Commander V'Len Kel - Bag of trouble

[Don K]

((The Fishbowl, Celestial Tide Sanctuary, Logali IV))

Karrod rapped a knuckle on the table and V'Len knew the Captain was beyond enticed.  He wondered how Toryn would appraise the new situation.  His recent stint in command of the Ronin had given him a new perspective on how the ship functioned and operated.  While Quentin's idea had real merit, he couldn’t stop himself from risk assessing the changes that he was proposing.  He'd rather come to feel like he was becoming a bit of a kill joy, but his medical background made it almost instinctive and certainly a good CO or XO had to take many factors into account.  

Niac:  You'd work with them along with all our other teams to expand our existing S&R capabilities...both equipment and tactics...and if after a few months it seems to be working, you write the whole thing up so we can introduce the idea to the fleet for broader adoption.  But I haven't even told you the best part yet!  

Kel:  Do tell.

Karrod chuckled and stroked at his beard.  

Niac:  Best part is I know for a fact Major Singh hates a mustache.  She'll have you running laps up and down the flight deck until you shave it off or your legs are worn down to nubs.  She'll make that odious women currently haunting Sickbay seem like your favorite eccentric aunt.  

V'Len burst into laughter.

Kel: I can think of a Doctor and a Nurse who would be 100% on board with this plan, even if I'm skeptical.  

Beck:  Okay, forget it. Stupid idea, let's forget I said anything.

V'Len tried to stop laughing.

Kel:  I think  you should try to sell the Major on mustaches.  You're a pretty smooth operator.  

Beck: I think you should try to sell–

Niac: Come now Doctor, where's your sense of adventure?  According to those new letters after your name you've mastered the surgical domain...consider this a new mountain to climb.  And climb you will!  Up and down, up and down...I understand the Major has her people train with fifty kilo packs on with the gravity turned up.  Just think, by this time next year you could be in the running for one of those physical fitness awards Admiral Ransom likes to give out.  

Kel:  Ok.  In all seriousness I think this idea has merit, but how does this rearrangement look.  Is Quentin now a Mission Specialist.  Do we need to speak to Reniae about taking the CMO role permanently?

Beck: No. Hell no. Like I said earlier, they have potential, but they're not ready yet. They need more time serving with the rest of the Medical staff first, and eventually need to undertake another mission as Acting CMO. I had been hoping my former assistant would have been around to take the job, but unfortunately, she decided to move on. Such is life.

He shook his head.

Beck: No, this would be strictly in the planning-and-maybe-training phase for right now. If I'm going to be expected to handle combat in any form, it's going to take some work.

Niac: 'Every Marine a Rifleman' - a turn of phrase the Major taught me.  It means anyone in her division is, first and foremost, capable of defending themselves and others.  Comprehensively.  If you want the team...and you don't want to up-end three departments to get it...I think you're going to be spending your off hours at the phaser range.  

Kel:  Well we all know that sooner or later Starfleet is going to send us back out and I don't think it would be wise to be "changing on the fly" as it were.  

Beck: I agree. This is not me floating my CV for a new position - hell, I'm not ready for that kind of thing yet. But I wanted to see if the idea had any merit and if we could afford to start working that direction.

Karrod finished off his drink and leaned forward, nodding agreeably.  

Niac:  I understand Quentin and, truly, I do think it's worth exploring.  Like most good ideas, though, the trick is in the 'how.'  So lets develop this.  I agree that Doctor Shortrith needs a bit more experience before they'll be able to lead a department on their own...fortunately I know someone who has demonstrated a knack for training up promising junior officers.  You can work with them while you're not doing push-ups.  

V'Len noted that Mork was slowing his pace, which likely meant he was tiring and would soon collapse.  

Kel: Find a secret place for those push-ups.  It could end up on Tiddbitter like the Queen La Croix fight.  

Beck: I will not step down until I'm certain we have a suitable replacement. I owe the Ronin a lot, and I won't make a hasty decision just because I'm feeling a little boxed in. Make sense?

Niac:  Of course, and nobody is asking you to.  You need to....

Karrod stopped as a loud rumbling sound emerged from Mork followed by a sort of spattering.  V'Len watched Mork's head lift to look at his tail end as if he was expecting someone to be there.  Seeing no one he returned to his nap once more.  

Niac:  By the Koala V'Len, what are you feeling this guy...what's his name again?  Bork?  Torx?  

V'Len's antennae began to sting and he tried to turn them away from Mork's direction.  He wondered if the dog had actually defecated, but that was not the case.  Apparently it was all vapor.  

Kel: ::annoyed::  Mork from Ork, and I'm so sorry.  Though I have been working to optimize his diet.  ::pause:: I guess I need to do some more optimization.  

He indicated the pup on the floor.

Beck: Mork… from Ork?

V'Len tried to wave the smell away, but the domed structure they were in did not lend itself to optimal airflow.  

Niac:  Oh I knew a Mork in the Academy...never made it to Ork though.  Is that in the Alpha quadrant somewhere?  

Kel: I don't think Ork exists.  I think my brother got it from some earth reference.  

Beck: I am just always flummoxed when someone who shouldn't have much knowledge for historical references from Earth displays them so vividly. Where did you get the name?

V'Len was unsure, he was now tempted to change the dog's name to Skarroth the Foul

Niac:  There was a human named Ork?  Hmmm...I wonder if this is how Toryn feels all the time.  I think Al-leyans are allergic to idioms.  Or maybe it's just him.  

Kel: Look it's my brother's dog, ::beat::  I think.  

Niac: Alright Quentin...I think you've got some ideas to polish.  But when you're ready to get started you'll have my support...I might even join you for a few laps, would be nice to get out of the ready room once in a while.  

Kel:  Take Mork too, he could us the workout.  

Beck:  Response

Karrod offered the two men a chuckle as he looked up towards space and the galaxy above.

Niac:  Now if you'll excuse me I've got a duty shift in about six hours and if I don't get some sleep I may come up with a few more ideas for how Quentin can lose his soup catcher.  Thanks for bringing me in on the idea, Quentin.  Hope you don't regret it too much.  

Kel:  Night Captain. ::glancing::  Quentin do you mind if I hang out for 15 minutes.  He won't wake now up and he's heavy to carry.  

Beck:  Response

Niac:  I'll see you two...you three back on the ship.  And I'll make sure to alert Engineering that the air quality is likely to plummet.  

V'Len burried his face in his hands.  Kumel better show up soon to take his dog back or V'Len was going to become very unpopular.  How was it Cheesecake never had these problems?

[End Scene for V'Len]

--

Commander V'Len Kel

Chief Science Officer/Second Officer

USS Ronin NCC-34523

T239811VK2

He/Him (player/character)