FMC Birthday Ball Part I
Posted on Sat Oct 28th, 2023 @ 8:47pm by Captain Edmund Merrick & Commodore Tyler Malbrooke & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Ja'sol H'ros & Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke & Major Cornelius Tremble & Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr & Lieutenant JG Mira Jayna & Warrant Officer M'Jart S'Rem & Petty Officer 1st Class Marisol Puerta & Chief Petty Officer Sara MacCallum & 1st Lieutenant Edward O'Rourke & Sergeant Azure Thompson & Corporal Sina Ravenna & Brigadier General Francis 'Judge' Sobel
Edited on on Tue Nov 7th, 2023 @ 6:45pm
2,915 words; about a 15 minute read
Mission:
Episode 14 - The Poseidon Adventure
Location: Poseidon Station Ball Room
Timeline: MD009 2000 hrs
Frank and Tempest walked into the ballroom and stopped short inside of the entrance as two of the Pioneer’s marines snapped to attention from either side of the Portal. Frank returned the Corporal’s salutes and then cast his eyes over the chamber.
Poseidon Station didn’t have a dedicated ballroom and Major Tremble had repurposed a string of diplomatic lounges, removing a few bulkheads and bringing in flora from hydroponics and draping the walls in pastel draperies. He glanced toward his wife and saw Tempest was casting her own gaze over the tables that filled two thirds of the appropriated chamber, her critical eyes taking in the details of the table settings and the Federation Diplomatic Corp liveried servers that were bustling about with…
Frank did a double take and looked at his wife, “Rulers?”
Tempest nodded and grinned, “Only way Neil would let me bring in my people to lend appendages. I had no idea the Major was that uptight.”
Frank chuckled and said, “He has his moments. Neil is a firm believer of the Seven P’s proscribed at Command School.”
“Right. Proper Planning and Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance,” Tempest recited. “If I’d not stepped in, he was going to use a space half the size and have all of the tables prepared and beamed in prior to seating. Efficient, but not nearly as elegant as this event requires.”
“Be nice,” Frank smiled at her. “He’s a virgin at this.”
Tempest waived that off and said, “If he’s as good an officer as you think, he’s going to need to learn diplomacy.”
Frank raised his hands in surrender as he looked at his wife, who was sheathed in an elegant silver on silver embroidered gown for the evening. “Probably, but not tonight. You two did a wonderful job setting this up and I appreciate it.”
Tempest smoothed her hair and sighed out a long breath before stepping over and taking Frank’s arm again. “I know. I can’t help it..”
“But you’ll try?” Frank hedged with a smile, interrupting her. He knew she didn’t like it but sometimes his wife needed a nudge even more than he did when work was distracting.
“Yes. As will you,” Tempest said, letting him distract her as she let her eyes roam over the place once more. The bars were being set up and the band was settling in.
“Good evening, Brigadier,” Major Tremble said from behind and to one side, apparently appearing from thin air. “And Dr. Sobel. You’re looking lovely ma’am.”
Frank glanced over his shoulder and turned, Tempest turning with him to find the Major standing next to the table for the fallen. Unlike Frank who was turned out in full mess dress, Tremble was wearing Alphas and under arms. The Major was standing at rigid attention, saluting as Frank returned the salute and said, “At ease, Major.” Frank cast a critical eye over Pioneer’s executive officer then glanced around the room, turning back to meet Tremble’s eyes before saying. “Very nicely done.”
“Thank you sir,” Neil said, slipping into parade rest for a moment. “Guests are due to start arriving in about five, sir. I’m assured everything is in hand.” This las was said with a glance toward Tempest.
“It is,” Tempest reassured. “Don’t worry yourself, Major Tremble. This is what we do.”
“Aye aye,” Ma’am,” Tremble said, not knowing what else to say. Then, “May I introduce Lieutenant Mira Jayna of the Pioneer.” Tremble said, stepping to a tallish brunette Vulcan woman with brown eyes.
“Delighted,” Frank said, as he shook hands with Jayna and said. “Welcome to the party, Lieutenant Jayna. Thank you for coming. This is my spouse, Dr. Tempest Sobel, of the Federation Diplomatic Corp.”
"A pleasure to meet you both," Jayna said politely. "And it's Lieutenant Mira. My father was Bajoran. With a name like Mira, it's easy to assume it's my first mane." She wanted to make a good impression for Neil's sake, but letting them call her by the wrong name might lead to more complications later.
Tempest looked the other woman over critically and smiled, "That would be Sobel-Hardie,"she remarked with a sidelong glance toward Frank. "Francis has an annoying habit of forgetting that I had an identity before we were married and that didn't change because of a drunken ceremony on Io." She ghosted a wink at Jayna and said, "A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant. You took pity on the major so he didn't have to come stag? Very nice of you."
