Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - Dog eat dog

[Don K]

((47 Lounge, Deck 4, USS Ronin))

Through a combination of cajoling, pulling and pointing V'Len managed to get Mork to amble his way into the 47 Lounge where they found a table.  The deposited Mork beneath it and went to the replicator.  The conversation about Earth culture had put V'Len in the mood for something Terran.

Kel:  Chili Dog with cheese no onions and a root beer.

Raga: Spiced longfish curry and an Al-Leyan spiced tea with saza berry.

The chilidog appeared with a frosted mug of dark bubbly liquid.  V'Len picked up the items and nearly bumped in to Jace Ryen, a newly arrived Ensign who Jack had mentioned.  

Kel:  Ensign Ryen.  Feel free to join Commander Raga and I if you like.  

Raga: ::nodding:: The more the merrier. ::he smiled::

Ryen:  Computer, one plomeek soup.  Moderate temperature and a glass of water, chilled.

V'Len made his way back over to where Mork was anxiously watching him from under the table. As soon as V'Len sat down Mork collapsed onto his feet.  A gravely snoring sound emanated from beneath the table.  

Kel: ::sheepishly::  Sorry about that.  

Ryen:  ::Carefully:: Thank you Commanders, I would be honored.  

Raga: Mind the guest beneath the table when you sit.

Kel: finishing a sip of root beer::  That is Mork from Ork.  

Ryen:  ::blinks once, then looks between them::  Mork, from Ork.

Toryn chuckled.

Ryen:  ::more quietly, almost testing the logic of it::  I assume there is a story behind that designation, sir.

V'Len had a mouth full of chilidog, but shrugged his shoulders. Kumel had told him little about the dog's name origin other than that is was from holovid.  

Ryen:  As you both know, I am Ensign Jace Ryen.  It is a pleasure to meet you both.

Raga: Cool winds greet you, Ensign Ryen. I’m sure you already know, but I’m Commander Raga. I assume you know our resident Trilldorian seeing as how he was in command of the ship during the recent mission?

Kel: ::jokingly::  Glad you survived it.  

Any: Response

As V'Len was taking a drink of his root beer a large somber man in green approached.  V'Len recognized immediately that he must be a marine, not just by his uniform, but by his entire demeanor.  He radiated the same sort of energy Wes Greaves had.

Knight: Since we’re doing introductions, gentlemen, my name is Gunnery Sergeant Gideon Knight, the Ronin’s Quartermaster. I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting you yet; that Major keeps me busy. ::he put a hand on the side of his mouth and leaned in, almost a whisper :: …also a bit of a slave driver. ::he winked::

V'Len chuckled.  He had gotten on Major Singh bad side during the last mission and while she had only addressed it in her report, he was waiting for the other shoe to drop anytime.  

Ryen:  Gunner Sergeant.  ::inclines his head slightly::  A pleasure.

Raga: I shall be sure to inform the good Major of your opinion about her leadership. I imagine it’s been a while since the entirety of the flight deck was scrubbed by hand. Wouldn’t you agree, V’Len?

Smiling.

Kel: I heard some of our sickbay personnel might have volunteered for that job.  ::turning to Ryen::  How are you adjusting, Ensign?

Any: Response

Ryen: I have only just come aboard, Commanders.  I am still acclimating to the Ronin. She is a beautiful ship, though, and I can see myself being very happy here.

Knight: Welcome aboard, then. I came aboard last shore leave, and I’m still developing my system down with the Ronin, as I had to make adjustments. The USS Chiahoga was an old Excellsior II Class, one of the last few remaining, and I’m pretty sure she’s getting decommissioned.

Every time someone mentioned the Excelsior class it reminded V'Len of his old friend Kamus Corelli.  He'd transferred to the Ronin with V'Len, but had left due to job stress.  It was a shame, he'd been an excellent engineer.  Marty Tucker was certainly excellent both as an engineer and as an officer, but Corelli had a certain eccentricity that was endearing.  His love for the Excelsior class was well documented.  

Ryen:  An Excelsior II Class  ::a faint note of recognition crosses his face::  I studied their refits at the Academy.  They were designed for longevity.  It is unfortunate to hear one may be nearing the end of its service.  Though I imagine transitioning to the Ronin presents... new efficiencies.

Raga: Well, welcome aboard Ensign. She’s as beautiful and fierce as they can build them. And she’s seen more than her fair share of battles. Not surprising since we’re in a warzone.

Kel:  ::looking at Raga::  I hear there working on a Lattice Alliance campaign ribbon.  

Any: Response

Knight: I’m one of the very few Kerlians to join the Marines. Well, for one, our gravity is heavier than most worlds, so the only time I get to feel the gravity is at home, is in my personal quarters. But if someone who is not from a world such as ours, I would accommodate. This also makes me stronger than the average humanoid.

V'Len glanced between Toryn and Gideon.  Raga was well known for his ability to smash through walls and open pickle jars.  He wondered if there would be a competition between the two, and if so, would the Ronin survive it.  

Ryen:  That would suggest increased bone density and muscular development.  A significant physiological advantage in both strength and endurance.  Though I imagine operating in lower gravity environments requires a degree of control to compensate.

