Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends

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Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends

June 16, 2017, 07:09:34 AM

Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends

[ LCDR Leon Marquez | ENS Jimmy Mariner | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ] Attn: USS Resolve Survivors who want to check in, who aren't otherwise occupied

Faithfully present to lead the weary but rested Lieutenant Commander Marquez to their crew were Jimmy Mariner and his leashed but loyal Pit Bull, "Sharky", who jumped to hug Marquez, expressing his gratitude by licking his hand as if looking for snacks. "Good to see you too, Sharky. Been gaining weight, chucho? Don't worry, you'll get your exercise on this posting. I can guarantee it." Marquez half-smiled, momentarily forcing himself not to think about the eulogy he caught himself rehearsing in the head over at sickbay; when he was over there, not even the fourth time he splashed water on his face then dryed himself with a towel still hadn't washed away the shock of watching the replay of his ship-- his home-- get destroyed. Striker would have to move forward and onward starting right then, at 2330 hours.

Fortunately, Jimmy had "Just the thing for liquid courage". Under the circumstances, it probably wasn't a bad idea to open Marquez's special bottle of Tequila.

Together, the tight-knit survivors had this one opportunity to get their bearings, pay tribute to the fallen and unwind however briefly, before either getting to work or some rest. Mariner seemed relieved to finally unslung the hefty bottle of almost 400 year old Tequila from his trusty knapsack, which finally seemed that much lighter, compared to being jam-packed with data rods and other hand-sized keepsakes he was able to get from the command deck of the late Resolve.

For such circumstances, It was a sort of grim ritual for Starfleet officers to share a bottle of wine or a meaningful champagne, but this Tequila bottle wasn't just the average decade-fermented agave product. This stuff was from the same label that Doctor Zeframe Cochrane himself was said to be fond of. Some enthusiasts and historians attributed the agave product as being the first real ice breaker between Humanity and Vulcan kind on that fateful night back in April 2063. This bottle in particular was originally intended for the end of the Dominion War, but the Battle of Cardassia was too much of a tragedy to celebrate, as were its consequences. Instead, Marquez kept it sealed. Postponed yet again by the adventures aboard the Resolve, it was then deemed to be opened for their return home. By now, there was a practical doubt that would be any time soon...

But at this point in time, just a few minutes before midnight, the crew just needed a drink, the blue pyramid-shaped bottle capped by a copper-cork seal opened with a very satisfying 'Plop!'

Jimmy wordlessly handed a cubic case to Krystal "Meony" Tancredi. Traditionally, he would have made one of his signature flirtatious quips, but the atmosphere in the room was too somber for that. He then took his self-appointed post as bartender next to her. Mariner had taken it upon himself to serve each and every shot glass, being particular on not spilling a drop; Jimmy treated each serving as if it were the last helping of fresh water on a castaway life raft floating at sea while Marquez gave his eulogy.

"I wish there were more of us here to split this fine drink." Marquez began, a shot glass in hand, one of several that had been replicated and issued around to the Resolve staff. "So that someone who can actually give a half-decent speech would have kinder words." Marquez began, regarding Keval first; the Andorian was a trusted friend, and sparring partner, both in the training holoprograms and verbally over lunch. The two had their differences of opinion every now and then but Marquez trusted few others in the center seat aside from Kendrick himself.

"We all expected to be treated as survivors of a great endeavor, with long overdue shore leave and promotions to go with that great big parade down the Golden Gate Bridge. But don't worry, that time will come." Marquez appealed to some locker talk he'd overheard among the Junior officers and noncoms. Back then, Striker himself added to the conversation with his own hopes to play soccer in Mexico City's renowned Azteca Stadium again; he regarded some of these junior officers directly. The solemn regard passed to Veradin, 'Salvo' Havenborn and 'Meony' Tancredi as well. Juorda 'Bookworm' Cloi would have been with the Tac-Conn team and fighter squadron. "There's a time for revenge, and a time for mourning. Right now, this is neither: it's a time for peace... and for healing. So, let's enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow's another day, and let's start it rested and alert. I'd like to dedicate this..."

Marquez cast a thoughtful gaze at Ejek and towards Vivian Martin, mostly protective towards these two but with a sense of tenderness toward them. Therapy sessions and soothing reassurances had helped Striker through rediscovering his humanity under layers of bitterness and harshness; he wished Dr. Lynn was here to express his grattitude to the late CMO. Instead, he concluded his toast in the direction of the goldshirts, Suq, A'vura, Harold and Mariner. Marquez thought the Security Officer offering a glass to the T'fanrell was funny, when the lighter-than-air life form seemed to politely decline the offer; instead, Jimmy filled the Pit Bull's water bowl with the shot glass's worth, but bade Sharky to wait. When those gathered saluted, Sharky followed suit, taking a single lick from the bowl and snorted, before rolling on his back and baring his sharp teeth, as if smiling.

