Luncheon Debrief

Posted on Sun Nov 11th, 2018 @ 11:25pm by Commander Rita Paris & Captain Enalia Telvan & Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant Seregon French & Lieutenant Commander Sonak & Lieutenant Samuel Clemens XV & Lieutenant Commander Mnhei'sahe Dox & Lieutenant Asa Dael & Ensign Avendar Jurot & Lieutenant Alex Sexton & Maica III 47
Edited on on Sun Nov 18th, 2018 @ 6:23am

Mission: Escaped Pantheons
Location: Officer's Mess, Deck 9
Timeline: Shortly after leaving Meroset 347

The USS Hera had left Meroset 347 a few days ago, Hera herself was behaving very well, all the reports were in, Command was happy, and the last of the details that needed to be handled had been handed over to the crew of the USS Forthright. Enalia couldn't have asked for a better mission wrap-up. Hence, she decided to hold a different sort of debriefing at the recommendation of her first officer.

At 1100, they were having a catered luncheon in the officer's mess where they would hold a semi-informal debriefing. Maica would be the hostess and Enalia and Rita would be the ones doing the debriefing. They just needed the senior staff to show up to the auto-scheduled and mandatory event.

Enalia entered the officer's mess early to make sure the catering was ready and slipped her arms around her wife and gave her a kiss on the cheek as she stirred one of the soup pots. "Chinese with a Trill twist buffet? I think I fall in love with you more every day."

Maica pressed back into Enalia, enjoying the contact. "Then you'll really enjoy the drink bar. I have spice tea, latte, and vegetable broth for hot drinks and water, fruit punch, and sweet tea for cold drinks."

"You know exactly what the crew and I love," the spotted captain purred, tightening the embrace.

"Fried rice, jalapeno shrimp and pork lo mien. I'm in heaven before I even check the potstickers and dumplings. Oh, and California rolls- you get me!" Rita Paris grinned, the first officer cheered by the unfamiliar but welcome sight of a Chinese buffet. "Okay, I am going to pick at the food through the meal, then when the crew are gone I am going to attack this like I'm a Klingon and that buffet insulted my honor."

Splitting apart and blushing like mad, both Enalia and Maica looked off in different directions. Maica resumed tending the buffet and prepping it for the luncheon while Enalia made her way over to Rita. "Ah... I didn't hear you come in," she said as she glanced to the pair of rather large and semi-ornate double doors.

"Got here two minutes ago cap'n, been going over reports," Paris held up the PaDD that seemed to be an extension of her left hand during shipboard life. "Was just minding my P's and Q's but I figured you might not want the crew to catch you canoodling with the wife, so I figured an enthusiastic tension breaker might do the trick."

"Really, I am super psyched about this buffet. I am going to eat enough to put me into a food coma. I haven't had good Chinese food since the last time I was on Earth, what... jeez, it was three years ago? Or a hundred and thirty, depending on your math. But spring rolls! Seaweed salad! Crab Rangoon!" It was clear that the enthusiasm wasn't all feigned. This was complex cuisine of her world that Rita might make one of successfully but not all at once on a buffet like this, and she was very excited by the prospect of a meal that revisited home for her.

Maica finished with her prepwork and joined the two. "And sweet and sour soup! None of it is replicated, either. Some of the ingredients are from Trill, but you'll probably never know it. As for vegetarian dishes, anything with meat is clearly labeled, so there should be no worries there."

"And that's another reason I love you more and more. Always thinking ahead." Taking Maica's hand, Enalia gave her wife a quick kiss, her smile matching the green skinned woman's.

"It looks spectacular- without having sampled anything, I will thank you in advance! And I think I might be pescatarian to have some shrimp fried rice. So, food aside, you said we're debriefing? You just want to hear their perspectives, report in 100 words or less I am guessing, elaborations where you call for them? I'm to keep it going while you probe and call on the officers?" Leave it to Rita to flip from talk of food to business, casually outlining the plan so she would understand the captain's expectations.

"That's the plan. Some of you on the planet nearly died while up here on the ship some of our worst injuries include a fractured toe and a plasma burn to the face and while I have all the reports, I'd like to hear everyone's take on what happened personally in a semi-formal setting. As for the food..." Here Enalia grinned as she swept one hand over the buffet. "A crew bonds over combat and food. Here we have stories of what happened and masterfully prepared delicacies. A winning combination, wouldn't you say?"

