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Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Striker N7

Keval woke up and after doing his usual morning excercises, he decided to touch base with one of the last people that would feed him a line of bullshit as he tapped the com-panel in his quarters. "Keval to Striker, if you're not too busy causing trouble and want to grab a spot of breakfast, meet me over at the cafe on deck twenty of the third vector. I hear it's actually got some good grub." he said into the channel before closing and heading out of his quarters.

As he made his way to the cafe, Keval's mind kept a look out for anything out of the ordinary following some of the things that he'd heard over the course of the last day following the senior staff meeting the day before about this..."movement" that was named for the ship's temporal operations officer to which the very idea made his antenna shake with anger as this was not a time for the ship to be divided over some petty stuff while their very government wanted them dead because some overgrown cockroaches where now in charge..

Keval stepped into a lift and tried to calm himself as he thought about the events of the night before and one in particular..while he enjoyed spending time with the young Miss Stark, there was something about the red head who was waiting for her gorn friend that made her stand out as she had reacted in a certain way when he brought up wanting to buy the pilot of the ship that he helped before he evacuated from the Resolve and he hoped that he would be able to find out or not because like the young Miss Stark..she made him curious but unlike so much in the last two days, it was a curious in a good way.

Once he arrived on the third vector and found his way to the cafe, he actually felt a little bit confused at how strong the floral presence was in this place as it was almost like the ship's botantist made it his, her, or hir job to ensure that this place was a safe haven as while he was a member of a species of ice dwellers..he almost felt comfortable as he went about finding a table followed by ordering something to drink to see if his former commanding officer would join him or not.

Re: Day 03 [0600] "Breakfast of Champions"

Reply #1
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Bridge | USS Theurgy ]
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The night before, Leon Marquez had the time to organize his quarters and obtain some of his old exercise gear from preserved Resolve datarods. Marquez had optimized his living quarters for a radius of free space and relocated his sofa for a better view of his wall screen and window. The stationary bicycle was the soccer fan's favorite exercise device, and the only one that took some assembly and proper floor planning to negotiate into his quarters; Handheld weights would have to be requisitioned through the proper channels, lest Security consider them a security risk. Still, a good 20 minute session facing his wall monitor was a good equivalent to a jog around the deck as he stayed familiar with the latest updates to vessel security.

Striker got Keval's invitation just as he stepped out of his 45-second shower and prepared for duty that morning.

"Sure, I'm on my way. You know how I take my Katheka." Adherent to his own advice about not wandering alone, he whistled a note. "Specialist?" At once, Sharky's stubby, angular ears were trained on his host, and the muscular grey dog woke up from his slumber on the sofa. "It's time for a walk." Marquez had dried himself off, suited up in his uniform, and collected the black-and-security gold utility vest Mariner and Meony designed for their pet, securing it onto the now-excited animal.

A few minutes later, the duo caught a shuttlecraft ride to the third vector, and the pair made their way to the Arboretum Cafe. The concept alone sounded interesting, but seeing firsthand all matter of flora in a non-holographic setting on a starship had been a remarkable sensation which briefly took Striker aback with memories of the sweeping greenery of the biodome at Starbase 84, where his last memories of that astonishing little slice of paradise were of fire and explosions. He'd have to visit this place more often to forget about that imagery. The arboretum was an ideal opportunity for Marquez to have a Sinaloan steak salad with extra greens to go with his Katheka. The friendly hostess, had even reccomended a roasted targ leg entree for Sharky, which Striker approved, asking for a placemat to go with it so as not to make a mess on the carpet. "He likes to hunt for his own Targs, but I know he'll enjoy teething on that. Thank you." Marquez's tone was a friendly one, being considerate to his host.

Marquez spotted Keval and made his way to the Andorian while Sharky followed, turning a few heads as he carried a full targ leg in his mouth, proudly showing off the prize in his wide-smiled mouth to Keval, and setting it down once Marquez set up the placemat for his canine colleague. "How nice of you to offer, Specialist, but I don't think the lieutenant likes pre-chewed targ."
Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600] "Breakfast of Champions"

Reply #2
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Striker N7


Keval looked over at the human and his counterpart before chuckling at the comment made by Marquez. "Sharky knows that I wouldn't take his targ from him, it's his prize of a hard fought battle." the Chan said  before looking over at Sharky with a conspiratorial wink before adding with "Of course the next one is mine you know, Sharky?"

