Promotions are us - PT 3

Posted on Thu Dec 26th, 2019 @ 8:54am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant JG Nerinath zh'Rhilror [Lalor] & Cadet Junior Grade Triston Montgomery [Lalor] & Miran Lalor [Lalor] HRH & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Commander Aurelia Taylor & Lieutenant JG Gallia Norris & Commander Sthilg & Commander Arrianna Salannis an Vantar & Lieutenant Carter Smith & Ensign Olivia (Carter) Voight & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Ensign Lunara Hol & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor] & Legate Imik S'Niohun [Lia Taylor] & Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Deck 16 - Grand Ballroom
4884 words - 9.8 OF Standard Post Measure

Phoenix looked at the rest. "Please congratulate our fellow crew members on their promotions and enjoy the rest of the evening!"

S'hib looked at the box in his hands as it opened, his thumbs slowly pushing the lid aside, wondering if he was still on report. A small grin crept onto his face as the small gold and black pip stared back up at its new owner. "Probably..." He said quietly to himself.

Lia now walked over to S'hib, "Well done there, Lt.Jg. Call it a farewell gift from a grateful Chief, I'm gonna miss you". She held out her hand, to one member of Security she really would miss having around.

"No, you won't," S'hib replied with a smile, snorting out a small chuckle as he looked up from the small box in his hands. "The Elysium's not that big..." He added, gently grabbing her outstretched hand. "Just, don't go hiding away in that new office of yours... Ma'am."

"Me hide? If only I could, but to many people would notice me by my absence". She smiled at S'hib, his natural joy making her wonder at his outlook. "Well you know where deck 44 is, just call in. I may even make you a coffee, just one though. Don't want you to get idea's above your station, Oh and about being on report. Forget it, I had a little word with our Ojnas Officer. She now gets where you're coming from, I think".

"Thank you for that," S'hib said softly, bowing his head towards Holmes. "And I'll probably take you up on that coffee soon... gotta make sure your replicator is working after all." He added while lifting his head slightly, looking at her through his mane, a small smirk on his lips.

For some reason she almost asked S'hib to transfer over to her new department, but decided not to. It would place S'hib in a difficult place, and might make Lt. Comm. Morris feel his department was being raided by it's old Chief. "You don't need to thank me, just don't forget where I am". She blew him a kiss and then turned and headed back to Gary, her mind already thinking on how to get her new department up and running,

With the ceremony finished it was time to leave. Jason said his goodbyes and congratulations as he headed towards the door.

Lia watched Morris leave, strangely she felt betrayed. He hadn't even come over to say thank you or good luck, perhaps giving him command of Security and Tactical wasn't such a good idea after all.

Anje saw this all play out, it really looked to her as though he had just snubbed Lia and her Russian blood boiled. She considered storming over there and slapping the taste out of his mouth, but she didn't want to touch the son of a bitch, so she went to Lia instead, "I'd call that guy a douche canoe, but his level of douchery is far too large, he's more like a douche freighter or something." She said, taking a seat beside Lia and taking the taller woman's hand, "He'll never be you. Hell, he's a lot more likely to become our first friendly fire casualty."

As Anje spoke Lia just listened and nodded, "I recommended him, thought at least he'd say thanks". She squeezed Anje's hand, "His loss, he'll need me before I'll need him". She turned and gave her closest friend a hug, but in truth it was her that needed the hug.

"And, for the record, I don't even know what Auntie is going on about." Anje said as she laid her head on Lia's shoulder, "He is not even that cute."

Turning to Anje, Lia's face wore a puzzled look. "Morris cute? I don't think I've ever seen him smile, and he has that bee's in the mouth look about him. I think Auntie needs her eye's testing, then again maybe I need my head testing for recommending him in the first place".

"I dunno, her eyes must not be that bad, she agreed with me that you're pretty freakin' hot." Anje giggled, "Maybe she just has horrible tastes in men?"

