"Celebrations and SDS"
[Previous Post: Tiffany's "The Hardest Words To Say"
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Black Hole Lounge
Stardate: 60326.1705
Uxtar was still laughing at Nico's predicament as his drink arrived. He said, "If you keep this up, you will be beating off your female admirers with a stick. Literally. Are there any women on this ship that you have not offended, yet? Whose next, the Captain?"
Nico was less than amused. "You're right. First the XO hates me, now the ship's doctor. Maybe it was a mistake to accept this assignment."
"Relax Nico," Uxtar said, still chuckling, "I'm on your side, what more do you need?"
"It's not only that, Uxtar, the Captain's got the CEO up on charges a mile long, including murder, and his defense, from what I've heard, is that he was possessed, or some such nonsense. What kind of a ship is this?"
"A very exciting one, and I for one, am glad to be here. You should be too. Where else would you rather have been assigned Sec/Tac? You will definitely not be bored running security on this ship."
"I *am* happy to be here," Nico agreed, "I just hope I can handle this post."
After downing his drink and ordering another, Nico brought up the court martial. "What do you make of this Dawson situation?"
"I don't know if I want to touch that one." Uxtar said, "Think about it, half of this ship is behind him, and the other half wants to hang him. You'd be wise not to choose sides, especially with neither of us really knowing the specifics. Look at what just happened between you and the CMO. Trust me, just do your job and stay out of that one."
"But possession?" Nico said, not wanting to put the subject to rest quite yet, "Do you believe that rubbish?"
"I've seen a few things first hand that have taught me to keep an open mind." Uxtar replied, before changing the subject. "Why don't we have one more drink before we go over and apologize to Dr. Summers for your appalling behavior."
"Agreed." Nico responded.
While they drank, Uxtar was busy filling the Nausicaan with the VIPER's specs and capabilities. Nico grinned and could appreciate his friend's infatuation with the nimble fighter.
They were about to get up and make their way to Lea's and Susan's table when the two approached, saving them the trip.
"I would like to apologize to you Ensign Rostov," Lea began, "to both of you, really. I realize you are both excited about your promotions, and rightly so. You *should* be celebrating. I had no right to snap at you that way."
Nico stood up, prompting both, Lea and Susan to back away.
"Please," he said looking down at the two women, "it is I should apologize. I realize now that Lt. Dawson means a great deal to you. This must be a very hard time for you. My....exuberance was insensitive to your feelings. Please accept my deepest apologies."
With that, Susan stepped forward, "There, see? That wasn't so hard, was it? Why don't you two shake hands and be done with it?"
Lea, agreeing, put her hand forward, and Nico immediately grabbed it with his own. The CMO cringed as her hand, wrist, and most of her forearm disappeared into the Nausicaans grasp. She half expected to pull away a bloody stump. Nico was surprisingly gentle, however, and actually bowed clumsily as he shook her hand/arm.
Uxtar had to bite his lip to keep from laughing at this giant warrior's contriteness. "Would you ladies care to join us?" he asked, "We promise to keep our celebrating to a respectful minimum."
Lea was about to refuse when Susan said, "We'd love to."
When the four were seated around the table, Uxtar remarked, "Nico was just telling me of the interesting defense Lt. Dawson will be using."
Nico squirmed uncomfortably, hoping his friend would not reveal what he really thought of Dawson's so-called "defense".
"It's more than just his defense," Lea countered, "It's a fact."
Uxtar, and Nico listened intently as the CMO described in detail, the specifics of SDS. By the time she finished Nico was not completely convinced that SDS was a valid condition, but he at least, was willing to entertain the idea.
"You see, Uxtar?" he said grinning, "I told you that you should always keep an open mind."
Uxtar opened his mouth to deny what Nico said, then closed it again, instead he gave Nico his best *I'll get you for that* look, and offered another round.
The CMO begged off stating she had things to attend to in Sickbay, but Susan elected to stay and help her two new friends celebrate. Nico and Uxtar stood as Lea left the table and made her way out of The Black Hole.
After she left, Uxtar called the porter over and ordered a fresh round.
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Jammie Thouin {Lone-gunman@att.net}
Ensign Nicodemus Rostov
Chief of Security/Tactical officer
USS ANUBIS
-- 2005 post #424
"All right, brain, I don't like
you and you don't like me - so
let's just do this and I'll get
back to killing you with beer."
-Homer Simpson