The pause went on for about four heartbeats as the heartfelt tribute settled in. "...To Resolve. Wherever our absent friends are, I'm positive they're putting in a good word for us..." Marquez ritualistically raised the glass, lowered it, outstretched it, then waited until "To absent friends." was echoed before he took his drink in a single shot of Zeframe Cochrane's favorite 'good stuff'.

It was actually smooth going down, but had an aromatic, syrupy aftertaste that had a slow burning, long lasting buzz. It was an 'upper', to be sure. No wonder Zeframe Cochrane swore by this stuff.

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Re: Chapter 10: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #1 – June 17, 2017, 12:47:15 AM

[ Lt. Jg. Suq | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ]

He moved on from the bar after he received his shot, poured personally by Mariner himself. He supposes he should feel honored to be here and alive, or happy at least to see so many of his good friends here. He felt neither. He watched this familiar duo in an unfamiliar lounge for a few moments, trying to superimpose the image of the Resolve's lounge. It just didn't feel right.

His feet dragged on the carpet as his legs took him to the single person here who could comfort him. He made his way over to Jimmy and knelt by Sharky's side. He put his drink down on the ground so he could scratch the lovable, adorable, perfect Terran animal behind the ears, and on the chest, and under his chin. He loves this dog.

"Hey Jimmy." He mumbles, almost too quiet to hear, his face buried in Sharky's body as he gives the hound a hug. He'll listen to the speech like this. Heartbreak, tempered by the softness of dog. Marquez had a better way with words than he likes to admit. Suq can't help but think of the doctor, he worked close with her back when Vivian had gotten injured and needed a new spine. He thought of the officer or crewman, whichever it was, floating helplessly into space, sucked out by the vacuum before the emergency breach barriers kicked on. He thought of Kendrick, the most noble of men hidden under a mask of total normalcy...

He also thought of Ejek, a puzzle of a friend but a friend nonetheless. She understood him better than he understood himself sometimes. Viv, who is still alive and well, boy, the two of them got into so much trouble together. Derik, so tender, he realizes he misses his touch and his company. Jimmy, who is right here next to him right this moment--he can't go on pretending that everyone is just part of one, long, miserable dream. He reaches out and pats Sharky's head, just to assure himself this is real.

His hand left his leg to lift his glass, just as he saw alcohol poured into Sharky's bowl. Almost right away, he had to stifle many urges at once. Dogs can't drink that! He was quiet for the toast, purposely choosing to focus on the dog bowl over Marquez's words. It'd do no good to cry.

He downed his drink, the unique flavor offering him the strength he needed to carry on. He stood up with Sharky's dog bowl and snuck away with it, to wash out the bowl and replace it with good, clean water for the beloved pooch, passing by many a familiar face as he went...

If you like you can feel free to say Suq passed by your character on his way to the kitchen, he'll stop and chat!

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #2 – June 20, 2017, 09:01:00 PM

[ Lt.Com. Martin | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ] Attn:
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“To absent friends” Martin had echoed, before downing the shot. She reasoned it must have made for an interesting first contact day, given what it felt like going down. She coughed slightly as the burn started to set in, a slightly buzzy feeling reaching her head. She didn’t normally indulge in drink of this kind, but for such an occasion it felt reasonable to let loose a bit. So many of her colleagues and friends were here, and yet so many had been lost.

She sorely wished they could have been joined by Dr. Lyhn. Martin and her had been close once, and for some reason that Martin could not pinpoint, the memories hurt even more now than they had earlier. Perhaps it was the subject of the gathering. She regretted never continuing her relationship with Lyhn, wished she could be here now so she could feel Lyhn’s hands on her back as they embraced each other and told each other it would be okay. She missed the nights spend in each others beds, staring out of the viewport at the alien stars they passed. Martin shook her head, no use dwelling on the past. She attributed it to the tequila messing with her head.

As the gathering proceeded and Leon’s toast was over, Martin slumped back in a nearby chair and glanced around the room at those who were still alive. As her eyes alit upon Suq, she remembered the things they got up to, and the strange times they had. There was a time when she had walked into her lab only to see Suq had dismantled a wall, or another time when she had taught him what she knew about creating materials and mixing chemicals. They made a good, if not unconventional pair.

