LT. Arlill, Ensign Nilsen, Lt. Maxwell, Ensign Herrick. Lt. Promotory, Lt. Johnson, Zarah, Lt. Nijal, Ensign Vomek, Rox, Lt. Cabrillo: JOPA: Some say goodbye, and some say hello… (Part 3)
Erik J
(( “Special Restoration Area” (a.k.a. Bowling Alley) - Deck 7 - USS ‘Oumuamua ))
Arlill: =/\= Lieutenant Arlill to Lieutenant Promontory, would you please join me on Deck 7 Room 703. =/\=
Avander: =/\= On my way =/\=
Arlill: Ok everyone, we all know that Avander was made a full lieutenant which means he can no longer be a JOPA member. Let’s give him a send off he won’t forget. (beat) =/\= Computer, Dim the lights and trigger program Arlill 799 on doors opening =/\=
As the doors hissed open and Avander entered an old-timey song started to play, The Man in Me, the lights switched over to colored lights moving across the floor and ceiling and a disco ball materialized over their heads. Toxin kicked off a round of applause.
As the applause settled, Toxin picked up a small pad and pressed a button, the music got really low and the lights stopped moving, a single spot light lit up where Avander was standing.
Arlill: Lieutenant, if you would please join me. ::indicating towards the space next to him.::
As Avander approached Toxin removed a small box from a nearby shelf and placed it on the table before him. He opened the box to reveal an old fashioned bowling shirt that read JOPA, “Just Other Players Association” Champ.
Arlill: You appear to be out of uniform, lieutenant, would you please put this on?
It took Avander a minute to process what was happening. He hadn’t forgotten about JOPA. Not exactly. But he hadn’t been expecting this. Despite his best efforts, he blushed.
Promontory: It’s been a hot minute since our academy days, eh?
Arlill: ::indicating towards Avander:: Avander has been a part of our association for some time. ::looking at Avander:: It’s an honor to stand here, where you’ve led so many meetings of this association, and to stand here with you, that’s quite the honor. (Beat) But as many of you know, Avander is no longer a Junior Officer. It’s time for him to leave our ranks and transition beyond the Association. (beat) ::looking towards Avander:: Do you have any words of wisdom for us? Toxin took a step back so Avander could have the stage.
Max looked around at the small crowd, beginning to form an idea of just what was going on.
Promontory: You guys are the best. Never stop the shenanigans. (beat) Keep an eye on each other. Two on Rox, if you can spare them. ::shooting a finger gun towards the nurse:: Enjoy this time of your career. It passes too fast, but it will set you on a good path.
Z. Johnson: You know what this means, right?
Nilsen: I ain’t smart enough, what this mean?
Z. Johnson: He’s now a target.
Mischievousness twinkled in Zarah’s eyes and she rubbed her hands together with glee. Never mind that he wasn’t going to be *her* target. Or was he?
Arlill: Lieutenant, we have one more presentation for you, would you please open this box. ::Toxin reached for another box on the shelf and passed it to Avander::
Toxin had put a lot of thought into the actual JOPA gift or rather recognition of appreciation. It wasn’t easy considering how much Avander had helped him along the way. Avander taught Toxin what JOPA was all about, he’d caught Toxin before he made a few mistakes on different occasions, helping him right his wrongs.
He watched as Avander raised the gift out of the box. It was an old earth time piece, gold plated, with a spinning mechanism below the clock face that powered the device. This clock had no power source, but rather a single nuckockel gem from Orion with its own perpetual magnetic field allowing the clock to run indefinitely. A small engraving decorated the front of the device, it simply read “From old friends who will never forget. Just Offering Plenty of Appreciation”
Arlill: It’s well deserved (beat) Sir. ::Toxin straightened to attention and a smile crossed from ear to ear::
Avander held the timepiece up to the light and smiled. oO This sure beats a swim in the koi pond! Oo He smiled more broadly, remembering Jack’s exit ceremony.
Raising an eyebrow, Max nodded to himself appreciatively at the golden carriage clock as it was lifted from its box. It was quite the gift indeed.
Arlill: Now, if you wouldn’t mind sir ::gesturing towards the exit:: (beat) I’m kidding, it’s not that easy (beat) mind helping out some of our newest members, one more time?
Promontory: ::grinning:: Anything you say boss.
Arlill: Ensign Nilsen, Maxwell, and Elaryn please come to the front of the crowd.
Easing his way passed a couple of the others, Max stepped to the front with Nilsen and… Elaryn, was it? He turned so that he was side-on and could therefore see the group, and the speaker. He glanced at the clock before giving a light nod to Promontory. Nilsen was glad to have met Maxwell and the two had worked together really well on the bridge during the last mission, and Nilsen was glad to see something good seemed to be happening at that moment to Promontory, he had no idea what it was but it still seemed good.
