Banquet of Decisions

Posted on Fri Mar 11th, 2016 @ 8:14pm by Captain Enalia Telvan & Petty Officer 2nd Class Amelia Takethen & Aewia Larani & Miril Sa'Vvn & Maica III 47 & Commander Angelica Fairchild & Commander Sinek & Lieutenant Commander Ethan Chaparral MD & Lieutenant Daln Hadren & Lieutenant Taro Ishakawa & Staff Warrant Officer Nexi & Ensign Alyanna Hernandes & Cadet Senior Grade Jenny Thorne

Mission: Talosian Perversions
Location: Mess Hall, redecorated

In the mess hall, the ship's chef had laid out a grand buffet of real food - a pricey matter considering that it depleted her stocks of several ingredients and spices. But none the less, Miril aimed to please and let out all the stops for the banquet. She just hoped that the array of foods, both vegetarian and omnivore, weren't too overwhelming for the ambassadors. Putting the finishing touches on a platter of fresh veggie rolls, she wheeled the last cart out to the buffet and moved the trays in place.

A few people had already gathered, but it seemed that the guests of honor and most of the senior staff weren't going to be early to this event. That was fine as long as everyone enjoyed the food. Heading back into the kitchen, she stood by for any special requests. The only thing she was worried about was the wall of Vulcan artifacts... a gong and several Lirpas, among them. That was rather ominous even to her. At least the bar was a nice and respectful setup, a couple of really nice ladies were running that and she approved of having an open bar at a function like this anyway. It helped ease tensions.

Daln was already there in dress uniform, watching as people came in. He wasn't wearing a phaser--of course--but he needed to be ready just in case of an altercation. That was why he had five security guards stationed around, including Hernandes, Gates, and Thorne. Bart was nowhere to be seen because tensions were certain to get high and Daln didn't want the canine growling and snarling at people. The dog was good at his job, but sometimes he was overeager.

Commander Sinek arrived in his dress whites. Although the dress whites clashed with his greenish skin, Sinek had the uniform pristine in appearance. He arrived earlier and noticed there were lirpas, but no ahn-woons. He had quickly left and replicated a pair of them. He now returned with them and walked to the display of lirpas. He added the ahn-woons next to the lirpas.

Never a fan of the stiff white uniform that always seemed to restrict her breathing, Angel had spent considerable time looking into alternatives that Starfleet found acceptable for such functions. Her background with Section 31 and working in security led her away from the sparkly floor-length dresses so many female officers chose when avoiding the uniform. They had no pockets but more importantly they were difficult to move in. Instead, she'd looked into fabric and color variations for the dress uniform. What she'd come up with was a soft red fabric with just a touch of stretch, with accents in a deeper red. Wearing it in the mess hall now, she was easily spotted, but she was comfortable. Right now, that's what mattered.

Watching as Sinek replicated a pair of ahn-woons, Angel shook her head and sighed, trying not to take that as a sign that things might get ugly this evening.

Enalia entered the hall dramatically, a beautiful green woman with miles of cleavage on her arm. Enalia was dressed in her dress whites and somehow her smile shone brighter than the white of her uniform. Her date was wearing a purple evening gown with sequin trim and what could only be tribble fur lining. They headed towards Angel, both of them smiling like twin suns.

Nexi smiled with a nod at Enalia as she came into the redecorated mess hall with the Maica hologram on her arm. They made a really nice pair... Nexi spun an alcohol bottle over the back of her hand as she served up a drink with flair; she knew she didn't have to 'work', she was a guest as much as anyone else here, but these sorts of things were so boring in Nexi's opinion, so tending the bar was by far a lot more amusing. While she poured a tray of wine glasses, Daln caught her eye. Once a waiter came by for the tray of wine glasses to serve to the guests, Nexi leaned against the bar with a 'come hither' crook of her finger at Daln. He looked good in his dress uniform... She suddenly felt under dressed in her jeans and heavy boots, but at least she had put on a really nice shirt and let Aewia do her hair.

Enalia nodded back to Nexi, a twinkle in her eye. They'd be getting a drink before long, but first a bit of mingling.

Aewia, dressed in a nice shimmery silver and gold flowing dress with a purple sash around her waist, caught a hint of Nexi's intentions and giggled softly as she mixed a selerian sunrise for an ensign that had been eyeing her a while. She wasn't sure if he was interested in her or her apparently unknown skill at bartending, but she enjoyed the attention for now.