"Keeping booze out of the equation keeps feet out of mouths a lot more, so I'd say you've nailed it, ma'am." Checking the room to insure they were still alone, Paris spoke conspiratorially, quick and low. "The short form before any of them report in- they seem to be all right. They were all brave, they all did their best and they did good work down there. I think there are a few scars, but time heals and all of that. The Counselor seems to be more of a counselor, so that might be a boon. I've convinced her to stick around, because as you pointed out, we do need one. Not everyone has someone to come home to who helps them process it all and put it into perspective. But they're a good crew, and they're learning to trust one another."

Enalia smiled as she wrapped an arm around Rita's shoulder and maneuvered her around to the start of the buffet. "Please, I think we know each other well enough. You can drop the formalities when no one is around. You do know my first name, right? As for the crew, I agree. Less than a hundred are married and fewer than that have their families aboard. We need competent counseling now more than ever."

"Ah, it's... kind of a thing with me. Yes, I know your name, Captain... oh, so this is how it feels for the junior officers, eh? Right. Well... Enalia." Rita tried it out, then shook her head and chuckled. "You know, when Michael Stuart introduced himself he told me to call him Michael. And I was never uncomfortable doing so. I think part of that was because I taught him so much of what it was to command. So he was more a peer to me in my eyes, though I always respected the rank."

"You, a little different. You know what you're doing. I learn from you, not the other way round. I mean, I did learn from Stuart- boy did he love an impassioned speech. But you're... you are really one hell of a starship captain, Enalia Telvin. I'll use your first name when it's appropriate, but you're the Captain, and generally you'll be that or ma'am. It's a respect thing, Enalia, if you don't mind?"

Enalia grinned widely as she gave Rita a pat on the back and headed towards the door. "Well it's better than princess, queen, or your highness, isn't it? Now, you load up a plate and I'm going to make sure that door's unlocked." As she approached the officer's mess doors they opened easily at a press of a button, proving that they were already unlocked and ready for the invitees. They just needed the senior staff to arrive now.

As was his habit, Sonak arrived at exactly the appointed time, the door whooshing open as would the fist bell of clock announcing it. He raised an eyebrow at the bewildering variety of aromas filling up the room and noticed immediately the well labeled dishes of the Human meal tradition called a buffet. On Vulcan, no one served no one and therefore the buffet-defining practice of serving oneself was quite natural to him.

But what was more important was his duty to his commanding officer. And so he pointedly ignored the food display and, nodding in passing to Maica and Rita, went straight to her.

"Lieutenant Sonak, reporting as ordered, Captain."

Enalia smiled politely, pointedly aware of how important protocol was to Vulcans in general and to Sonak specifically. This was likely going to be a different experience for him, however. Nodding in greeting, the spotted captain steepled her fingers in front of her. "It is pleasing as always to see you, Lieutenant. This is a semi-informal luncheon debriefing though, so please help yourself to some food and drink and once everyone is here, we'll trade stories about this last mission as a form of debriefing."

"Thank you Captain. This is not a format I am much accustomed with, but I shall certainly appreciate it nonetheless. Much effort has been put into this. I shall do my best to honor it," the Vulcan scientist offered.

Meanwhile, in the corridor Melanie Dox made her way towards the Officer's Mess somewhat anxiously. The young pilot always ran nervous and this was her first debriefing to the Captain as the Chief Flight Control Officer since her recent promotion to that position. In her hands, she was clutching a PaDD with her written notes to refer to and to be able to take notes if necessary. She could hear people talking inside, so she quickly tugged down on the front of her uniform, took a deep breath, and stepped in.

Captain Telvan, Commander Paris and Lieutenant Sonak were already visible when she entered the room, as was the impressive buffet and the tone confused Dox a little. "Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Dox reporting. Reporting as ordered, Captain."

As always, while Melanie was perfectly comfortable at the helm of a Starship, she was equally as nervous at both official and casual interpersonal encounters.

Guiding Sonak and now Melanie over to the start of the buffet line, Enalia shook her head. "This is semi-formal. Don't worry about reporting. Grab some food and have a seat and we'll talk once everyone is here, okay?"

Maica was behind the buffet line, making sure everything was properly tended as she called out. "And if you need any help with any of the food, please let me know, okay? The dishes with meat are marked so vegetarians know what's safe and nothing is replicated either. If you need anything special, just let me know and I'll do my best!"

"A thoughtful attention," the Vulcan acknowledged. "I am grateful."

He stepped aside and waited for all the invited officers to come and serve themselves first. Although the newly-minted science chief of the Hera, Sonak was still a Lieutenant; regardless of the casual intent of this meeting, it was simple courtesy to let senior officers have first pick of the food. And since he was effortlessly able to go several days without food, this was not even a mere bother for him. And it allowed him an opportunity to better know his new crewmates and fellow officers, most of which he had barely seen since his arrival, not so long ago.

