AQ/D10 - Ten Forward

[Daniel Brooks]

==SEE WIKI==

[Jez Mala]

<< Crew Quarters of Lieutenant Jez Mala.<<

==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==

Mike entered Ten Forward; it wasn’t crowded, with a few offices and civilians scattered about the place. Mike took a table near the large front windows; he always enjoyed the view. He felt like someone had punched him in the gut; Jez’s accusations stuck in his head. He couldn’t understand how Jez could think that he wouldn’t protect her. How could she think he let her parents, his wife, and their friends die? He loved Jez and would protect her; he would die before he let anything happen to her. Right now, Mike wanted to die; he failed the ones he loved.

A waiter came over,” What can I get you, sir?” said the Bolian waiter. Mike didn’t look up. “ I’ll take a Vikingfjord* (a Norwegian Vodka).” Said Mike. “Right away, sir.”

==Lieutenant K'vada, Klingon/ Vulcan, Temp Science NRC ==

K’Vada had left the promotion ceremony; the noise was getting to be a little much for her. She looked up from her table, she watched as Jez’s friend came in he looked like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders/

Hmmm,,, He’s not bad looking for a Human.

K’Vada picked up her drink and made her way over. “ May I join you, Teddy Bear?”

Mike rolled his eyes,” For the love of Odin. Young Lady, My name is Mike Denton, not Teddy Bear.” Snapped Mike. Feeling a bit confused, K’Vada blinked a few times. “I’m Sorry, I don’t understand, Jez calls you Teddy Bear?”

“ I know, she is being funny, but it’s embarrassing. Protested Mike. K’Vada tilted her head slightly. “Oh forgive me, I thought Bears were powerful and noble creatures.” Said K’Vada, her voice filled with confusion.

“Yes, on Earth Bears are large, powerful creatures, but a Teddy Bear is a child's toy, often overstuffed, and they…..they…” Stammered Mike, searching for his words.

“They what?" Said K’Vada with a puzzled tone in her voice, "They comfort and protect children from the imaginary monsters.” Stated Mike, his voice sounded contemplative. Mike had a realization, as much as he found being called a Teddy Bear embarrassing, and there wasn’t much he could do to change the fact that's how Jez had always viewed him.

Mike felt a tear starting to roll down his cheek. K’Vada placed a hand on Mike’s forearm, as if to say it’s alright. “ I know your name is Mike; Jez told me all about you. Your body screams anger and frustration. You can’t blame yourself for those deaths,” Stated K’Vada.

Mike blinked a few times, this young Klingon. How had she known? He whispered the news of the deaths of Jez’s parents in a crowded room, with music and loud voices. K’Vada pulled her hair back over her ears. “I’m Half Vulcan, I have excellent hearing, I overheard what you said at the Promotion ceremony, besides, I’m (a trusted advisor) to the House of Mala

Mike nodded, “Gin’tak, a trusted advisor, I see,” Said Mike. K’Vada was surprised at Mike’s knowledge of the Klingon language. “Jez needs you. She talks about you all the time. You and her need each other.” Said K’Vada, “ Don’t you Terrans say, For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him who is alone when he falls..." Said K’Vada.

Mike sat there contemplating what K’Vada said. She was right, He let her down; he didn’t live up to her image of him as a larger-than-life, mythical figure. “K’Vada, maybe you’re right.” Said Mike, his voice sounding small.

[Kalli Thorn]

== NRC, Cindy Talion ==

Mike's comm badge chirped and a voice came across it, [Mike, this is Cindy. I know this is an awkward moment, but do you mind if I talk to you for just a second?]

In frustration at the way his day was going, he simply rolled his eyes and put his hands up in the air briefly, as if to gesture, "What now?"

His comm badge said, [I'll take that as a yes.]

Cindy stepped from behind him and took a seat next to Mike and across from K'Vada. K'Vada was a little surprised by the appearance of Cindy, as she hadn't seen the blond woman walk up behind Mike, she had simply suddenly been there, as if by magic and then sat down.

Cindy said to K'Vada, "Please forgive the intrusion, but I'll only be a moment." Cindy then looked to Mike, who was also a bit surprised by the sudden arrival of Cindy. He also realized that although she had used his comm badge, she had already been observing him, since she responded based on his actions and not his words, yet he had not heard her speak. His eyes narrowed and he was going to say something, but Cindy spoke first.