A soft fluttering noise as F’Rell swam through the air nearby turned her gaze upon her, Ejek, and Leon. What good friends they had been, always there for her. Well, except for F’Rell, Martin suspected that F’Rell never quite forgot the cold table she had been examined on. But Leon, such a selfless soul, always a good conversation partner over morning coffee. And Ejek, such an interesting person to talk to, who always seemed to be able to read her like a book. Martin disappeared in these thoughts as she sank ever lower into the chair.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #3 – June 21, 2017, 06:44:56 AM

[ Ens. Krystal "Meony" Tancredi | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ] Attn: LCDR Leon Marquez, ENS Jimmy Mariner, Lt. Jg. Suq & Lt.Com. Martin

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“To absent friends,” Tancredi murmured under her breath, whilst raising the glass and touching it to her lips, allowing only a droplet or two to wet her lips and trickle in a taste of the drink. She was keeping herself...well, not as drunk as she normally would or can get. Then again...she abruptly made a second pull and gulped the whole blessed thing down the hatch. Great drink! Was there more? Ah the heck with it. For now...

She had been helping with the distribution, working with Mariner, whom she cast private smiles at. The heaviness in her heart was becoming more insistent as time passed. The longer it took for Captain Kendrick to contact the Theurgy, the more Marquez's words rang truly. The captain was dead. But until there was bodily proof to go with the eyewitness accounts, she would not accept it as gospel. No, Kendrick had cheated death, time and again. He would do so once more. He had to! He had to see the crew home.

Because if it fell to Tancredi to see to the people...heaven help them all. She was no leader, even if people had cited her capabilities for it. Just like she was no engineer even if she did study for it and had some hands-on experience.

Thankfully they still had the likes of Marquez, Havenborn, Suq...hey, what was Suq doing? He walked past her and she followed him with her gaze, “Suq? Everythin' all raht?”

She had seen a non Resolve crew member earlier with one hell of a rash on his neck, though it looked like it went further down. She hoped there wasn't something in the air. That would be just the absolute limit to what the people, her family, could take. They did not need an outbreak on top of everything else. So sue her if she got a little overprotective of everyone left. Looking Marquez up and down, then Mariner, then Martin. Okay, they looked fine. But anyhow, she decided to go around and ask later. Because there was something else she saw happening: People were going really quiet.

Yeah, she got it. It was a time to honour those lost, but did it have to be a snot-fest? Live in the now, live in the fondest memories. Call it denial, call it detached from reality, but fuck, Tancredi was not going to wallow in silence. Smiling a little, she looked around at everyone gathered, and abruptly spoke, “Ah still remember th'look on Randall's face when Ah first slapped on dat Tetryon turret on th' Fuzzy Flayer without his permission and Ah suckered Harrold ta helpin' me.”

She rubbed the side of her temple with a finger, “Y'all know that vein in da sahd o'his head? Always did kinda look lahk it could explode when 'e was mad as hell, which was all'a tahm. Heh. He chased us all'a way ta Kendrick's shower, dat was awkward.”

It was. It was like sneaking in on your brother's bath.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #4 – June 22, 2017, 07:58:55 AM

"To Absent Friends."

"Aye," Jimmy nodded, after he sharply exhaled a breath; his shot went straight home after mulling over the last three years in the span of a moment. "Ole' Kenny rang for security that day, but I still dunno what was funnier; Seeing the Captain wearing nothin' but the Captain's log his parents gave him, or nearly watching Randall lose his shite, like a bug about to meet a swatter. Ha-ha."

"Anyone else remember that time we had happy hour suspended for a month?" Jimmy followed up with a funny story of his own. "That was me. Sorry about that, Guys, but hey. It was worth it, ey? "

On the USS Resolve, shore leave was not an option soon after they were flung across the quadrant, so the Command Staff approved of an off-hours use of the lounge using a mixture of authentic alcohol and synthahol to maintain both morale and control crew discipline. When Captain Kendrick received a fistful of shaving cream when he unconsciously reacted to having his nose tickled by a feather, the image circulated around the crew for weeks.

"The trick, pulling off the whole stunt, during a routine system diagnostic scan, timed right as the skipper took a nap in the center seat, when security was down. Then finding the right bridge crew likewise fed up with triple shifts willing to look the other way..." Mariner trailed off as he caught Marquez's icy glare and changed his tone from bragging to matter-of-factly, "...then getting the shaving cream in one hand and cup of warm water in the other was, academic. The Camera, though... that was the hard part. The get-away, as it were." Jimmy's smile went on for a minute before he sighed deeply. "I just wish I could've come clean. I was planning on it over Earth Spacedock on my way to shore leave on Los Angeles Island. I owe someone here a surfing lesson." Mariner shifted his foot as he changed positions.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #5 – June 26, 2017, 02:32:39 AM

[ Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya | Lounge Room | USS Theurgy ] Attention: Everyone/Anyone

Keval silently raised his glass from where he stood and took a pull from it as he stood there and listened to the various comments being made about past events and he simply sighed but didn't say anything but.