The andorian engineer was next into the room. She had had to stop and change after helping to clean up some spilled gel packs down on the bottom of the ship. Her hair was still slightly damp from the shower through the rest of her was still presentable. "Lieutenant Commander Thex reporting ma'am," she said as she stepped into the room.

Avendar Jurot took a deep breath, then exhaled quietly before entering. She'd never been to the Officer's Mess, and would be meeting many of these officers for the first time in her memory. Based upon what she'd seen and read, she was certain some of these officers would have a very negative opinion of her. She couldn't blame them- she disliked the woman in those reports as well.

Well, I may as well go in. Standing out in the hallway wasn't in my orders.

The Betazoid beauty entered the room, saw the Captain, and said "Chief Counselor Ensign Avendar Jurot reporting as ordered, Captain."

Enalia turned to Rita, her smile starting to crack a little. "Did I word the invite wrong? Is that why everyone is reporting?" She then turned back to Thex and Avendar and refreshed her smile with a deep breath, motioning for them to head towards the buffet. "Please, help yourself to some food first. This is a luncheon debriefing so once everyone is here, we'll start."

"Yes Captain. Thank you, ma'am," the Betazoid replied. She then went to the back of the line, and awaited her turn. Her remaining empathetic abilities picked up a spectrum of emotions; none of them negative so far. There was something else as well- something at the edge of her senses.

Looking over the selection of food in front of her, Melanie Dox wished the energetic Doctor had already been there, as she was certain that they would be describing half the delicious items available in mouth watering detail. But Dox's knowledge of the menu was limited and she was going to have to choose with her nose. Still, she glanced to the back of the line to see if Asa had arrived and instead caught sight of the ships Councilor.

The meeting with Avendar Jurot was the one encounter that Dox felt had gone truly poorly. She had been extremely defensive of the Betazoid councilor, and had felt uncomfortable and vaguely threatened the whole time. Dox had heard that something had happened with her on the planet, but was unaware of the details and her stomach tightened back up. Doing her best to try and bring her focus back to the buffet, Dox grabbed what was in front of her, two spring rolls and some chicken with broccoli and went to find a seat.

Thex had begun to help herself to a small selection of the food and helped herself to a drink. "Nice to see you again Maica. How are the squids doing?" She asked the Orion bombshell.

"They're doing well. Thanks for asking." Maica smiled brightly as she adjusted one of the warming trays. "After that last mission I have a few extra adventurous clients, so they might gain a little weight, though. How have you been?"

"I've been well. Trying to work out how to get the nanites to work, keeping the ship working and working on my dancing. It's a nice selection you've put on here," replied the andorian.

Alex and Seregon slowly made their way to the Officers mess. French was still very sore from the beating she had taken, and feeling just a bit embarrassed with her performance or lack thereof. "Are you sure we need to be here for this?" asked French

"Well I'm sure if you had asked to miss out everyone would understand. You took a massive pounding down there." Replied Alex

"And yet again, you were there to save the day." She said looking him square in the eyes.

"Hey, that's my mine job, keeping you alive. I'm cool with it. Plus, who loves you baby?" He said with a chuckle.

"You jerk. I love you too!" Seregon said in response, as she grabbed his shoulder and pushed on toward the door to the officers mess. As they entered, people looked up. They both nodded and announced their presence.

"Captain, Security present and accounted for!" Announced Alex and they saw a table they liked and headed in that direction.

“Doc Dael has informed me that they are a bit tied up and they’ll be making a late entrance. Lieutenant Dauntless is currently on assignment, and Chief Clemens has also indicated that he’s running late, something about an Intel briefing that is time sensitive. So the senior staff is almost all assembled.” At that, Paris offered a meaningful glance to Lieutenant Sexton, who was not a member of the senior staff, and had apparently missed the captain’s intention and her expression of disapproval upon his arrival at the meeting.

The looks of disapproval did not go unnoticed. By the time they made it to the table, Alex turned to French and excused himself. "Ok, you're here now, and I don't think I'm supposed to be, so call me when you're done and I'll come back and help you to your room," said Alex

Seregon just looked on with a slightly pissed off look on her face, but she understood. "Yeah, ok see you afterwards!" And she slumped back in her chair as Alex nodded to the first officer and took his leave.

Said first officer gave a conciliatory nod of appreciation to Sexton, in recognition of her trying to be subtle, and it succeeding. Leave it to the investigator to pick up on the subtle clues.

