Lost Harbor - minuteman-mission

Welcome to Fort Kościuszko , first installation of its kind and home port to the first ship of its kind, which is expected imminently. Some of you have been here the better part of a day, having arrived on the USS Revere. If that was your first experience with a Minuteman Class ship, you most likely found the trip uncomfortable, even for badass marines, your ride having been optimized for performance and loadout, with crew comforts a distant third priority. The bad news is that before long, you'll have more of the same to look forward to, for you are here to replace the longest serving and most exhausted portion of the Minuteman crew on its next deployment. The good news is that you have at least a week while Minuteman resupplies and undergoes standard maintenence.

Hovering in the void, lightyears from the nearest star where it keeps a watchful and covert eye on whatever potential trouble spot the Marine Corps brass deems most troubling at present, the Marine equivalent of a starbase may have seemed basic at first, more reminiscent of space stations which existed at the dawn of human space flight. Carried to its intended destination by a pair of tugs, it is comprised entirely of linked prefab modules, configured and bolted together in the span of 8 hours and intended for equally quick disassembly in an emergency.

@everyoneBEGIN MISSION

:: Eric had been taking full advantage of the little relaxation time afforded to him before the arrival of his new ship, in his own way. He was up early for a pick-up game of parisses squares in the holosuite with a handful of people who were to be under his new command. Fortunately his team won, but that led to a swearing of vengeance that would no doubt be acted upon eventually. After one of those nice hot showers he changed back into his uniform, and took the last of what time he had to sit in the station's restaurant and eat a nice meal. He greeted anyone in Starfleet uniform as they walked by, introducing himself to as many of his new crewmates as he could before he would have to start giving them orders. Eric was quite tall, but not as out of place among marines as he was with the general population. He had black hair and sharp green eyes, and was best recognized by his razor-sharp wit. He wasn't cracking as many jokes as usual, though, somewhat worried about first impressions now that he was going to be in charge. He tried not to feel like an impostor, he had done plenty in his career to earn this position, but now he had to prove he deserved it and that was daunting. He kept reminding (or maybe trying to convince) himself that it was going to be fun. He hid his doubts well, offering everyone he greeted a big genuine smile. ::

:: After having said her goodbyes to the departing crew, she settled into the task of moving into Major Thrace's old quarters, since she's assuming the role of Second Officer and they're at least a slight upgrade. Not that she has a lot to move, since the senior officers' quarters aboard Minuteman would never be described as spacious, but she does have a few things that she's accumulated over her six years here along with what she brought from home. Once her new quarters are squared away, she nods in satisfaction and figures that she ought to get some relaxation time in on the fort while she has the chance. :: :: Instead of changing, she just frees her nearly shoulder-length bob of dark brown hair from its tie, runs a brush through it a few times, and then heads right out the door, still in uniform. A few minutes later, she's disembarked from Minuteman and navigates the familiar corridors of the fort to the promenade, heading straight for the 101st Club. A fairly short woman with eyes to match her hair, she is quite athletic and somewhat muscular in frame, and walks to the bar with the confidence of someone who has had to kick a few asses in her time. After ordering her drink, an affable expression settles onto her face as she glances around the room to see if she recognizes anyone, be they incoming or existing crew. ::

:: Despite not having spent nearly as much time aboard either Minuteman or this installation as his new Second Officer, Rak'nar moves with a sense of purpose and confidence all the same. He takes a deep breath as he steps through the airlock, appreciating the change in environment for a moment. Technically, it's still recycled air, but if you think more room to circulate and fewer bodies pressed into the confines doesn't make a difference, you really haven't been paying attention. ::

:: Rather than making for the promenade as most of the crew does and he will later, he instead makes an abrupt turn to the left, into decidedly less frequented areas of the station. Along the way, he passes through an empty and cavernous expanse by his recent standards. This module stored the Fort's complement of weapons batteries that now hover in a silent defensive perimeter outside. It's used as a makeshift auditorium when empty, and it's here that he will be addressing the new additions to his crew later. But his destination lies further along. ::

:: And there is is. Cargo Bay 1, home to Minuteman's fresh supplies that await loading. Retrieving a PADD from a thigh pocket, Rak'nar scrolls through the manifest, and soon finds his personal addition. Captain's perk, and all that. Three compact metallic barrels bound for a set aside corner of his quarters, and a crate housing a stasis unit bound for Minuteman's upper cargo bay. The crate will need an antigrav sled to transport properly, but he promptly hoists one of the barrels over his shoulder. If space is to be taken up on his account, the least he can do is help load it himself. ::

:: Twenty minutes later, all three barrels are stacked and secured in his quarters, otherwise known as the back of his Ready Room obscured by a curtain from visiting officers, and he's finished tapping the top one, which he now pours a moderate sample of into a waiting mug. He is on duty, after all...although of course a Klingon is ALWAYS on duty. 2309. Or, more succinctly, bliss. ::

:: picks at his food, an Andorian dish his server had recommended--fizzle...sticks and...bloot-ham? Something like that--and continues scanning the crowd for faces he recognizes from going over personnel files. When he spots who he believes to be his new second officer he has the impulse to wave her down, but she's already walking to the bar so he waits a moment and has another fizzastik. When she turns and looks around the room he gives a big wave to catch her attention, and then a smaller one to get her to come over to his table. He stands up in the time it would take her to reach him, and offers a firm handshake and a big smile. He figures he might as well start with names in case she hasn't brushed up on the new personnel files, even though he suspects she probably did. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Hello! Major Eric Woods.

:: She does, in fact, recognize the Major, because of course she brushed up on the new personnel files, since it's a good idea for the Chief Tactical Officer to know who is coming aboard her ship. It may not be her command, but she is charged with its security, so she does her homework. Carrying a glass of Irish whiskey, AJ assesses Woods with her eyes as she approaches, and smiles up at him as she firmly shakes his hand; the difference in their height is almost like looking up at the Colonel. :: @Maj Eric Woods: Captain AJ Zuriyev. It's a pleasure to meet you, Major. Forgive the lack of attention and a salute; I'm a rather by the book officer, but the "meeting your superior officer in a bar" clause does tend to supersede the rest of those regulations.

:: He nods sagely, adopting a mock solemnity :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: I'll be writing you up for this insubordination in the morning, if I can remember to. It's one thing not to salute, but to not even bring me a drink? The "meeting your superior officer in a bar" clause was very clear about that. :: he breaks and smiles, shakes his head, then sits down and holds out a hand to invite her to sit opposite him. He already had a drink, something green and fizzy and non-alcoholic, the Andorian soda usually served with the whatever-he-was-eating. :: Care to offer your insights into what I can expect from the gun barrel I'm looking down?

