JP: Lt Cmdrs Kel, Beck, Tucker, and Envoy Lorana - The Trilldorian Upgrade Bacchanalia Part 6
Quentin Beck
((Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat, Lolagi IV))
Sitting and having a drink with his former roommate and very good friend had been a long time coming; they'd had an opportunity a few shore leaves before while on DS9, but unfortunately their time had been cut short. With both of them serving as Department heads, their time had suddenly started coming as a premium. It wasn't meant to be an excuse - Quentin had stopped trying to make excuses for things once he'd earned that second full pip - but it served as a reason why they maybe hadn't had the time they used to for socialization.
When he'd heard that Kel was getting that fabled third pip, he'd decided maybe it was time to be a little less isolated and a little more friendly. Losing his closest compatriot in Syrex had left him feeling the need to reconnect, and what better way to do it than with those who would also celebrate V'Len's achievement? He sat on a surprisingly comfortable stool, feet kicked up on a footrest lining the bottom of the bar, a beer bottle in one hand that was pouring the contents into a boot-shaped glass in the other.
Beck: So. You and Rox, huh?
Tucker: ::he rubbed the back of his neck smiling:: Yeah, kinda just caught me off guard. I didn’t think I was ready to date after Ico left me for family and Bajor. I mean, I understand, but I didn’t even get a ‘Dear Marty’ letter…
Marty took a swig of his Stardust IPA.
He shook his head with a chuckle, arching a brow and topping off his drink before setting the bottle aside.
Beck: I guess I didn't think she'd be your type. ::thoughtfully:: I wasn't sure she'd be anyone's type, actually. But hey, good for you guys.
Tucker: ::he smiled, tipping his glass towards Beck:: I didn’t think she’d be my type either, but here we are. Going from a wallflower to Rox, it took an adjustment. I think it all started when I had the concussion and called her an “angel”.
It took all of his willpower not to roll his eyes and snort.
Beck: You sure you don't still have that concussion? ::smiling wryly:: Good for you, anyway.
Marty shrugged at his former roommate and best friend. It had been a while, as our departments keep the two of them busy. Marty cherished the small circle of friends he had, Rox, Kel, Tess, and Beck. O’Connor, friends he’d die for.
When a Caitian wanted to be seen, it would happen. Luxa, in a rare moment of discretion opted to remain out of the crowd, sticking to the shadows of the room, hidden behind the foliage. Her tail dipped low and twisted around her waist with her eyes focused on the various crew members from across the fleet. Some of whok she recognised, such as Niac. The last time she had seen him, any of them, was when she was still in the chair being held together by targeted containment fields.
She straightened out the two piece outfit she wore, a cropped top and matching skirt, a split up the side topped off with a shawl around her shoulders. Her silver mane had been rolled up top, several strands messily danced around her head.
When she saw Quentin and Marty at the bar, she decided that that would be friendliest way to insert herself. They looked the same. Somehow that felt strange to her, like she had assumed that they'd somehow be older or changed in some way. But Quentin was himself, and Marty … well he was here.
Marty just about spit out his beer as he saw her. If he was honest with himself, the ships been a whole lot of empty since she left. He winced at the thought.
Lorana: I hope one of those drinks are for me?
Quentin blinked, rotating a little on the stool, surprise evident on his face when he recognized the voice. The surprise faded quickly, turning to a look of momentary concern as he looked her over, then to relief and welcome.
Beck: My, my. Someone is looking surprisingly ambulatory these days. I kinda miss the wheelchair.
Tucker: Yeah, the chair added a little, I don’t know, a Je ne sais quoi? It’s good to see you, Luxa.
Marty was being honest and truthful; he wouldn’t tell her, but he missed their back-and-forth. At some point, the hatchet has to be buried. But it wasn’t something that occupied his mind for any length of time.
Lorana: I know, I know I looked really good in that chair :: winks :: but not even a burst of sencha/soliton particles can keep me down.
There was a lot hidden within her words, but this was an occasion for happiness. Not going over old wounds. She hated that chair.
Marty chuckled into his bear.
The Doctor let out a snort at that, nodding once firmly in agreement before hooking his fingers through the handle of his glass and gripping the boot around the body of the glass.
Beck: Talk about an understatement. But it is good to see you up and about again. I hope things are going well on Jupiter Station?
Tucker: I know a couple of guys who work in engineering, they love it. How about you?
Lorana: I left Jupiter Station a while back, went home. To Cait :: changing the subject :: How are you both? How's the Ronin? I miss that ship.
She didn't get into the details. The coma, the experiments or the treatment. There was no need, she was herself again. For now, she was just Luxa Lorana.
He shrugged a shoulder and cradled the glass near his chest, elbow propped on the bar.
Beck: Well enough, though I only just got back to the Ronin. I was temporarily transferred to serve as a research lead for Division 14 back on Earth. I found out I could still do that and work from the Ronin, though, so I hurried back as quick as I could.
Tucker: Oh, and Luxa swallow your drink. I just got off a stint as the ships XO.
