"Wargames?"

Posted on Sat Jun 29th, 2019 @ 6:15am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: SB1
Timeline: a few months ago.
2374 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Ledeya Ehestri was more nervous about this meal than she was about the command meal that had been arranged for the next day. This meal was meeting people that she only knew by reputation or by only being seen on screen or hologram. The only thing that this meal had going was how informal it was and the fact it was in a good restaurant that her Security Chief had arranged, who would have known the other Betazoid loved pan asian food so much.

She glanced up from the PADD as the old fashioned door opened on the restaurant.

Jane entered, everything about her appearance perfectly crisp. Even her hair which was normally misbehaving ever so slightly, had been slicked back and coiled into the perfect bun. She’d kept her wedding ring on, she didn’t think it would draw any attention as it was a simple band, but she really hadn’t wanted to remove it when she’d gotten dressed.

“Hello,” She gave a small smile to the only occupant of the table. “And the boys are always complaining about how long it takes the women to get ready.”

The stains on her shirts and cargo pants showed the fact that Mayterial didn’t bother to change into another outfit to attend this meeting. Her presence had been requested here, as part of her acquittal she was expected to involve herself more in local affairs by associating with the Starfleet presence there. Her lawyer had told her to accept this deal otherwise the non-guilty verdict probably wouldn’t stick. She took off the leather jacket and threw it over the back of a chair to claim it as her own before lifting the sunglasses from her face and hanging them off the front of her shirt, “Evening,” she made an effort to give an effortless smile and reached out a hand to the unknown Starfleet officer at the table, having already met Ledeya on two of the worst days of her life, “Mayterial Droz, Captain of the civilian starship Fawkes.”

“Hello, Mayterial.” Ledeya said with a small smile glad to see that she had taken the offer to join them. It had been made to several civilian ships in the local area.

“Jane Saulitis of the Majestic,” she took the hand. “Looks like it might be quite the turnout for Captains.” Privately she thought it was amusing that so many of them had come together for basically a game. She knew it was more important than that however and had no desire to share that thought out loud.

Jon had only just got his own boat and suddenly he was invited out for a meal with people he didn't know. He was a little nervous but had graciously accepted the invitation. The restaurant sounded interesting. He walked in and the waiter directed him to the appropriate table. Pulling his blue shirt down in an attempt to look a bit smarter, he walked over and smiled. “Ladies. Jonathan Reynolds. Thank you for the invite.”

“Hello, Jonathan. Nice to meet you in person.” Ledeya stood up and held out her hand to shake ignoring the confused look around the civilian Captain joining them to her newest ship in Task Group B. He had only joined barely days before on his way to the Proving Ground so it was a baptism by fire to sat the least

Jonathan shook her hand and smiled. “A pleasure to meet you too. So how is everyone this fine evening?” he asked. He was a lucky bloke it seemed, surrounded by beautiful woman so far and in a restaurant that by the smell of things was going to be a very good meal.

“The usual. Casual dining between moments of pure terror.” Jane gave a small smile though it was kind of how she viewed this event. She’d been hitting the gym extra to handle the nerves.

Mayterial cocked an eyebrow at the comment, these were supposed to be the elite of Starfleet and within five minutes one had admitted to being terrified by a casual dinner. She, on the other hand, thrived in social settings. Had she had time and the inclination to prepare for the occasion it would have been a very different dinner indeed, “about as well as you can expect from a court ordered dinner” she gave a crooked, playful, smile and extended her hand to the man to introduce herself as well.

Jon shook the offered hand. One was nervous, one far more the social butterfly he could sense. “Well it's still dinner out and interesting company right?” he stated.

She was late, and it ate at her very organized soul. Captain Phoenix Lalor entered, dressed in casual clothes for her of slate grey slacks with a pale blue silk blouse. Her hair, normally up, was down. She looked around, noting the decor and wished again she had been on time. Her grey boots clicked as she walked forward. “Ah.. am I in the right place? Captain Phoenix Lalor, from the Elysium.”

“I certainly hope so,” Adamya Ryon answered as he followed Phoenix into the restaurant. He was dressed casually, but very neatly. Missing was the earring the most Bajorans wore, but Ryon completely ignored. He had met a few of the Captains in the room personally, served with Ledeya, and knew the rest by reputation as commanding officers.

Jane was happy to see two faces she recognized, among all of the strangers. She gave Ryon a small smile and glanced toward the door again as it opened.

Neil took a deep breath, as he looked in the establishment. It was easy to see which party was the one he was expected to attend. For a brief second, he had considered turning around and leave; he hated events like this. It would be even easier to send his best regards and well wishes, before anyone saw him, and depart. “And that would be a waste of a perfectly good babysitter,” he sighed. Being the single father of three children and running a starship, a moment like this didn’t happen often for the man. He took a deep breath as he grabbed and door and stepped in. He nodded to a few of the faces he knew, as he ordered a drink from the bartender.

He was about to approach the table when he felt a familiar arm reach around and grab his arm, “oh thank god,” he muttered, “and here I thought I’d have to attend this
thing alone.” He grinned, as he turned to face Alexis.

“You asked me to come with you. You can explain to my Captain.” Alexis stated as she spotted Ledeya noticing them stood at the bar. If it had been any other Betazoid it would have been easier but the woman wasn’t telepathic as far as she could tell.

“Well you're stuck now,” he laughed, “cause if you leave me here, I’ll flush you out an airlock,” he joked. “It was either here, or babysitting the kids,” he added. He gestured to the table, “after you.” As the two Officers approached the group Neil smiled, “evening everyone,” he paused as a familiar face stood out, “Liam,” he asked?

