LtCmdr. Talos Dakora - Lunch Back On Track
Travis
((Second Promenade, Deck 227, DS224))
Talos’ chance encounter with Jovenan during his nostalgia trip through DS224’s promenade had taken an odd turn. Salkath had appeared and thrust an apology on the Edo Science Chief and Talos still felt like he was reeling to catch up.
Dakora: I think we can all agree that it was an unprecedented situation, one which ended disastrously. ::To Salkath:: We know now that your instincts were correct. ::To Jovenan:: and You followed protocol to the letter. ::He sighed and shook his head.:: From where I’m standing this seems like one of those situations where everyone involved had their heart and their heads in the right place…
Talos could tell his words hadn’t had the effect that he’d hoped, even as Jovenan nodded. It was easy to play Captain Hindsight and wargame all of the various ways that any one of them could’ve caught on to the tragedy that was about to unfold, but it was a moot point.
The fact of the matter was that Starfleet Command had ordered the installation of the Fleet Formation Module and up until Frontier Day, none of them had had reason to doubt Fleet-Wide order.
Jovenan: Maybe so. ::to Salkath, formally:: Commander, I accept your apology. Please receive mine. As the evidence post factum have proven, your logic was flawless. I find myself responsible for us failing to reach a better outcome.
Salkath: I appreciate and accept your apology as well, though I disagree with your latter assertion, Commander. ::adopting an 'at ease' pose, trying to project a calming influence in what little way he knew how:: A better outcome could have been achieved from choosing to follow protocol, with me bringing my concerns and potential action plans to Commander Dakora or Captain MacKenzie. Logic should not be heralded when it is not tempered.
Frowning, Talos shifted his gaze to Jovenan as she replied.
Jovenan: I couldn’t have known, no, but there would have been no damage done if the Fleet Formation hadn’t been as sinister as it turned out to be, except maybe for my conscience. As it turns out, my… moral compass is somewhat flawed.
Reaching out and patting Jovenan on the shoulder a couple of times, Talos shook his head.
Dakora: I don’t think I agree with that. Your moral compass is right where it should be. We aren’t expected to be clairvoyant and we certainly shouldn’t be distrustful of our friends and allies by default. Maybe this time– this one time– it didn’t pay off, but I don’t think you should change who you are because of an evil plot. That’s how they win, even after they’ve lost.
A brief silence fell over the group before Jovenan broke it, her tone signifying a change of subject.
Jovenan: Unless there’s something more we need to discuss, sir… ::turn to Salkath:: Talos and I were about to go look for a place to eat. Would you like to join us? ::quick glance at Dakora for confirmation:: I’d like to learn more about you, as a person. That could help us avoid such, um, miscommunications in the future.
Salkath: I... I would not wish to impose on your social event.
Doing his best to put the little bit of tension behind them, Talos let a slight grin return to his face.
Dakora: We’d love for you to impose on our social event. ::He laughed.:: And I too would like to get to know you better, Mister Salkath.
Salkath: If you are certain that my presence would not disrupt you further, then I am amenable to joining you.
Jovenan: response
Salkath: I assume that you are both familiar with Deep Space 224, or at least more so than I? Our limited opportunities to visit here since I joined the Artemis means that I am not used to the ::waving hands absently:: crowds.
With his grin gradually fading to a smirk he nodded.
Dakora: No matter how far we go, we always seem to end up right back here. Believe it or not, it’s been long enough that I missed these crowds.
Jovenan response
Salkath: Considering that this station has a strong scientific mandate for the region, it must hold a certain appeal for you, Commander Jovenan.
Jovenan: response
Talos’ mouth watered at the memory of one of those massive, greasy burgers he’d shared with Yogan and the Burger Nagus or the well-stacked platters of wings he’d shared with Addison at Molly Malone’s but something told him neither of those were the correct choice for present company.
Instead, he recalled a place he’d never visited himself but had heard good things about. If vegetarian, Vulcan cuisine was your thing.
Dakora: Now that you mention it Salkath, there is a place just up ahead that might work well for all of us. A little place called: “Yem-tukh Nar-tor'i.” I’m not sure exactly what the name means, but it’s a well-regarded spot, as far as I’m aware…
Salkath/Jovenan: Response?
Shrugging, Talos replied nonchalantly.
Dakora: I’m not vegetarian, but I don’t have a problem with a vegetarian meal now and then. You’ll have to give us some recommendations, Salkath.
Salkath/Jovenan: Response?
TAG/TBC
LtCmdr. Talos Dakora
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
O238811CD0