While talking to other members of the crew and trying to come out of his shock, S’hib noticed his new department head leaving early, a quick glance at Lia from across the room buried any surreal disbelief of holding a new rank in his hands. “Excuse me one moment.” He nodded to who was around him, placing his glass down before making his way into the hallway to catch up with Morris.

“Sir?” S’hib called out, stopping just outside the ballroom. “Is everything alright?” He said, his head leaning to one side, a curious concern over his face.

Jason slowed to a stop and looked over his shoulder recognizing S'hib. " I'm fine Ensig.. Lieutenant, is there something you needed?" He asked with his straight face.

"No, just..." S'hib said before stopping, noticing something hidden behind the man's eyes. "If you need help, with anything... just say." He finished, gently nodding at Jason out of respect.

"I will keep that in mind, thank you lieutenant." Jason nodded and turned to continue leaving.

S'hib watched Jason leave, part of him wanting to follow and give the man some company, but instead, he walked back into the ballroom with a slightly sour expression across his long face.

With the event breaking up, Carter staggered off to his quarters and plopped on his couch.

After the ceremony, the gorn returned to his quarters. Despite his best efforts he couldn't sleep and ended up in his chair reading through his large collection of books. Even then he couldn't shake off what he'd seen in the hall. Letting out a sigh he stood up and walked over to his computer and opened up the medical systems. It only took him a minute to book an appointment with the counseling department. He needed to talk to someone.

Lunara was interrupted from her reading by a chirp from her terminal. Seemed someone wanted to set up an appointment. The Gorn... she hadn't had the chance to meet him yet. Unfortunate, since things usually worked better for her once she met her patients. Oh well. Seemed all she could do was wait now.

Alicia hung around at the party for a little while, she wasn’t really feeling in a party mood but she wasn’t going to be rude either. She sat at a table sipping a drink and simply observed people.

After receiving his promotion, Fernando looked about and spotted an attractive woman he hadn't seen before. "No time like the present to introduce myself." He told himself as he walked up to Alicia. "Excuse me. I saw you seated here by yourself and I wanted to introduce myself. I am Fernando De La Rosa." He said with great pride, "May I join you?"

Alicia nodded and smiled not wanting to be rude. "By all means. I'm Alicia Kelea, Congratulations on your promotion."

As he sat, Fernando took her hand and kissed the back of it softly. "Enchanted Alicia Kelea. That has a musical quality to it and thank you on my promotion. It was most unexpected. May I get you something to drink?"

"I already have one, thank you" She tried to hide that he made her blush as he kissed her hand. "So, what is it you do Fernando? I'm the new Chief Counsellor."

"So you do!" Fernando exclaimed happily, "Please forgive my mistake. I was blinded by your radiant beauty and failed to see it." He blinked when she said she was the new Chief Counselor. "You are? Congratulations! I know you will do wonderfully. Me? I am a security officer and the best shot on the ship." He said proudly.

Savar stood alone and did what he usually did. he observed the others around him. He was amazed at how people acted in a crowded area, like they were completely alone and uninhibited. "Fascinating." He whispered.

Alicia blushed again, she wasn't used to compliments especially being new onboard. "The best on the ship indeed!" She grinned. "I bet you say that to all the women you meet!"

A shocked look appeared on Fernando's face. "Indeed I do not my Trill Rose. Fernando is most sincere in both his compliments and your beauty and his marksmanship."

Alicia was slowly being charmed by Fernando, she had to admit he was going all out to make quite the impression. "That's part Trill, I'm also part Betazoid." She sipped her drink, making a point of playing with the straw in the glass.

"A winning combination if I ever heard of one." He eyed her and smiled, "You aren't reading my thoughts are you Alicia?" He grinned.

"Certainly not!" Alicia shook her head. "That is against moral codes and rules, but I can sense your emotions." She grinned. "What should I be sensing from you?"

Fernando looked at her dubiously then smiled, "Why how enamored I am with your charm and grace as well as your personality."

Alicia grinned, she had to admit he certainly knew how to be charming. "Good looks and a charming personality are always a winner Fernando."

