JP: Captain Rahman & LtCmdr Core, "To Boldly Go..." (Part 1)
Deliera Jay
[MISSION START] JP: Rahman and Core: To Boldly Go… (Part 1)
((Captain’s Quarters, USS Venture))
::Roshanara stood in front of the mirror, looking at herself dressed in what was supposed to be a “captain’s uniform.”::
::She shook her head once again. She felt more like a cosmic cheerleader.::
Rahman: This. ...is ridiculous.
::The Rodulan was leaning against the door’s frame behind her, observing the amusing spectacle that was Roshanara Rahman in a gold. . . he wanted to say “dress”, but perhaps that was putting it mildly.::
Core: I think it’s quite flattering on you.
Rahman: Shut up.
Core: Aye, Captain.
::And by “captain,” he did mean the rank of captain. Starfleet had decided to give her a field promotion to captain while she was technically in “command” of the Venture, clearly for the endless publicity images that were going to be taken at the event. Evidently they figured the additional stripes would make up for the loss of pants.::
::She turned around to see Tristam dressed in the male equivalent of the era, wearing the gold shirt of command.::
Rahman: How is it you can make that look decent?
::He looked down at his sleeves, seemingly both pleased by the unexpected compliment and yet also surprised himself by how well he was pulling it off.::
Core: Honestly? No idea. I don’t feel like I’m wearing enough layers.
Rahman: oO Grr… says the one who’s not freezing his legs off. Oo
::“But you’re wearing stockings! How can you be freezing if you’re wearing stockings?” were literally the words said to her when she complained to the quartermaster, though the poor officer wisely shut up when she shot back a stare of death.::
::She cocked her head for a moment then, squinting at Tristam in his full uniform.::
Rahman: Aren’t you supposed to be in red, though?
Core: I’m the Invicta’s FO - just because the Syracuse crew is taking the lead in command doesn’t mean I get to lose my command shirt. Plus, red is not an Engineering colour. Way too harsh to be.
::Not to mention that as much as he liked his red uniform on a day to day basis (the 24th century maroon suited him well in style, at least), he refused to be caught dead in a completely red uniform. It’s bad enough he was conned into wearing the gold shirt to begin with. So loose. So uncomfortable. He wanted his jacket back. Or at least its zip, of which keeps the young Rodulan occupied whenever he was required to sit through hours of uninteresting talking without a PADD.::
Rahman: Ugh… I swear, I’m going to kill Ensign King for suggesting this after we’re done with the ceremonies. And you’re going to help me get rid of the body.
Core: Oh come *on* - at least *someone* has managed to remain seemingly positive about this whole thing. I think I prefer his nauseating optimism over the four weeks of hell I’ve been through fixing this . . . *ship*.
::It was obvious he’d wanted to say something *other* than “ship.”::
::Still, he was right. What the crew had managed to do *was* nothing short of amazing. In four weeks, they’d somehow turned a tourist attraction into something that looked like an actual Starfleet vessel again.::
Rahman: Well, now we have more… “ship” to go through. So don’t rest just yet. Did you look over the itinerary Kinan sent over yet?
Core: . . . if I say I’ve been ignoring all messages from her, how much would you frown, do you think?
::She put a hand on her hip and sighed, something she suspected he secretly enjoyed.::
Rahman: She’s got you scheduled to talk with the FNS about the Venture and the rehab project. So, yeah… have fun with that.
Core: Haven’t I answered enough of their questions already? That reporter so wildly concerned about us disturbing the atmospheric pressure of a room up against the outer hull to the point where we might accidentally cause it to crack and suck us all into space was proof enough that they really don’t know anything about what they want me to talk about.
Rahman: Hey, at least you’re not the one who has to sit through three hours of speeches and toasts...
::Just why she--and she alone of the Starfleet crews participating in the Parade of Ships--had been requested to attend the formal dinner with the politicians and keynote speakers, she had no idea, but she already was thinking of another body (this one covered in spots) that she and Tristam were going to need to find a place to hide next to King’s.::
Core: Free drinks are preferable to explaining that myths of starship disasters are indeed *myths*.
::She just shook her head, but before she could say anything, her combadge, no, her handheld communicator -- since of course the historians had insisted even those be replaced -- chirped. She picked it up and tried to awkwardly flip it open like she’d seen done in those historical records Tasnim had been watching the other day.::
::It wasn’t working.::
Rahman: ::muttering:: Damn it, you archaic piece of ship…
::She started banging it against the desk before Tristam kindly intervened to prevent the Kriosian from destroying yet another piece of the Venture Museum’s prized collection.::
Core: Ahem…
::With gentle hands and an amused smile, the Rodulan ever so gingerly opened the communicator like a regular person - one hand holding the base, the other opening the lid.::
::She looked back, unamused as he handed it back to her.::
Rahman: I really hate you.
Kinan: =/\= Want to say that again, Captain? =/\=
::Tristam choked on a laugh, switching to covering his mouth and coughing as if a large amount of dust had just blown in his direction.::
Core:::coughing still:: Need a vacuum in here.
Rahman: I hate you both. ::She leaned into the communicator, making sure her voice would ring in Kinan’s ears.:: =/\= Especially you, Kinan. You owe me… =/\=
Kinan: =/\= This was *your* doing, not mine, I’ll have you remember. =/\=
Rahman: =/\= Ugh. Don’t remind me. ::She let out an exasperated sigh:: All right, what is it, commander? =/\=
Kinan: =/\= The Klingons have informed me that it’s time to get underway, ma’am. =/\=
Rahman: =/\= Well, underway we shall go then. Rahman out. =/\=
Kinan: =/\= Wait- Captain, remember that the Klingons want you to- =/\=
::But the Kriosian already slammed the communicator shut again.::
Rahman: All right, Chuckles, let’s go.
::As they started to head out into the corridor, Roshanara then abruptly turned to Tristam.::
Rahman: And no.
::The Rodulan looked back at her, confused.::
Core: ::frowning:: No?
Rahman: No, as in I am *not* wearing this tonight.
Core: I never said anything about wearing anything tonight.
::Ervami continued to grumble as they walked down the corridor.::
Rahman: ...you were thinking it.
::He gave cheeky grin, suddenly glad that he was immune to her empathic abilities and any telepathic ones she could potentially be hiding.::
Core: Let me know when you can prove it, ervami.
TBC…
Lt. Cmdr. Tristam Core
Special Assignment: Engineering Specialist, USS Venture
&
Captain Roshanara Rahman
Special Assignment: Commanding Officer, USS Venture