:: during a moment's chuckle, she gets a sense of his calm, jovial vibe before catching his eyes with hers and answering :: @Maj Eric Woods: I'll bring you the drink next time, if you're lucky. But in the meantime, you should probably just throw me in the brig. :: with a wry smirk, she sits down opposite him and places her whiskey on the table after taking a sip :: As for what to expect from this gun? Well, if you mean working for the Colonel, he insists on excellence and is fair, demanding nothing that he doesn't also expect of himself. But perhaps you meant that I'm the gun? Hm, I could be, I suppose. :: she leans forward and clasps her hands on the table, tilting her head slightly :: I may be new to the role, but as your Second Officer, I can assure you that whatever you need to be done will be done.

:: Having just arrived onboard, Caelum wastes no time in getting settled in his small quarters, and then heading towards the med bay to do a check on what he had to work with… and do inventory, as he had been taught by his parents. When starting a new position, especially a medical one, always make sure to do inventory in case anything had been missed by the requisitions staff, especially if the item missing was of importance. Luckily, this time, nothing seemed to be missing, although, he did mentally note that he would have to adjust some shelves to allow for better access. He wiped off his hands, before turning to exit the medbay, and by extension, heading towards exiting the Minuteman, and walking farther into the 101st club. He was holding a PADD while he walked, logging in with medical credentials to access the crew roster, while glancing around to see if he could spot any of the new crew. Besides, better to know who he might need to go on the hunt for later on than not. Immediately spotting two people sitting at a table, both recognizable due to the roster, Caelum headed over to the pair, tucking his PADD under his arm and waiting quietly to be acknowledged by the pair. He spoke with a distinct Scottish brogue, deep for someone who looked to be so young. ::@Maj Eric Woods / @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Sorry to interrupt, sir, ma'am. I just wanted to make sure you are… Major Eric Woods and Captain AJ Zuriyev? Did I pronounce that right? :: In fact, he did not. His accent messed with the Captain’s surname, resulting in a jumbled mess.::

:: He gives a big nod with an impressed-pout, replying to her :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Good, I hate having to repeat myself. :: he takes a sip of his drink while pondering on what else to ask her, but as he's about to come up with the perfect question, his attention is drawn by the newly-arriving medic. He turns, stands, and offers a firm handshake and a big smile before sitting back down to listen to the question. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Well, you got my name right. :: he looks to AJ, not wanting to correct him on her behalf ::

:: She leans back and tucks her hair behind her ears, briefly smiling down at her lap at his reaction before finding her own drink during the moments of silence. Before either of them can speak again, someone approaches and speaks who, sounding like he does, could not be anyone but the new CMO, whose file she has, of course, reviewed. Hearing a Scottish brogue causes her to somehow unconsciously intensify her midlands English accent, though when she corrects his pronunciation of her family name, her speech changes to be perfectly Russian for that one word. AJ does, however, find it refreshing to hear someone get it wrong, given the stature of her parents. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: That's me, yes, but not quite right on my name, it's Зуриев. Zoo-ree-yehv. :: she stands and waits to offer a handshake until the Major is done :: No worries though; it's a pleasure to meet you, doctor.

:: Eric's accent is hard to pin down, it's a mix of many accents with a few vowel quirks that tip off the savvy listener that he's from Earth's moon. Kind of like how Canadians say "soory", he has a few giveaway moon-isms that come out from time to time. It is actually quite similar to a Canadian accent, interestingly. He extends his hand with an open palm to one of the remaining seats at the table, in case him sitting hadn't made the invitation clear enough :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Please, Doctor, join us. The Captain here was just telling me what to expect from my new command. :: with that, he takes another bite of his food as it's his turn to listen ::

:: He had a sinking suspicion he got one of their names wrong, and the pause made him inwardly mutter curses. The captain confirming his mispronunciation only made him grumble slightly, taking the extended hands to shake them in greeting.:: @Maj Eric Woods/ @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Glad I got one name properly. I wanted to take the time to introduce myself before anything goes down. :: Caelum nods, taking the seat, and sets his PADD face-down on the table, and turning to fix the captain with an intense gaze. He didn’t dare say anything unless he was directly asked, seeing that he was their inferior by a few ranks. ::

:: takes her seat and, noticing the doctor's intense stare, takes a moment to get a sense of him during a sip of her whiskey :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: You know, doctor, I was just discussing the "meeting your superior officer in a bar" clause in the regulations with the Major here, and we agree that it means you're free to relax a bit. :: glances at Woods for a moment before returning to McKenzie :: So, you said you wanted to introduce yourself, by all means, please do! Maybe get a drink, yeah? :: offers a friendly smile ::

:: smiles at AJ's words, nodding in agreement. He takes a moment while she's speaking to finish off the last few bites of his food, then sips his soda to wash it down and lets out a satisfied huff. He drops his fork on his empty plate, as if he needed to signal to the waiter that he was done even though there was nothing left. He agrees with AJ, wagging a finger playfully :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Yes, you missed the part where you tell us how to pronounce your name. And I second her 'at ease'.

"Muh-ken-zee. Emphasis on the second syllable." And just like that, a literal and figurative shadow fell over the table. To have approached so close without making more noise was not a feat for the untrained, particularly given the metallic baldric he wore over his marine duty uniform, but even so, there stood a Klingon just a hair taller than Woods, his face impassive. Immediately, he gestured downward with an imperious and open palm to forestall the rise to attention which protocol would ordinarily dictate. "Be at ease. Have your drinks. Have several, if you wish. The time for duty and expectations will come. For now, I require only the Major."

:: Visibly startles at the new voice, turning in his chair to look up at the officer approaching, starting to rise before the Klingon gestured, and slowly sank back down in his seat. :: @Maj Eric Woods / @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : Exactly. Emphasis on the second syllable, what the Lieutenant Colonel said. :: Caelum brushes a loose hair out of his face, tapping back into the PADD, and checking information profiles briefly, before closing the device again and tucking it into his bag. He would order a water, but that was it. Medical was always on the job, especially around bases… regardless if the fact he was supposed to be off. ::

:: he sees Rak'nar's hand gesture and doesn't immediately stand :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: I meant, is it Cal-um or Kale-um? :: he waits only a moment for the one-word answer while he finishes the last sip of his drink, then stands up from his chair and gives a half-bow to excuse himself from the table. He turns and gives Rak'nar a quick salute, then offers a firm handshake. :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Nice to finally meet you, Colonel.

:: He allows Eric's hand to hang in the air for just a moment, appearing to briefly ponder what to think of the gesture. But he evidently decides it pleases him well enough, for he accepts the gesture in suitably Klingon fashion. That is to say, he takes Woods' forearm in a tight grip of his own, before bringing his other hand out and displaying it in the open for a moment, as if to say "See? No knife." before clapping the man on the shoulder. ::

@Maj Eric Woods Yes, well met. Walk with me.

