but judging that she woke up nude and knowing what she's like drunk, it didn't take a genius to figure out what happened,
"Least I can't get pregnant" She said to herself, rubbing her temples she checked on her daughters, both where passed out

[Gheskori]

Ghes covered his eyes to blot out the indistinct light source coming from the ceiling. His back was hurting, niggling pain shooting along nerve endings in his spine. Where the hell was he? In bed, he assumed. He rolled over, and ended up in a wet mess that stank of ethanol. The liquid was cold and dank against his bare chest, and only then did he realise he was on the floor; the alcohol had seeped into the carpet.

"Unfortunate to say the least," he murmured, "At least I'm not wearing my uniform jacket, else..." Hold on a minute. He always slept wearing a sort of loose bedshirt...

He staggered to his feet, avoiding the wet patches that reeked of a multitude of different unpleasant odoured liquors and surveyed his quarters.

"What the hell?" Bottles and clothes lay scattered everywhere. What had he done? Had a middle of the night drinking session and decided to throw all his clothes off for the hell of it (and, incidentally, dislodged several items of furniture)? Or was there a more disturbing explanation, one that possibly involved another element, another...

He stumbled forwards through his quarters, a pounding headache coming up to meet him that nearly caused him to swoon out on the grotesque carpet. It'd dawned on him what had happened. He remembered her face; that last instant as he'd entered the vestibule to board the Enzio. His new damn CNO. Unbelievable!

There was joy and curiosity mixed together with the anger and blame. Well, as far as experiences went, that certainly ranked up there. Not for actual content - although he couldn't be sure about - but certainly in terms of the circumstances: with a new senior staff member he'd literally only just met?! He couldn't begin to envisage the awkwardness that might follow, the staff meetings, standard bridge procedures...

That hadn't been the last memory though; now he remembered: a silhouette against stars, moving before him. He made it to the replicator. "Water, ice cold." He downed the glass in one then proceeded to don his uniform. Well this has shrunk, he thought. Did she wash it before she left? He dismissed the ridiculous, slightly delirious thought. He looked in the mirror above the sink, "Commander Gheskori, reporting for duty."

He strode through the corridors, wearing his offduty clothes, the crimson commander's undershirt tucked under one arm, his head throbbing and his eyes bloodshot beyond belief. Crewmembers nodded his way, "Commodore," they greeted, smiling. He nodded at them distractedly, glaring ahead at the slightly blurred and wobbling corridor.

He came to where he had Semia Cavit's quarters designated not an hour before he'd met her at that accursed bar. He didn't regret this too much, though. Experience was the enjoyment of the essence of experience. He tapped the door chime.

After an interminable length of time the chime was answered. The door slid aside, a ragged lady appearing behind it, one hand resting on the doorframe as if to support her. "Commander," Ghes cleared his throat, "I believe this is yours." He handed her her commander's uniform and saw the Commodore's pips on her collar. "Semia, please will you take that shirt off?"

<Tag Cavit>

[Gheskori]

By midday - Starbase time - Ghes's headache had cleared up. He sat in Enzio's mess hall, hunched over a cup of coffee. It had made him feel sicker, energising his brain but making him lightheaded - neurons still confused, firing in erroneous directions. The coffee was at least Denobulan in origin, cultivated on the heavily forested moon that had its peculiar but spellbinding indigo-purple cloud formations, cirrus structures rising to the roof of the troposphere like milky hands reaching for space.

Replicated, though, he thought. He grinned into his mug, seeing the broken reflection of his face and his slightly crooked teeth, overcoated with a layer of grey-brown. He sighed, thoughts wandering again; there'd been many things to enjoy, but mostly things to regret about the events of last night.

Of course it'd been a mistake. Never again would he let himself get that close - especially on first meeting - to one of his senior officers. Yes, he'd hardly known her at the time and hadn't had the chance to build a rapport - a dubious excuse - or even get to evaluate whether she fitted well with his personality. The only things he'd managed to glean they shared thus far were a liking for irreverence and abandon. And the latter was likely perpetuated by alcohol.

