JP Lt. JG Rhodium Wells, Cmdr. Avander Promontory, Lt. Jack Kessler, Lt. Cmdr. Nesre Salo, Lt. Cmdr. V'Len Kel - The Trilldorian Upgrade Bacchanalia Part 1
Don K
((Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat, Lolagi IV))
V'Len's head swept from one direction to another and for a moment he was walking backwards. Lush green plants hung from the walls and ceiling and the floor was bright with verdant clover. Flowers bloomed in all colors, some alone, others in clusters that looked like works of art painted with polychromatic petals.
It took a trained eye, but underneath all the photosynthesis was a hoard of decomposers. Here and there mushroom caps poked out of the spaces between the leaves. They too came in manifold colors and while V'Len recognized some, others he knew he wanted for his collection.
Kel: I still don't understand why I couldn't bring a couple of sampling tubes. ::walking backward again:: This place is amazing.
Jack tried not to laugh at his closest friend nor did he want to give away what was about to take place. Getting V’Len there in the first place without telling the why or where had been somewhat a challenge all of its own.
Kessler: Because if you did, you would be stopping every few feet along the way and as I said, we have someplace to be.
Rhodium Wells watched the exchange with quiet amusement. She strode along the blooming walk, hands loosely clasped behind her back, fascinated by both the gardens and the people watching. It was clear from their interactions that the two men from the Ronin were close friends.
Wells: ::warmly teasing:: Perhaps the Chief is correct. If we allowed you a sampling kit, Commander, your attention would wander, here of all places and we would not reach our destination until next week.
Her gaze drifted to a luminous shelf fungus glowing faintly along a sculpted wall.
Wells: Though I must admit… even I am experiencing a small temptation.
She promptly pulled a slim sampling tube from her jacket pocket, nimbly ushered a small sample into the vial and disappeared it back into one of the many pockets of her colourful garment. She looked like a tatterdemalion made of discarded fabrics.
V'Len looked around the room once more. He was not sure what they meant about not being very observant. The lobby's plant life was a great deal to take in, not to mention the promise of fungal species he'd never seen. There were of course other people floating about, some in uniform. Kel focused in on one table where a raven haired woman talked to a grey skinned woman. Every so often the dark haired woman burst into a familiar cackle of laughter.
Kel: I hear the sounds of Rox ::pausing:: Wait? Is that Katsim Peri with her?
Kessler: Hummm, you tell me buddy.
Jack smiled as V’Len turned to take in the sight. There were many faces Jack also knew in this crowd, and a few he really missed.
Rhodium followed their gazes across the flow of species both flora and fauna. She didn't know many people here, but that was part of the reason for her recent departure from Division 14, to get out and see more of the galaxy in this century.
Wells: ::faintly lilting tone:: I believe you may have been lured here under… slightly false pretenses, Commander.
V'Len scanned the crowd with renewed scrutiny. Near a cluster of flowers, a Caitian took in the scent, it was Luxa Lorana, the former CSO of the Ronin. Nearby V'Len recognized Avander Promontory chatting with Lhandon Nilsen. There was someone else with them, but V'Len was unsure of who they were. Turning his head he saw Quentin and Marty collecting drinks. A smile was slowly forming, but was abruptly removed when he saw a bald man in a green uniform talking to Karrod. V'Len would recognize the man's head anywhere. It was Wes Greaves. V'Len wondered which of his insubordinate exploits he was sharing with the Captain, there were many to choose from.
Kel: ::concerned:: Who let Greaves near Niac?
Jack smiled at V’Len’s comment. He knew the two men served together before Jack had joined the Thor initially but being together now, he was not sure if that was a good thing or if that smelled like danger?
The El-Aurian tilted her head thoughtfully towards the pair V’Len had indicated. If he was concerned at their proximity, that meant there would be something entertaining to observe at some point.
Wells: ::rubbing her hands together gleefully:: If nothing else, it should provide some interesting people watching. I do love a gathering.
Turning and looking at the others who had come for V’Len’s celebration on his promotion to Commander, Jack caught sight of a face he had not expected to see here. His heart almost lept from his chest as his eyes locked with hers. It had been too long since he had seen her and his emotions nearly got the better of him. His voice was low and he barely said her name. He felt as if someone had just ripped the air from his lungs.
Kessler: ::softly:: Nesre?