He was dressed down slightly, having removed his duty jacket and pinned his com-badge to his departmental shirt instead as the best way that he could be comfortable until such time that the members of his and Striker's people could move freely around the Theurgy.

He looked over at Zelosa for a moment and wished that he could get her feelings on the situation as her candor and better understanding of psychology was two of the things that he appreciated about her because at that moment-he was at an honest loss at what to say and while he had been through this before over the past couple of decades..it was still a rough time for him due to the responsibility that had been passed onto him before Striker had been found.

Keval looked down at his small glass of amber liquid and hoped that somehow it would give him some answers to the questions that were rolling around his soul at that moment but he found that it really didn't have any other then it's own form of simple solace.

"You have no idea how badly Kendrick wanted to find out who did that, Jimmy." Keval said with a faint smile crossing his face for the first time in the last few hours. "One theory that I heard come up from one of the relief shifts on the bridge was that it was some kind of new therapy from Ejek here to try and get him to lighten up on the reigns somewhat."

Keval raised his eyes to look around the room and then smiled just a little bit. "As strange as it sounds, I'm glad that we're all in this together..I don't think I could be at my best without you all here..especially you Krystal, constantly egging me on like in the past." he said while raising a glass to the red-haired pilot.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #6 – June 26, 2017, 03:39:53 AM

[ Lt. Jg. Suq | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ]

"Absent friends." Suq mumbled, staring down at his rippled reflection in Sharky's bowl of mildly alcoholic water. His mind kept flipping back in his metaphorical autobiography, back to pages he wanted to tear out and pages stained with tears and blood. Ah, but he had Meony's voice to shake him out of it-- he absolutely adored that accent, especially right now.
"Oh, just getting Sharky some clean water, I'll come right back." He smiled, or tried to. It didn't feel quite right on his face yet, maybe he needed some more shots.

He walked past the crowd and into the kitchen to clean out Sharky's bowl, fill it with new water and little chunks of ice for the hound to chase after and crunch. It was all done nice and quick and he was out of the kitchen in a jiffy, he didn't want to miss the storytelling. He set the bowl down in front of Sharky and scanned the room--his eyes fell on Vivian, slumped in her chair like a sad sack. He felt the way she looked, which was to say, like shit.

It took him a few moments of listening to the talk and thinking to figure out what he should do. How could he cheer her up? Suddenly, the answer became clear to him. Obviously, the answer was to slide on up to Martin's side and sit on her lap, and mope in exactly the same pose she was moping in.
"Wow, what an excellent chair, it just, it fits me perfectly, if only Viv could be here to see just how comfortable this chair is for sadness." He spoke aloud, so that she could hear but maybe not the whole room. Or the whole room could hear, he didn't mind. This is more like how he used to act with his friends, and it felt nice to be like this again. Just like old times.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #7 – June 26, 2017, 07:36:21 AM

[ Ens. Krystal "Meony" Tancredi | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ] Attn: LCDR Leon Marquez, ENS Jimmy Mariner, Lt. Jg. Suq, Lt.Com. Martin & Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya

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Smiling to herself, Tancredi was glad to get the ball rolling. It was more fun to reminisce than to just sit and think in silence. No, she hated silence. Hell she wanted to patent a law against silence at times like this. Screw anyone who thought otherwise...except Captain Kendrick of course. But then he always had a good reason, which was why he was captain and she was still just an ensign. Suq explained what he was up to, and then she remembered that Mariner had put some of the drink for Sharky. The dog had never shown having any problems with alcohol before, but she supposed she could understand where Suq was coming from and she nodded at him, “Peachy keen.”

Keval then spoke up, adding to Mariner's tale. She already knew about it, of course. Three years together in a ship, secrets were few and far between any of the Resolve crew.

She was a little surprised that he thought so highly of her. Though it bugged her that he still insisted on calling her by her birth name. She preferred Meony. Back then, she thought it was to maintain professionalism. But now, she wasn't so sure. Maybe it was just an Andorian thing. Either way, if he thought her egging him on was a big help, well, cheers to that. She raised her own glass to him, a smile on her lips, before she turned to see Suq sitting on Martin's lap.