:: Eric was prepared for that reaction, gripping Rak'nar's forearm and showing his open palm in turn with a pointed nod. He gives one last wave to AJ and Caelum, who he'll be calling by their last names soon enough. He follows next to Rak'nar, attentively listening for whatever comes next, not feeling the need to fill silence as he waits for his new CO's thoughts. ::

:: She raises her glass and dips her head to the Colonel, being familiar enough with him to know that he would not expect pomp and circumstance in this situation. Returning the Major's wave, AJ watches him walk away before bringing her attention back to the doctor. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: So, doc, what do you like to do to relax?

:: Rak'nar appreciates the absence of extraneous noise from his new officer, but regardless, Eric doesn't need to wait long. The Klingon moves with a clear purpose and destination in mind, despite being in no particular hurry, and begin speaking about when they leave earshot from the bar. ::

@Maj Eric Woods I am told you journeyed here as no mere passenger. That you commanded the Revere on its way to this station. Your first command of a starship, I believe?

:: Eric follows close, trying to keep beside Rak'nar even though he's not sure where they're headed yet. He smiles, giving a half-shrug :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Unless you count the occasional night shift--I don't, but my mother insists they count--yes, it was my first official stint of command. She got away with only minor hull-damage, and I only had to wake the Captain six times. :: he's joking. Definitely joking. ::

@Maj Eric Woods Amusing. :: The dry way in which this was stated, however, did not actually clarify whether he thought it was anything of the kind. The low, sharp exhalation of breath which had briefly preceded the statement wasn't much help either, equally easy to hear as a subdued chuckle or a "hmmph". He was here to take the measure of his new second in command, and it was neither his nature nor his training to reveal too much about himself until he had it. In any case, he continued on without halting. ::

@Maj Eric Woods And impressive! Most impressive. To have been entrusted with such a vital strategic resource, even for a relatively short time, clearly you have earned the trust of our superiors. But tell me, how did the weight of command sit upon your shoulders?

:: Eric wasn't deterred by not knowing if his joke landed, but he was definitely feeling the pressure to make a good first impression. He could tell that Rak'nar was assessing him, and his usual strategy of aloof detachment wasn't good for this moment, so he adopted his more serious air. At his new CO's question he paused a moment to think of a good answer. How had command felt to him? He hadn't really put it to words yet, so what came out was a metaphor :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Like... a bespoke suit. Perhaps a bit itchy--or, unfamiliar--and limiting my range of movement so to speak, but also fitting perfectly in the places that matter. :: He gauged Rak'nar's reaction with a sideward glance, hoping that answer made some sense ::

:: He’s unable to resist a faint smile. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : I don’t. Even on earth, I was heavily involved in charity medical work or picking up way too many shifts. There’s always medical emergencies happening, especially in areas that are… less fortunate. I find myself helping in anyway possible, more often than not.:: he gestures with his glass; continuing to speak. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : I rarely have time to relax… there was always something happening, and nine times out of ten, it was something that required medical’s presence. Adrenaline-seeking idiots.

@Maj Eric Woods Interesting. :: He seemed more committed to the response that time, even glancing down at his own uniform briefly. In truth, there was much about the Major's response which struck a familiar cord for him. The first time he put on this uniform after having resigned his commission with the KDF in favor of becoming a true Marine rather than an honorary one, it had felt awkward, especially around the shoulders. The simple act of wearing it enough had seen to that initial discomfort, but some of what the uniform represented was not so easily adjusted to. :: @Maj Eric Woods It is true. You've no doubt risen high enough already to notice that some confines only grow tighter as you progress.

:: By now, his destination was becoming clear. While certainly less of a rush than meeting an opponent blade to blade, he rather enjoyed shooting as a means of passing the time, which was why it irked him on occasion that after two years, a phaser still didn't feel as natural in his hand as the heftier disruptor that he'd favored in the decades previous. So he'd been looking forward to a chance at practice in a setting less contested than Minuteman's holodeck. The Fort's shooting range would do nicely. :: @Maj Eric Woods Would you look forward to donning that suit again, then?

:: AJ takes a sip of her whiskey as she considers his words; in her six years aboard Minuteman, she's seen Marines like this come through before and not do well. She leans forward and makes eye contact before she speaks, her cheerful off-duty demeanor changing to be one of real talk. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Look, doctor — Caelum — :: gets the name right because she's done her homework :: I'm not a counselor, or your direct superior, so take this advice as you will, but I have been on this ship since almost the beginning, yeah? Our crews usually rotate out after a while due to the stressful nature of the assignment, and as CMO you also have to be a counselor to those of us in need. If you have no way to decompress from your own stress, not to mention the burdens you help others shoulder... well, let me just say that I will be bloody worried about you, and I don't like worrying over the doctor who is charged with keeping my Marines healthy. Please, find a way to relax, okay? For all of our sakes.

:: He frowns slightly at the Captain’s words, before nodding slowly and sipping at his glass of water. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Captain, if i may be blunt, but i am well aware of the toll stress takes on the body. I am aware of the issues. For me, i’ve grown up heavily involved in charity work. Charity work does relax me, but i also have other activities i can do to relax. I don’t allow myself to relax until everything is done for the day. :: Caelum stares at AJ with intense grey eyes before continuing. :: Captain: There is nothing you have to worry about for me. I know the responsibilities i am taking on for the crew, and i know my own health well. You don’t need to concern yourself with me. But, if you do want a real answer as to what i do to relax, i’ll give you that. I enjoy working out, back on Earth, i attended Zumba alongside my sister and mom, i did yoga, i helped my dad with chores, I like keeping busy. Keeping busy is how i relax. :: he smiles softly. If she were to reach out, she’d feel a strange sense of nostalgia, paired with a strong determination. ::

:: Eric rolls his shoulders back, his mild nerves fading when he gathers they are heading for the shooting range. He had been shooting since before he could read and write, it was a common passtime on Earth's moon. His father loved to take him to an 'outdoor' range, where participants wore EV suits and shot at targets spattered among hills and craters. He'd even bonded with his egghead brother over shooting, because he let said brother think he was a better shot than him. Even now, with Eric as a Major in the marines, Miles still suspected he was a better shot. Eric considered Rak'nar's words and nodded in agreement to the first sentence. At his question, he nodded again. :: @LtCol Rak'nar: I do. I look forward to seeing how far I can go. I find I thrive when people are relying on me.

:: And just like that, it seemed that Eric had shared enough to merit an unguarded reaction from his new commanding officer. Rak'nar flashed a toothy grin as he stepped past the entrance to the shooting range and made for a console where he would check out a phaser. :: @Maj Eric Woods Good! As it should be. Perhaps I should be on guard. You may have eyes for my job, now that you've had a taste of it?