Counselor Jurot selected a few items she'd never tried, and found a seat at a table away from the others. She felt the closeness of the others, and some negative feelings from some. She sat waiting for the briefing to begin.

Catching the counselor's eye, Paris silently beckoned in a 'come join us' motion. The Betazoid was isolated enough already- she needed to feel included by the senior staff at the very least, and this meeting was in part to help cement better communication between the department heads. Rita tried to offer an encouraging expression without being too overt.

The counselor stood, then brought her plate to sit across from Paris.

"You're an officer, and senior staff, Ensign Jurot," the gold-clad commander said quietly. "You belong here, even if you are meeting a lot of these people for the first time. Maybe you should introduce yourself, and you can meet your shipmates, aye?"

"Aye aye, Commander," Avendar said, smiling a little.

Alex stood outside the entrance for a few moments. long enough to see Avender. She looked a bit sheepish to him, like she was having a bit of bother finding her way back. He would have to do something about that! He thought to himself and headed off about his planning.

French watched and listened. She had talked to Alex about what had transpired with Avender. She knew how he was beginning to feel about her. French, In her present still tender disposition, waited for a food service specialist to make eye contact and she waved her over.

"Could you put something together for me and bring it over please, I'm still very sore." Asked French. Maica agreed and sorted out a plate for her.

Within only a couple minutes, she had a plate piled high with goodies and a cup of each sweet and sour soup and sweet tea placed before Lieutenant French. "If you need anything else, please just let me know, ok?" French nodded, and Maica walked away.

The Betazoid beauty looked around the table and smiled. "Hello, everyone. I'm Chief Counselor Ensign Avendar Jurot- the real me this time!" she said.

“For those of you who have not read the report, the Ensign Jurot we had aboard previously was not the ‘true’ Avendar Jurot. Thus she is actually meeting most of you for the first time today. So if you would be so kind as to introduce yourselves?” Rita Paris explained, realizing what the quizzical expressions of the senior staff meant.

Enalia set her plate down at the head of the table and poked Rita in the ribs. "You stole my thunder. Oh well. Probably better coming from you than me anyway," she muttered to Rita before turning to the rest of the assembled department heads. "How about I go first then? I'm Captain Enalia Telvan. You came highly recommended at your last assignment and you were up for reassignment and we're in desperate need of a good counselor to head up our small department, so I put in a request that you be transferred in. It seems we got more than we bargained for though. It's a pleasure finally meeting the real you, though. And welcome aboard. Again."

"Greetings, Counselor," Sonak answered in his usual deadpan tone.

Thex was feeling slightly confused. She hadn't talked to the council much and had no idea what was going on, but offered a warm smile anyway. "It's nice to have you with us Avendar," she said politely.

“The Andorian gal here is Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Thex sh’Zoarhi,” Paris offered, filling in the social gaps for the ship’s counselor. "That's Chief Science Officer Sonak over there offering greetings." With that said, Paris looked around the room meaningfully at the rest of the senior staff, her order to introduce themselves unspoken but abundantly clear.

"If you need anything fixed just let me know." Thex replied politely.

Looking at the Councilor, Melanie Dox realized what that while Jurot looked the same, this was a completely different person then the one she had met. Her mannerisms, tone and body language were completely new to Melanie and also very familiar at the same time, as Dox didn't need empathic powers to see how anxious the Betazoid seemed to be.

"Uh... Hello. I'm... my name is Lieutenant Junior Grade Melanie Dox. Flight Control. It's nice to meet you... For real." Dox smiled, somewhat awkwardly but authentically.

"Thank you for welcoming me," Avender said. "I apologize for anything that happened when... before." She smiled.

Slightly embarrassed, Melanie's cheeks blushed a warm tan color as she thought of their first meeting, but she smiled warmly. "Absolutely. I was... not at my best either, Councilor. So I'm happy for a second chance to make a good first impression."

French smiled and continued eating! This was information she would need to pass on to Alex. Had he fallen for an imposter? She thought to herself.

Sonak in turn acknowledged her.

"We did not have yet the opportunity to meet, Counselor. Considering my nature and your primary function, I estimate we might not have much professional interactions; nevertheless your role aboard is certainly as essential as mine. I look forward to any opportunity we may eventually have to work together."

"Thank you, lieutenant. I look forward to that as well," the counselor said.

"That's Lieutenant French, Chief Security Officer over there stuffing her face, Counselor," Paris indicated the surly redhead with a gesture. "Her assistant chief was Lieutenant Sexton, who saw her in and I am sure you'll meet again. I guess I'll introduce anyone else as they arrive, since apparently personal introductions went out of style back in my day."