“Suq what on earth...?” her voice was barely a whisper, but her smile was bigger than ever. and she shook her head, but she approved. The woman was in dire need of cheering up, and Suq was the man for the job. After watching them for a while, she turned to stand beside Mariner and gave him a quick peck on the cheek, “Ya'll still get yer chance, Jimmy,” said Tancredi, assuringly, and she looked consideringly at the bottle, wondering if she wanted to take any more, or go easy on it.

If anybody knew her, and everyone here would, her final decision not to take any more came as a surprise. But the girl had had a few drinks just today alone, and she was still no where near what classified as drunk, and that was uncharacteristic, but the girl wanted to stay sharp...as sharp as she could with some alcohol in her.

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #8 – June 29, 2017, 07:18:03 AM

[ Lt.Com. Martin | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ]
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Martin had begun to lose track of the event unfolding around her before all of a sudden a great soft mass landed on her. It didn’t take her long to realize who it was. With a muffled “Hmmmmfff” uttered from her mouth, she reached her hands up and tried to push the Efrosian off of her. “Agh, you cumbersome cetacean.” She exclaimed, and laughed a bit as Suq was promptly removed from on top of her. Martin pulled herself upright, though she still slumped a little from exhaustion. “Anyway, sorry, hey Suq.” She spoke lightly with her head slightly turned down, the long day getting to her at last.

If Suq responded to what she said in any way, she had missed it, as the memories still swirled around in her head. She sighed and tried to focus back on what happened. “I’m not doing well Suq. Today has been… well, a day. Or at least as much of a day that you can accomplish in, you know, fuckin’ space…” She sniffed a little, looking up to meet Suq as she did so. “Hey, do you uh… Do you remember that time when we had that infestation of seeker bugs from the Kellids? And Jess- er… Dr. Lyhn hated bugs so much that she went on a personal-” Martin laughed a little as she remembered the look on Lyhn’s face. “A personal one-woman crusade against them? She cleared out an entire deck of the things, that was… hoo boy, that was a moment.”

Martin paused and appeared to sober a little. She sighed before speaking again. “I miss her…” She paused a moment as she felt her eyes begin to water. “I wish- I just wish she could be here again, so I could try to make things right between us again.”

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #9 – July 04, 2017, 03:46:35 PM

[ Lt JG. Zelosa Ejek | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ] Attn: Anyone

“To Absent Friends" Ejek toasted with the others, before looking over the shot glass she held in her hand. Marquez didn’t have the greatest choice in beverages, something she had found out to her own dismay early on in their friendship. That is, of course, if you could call the relationship between the two a friendship.

Ejek had only really started to get to know the Commander when she was promoted to chief counselor and Marquez became both her boss and a patient. Originally, she had started with Federation standard counselling techniques but in the end had to tailor her approach to the man to get any form on progress with their session. For the last year, the sessions had taken place in the holodeck with an environment of Marquez’s choosing – a Cardassian Hot Spring. Initially Ejek had resisted the idea, but in the end, it allowed her to enjoy a small taste of Cardassia. She had to take the small joys where she could. Like now, in this room, where her second family met and shared stories in a bittersweet fashion.

Here, Ejek looked more composed than she had after they met in deck 1 conference room, almost relaxed and reluctantly optimistic. That was, until she pressed the glass to her lips and took a sip. As the accursed fluid burnt her throat, Ejek gagged silently in the background while the stories continued around her. Soundlessly Dry-heaving, she berated herself. Marquez cannot be trusted when it comes to drinks!

While Mariner gave his story about Kendrick and shaving cream, Ejek attempted to slyly slide across towards one of the bulkheads. Much like any other lounge room she had been in, there was a plant in a small cubic pot providing the smallest hint green foliage against the grey wall. Watching the others and determined not to be caught, she quickly tipped the rest of the tiny glass out onto the base of the plant. Perhaps it would aid its growth, who knows?

Ejek could now turn her attention back to the room, here the general somber mood had broken into well-meaning hijinks. Pleasantly surprised, Ejek listened through Suq's speech with a low chuckle. She could always rely on her friend to bring life and laughter to the room. It was one of the many reasons she had grown incredibly fond of the Efrosian. However, Suq’s ministrations only worked so far. Martin lamented a relationship and chance of renewal lost. Ejek felt for the woman but resisted the urge to delve further. The public setting was not appropriate to focus on just one person.