:: Eric returned the smile, a playful glint in his eye :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Yep, better watch your back. :: It was, of course, a joke. Did Eric want his own ship one day? Of course, there were few other reasons to accept a first officer position. But he needed this time and valuable experience first, and he got the impression that working under Rak'nar was going to provide just that. So for that side of the introduction, he was satisfied. He checked out the next phaser after Rak'nar, scoping out the unfamiliar range as he checked its power supply and settings, a habit he had when holding any phaser. ::

:: The range, in this case, was essentially a dumbed down holodeck, a 12-ft diameter circular chamber capable of simulating a wide variety of exercises. The phasers were locked on the minimum power in the event of any friendly fire mishaps. Rak'nar had elected to start things off slow, level five against simple randomly moving targets. ::

@Maj Eric Woods Your honesty is noted. Allow me to reciprocate. Feel free to show me your best. I have come to understand that killing a subordinate for beating your score is considered a social gaff in Federation space.

:: Eric's eyebrows raise in a mixture of surprise and amusement. He chuckles, wrapping his fingers around the phaser a few times to be sure his grip is good. :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Alright, I won't hold back then. :: The worst shot he takes is his third, where the target dives right unexpectedly and he only grazes its outer edge instead of hitting it dead-on. Otherwise, at level five, every shot he lands is within a centimeter or two of the bullseye. After a few volleys, he looks to Rak'nar, and gives the common marine hand signal for 'bump it up'. ::

:: AJ does reach out a bit as she listens to him speak, and nods when he finishes; although she isn't entirely convinced, she gets the sense that pushing the issue further would be pointless, so she makes a note to keep an eye on this situation. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Alright, fair enough, doc. If you ever want a workout partner, let me know, yeah? :: offers a friendly smile, figuring that this is one way she can help look out for her new crewmate :: I do yoga now and then, since it helps with combat flexibility, but I'm game for most kinds of exercise.

:: Even accounting for how much faster Klingons achieved physical maturity than humans, Rak'nar hadn't gotten quite THAT early a start with an energy weapon. Among his kind, marksmanship was deemed a necessary skill for a warrior, but not a truly celebrated one. After all, any idiot could be trained to shoot straight in a couple of weeks. But to truly thrive amidst the chaos of real battle, throw yourself at the peril with skill and honor? That took longer, which was PART of why most of the early energy went into teaching their children the blade and the hunt. Still, Rak'nar was a good shot. His shots didn't land quite so near to the bullseye as the Major's, but he was consistent in his placement, so he wasn't far behind on points. ::

:: Eric nods pointedly, looking around and getting his bearings as to where they are. First: What do we do? :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Alright, let's head for engineering. :: A Starfleet classic, because they could take control from there even if the bridge was occupied. He keeps his weapon drawn and stops at each juncture in the hallways, sweeping across each hallway with his aim and looking for distortions, as the Colonel suggested. Fortunately he does know the layout of the ship, as well as the general playbook of the Jem'Hadar. When he spots a visual distortion in the direction they need to go he takes aim, accounts for the height and distance and double-taps. A Jem'Hadar shimmers into view and falls to the ground, the tube between his white capsule and the needle in his neck melted and the artery just below it burned through, which quickly turns into an ugly sight. In the next moment his cloaked compatriots are firing down the hallway, and Eric takes cover around the bend. He gives Rak'nar the hand signal: "three enemies" while he fires back at them around the bend. ::

:: he’s unable to resist another grin, being someone who was of fairly easygoing character. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : Will do, ma’am. One of my sisters enjoyed doing yoga, especially when we were up in the Highlands, visiting family. She said that was the one way she kept from defresentating people when they were being idiots. I’d be interested to give it a go… the one time I tried to join her,she threatened to kick me off the cliff. Make me go cliff-diving if I didn’t shut up and leave her alone. I learned my lesson well after that. ::

:: AJ returns Caelum's grin and nods, thinking that this knowledge along with what she was able to sense makes things a bit less of a concern for her. Of course, she has already read his file and knows the answer to this question, but it's making conversation, and he did at least give her the in of saying "one of his sisters." :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Big family then, yeah? That must be neat; I have a brother, but only one! And hey, if we do yoga together, I promise I won't try to kick you off any cliffs. At least not during yoga! :: laughs a little ::

@Cpt AJ Zuriyev: There’s eight of us, altogether. I’m the third youngest, and second boy, though my parents also came from large families. Mum came from a family of ten, Da came from a family of thirteen. Never peace and quiet at my house growing up.:: responds airily, but with a laugh; like having a large family was the norm. ::

:: looks wide-eyed, unable to even imagine such a family :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: That is quite the big family! Mum and dad almost didn't have time for me and my brother, growing up in Starfleet as we did, but they sure as hell tried. I can't imagine what they would have done if there were more of us! :: laughs again ::

:: The shooting range, it must be noted, did not have the full functionality of a proper holodeck. These Jem'Hadar could shoot back only in the sense that the computer would register a simulated hit and incorporate it into the user's final score. Unable to physically interact, they were mostly meant as a better test of a shooter's awareness and reaction time. Their behavior, however, had been carefully programmed in imitation of Rak'nar's experience with the real life versions, which had frankly been extensive. Brutally effective they were, but not without their situational shortcomings. Jem'Hadar were viciously aggressive once engaged, and in many cases he'd observed, their natural power of invisibility could lead to a certain laziness in fully assessing their surroundings. These surroundings, Rak'nar now studied quickly. ::

:: This done, he quickly made his way close enough that he could speak into the Major's ear softly enough to be heard only by him over the weapons fire. :: @Maj Eric Woods Keep them suppressed for a few seconds, and then fall back. :: With that, Rak'nar made for an offset alcove they'd passed, largely covered by a grated partition and housing a local diagnostic station. Retreat was always a bit galling, but more than acceptable if in service to a larger tactic. ::

:: He grins at AJ’s reaction, familiar with that kinds of reactions when people find out about his large family :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : My ma’s stay-at-home, my da works for the NHS. Most of my siblings are involved in the medical field in someway, though I’m the only one who’s not based on Earth or a Terran-occupied planet.

@LtCol Rak'nar: Aye. :: he nods firmly to cement his understanding. He does as he's asked, keeping the firing up for several more seconds and taking out another of the holographic enemies in the process. A shot whizzes past his head as he's ducking back around the corner, and he counts himself lucky that it's not real, but also makes a mental note to be more careful of how close to the edge of cover his head is. He knows this of course, but his adrenaline is pumping extra hard for wanting to make a good first impression on his new CO. He lobs a few more covering shots and, when it's been long enough, he quickly retreats to follow Rak'nar to the diagnostic station. He looks from the panel to Rak'nar, assessing what he's doing with it. ::

@1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Well, that's neat, especially all the medical involvement. My Mum and brother are doctors. :: smirks, figuring he at least knew about her mum, since she very recently retired from heading Starfleet Medical :: But out of all of them, what made you make the choice to join the Marines and get away from Earth and the colonies?

:: he gives the captain a careful eyebrow raise, sipping at his water before responding, :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : Because out here, I can have a chance to make a name for myself. Instead of being known as insert sibling name’s baby brother for my entire career. And well… marines do need medical. Even though most aren’t the best at bringing themselves in for care. I certainly hope you’re not one of those. Captain.