Daln headed over to the bar to get his drink. He couldn't stay long, and he couldn't have alcohol because he was on duty. He needed to be able to keep a clear head if someone got out of hand. He might be able to fight a Vulcan, but not if he was buzzed. He leaned against the bar, smiling at Nexi, while glancing from time to time at the room. "What's a girl like you doing in a place like this?" he asked. It was a line that was used to death, but it still worked.

"Looking for a naughty boy like you," Nexi said with a coy smirk, offering him a non-alcoholic drink since she knew he could get buzzed while in charge of banquet security. She saw him glancing out at the room, and chuckled. "Relax, I'm keeping an eye on things too," she assured him. Just as with the bartending, she knew she didn't have to worry about safety here, but it was easy from where she was, she had a clear view of the whole room.

Without pretense the doors were all that announced the entrance of one Taro Ishakawa; trying not to pull at the collar of the white dress uniform, he had the smaller Tanto blade in a military style chain and scabbard; a black woven silk 'knot called a 'peace tie' so not to be easily drawn and show it is for ceremony not combat, at his side. The Dress whites still felt still; most of his uniforms felt tight compared to the over sized coveralls of his time in Orion Slavery. Slipping into the room he used the wall to keep himself unobtrusive as he moved into the room. A new ship; new command Chain and a brand new chance at duty. He could ask for no more considering this is all he had at the moment; to be just another Officer among the many at this Officially sanctioned gathering.

The words of the Hagakure came to him; the recorded sayings of Yamamoto Jin, 'If you understand one affair you will understand eight.' This is what he would do along with the belief that when speaking look the other important party in the eyes; after years of being beaten to keep his eyes down cast this is difficult for Ishakawa. HE had to put thought behind the actions to look above shoulder level.

Ishakawa determined to make a proper showing as an Officer this night, Samurai are servants after all.

Now was the time for the Vulcans' grand entrance. Vesik led the two females into the hall in pompous fashion. All were wearing traditional Vulcan Ritual robes with Vulcan symbols embroidered down the front. T'Zal wore white.

Finding Sinek, Vesik approached him. "I disapprove that you are not in Vulcan attire."

"I am serving at a Star Fleet formal function," Sinek evenly responded. "What is logical to wear?"

"You know what is happening tonight," Vesik pushed. "That makes it a traditional Vulcan ritual. It is your culture."

"Culture or no," Sinek reasoned, "I am an officer of Star Fleet. A Commander. Something that you have not noticed since your arrival. I must do what is expected."

"I see a Vulcan scientist," Vesik continued. "Complete the bond and come home to Vulcan. Take your place in the Science Institute. You have much to offer your home."

"He has much to offer Starfleet as well, or have you forgotten that he has offered his life to serve?" Angel kept her tone light and conversational, even if the comment might be considered catty. She'd joined them while Vesik was scolding his son for not wearing Vulcan robes. "This is hardly the time to be trying to convince him to go home to Vulcan."

Enalia decided to walk up and chime in at that point as well, likely about to instill disaster into the encounter. "Might I also add that I've already agreed to marry these two?" Then Maica cleared her throat and Enalia remembered her manners. "Excuse me for my lack of manners. I'd like to introduce you all to Maica. She just arrived today and I'd like to think we've hit it off amazingly so." Maica smiled brilliantly and curtsied slightly at the introduction.

Daln put down his drink and edged closer to the group, wanting to be nearer in case of an altercation and he could sense it coming. Vulcans may attempt to suppress their emotions, but that did not mean they didn't have them deep down. He stopped a few yards away from the group, as did Thorne and Hernandes. And where was Gates?

Angel decided to not notice Daln and his people coming closer, as if to fend off a fight or at least confirm that if one did break out just who started it. Instead she looked at Enalia and Maica. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Angelica Fairchild... my friends call me Angel." Smiling and offering her hand to Maica for a handshake, she reflected on how not long ago those words would never have left her mouth.

Maica smiled winningly at Angel as she shook the offered hand. "The pleasure is mine. I've heard of your exploits and I have to say, I'm impressed. How ever did you survive that horrible debacle with the Romulans?"

"Very carefully and not without help." Angel wasn't sure how many of the details had made it into the officially released reports, and she wasn't about to add to them. It wasn't really party-appropriate material, no matter how impressive parts of it might be. "It certainly wasn't my favorite away mission."

"Perhaps we can discuss it later, if you feel up to it?" Maica pressed, hoping to become friends with Angel. She then turned to Commander Sinek. "And this is Commander Sinek, I presume? The ship's very accomplished Second Officer and Chief Science Officer, If I remember correctly." Holding her right hand up in a perfect Vulcan salute, she greeted him in Vulcan. "Peace and long life."