The smile that followed spread across her face, and warmth sprang into her gray eyes. It had been nine months since Jack’s transfer to the Ronin. While the two stayed in touch, it wasn’t the same. She missed both him and V’Len, but now they served in a completely different quadrant. Despite that, Nesre had no qualms about making the trip to celebrate the accomplishments of the only Trilldorian in the fleet, and it allowed her to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Salo: Hello Jack. Hello V’Len.
V’Len heard the light voice behind him and smiled immediately. One of his oldest and dearest friends from his earliest days in Starfleet. He turned to meet the bright eyes and green hued skin of Nesre Salo.
Kel: You traveled all this way as well?
Salo: How could I not?
Both men were special to Nesre, and she cared for them more deeply than either could truly know. She took pride in their successes, and she wanted to celebrate with them in person, not just over a screen.
Stepping back slightly, Rhodium watched the meeting of friends unfold between the officers of different ships.
Wells: ::softly, almost to herself:: Ah… so this is the true destination.
Jack allowed V’Len and Nesre a moment to say hello before he stepped in and wrapped his arms around her giving her a huge hug.
Kessler: It is soooo good to see you. ::beat:: How are you? How is Krystal?
V’Len listened with interest. Krystal Kessler was Jack’s younger sister, though the relationship was a little unclear. V’Len had helped rescue her from the Zet, while serving on the Oumuamua, along with several other children who had been abducted from Jack’s Father’s ship, the USS Cabato. The ship was still missing in the Gamma Quadrant as far as Kel knew and it had certainly been a traumatic experience for both Jack and Krystal.
Nesre leaned into the embrace a moment, allowing it to linger as long as possible. V’Len would receive one next, but she also understood Jack’s concern about his sister.
Salo: She’s as well as can be expected. Starfleet isn’t known for being stable in many ways, but she’s making progress.
Sevantha had established something of a rapport with the young woman, but her own transfer meant she was no longer available. Truthfully, she wanted to talk to Jack about Krystal, but it wasn’t the time or the place for that type of conversation.
Salo: I’m glad to visit. I’ve missed you both.
Stepping forward beside them when she sensed it to not be an interruption, Rhodium offered an irreverent grin and a flourishing curtsy in greeting.
Wells: It appears Commander Kel has many friends willing to cross quadrants for him. That in itself is a rare and admirable achievement. ::glancing towards the slowly gathering crowd::
Kel: I supposed if you judge someone by the company he keeps, I’d be looked upon favorably. ::positioning himself between the two women:: Nesre Salo, meet Rhodium Wells, the Ronin’s exobotanist.
V’Len could not quite believe they were all here. He knew he was up for a promotion to Commander, but he would not have thought that so many of his far flung friends would have chosen to join him. It meant cross vast expanses of space.
Jack remained somewhat quiet but close to Nesre. The smile on his face was ear to ear still, and he wanted to catch up so bad, but this was V’Len’s time as well so he would wait his time. Just standing next to her and seeing her again brought back such a rush of emotions. He enjoyed serving with V’Len aboard the Ronin but missed Nesre and Krystal both so much.
Nesre had seen the woman, but with teh official introduction, she focused on the other officer and offered a smile.
Salo: It’s nice to meet you.
Wells: ::curious look:: Bonjour Nesre. ::stepping forward to kiss the air near Salo’s cheek:: It is a pleasure to meet any friend of Kel. ::glancing around at the growing gathering:: I believe the appropriate scientific term is…surprise, oui?
Kel: It’s certainly caught me unawares, so mission accomplished.
V’Len was just about to give Nesre an embrace, but a new arrival to the group distracted him.
Kessler: ::looking over his shoulder:: Who are you looking at V’Len?
At Jack’s question, Nesre let her gaze follow V’Len’s, and immediately noticed who had caught their attention.
Kel: ::to Nesre:: One moment. ::loudly:: Avander! ::waving his hands:: Come over.
--
Science Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14
&
Cmdr. Avander Promontory
Intelligence Officer
Quadrant Chief
Deep Space 14
O239910AP4
&
Lieutenant Jack Kessler
Chief Tactical/Security Officer
USS Ronin
T239901JK1
&
Lt. Commander Nesre Salo
Counsellor
USS Octavia E. Butler
M239008AD0
&
Commander V’Len Kel
Chief Science Officer, Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2