Around this time Doctor Asa Dael came into the room with their customary grin. Not wanting to interrupt, they made their way to the food line and piled their plate improbably high with a bit of everything, and double helpings of dumplings and wontons. After grabbing a glass of punch, Asa sat at the available seat near Dox.

Not wanting to interrupt the proceedings, Dox simply turned and gave the doctor a slight head non and a smile, as the two were already acquainted and Melaine felt were quite possibly becoming friends.

Once there was a lull, Asa grinned broadly and greeted the group, “Sorry to be late, had to check on a patient, and the EMH was getting a bit impatient with me to complete a follow up of my own. Hey, Counselor! Good to see you! You are looking well!” The young doctor, greeting completed, resumed eating a voracious pace. The physical healing from the mission, combined with the psychic healing from their encounter with Hera had left Asa ravenous constantly. The food was exquisite though, and they would likely have consumed it at a similar pace even without the physical necessity.

"Counselor, this is Lieutenant Junior Grade Asa Dael, Chief Medical Officer," Paris introduced. By now she had gotten used to the fact that her antiquated custom wasn't flying so well- besides, the young doctor had missed the explanation. Time to replay it again. "Doc, the Counselor we met previously wasn't the real Counselor Jurot, so this is your first meeting, to her. Complicated, I know, but a lot worse for her. So help her out a bit, eh?"

Asa's ears turned beet red as they took on an embarrassed look. "Oh, wow, ok, um, sorry about that. Of course, pleased to meet you Counselor Jurot. I look forward to getting to know the real you," they said.

"You met the real me in sickbay, Doctor," Avender said. "I'm glad to see you've recovered so well!" She smiled.

Enalia was happy with how things were going and though a couple people were still missing, she figured now was as good a time as any to get things started so she stood and announced herself. "So there's an old pirate tradition that my family has followed for generations now. Once all the reports have been filed and everyone is no longer at risk of dying, the senior crew share a meal, get drunk, and swap stories about the latest... Mission. I was hoping that bringing a little of that could help bring us together as not only a crew, but as a family. Don't think of this as so much a debriefing, but as a chance to embellish the details of those reports and gloat a bit, or maybe talk up the actions of those you went out with."

Raising her own cup of vegetable broth, Enalia grinned brightly. "This may be a bit more awkward since I decided to forego the alcohol, but does anyone want to go first?"

For her part, Paris looked around to see if anyone was going to volunteer to go first, and marveling at how what was supposed to be a casual debriefing was like pulling teeth with the senior staff.

Noticing the first officer's searching look, Melanie Dox felt her stomach tighten up again and took a sip of the cup of fruit punch she had grabbed from the buffet while nervously rubbing her fingers over the top of one ear. She had only been the chief of the flight Control department for a few days and wasn't during the Meroset 347 mission. But if she was going to do the job, briefings were a part of that, casual of not, even though she desperately did not want to be the first person to go.

"Well... Um..." She scanned the table while she talked, hoping to not have talked out of turn. "It was my first mission on board... and so my only frame of reference other than the ships logs that I'm getting caught up on, but Ensign Gonadie's flight control modifications we're... I don't think I'd have been able to perform half of the maneuvers at the helm with a standard interface. We were able to make it through the engagements with the chariots with the most minor of damage to the shields." Melanie coughed slightly. "Since... Taking over the department... pardon... I've had a few meetings with Ensign Gonadie to review the other projects on her desk and I'm really excited about the ideas she has. Stuff that I think are going to dramatically improve the Hera's flight systems and then some."

Dox turned from the group as a whole to look directly to the Captain with whom she had had little real interaction. She was characteristically nervous but pushed forward. "I'm... actually preparing a... summary. For review, Captain."

"Hi Captain!" Asa spoke brightly, "First all, thanks for the meal, this is fantastic! Gotta say, great tradition," the physician had a twinkle in their eye that spoke of both a desire to care for others and a desire to cause a bit of mischief when allowed.

"Ok, time to report," they continued, "I served on Lt. Commander Paris' team. Upon entering the city, we ascertained that women held places of high esteem in the society, and adapted to have Paris take the lead in navigating the city and reaching the Commodore. The Commodore advised that the populace was primed for revolution, which we transported in weapons in order to aide them with. Our away team split at this point, with myself, Lt. Commander Paris, and Ahreva Malana. We went through the city disabling the temple psionic collectors inside Hera's temples. Ms. Malana was crucial in nullifying the stone gaze of Hera's creations, and our illustrious XO was stalwart and skilled in battle."