Keval then motioned for his human counterpart to have a seat as he poured him a mug of Andorian coffee and added a few items. "I'll prep this one for you, Leon, since I'm actually in a very joyous mood this morn." the Chan then said in happy tone which was out of place for a man who'd been so serious for the past few years...the last couple of days not withstanding. "For one I actually envy you, Leon, since you get to play with such a sexy weapons array on this incredible creature of a ship" he explained with a wide smile. "I went over a few things just to keep myself appraised in case I have to be in command of one of the vectors during battle and I must say that if we had these launcher pods during our trip on the Resolve, a couple of those battles would've ended differently."

Keval then poured himself another mug of Katheka, but this one had a slightly different smell to it then the usual dark and rich smelling liquid that came from the legendary "Andorian Ice House" company of Southern Andoria as it smelled
much more..rustic and human to put it lightly. "But my love of weapons and knowledge aside, Leon, something happened to me last night that I honestly didn't think was possible and it's kind of got me..distracted and feeling strange but in a good way which is one of the reasons that I wanted to grab you for a spot of breakfast because I also need to be a spot of bother as well if I may?"

Re: Day 03 [0600] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #3
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Bridge | USS Theurgy ]
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"Straight up, no chaser. Earth coffee's good stuff, but it doesn't go well with salad." It was true, besides, the room temperature was an agreeable misty temperature befitting of a cool beverage that Coffee might've lightly disrupted. Sharky wasted little time planting his targ leg on his placemat and made no secret of enjoying his breakfast in an almost-predatory fashion, but was a surprisingly-neat and silent diner for his species.

"There's more weapons under the hood when in full MVAM. The Helm, the Sword, the Stallion-- any one alone packs as much punch as an independent starship. There's no one else I'd rather have running a battle bridge center chair than you." Leon remarked, knowing firsthand his Andorian friend was a stalks-to-boots professional weapons officer, to say nothing of their many away teams and firefights. Going in without Keval or Mariner was like going into battle with only one boot.

"Kendrick, McGee, Jaesa, they'll get their justice. Good people don't die without a cause." For emphasis, Leon stabbed one of his beef cubes for emphasis, momentarily recalling his fight with Ian-- with that thing that compromised Captain Hawthorne. He enjoyed his meal as he nodded at Keval's inquiry.  His body language essentially read, 'Please, go ahead.'
Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #4
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Striker N7

Keval had just speared a piece of his own dish when he noticed movement out of his right eye and turned his head to see a couple of people at one of the other tables starting to make out as the taller man slowly pulled his companion into his lap as they kissed, not in a way that would get them written up but more like two people who where starting something new and good in a universe full of pain and suffering.

"I had an interesting night last night, Leon, and it was one that made me question a few things like my sanity." the Chaan said before turning his Carolina Blue eyes towards his friend and fellow senior officer. "Of course you and Sharky can't tell anyone about what I'm about to say but.."

Keval suddenly stopped as he was at an actual loss of what to say next as he ran a hand through his short white hair, a nervous look on his face as he wasn't used to feeling this way but in the end he decided to just go with it.

"Leon, for the first time in my life I need advice not on how to break the news that a tactic for an upcoming battle won't work or how Kendrick's latest lover is more interested in his rank then *HIM* or that you really need to give Mariner a *BATH*.." Keval started to say, adding the last one as a joke as he threw Sharky a playful wink to let the dog know that he was trusting him as much as Sharky's human before turning back to regard Leon himself. "I..I have found curvy perfection but I don't know how to approach an idol of perfection."

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #5
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Arboretum Cafe | USS Theurgy ]
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Striker wore an uncharacteristic half smile as he listened, expecting a heavy topic, or bringing attention to something Mariner or Sharky might've done in one of his pranks and somehow gotten away with it. Marquez overanalyzed the Andorian's statements, as he got his katheka--ahh damn, this stuff was a good substitute for coffee.