“I think we all do" she agreed. "But if we all remember and speak of her often, she’ll not really be gone." Ejek looked over the crowd. The doctor had touched them all one way or another. As she surveyed those present, her eye caught the replicator in the wall panel, evoking a memory. “I, for one, don’t think I will be able to look at anything coconut flavored without thinking of Dr. Lyhn. Her obsessions are soon to be stuff of legends.”

Re: Chapter 12: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #10 – July 04, 2017, 09:36:31 PM

[ Lt. Jg. Suq | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ]

"Augh!! You sapphic simian!" He cried, though playfully, as he fell off her lap and slid onto the floor. There he laid, listening to his friends and feeling at rest, for once. Once the cheerful talk got going, once he had his close friends around him, he was fine. The world wasn't going to end yet.

Well, it still could. Ejek mentioned that the doctor always smelt a certain way and near instantly, the foul odor of coconut filled his nostrils. He sat up, making exaggerated gagging noises.
"Horrible!" He pinched his nose, "She overdid it on the perfume all the time! Do you know how hard it was working on your spine with her?" He turned to face Viv, making a disgusted face. "If I wasn't careful, she could have surgically inserted a coconut in your pelvis."

Re: Chapter 13: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #11 – July 12, 2017, 09:59:29 PM

[ Ens. Derik Veradin | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ]
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Standing in the corner, slightly apart from everyone, Derik had taken his drink and just kind of stared at it while everyone else started toasting. He wondered how Liam and K’Ren were doing, hoping they were both okay. He had found out they were on the ship and that she was hurt, he’d need to go visit them here soon. He listened while they started sharing stories and he couldn’t help but grin a little when Suq started being silly. It wasn’t quite enough to pull him out of his thoughts though, and they were swimming rapidly in his head. He kept thinking about the events of the past couple days. Everything had gone so amazingly wrong, and yet here they were, alive, and on a renegade ship with so few of their family left. Why did they survive and not others? Then he thought to his actual family on Trill, would they know he wasn’t dead only to be told he was now a traitor? Would they be able to handle that after the death of his younger brother?

Thoughts turning to the present, how could they begin to trust this new crew? At first he’d been somewhat hopeful, until he’d been a part of breaking up that attack earlier on Shall, the cute Andorian he’d met earlier. What had the security officer called them, The Devoted? They had an genuine cult on this ship? What the actual hell?

He shook his head as if trying physically to shake himself away from those thoughts. They were here to honor the captain and all the other fallen from the Resolve. He finally murmured, “To Absent Friends,” a bit later than some of the others, and downed the drink in one go. He grimaced only a little but enjoyed the burn as it went down, the sensation distracting him as he imagined the alcohol working its way into his system and starting to relax him.

He nodded at Marquez when he saw the commander look over his way. This wasn’t the first time they’d shared a drink over the years, and the commander always had the best stuff. They’d never been extremely close, but they were still family. If Kendrick had been something of a father figure to Derik, Marquez had been that stern uncle that you were afraid to cross, but knew you could talk to because he’d give it to you straight, with no bullshit. He took solace in his words about a time for revenge would come, but that now was a time for peace and healing. They needed that. Derik needed that.

If he was being completely honest, he knew he would need to schedule time to talk to Counselor Ejek here soon. He was self-conscious enough right now, perhaps with the help of the liquor, to know that he was messed up and burying all of it, and it had the chance of messing with his duties. He didn’t share any stories with the group, he wasn’t confident he had full control of his emotions right now and didn’t want to lose it in front of them. They needed each other’s strength, especially now, and he could give them that. He just felt good being in the room with them, comforted by their presence.

Re: Chapter 16: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #12 – July 30, 2017, 04:34:31 AM

[ William Robert O’Connell | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ] Attn: USS Resolve Survivors who want to check in, who aren't otherwise occupied

Into this throng of mourners and celebrants stepped a stranger who didn’t seem to know that this party was reserved for Resolve crewmembers only. He was a tall broad shouldered Terran whose skintone indicated that his ancestors had lived closer to the poles of his homeland than to the equator. The gold collar on his uniform led many to assume that he was a member of the Theurgy’s security department come to check up on them before he was recognized from the announcement back at 1900 hours in the Fighter Assault Bay as the acting chief engineering officer Master Chief Petty Officer William Robert O’Connell.