The headache worsened and he wondered if Dr Saryn was still aboard. He was vaguely suspicious - for some reason - that the CMO might have relatives or associates to visit, or business to conduct, on the station, but believed that as long as his son was incapacitated in sickbay he'd be there.

He made his way to sickbay, nodding to officers and crewmen - those who remained aboard considering shore leave was now in full swing - as he strode the passageway. He was feeling more alert than earlier, the veins of blood wrapping themselves around his eyeballs having reduced their swelling and retreated back towards his optic nerve. He felt more confident of conducting himself... well, in a manner befitting a commanding officer.

Sickbay was dimmed, its staff capacity cut to 15% with shore leave's commencement. Saryn remained; a silhouetted, almost ominous - if Ghes didn't know him better - figure against the lights on the far side of sickbay. His son Savin's biobed lay beyond, anaemic lights cast in the gloom.

"Doctor," he greeted, getting more lightheaded by the second, "Got a bit of a headache." He peered at Savin, suddenly stung with guilt at the fact his own ailment was due to foolish alcoholic escapadature while Saryn's son had been badly injured in part due to himself. True, Savin had followed Tiana of his own accord, but Ghes had approved the operation.

"Anything you can give me?" he asked Saryn, as the Doctor scanned him over. Saryn glanced up from his medical tricorder, raising an eyebrow, presumably reacting to the results of the scans. "Trust me, you don't want to know, Doctor. A painkiller for my headache nothing else, please...?"

<Tag Saryn>

[Tiana Galwyn Cet]

"I'm Tiana Galwyn, the Enzio's CScO. Are you joining us aboard?"

"Semia Cavit your new pilot, don't worry fly us into an asteroid" Tiana smiled although she thought the other woman sounded a little tipsy.

"Tiana, I'm glad you could make it. We will discuss... the other matters later, yes? But please, do join us." Ghes said. Tiana wasn’t certain, Ghes often sounded excited, but Tiana thought he sounded as if he too had had a bit too much to drink.

Tiana nodded and sat down at the table. Semia had picked up on the last part of Tiana’s earlier statement.

"I sure am joining you, join us for a drink? we had a bunch already"

"Pleasure," She said as Semia handed her a beer, she wasn’t entirely sure whether she should be here but for the moment there was nothing wrong with talking to people but she certainly wasn’t going to get drunk she had to go back and see Savin.

"Hope you can keep up" Semia grinned and slugged back her drink. Tiana raised an eyebrow and sipped her drink. Earth beer was far for her favorite beverage but somehow the bitterness was what she wanted at the moment.

Semia smiled "I'm unjoined and I can probably drink you under the table see if joined or unjoined will make a difference"

Now that was a debate Tiana really didn’t get in to. Drunk as Semia was she doubted it would take much more to put Semia under the table. More concerning was that she wasn’t sure how Semia knew that she was joined, it had been a bit of a gossip event when it had happened but the news that she had stayed joined rather than letting Cet go back to Trill had been kept quieter. Tiana’s parents had kept her informed of what had happened but the news stories had been over for ages.

It proved quite difficult to get away, even though the bar was closing around them. Both Semia and Ghes were clingy drunks it appeared. About a third of Tiana’s beer remained

"Commander, whatever differences you believe we have to work out, there are none. I gave you the mishion. You carried it out. And I resqwueed you..."

“You did indeed.” As reassuring as that was she knew she would have to talk to Ghes when he was sober and she really didn’t want to do that. She had seen the way people were looking at her. She didn’t think anyone actually believed she had gone rogue and left the Enzio but now they had an idea of what she could do if she did….

Eventually Tiana was able to say her goodbyes and headed back to the ship in a much straighter line than her crewmates were able to manage.

She walked into sickbay and saw Savin still laying on his biobed. She waited politely until Dr Saryn looked at her.