Raga: Quite. While I can’t speak for the Gunny beyond the fact that he hasn’t broken anything to my knowledge, we also have to contend with having a higher mass than most. Suffice it to say, the average Starfleet issue chair isn’t exactly rated for such bulk. And I don’t know about the Gunny, but the atmosphere on the ship isn’t quite the same as home. My quarters have their own environmental and gravitic systems so my family and I can spend at least a portion of the day in our natural environs.

Kel: So what exactly is that you have on your plate?

V'Len felt badly changing the subject, but he was very curious about the elongated bun.  It could have been a very long hotdog, but all the toppings seemed horizontal.  

Any: Response

Knight: Oh, the sub? There was a little sub shop in San Francisco that made the best Italian Subs in the quadrant, trust me, the Marines run on their bellies. ::he chuckled::

Ryen:  I have not yet had the opportunity to explore much of Earth's regional cuisine.  

Raga: It’s diverse like any world but most of it’s too bland for my liking. However that’s not through any fault other than my species diminutive sense of taste and smell. Cajun food is nice, but mild. And ghost peppers make a good snack from time to time. ::he nodded::

Kel:  This chilidog and root beer combo is very good, but if I'm cooking I prefer food from the Earth's Southeast Asian region.  The flavor combinations are most impressive.

It was unfortunate.  His stomach was full, but V'Len no had a hankering for paneer.  

Knight/Any: Response

Ryen:  If I may return to an earlier point.  Mork from Ork.  I would be interested in understanding the origin of that reference.

Raga: Ah, an example of Terran culture’s pervasiveness. ::he grinned at Kel::

Kel: ::shrugging his shoulders::  All I know is that my brother got the name from a holovid.  I guess it's about an alien visitor to the planet.  I guess?

Mork had quite literally been handed to V'Len in an egg shaped pod as Kumel hurried off with his  "mates" for a hike.  

Knight/Any: Response

Ryen:  What would you say is the most important thing for a new officer to understand about this crew?

V'Len began trying to think about what the right answer was, or at least an good answer.  

Ryen: The Marines seem to value adaptability and resilience.

Then the Ensign looked toward V'Len and Toryn.

Ryen: But the Ronin as a whole appears to operate with a great deal of cohesion. I would prefer not to be the variable that disrupts that.

Raga: Very astute, Ensign. A significant part of that cohesion, aside from our Starfleet training, is due to the sheer amount of conflict this crew has faced. Between the Lattice Alliance and the Consortium our crew has been in more battles than most in a short order. We’ve had to repel boarders multiple times and while the rest of the fleet more or less was facing the Borg during Frontier Day, we, along with the Khitomer’s crew defended Deep Space Thirty Three from the Alliance. Shared adversity and reliance on one another is why this crew is as close as we are. We’ve given more than a few todays for other’s tomorrows. ::he sat back in his seat slightly, mug in hand in front of him:: It can be summed up even beyond our ship’s official motto, to the one not on our commissioning plaque. Ronin strong.

Kel:  ::rolling his eyes at Raga::  Now how am I supposed to follow that? ::pause::  I believe that this crew operates like a family.  There's a lot of trust we have for each other to give our best and do what's asked.  I think that "esprit de corps" helps us meet the challenges we face.  

Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Raga: Trust in your Academy training and learn from your colleagues. The rest just takes time. That being said, if you haven’t I would read through the ship’s database on our run ins with the Alliance and Consortium. Particularly about the latter’s spiderbots. They vary but the smallest is Mork’s size and all of them are deadly. I also recommend you keep up with your phaser qualifications. Given our past experiences everyone needs to be able to handle one competently since our foes don’t have any qualms about firing on anyone. Since you’re Security, you understand I’m sure.

Kel:  I'm working on that particular skill.  I'm more adapt at putting people back together rather than taking things apart.

Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Raga: We’ve had our fair mix of surprises that didn’t involve fighting either. Let’s just say, we’ve had a visit from Temporal Investigations Department. And explored a few phenomena as well. I for one hope this recent encounter of yours while the Captain and I were away doesn’t result in TID lurking through the corridors again. If they do, I'm sending them to you, Commander. ::he chuckled::

Kel:  I've dealt with temporal investigations and for the record I don't believe the Ronin moved through time at any point.  I hope that keeps them out of it.

Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Raga: We even have a Starfleet Ranger on board. Though, I imagine now that we’re on leave again Osiris might disembark for a while. Since he’s the only one in the Isles, he can only stay on board for so long and still be effective. He’s little more than extra Security here. Speaking of, I’m curious why you chose Security as your Prote, Ensign? ::he quickly clarified:: Was that your first choice of duty assignment?

Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Kel:  On that subject how are you finding Lt. Kessler.  We've served together before so I'd be happy to give you some insights.  

Raga/Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Kel:  Jack's a great guy, Starfleet brat through and through, in fact his father's ship is still missing in the Gamma Quadrant.

V'Len thought back to the rescue he'd taken part in.  

Kel:  He takes the ships safety very seriously I can tell you that much.  

Raga/Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Kel:  Believe it or not I started out in Medical.  My shift to Chief Science Officer is fairly recent.  

Raga/Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Kel:  Well that's one reason I enjoy Starfleet, it never gets boring.  

Raga/Knight/Ryen/Any: Response

Tags/TBC

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Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel

Chief Science Officer/Second Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

T239811VK2

He/Him (player/character)