He gave her one of his 1000-watt smiles.
Luxa's whiskers stood on end as she thought of the risk at placing Tucker, the fire bomb, that close to working torpedoes.
Lorana: So Niac has lost his mind completely then :: smiles :: Good for you, Marty. I mean it.
After a moment, he seemed to realize himself and he indicated one of the nearby tables, rather than one of the stools on either side of himself or Tucker.
Beck: Care to join us? We could spread out a little bit over there.
Marty motioned for the Catian to take a seat. And with a flourish of the tail, she accepted. Sliding into the seat with the elegance anyone would expect of a Caitian.
Tucker: Have a seat. We’ll order some small plates and drinks!
While they have never been best of friends, and really, that was on Marty. And the rest they say is history. Had he not called her “Whiskers” on basically the first couple of days on the Ronin.
Lorana: Look how far we've come. It feels like only a day ago the Ronin launched.
Beck: ::smiling slightly:: It also feels like a thousand years ago. Funny how our perception of time works like that, huh?
He watched the two talk as he remembered their date, well, a blind date for him. Marty and Ico had already met. And then it all went downhill from there, and he did feel somewhat responsible. But then there was this thing with T’Ama, and Marty stopped paying attention after that. As long as his best friend was happy, Marty was happy.
Tucker: Is it weird on being on the Ronin, or are you fully acclimated to?
Lorana: DS224. I'm heading up the new Caitian diplomatic presence for the FDC. And a small science team. There's been a lot of political unrest since Frontier Day on Cait, this was a compromise. That's why I'm not in the uniform anymore. To answer your question, It is :: finds a word :: unusual. I seem to be returning to the ships of my past, I was on the Artemis recently.
Beck: Yeah, I was curious about that. You look more comfortable, though. That's good.
Having just left his conversation with Greaves on amicable terms, which itself was an accomplishment, V’Len had headed to the bar. A drink would go a long way to helping him relax and enjoy the party a bit. Moving away from the bar, he came across Lorana, Tucker and Beck. He stopped at the table.
Kel: I’m pleased you're settling in at Jupiter Station. It may not be on the edge of the frontier, but I found it to be very interesting and comfortable.
Lorana: I'm no longer on Jupiter Station :: waves her paws to dismiss any further enquiry :: Long story. I'm more interested in what you have been doing? What trouble have you all got into?
Tucker: You know, the usual for the Ronin…
Beck: No time travel, thank heavens, but we did have a run-in with one of the most dangerous plagues the galaxy has ever seen. Managed to discover a treatment for that particular variant by the skin of our teeth; that's actually what landed me the job at Division 14. Thankfully, I can split my time to be on the Ronin, too.
Kel: Beck and I were at Jupiter Station a short while ago. I needed a bit of a tune up on my cardiac inducer.
Lorana: :: genuine concern :: I hope all is well?
Beck: Oh, he called in some of the best Doctors in the fleet to make sure his ticker kept ticking. He's still standing, so - yeah, that's a good sign.
Tucker: I offered a jump start, but Kel wasn’t going for it.
V’Len now turned his full attention to Luxa.
Kel: Thank you for coming all this way, Luxa. It’s good to see you again. I’ve been doing my best to keep the science department in order.
Lorana: I'll need to have an inspection. In all honesty it always felt like Commander Alieth’s domain, I was only minding the department for her.
Beck: ::smiling fondly:: Been quite some time since we've seen Lieutenant Commander Half-Pint. I hope she's doing well. The place definitely hasn't been the same without her.
Marty chuckled at that, a hearty one.
Tucker: She may be a half pint, but she did kick the captains ass.
V’Len gave a chuckle.
Kel: I guess I’m the substitute for the substitute.
Luxa allowed herself a small chortle at Kel's joke.
Beck: Someone's gotta do it. You are particularly suited for it, I think, with your background. Also because I ain't givin' up Sickbay. ::grinning::
Tucker: We could have ya’ll fight it out in the holodeck if it comes to that. ::He chuckled through a drink of beer::
Kel: Well I can say that I’m grateful that you’re all here. It means a great deal to me.
Beck: Hey, you were my sensei. Gotta make sure you get that third pip.
Lorana: Wouldn't miss it. It's good to be back. Even just for a short visit.
Tucker: It was honestly good to see you, Luxa. Don’t be a stranger.
Kel: I think I need to see a few more people, but I’ll catch up some more after the ceremony.
Beck: Later, Doc.
Lorana: Congratulations, Commander.
Tucker: Congrats Commader, you deserve it.
--
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
Lieutenant Commander Quentin Beck, MD, FASFS
Chief Medical Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
A238810SA0
Envoy Luxa Lorana
FDC & Caitian D-SRED
As simmed by:
Commander Ava Munro
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2
——— ○●● ———
Lieutenant Commander Marty Tucker
Chief Of Engineering
USS Ronin NCC-34523
Capt. Karrod Niac Commanding
D240008MT1