“May I sit with him?” She doubted Saryn would object given that she had been a fixture in sickbay for most of the trip back, but it was best to ask. Not mention that she wanted to stay in Saryn’s good books. At least she thought she was in Saryn’s good books his son had been badly hurt while helping her so it certainly wasn’t guaranteed and it was very difficult to tell with Vulcans…

Tag: Saryn

[Deleted]

"Doctor," he greeted, getting more lightheaded by the second, "Got a bit of a headache." He peered at Savin, suddenly stung with guilt at the fact his own ailment was due to foolish alcoholic escapadature while Saryn's son had been badly injured in part due to himself. True, Savin had followed Tiana of his own accord, but Ghes had approved the operation.

Reaching out to catch him, Saryn steered the Denobulan towards one of the beds and helped him up onto it before picking up his tricorder and detached the scanner. He sensed the captain's guilt, but opted not to say anything about it until the man brought it up himself.

"Anything you can give me?" he asked Saryn, as the Doctor scanned him over. Saryn glanced up from his medical tricorder, raising an eyebrow, presumably reacting to the results of the scans. "Trust me, you don't want to know, Doctor. A painkiller for my headache nothing else, please...?"

"I can give you a mild analgesic," the Vulcan doctor offered as he took note of the blood alcohol level. "Captain, why did you resort to this, when you know that synthehol is the substance that ought to be consumed instead of this..." He couldn't fathom the logic of purposefully getting drunk. As he waited for an answer, he pressed a hypospray against the Denobulan's neck, then walked away.

After a minute or two, the Vulcan came back with a cup of water and two old fashioned tablets. "These should help with the headache, while the injection I just gave you should dissipate the effects of intoxication." He handed the cup and tablets over. "Paracetamol," he elaborated.

(Tag Ghes)


From the corner of his eyes, he saw a young Trill woman enter sickbay and he saw her searching, her eyes lingering on the semi conscious Vulcan on the bed. Saryn watched his son smile, saw him come to life a little at the sight of her. He was about to address her, when she addressed him instead.

"May I sit with him?”

"Of course commander, he looks pleased to see you." Saryn gestured towards the bed. "Commander, there is no need for you to ask me if you can see him. If he does not desire to meet with you, he is perfectly capable of informing you of such a time."

Tag Tiana

Shaking his head, Saryn headed back to Gheskori. "Do you feel better?" he asked.

Tag Ghes

Meanwhile, Savin struggled to sit up a little, though it was clear it was costing him a fair amount of energy. "How do you feel?" he asked, reaching out to take her hand. "Please Tiana, do not feel guilty. I chose to go with you, neither of us saw this coming. But, my father tells me that I will make a full recovery. I may be able to walk again, in a day or two."

Tag Tiana

[Gheskori]

"I can give you a mild analgesic... Captain, why did you resort to this, when you know that synthehol is the substance that ought to be consumed instead of this..."

"Experience is meant to be experienced, Doctor," Ghes said, slightly empty-headedly. "Synthehol is a weakened version of a definitive article. It's a nullified reproduction of an ancient tradition, pointless, defeating through its very existence the idea of consuming liquor itself."

The vulcan walked away after compressing a hypospray to his neck, obviously uninterested in the point that Ghes was - he felt futilely and incoherently - trying to make.

After a minute or two, the Vulcan came back with a cup of water and two old fashioned tablets. "These should help with the headache, while the injection I just gave you should dissipate the effects of intoxication." He handed the cup and tablets over. "Paracetamol," he elaborated.

"Para- " Ghes paused, looking at the doctor, blinking and confused, "What?" The vulcan told him it was an old Earth medicine of which similar forms had been replicated on other humanoid planets. "Well, I hope it goes well with my physiology?" Ghes said, tentatively ingesting the tablets. He shifted around uneasily on the biobed. The expression on Saryn's face - hard to read though it was of course - told him the CMO had already checked the tablet's suitability for Denobulan consumption.