:: grins and laughs :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie : I've no fear of doctors, don't you worry! That would have been tough to pull off around Mum! :: takes a drink of her whiskey once her laughter trails off, feeling his sentiment about family right down to her bones :: And yeah, I get wanting to make a name from yourself outside of your family, I really do. :: offers a small, friendly smile ::

:: In truth, Rak'nar was briefly regretful at not having something a bit more clever waiting when Woods ducked to join him behind cover. He was a bit surprised that Woods even KNEW to join him, actually. The man had a knack for taking in his surroundings faster than the Klingon veteran had expected. He'd most certainly remember that in the future. As it was, however, the instrument panel had no true programmed functionality; it was merely a prop to crouch behind until Woods had passed, and then..."bushwhack" his pursuers, if he had the term correct. But perhaps he could adapt, and show a bit of cleverness after all. ::

:: Woods HAD arrived in time to evade being spotted by the holographic Jem'Hadar, who now rounded the corner at a sprint only to stop short in confusion at having so abruptly lost their prey. It was in this key moment that Rak'nar stepped out into the hall, his arm and the weapon hand sweeping out in a wide arc while his thumb kept the firing stud depressed. In this way, both Jem'Hadar were cut down by the beam which scythed across the passageway. And, owing to the particulars of how the scoring worked, that still counted as two hits worth full points. Chuckling softly, he turned to his XO with a smirk. ::

:: uses the console as cover, laying down covering fire as Rak'nar steps out to take out the two enemies. He lands a hit on one of the Jem'Hadar after it's already disintegrating from Rak'nar's shot, which notably does not count as a hit under the scoring system. As the dust settles, the gears in Eric's head are all turning. He comes to his answer fairly quick, though :: @LtCol Rak'nar: It'd be this way, but they know we're here now. Let's take the jefferies tube down... this hallway. :: he makes for the panel on the wall, continuing to look around for activity as he opens it. With any luck, they'll manage to squeeze in unseen. ::

:: hums softly in acknowledgment, happy that at least one Marine isn’t going to result in him having to hunt them down for medical. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Most of my siblings have made names for themselves… but I felt like there wasn’t enough… space on Earth for a fifth. Especially with younger ones still wanting to come into the world. I’m just happy enough I got away from all the sibling drama.

@1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Well, I've found that Minuteman is a good place for that. It's certainly out of the spotlight, and the work that we do is good and important. :: pride enters her voice at the mention of her work ::

@Maj Eric Woods Hmmph. :: It was an undeniably sound strategy, which in this case bordered on infuriating. Over the course of a career in which strength, resilience and an imposing presence were all assets, Rak'nar's size had generally served him far more than it hindered. But even on the great Galaxy Class ships, these access crawl ways could hardly be called spacious. Neither of these men being exactly Ferengi in stature, they were about to get a rude reminder that a Minuteman was a far cry from a Galaxy. Ah, well. At least being left in the position of staring at his XO's ass during the journey meant he needn't fear looking foolish himself.::

@Maj Eric Woods Proceed then, Major.

:: holds his breath as the door shuts behind them, then quickly begins crawling through the tight maintenance corridor. He leads the way towards engineering, having memorized the way to get around in preparation for his new station. After a few moments they pass another entrance, and he pauses and lifts a 'stop' fist as he hears Jem'Hadar running by in the main hallway outside. When they're gone, he lowers his fist and casts a glance at his Captain before continuing carefully and quietly down the path. He thinks he should say something clever, but he would hate to be running his mouth and get them found, so he keeps his quips to himself for now. When they finally make it to the hatch that leads into engineering, he gives hand signals to @LtCol Rak'nar that they should each take one side of the entrance, and prepare to ambush anyone on the other side. ::

:: harrumphs softly, sipping at his water carefully. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Indeed. It’s a good place to get introduced to the ideals that Starfleet tries to bring to the wider galaxy, and allow for better implementation of new techniques and technologies.

:: smiles and nods :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie: Absolutely. :: AJ tilts back her glass and drains it, then leans forward and cracks her back before glancing toward the pool tables. With a quick tilt of her head in that direction, she asks: :: Do you shoot pool, doc?

:: That the Major seemed to pick his path without hesitation, even a pause to check the color coding, was certainly not lost on the master of the vessel in whose shadow they now roamed. Woods had prepared for this. Good. Rak'nar had expected no less from the man's record. Of course, preparing for the very real missions that came with the real ship was a different task altogether, and one which no time spent reading through specs could accomplish. Still, the hope of all military training was that excellence in great things was built upon excellence in the small things, and so the Klingon judged this good. ::

:: Stretching out gratefully when the narrow crawlspace widened out into a larger, if still cramped alcove before it terminated in the port side warp core chamber, Rak'nar grinned at the sound of weapons fire. As the programmer, he'd not insult his crew with the notion of them doing anything but fighting spitefully to the last. And of course, having the check your fire for fear of hitting friendlies or the reactor added another level of difficulty. But now, Rak'nar was ready to lead again. As the door opened, Rak'nar surged out with a laugh, shooting as he went. ::

@Maj Eric Woods Whatever gods you cherish, now is your time to earn their smile!

:: Woods had definitely spent time preparing, some pouring over schematics, but almost as much running around simulations such as this one until he had an instinct for where things were. He didn't want to be caught lost in a ship he was supposed to be commanding, after all. He also couldn't help cracking a smirk at the sound of his (virtual) new crewmates shooting back at the virtual enemies, as he would also expect nothing less. He burst out of the corridor behind @LtCol Rak'nar, taking only moments to be sure he was aiming at the right targets, a job he was quite fast and accurate with. He laughed heartily at Rak'nar's exclamation and keeping moving in an unpredictable pattern to avoid getting shot himself as he fired at the Jam'Hadar. As he was scanning the room he caught sight of a shimmer, shooting it through just before it could get off a shot that, since he managed to land his hit, only grazed by near Rak'nar's head. He didn't skip a beat or take a moment to brag, he just kept going. ::

:: Ha! He certainly had to give the Major that one, though luckily for his pride, they were already even in a sense; he'd been momentarily focused on watching Woods' flank when the enemy hologram got the drop on him. That was, after all, why they were here. In competition, yes, because people like them were always competitive. That was why they were driven to count themselves among the best, and competition was how you got the best out of them. But like all worthwhile military exercises, the point was never competition for its own sake, but as the crucible in which a true and necessary camaraderie might be forged. ::

Lieutenant Chapman! ::Sighting the simulation of Minuteman's outgoing engineering chief hunkered down with a pair of his fellow engineers, Rak'nar quickly dispatched two of their attackers with instinctive, efficient shots to the center mass before lowering his phaser to address the program.:: Access internal sensors, find every one of these soulless golems, and beam them into space. @Maj Eric Woods and I will help secure your position while you work.