"I never really pried into how Andorian relationships work, but you're not the first one who'd catch pink-skin fever, Amigo. Not by a long shot." He claimed, "In fact, it's my duty to inform you that I did notice Tarsi tended to glance your way whenever you showed up on the bridge. Breens-rayth herself."

Despite the initial admonishment to passing up on a good prospect of a cute Andorian couple, he still humored Keval's apparent interest in a human female. It would be embarrassing if his hunch was wrong and Keval was interested in a near-human pinkskin like a Betazoid or a Trill. "If you're coming to me about Earth-girl advice? Shapely or not, don't get too eager if you're expecting them to behave like their mirror counterparts... with one notable exception. In either universe, they respect guts-- or stalks, in your case." It was clear he was speaking symbolically, rather than literally. "Bluntness is a virtue, my friend. You think General Shran and Admiral Archer got anything done by dancing around their goals or grievances?"

He narrowed his voice as he noticed a pair of human female officers, briefly nodding at them before continuing his breakfast discussion, overhearing an almost schoolgirl giggle out of one of them when he caught her eye and gave a polite half-smile of acknowledgment.  Marquez was handsome and he knew it but stayed out of any emotional distractions. No longer being a first officer meant he could glance at finding someone for himself without the stigma of distraction or the emotional compromise of sending crewmates to risky assignments. In this case, his point was clear, 'less is more' when it came to attention.

"Make conversation, find something interesting she likes and play to that. I suggest finding a good holodeck program that won't melt you, but that will still treat your friend to an exciting time." Marquez suggested. "If she's a pilot, invite her to a groundcar race or an amusement center. If she's from security, then skip the holodeck and invite her to the gym and just, well, be yourself." He alluded to their respective martial arts tendency to fight eachother to relative standstills or TKOs. That is, until Tarsi would show up to jeer at the fighters, challenging the already-tired victor to a bonus round, getting in her opportunity for idle revenge for triple shifts against her superiors, citing 'no harm, no foul' rules. "Humor works, too. Remember that one, 'What do you call an Andorian with four Antennae?'" He missed his chance to use it on the two female passerby for an example, but another pair was soon approaching. It might've been a good chance to see if Keval could make a joke that wasn't completely militarized.
Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #6
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Striker N7

Keval rolled his eyes at his friend's comment, "It's not fiebre de la piel rosada, mi amigo." he said before taking a drink from his own mug and setting it back down. "I'm not saying that Tarsi and I didn't try to meet up occassionally but I think the universe had it in for us trying because every time we tried for a dinner or lunch date, we kept getting into a bigger and bigger mess..like that one time when we ran into that former colony world that had been hit by a Bloodfire plague because of Kervratian colonists?" he pointed out.

He then leaned back, his antenna going slightly still. "Don't get me wrong, if the right triad comes along maybe then if I'm not already spoken for but I'm not exactly a traditionalist much like my Zhaevy was." he explained but then his antenna twitched slightly as a thought went through his head that really shouldn't have and it brought the shadow of a wicked smile to his face.

He then shook it off as he listened to what his friend said next and that made him stroke his chin thoughtfully. "It's not that I'm over eager or anything like that, my friend, it's more I lerned my lesson after trying to even think that I could ask Krystal out once upon a time." he admitted freely as his mind went back to a conversation on the starbase nearly an entire two days prior now before their flight and the loss of the Resolve.

Keval once more shook his head to clear it before nodding in agreement, "I'm not going to dance around her and I think that she's a member of the flight control department..but as for that one joke, Leon, that one is all your's and I wouldn't DARE attempt to steal anyone of your "good" ones." he teased back before taking a pull from his mug. "Still, think you can help a friend find out something about her..I think I heard her name is..Jaya?"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #7
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Arboretum Cafe | USS Theurgy ]
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Marquez looked aside, concealing the grin that crept along the corner of his mouth Keval couldn't see, acting as if the Andorian drink had taken its effect. Despite the minty freshness, it was as potent and energetic as any raktajino or Juan Valdez gourmet morning coffee. Marquez tried not to think about the feiry young fighter pilot Krystal Tancredi, knowing the poor girl hailed from humble and special circumstances that elevated her above her destiny, and as her XO, he'd grown fond of her lively nature and personal insight.