Vesik took a moment to center himself. He wasn't used to things spiraling from his control. He looked for T'Qol and T'Zal, who were by the Vulcan display. Many years ago, he and T'Qol had bonded Sinek to T'Zal. He saw this as the logical path. What has been started must be completed. It was the Vulcan way.

Reaching the koon-ut-kal-if-fee display followed by Sinek, Vesik picked up an item. It was a small hammer, shaped much like an ancient hand ax. Vesik held it out toward Sinek and gave a charge, "Do what you must. Remember, you are Vulcan."

Watching Sinek dutifully follow his father, Angel shook her head slightly. "I'm sorry, Maica. He's a little distracted... we both are really." Looking over at the display, she tried to piece together what was happening there. Sinek had the little hammer, but Angel couldn't see if T'Zal held anything in her hands.

Sinek glanced at the hammer in his hand. It had the traditional green stone head, this one intricately decorated with Vulcan symbols. Sinek's gaze then went to Vesik, his face resolute. Sinek's gaze went from Vesik to T'Zal to Angel. As a way to alert Angel of what was about to happen, his gazed slightly shifted to the ahn-woon nearest Angel.

"Excuse me," Angel said quietly to Enalia and Maica, circling around closer to where the Vulcan weapons rested. She would not pick one up unless it became necessary to defend herself, but she knew from what Sinek had said the night before that she wanted that weapon quickly.

Sinek now focused upon the gong. Approaching the gong, Sinek paused just before it. Almost simultaneously, three things occurred: Sinek slammed the hammer to the deck floor, shattering the stone and proclaiming, "I release T'Zal from our previous bond because I am currently bonded to another;" a look of displeasure came to Vesik's face; and, T'Zal grabbed the nearest lirpa and charged for Angel, shouting, "If you do not choose me, neither can you have her!" The Vulcan's quickness was surprising. Almost instantaneously, she was ready to strike at Angel.

Seeing the wickedly sharp lirpa that T'Zal carried, Angel dove for the closer of the two ahn-woons, vacating the area near the display just fast enough to avoid having her organs liberated from her body. Knowing she had to stay well out of striking range until she was ready to strike back, she rolled quickly to her feet and looked toward T'Zal. There were no stone barriers here to keep innocent bystanders safe. Already those gathered were scattering to the further reaches of the room, seeking shelter that didn't exist.

T'Zal was thrown off balance at the near miss. At the moment, she had to brace the lirpa against the deck flooring to regain her balance.

Enalia and Maica had repositioned themselves to intercept Daln and placed one hand on his shoulder. "Let them settle this first. Captain's orders."

Daln looked at the captain and frowned. He looked at the combatants and then scowled. This was not the place for this, it should have been in the gym or the holodeck, but he made eye contact with each of his people and shook his head. Yes, it was very good that Bart was not here; the canine would have torn the Vulcan to shreds.

Sinek recognized that Security was now moving toward the combatants. He had hoped they were not armed at the banquet. However, as a precaution, Sinek quietly moved between advancing Security members and the combatants. They were too close together. With a sudden twist or parry in the mele, firing on one may hit the other. Plus, Sinek seemed quite confident of Angel's abilities.

Ishakawa stood frozen in place; his feet were integrated into the floor and could not move. He saw the combatants; the two weapons and being surrounded by th ecurcle of observers. It was a match; those damn Orion bastards like to let two of the prisoners; the Laborers as they called them, settle disputes. It was some sick logic to the fight; honor or stubborn but it all went down to hate. Two prisoners at each others throats; the Orions quietly cheering them on.

"We should be together not fighting..." Ishakawa said as he advanced quickly, he had to stop this, keep two slaves from giving into their negitive emotions. "You must not let them have the Honor of splitting us up, there is no honor in fighting like this!" He vaulted over the tables between them and saw a blade; it was not a katana but will do in a pinch. "Cease this now!" He put himself past the line of Orions blocking him from the circle, he stood with the blade at the ready stance to interceed should tyhe need arise? "ISka neo tanda moke..." [This is no more.] The Translator relayed the known Orion tongue.

Suddenly, a blue beam lanced out and struck Ishakawa in the back, stunning and dropping him to the floor. "No one interupts this combat!" Enalia shouted into the sudden silence, her antique NX-01 era phase pistol in hand. Thankfully, she'd read up on Ishakawa's PTSD profile and been prepared. She had expected to have had to stun the Vulcan woman first instead, but now the cat was out of the bag, none the less.