"Oh, coming with the major is the only reason I'm here." It was true. Jayna would never have come to the Marine Ball on her own. "I've yet to see him dance." The expression on her face was calm, but there was a devilish twinkle in her eye and just a hint of a smile on her lips as she looked over to Neil. "I'm hoping for three dances with him."
"Only three?" Tempest asked, casting a critical eye over Major Tremble. "Dancing is a form of foreplay, dears. Don't limit yourself. I may claim a few dances myself. Diplomacy takes all forms."
Tremble didn't even blink at Dr. Soble-Hardie. He'd done hishomework and had expected comments like that from her. "So there's a fine line between intercourse and diplomacy? I suppose that's one way to look at it." He grinned and said, "It explains why the Marines have to go in and fix situations when the Diplomats get it wrong."
Then he looked at Jayna and said, "Apparently the Diplomatic Corp needs to double down on their Intercourse and Intoxication training. Or focus more on the former. Maybe? I've met too many that double down on the drinking part."
"I've met too many that focus on intercourse," Jayna replied smiling at Neil. "I may have to do more research."
"Major," Francis said with a bit of tone. "Do not start fencing with my wife. She fights dirty and you're likely to end up with that pyro-sabre frogged someplace uncomfortable."
"Oh do let him continue," Tempest said, amusement brightening her eyes. "I feel a little like Darwin must have felt when he was contemplating evolution on Earth. I thing our young Major is crawling out of the ooze."
"No, he prefers to play in it. You know Marines and their mud." Jayna wasn't sure if it was a good idea to get involved in the wordplay between Neil and the general's wife, but she had a hard time resisting a good play on words.
Francis held up his hands in a gesture from from his years as a training officer, indicating the student had the space frame and looked at the Major.
"Absolutely," Tremble said straight faced. "That's where we find the most interesting people. And some of those people decided they like it and want to play. The leader of one of Earth's nations hundreds of years ago was quoted saying, "“The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!”
Neil smiled, put a hand on his chest and gave Tempest a half bow. "I am a product of my environment, Tempest. The one I was planted in by the Corp."
Tempest patted Neil's hand, the one he was holding over his heart and said, "Yes Neil. I know. Mrs. Roosevelt did classify you as animals, however. So..."
Tremble laughed and held his hands up in a mirror movement to the Generals and said, "You win ma'am. I'll stay in my row."
Turning her gaze toward Jayna, Tempest said, "He almost acts half trained and tamed. Your doing, Jayna? I hope you don't mind me calling you that."
"Not at all." Jayna smiled. "I may stand on a lot of things, but protocol isn't one of them." She cocked her head to one side and considered Neil. "I think he's just putting on his public face in front of the fleeters." She knew the commander was just messing with him, but she was quite fond of Neil the way he was.
Tremble herded the ladies and Brigadier to where the receiving line would start and Corporal Fry caught his eye and gave him the high sign.
Guests were starting to arrive.
Jack stepped into the room with his new bride on his arm. For the second time in as many days he had his dress uniform on. "Thanks for coming to this with me. I am sure this is going to bore you to death." He said with a chuckle.
Aer wore a light blue pastel coloured dress. It was not something she often wore, something of such large elegance. "I feel silly in this. I know I'm not a marine but would my dress uniform really have been that bad?" she already knew the answer. 'Not a ball if you wear a uniform and not a dress' could be heard ringing in her ears and he was right of course. Both of them in tight fitting Starfleet garb would not have looked as good aesthetically, that and she wasn't a marine.
Even though Aer was attractive she was always a little self conscious about how she looked. Now there felt like added pressure to look good, to act right amongst Jack's marine family and especially his superiors. She kept fidgeting and smoothing her dress out thinking it looked creased.
"You are not only the most beautiful person here, you are the most beautiful in the galaxy. Now stop fidgeting..." Jack said with a smile and placed a kiss on her cheek. "...Now I think perhaps we should make our way over the General Sobel and his wife and I can pay my respects then the real fun can begin."
"Sorry." Aer replied as she tried to put one had by her side and the other in his to stop herself. "This just feels so much more stressful than an intel briefing." She looked over at General Sobel "He's not going to be watching the ball like that for the whole thing is he?" she asked.
"I sure hope not..." Jack laughed. "...But I think he may just do that. They don't call him The Judge for nothing. Perhaps as he gets into the drink more he will loosen up. Besides his wife is always up for a good time."
"Need to chat up the wife then..." Aer thought out loud. "I'll try to make a good impression."