Fernando smiled and nodded his head excitedly. "Yes, yes. I think so as well." He smiled again. "Here we are, two peoplewho have just met and we have the same thought. What are the odds? We must be a matched set."

“Here I am winning a little wooden box,” S’hib quipped, gently shaking the dark wooden containing his new rank. “And you’re winning hearts.” He teased, towering past Fernando and Alicia as he clicked his way towards the bar.

Alicia couldn't help but grin and turn red with embarrassment. It was something she hated about herself, she blushed at every embarrassing thing. "Perhaps we are." She finished her drink. "So, what do you normally do with those whose hearts you win?"

Fernando chuckled at S'hib."We go with our strengths." He bantered before turning back to Alicia. "Why, my Betazoid beauty, I treat them like the ladies they are and show them the time of their life or at the very least an evening of it." He winked at her.

Arrianna walked past and caught Fernando's last remarks. "Ascendants, preserve us." She noted as she moved to find Phoenix.

Smirking at Fernando’s comment S’hib held his tongue, wondering where his romantic endeavours would go. “Barkeep!” he snorted, sitting down on a stall at the bar, his long white haired tail flowing down behind him.

Alicia couldn't help but grin at the comments from her shipmates, Fernando was obviously someone who enjoyed showing women a good time. She was wondering whether she should allow herself or not. "So what if I was to let you show me a good time?" She looked at Fernando curiously.

"Ah! That would please me greatly and I dare say you as well my lovely Alicia. You would ascend to pleasure and fulfillment you had only dreamed of. The moment is there for you to grab."

Alicia bit her lip before grinning. "Then I will grab that moment while it presents itself to me."

Upon hearing the two S’hib burst out laughing, a roaring snort like neigh leaving his lips before burying himself into his drink, daring not turn around for fear of laughing more.

Alicia gave S'hib a look. "I'd be careful who you're laughing at, after all he's the one going home with the girl while you're propping up the bar! She grinned as she looked back at Fernando.

S’hib simply spun around on his stool and leant his large equine frame against the bar, his head tilted to the side as he considered the two across from him. “Well... You both could come to mine, but i doubt either of you could handle a Sequus.” He snorted teasingly, looking down over his snout at them both as he sipped his drink, wondering how they'd react to his provocation.

Fernando reached his hand out to help Alicia rise from her chair. "Perhaps another time my Sequus friend however for now I'm afraid you'll just have to dream." he turned back to Alicia. "Come my beauty, your night of enchantment begins."

S’hib gagged on his drink, bursting into laughter mid sip the resulting air blowing into the liquid with explosive result. “Goodness...” He giggled, wiping his chin dry as he watched the two leaving.

Escorting Alicia out, Fernando turned back and winked.

Alicia took a look back as she headed out with Fernando, her gaze went straight towards Savar. She offered a somewhat confused smile before looking away and continuing on her way.

Savar watched Alicia leave with Fernando, his expression unreadable.

Olivia was walking around the room a little observing some of the crew interactions. She went over to the bar and ordered a Raktajino and once she had the drink in hand, Olivia spotted S’hib at the other end and headed his way. “Do I need to put a newly promoted Lieutenant JG in time out?,” Olivia asked.

“I’ve only had one...” S’hib snorted, continuing to sip from his drink. “Least let me get drunk first.” He added with a smirk, turning slightly to face Olivia.

“What about the drink you had earlier?, Olivia asked. “Wouldn’t that count as your first drink and this one your second?”

"Well... I haven't technically finished this one yet," S'hib said lifting his half empty glass. "So... I've still only had one." He protested, his thinly veiled logic barely recognisable as an argument.

Olivia smiled a little as she thought for a moment. “Do I need to have the bartender fix coffee for you instead?,” Olivia asked. Don’t want you having any issues from the drink there big guy.”

"It'll take far more than the two before I start having issues..." S'hib conceded, looking at Olivia from over his glass, the bright yellow wrap around his arm darkened by the spilt drink from earlier. "Can I get you anything?" He offered.