Sinek didn't know who the Man of Asian descent was. He hadn't met the new officer as of yet, being tied up with Vesik's concerns. He was surprised that someone would involve themself. He almost gave the command to shoot the yellow man, but realized such a command was unclear, since some considered his own skin more yellow than green in nature. To his luck, someone else thought as he had and fired upon the other officer.

T'Zal was getting her balance back. She lifted the lirpa over her head intending to split Angel wide open. However, while the lirpa was at its highest point, T'Zal had left herself wide open.

Come on, Angel! Remember what I told you! Sinek thought as the blade was being raised. When the lirpas was at the apex of the swing, not realizing it, Sinek spoke aloud, "Now Angel!" You could almost hear emotion in his tone.

Angel didn't need much reminding. Instantly, she flicked the ahn-woon out away from her, the weapon arcing like a whip and wrapping itself around T'Zal. She ignored the interruption from the man yelling in Orion about stopping. Stopping meant that T'Zal would kill her... and besides, Enalia had stunned him already.

Her aim true, the leather strap curled around T'Zal. Being at the apex of her swing, T'Zal lost her sense of balance again as the ahn-woon tightened around her at Angel's pull. She struggled to gain balance, bring the lirpa around from her side, attempting to cut the leather strap. She had a wildness in her eyes, she would kill her mate's lover. As she did this maneuver, her loss of balance caused her to crash to the floor. She made certain she clung to the lirpa.

Oh no you don't. Hauling back on the ahn-woon, Angel handily dragged T'Zal close enough that the lirpa would no longer be effective before pouncing on her and whipping the slack leather portion of the weapon around the other woman's neck. She didn't want to hurt or kill T'Zal, but if she didn't do as Sinek had instructed, things would get really messy.

As Angel tightened the strap around her neck, TZal realized her predicament. She still clasped the lirpa in one hand. The other tried to get under the leather strap to alleviate the tension. Gasping for air, her face turning pale, she struggled for a few minutes. Then her eyes rolled back and her hand loosened, dropping the lirpa and she went limp.

Sinek knelt by T'Zal, carefully placing his fingers on her face. After a silent minute, Sinek looked at Angel softly declaring, "She is dead."

Sinek tapped his comm badge and commanded, =^= Operations, we have a dead body in the banquet hall. Please lock onto my badge and transport it to Sick Bay =^=

He removed his badge and placed it on T'Zal. Soon, her body dematerialized from in front of him.

Sinek arose and walked toward Vesik. "Is this what you wanted?" He questioned. "Are you finally satisfied?"

Vesik was dissatisfied with the outcome, calmed the features of his face. "It is our way." He looked from Sinek to Angel. "You are free to marry whomever you wish. But remember, you are Vulcan."

Sinek quickly responded, "I am, and forever will be Vulcan."

Vesik's attention now turned to Captain Telvan. "Captain, when you stop to resupply the Federation ship, we will disembark. We will handle any diplomacy issues that may arise from there." He paused looking at the quieted room. "I expect T'Zal's body to be transported with us so that we may take it to her family."

It was Sinek that answered. "Star Fleet protocol requires that any body killed on a Federation vessel requires an autopsy to be performed by the ship's CMO." He looked to Captain Telvan for support.

Daln grimaced. "Captain, according to regulations, anyone who kills while aboard a Starfleet vessel must be taken to the brig." He headed towards Angel, his face grim.

Still seated on the deck and breathing heavily with the anh-woon laying loosely across her, Angel glanced up and gave Daln an incredulous look. She'd been a security officer and knew those regulations forward and backward, just like she knew there were accommodations that could be made in situations like these.

Aewia had moved up beside Enalia after the swordsman had been stunned, a grim expression on her face. Maica too, was looking somewhat grim, if perkily so.

Enalia moved Maica's gripping hand from her arm to Aewia's as tenderly as she could. "Computer, Activate EMH and direct him to the treatment of Lieutenant Ishakawa." As the British looking male materialized, he grabbed a nearby medkit off the wall and set to work reviving and scanning the downed Taro.

"Lieutenant Hadren, we are to respect the guidelines and rituals of other cultures and we have special arrangements that Vulcan religious ceremonies such as this be performed without hindrance and may in fact take place on board with Commander's approval. I've approved of two such life and death battles now and though it pains my heart to do so, it is well within the rights of Federation members to practice the demands of their cultures." Enalia declared in a commanding tone, moving towards the center of the room. "What you have all witnessed here is by my own authority as Captain. The koon-ut-kal-if-fee is a sacred tradition of Vulcan and I am honored to have born witness to it, as should you all."