“No sorry Jon. You're my brothers CO yes,” the half Betaziod reasoned. “Is he behaving himself?”

“Well that makes more sense,” he commented, “and he’s doing well,” Neil opted not to add any more details; uncertain of what the man knew. Neil reached for a chair, as he pulled it out for Alex, “you want something to drink,” he asked.

The Security Officer in question just nodded as she sat down careful to maintain her grace as she did despite the stares. “Usual please Neil.” She said softly before Ledeya spoke up in a teasing tone.

“I didn’t realise we could bring dates?” She said so only the Task Group Executive Officer and her Chief Security Officer could hear.

Jon sensed something pass between the women in front of him, but he couldn’t put his finger on it or hear what was said. He decided it was wise to go to the bar and the boys stick together. “I’ll give you a hand. Anyone else like a drink?” he asked.

Phoenix after her initial entry moved off to the side and stood in silence looking around. She was not feeling very sociable at that point in time. Seeing the Commodores enter, one, with a date, had made her wonder if she should have conned her XO into coming with her, just for someone to talk to, she highly doubted they would appreciate her actual boyfriend being present.

“I’ll take a strong raktajino,” Ryon replied to Jon. Looking over to Phoenix, he decided to give a courtesy nod as she looked to want to be alone for the moment. He then noticed his former doctor from his XO days aboard the Cosmos, walking towards Ledeya, he teasingly whispered, “My invitation didn’t say plus one, did yours?”

“No, and that is my Security Chief,” Ledeya whispered back just as teasingly.

Mayterial had sat back and observed the group as more and more people were added to the equation. Cogs in her head spinning almost immediately. She had to stop herself from concocting some half assed plan to con one of these people out of an artefact or two they were bound to have in their quarters. She got up from the seat as one of the women separated herself from the group. She needed something to distract herself from ill-conceived notions of ‘liberating property’, “Phoenix huh, that's an amazing name.”

Phoenix looked up. “Yes. It's actually my middle birth name. I changed it when i was 16.”

“Could’ve done worse,” Mayterial nodded giving a smile, “could’ve been Gertrude.” She motioned towards the bar, “can I get you something to drink?”

Phoenix considered it. “White wine would be nice. And my first name? It's Penelope”

“Mayterial, people call me May.” She leaned in towards the bartender to order two white wine. Penelope wasn’t a terrible name, so there was probably more to the name change. Something to figure out on a dull sunday morning. She brought the two wine glasses back to the corner Phoenix was holding up in, “there you go” She handed her the glass and raised it in cheers, “to the undying flame.”

“Ha” Phoenix said with a smile and clinked her glass. “So, you are a Civilian Captain? Which Ship?”

“The Fawkes.” Earlier that year it would’ve filled her with pride to pronounce the name, now May knew there would be judgement when someone heard that name. It didn’t matter to her, she knew the truth. She took a sip of her wine gauging the reaction from the Starfleet captain.

“Ah after that bird in the book... the.. One about wizards? My apologies, my Earth Literature is not the best...Harry Potter yes?”

“Not specifically, though it is a funny coincidence and oddly fitting.” Mayterial had chosen the name for a myriad of reasons, most of them rather adolescent in nature. A rebellious middle finger to the authorities back on Earth, “So if you’re not Terran, where are you from exactly?”

“Erisia. It's a distant planet out past Klingon and Romulan space.” Phoenix said. “It's an independent non Federation system. Nothing much there. It has some trade with the Federation and they have applied for membership but it won't happen.”

There was quite a lot of meta communication going on in that statement and it really upgraded the curiosity factor of May in this woman, it seemed she had picked the right person to start up a conversation with, “well, maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

Phoenix’s lips twitched. “Believe me, the Federation would be better off asking the Jem'hadar to join.”

May snorted a bit with laughter as she tried to cover it up by immediately taking another sip of the wine, this was definitely something she’d need to investigate later, get something positive out of this whole court ordered ordeal.

“One Raktajino,” Jon said returning from the bar and handling it to other man. He took a seat and a sip of his beer wondering what he had missed.

Phoenix glanced at the man beside them. “Ah a new club member” she said, her federation standard was as had been noted, tinged with a lyrical note.

Jon smiled at her and nodded, “I guess so. Jonathan Reynolds, nice to meet you,” he extended his hand out to her.

“Phoenix Lalor.” She shook his hand.

Neil returned from the bar with two drinks, setting one in front of Alex he looked over the table. “So who brought us all here together,” he stated, “certainly it wasn’t the terrific,” he joked, “company.” He smirked, “oh yes that was me,” he pointed to the padds that sat in front of everyone.

He sipped his drink, “before you lays the plans for a simulated Wargame that each of you will be a part of,” he added, “our fearless leader was suppose to be here to go over this, but I think Greg got lost when he passed the dabo tables. Needless to say, we have a bit of fun, and what you might call a team building exercise. So give it a glance then we will go over it. ”

“War Games?” Phoenix bit back a human swear word. But the word that escaped her was in her native tongue and she was glad that no one understood it. She grimaced. “You know the Elysium is more diplomatic than combat right?”

“And every ship will have a piece to play in the puzzle,” Neil nodded, “even the Diplomatic one, Captain.”

Phoenix sighed. Her XO was gonna have a fit.

Jon pulled his padd towards him and quipped, “I thought this was just dinner, didn’t realise I was going to have to “saddle up” he grinned. He hoped they didn’t have an unfair advantage all knowing each other a bit more than he knew them. Or maybe that might just be helpful to him he mused.

OFF