Commander Tomas Falt: Bar talk

[Tomas Falt]

((Awards Ceremony, Rooftop Garden Patio, Soldotna))

Tomas took a sip of his whiskey and straightened up. He was pretty sure the brief mental exercise had helped a little, but any further attempts to improve his mood would have to wait. A familiar face had joined him at the bar and it was now time to socialise.

He raised his glass to the new arrival.

Falt: Good evening.

DeVeau: Virgin rooh afza mojito please.

There was a short pause as the Commanders drink arrived. Tomas took the opportunity to take a sip of his whiskey. He rather enjoyed the burning sensation that followed.

DeVeau: Hey Tomas.  Are you doing all right? 

Falt: It's been an interesting couple of days, that's for sure.

He gave the woman a smile, residual whiskey from his last sip making his lips tingle as he did so. 

Any: Response

DeVeau: Yes it has.  I hope everyone is doing all right. 

Tomas raised his glass to the newly arrived Lieutenant Dekas before responding.

Drex: Good evening, Sirs. 

Any: Response.

Falt: Welcome, Mister Drex. ::turning back to Alora:: To answer your question I think they will be, although it would be foolish to thing Oddas's departure won't cause some disruption.

DeVeau: Change can be hard, but it can also be exciting.  

Tomas smiled again. The Commander seemed to also be switching negatives of positives, just like he had done a moment earlier.

Any: Response.

Falt: I agree completely. Change always brings opportunities.

DeVeau: I would say it’s an appropriate time for change.  The new year opens to a universe full of possibilities.  

Any: Response.

Tomas took another sip of his whiskey before directing his attention toward Drex.

Falt: What about you, Lieutenant. You must have questions like the rest of us?

Drex: Have you heard anything from Commodore Oddas? Is the new place what she expected?

Tomas gelt an eyebrow rise at Drex's question, in admiration rather than surprise. Whilst everyone else was wondering about what was going to happen next Drex was concerned for Aria. It was a question that told Tomas everything he could have ever wanted to know about Drex's character.

Falt: I'm afraid I have not. I'm sure she'll be in touch when she's ready. ::To DeVeau:: What about you, Commander?

Any / DeVeau: Response.

Drex: I understand. I imagine it will take time for everyone to find balance and a stable routine.

Any / DeVeau: Response

As they'd been talking Tomas had noticed the approach of another new arrival, both to their conversation and the station. As the man came into earshot Tomas beckoned toward him with now half empty glass.

Falt: Commander Williams, join us.

Drex carried on the conversation as Williams finished his approach.

Drex: Has the Fleet Command communicated the name of the new CO?

Williams: You didn’t get the memo?

Tomas raised another eyebrow, a questioning one this time. He had served with Williams in the past, but didn't know him well enough to be completely confident that the man was joking.

Drex / DeVeau: Response.

Williams: Hmm… Guess having a few courses in Starfleet Intelligence finally pays off.

Tomas gave the man a grin, his last remark giving him confidence that he was indeed joking.

Falt: I doubt that Starfleet Intelligence have much interest in who our new CO will be. Not unless they're having a very slow day.

Drex / DeVeau: Response.

Williams: Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I knew as much as you do. Officially that is. Off the record have an idea. The sudden arrival of the Excalibur made me do some checking.

Tomas' quizzical look returned.

Falt: Ships arrive here all the time, and we don't require Starfleet vessels to inform us ahead of time. I'd caution against reading too much into it.

Drex / DeVeau: Response.

Williams: It's been 10 years ago, but I did serve on that ship. I happen to know its captain and it's not unlikely that after 10 years she might be looking for a career change.  If you want to make a bet, I'd put my money on Captain Nicholotti.

Tomas paused for a moment. It wasn't a bad theory, as theories went. But it was really only conjecture.

Falt: Interesting, although it is obviously only a hunch at this stage. At the risk of being a party pooper please don't share any theories with the crew at this stage. Bar talk amongst the senior staff is fine, but we must be mindful of the need for rumour control too. Unless our new CO turns up of course. In which case.. 

Drex / DeVeau / Williams: Response.

Tomas nodded and drained his glass.

Falt: Now, if you'll excuse me. With Oddas gone the awards presentation falls to me and I think it's time I get started.

Drex / DeVeau / Williams: Response.

With a final nod to his colleagues he pushed himself off the bar and made his way to the pedestal in the middle of the room.

TAG / TBC

Commander Tomas Falt                          

Executive Officer                   

Denali Station   

J239807TF2 

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