It was because of that that he tried not to know about her relationship with his own friend and protoge', Jimmy Mariner.  Having an Andorian counterpart was a refreshing kindred spirit, Leon tried to tactically advise his friend in the subtle art of pink-skin courtship.

He then shook it off as he listened to what his friend said next and that made him stroke his chin thoughtfully. "It's not that I'm over eager or anything like that." he admitted freely as his mind went back to a conversation on the starbase nearly an entire two days prior now before their flight and the loss of the Resolve.

"Meony just isn't your average Earth-girl, neither is that uptight non-com security officer I've heard gripes about. Pink-skins are as a diverse a species as they come. Not all of them follow the whole 'triad' dynamic of group-dating.  But if you're going for one of those Sh'ereths with volunteer species, don't let me stop you if it's mutually agreed upon." Striker heard the department reference of Tac Conn, and didn't at once need to access his datapad to remember there was an officer by that first or sur- name, which warranted the CTO taking a second inspection toward. He had about four helpings of his steak salad, almost finishing it as he found a close-enough dossier. Marquez grumbled in a way others would've seen as grouchy, but this was just an act known by those closest to him as a characteristic 'tough guy' sense of humor. "Here I am helping the CIO with his homework... You owe me when we have that victory parade on Andoria. Tarsi told me that those mating dens get rather lively." Striker found the dossier of Keval's interest on his PaDD and mulled it over.

"Vaya, Carnal <Well, well, Brother>. You'd better brush up on your starship-classes. Namely the older models from Shran's era if you really want to impress." Marquez wore an otherwise-expressionless regard of approval. "She's Jaya Thorne. Petty Officer First-Class... unmarried. Cute. Pretty. Rough past coupla years, and she's seen combat, judging by the high-five someone or something gave her." Marquez read her file briefly to himself.

"Fascinating. She seems interested in collecting starship models. Not surprising, I used to..." Marquez held the datapad as bait, almost as tauntingly as two senior officers could reach without giving off the aura of immaturity afforded to Jr. officers. Eventually, he turned it over. "Well! You're half-way there: the Kumari is a..." Marquez resorted to using Andorian as a language to indicate the impressive masculine features of the Kumari-Class design. "Get her one of those juicy-big-ones for her cockpit and pass it off as a gift that..." Marquez thought of some tactful excuses to give Keval a reason for parting with a gift that'd pay off in the long run if the Andorian played his cards right. "... completes...? Her collection?"

Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #8
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Striker N7

"About Krystal, I know that she isn't like most human women Leon and that is what attracted me to her but everytime I tried to spark some kind of interest in her..it just kind of fizzeled and that does things to a man's confidence." Keval explained in a slightly quiet tone. "Sorry if I seem a little bit meloncoly..but some, I think you can chalk it up to me having a crush on her I guess, never really fades does it my friend?"

Keval then stopped talking and took a pull from his mug as he listened to Leon, even jokingly wincing in reaction to Leon's comment about him "helping him with his homework" before nodding with a hint of seriousness at the rest of the comment. "I...know of a couple, but you won't find any in my home town because my Keth is a tad on the strange side like that."

Keval's antenna was drawn forward as his full and undivided attention was directed at what Leon was telling him but when the human said "Cute"-Keval could think of other words for her with "cute" being behind "divine" and "lovely", not just a simple and regular sounding "cute".

When he was being teased with the PADD, Keval simply rolled his eyes at Leon before saying "Dating a girl in operations whose name just happened to *BE* Miranda does not count as "collecting starship models" there, Leon." before accepting the PADD with a slight chuckle before he started to go through the files inside of it as he also continued to listen to what Leon was saying before putting down the datapadd and nodding.

"I agree with you on that but do you think that I should also get her something more unique..like a model of the Lor'Vela which was Andoria's first warp ship or maybe the Yaska which was a Sevaijen-class ship that fought with the UES Enterprise during the time that Director V'Las attempted to invade my home world." he offered up as their food finally arrived with the waiter making minor apologies as to its lateness.

