Commander Jo Marshall - Don't Fight the Fauna
Jo Marshall
((Cochtois Lagoon, Deluvia IV))
There were few sights in the galaxy more humbling than a Starfleet officer attempting the ancient Earth limbering ritual as limbo, though Jo would've ranked it somewhere between watching Quinn's eyebrow twitch at the utterance of "ma'am" in her presence, or opening the departmental replicator budget in terms of sheer comedic suffering.
Maezel was up to the bar again, because scientists—in Jo's opinion—were nothing if not stubborn optimists believing the universe would behave differently on the next attempt. The Bolian took up her place before the bar, the rod resting at a height designed by an enemy of spinal integrity, and arched backwards like she'd done this before.
From there Jo stood, her head tilted to almost the angle of Fenn's back, it looked as if Maezel had entered into negotiations with the application of gravity. However, negotiations fell as flat as the bar did, plopping down into the sand with a dry thud.
Fenn: Darn, almost had it!
She stretched her back to help it recover and received a conciliatory pat on the shoulder from the Ops Chief as she rejoined the conversation, shaking her head in light disbelief.
Fenn: I’m looking forward to meeting the rest of the science team. What’s Taelon’s special project about?
Jo opened her mouth to answer, but found herself momentarily sidetracked by the Selki manipulating their spine as if it was built from elastic, and slipped under the bar like a smug noodle.
Neathler: I think he seldom leaves his quarters without his droid. And depending on missions he can switch certain modules that will help them in the field.
Aria, Taelon's droid, had proved rather handy during their previous mission with the Borg, or so Jo had read in the reports from Sami's team. Having something that sapient plugged into her brain, however, would be a hard stretch, and it toed a line where cybernetics and what was truly Taelon could be questioned. When chatting science, Fenn lit up like a warp core.
Fenn: That sounds really cool! I’d appreciate an introduction if I don’t get to meet him on shore leave. ::She paused.:: In fact, tell me about the science team on the Gorkon. What are they like?
Neathler: Like most people on the ship, very helpful, inventive and they will perform beyond their limits to try to solve a problem.
Marshall: Thankfully without causing too many paradoxes.
Fenn: And who is the Chief Science Officer? I noticed the crew manifest doesn’t list one.
Jo caught the side glance from Sami and knew where her mind went, carrying a swift PADDs worth of memos with it. With Tahna stepping up as First Officer, and Sami stepping down, the department was currently headless but functioning. It had plenty of capable officers embedded within it, least of which was their Romulan scientist, who knew more about astronomy than Jo had ever found anyone to. Erin stepped in when it needed a guiding hand, but she'd taken to enjoying her Research post, and Jo wasn't about to try and convince her otherwise.
Marshall: The Admiral just needs to sign off on it now. We've got a shortlist. The department hasn't fallen into chaos yet, so we're counting it as a win.
Neathler: Valesha is doing a good job, and her and Soup’s daughter is just adorable. It’s difficult to believe she’s already three years old.
It was hard to believe the young Romulan hybrid was knocking on three already—the circumstances of that birth were certainly as fresh in Jo's mind as the day before. Skarbek had changed them all in ways she doubted she could ever quite fathom.
Fenn: I look forward to meeting them all.
Marshall: Anyone willing to take three runs at a limbo bar that low will survive the Gorkon just fine. ::She chuckled as the latest contest bit the sand.:: Even the science department.
Sami found a spot in the sand to park herself as they watched the next round. The beachgoers set the limbo bar up again, lowering it once more, and Jo wondered if Tali would've liked to be there, watching the chiropractic danger in action.
Neathler: Do you have special beach games back on Bolarus? Something that's doable for multiple species?
Maezel plopped down beside Sami, and Jo joined the two, finding the sand warm on the underside of her stretched out legs, and the sun's rays more than pleasant on the top.
Fenn: We have many beach games. Bolarus is an oceanic world so a lot of our entertainment and sports involve the water. ::She thought for a second.:: I think my favourite translates as Tidal Scour. It's a bit like a treasure hunt in rivers with strong currents and fast flowing water. Whoever collects their kal'dars...these weighted ceramic balls...and returns them all to their team’s basket first is the winner.
She made it sound simple and fun, the same way Jo had heard Erin describe black holes as a bit swirly. However, from the Bolian's expression alone, Jo imagined the truth of the game was rather different. Fast running water and weighted ceramic balls sounded hilarious, but less than pleasant if the teammate was less than helpful.
Fenn: What should we do next?
Neathler: What about grabbing another drink and go for a walk along the beach? I’m sure our backs will be grateful.
Fenn: I wouldn’t mind a drink and walk. How about you Commander Marshall?
Marshall: Why not? Stretch the old bones in the sunshine.
Fenn: Then we have a plan.
The young officer sprang to her feet in a way Jo would've considered doing herself ten years before. Sand beneath her feat was gloriously warm, the breeze gentle enough to not be annoying, and the sound of someone else failing at limbo drifted into nothingness behind them. They made their way back to the bar they'd visited before.
Fenn: Commanders, you really must let me get the next round. I’m just going to have water. What would you both like?
Marshall: I’ll take something cold and syntheholic, please. Anything with a little fruity umbrella.
Neathler: Response
Fenn: Would you both like to grab a light snack to eat on the move, too?
Saying that while holding a menu was the easiest way to find one Jo Marshall taking a shine. Her stomach reminded her she hadn't eaten since the morning, and despite the relatively short time since then, it was still clocking up. Deluvian cuisine was something to be experienced. One item immediately caught her eye.
Marshall: That sandwich looks good. ::She pointed and the menu acknowledged with a hearty chime.:: Deluvian toasted flatbread, chilled reef lettuce, pickled sunfruit strips and aioli. That's the stuff of legend.
Neathler / Fenn: Response
Marshall: Eat boldly, and if possible, things that don't fight back. ::Her heart did a double take at the menu.:: They do one with hot reef peppers as well. Last time I had those, I'm pretty sure my tongue tried to file for bodily independence.
Neathler / Fenn: Response
A sudden shriek came from the limbo gang, cutting through the air. Jo glanced back to see someone hopping away from the limbo bar, clutching at their ankle as a rather large and brightly blue crustacean held onto a ripe toe for dear life. It flung off and scuttled away when it hit the sand, waving claws as if delivering a thinly veiled insult in its native language. Jo chuckled and pushed her sunglasses back up her nose.
Marshall: Looks like the wildlife won that round.
Neathler / Fenn: Response