:: He glances over at the virtual engineer as @LtCol Rak'nar tells him the plan, nodding his silent approval of the idea, or perhaps just to confirm it within his own mind. He keeps up his covering fire at both visible and invisible targets, his heart pounding almost as much as if this were real. It might as well have been--getting shot might not kill him, but the embarrassment might. As the engineers make their way to their stations, he darts from cover to cover firing away from behind them. One of the more junior engineers he encounters behind one of the consoles looks up at him with big, scared eyes. He claps a hand on her shoulder and gives her reassurance. :: Engineer: It's alright. We can handle this. You're going to be fine. :: and he immediately resumes firing ::

:: In fairness to Woods, getting shot would SORT of kill him. In the event one of the participants took a return shot, the program would assume they had been at the least rendered combat ineffective, and end the simulation...with an accompanying point deduction that would guarantee a loss given how competitive their performances had been thus far. And speaking of competition, it occurred to him in that moment that he might have an unfair advantage of knowledge.::

:: Eric glances at his phaser :: @LtCol Rak'nar: Oh, no power drain? Sweet! :: his shots immediately almost double in frequency, with no sacrifice to accuracy. He'd been assuming normal conditions, but this gave him even more of a chance to show off just how good of a marksman he was. Without concern for running out of phaser power, he was able to put down such oppressive covering fire that one of the engineers was able to make it to his station and begin his important work. ::

:: Nico strolled the promenade making his sixth of seventh loop. He was taking in everything: the sites, the commissary, the 101st Club, the fake sky and the trees. It was all pretty intriguing to him that there would be this kind of luxury so far from, well, everything. The people is what he noticed the most. An eclectic and diverse group from all over the galaxy trod along. He had always found it fascinating that each one had their own stories and their own history, their own goals and dreams, and their own opinion of the duty and work they were here to do. :: :: He had stowed his possessions, his two duffle bags of standard equipment and one of personal items, in what could barely be called 'quarters' on the Minuteman hours before. He had perused Engineering to see just what it looked liked in person compared to the specifications he had been provided on receiving his assignment, and found it more compact and efficient than stated. He usually found that particular detail to be opposite - the information generally missed the mark on several things. He was content to get to work, but knew he had time. So, here he was. :: :: On his final lap he paused in front of the 101st Club. Nico wasn't one for drinking, per se, but he enjoyed a good scotch. Thinking what the hell, he entered the establishment and found himself a seat at the bar, ordering some mid-range-quality scotch that he remembered liking from his last assignment, and his eyes searched the room. ::

:: AJ notices Slate enter the bar and quickly identifies him, because, of course she's read the files of everyone coming aboard the ship she's charged to protect. Not because she's paranoid about the possibility of an inside threat, though that's always on the back of the mind of a security-conscious individual, but because she wants to know who will be alongside her when things get thick. Seeing that the doc seems to be lost in thought, she stands and carries her empty glass to the bar, sliding it to the bartender with a nodding request for a refill. While she waits on the drink, she turns to Slate and offers a friendly smile and a hand to shake. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Lt. Slate, I presume? I'm Captain AJ Zuriyev, tactical and operations chief.

:: glances over at what drew AJ’s attention, shaking himself from his thoughts, and rose to follow suite, picking up his glass and walking over to the bar, also asking for a refill. Mind you, just water; medical was always on duty, especially if others were drinking. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev : Sorry about that; have a lot on my mind. :: offers a slight smile to the new arrival :: @1Lt Nico Slate: First Lieutenant Caelum McKenzie, medical officer. :: glances down at the PADD he had tucked into his pocket, before waiting for a response evenly. ::

:: turns to see the two approach, knowing already who the tactical officer is, but not knowing the Doctor. He rises as the drink is placed in front of him and offers his hand to each of them. This was his least favorite part of starting a new assignment: the potentially awkward first introductions. Some marines enjoyed the personal interactions between crew, some kept to themselves, and Nico always found himself precariously in between. :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie @Cpt AJ Zuriyev Yeah, Lieutenant Nico Slate, the new Chief Engineer. It's, uh, a pleasure to meet you both.

:: shakes the extended hand with a careful expression, taking his glass back from the bartender, refilled with water, of course.:: @1Lt Nico Slate: I hope I won’t be seeing you in the medbay often. From my experience, engineers are always doing not-smart things. Not that I’m saying you would, but just what I’ve seen from working at Starfleet Med. Engineering students were a regular at the medical center.

:: smirks slightly, taking a sip of his drink, amused but not surprised by the doctor's comment :: @1Lt Caelum McKenzie You know, Doctor, Engineering is like a fine scotch. Sometimes it's smooth and everything is great, and other times it burns. I'm sure I'll see you as needed and I'll trust you to tell me when too often is too often.

:: After shaking Slate's hand, AJ gives the bartender a nod of thanks as she accepts her new drink, and smirks over its rim as the doctor goes into his bit. She perks an eyebrow as Slate responds, and actually finds herself impressed by it, nodding appreciatively as she raises her glass for them to clink. :: Well said. @1Lt Nico Slate/@1Lt Caelum McKenzie:Welcome aboard!

:: clinks the glass together slightly and takes another sip. He's thankful that this scotch does NOT burn. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev I did a quick walkthrough of the ship as I was dropping off my bags. Tell me, Captain, you've been on the Minuteman for a several years if I'm correct, are there any... dare I say 'quirks' that I should know about? I know that engine rooms can have a mind of their own and a specific or fickle personality. Any advice you have may assist in making sure my visits to the doctor are... minimal. :: looks over at @1Lt Caelum McKenzie with another smirk over another sip of his drink. ::

:: returns the look as he sips his own drink carefully. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Oh, believe me. I won’t hesitate to let you know if it’s getting too much… : here, he glances to AJ, :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Same for the rest of the crew when necessary. I refuse to let any incidents go untreated. :: checks his PADD as it beeps, and gives a smile to the pair :: @1Lt Nico Slate / @Cpt AJ Zuriyev: Excuse me, duty calls. :: sets the empty cup on the bar, before turning to exit the room, vanishing into the corridors ::

:: Nico shakes his head and sits down on the bar stool, motioning for the Captain to do the same :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev That one seems to be a bit high-strung, if you ask me. But, there are worse qualities one could have in a doctor, I guess. I haven't done much research on my team in Engineering other than the perusal of service records and general background. I'm hoping to avoid any hostility with being the 'new Chief' on board. Not that it matters, mind you, but the easier the transition the smoother the ride. I could use a low-key working environment for a short bit to adjust to ship life.