"Are sure this is okay?" Sara MacCallum dressed in an off the shoulder silver dress, asked. "After all the invitation was addressed to you?"
"Yes, but you were a Marine, you deserve to be here too." Hermia replied. She was dressed in a sapphire coloured dress, the accentuated her assets, but also allowed her to breathe without trouble, unlike the dress uniform, she'd usually wear. On her feet were Marine issue boots, as she didn't care for the torture devices, known as high-heel pumps.
Neil was uncertain about what awaited him; truthfully, he'd never received an invitation to a Marine Ball before. It felt a bit strange not wearing his uniform, but this was one of those rare formal occasions where it wasn't mandatory. The suit he had opted for was an exquisite Kingston-cut Black Tuxedo. The fabric exuded a rich, glossy black shade, complementing the jacket, waistcoat, and trousers, all adorned with meticulously polished buttons that shimmered in the light. As he adjusted his collar, he leaned into Adira and quipped, "black tie affair or not, we could have left the bowtie at home," he whispered. He looked around the room uncertain of where he was suppose to sit.
K'doc arrived in his Klingon Marine uniform, He had his decorations from campaigns served and only wore a peace tied disruptor and his house hurric combat blade. On his arm was Khylara wearing an outfit for a proper lady of house hurric and wearing a brass circlet upon her head. K'doc walked over and greeted the General. " General Sobel and Lady Sobel. It is a pleasure to greet you. I am Major K'doc Valadorn of the Klingon132nd Ground Assault group. I also serve here upon Poseidon Station as the Chief Security/Tactical Officer. This is Lady Khylara, She is my intended. We are honored to meet you both. " He stated and giving a slight bow from the waist.
"The pleasure is ours," Francis assured K'doc. "Thank you for attending the ball. Your reputation proceeds you, as does that of the 132nd." Turning to Khylara, he said, "Thank you Lady Khylara for joining us.
K'doc nodded his acknowledgement. " Thank you General. I have also heard of your reputation as well, of being an excellent commander and tactician and fighting with valor and honor. You have many other guest to greet, so we won't delay you any further. " With that said he turned and went to mingle with others in the crowd.
Ben smoothed down the front of his dress uniform and took a deep breath. He knew the invitation was by request only, not mandatory, but he felt he needed to put his best foot forward on the station. Glancing into the ball room, he could see there were lots of people and he felt relieved. Once he made his way through the greeting line, he could just blend in and go unnoticed for most of the night.
A Joint Post By
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Captain Neil Harrington
Commanding Officer
Poseidon Station
Adira Toril Harrington
Temporal Field Agent, DTI Herodotus
Poseidon Station
Commander Cara Letsul
Poseidon Operations Command, Poseidon Station
Khylara Jorrath
Civilian
Poseidon Station
Captain Brina "Songbird" Tracy-Hall
Executive Officer, The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station
Commander Aer Feshau-Patton
Chief Intelligence Officer
Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Colonel Jack "BlackJack" Patton
Commanding Officer, The Kingsmen
Strategic Command
Poseidon Station
Master Sergeant Lachlan Barr
Chief of The Boat, USS Pioneer
First Sergeant, The Cure
Sergeant Audie "Magic Hands" Fitch
Corpsman The Swords
The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Commander K'doc Valadorn
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Benjamin Woods
Chief Medical Officer
Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Ellery Rosa
Assistant Chief Science Officer, Poseidon Station
Captain Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Brigadier General Francis Sobel
Commanding Officer, 258th Starfleet Marine Expeditionary Brigade
Empok Nor
Tempest Marie-Hardie Sobel
Deputy Counselor, Federation Diplomatic Corp.
Major Cornelius Tremble
Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
Commanding Officer, The Cure
Lieutenant Junior Grade Mira Jayna
Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer, USS Pioneer
Intelligence Liaison, The Cure
Lieutenant JG Jali Andloch
Assistant Chief of Security
Poseidon Station
Captain Thorrin
Commanding Officer, DTI Herodotus
Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir
Assistant Chief of Operations, Poseidon Station
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke
Chief Medical Officer, USS Pioneer
Sergeant Azure Thompson
Corpsman, Team 1, The Cure
USS Pioneer
First Lieutenant Edward O'Rourke
Combat Engineer, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Chief Petty Officer Sara MacCallum
Head Nurse, USS Pioneer
Petty Officer First Class Marisol Puerta
Transporter Specialist, USS Pioneer
Corporal Sina Ravenna
Pathfinder, Team 1, The Cure
USS Pioneer
Sergeant Raylan Ch'Tol
Combat Engineer, The Kingsmen
Poseidon Station
Warrant Officer Mercy Ryan
Sniper, Team 1, The Cure
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