"Mike, I was sent to simply tell you that Jez is sorry for what she said. She's too embarrassed to even say it right now, but she feels bad about it and wants you to come back and talk about it with her over dinner. Andrea will be there as well." Cindy turned to K'Vada, "Come to think of it, she could use a friend about now as well. I wasn't sent to extend an invitation, but there's nothing saying that a good friend who knew what was going on couldn't show up at the door. She likes you and trusts you. You two have history together and a bit in common."

Mike finally began to point a finger at Cindy and started, "Cindy..."

Anticipating his next words, she turned to him and said, "Hologram projected by a small drone in stealth mode."

Mikes mouth shut so suddenly it made a small sound when he did so, his eyes a bit wide for a second before he lowered his finger and gave a small nod of acceptance. It made perfect sense for what he had seem so far. They then all looked at each other for a moment before Cindy said, "Sorry about dropping in like this, but time was a factor and I didn't want to freak you both out too much. I'll let you both talk in peace now. Any questions before I take off?"

== Tag Mike and K'Vada ==

[Jez Mala]

==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==

Mike was sitting there enjoying his drink. He was happy that Jez was safe and had an extensive support network, especially K’Vada, Cindy, Andrea, and Commander Talion; they generally seemed to care deeply for her. It’s not that Jez couldn’t take care of herself; he taught her better than that.

Mike was caught off guard when the voice of the artificial construct, artificial life form, the hologram, resonated from his combadge.  He looked up, and there she was, like a phantom appearing out of a mist. 

[Mike, this is Cindy. I know this is an awkward moment, but do you mind if I talk to you for just a second?]

Mike wasn’t really sure if he understood what Cindy was, not that it mattered; it’s just that Mike liked to understand things in the broadest general term.

“Mike looked around to make sure their conversation wouldn't be interrupted, but before Mike could respond, Cindy began to speak, "Mike, I was sent to simply tell you that Jez is sorry for what she said. She's too embarrassed to even say it right now, but she feels bad about it and wants you to come back and talk about it with her over dinner. Andrea will be there as well." Cindy turned to K'Vada, "Come to think of it, she could use a friend about now as well. I wasn't sent to extend an invitation, but there's nothing saying that a good friend who knew what was going on couldn't show up at the door. She likes you and trusts you. You two have history together and a bit in common."

Mike let out a small sigh and rolled his eyes slightly. He had momentarily forgotten about what had happened earlier in Jez’s quarters, but the slight throbbing of his cheek reminded him, Thankfully his beard absorbed most of the slap.  He smiled when Cindy mentioned that he and Jez had history and a bit in common; he could deny that. Jez was like a daughter to him.

==Lieutenant K'vada, Klingon/ Vulcan, Temp Science NRC ==

K’Vada sat there and smiled when Cindy said to K'Vada, "Please forgive the intrusion, but I'll only be a moment." K’Vada just smiled.

K’Vada could tell Mike was a bit hesitant. She placed a hand on his arm as if to say, “It will be alright, Mike." K’Vada never understood Humans; they hide their true feelings, instead of just being honest with each other and saying what’s on their minds, especially Human males.

“Mike, Cindy is right, Jez needs you, her baby needs you. The baby is going to need its vavnI {grandfather.)” Said K’Vada.

Mike shook his head in frustration, “I know what that means,” Snapped Mike.

Is the Galaxy Hell Bent on reminding me that I’m not twenty-five years old anymore?

K'Vada, despite the fact that she was gin'tak(Trusted Advisor) to the house of Mala she, felt it was best if the direct family settled this issue alone.

“Umh,, I’m …I'm honored to be invited to dinner, but I’m running an important experiment for Commander Talion and you know how demanding he can be.” Stated K’Vada. She knew what she just said was a lie, but in her heart of hearts she felt that the family needed to sit down and talk and not act like a bunch of p'takh’s

==Commander Michael Denton Chief of Security( Retired), Temp NRC ==

“Dinner, you say, what are we waiting for? Let's eat.” Said Mike.

Mike couldn’t argue with Cindy’s logic. Mike finally began to point a finger at Cindy and started, "Cindy..."

Cindy clearly had anticipated his words, turned to him, and said, "Hologram projected by a small drone in stealth mode."

