Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti - The Last Hurrah

[Marissa Jeffrey]

((Molly Malone's, Deep Space 224))

New drinks in hand, it was the man next to her that took the opportunity to speak first.

Silveira: Let me take the chance to raise my glass to both of you. Two of the finest officers I had the pleasure to serve with. 

A sentiment that was quickly added on to.

Yellir: To the Excalibur! The pleasure of working with two of the most inspiring officers this side of the Delta Quadrant.

Who was an old commodore to argue with the words of the up and coming? Kali couldn't help but join them in raising her glass.

Nicholotti: To the lessons learned, the memories made, and a future made brighter.

The glasses clinked and silence took over as they all seemed to get lost in their drinks for a moment. Kali almost imagined time slowing down and allowing each of these moments to be savored even more. A burp from the tactical officer broke that magical illusion and Kali raised an eyebrow towards him.

Silveira: Excuse me. It's been a few years since I had one of these. 

Yellir: ::Hallia raised an eyebrow:: Now, don’t tell us you’re getting soft already, Lieutenant. 

Shaking her head, Kali would never believe such a thing.

Nicholotti: No, I think we've just been keeping him very busy. 

The man shrugged and grinned, just not as vibrant as his usual.

Silveira: As they say, it's the mileage not the years. 

Yellir: I’ll drink to that. 

 

Nicholotti: Indeed.

And oh, had they gone the miles. Many of them they had traveled together. It truly did leave a mark deep down. Just as silence threatened to pull them all under, another voice broke in. This one quite familiar, and she instantly felt bad about not having the time to sit and talk like they should have.

Daniels: You know, you and I really have to work on our timing. One of us, usually me, is always coming or going.

Kali shrugged and smiled sadly.

Nicholotti:  It's alright as long as you're going places. I know the Artemis is going to be a force to be reckoned with.

Even if it meant she didn't get to be with them. Even if it meant massive changes.  

Silveira: Response?

Yellir: Maybe sometime soon we’ll have a ship with both of you staying ::grinning.::

Now that was a thought. The thing about the moment is that Kali almost felt as if it might last forever. The reality of it all was that nothing lasted. Life, and the time in which is was saturated, was a river that was always changing. Even the bedrocks of it changed as the waters moved along.

Daniels: I've been thinking about that. I feel like Commander MacKenzie's got a full house as it is with the whole senior staff. The last thing she needs is some old Mission Specialist teaching her Officers bad habits.

Kali raised an eyebrow. Where was he going then?

Nicholotti: You have different plans?

Having told her former first officer to take all of the best, she assumed that Colt would be included. Perhaps, however, there had been some kind of discussions somewhere along the way? But...who would want to pass up the opportunity that the Artemis granted?

Silveira: Response?

Yellir: Best to get the bad habits out of the way earlier in your career, i’d say.

With an agreeing nod, she slowed and looked over to the man she'd known for over a decade as he draped an arm across her shoulders. He was her oldest friend that she knew was alive, and the last part of a history and life that existed before the Scar. Her questioningly look must have spoken the words she couldn't say because he answered. 

Daniels: You lead, I follow.

The questioning look transformed into something more skeptical.

Nicholotti:  If you're sure, who am I to argue?

Skeptical turned into a grin as she realized how much she would enjoy the company. Perhaps they would finally have the chance to catch up properly. It had been a good number of years, after all. But perhaps that was the great part about the best friends, it didn't matter how much time passed, when you met them along the path of life again, it was as if the two of you had never been apart.

Silveira: Response?

Yellir: Space is much smaller than we’d expect— sooner than we know it we could all be back here.

The Tholian border wasn't all that far away with the QSD. 224 would always be 'home' in ways that other places couldn't.

Nicholotti: I will hold on to that hope and know that you are all going out there with each other. 

If she couldn't have their backs, at least they would have each other, and that meant something.

Daniels/Silveira:  Response?

Yellir: Till then. I suppose we’ll just have to make do in the meantime. The Excalibur, and her CO will be sorely missed.

Daniels/Silveira:  Response?

Saying nothing, and fighting the emotions that were threatening just behind her crystalline eyes, Kali held up her glass and offered a thankful look to each of those who had joined her in this last hurrah. She could only hope that they knew just how important they were to her, and how much she had valued their comraderie and friendship over the years.

Perhaps Hallia was right, and before any of them knew it they would be back here on these same chairs, toasting something far more pleasant. If the universe granted it, Kali would be there. 

And that was enough on which to hope.

(OOC - Tying this up so ya'll can jump into the Artemis stuff in the next couple of days. Glad I got to have a last drink with ya'll.)

TAG/End

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Commodore Kalianna Nicholotti

Commanding Officer

USS Excalibur - A

R238605KN0