:: she takes a drink for the toast and sits on the bar stool next to Slate with a chuckle at his comment on the doctor :: @1Lt Nico Slate: So it would seem! :: places her glass on the bar and rotates it between her fingers as she turns to the engineer and offers a welcoming smile :: It's a good team here, lieutenant, and I doubt you'll find an hostility to a new Chief. Assignments to Minuteman have generally been interim or on a rotational basis, so few have been here long enough to be so entrenched. And yes, as you noted, I've been here for my entire career so I'm a bit weird in that regard. The ship is also relatively new, but there aren't any real "quirks" left; the old man wouldn't stand for them, so they've all been worked out.

:: he nods as he takes another sip off the glass in front of him :: That's good to hear. From what I can tell, the Colonel runs a tight ship and expects a high level of skill and attention to detail from his crew. I like that. I also don't like a micro-manager. I know my way around an engine room and what needs to get done will get done. It'll be an interesting transition. This is, actually, my first posting aboard a starship for active duty. :: he shifted in his seat slightly, perked an eyebrow at her, and smirked again :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev But, I'm gathering you probably already knew that.

:: AJ takes a drink of her whiskey and, sensing a bit of nervous energy under his outward confidence, she again offers a welcoming smile as she puts the glass down. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: I've done my homework, yeah, but that's part of my job. Even if it weren't, given the nature of our missions, I like to know who has my back, y'know? And it's obvious that you know your way around an engine room; if you didn't, you simply wouldn't be here. The Colonel is pretty picky.

:: Nico polishes off the rest of his scotch and motions to the bartender for another one. Again, he normally doesn't drink regularly, but he figured it would be all busy all the time once they left the port. He waited for the new glass to be put in front of him and he took another drag off the pungent liquid. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev I've been on stations, I've been on diplomatic escort duty, and I've done in the field construction. I've only done shipboard stuff in simulations and the occasional helping out when ships have been docked. In-flight Engineering is a different ballgame. But I also like a challenge.

@1Lt Nico Slate: You are certainly in the right place, then. :: chuckles :: The job is definitely a challenge, but a rewarding one, in its own way. I like it here at least, and it's always nice to see another Betazoid around. :: AJ smirks and speaks telepathically to Slate. :: ~I'm not full-blooded, but I have enough to enjoy myself, yeah?~

:: Nico twitched slightly, hearing her voice in his head. It had been a long time since he'd telepathically connected with another person, Betazoid or otherwise. He wasn't used to it. Truth be told, he didn't use it often. He could feel that she meant no harm by it, but it had caught him slightly off guard. He focused for a second and looked up at her. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev ~Yeah, I'm usually the only one. I am full-blooded. But, one might describe my skills in using it... basic.~

:: gets a sense of his unease and winces, switching back to spoken word :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Oh, sorry, I tend to assume other Betazoids won't mind, but I guess that's not really a given this far away from Betazed itself, yeah? Anyway, just ask if you ever want to practice a bit since you're not the only one here. :: finds a bit of escape from her telepathic faux pas in a slow drink of her whiskey ::

:: takes another sip, shakes his head, and smiles :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev No, it's quite alright. I don't mind, just wasn't expecting it. I appreciate the offer to, uh, practice. It would appear that the Minuteman will be rife with new territory for me. I'll be more prepared in the future, for sure. :: Nico laughs as he looks around the bar. :: Any word on what mission we're going to be disembarking on? I didn't really get any information in my initial briefing. I know that the Marines can be a secretive lot, but a little something would've been nice.

@Maj Eric Woods I'm having trouble accessing internal sensor readouts! :: Despite the gravity of his news, the holographic engineer remained steady, clearly drawing a measure of tranquility from working on a job very much in his element.:: Sensors themselves look fine though. Probably some burned-out connections between us and the computer core. I'll have a workaround up and ready and a couple of minutes.

:: shrugs :: @1Lt Nico Slate: No idea. To be honest, I haven't been briefed either. But that's part of the territory with the nature of our missions. :: Owing to her SFI liaison role, AJ does have some idea of what may be next, but she sees no need to speculate in casual conversation. :: Just be ready for whatever the old man asks. I would advise being adaptable, since the situations we tend to end up can require a bit of flexibility. Until then, enjoy this :: she indicates the bar with a sweep of her hand :: while you can! :: grins and sips at her whiskey ::

:: Nico follows suit with a chuckle :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev I was noticing that there aren't a lot of comforts aboard. It's okay, I've been supplied with far less and been just fine. How many still left to come aboard? I had a couple with me on my transport. Not the friendliest bunch, but they looked like battle-hardened marines. My roster for Engineering says I'm still missing a couple to report to duty. I'd like to get ahead of the game and brief them, introduce myself, et cetera.

:: AJ leans back from the bar and tucks her hair behind her ears, going over the last numbers she saw in her head. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Well, the ship did just arrive, but most of the new crew were already here and waiting. Marines are nothing if not punctual, yeah? :: chuckles :: Anyway, I think we're only missing a few, unless they've report in since I last checked.

@LtCol Rak'nar Hey, take your time! :: Eric replied jovially, having expected form of complications for the digital engineering. After all, engineering was notoriously joked about for how long it takes to do things, and it was always when things were down to the wire that those repair times ticked up. He had a way of not letting things bother him to begin with, but now he was just glad his Captain hadn't made this program too insane, at least the ship wasn't set to blow up, or eject the warp core, or--well, he shouldn't even think those thoughts, that would just jinx things. From behind his cover he keeps up impressive covering fire, hitting his targets when they slipped up even a little bit, and masterfully avoiding doing damage to critical systems. ::

:: slugs down the last of his drink :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev Fantastic. Then I should probably start prepping for that introduction. I look forward to working with you, Captain. Let me know if there is anything specific you need from me before we depart. I need to get to know my engine room. I'll see you onboard?

:: AJ nods along as Slate starts to disengage from the conversation, then offers another friendly smile as she replies. :: @1Lt Nico Slate : Without a doubt! It's a small ship, after all. :: she smirks a bit as she looks around before meeting his eyes :: I wasn't kidding, though, about enjoying all of this while you can. We aren't in port that often, and throughout my time here, I've seen that be a real problem for some people. The engine room will still be there later, yeah? :: Her statement is, of course, genuine in its sentiment, but this also has nothing to do with not wanting to be left alone in a bar with no one to talk to, again, nosiree, nothing at all, nope. ::

:: Nico pauses as he stands up, looking around the establishment for a minute. While 'relaxing' and 'enjoying' these types of luxuries isn't really his 'thing', he does fully understand the Marine lifestyle. He thinks for a minute about how he truly doesn't know what ship life will be like, and then slowly lowers himself back into his seat. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev Yeah, I guess you're right. :: orders up another drink from the bartender. :: Real problem, huh? What are we talking about? Cabin-fever and homesickness or full-on mental collapse and medication? :: smirks slightly as he sips another sip. ::

:: she's glad to see at least one of these new workaholics listen to reason :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Well, it's normally just the usual problems of isolation, but there was Lieutenant Perkins... full on lost it, the poor fella. Had to haul him off the ship in a straightjacket after he claimed we were all horta spies trying to turn him into a rock. :: her face grows somber as she stares into her whiskey ::

:: almost chokes on his drink as she mentions the rock. He wipes the dribble of scotch off his chin and turns his head slightly, an incredulous look crossing his face. He ponders on her staring into her whiskey for a moment, unsure if she was serious. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev Okay, you have to be making that up. I'm just green enough to think that actually happened. Tell me you're joking.