Olivia held up her drink. “I got one for now, thanks,” Olivia replied. “It will be be a bit before I’m ready for another one.”

“Care to join me until then?” He replied, offering the seat between them. “Someone has to keep an eye on me after all.” He grinned.

“We can keep an eye on each other then,” Olivia replied as she sat down beside S’hib. Why do I get the feeling that your nervous around certain people?”

“Im always nervous to some degree,” S’hib answered softly. “Just a... quirk of my people I suppose.” He added, unsure of what to really say or do.

Olivia smiled up at S’hib. “Maybe socializing a little more will help with that over time, big guy,” Olivia replied softly. “Can’t expect it to happen all at once.”

“I think i've spoken to more people today than I have done since I came aboard all those months ago.” S’hib sighed, feeling exhausted from it all, let alone his promotion... It was simply too much.

“It doesn’t happen all at once, big guy,” Olivia replied. “It takes a bit of time and practice.” Olivia took a sip of her drink. “You could always come visit with me some when you want a little socialization. I’m still trying to understand some of the stuff I learned while at the conference and there might be a few things you could help me understand better.”

S’hib cocked his head at this, bemused and intrigued that there would be conferences about his people, but then again... they had only just joined the federation. “Well, what can I help with right now?” S’hib asked, setting his drink aside and giving her his full attention.

“One of the things I am trying to understand a bit better is some of the social aspects of your race in the way the males and females interact with one another,” Olivia replied. “Do the males and females only socialize within their herd or do they socialize with others as well.”

“We don’t strictly stay to our own herd, after all, that is how new ones form,” S’hib replied, leaning against the bar. “But every heard has to have a matriarch, and at least one male... though herds do share since about eight out ten of Sequella’s population is female.” He finished, curious that Olivia had taken such a keen interest in his people.

"I will have to remember that," Olivia said. "Are you the only one currently serving one a ship? Or are there others as well?"

"I think there were a few others that started the academy after me, but I haven't been in contact with any of them," S'hib said, shifting his weight again. "Why do you ask?" He added curiously.

Olivia smiled a bit as she looked up at S’hib. “I wasn’t sure if I was going to be the only one with the unique experience in tending to one of your race or if there would be others learning as well,” Olivia replied.

"I'm sure there will be in time... but, who knows, maybe you'll be the first to write a paper on your... unique experience." S'hib quipped, his tongue stuck between his teeth as he smirked teasingly.

Olivia softly laughed. “I have a feeling that you will give me a lot to write about overtime, big guy,” Olivia replied.

"I best be on my best behaviour then," S'hib said just before sipping his drink, trying to hide the dirty smile he had growing.

Olivia laughed a bit more. “I have a feeling that is an even bigger challenge for you,” Olivia said. Olivia did her best to hide her smile by taking another sip of her drink.

"Depends if there is someone being a bad influence..." S'hib replied, looking over the rim of his glass with a mischevious look to him.

“Why do I get the feeling that someone has already been a bad influence on you big guy?,” Olivia asked.

"Whatever gave you that impression..." S'hib said behind a wide grin, quickly glancing around the ballroom to see if anyone else had sulked off.

“I have my ways of finding out,” Olivia said taking another sip of her drink. “You’d be surprised at some of the stuff I find out over time.”

"Oh really? Bit of a detective are we?" S'hib snorted, putting his empty glass down and signalling to the barkeep for another. "I'd be careful though... once you go down the rabbit hole..." S'hib finished with a smirk, gently leaning on the bar with his chin nestled atop a four fingered fist.

“Let’s just say that sometimes crew will talk to a medical officer before talking to a security officer,” Olivia replied. “Sometimes it's their way of delaying the amount of trouble they have to answer for that has been caused.”

"Well, I hope the next person who tries that... you give them a carrot and a pat on the head before sending them my way." S'hib said as he watched his next glass placed down beside him, nodding politely before picking it up and slowly taking the cold glass to his lips.