Arlill: ::Addressing everyone:: All of us, at some point in our junior officer career, have or will need a little help. I mean there’s no easy ride in Starfleet, it’s a challenging career and each of you chose to take that career to the next level, going down the officer’s tract. Everyone here has been recognized by an officer before them for their skills and potentials. Our newest members, Nilsen and Max have been identified by existing JOPA members as having such potential. Your membership will not only benefit your fellow JOPA members, but every person on this ship as well as yourselves. You both have outstanding service records and have proven yourselves to be officers that not only meet the bar, but well exceed it.
Potential? Nilsen thought to himself. Etan was right. There was a place here for him.
Arlill: ::Looking towards Promontory:: I know this isn’t your first time doing this, in fact, the first time you were asked to elaborate about the benefits of JOPA was the first time I’d ever been invited to join. Would you, one last time, explain the benefits to our newest invitees?
Promontory: Of course. ::head nodding:: So many benefits… the camaraderie, first and foremost, but we also help each other learn, grow and develop. (beat) And get promotions–pretty successfully, I’d argue. The Senior Officers might be a bit busy or not remember what it was like when they were in our shoes–JOPA ensures you have aid–anything short of immoral or illegal. (beat) And maybe a few questionably legal assists from time to time. ::winking::.
Arlill: Ok Nilsen, Maxwell, and Elaryn, you don’t think you just get these benefits for free? (beat) everything has a price. (beat) ::looking around the crowd:: Zi, are you here?
Nijal: Present!
Arlill: Would you mind explaining the JOPA initiation?
Nijal: Absolutely. (with a delighted grin) Your mission, your very personal mission, is to play a prank on a senior officer. Reprogram the computer in Commander Etan’s quarters so that it insults him every time he talks to it, maybe. Or fix the commodore’s replicator so that it can only make melted cheese.
Zi wrinkled her nose, imagining that one. Vulcans didn’t care for cheese, did they? She couldn’t imagine they would. Well, she couldn’t imagine anyone would, but many of the humans and many of the Tellarites she’d met swore by it.
While his face remained perfectly still, impassive and most likely looked unimpressed and grumpy he offered a nod of acceptance. After all, who would suspect the scarred, dour-looking Marine 2nd Lieutenant with a brace of Academy ribbons on his record as being down for pranking his superiors?
Sal Taybrim would.
If Sal were able to look across quadrants and into this room he would have looked beyond the straight face, and have only seen the twinkle of mischief deep within the Scotsmans eyes.
Josh had forgotten about the prank from his last JOPA meeting — it could be a welcome distraction from everything else that was going on in his life. He’d have to plan something in the next few weeks before they head back out.
Arlill: Thanks Nijal ::Toxin turned towards the crowd:: It’s that time, let’s break into groups and enjoy some bowling as we plan out some of our (beat) “goals” ::Toxin visually indicated the quotation marks, a smirk from ear to ear:: (beat) If you’re not new to JOPA please find one of our ducklings and take them under your wing, help them out with their initiation.
Toxin gave the group a few minutes to mingle before proceeding. He knew this whole thing was a brand new surprise to his roomy and a few others, so he wanted to give some of the “senior” members a moment to pick them up.
Arlill: OK! ::Toxin grabbed a bowling ball:: Who’s up?
TBC!
LTJG Toxin Arlill
“The Best, Ace, Top, Pick of the Litter” Helm, Communications, & Operations Officer
USS 'Oumuamua NCC-81226
O239910TA
Ensign Lhandon Joseph Nilsen
"The Better Third Movie" Helm, Communications, & Operations Officer
USS Oumuamua
O240007LN1
2nd Lieutenant Arturo Maxwell
Marine Officer, 4/73 Marines.
USS Oumuamua: NCC-81226.
O239311AM0
Ensign Josh Herrick
Engineering Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O240005JH3
Lt Avander Promontory
Intelligence Officer
USS ‘Oumuamua
O239910AP4
Lt. Sasha Johnson & Zarah Johnson
Engineering Officer & Civilian
USS 'Oumuamua
M239008AD0
Lieutenant JG Zimedia Nijal
Engineering Officer
USS 'Oumuamua
V238208LV0
Ensign Simon Vomek & Rox
"Original" H/C/O Officer & Nurse - Crewman 2nd class
USS Oumuamua NCC-81226
T239811VK2
Lieutenant jg TK Cabrillo
Engineering Officer
USS Oumuamua
T239901JK1