:: AJ actually manages to maintain her somber expression for another couple of long moments before it crumbles into laughter and a goofy grin. :: @1Lt Nico Slate Yeah, I'm joking. :: points a finger at Slate :: I had you for a little bit there, though! Horta spies! :: laughs a bit more at herself ::

:: nods with a smile :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev I've seen my fair share of ridiculousness, but starship life is going to be a new adventure, so I'm keeping an open mind. That does make me gullible. I could see that in my head: a wildly thrashing person being dragged through an airlock screaming about a conspiracy theory as everyone else just stared at him. Rough. :: sips again ::

:: she smirks and nods before taking a drink :: @1Lt Nico Slate: While I jest, Minuteman life can be tough for some to adapt to; that's why most assignments here have traditionally been rotational. The communication blackouts can be especially hard on people, since comms are the most common way to manage being away from loved ones. Going without certainly enhances the sense of isolation, you know?

:: nods absently :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev I can imagine what that feels like. If you've got no one to call then it would probably be easier. :: a long pause lingers in the air as he takes another drag off his glass. Nico moves on quickly, changing the subject. :: I'll make sure to keep an eye on my teams and do my best to keep spirits up. It'll give me something to focus on too.

Truly, the simulation was fast approaching its conclusion. Given the Major's proficiency with a phaser, there seemed little cause for concern that the holographic engineers would not have the time they needed, and after that point, Rak'nar had not prepared any further elaborate "plot twists". A minute now, two at the most, and it would be time for the computer to tally up their respective scores. Events hardly required Rak'nar's active hand in order to unfold, however. Without warning, the Klingon's comm badge chimed to indicate an incoming hail. Calling for an immediate pause to the program, he gave his usual terse acknowledgement...but maybe not as terse as it could have been. The final score would have been close, close indeed...but Rak'nar suspected he'd been spared a minor defeat this day. The question which remained was whether this reprieve was only leading into something potentially worse. There was an urgent communique from General McKnight. Priority briefing attached.

@Maj Eric Woods Come with me. There is a secure comm station just off the promenade.

:: keeps his phaser raised for just a moment in anticipation that the game might not really be over, but as @LtCol Rak'nar acknowledges the hail he slowly lowers it. He turns to look at his new Captain, nodding once and turning to the wall :: Computer, arch. :: he gestures for Rak'nar to lead the way. He wears a slight smile, wondering what the score would have been had they finished, but also (moreso) hoping he succeeded in making the first impression he hoped to make ::

:: AJ picks up on the subtext, both through traditional and empathic means, but she just met this guy, so she doesn't press him on it. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: I'm sure they'll appreciate the effort. :: sips the last of her drink and leans forward again, cupping the empty glass in both hands, finally deciding to leave him a thread if he wants to pull on it, someday, if not now :: With what we go through, we've gotta look out for each other, yeah?

::Sadly, Eric's congratulations would have to wait, having been pushed into the back of Rak'nar's mind by the potential of a serious new development. But that was the double edged sword of proven competence, was it not? It would take you far in your career, but in between those moments of ascension, it carried the risk of making you invisible. If your superior KNEW you could be relied on, then they didn't have any reason to think about it. Just like the miracle of faster than light travel eventually became an ordinary day to day occurrence.::

::In spite of all this, it was with that knowledge that he had a man he could count on with him as he purposefully made his way down the Promenade in long strides, passersby instinctively clearing a path for them. Before long, Rak'nar was presenting his biometrics and a brief code before the door slid open then shut to admit then into a small situation room with a wall mounted screen. Calling up the briefing he'd been promised, he passed the next several minutes absorbing the situation which had developed, his brow furrowing as he realized how much time was of the essence.::

:: Nico agrees with another nod and another sip. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev Yes, of course. One tiny, cramped, possibly-going-crazy family. What could possibly go wrong? :: smirks at AJ. He knew that this position was going to be difficult and new, but he'd really never concerned himself with morale in the past. He was the grunt who put his head down and got things finished; now, he was in charge of keeping people determined and working. That scared him enough in its own right. ::

:: stands behind his Captain as he receives the message, his game face on and his hands folded behind his back. When he's addressed again he gives a curt nod, taping his combadge and asking to be patched through to all of the Minuteman's senior staff at once. He gives a second for the comms officer to complete the task, then when his badge beeps indicating he has a connection he gives his first official order as First Officer :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev/Senior Staff: Meeting of Senior Staff in the Captain's Dining Room room in about fifteen. :: then he looks at the Colonel, and turns to head for where the ship is docked himself ::

:: returns the smirk, which evolves into a grin :: @1Lt Nico Slate: That's us! :: AJ clinks her empty glass against his and is about to order another when the Major's comm arrives, washing the grin off her face. She taps her badge and responds, all business. :: @Maj Eric Woods: Acknowledged, Major. :: she looks back to Slate from the middle distance where you look while talking to thin air :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Duty calls, yeah? :: she fishes a vial out of her pocket and taps a couple of the standard-issue pills used to inhibit the effects of real alcohol from it into the palm of her hand, offering one to him :: To sober up.

:: looks up at the incoming call, allows the Captain to respond, and then follows with his own confirmation. :: @Maj Eric Woods Copy that, Major, on my way. :: He downs the rest of his drink as he sees AJ fish around in her pocket, producing the pills. He smirks a bit and shakes his glass at her. :: @Cpt AJ Zuriyev All synth, all the time. You never know when that duty calls. :: Nico motions towards the entrance and bobs his head a bit with mock gallantry. :: Shall we?

:: his comm rings, with a message from the Major incoming, drawing his attention away from paperwork, sighing and confirming :: @Maj Eric Woods 10-4, sir. On the way. :: transfers the paperwork onto his PADD, and exits the small infirmay, heading towards the Captain’s Dining Room at a quick trot. When a CO said ‘fifteen’, he always knew to take ‘fifteen’ as late, and ‘ten’ as early, and even if that put him at an awkward position… then he’d gladly take being early over being late. ::

:: AJ nods when he turns down the pill, then pops one into her mouth and the other back into the vial, which she tucks back into her pocket before taking a quick drink of water. The obviously mock gallantry gets a grin from her, but she indulges it anyway. :: @1Lt Nico Slate: Indeed we shall! :: after a wave and nod of thanks to the bartender, she leads the way out of the 101st Club and back toward the Minuteman :: END MISSION END MISSION END MISSION