He watched Tiana and Savin through the glass of the closed-off unit; although he knew that Savin would be fine, it was uncomfortable to be sitting near two people he'd nearly caused the death of - however large the role he'd played in the event. They'd made their choice; perhaps Ghes had been foolish to go along with it. But there had been the righteous aspect of bringing Cain to justice. Yet misplaced perhaps, as the Admiral had escaped his noose and actually revealed it to be a noose of her own, leaving open the trailing ends while retreating to parts of the quadrant unknown.

He thought again of Cavit and their ridiculous meeting and subsequent intimate encounter... How foolish had he been? His new helm officer? Denobulans were known to indulge, but he felt he'd crossed a line somewhere. He made an uneasy promise with himself not to get so 'involved' again; emotionally, intoxically, or otherwise.

"Do you feel better?" Saryn asked.

Surprised at Saryn's approach, Ghes glanced at the chronometer, finding that twenty minutes had passed. Yes, the headache had abated. He still felt rough around the edges; sleep deprived, fuzzy headed... too much real alcohol. "Yes," he said, "Much. My impulses are a fault, Doctor; sometimes, in the eyes of others." He glanced around at the buzzing equipment of sickbay, suddenly and acutely aware of the sterility of this place. "If you'll permit it, I'll return to duty."

<Tag Saryn>

He glanced at Tiana and Savin again, the responsibility of command weighing him down, in parallel with his disorganised thoughts. He missed his wife. "Have a good day, Saryn," he nodded and walked from sickbay, heading to the bridge before a further sojourn on Starbase, where he expected to be briefed on the Enzio's new mission in the following hours.

<Tag All>

[Tiana Galwyn Cet]

"May I sit with him?”

"Of course commander, he looks pleased to see you." Saryn gestured towards the bed. "Commander, there is no need for you to ask me if you can see him. If he does not desire to meet with you, he is perfectly capable of informing you of such a time."

Tiana managed a small smile at Saryn’s words although it felt as if someone had jammed her heart in a vice. She walked over to Savin’s bedside, she was careful not to sneak up on him. The last thing she waned to do was either make him jump or trigger a warrior instinct to try to defend himself in a manner he wasn’t currently capable of.

Tiana was no medic but she knew enough anatomy to understand the gravity of the damage that had been done to Savin. It had been done when he had volunteered to go with her too. That traitorous thought rattled through her head, she had fought to banish it and others like it but they would not go away. She wished she could take his pain herself rather than see him suffer. But if that had happened then that would put Savin in this chair worrying about her and she would not wish that on him either.

Meanwhile, Savin struggled to sit up a little, though it was clear it was costing him a fair amount of energy. "How do you feel?" he asked, reaching out to take her hand. "Please Tiana, do not feel guilty. I chose to go with you, neither of us saw this coming. But, my father tells me that I will make a full recovery. I may be able to walk again, in a day or two."

Tiana forced a smile. Yes, he was telepathic but he knew her well enough now that it wasn’t as if he actually needed to read her mind to know what she was thinking. Maybe once that idea would have scared her but now it felt so right. Her smile became genuine at Savin’s words.

“I am fine, I have eaten and slept and met the Enzio’s new CNO, she’s quite a character. I am also pleased to see you are getting better.” She sighed knowing her smile had faded but she wouldn’t lie to Savin, “You’re right have been blaming myself I know it’s illogical and irrational and I really should blame Admiral Cain. I do blame her by the way I’m not trying to take all the blame myself. But I keep wondering if there was something I could have done, or something I should have seen…”

She let her words trail off and then shook her head. “I am glad to hear you’ll make a full recovery.” Her smile returned to genuine level and she couldn’t stop herself squeezing Savin’s fingers just a bit. “We’re on shoreleave, I’ve sorted out the Science Department so if you are happy for me to stay I will be here as long as you like. How are you? It’s good to properly talk to you again,” She blushed a touch “I’ve missed you terribly.”