Once the waiter had moved on, Keval couldn't help but raise an antenna at his friend. "Before I continue my line of questions any further, how are you settling in to your new position?"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #9
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Arboretum Cafe | USS Theurgy ]
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"Last I heard," Marquez accepted another cup of Andorian Coffee after downing the tea-like stimulant and a paired glass of ice water, mainly to wash away the blue from his teeth. "Meony and the Specialist's," Leon patted Sharky, who was blissfully chomping apart his targ leg and looking up for more, wagging his stout tail about as if tapping Marquez's leg for another helping questioningly without casting his amber eyes up at him. "...Partner were seeing eachother. Not sure what was ever made of it." Marquez waved off the topic, not one to involve himself in scuttlebutt.

Leon noticed he had a piece of onion with segmented rings and lettuce reminiscent of a classified vessel designed shortly before the deployment of the original Constitution class. He forgot the craft's name, completely dismissive of it. "I'm glad this craft wound up making the grade and was built after all. Starfleet Command is picky on what is and isn't made. Like what they would've done with the Hornet for Project Yamato before that was scrapped." Leon admitted, idly mentioning the ship he once believed he would captain if not for Thorov Xhan's Ushaan-induced compromise of command and Admiral Ross's cover-up of the circumstances behind the Romulan Flagship's destruction during the Battle of Cardassia. Keval was aware of the nature behind Marquez's transfer to the Resolve, and Marquez refused to discuss the matter. Few pink-skins understood that Ushaans could go dormant for centuries unless generational evidence could awaken historic wrongdoings; Marquez understood, Ross did not. The Hornet was decommissioned and the Eagle Project never existed according to official records.

Marquez segued into a favorite topic, history at the mention of Director V'lass. "You really think Archer or his gang could imagine running a ship like this? Maybe your paisano Shran, perhaps-- but I don't think he was your average Andorian." he stifled a smirk as he finished up his salad and threw the o-ring bone from his steak to Sharky who wasted no time pilfering the morsel for any remains. "Good thing too. Or my people and yours would be owing eachother favors for centuries... makes you wonder how history would've wound up if the Imperial Guard detected Zeframe Cochrane's warp signature and made first contact in Montana."

"By the way. I'm itching to test out that new Argo class in the holodeck later. I could've been involved more with that experimental development if I hadn't been assigned to the badlands in my Ensign years. I need to take my mind off J--" he stopped himself, realizing Ensign Mariner's name was sure to draw a reaction from Sharky, who also didn't need to worry about him. "... off the away team involving a certain firebrand from Resolve Security. You know the one." Marquez didn't mention Mariner by name, but the Australian's unorthodox and characteristic demeanor spoke for itself many times over during their last posting.
Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #10
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Triton

Keval listened to Leon's words about how Krystal and Jimmy had been seeing each other which despite everything, Keval's right hand clenched slightly as the only outward sign that it still bothered him on a level but he wasn't mad at Jimmy or anything of the like but it was more of the fact that some feelings simply didn't just go away no matter how much you tried to make them.

At the mention of the Hornet, Keval's eyes narrowed ever so slightly as his antenna dipped forward. "Can we not talk about the Hornet, Leon, because it reminds me of another failed project that cost my keth in the Discovery." Keval stated in a tense tone as he recalled the story that his Zhavey told him about the infamous Crossfield-class ship and about how Keval's very namesake had served as an engineer aboard that ship but on the flip side of things he did understand why Leon had brought up the Hornet.

Keval just didn't like the memories that came with it.

"Perhaps, I know that Reed would've loved to have gotten his mitts on the lovely guns that Thea has." Keval said, choosing to follow his friend's line of thought as he picked up a piece of apple and started to eat once more. "As for Shran, you cannot doubt his skills as a tactician, Leon! I mean the man planned the Battle of Chevron and plus he's also the man who helped to provide the outlines for field tactics that was used as far past his lifetime as Axanar and Cardassia to name two major battles." Keval pointed out.

But when Leon brought up the good question about what would've happened if the Andorians had gotten to Earth instead of the Vulcans, Keval's face turned into a bright smile. "I think that the Kumari class of ship would've existed long into the twenty two hundreds for one but the only and I mean *ONLY* reason why the Vulcans got to do first contact is because Vulcan was closer to Earth then Andoria..." he quipped before picking up his mug and taking a long pull before setting it down again. "To which the Vulcans have never let us live that down in passing."

