The Pomp and Circumstance Has Ended. Get to Work

Posted on Wed Dec 28th, 2022 @ 4:26pm by Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver & Commander Vianola Paxidor & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell & Lieutenant JG Evelyn Stewart & Lieutenant S'Tera & Colonel Galen s'Khev

2,125 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Mission One: Goodwill Tour [Part One]
Location: Triton Seabase
Timeline: MD1: 0800

Captain Maxwell Culver stood proudly, if a little tired, on the deck of Triton Seabase. He had been there since 0500 hours, directing final checks with the Starfleet Corps of Engineers. She was seaworthy. Of this, he was sure because he checked himself.

Max was aware that Lieutenants Campbell and Stewart had boarded earlier, he was acutely aware that Stewart was as hungover as he should have been. ’Suppose that’s what happens when the CO throws a party the night before launch,’ he thought to himself.

Over at MedBay, Rena had already appeared for duty. A bit bleary-eyed from the early hour, but it couldn't be helped. She carried with her a cart full of files, paperwork, PaDDS, psychiatric tricorders, a spare uniform (because mustard mishaps were definitely a likelihood), and a replicator. Captain Culver couldn't expect her to work without coffee-she would be leading the lines to the padded cells herself. Finding her office amidst the bustle of the nurses and doctors setting up a small clinic, she entered.

Closing the door behind her, she inhaled. She liked the freshness of it-a brand new office in a brand-new posting on a brand-new planet. It was thrilling. She quickly set up the replicator, made her coffee, and set about getting her things organized. For now, she was the Chief-and ONLY-counselor. It was okay with her-the crew was small, and she wasn't worried about the caseload. The combat engineers had already set up a desk for her, and her chair had been brought in from HQ. Perfect. Today, she was wearing her usual uniform-Captain Culver had said it wasn't necessary, but she felt less...professional without it. Tomorrow, she'd start seeing patients. Today was setup day.

Now Max waited, almost never in full uniform, he wore a black t-shirt tunic with red piping at the collar, across the shoulders and around the sleeves. He was tired of being hot. Full aviator sunglasses hid the dark circles under his eyes from lack of sleep and the drug Jack had called “purge”. It was an unpleasant experience, but it sobered him up in ten minutes.

Jack was the new wildcard in his life and he would need Counselor Campbell, or Rena, whichever name she decided was appropriate to use on duty. He was more than a little confused. His vow of celibacy still held tight in his head and heart.

Galen stood about ten paces behind and five paces off Culver's right shoulder. He had no interest in making small talk with the Captain. In fact he had no interest in making small talk with anyone. However, duty dictated that he be present when the crew boarded in case he was needed. So, here he was as he watched the first shuttle approach.

The captain would see the shuttle coming in. In quick order it docked. It was a large shuttle. It looked like it was designed for hauling large cargo. Once the door opened, a lovely Caitian female in civilian garb exited. "Oh hello there. Could I get you to lend me a hand please? I have so much equipment to unload and I'm only one female? You look nice and strong, please help me?"

She found that the helpless female act worked on most Human males in getting them to do something for her. It was weird. Caitian males liked their females strong. Her mother was a prime example. She was a very strong female. A little too strong sometimes but she did love her mother.

Max looked at her, his scepticism hidden behind the large, reflective lenses of his sunglasses. Tapping his pips, he shook his head. “Sorry, I’m not doing the carry boxes or damsel in distress act this morning. I’m Captain Culver. As you’re currently the only Caitian assigned to the crew, I assume you’re S’tera? Welcome to Triton Seabase.”

"Yes! I am S'tera, thank you. So you’re Mad Max, eh? Heard about you!"

Another happy circumstance that he was wearing his glasses. She couldn’t tell the death glare directed at her from the nickname she had called him. It spoke volumes on her research abilities because no one had called him that since Junior year at the Academy.

“Mad Max” had been rabidly aggressive towards instructors who spoke from textbooks and got facts glaringly wrong. More than once, he had excited an instructor to attempt to throttle him. His last offense, the Dean had called him and the instructor who’d given him a black eye directly to her office - before Max could see medical - to personally tell him it had been amusing at first, but she had had enough. “Mad Max” was put away that day, but he still lived inside Max. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be heading a scientific seabase.

Tapping his combadge, he summoned a group to come assist the oversized cat, but as far as this morning, chivalry had died.

Oh well, he didn't fall for the damsel in distress bit. Not all of them do. Generally, it's the lonely ones, the younger ones; that type. Oh well! At least she would get her equipment moved. That was the important thing. Not that she wasn't capable of doing it herself, but she liked manipulating guys into doing stuff for her. Mostly moving heavy equipment around. Loading and unloading stuff.

Not that she was interested in dating a male. No thanks. Now females, that was just the opposite. She indeed would be interested in dating a female. Especially if they were pretty!

Anyway, she was happy to be here. This planet had so many opportunities with its teaming marine life. This would be great for her doctorate thesis. Then she would be Dr. S’tera, Marine Biologist! She looked forward to that day!

Galen watched the exchange between the Caitian and the Captain. He was shocked that Culver did not offer to assist the new crew member. In fact Max's reaction was dare Galen put it very Romulan. The XO was a people watcher and already he learned volumes as he simply watched the interactions.