"I managed to not completely murder myself, of which I am proud."

"We experienced increasing resistance, but managed to Molotov our way through the city. We discovered a rail system leading to the inner sanctum and high temple of Hera. Upon gaining ingress to the temple, we disabled- which is to say blew to smithereens- her primary psionic collector and amplifier located in her throne. At this point, Hera was taken captive and recover efforts were undertaken. All three members of our party sustained some injuries, but have since received treatment and are returning to full health." The doctor spoke quickly and assuredly, but sought to gloss over some of the more horrific sites they saw that day.

"Full disclosure, the violence we participated in shook me. If it were not for the rest of the party, I would have frozen on the spot and likely been killed. I owe both these incredible women my life, and I am honored to serve with them. While I hope we do not face such circumstances again, I stand ready to serve," Asa concluded.

Thex decided to speak next, seeing as no one else seemed to want to. "Well, a few of you know what I did on the planet. For those who don't me, Lieutenant Sonak and Chief Petty Officer Duran-Yeager were tasked with blowing up Hera's chariot force on the planet. Lieutenant Sonak and Chief Petty Officer Duran-Yeager both performed their task commendably which is mentioned in my report. After destroying the majority of Hera's chariots, Commander Paris requested my help in dealing with a few items in Hera's citadel. We found out the item was a key and power source to a cache of her people's weapons and a solid gold apple. They're currently sitting behind a forcefield in engineering," the Andorian explained calmly yet with a hint of enjoyment in her voice.

As soon as Thex had finished, the doors WHOOSHED open, and a comparatively-dark figure was outlined by the unusually-bright corridor lighting.



The man stepped into the room, the doors closing behind him, and took a draw off a simulated cigar.

"Did y'all say, informal?" Clemens drawled in Texan.

The archaic phaser that Paris had produced from somewhere slowly slid back under the table. Apparently she was a bit jumpy these days, and the Missourian intel chief 's appearance had startled her a bit. "Just in time, Chief Clemens. Grab a plate and how about you offer us your debriefing on how your mission went, now that you're here?"

The wiry Intel Chief flipped his poncho back, as he sidled up to the bar, loading his plate with a little bit of everything, plus a surprisingly-large serving of each of the meat dishes, setting the plate down, and going back for a dessert plate and his oversized haul of whatever was wet.

Sticking to his newly-adopted South Texas accent, he launched into his report:

"As deployed outta the Hera toward Meroset 347, with th'Baroness flyin'. As we'd hoped, the stealth plating and her most excellent piloting got us on th'ground in short order, very close to th'cave entrance. After cursory scans, we deployed and secured th'ship, and made our way to th'cave entrance, which was surprisingly-insecure." He tore into one of the meat dishes as he talked, not letting the food disrupt his discourse in any way.

"Once we got inside, we carefully moved along the cavern, which seemed mostly-unworked, with minimal signs of artificial tampering. We came upon a larger cavern, and before we were aware of them, were beset upon by a pair of those stone bastards, one of which grabbed Crewman Post. I wanna state for th'record, here, that all three of our Security Specialists fought hard to keep the rest of us safe, as was their duty." He'd paused in his eating, a haunted look crossing his face.

"Post didn't make it. A more gruesome death, I've rarely seen. Hasselhoff and Daniels fought the cursed thing mightily, but before they could wrest Post free, the unholy monster crushed him, and flung them both aside." He sighed, and continued. "I've filed special commendation requests for all three of 'em."

"I was too late to save Post, but damned if I was gonna let anyone else die at the cold hands of this obscenity. I kicked on my gravboots, and activated the jets, and ran at it, puttin' my tungsten-rhenium-armored fist out ahead of me. I'd seen that th'Baroness had kicked its brother over, smashin' it t'bits. When I hit this one, it flew apart." He picked at his food, and took a large swallow of the beverage.

"With that thing down, Daniels, Hasselhoff, and I turned to face one of th'Minotaurs that'd heard or smelled us and came running over the ridge. French an' Sexton had faced-off with it already, and while Sexton drew its attention, French skewered its head with her sword, which sliced right through, owing to Thex's alloy's effectiveness." The Engineer-Spy took a moment to have another chug of the flagon, and dug into the food, again.

French relived the scene in her head, whilst he talked!

"I'll be honest, here- we were all so impressed that we didn't spot the other one until it's begun its charge at her. It caught her, and threw her all the way across the cave." He looked at French. "I though sure we'd lost you, there. But you got up. Fleet Strong." French grimaced at the thought of it.