Tag: Savin

Tiana looked up and saw Ghes looking at her though the screens around Savin’s bed, then the Captain looked away and left sickbay. He did not look happy. Tiana wasn’t sure what that meant, she suspected it was something to do with his drinking earlier.

[Gheskori]

The commander's lounge in the operations centre of Starbase 47 opened up, the luxurious light from within seeping out into the flag officers' lobby. Gheskori strode out, eclipsing the light for the instants the doors remained open before they sealed shut with a gentle hiss.

If his face had been pale earlier that morning - from the alcohol consumption, the previous night etc. - it was positively a white sheet now. Another Enzio officer, a command division lieutenant he'd temporarily appointed as his aide, met him at the exit of the lobby where it joined with a wide, mostly empty concourse that turned about this high part of the Starbase.

"How did it go, sir?"

Ghes glanced distractedly at the lieutenant. "I've been promoted." He briefly pointed out the square-enclosed pip on each collar edge, "Rear Admiral Gheskori. And we have a new mission."

The aide wisely kept his silence as they strode together along the passageway, portals set into one wall overlooking the dock where several starships of various configuration were parked, silent behemoths, moored in null gravity in their bays. A Galaxy class vessel dominated the sight, its lights twinkling in the darkness.

Ghes could of course only divulge the details of their new assignment to his senior staff, when all was made ready and the other vessels making up the organic squadron had assembled from their various locations. The USS Sparta was still a few parsecs out thus there was still a while to wait.

"Congratulations, sir," the aide offered quietly as they entered a turbolift.

"Thanks." Ghes was wilting. Still feeling uneasy, hungover - psychological perhaps, because Saryn had administered his physician's cures - and he'd had to stand in front of several Admirals and accept a sudden promotion to become one of their number, in order to lead a makeshift task force on a mission the importance of which was still being evaluated. Commodore Telava of the Sparta would have to follow his lead.

"Where are we going now, sir?" the lieutenant asked, living up to his growing reputation as a blind sheep.

"To meet our new tactical officer."

"O'Mannin was reassigned?"

They stepped out of the turbolift, now at the level of the docking ring, not too far from the Enzio. "Command disagreed with my evaluation that he'd become a trustworthy asset. They think because of his Cardassian upbringing and training he could've compromised Federation security. They've placed him in reserve until further notice."

Just as Ghes stopped speaking he found his new officer. The man was sat with his back to them. "Ensign Rogers?" The officer hesitated then spun around. "I'm Rear Admiral Gheskori of the USS Enzio." The vocalisation of the rank felt strange on his tongue. "I'm your new commanding officer. It'll be a pleasure to serve with you." He offered a handshake to the Ensign; despite Denobulans' dislike of physical contact.

<Tag Jake Rogers>

[Deleted]

:::Four days ago:::

The shuttle-ride aboard the runabout Sicily was relatively uneventful. Thankfully the Sicily was large enough that the two week trip would not be entirely cramped. Mostly, she was hauling cargo, likely bound for Jake's new assignment, the USS Enzio. Jake had just graduated from the academy only several weeks ago. As per usual, he had been granted some shore leave while Command processed his assignment. Having done fairly well at the academy, he wasn't overly nervous about where he was getting posted. Jake just hoped that it was out exploring deep space. Surely enough, Jake was assigned to Section 47 and from that point assigned as the Enzio's Chief of Security. He was surprised to get such a high profile job on his first go. He was successful in completing the bridge officer's exam at the academy, so obviously Starfleet thought he had the necessary qualifications to man such a post, but Jake was nervous. With such a position came great responsibility. Jake was up for the task, but that didn't beat the nervousness. 