Then Enalia turned to the Ambassadors and continued. "However, as your arrival was under the false pretenses of diplomacy and your 'aide' tried to kill my Executive Officer to satisfy the requirements of this ritual, I'm holding the both of you responsible. Unfortunately, I am unable to comply with your request to disembark via the next ship we resupply. That ship will not be heading back to Federation space lanes for three more years."

"Commander Sinek, please ensure a full medical review is done on the deceased and that the Ambassadors are packed up and have disembarked within one hour. They may take one of our runabouts with the expectation that it will be left at the nearest starbase for us. The USS Frigga should have more than enough room and provisions for them."

Hernandes frowned. "Ma'am, regulations state it was murder."

Jenny was tense, waiting. The whole two separate orders thing was confusing.

Daln looked at Hernandes and shook his head. "It was self defense, and the captain is right; it is Vulcans' right to practice their culture on the surface of any Federation property, including starships and starbases." He cast a glower in Vesik's direction. "Get your butts to the security offices. I'll be there shortly."

Upon seeing that his desires were overridden once again, Vesik pulled his hood up, covering any expression that may show upon his face. He looked at T'Qol, then briskly walked out of the hall. T'Qol hesitated, looking first at Sinek, then Angel, before following her mate.

Once they were clear of the banquet hall, Sinek looked to the Captain, evenly stating, "Captain, yours and Commander Fairchild's presence will be required in Sick Bay. Shall we go before I see Vesik and T'Qol on their journey?"

Enalia nodded to Sinek. "I'll meet you there shortly." Turning to reclaim Maica, Enalia smiled thankfully to Aewia whom seemed to be holding up well enough. "At least this ship and crew aren't boring, right?"

"Did-both-die..." Ishakawa groaned as he was coming out of the daze and sat up realizing that nearly every fight to the death with the Orions showed the prisoners to have a rebellious spirit and that could be a danger to maintaining order so they usually killed the winner shortly after. "What happened?" He asked as his hand instinctively reached for the hilt of a weapon and stopped as he realized he was in a dress uniform. "First time in a dress white in four years and I get it dirty." He said mostly to himself and glanced at the person treating him. "Could I go back to my cabin, I do not feel as though I should be here at the moment, stun setting are not kind to the nervous system?"

The EMH mark X patted him on the shoulder after having given him a couple hypos and finishing scanning. "No worries, you'll be fine." the EMH stated in a British accent. "I prescribe a good night's rest and some good tea when you wake up. You'll be none the worse for wear and right as rain in no time." Helping Ishakawa to his feet and packing the medkit away, the EMH continued. "There we go. If you need anything, just ask the computer for me and I'll pop round, ok?"

"Thank you." Ishakawa said as he stood straight and checked his coat and uniform. "I will bear that in mind." He bow slightly.

Enalia looked around the room at all the still scared crew filing about. "Please, everyone enjoy the rest of the banquet and open bar. Don't let that much go to waste at least." Satisfied enough with the courageous few that decided they needed food and drink, she smiled and headed out of the hall with Maica in tow to check up on their patient in sickbay.

The orders were given by the Master, Ishakawa did not leave but head to the open bar. The Captain had made it clear to utilize the facilities. "A tall Juice, mango if yo have?" He ordered while the scents of the food reminded him that he should eat. "Thank you." Was all Ishakawa said before excusing himself to get the food.

He took an assortment of the meats, he found thankfully rice and some fish which he balanced with fruit. He had been without good food for so long; he heaped the food upon his plate and moved to a place to sit; preferrably near a corner so not to disturb others, and enjoy the bounty he had choosen. To be so long without the availability of food made him a slight glutton, he ate what he wished when the oppurtunity arose. To eat enough to be satisfied took him months to control the urge to gorge while he built up his strenghth and body after years of neglect. He now ate regularly but in moment like this where so much is open for the taking he tended to make sure his belly was full. It was a feeling most people do not apprechate, Ishakawa had come to enjoy every full meal as a gift from the gods.

Daln stayed a while longer, to see if there was going to be any more problems. He did not want to leave the party, only for it to go sideways. He took an ice water, waiting and watching the others.

Commanders Sinek and Fairchild left, headed on their way to Sick Bay. They expected Captain Telvan to meet them there.

Hadren waited until almost everyone was gone, then he left. He had a promise to keep to Lt Santiago about some muffins.