"Celebrations and Congratulations"
[Previous post: "I Do…"]
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Black Hole
Finding an excuse to order something to drink had never been much of an
issue for the Hirogen and Nausicaan, and the promotion of the ANUBIS'
CMO had just made it that much easier. The advantage at this time was
that Uxtar and Nico were not the only ones drinking and celebrating.
The hybrid CO had shot a few glares at the FCO and Sec/Tac officer, but
neither one had paid them any attention. Raising their glasses to the
new lieutenant and wishing her good fortune had been the only important
thing at the moment, and everyone at the table seemed to agree.
Ens. Mei did seem reluctant to join in apparently remembering the last
time that such drinking and celebrating had taken place in this very
room. The one saving grace had been that none of the maintenance staff
working on the HATHOR had been present this time around.
"To Lieutenant Summers and the HATHOR, may they both return from our
next mission with all of their insides intact," Nico said lifting his
half filled glass as high as he could.
The CMO did not give any indication of having enjoyed the gesture but
that did not stop her from joining in on the cheer which followed.
Likewise Lt. Dawson had also not seemed to care all that much for the
way the Nausicaan had presented the toast, probably not liking the idea
of having to do any type of clean-up behind Rostov. The mission
parameters as explained to the Sec/Tac and FCO did not point to
anything that could lead to any damage befalling the HATHOR, and both the CEO
and aCEO looked like that had wanted to keep it that way.
Unlike the majority of the officers sitting at the table though, Ens.
Kea did seem a little concerned by what Nico had said, and Uxtar had
decided to take full advantage of this development. "To our two newest
recruits," the Hirogen joined in with raising his recently refilled
glass. "May they remember their first mission with us with fondness,
despite whatever bumps and bruises they may have collected by the time
we return home."
"This *is* only a shakedown cruise Ensign Uxtar," the CO said, bringing
things back under control. Elizabeth and Carft smiled at the
reassurance that they would not be heading into some sort of crazed
battle or situation during which their lives might be in put in danger.
"A mission is what you make it out to be Commander," the Hirogen said.
"It may be safer to look upon the mission on the HATHOR as being
nothing more than a shakedown cruise, but where is the glory in that? Even if
we return not having faced any enemies, there is no harm is preparing
for such a possibility, and maybe even hope for it."
Commander Serenna glanced for a brief moment at Pravat whom had been
given specific instructions concerning their upcoming mission. "I
would be careful what you hope for Ensign," the HATHOR's CO calmly said, "the
universe had been known to grant wishes in the most unpleasant of ways,
not that I expect any such manifestation to take place during our
testing of the ship."
The Enaran remained stone-faced not letting any emotions show. Not
even the HATHOR's CO knew what he had been planning for the testing of the
crew during their mission and that was exactly the way Prav liked it.
Just then several waiters and waitresses arrived around the table ready
to take everyone's order and get the best part of the luncheon started,
the best part as far as the Hirogen had been concerned of course.
###
And
Flight Control Officer 2005 post #521
Stardate: 60329.1300
Mark Hutchings {h172mark16@fastmail.us}
Ensign Uxtar
VIPER Pilot
USS ANUBIS
USS HATHOR