Keval listened to his counterpart continue including his thoughts about taking the Argo for a drive which made him chuckle slightly but when Leon mentioned that he would be using it to distract him from "a certain firebrand", Keval couldn't help but pipe up with "Oh, you mean Sinead?" with a devilish smile on his face.

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #11
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Arboretum Cafe | USS Theurgy ]
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"Shran saved Captain Ramirez in the Romulan War." Marquez reminded Keval of his own family wartime history. "He had the heart of a leather-skin, especially when he..." Marquez caught himself recalling the battle when the Imperial Guard General destroyed the lead Romulan Warbird in a retaliatory strike against the sneak attack on Denobula Prime. It was a stinging reminder that the Romulans were later allies of convenience in the recent major war. A fact that Thorov Xhan had avenged on petty revenge.

Marquez pretended as if he didn't notice Keval's tone of voice or him favoring his other hand, keeping his expression a neutral one, when Keval spoke. He was nearly done with his own platter but waved the photonic waitress, Xenia, for another handle-less mug of Katheka, indicating her to serve it in the prior manner that Keval had prepared. He still had some ice water nearby to rinse out and drink any residual blue in his mouth. "O'Riley's not a firebrand. She worked security and demonstrably kept her cool. Not exactly what you'd expect from a Bringloidi. Those humans stopped being true Earthers for generations; yet they adhered devoutly to some of the old ways. Taking care of eachother and themselves was only incidental. Sinead herself knew well to keep her calm during Ion storms and those blasted boarding actions." Marquez replied, letting his Andorian coffee cool.

"Man to man, though. I just gotta remind you to make your move sometime before one of ours or an Orcus survivor takes a fancy and makes her move with Ms Thorne." Marquez folded his hands, leaning forward as he spoke. "Then you can focus on where I really need you-- both as an officer and as your friend,-- focused on those horned devils and on Admiral Slayton's task force." For emphasis, Leon drew a quick slice of his meat, then a perpendicular cut at the second mention of their opposing force.

"And if she turns you down, at least you tried and expressed interest with a model to complete her collection all the same. Then you can visit an Andorian Mating den in the holodeck and let off some steam... err, frost." Leon divided the remaining pieces of his steak as if he were lining up models in a formation on his plate, or presenting options, as was his intention. "Tarsi had her last birthday party on that holo-program as I recall with members of security, as I recall-- for the noncoms, of course. I was not invited, and It's implied you might have frowned upon it at the time. But Jim-- someone we know." Leon caught himself again unwilling to distract sharky, who would have pounced on the table at the Ensign's mention; Marquez handed him one of the pieces of meat as a consolation, which Sharky caught in midair and wolfed. "Claimed it was.... I think he used the term 'awesome.' Either way, I trust you to be the man I've known for the last three years, more than ever." Leon finished his advice, and casually finished his meal now that the Katheka had settled and his salad all but finished, making the remaining meat easy pickings after a seemingly-prepared tactic. Even at a meal, Marquez kept his strategic mind, recalling what was once quoted by Khan Noonien Singh in historical documents, 'Meals are often warfare concealed'. Not that Keval was an adversary in the slightest, but tactical practice was its own skill to be treated with respect almost at all times.

Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #12
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Triton


When Keval heard Leon talk about Sinead instead of chuckling at his attempt at a joke, the Chan simply shook his head slowly. "Remind me never to try subtle humor around you again, Leon, apparently I'm horrible at it." was the only thing that he said before he finished off his drink and set the empty mug aside.

But when Leon moved in closer and made a few a couple of comments, the Andorian's cheerful expression suddenly shifted as his air force shade of blue eyes suddenly became very cold and hard, and when he spoke next it was with a cold and flat tone. "You know I wanted to grab some breakfast with a friend and NOT think about work for just a little bit, maybe talk about girls and other things that we could do if we were in a normal situation." he said as he tried to remember that this was the closest thing to a close friend that he had at the moment. "I have to focus on *BOTH* the situation with the task force under Admiral Sankolov's command along with the stuff that Ravenholm has discovered during her data mining before everything went to shit, as such my focus on the job has never been sharper...especially in light of recent events."