Stewart sat quietly at her post, going over and studying to controls. Her head throbbed from drinking into the late hours, especially the Romulan ale, but she wasn’t so drunk as to not know how she got back to her own quarters, everything that happened before then wasn’t in complete focus. Despite her petite size, she was more than capable of holding her own when it came to drinking and given her past conduct, considered herself behaved.

Her hangover still left her quiet as she ran diagnostics. Seeing that the base was steered mostly by currents meant she would have little to actually do. Normally she would be fuming at such a thankless position, but with her head throbbing, exhausted and uncomfortable. She decided she would address this with the captain later.

After the exchange with the Caitian Galen thought that perhaps it may be worth one more tries with the Captain. So he stepped forward to stand at the Captain's right shoulder. "Morning Captain. I am glad to see that last night's festivities did not keep you down this morning."

Max smiled. “A little worse for wear, but being up at 0400 will have that effect,” he said loud enough to be heard. “As for the alcohol - since I assume that’s what you’re asking - I didn’t overdo it,” Max said for Galen’s ears only.

"Festivities?" S'tera asked. "Sounds like I missed something?"

"Missed the grand openin'." Vianola spoke as she entered the scene. "Lots of Romulan ale." She nodded.

"Interesting!? And you are?" She said with a purr and a smile. The newcomer was very nice! She did like blondes and those eyes positively sparkled!

Galen cocked an eyebrow in the Vulcan fashion. "It seems that there is always some sort of festivities at this installation." he intended that to be both a sarcastic remark and a statement of fact. He had never seen a crew have so many parties in so little a time.

Vi smirked at Galen's comment before turning back to the Caitian before her. "I'm Vianola, I run security on the station and surrounding Starfleet placements. Super exciting!" She added with an almost exaggerated enthusiasm. "And you are?" she eyed reddish looking cat.

"S'tera, Marine Biologist." she said as she extended her hand. "I just got here. Mad Max seems to not want to help a damsel in distress today." she wanted to make a joke about being arrested but thought better of it.

Vi took the hand and gave it a firm shake and smiled at the woman in front of her. "I believe the Captain is just a busy man." she tried the diplomatic card, "And that party last night has left some feeling a little... tender... shall we say."

Max allowed a smile. Tender was an understatement. The hang over he could handle, but still being drunk on duty would be a bad look. The Purge Jack had given him had done him in a bit differently.

At this point, everyone was now aboard that would be. Evelyn and Rena had boarded long before the last minute Caitian. “Now if everyone in on board, this aft deck is serving breakfast as is the top deck,” Max paused and gave a look a few decks up. Nice view this morning. “But I’d rather we moved inside the shield, into the conditioned air.” Max tugged on his collar.

"I'll definitely take some cooler air." Vianola admitted. She was sweating a little even in lighter uniform. "This planet is quite stuffy."

"Actually, I like it. Cait is quite humid. I miss it! This is still nice though. Anyway breakfast sounds good. I am hungry!" S'tera said.

“Lieutenant Stewart and I will take the first watch on the bridge,” he suggested. If she felt half as bad as he did, she would appreciate the escape into the cooler air and away from food.

Evelyn nodded as she did her best to hide her tiredness, or her appreciation. “Yes, sir,” she snapped in response.

As Max turned and his eyes glanced at the table of breakfast goods, his stomach almost recoiled. He wondered if that was normal after taking Purge but he had no one to ask. Instead, he kept it together enough to pass the table and head into the lighted but almost cold interior.

The air inside was cool. S'tera really preferred warmer but she was used to cool environments. She looked over the meats and tried not to salivate. It all looked so good. She piled it on her plate. She hadn't realized how hungry she was. She was anxious to dig in. Her tail was flicking wildly with anticipation.

As Vianola filled a somewhat small but moderate plate of food she kept feeling something hitting the back of her. Turning to se what it was revealed it was S'tera's tail and Vi laughed softly to herself. "Captain puts on a nice spread eh?" she commented to the Caitian.

"I will certainly give him that, dear lady! All the meats! Oh my! It all looks wonderful!" She looked over at the beautiful woman next to her and smiled. "So far, I like what I see around here." S'tera said.

Vi could feel the intention of the comment from S'tera. Her emotions were almost as plain on her face as they were underneath. Vi could help but smile at the compliment she knew the woman was throwing her way. "Well, we aim to please... well at least Captain Culver so far. I don't think we'll be as spoiled every morning."

"Well, that's alright! I plan on enjoying it while I can!! Perhaps you can show me around after breakfast?" S'tera asked. "I would like to get to know you better." Her tail flicked back and forth with anticipation. She hoped this could lead to a romantic relationship but it was something that couldn't be forced plus they really didn't know each other yet!

Galen had enough of meeting people for the day. However, he knew that as XO he was expected to meet the crew as they arrived. This was not an assignment that he relished, he looked forward to the start of their first mission. However, for the time being he watched the exchange of the crew as they met each other and introduced himself to those that he needed to meet.

Below decks, Max and Evelyn settled into their respective positions and set the Seabase in motion. This was their exciting start on Ihhuein ei'krih and he knew his crew would not squander it.

 

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