O’Connell cleared his throat awkwardly when he noticed that conversation seemed to die in his proximity. “Howdy,” he announced in loud clear voice as he approached Lieutenant Commander Leon Marquez and turned to face the room. “Y’all may not know me but Ah served aboard th’ Resolve durin’ the final year o’ the war… Back then Cap’n Kendrick wuz just Doc Kendrick, th’ chief medical ossifer… Now Ah cain’t, Ah say Ah cain’t rightly say thet Ah knew ‘im well, but he wuz mah personal physician when Ah wuz on th’ Resolve an’ he done called me to th’ bridge durin’ the Battle o’ Ricktor Prime. Ah wuz jest at the end of a busy day an’ when Ah heard that y’all wuz holden a service fur th’ Resolve an’ all who served aboard ‘er Ah reckoned thet afore Ah racked out Ah’d drop by an’ pay mah respects, honor th’ fallen that is. Now don’t yew worry none, Ah won’t be a moment… jest wanted t’ say a toast t’ Doc Kendrick… and all who served with ‘im thet’s all.”

Re: Chapter 16: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #13 – July 31, 2017, 12:31:33 AM

[ Ens. Krystal "Meony" Tancredi | Lounge Room | Deck 16 | USS Theurgy ] Attn: @Striker N7, @FollowTomorrow, @Hastata-Nerada, @Mathis, @DocReno & @Doc M.

[Show/Hide]

Sighing, and planting her empty shot on the bar, Tancredi leaned on it, casually taking Mariner's hand in her own. Jack had been something else, and clearly he needed the company more than she did, fun as it was. But when it came down to it, Jack was who she turned to at the end of the day. She gave him a small smile, looking at him right in the eyes, conveying her feelings, before turning back to look at the table while in a comfortable silence, and then in comes some cowpoke, and frowned. He looked familiar to her, and she realized he might have been with the Resolve from before they got lost. Shortly after, he confirmed this when he spoke.

But her initial smile and sense of fondness for him began to falter, and her brows creased together as she heard more, and when he got to the point of toasting for Captain Kendrick, she was baring her teeth in a snarl, her grip on Mariner's hand tightening, and a low growl began emitting from her, clear enough to make Sharky nearby let out a confused querying noise. Letting go of Mariner before she would accidentally crush his hand, she abruptly shouted once this man finished talking, “STOP TALKIN' LAHK CAPTAIN KENDRICK'S DEAD!”

Before anyone could put a hand on her she pushed off from the bar and wheeled around it, slightly off balance, glaring at the newcomer first, then sharing the look around at everyone else, her eyes manic and frantic, reminding everyone who knew her how close she'd become with them all, and especially the captain himself. They were like siblings, and despite the rank difference, she was known to freely speak her mind with him, and he never called her out on it or cited her for insubordination. It was a strange relationship.

Then again, she never rose in rank, or seemingly ever had the opportunity presented to her. Only Mariner knew the truth behind that of course.

“Y'all, we lost peopahl, yeah. But our cap ain't one'a dem! Ya know it and Ah know it fer fact!” She looked around desperately at everyone, her gauntleted hands gesturing animatedly, almost in a pleading manner, and her trembling lips spoke more of the fact that she needed someone to believe in this as much as she did, or at least tell her it was so. Kendrick cannot be dead. He can't be! “'e's been through worse than dis! Ah'm bettin' 'e's in a pod or a ship, and lookin' fer us. He can't be...he's not...'e's not dead! So you...” she turned and pointed at the man who knew Kendrick as his doctor, “y'wanna toast 'im, Ah say dat's peachy keen, just toast 'im as a livin' membah!”

She slowly backed up against the other side of the bar, needing a balance to avoid collapsing. Maybe she was more drunk than she realized.

Re: Chapter 16: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #14 – July 31, 2017, 05:30:45 AM

[ William Robert “Billy Bob” O’Connell | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ] Attn: USS Resolve Survivors who want to check in, who aren't otherwise occupied

Billy Bob was taken aback by her outburst, but when he thought about it the most surprising thing was that he was surprised. If Suq was any indication, the ordeal the folks serving aboard the Resolve endured at Starbase 84 was the last straw. It was a wonder that all of the survivors from the Resolve weren’t as crazy a run over Klingon. From what little he knew of their ordeal, they had been lost in space so long they knew all of the Borg by their first names. And then they come back and find a Starfleet that tries to kill them. That would leave anybody as fidgety as a bubble dancer with a slow leak.

Clearing his throat, O’Connell forced his spent and exhausted body to stand at attention and spoke in a reverent and respectful tone. “Y’ got, Ah say you may have a point there ma’am. This is the second time Ah’ve attended a wake fur the people aboard the Resolve, an’ y’all wuzn’t dead th’ first time! Ah thought for shore that the worst had happened an’ here y’all are. Ah calculate thet it might be a touch too early to give a eulogy to anyone who spent as much time pullin’ one on th’ grim reaper as much as Doc Kendrick has. Mah mistake. Sorry ma’am. He coughed into his fist. “Well look at th’ time,” he drawled unconvincingly. “Ah put in a full day. Better hit th’ rack afore it gits any later,” he said as he ambled to the door. “If Ah stay up any later, tomorrow I’ll be too tired t’ yell ‘Suey’ in a pigpen.”