:::Present:::


Jake stepped off the runabout into the main shuttlebay of the Enzio and proceeded to the logistics chief on duty, who provided him with directions to his quarters and general orders. His first duty shift wasn't until the next day, so he would have plenty of time to get acclimated to the ship. He made a brief stop to his quarters before proceeding to get acclimated to his favorite place on a ship, the mess hall. He proceeded to the mess hall. Upon entering he walked over to the replicator and got an iced tea. He had not yet decided on what to eat, so he made his way over to a table overlooking space and sat down.

Only minutes later, a Denobulan admiral approached him and said, "Ensign Rogers?" 

Jack stood to attention and the admiral introduced himself, offering a hand to shake. Upon realizing it was his commanding officer, he promptly shook his hand and returned to attention. "It is an honor to meet you, sir."

[Gheskori]

"The honour is mine, Ensign." Ghes shook Rogers's hand as much as he thought was socially acceptable among humans, before withdrawing his hand in discomfort. It felt fitting to properly welcome his new officer in the custom the latter would expect, but as per Denobulan custom he didn't want to prolong it for longer than necessary.

"When did you reach the Starbase?" he asked, sitting at the Ensign's table. Ghes's aide lingered for a while before wandering off, without indication to do so. "Have you had a chance to meet any of the other senior staff?" Ghes's sudden laidback style of conversation may have caught the Ensign offguard. Could have something to do with the admiral's pips on his collar, he supposed.

"Is this the first time you've been on a Prometheus class vessel... Have you had a chance to meet any of your tactical staff or any other crewmembers?" he said. The questions kept coming, but Ghes wasn't going to let the expected recoil time between question and answer - which had thus far been filled with silence - put him off. Drinks came by for the both of them, Ghes having signalled to a passing waiter who would know what Ghes would want.

<Tag Rogers - in any of the above>

"Synthehol, for the both of us," he nodded, clinking glasses, "I hope you like the taste." Ghes took a small sip and lowered his glass to the table, blinking, slight discomfort crossing his features. Suddenly his face became animated again - that moment of uncertainty swept away in the universal urge to experience - and he continued talking with his new tactical officer.

The meeting was strange, for the both of them, Ghes hazarded to think; for Rogers, as he might not have been expecting an Admiral, even a Denobulan Admiral to disregard rank as if it were a mere perturbation in an otherwise level plateau of professional personae; and for Ghes, because he was welcoming yet another new crewmember and having a drink - this time however, with much lower stakes and in a completely different social scenario.

His aide returned eventually, the Admiral holding a hand up in apology to Jake as the aide whispered a message in Ghes's ear. "I understand." He stood, "It has been a pleasure meeting you, Ensign. Do enjoy the rest of your shore leave."

<Tag Rogers>

Once they were out of the eating area and in a secure location, Ghes commed his first officer. "James? I hope I'm not interrupting. Please report to my ready room on the Enzio in thirty minutes. Shore leave shorter than expected, we have new orders."

<Tag Matthew>

[James T Matthew]

Scene: S-B Assailant
Once they were out of the eating area and in a secure location, Ghes commend his first officer. "James? I hope I'm not interrupting. Please report to my ready room on the Enzio in thirty minutes. Shore leave shorter than expected, we have new orders."


Scene: USS VALHALLA, Deck 3 Entering Turbo lift

“Cmdr Matthew making his Rounds of the ship was thinking to himself as he made his way to the Turbo Lift heading for the bridge’

“Matthew currently with the ship was in dry-docking. Repairs were going well and were within the scheduled timeframe. We now have a new Chief of Security on board an Ensign Rodgers I have not had a chance to read over his service record but fleet Personal would not have assigned him to the ship if he could not handle the job”

Scene: USS VALHALLA, Main Bridge

As the Doors to the Main Bridge Matthew could see a young guy was almost asleep when the nerving sound of a turbo lift doors open and he could see the ship XO Stepping on to The Bridge Status Ensign the young officer Look Puzzled “

“James Just joking with Ensign the ship in Space dock is the Admiral in his ready room

“Young Ensign Yes Commander He reported back on board 24 minutes ago James walk on to the ready room door an press the button then a Chime sound went off you could hear Admiral Gheskori Voice come in .