The moustachioed meat-eater kept chowing down the piles on his plate, and went on, "...at that point, th'Baroness moved in and started carvin' that beast up like Sweeney Todd, until it couldn't even track her. She gave us the nod, and got the hell out of the way, while the rest of us unloaded our clips into it, finishin' it off."

"After we'd secured th'perimeter, Daniels and I went ahead to check over th'ridge. What we found was a crack in th'wall, which is where all those powerful readings had been coming from. There was a multiphasic conduit exposed, with a tiny fracture in its casing." The Chief finished off his main plate, and started digging into the desserts.

"From there, we just covered the entire rupture with subspace transducers, rigged to convert audio to the subspace frequencies the conduit was using to transport the energies through the n-dimensional manifold to the power plant, and, after taking cover, we fired the inverse phase into the hole, with just a little variance to not just nullify it, but to make it flicker, like hitting th'resonant frequency of a wine glass with a high note, until it blows itself t'bits." He finished off the dessert plate, and drank his mug empty.

"I put everyone in there down for honors when I got back up here." He looked around proudly. "Y'all deserve it. End of report!" He headed back over to the bar for seconds of everything, plus a few new things.

"Well, that's reports from all three field teams as well as the home team, Captain. I guess this is the part where we brag?" Paris offered, trying to make sure this particular tradition continued. "I took the two non-coms into the city with me, with the expressed mission of destroying a number of the shrines on our way to the temple. I have to say- I saw more bravery and courage out of Doc and Malana than I've seen in some battle-hardened MACOs, and that's no exaggeration. Both of them did their best and gave their all, darn near laying down their lives for the people of that planet, and I could not be prouder of both of them. I wouldn't be here today if not for them."

For her part, Rita chose not to dwell on any specifics, and while she had been effective, there was nothing about the mission of which she felt particularly proud insofar as her own actions. She had done what needed to be done, but she took no pride in it.

Grinning brightly, the captain nodded at each story, pleased that they were getting along so well. "And this is why it all went so well." Sweeping one hand across the gathered department heads, she indicated all of them. "We have amazing leadership and skills among all of us. On the bridge I saw that as well. Lieutenant Dauntless isn't here, but she was able to seamlessly switch from the metaphasic shields to stealth while using decoys to lure the chariots away and Lieutenant Dox came up behind them. Before they knew it both of them were space dust. The other pair barely got in a shot on our shields before they had an accident with our tractors and some asteroids. On top of that, we were able to make contact with the Merosian colonies and establish friendly relations with their council. Commander Paris' influence was there, even if she wasn't. Since they were flying Chariots as well, if we hadn't taken the time to question why they weren't the same model when they came to salvage the ones we destroyed and investigate, we never would have figured that out."

Even the slight mention of her name in the Captain's words was enough to make Melanie Dox a little embarrassed, which was typical of the anxious lieutenant. But she was glad the mention was a brief one as she took a bite of her spring roll, something she had never tried before and found herself pleasantly enjoying.

"My report is that I was rescued from captivity thanks to the brave action of Lieutenant Commander Paris," Avender said. "After that, I did what I could to assist the wounded. It's a short report, I know, but I wasn't really me for most of the operation. That said, I understand Gaia 'got her butt handed to her' as they used to say on Terra." She smiled, and sipped her water.

"Least I could do, Counselor. And I think your assessment is about right for how it went with Gaia when she met Hera," Paris offered with a grin. "So, anyone else have anything they'd like to add? Any stories to tell, any comments, commendations, corrections? Or from here do we just enjoy this delicious luncheon the captain's wife has put together for us, which we might want to proffer a note of thanks?" Raising a cup of hot tea, Rita Paris extended it in Maica's direction.

French sat back, forgetting about the food in front on her. Thinking about how Sexton yet again saved her. The part that our Intel Specialist didn't talk about. Had it not been for him getting to her when he did, she would not be here now, of that she was sure. But the thing that played on her mind just now, was how her brother, for lack of a better way to describe him, was going to take the news that this woman he was so fond of had changed completely, and for all intents and purposes was not the woman he had fallen for?

The doctor shifted slightly uncomfortably in their seat, but felt the need to speak. "Well, as Lt. Commander Paris has said, she managed to guide two non-combatants into fighting in a war zone. At one point I found myself curled in on myself like a turtle getting beaten by an Amazon, and the only way out was to burrow through the roof I was sitting on and launch the Amazon into the sky from the underneath. Needless to say...not exactly smooth moves. I would like to personally and formally thank Commander Paris for keeping me going. Her words and kindness that day kept me focused and able to serve others. War was not her desire either, but she kept us going, and I am thankful for that. And I gotta say folks, that MACO armor stuff comes in handy. It would have been fun bouncing around like a flying squirrel under different circumstances," the doctor concluded.