Olivia softly laughed. “I have a feeling that you would be close by when something does happen,” Olivia replied.

"Oh you think I'm the trouble maker do you?" S'hib snorted, with a slight cough, catching his breath as his drink almost flowed down the wrong hole. "You must have not heard? I'm not on report anymore." He gloated while leaning his head to the side, his mane falling down in front of his face as he looked at Olivia thoughtfully.

“Just because your not on report doesn’t mean that you are not all that far from finding some sort of trouble, big guy,” Olivia replied with a smile.

"Well, It's kinda my job to find trouble..." S'hib replied with a frown, before stopping himself mid sip. "But that doesn't mean, I'm trouble." He added in protest.

“Didn’t say you were, big guy,” Olivia replied with a smile before sipping her drink. “Its possible it finds you without warning at times.”

“That does seem to happen an awful lot...” S’hib sighed, thinking back to his adventures and truly bizarre events aboard the Elysium since joining.

“Like the scar I saw you showed the others earlier?,” Olivia asked.

“Gotta show it off before my coat grows back over.” S’hib replied with a wide smile, curious about how long she had been watching him tonight.

“Just make sure your take care of that area,” Olivia said. “You don’t want it to get infected any.”

“I got you for that.” S’hib replied, chuckling to himself before slowly sipping his drink.

Olivia softly laughed as she shook her head slightly. “What am I going to do with you, big guy.” Olivia asked. “I’m starting to wonder if I need to take your drink away from you and have the bartender bring you some coffee.”

"So you want me drunk and high on caffeine... are you sure you're a doctor?" S'hib teased, turning his head to the side and looking at Olivia through his long white mane.

“Would make for an interesting test to how you reacted,” Olivia said smiling as she took another sip of her drink.

"Do I really want to ask?" S'hib replied, raising what counted for eyebrows for a Sequus.

Olivia softly laughed. “I’m just checking to see if you were paying attention,” Olivia replied. “Can’t be all work and no play big guy.”

"What about playing while at work?" S'hib mused, looking back at the people amongst the ballroom, taking small mental notes of the pockets of groups that had slowly formed.

“It would depend on what type of playing you had in mind,” Olivia said. “Main thing would be not getting into trouble for it.”

"Ahh, yeah I'm not so good at that second part..." S'hib replied, chuckling to himself as he put his glass down. "Kinda hard to sneak around when you have hooves." He added, running his hands up and into his mane, brushing the long hairs off his face.

Olivia softly laughed a bit. “I’m sure you have your ways of sneaking up on someone,” Olivia replied. “Not everyone has a tall as you on their ships.”

"Long legs you see, useful for running... not so much for going under all the damn doors on this ship." S'hib snorted, rolling his eyes slightly at the fact.

Olivia couldn’t help but laugh a bit. “Ship designers didn’t have someone as tall as you in mind when creating the designs for the different ships within Starfleet,” Olivia replied. “They may just have to start taking that into consideration for future designs and refits on the ships.”

"They should design them like my people do, tall and slender... just enough room for two crew to pass one another," S'hib replied before looking back behind the bar. "It's mostly to deny boarding parties the advantage of having superior numbers against first responders..." He continued, slowly becoming distracted by something until he reached over and picked up a menu.

"What about when your medical teams have to get through with some extra equipment for a medical emergency?," Olivia asked.

S'hib looked at the menu hungrily, wondering what to order before glancing back up at Oliva. "We have little alcoves every so often in case equipment or wounded need to be moved, any crew in the way can simply stand aside." He replied, looking back at the menu.

Olivia nodded slightly. "Maybe the design engineers need to get a tour or two of one of your ships to get some new idea's then," Olivia replied.

"As long as they have no problem with humidity and a lack of clothes Starfleet is more than welcome to study our vessels..." S'hib replied, putting the menu down with a gentle slap. "From how curious you've been I suspect you'd enjoy a tour, visiting our medical facilities and such." He added, smiling softly at the woman across from him.