Keval's eyes narrowed only a little bit as he tried to cool the passions that his people were known for before closing his eyes and taking a deep breath for a moment before opening them again. "Look, I'm sorry if my reaction was a tad on the...harsh side there but I'm paying too much attention to things like that and even with my talent to multi-task, it's starting to wear on me." Keval said, his tone a little less frigid and a little bit apologetic. "I've crunched the numbers and ran the vectors but none of them are coming out good if the track record of this ship is any indication."

Keval then took a breath and leaned forward to fix the human with an even expression. "On the matter of Jaya, I won't let your words go to waste and I will plan my tactics accordingly and I thank you for them." he said in a low tone before taking a breath and letting it out. "But like I said...the curves of that lovely lady isn't the driving force of my mind right now but a paradoxical tactical overview is."

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #13
[ Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez | Bridge | USS Theurgy ]
[Show/Hide]

Marquez kept his calm, as if hardly noticing the CIO's attitude and shift in speech pattern but Sharky's stubby, triangular ears curved at Keval. Of all the people, Marquez knew Andorians were passionate, if at times impulsive. He himself was more patient, if passive-aggressive, holding his tongue as he wiped his mouth with a table cloth, casting a wayside glance in case anyone was eavesdropping.

In that moment, he finished his Katheka, Marquez returned his attention to Keval, now with an empty plate. "My advice stands. Get your stalks in order." Leon said once the blue-colored energy drink was fully processed after a deliberately tense moment."I'm not the person I was last week, Keval. We don't have that luxury anymore " Before Marquez stood up to leave, he aknowleged Keval.

"Here's a tip." He suggested, "The Tellarite Pralim-class. If there's one thing the Tellarites got right when it comes to beauty, It's that ship. Its got a curvy frame but has the curves of an Orion dancer. Check the archives for a replicator pattern for a model... the Vulcan D'kyr might come off as an innuendo." He gave his idea of a joke with the backing of his professional opinion, taking his plate with him, noting the Starfleet emblem on its base and held it as if to remind both of them of the bigger picture, in this case Starfleet itself. "Remember what Kendrick used to say? Consider everything objectively. Even the uglies." The last bit was his own addendum, but he afforded a joke at the expense of the Tellarites, who would only take that remark as a compliment.  Leon whistled a note, and Sharky knew to follow him.


Lt. Commander Leon "Striker" Marquez
Chief Tactical Officer, USS Theurgy
"No one left behind."

Ensign James "Jimmy" Mariner
Security Officer, USS Theurgy
"Showtime!"

Lieutenant (J.G.) Alessia "Angel" Garcia
Valravn Fighter Pilot, USS Theurgy
"You're not the only one with a gun,"

Re: Day 03 [0600 hrs.] Breakfast of Champions

Reply #14
[Lieutenant Keval ch'Rayya| Arboretum Cafe| Deck 20 | USS Theurgy] ATTN: @Triton

Keval heard Leon's words and wished that he could say more, tell his friend of what he'd learn the day before and before the bullshit with Zelosa, he remembered the slight miscommunication with Selena at first as he wasn't used to having a civie on his staff...

...but this, this wasn't something that Keval could just "get his stalks in order" over.

Yes Zelosa's words were still ringing in his ears, those hurtful lies that made him question if a creature like him should really have friends or if someone with his condition could ever have someone to truly call his own but combined that with everything else that was abound, Keval was surprised that he was holding up rather well.

As Leon made his comments about the ships and then holding up the Starfleet Delta, Keval wished that he had the pinkskin's confidence at that moment or his assuredness-but he didn't have either because once again, Keval ch'Rayya was in the business of secrets and it was something that he really didn't like at all.

But with Leon's passing comment, Keval let out a very dry chuckle as he recalled another quote of their friend...one that he only told Keval once practically a lifetime ago now:

"Beware of shadows, they move when you're not looking"

As the Chaan raised his mug up, he looked into its swirling and reflecting contents and simply sighed. "Oh how right you were, Kendrick." he said quietly before taking a long pull as he set the mug back down in front of him before pulling a PADD out of a pocket and brought up the time as well as checked to see if there was anything new from Selena on their project only to find none at the moment.

Keval noted that he had some time to get in a workout before he was due on the main bridge and decided to finish his coffee before he got up and left as well, his heavy thoughts always at his heels.

<FIN>

 
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