Mike knew drones, even in stealth mode, often left visible signs, distortions in the air of the environment, but not in this case; absent was the sound of the engines, the humming of small engines keeping the drone aloft. Clearly, Cindy was advanced beyond anything that was in common use in Star Fleet. “Fascinating, truly fascinating,” said Mike, his voice filled with amazement.

DOT-7, no.. no..DOT-23? Could it be a variant of the ST Recon drone series? Thought Mike. Drones were just coming into use when he retired and was somewhat familiar with them. Mike’s stomach let out a loud, audible growl.

“What are we waiting for? Dinner is getting cold.” Announced Mike.



>> Jez’s Quarters.>>



=== Tag Cincy/Talion. ==

[Cologero Coppola]

Not long after the meeting with the Captain there were some realities that were coming his way, one of them was being a new department head. His experience with Star Fleet was about to change, this change was for the better. The former Tactical Chief was a man with large shoes to fill, Cologero knew that he had to do things his own way. Any other way wasn't going to work, it would be in the same way his way wouldn't work with anyone else.

Cologero took a drink into a quiet corner, he was thinking about different maneuvers. Star Fleet had a book of Tactical Maneuvers that seemed like they were one size fits all, the ones that Cologero was making them specifically for the ship. Every twist to the smallest of degree, one of the maneuvers was called Drop the anchor. What would happen with the ship was exactly like drifting a car, the major issues to take into account was the structural integrity. By shoring up certain parts of the ship, it could work. This one was going to be called the Cross, even though it wouldn't really look like a cross. The ship would go into a split s, meaning the ship would do a ninety degree turn. Followed not long after the ship would loop one hundred and eighty degrees, flying back across the original path. The problem was how to make it work, it could tear the ship apart if done wrong.

==Open tag==

[Carley Young]

Not quite ready to go back into her uniform again Carley stopped in Ten Forward, she was in the mood to meet new people. Or even people she doesn't get to talk to a lot, a couple of people cleared out of the place as Carley entered. She soon noticed Cologero off in the distance, she heard the roomer and wondered if it was true. 

Carley was wearing a nice dress before she had to go back into Uniform, it was nice to be able to dress like this for a while and just unwind. If there was room to celebrate, Carley would love it even more. "Care for some company?" Carley said while standing next to him.

==Tag==

[Kalli Thorn]

== NRC, Cindy Talion ==

Cindy chuckled and said, "Calm down, big guy, she's still cooking it. No need to sprint all the way there when a casual walk will suffice. Enjoy your meal though and don't forget our date in the holodeck tomorrow."

She then turned to K'Vada and shrugged, "Guys are always in such a rush. I think they're afraid to miss out on something." She then glanced at Coppola and asked, "I guess your date didn't work out. You two seemed to hit it off pretty nicely though. I wouldn't give up just yet, but I'm also not the best person to take dating advice from. Being a synthetic doesn't exactly inspire a romantic attraction, but I'm good with that."

Cindy then stood up and said, "I promised I wouldn't be long. I came to deliver the message and have. Mike, be nice and try not to make faces when Jez uses terms of endearment with you. You mean a great deal to her and you know it."

Cindy then vanished, like a switch was simply turned off. However, Mike thought he faintly heard something and a shift in the air nearby. The drone had moved. It was using a combination of anti-grav repulsors and tiny microthrusters that were almost perfectly silent. Most of those drones, depending on the size, were entirely programable and typically used for portable EMH in areas that didn't have holo-emitters. They weren't cloaked, just using holographics to make them not visible to the normal eye. If he switched through the UV or IR bands, he would be able to see it lingering nearby, near the ceiling.

== Tag Mike and K'Vada ==

[Cologero Coppola]

Lost in his own thoughts Cologero was happy someone joined him, it was a public place so isolation wasn't possible here. Recognizing how lovely she looked, Cologero was flattered it was her. "It would be my pleasure." Cologero pulled out a chair for her waiting for her to sit, pushing it in a little afterwards sitting across from her.

"Its a bit of a celebration for me, I was just promoted to Chief Tactical Officer." He had pride in his voice, he wanted to be Chief one day, it just came closer than he thought. He also heard a couple of rumors, one of them was the new Chief of Security. "The new Office opens tomorrow, tonight its drinks." The only thing he could think about was the person in front of him. "What kind of drinks should we start with? I never was good at picking the first." He always let the lady choose the first drink, it gave him an idea about her. He felt a little over dressed in his Uniform, he didn't want to leave at this time.

==Tag==