Olivia smiled a bit as she thought for a moment. "They would survive the humidity," Olivia said. "You took the basic survival courses while at the Academy right? Some of the more advanced ones you have various humidity factors to deal with over the courses." Olivia snagged the menu so that she could look it over for a moment. "I would love to have a tour of your medical facilities should the occasion arise."

"I passed a lot of the humidity and heat courses with ease, its the cold climates I struggle with." S'hib replied, a shiver running down his spine as he remembered some of his training.

"Now why would you struggle with the cold climates, big guy?," Olivia asked. "I would of thought you could handle them if you were able to handle the humidity and heat courses."

"Sequella is a tropical planet, my species evolved to handle the heat..." S'hib replied with a shrug. "Plus hooves aren't the best for icy climates." He added with a defeated smile.

"So no sending you down to an icy planet then huh, big guy?," Olivia asked with a smile. "What you decide on food wise?"

"Just some fresh fruit and vegetables..." S'hib smiled back, looking over at the small wooden box on the counter, his new rank still puzzling him.

Olivia noticed S'hib looking over at the small box that contained his new rank pip inside of it. "You can't stay an Ensign your whole career within Starfleet, big guy," Olivia said. "You are bound to get more promotions over time."

"It's just... a little surreal, you know?" S'hib replied, glancing back at Olivia. "Maybe I should get shot more often..." He said with a dirty grin, looking back at the box.

"You trying to keep me and the others in Sickbay busy, big guy?," Olivia asked with a smile. "If you get shot to often, then the Captain will think your doing it on purpose."

“Well... you know, got to give you something to do In that sickbay of yours, can’t have you stood around doing nothing all day.” S’hib replied teasingly, grinning at medical officer in front of him

Olivia laughed softly as she looked up at S'hib. "I wouldn't be just standing around doing nothing, big guy," Olivia replied. "There are things to still do even when not treating patients."

"I'll have to drop by again sometime, make sure you're telling the truth," S'hib smirked, glancing back around the room. "Plans for the rest of the evening?" He asked politely, a hint of curiosity across his long face.

Olivia softly laughed a bit. “I have a feeling you may be coming by quite a bit,big guy,” Olivia replied. “Your welcome to come by any time. I still have to get settled into my quarters and I may just take time to pester a certain someone for a little while.”

"Pester? Now who might be the one lucky enough to have that honour?" S'hib flirted, looking back around for someone. "Though I can probably guess..." He said, his tongue stuck between his lips again as he caught sight of Lieutenant Casper Thornhill.

Olivia laughed again. “I’m sure you could guess,” Olivia replied. I might as well get him first before he has the chance to get me.”

"I could help..." S'hib said coyly, tilting his glass suggestively towards Casper. "Unless you wanted to pester him in private..." S'hib added, a dirty look to his eye as he glanced back at Olivia and sipped his drink, savouring more than the taste.

“I may take you up on that offer at some point, but I think the first pestering should be done in private,” Olivia replied. “Who knows what might happen over the course of said pestering.”

"Well don't let this old horse keep you..." S'hib winked, content to mull over his drink and his new promotion. "You clearly have your evening planned out." He added, turning himself back to the bar.

Olivia softly laughed a bit. “Your not old big guy,” Olivia replied. “You need to find a bit of fun yourself and not sit here all night thinking too much about your promotion.”

"I'm in no rush..." He said, staring into his drink before finishing it off. "You go have fun for the both of us, I'll be alright." S'hib added, with a small glance and a smile, wondering if he should order his food or not anymore.

“Trust me, I will be having some fun before the night is over,” Olivia replied. Olivia signalled for the bartender to come over. “Get some food into that stomach of yours big guy. That’s an order.” Olivia headed off in the direction of where she had last seen Casper so she could start pestering him a bit.

"Yes, ma'am." S'hib snorted, opening the box and staring at his new rank, a torrent of thoughts crashing against the inside of his skull.

OFF