Speeches and Unfurled Sails
Posted on Tue Aug 6th, 2024 @ 2:36pm by Commander Rovak & Ambassador Oriath Velt & Lieutenant Commander Alex Flynn & Lieutenant Atna & Llaudh Drusilla Creon & Rear Admiral Abhishek Singh & Lieutenant T'Vath & Lieutenant Onda Duros & Lieutenant JG Ga-Tirothai & Ensign Iskvrrfth & Ensign Talar Thayn & Master Chief Petty Officer Marcus Grey Horse & Doc & Freddie & Doctor Tref & Counselor Isha Bluke & Centurion Irago Artolonok & Centurion D'Dora Mirok
Edited on on Tue Aug 6th, 2024 @ 2:58pm
966 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
Startup Sequence [0]
Location: Docking Lounge, Alpha Dock, DS13
Timeline: 1800 hours - MD15
Alpha Dock’s lounge was filled with everyone ranked Lieutenant JG or above from DS13, the Qaraqorum and the T’Pol. Every pair of hands, flippers or other motivating limbs applauded as Rovak finished his prepared remarks.
Now he had given them, the Commander felt they were agreeably concise and the reception to them was better than he expected, having had them written for him. It gave the Ambassador a chance to get up laughing, pat him on the back, and take over the lectern. The leonine diplomat began in good humor. Velt complimented Rovak, discussed the state of the galaxy, and mission of Deep Space 13. He thanked the Romulans, and the visiting crews for their stewardship and tireless work, respectively.
Everyone stood to watch except the Sheliak Ensign Iskvrrfth, who clung to the mezzanine balcony’s edge with his strong insectoid limbs.
“And so, in the furtherance of this station’s mission, I am proud to announce the return of a hero, one of Starfleet’s originals. As the station’s assigned garrison craft, the USS Faraday, NCC-868.” Velt gestured out the window behind him, where the Oberth-class ship was suddenly illuminated.
“Now some may question the wisdom of putting a ship more than 200-years old into service, but I’m told Admiral Singh is wagering his reputation on the latest refit and how it makes the Oberth sound for light duties for another twenty-five years at least.” Velt announced as the applause the ship died down. "And it doesn't help that we're running out of NCC numbers." Velt said to polite laughter, mostly from the Engineers.
Velt led a toast, and the speeches section of the evening was concluded. An orchestra waiting in the slimmer window-adjacent section of the upper mezzanine began to play Andorian lounge music. Rovak struck up a conversation with Admiral Singh, and the two discussed their thoughts on the Odyssey class, the security concerns in the sector, and their thoughts on the nature of the mysterious station itself.
Ambassador Velt joined the conversation, and Rovak excused himself to visit the bar when the Caitian pointed out his empty drink.
The Vulcan took a moment to study the best route to the bar. In truth he hoped to avoid as many conversations as possible, he only intended to make his presence known and retire for the evening. He noticed the Andorians seemed to be grouping together, with the exception of Ensign Thayn, who was talking to the Romulan Centurion, Artolonok.
Rovak passed between two further clusters of attendees, one dominated by a robust discussion between Lieutenants Ga-Tirothai and T’Vath while their comrades watched on, and another cluster that was mostly scientists and deck crew mingling politely.
Alex hadn't found herself in a conversation with anyone, and she was of the opinion that she shouldn't have anything to drink at an affair with so many in attendance. Across the room she noticed an old friend from the academy who was serving on the Qaraqorum, and tried to navigate the sea of bodies to say hello.
Ambassador Creon kept Centurion Mirok close, and did not mingle except to exchange a few pleasantries with Ambassador Velt. Creon was hoping for the fastest exit she could tactfully make, but all her people had instructions to stay and fraternise.
Atna had been standing alongside Chief Grey Horse, and after they'd caught up on each other's lives since the last time they'd seen each other, they began to discuss the local stars. Dr Tref joined them when he moved past and overheard the topic.
At the bar Rovak found Lieutenant Alph on duty, supported by the hologram Freddie, and Morale officer Isha Bluke, who was spending more time chatting to Lieutenant Onda than she was preparing or serving anything.
Rovak took a glass of synthale and moved towards the lift to the upper level, he nodded to Ensign Ubia and Warrant Officer Seth as they passed, stepping off the lift as he got on. At the top, looking over the railing, he found Doc, the long-term medical hologram who he’d seen making the most of the station’s extensive holoprojection system.
“May I join you, Doctor?” Rovak asked, though he took position next to the hologram.
“Certainly, sir. Always a pleasure to drink with the skipper.” Doc offered his drink to Rovak, who tapped his own against it in the human fashion.
“Are you enjoying your evening, Doctor?” Rovak asked the hologram.
“I certainly am. Those Romulans are quite charming, you know. Back in my day they had no reason to even be polite when you came face-to-face with ‘em.” Doc said, taking a sip of the holographic mint julep he held.
“Times have certainly changed. It took the worst galactic disaster in living memory, but they finally have something resembling freedom from their own culture of paranoia. It may only be a matter of time until they join the Federation.” Rovak mused.
“On the subject of my day, it’s a peculiar feeling seeing the Faraday again. She was already well-seasoned when I.. well, when my selfsake joined Starfleet.”
“Do you have memories of her?” Rovak asked.
“She made first contact with the Tholians and the Trill, more than fifty years apart. It’s not on record if I ever went aboard, but you’ve seen one Oberth, you’ve seen ‘em all.” Doc said.
“It should serve us well.” Rovak said, pretending not to see Ambassador Velt’s efforts to get his attention from below. “If you will excuse me, Doctor, I must alight.” Rovak said, finishing the last sip of his ale, and leaving it to be recycled in one of the replicator alcoves.
He left moving straight to his quarters, unwilling to be distracted from his objective of sleep.
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