"I also did utilize somewhat new stim-shots in the field to keep us going once wounded. The after effects do make one want to sleep for a day, but I found them useful nonetheless. I'm curious, has anyone else had any experience with them?" Asa asked the crowd.

"Doctor, your work with the wounded, especially given that you were badly wounded yourself, was nothing short of miraculous!" Avendar said. "Your courage put almost every doctor I served with aboard the Nobel to shame!"

Asa felt their ears redden. Outside of their time on the Hera, the young physician could only think of a few instances of receiving praise for their work. It was always welcome to receive, but their blasted blush response seemed to be more highly attuned than their ability to walk at times. "Thank you Counselor, that is very nice to hear. I truly love helping others, and I saw no reason not to do so while I still had time on my own internal clock. I am very glad to see a smile in your eyes. Mind control is not something anyone should have to endure, and we are all relieved you are free of it. Let's find time to work together to brainstorm ways to keep us all safe in the future, sound good?"

"I would love to!" The Betazoid beauty said.

Watching the El Aurian doctor blushing at receiving praise, Melanie Dox leaned over and smiled at her. The two got along fairly well so far and Dox felt relieved to not be the only person in the universe that blushed at the drop of a hat.

"Well, I have a request," Paris spoke up as she rose from her seat. "Sometimes all that we have left to remember moments of our lives are the memories, and those can be a bit faulty. But captured images can last for centuries. So, with that in mind, would any of you object to gathering together for a senior staff portrait? It seems the perfect time and place- we're all gathered, there is no immediate crisis and I'm a sentimental old lady who likes to look back on moments like this. What do you say?"

Irony set in rather quickly for Dox upon hearing Rita Paris' as she found herself blushing again at the request for a group photo. She leaned back in her chair to look down at her uniform, relieved to see she had not been wearing any of her lunch and turned to look up at her First Officer, running her fingers across the sides of her hair making sure it was all in place. "Um... No objections here."

Thex gave her friend a smile before she made sure her uniform was clear before looking back at her friend. " Sure go ahead Rita." before leaning back in her chair.

Kicked back in his own chair, "No Name" Clemens drawled out, from under his drawn-down Gaucho hat, "I reckon that'd be all right." He moved over to the wall within view of the camera, and adopted a classic Earth American Old Western Gunfighter pose, leaned back, with his cigar chomped in a wide grin, arms crossed.

Well acquainted with his wife's idiosyncrasies, Sonak rose without a word and took his place behind the officers senior to him, hands at his back in his customary attention pose. He knew how such things were important to her and hypothesized it could be so just as well with several other emotional members of the crew. And accurate records were something he was always appreciative of anyway.

The Chief counselor also stood and walked around the table to stand behind the senior officers as well. Her smile was natural. She felt a part of this group.

"It's good to see you doing better Counselor." Said French. "I know one person that will be very happy that you are well." She remarked

As Enalia got in position at the middle, she smiled over at her wife who was already getting a holocamera ready. That woman was perpetually ready for every occasion and she loved her more for it every day. Once everyone was in place, she nodded to signalled their readiness.

"Okay, everyone, say cheese!" Maica called out, looking through the viewfinder. She then pressed the button and the tri-lense system started the scan for a holopicture.





After a few seconds, it finished and she smiled brightly. "All done! I'll add in Lieutenant Dauntless and send everyone a copy as soon as I can."

"Spectacular, thank you so much, Maica! That'll make a wonderful memento of the occasion." Paris offered, then paused as she considered. "You know, this is our first big win as a crew... I hadn't thought of that. All of us here, working together under Captain Telvan... we're all new to this crew. Heck, for some of you it was your first mission in Starfleet."

Turning to the Trill mistress and commander of the Hera, Paris flashed that winning smile. "Well, you've read the reports and heard the tales of your crew. So what do you say, Captain? How did we do at the Battle of Planet Hera?"

"I couldn't be more proud of you all. Don't tell them this, especially Schwein, but even my crew growing up couldn't compete with how well you've all done." The spotted captain couldn't help but beam proudly as she spoke. "Now let's fight another sort of battle and demolish this buffet! Eat, drink, and be merry!"

A cheer went up from the senior staff, and for the moment, all was well on the USS Hera.