He paused at the doorway to address Tancredi. “Don’t you worry none, ensign. Message received. Ah'll shut up. Ah'm not one who has to keep talkin'. Some fellas just has to keep their mouths flappin' but not me, no ma’am! Ah was brought up raight. My paw used to tell me shut up and I'd shut up,” he grumbled as he turned and walked out into the corridor. Before the doors hissed shut, those inside could still hear the master chief as his voice increased in volume. “I wouldn't say nothin'! One time I darn near starved to death. WOULDN'T TELL 'EM I WAS HUNGRY!”

By the time he reached the turbolift Billy Bob had calmed down. The truth was that he was so strung out he should have gone to bed hours ago. Even so he still managed to put things in perspective. “Nice girl but she doesn’t have manners enough to carry guts to a bear.”

Re: Chapter 16: To Absent Friends | Day 01 [2330 hrs.]

Reply #15 – August 06, 2017, 12:16:27 AM

[ Lt. Jg. Suq | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ]

The Efrosian remained sitting on the floor when Billy Bob entered, and he did not move at all until his exit. The exchange happened so quickly, he spoke, Meony barked at him quite a bit, and he left complaining all the while. He didn't even have time to form an opinion, or even close his gaping mouth.

The chief left an awkward silence in his wake. It was thicker than oatmeal and far less pleasant. "Uh." He interrupted, "Let's, uh, not do that again. I mean, I understand," he gestured with his hands in Meony's direction, as if prematurely placating her temper, "I do, I kind of side with you, but uh...aw hell. Do we have more to drink back there?" He called back as he pushed himself up to his feet. Feelings are difficult, and he would rather have nothing to do with them right now.

Re: Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends

Reply #16 – August 08, 2017, 03:17:12 AM

After his toast, Marquez only had half a shot of his own tequila glass and found himself standing in a corner, glass in hand, mulling over everything from the last three years of his life, his regrets about how the Battle of Cardassia unfolded that had ultimately placed him on the Resolve and thus here. It was too bad that Tarsi hadn't made it, and that her father was in a Federation penal facility in Siberia. Xhan deserved better. Many people Marquez had known before the war did.

Minutes passed, but by then, Sharky had come to join Striker and bounded to sit on one of the nearby seats, sniffing Striker's free hand as if looking for a treat, but agreed on being pet and scratched behind his short triangular ears. The large, gray-furred dog whined, sensing Striker seemed low... that, or he probably wanted more Tequila. Marquez shook his head, finishing his own glass after remembering the time Sharky had saved Kendrick during a firefight on an away mission. He was at that moment considering his own mortality and the thought of him being the one behind the cockpit of the Aerowing as he stared out at the Azure Nebula--certainly the next battlefield-- when the door opened. Instinctively, Striker glanced at the door, while Sharky bounded off the seat to approach Mariner at the bar, to either look cute or smile on command.

Jimmy was able to remind Meony that he meant 'body' surfing, an old Australian tradition of simply playing with tall waves in safe currents usually mounted on a sport-inclined flotation device. There were beaches in Mariner's homeland where the life guards were ordered to keep extra pairs of swimwear, given the beaches' reputation for pulling off articles of swim wear. Betazoids and Risians in particular were fascinated by this, which was of course where Jimmy intended to take Meony, but before he could make an innuendo...

"He-ew [Who] let the goose in?" The Australian knew firsthand that Texans traditionally were fond of animal or farmyard references-- at least the many rural Texans Jimmy'd met. Then Jimmy recognized the Engineer from the Hangar Deck conference earlier that day. Half inclined to apologize and amicably serve the new guy a shot glass, Meony-- in classic Meony fashion-- was not afraid to speak her mind.

Sharky knew enough emotions to identify with anger, particularly from one of his mums, and let a low rumble, that wasn't quite a growl, but not simply clearing his throat, either. It must've intimidated the Engineer, because he promptly left. Feeling proud of himself, until a familiar pair of legs walked past. At the sound of a firm snap of Stiker's fingers, Sharky followed Marquez out the door at his heels.

"Bloody hell... Jimmy sighed... before breaking into an infectious guffaw when he was sure the door closed. "Well! Someone's gotta say it. Hope that ends well. Poor Goose."