< Tag. Ghes >

[Gheskori]

Ghes was listening to Tchaikovsky when Matthew entered his ready room. The fourth symphony rose and fell about them, the music configured for multi-surround - instruments sounding from particular corners of the room; the horns from near the entrance, most of the strings from the left and right sides - so as to create the feel of being amongst a live orchestra.

Unfortunately Ghes was not partial to the human composer's music; too abrasive, a peculiar sense of emotion inside it that he suspected was derived from a particular Earth culture. He couldn't relate to it, because Denobulan music was essentially atonal, at least to human ears.

The combination of propagating sound waves - the set in human terms whose integer values were exactly divisible by another set of wavefronts and therefore in phase, and consonant to human ears - were interpreted entirely differently by the Denobulan mind. Thus to 'compensate' for this difference in aural perception, Denobulan music was necessarily built around principles of symmetry. The underlying basis of its tonality relied on exactly dividing intervals to give non-dissonant sound, up to the next tone that carried the same mode of vibration as the starting one. Ghes had heard humans referring to the 'flattened fifth interval' - apparently quite dissonant - whenever he'd played Denobulan classics in their presence.

"Can you turn it down a bit, sir?" Matthew asked politely. Ghes nodded, adjusting the volume to near silence - a gentle blaring and tinkling evoking images of grandiose palaces and soldiers trudging to war - and offering the seat opposite to Matthew.

He paused for a moment, mind whirring but his eyes betraying little of this. "Ah yes. The promotion." He sat back, turning a padd over in his hands as his XO studied him. Ghes's shock was mixed with a looseness of the mind as if these were issues he'd barely been able to concentrate on. Eventually he went on, "I've just had a rather intense three hour meeting with the Admiralty. I've come out of it with a promotion and the command of a four ship task force. We're to head to the site of a distress call sent on high priority emergency channels from the Domusara Research Facility."

"Domusara?" Matthew asked. Ghes didn't blame him for potentially having misheard.

Ghes nodded, pursing his lips. "Fifteen lightyears from Earth. Hence the four ship squadron. The force is still being assembled. The USS Sparta under Commodore Telava is due to arrive here in four hours; the other two are support vessels - a light destroyer and a merchant - and already in the vicinity."

Matthew seemed to comprehend; it explained why Gheskori had received his promotion: so that he could take effective leadership of the task force over Telava on the Sparta. "Do we have any further information? Did the distress call include a subspace comm signal?"

"Yes... But details are uncertain. We're not sure what exactly has transpired at Domusara." Ghes stood up, paced, turning Tchaikovsky off entirely. "In the worst case scenario we could be facing a very large threat, and right on Earth's doorstep."


OOC: New mission thread opening tomorrow - put in what you wish here before we get started!

[Deleted]

Meeting the CO was always a real pleasure, but for it to be an admiral, that was even better. Serving on the flagship of any admiral was an honor, to be sure. He hoped he could live up to the challenge. Usually admirals were only assigned to high profile missions, so Jake was quite happy to have been assigned to the Enzio. Now that he had met Admiral Gheskori though, it was time to get to business.

Jake decided it was best to go through the files and reports that regarded his security personnel. In his office, he began to go through what he assumed were the usual numbers: service records, known reprimands, medical conditions, and the like. It was the first step of many that he assumed as his responsibilities as the Chief of Security. He would also need to become an expert in the layout of the Enzio. Compared to other classes of starships, the Prometheus class was slightly smaller than average, but with that said, she was armed to the teeth. The Prometheus was a Tactical officer's dream. She had all the latest bells and whistles, top tier phaser banks, the usual shield systems, advanced sensors, and as many torpedoes as she could carry. It was heaven.

All in all, Jake was excited by his new assignment and he looked forward to all the missions he would be partaking in.