Dinner on Romulus, Part I

Posted on Sun Dec 18th, 2016 @ 4:10am by Captain John Theisman & Warrant Officer Mara Senra-Theisman & Lieutenant Commander Daniel Divaro & Lieutenant Commander Mira Jayde & Lieutenant Commander Velah & Lieutenant Tristan Balor & Lieutenant JG Élan Val & Lieutenant Zhara Rynn
Edited on on Sun Dec 18th, 2016 @ 4:11am

1,367 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Into the Raptor's Shadow

-= Transporter Room Two =-

Jayde was the first to arrive in transporter room two. While she didn't particularly like formal dress, she made sure that her uniform was pressed and in proper order. As a precaution, she had her collapsible staff on her belt. It looked more like a short bar that could be just about anything, but it made her feel better. As Chief of Security she needed to be prepared, not that she was concerned about the Romulans, but there were always rogue factions that might take this opportunity to cause trouble.

Zhara arrived next. As a counselor she was not strictly required to wear a formal Starfleet uniform, so she chose a rich gown in green and gold to honor their hosts. Her hair was piled high with several strands falling artistically around her face. "Hello, Commander. How are you this evening?"

"Hello, Counselor," Jayde said, bowing politely. "I am well. And you?"

"I'm looking forward to this evening," Zhara admitted.

Élan had actually elected to wear her annoyingly formal dress uniform for whatever occasion she was being dragged to this evening. Being a science officer, she would have preferred to remain on board the Hyperion and tend to her experiments, sit watch on the bridge, or anything other than take part in a formal away mission, especially on Romulus. Whatever the reason, she could sense that it would be a diplomatic mission, and she and Val both hated diplomatic missions. Despite her personal dislike, she had dressed in her dress uniform and pulled her hair back in a tight ponytail before making her way to the transporter room. Arriving, she noticed that Lieutenant Commander Jayde and Lieutenant Rynn had already arrived. Nodding stiffly, Élan stepped into the room and tried not to show her discomfort as she settled in to wait.

Jayde returned her nod.

Zhara smiled at the new arrival. "Good evening," she said.

Daniel had no real desire to attend the formal dinner they were going to, but as part of the group of senior officers he knew he had no option. These meet-and-greet functions were usually dull at best and downright boring at the worst. But he had donned his dress uniform and headed for the transporter room as requested. As soon as he entered, the first person he saw was Elan'. "Hello Elan'..." he said quietly, then turned his attention to the other two women. "Good evening, Commander Jayde...Commander Rynn..." he said, nodding to each of them in turn.

“Hello, Daniel,” Élan said, giving the Hyperion’s chief engineer a very stiff formal nod. She was trying to hide the fact that she was just a bit uncomfortable and unsure how to interact with him in public, given their recent interactions.

Velah had taken the extra time to get her skirted dress uniform pressed right; she had one actually tailored for the First Contacts and such, even on that rare occasion she needed an alteration she saw to that as well, so with the specialized undergarments and an extra bath to assure none of her 'Heritage' accidently leaked she felt ready to represent the Federation. SHe opted for the dark stockings and lighter boots for this occasion; the omly real adornment were the light dangling ear rings and a tennis bracelette on her left wrist. The silver comb that held her hair swept back slightly to allow the ear rings to be more prominant. The one thing she did thank the STar Fleet designers for leaving no way for male to 'check the Orion clevage, so the higher collar was acceptable.

Zhara smiled a welcome when she saw Velah.

"I do hope I am not late; not even fashionably?" Velah said as she walked in trying to calm the natural tendency to have strides like a model on a catwalk that is common among Orions and down play her training to always be pleasing to males.

"We're still waiting for a few people," Jayde assured her.

"Being the new girl I would hate to make a bad impression First time out and all." Velah smiled. "I am surprised that the Federation chose white; we all kow it is a bold statement to wear it after Memorial Day according to Earth traditions..." She winked. "Or Fashion Myth and yet here we are in... white Dress uniforms. They obviously have no fashion sense in the uniform design department."

"Since when does Starfleet design anything for fashion?" Zhara asked.

“Well, they certainly don’t do anything for comfort when they design formal wear,” Élan complained as she tugged on the collar of her dress uniform. For some reason, the dress uniforms had been designed to cling to the wearer’s body like a second skin. It was one reason why she hated her dress uniform with such a passion. The collar constantly felt as if her uniform was trying to choke her.

“If we were statues it might fit so long as we did not move." Velah added. "The things we ladies do to make the Federation have a good front, I think we should get an extra ration of Holo time at a spa, you up for it Val?" She glanced to Jayde. "More the Merrier Commander Jayde and I know our Counselor would think it very therapy for the soul?" She did not glance to Daniel. "Total Girl time, I will even use my hours if the Captain won't see fit to reward our efforts." She winked.

“I would love some time at a spa, even if it is on the holodeck. In fact, I’d say that we should go after we return to the ship after this dinner,” Élan said with a smile.

"A spa?" Jayde asked, feeling very much out of her element. "I don't know..."

"I think it's an excellent idea!" Zhara said, cutting off the security officer. "Senior officers are supposed to be able to work together and spending some time in a spa is a perfect way to relax and enjoy relaxing together."

She smiled at Jayde. "I could make it an order as your Counselor. Even you need to relax, Commander."

"I do relax," Jayde insisted. "I meditate and spend time on the holodeck. Generally in the woods, but it has its own way of relaxing the soul."

"Still, I think you should try it, at least once," Zhara insisted.

She was cornered and really had no polite way to get out of joining them. "Very well," she replied. It might not be as bad as she feared.

John almost growled as he walked out of the bath room fighting his collar. Like every other time he had had to wear the white dress uniform, the blasted thing seemed to have shrunk another size. The waist line and neck line always seemed to be too tight. It was nothing more than some designer's twisted idea of how a formal uniform should feel, John thought as he finally finished straightening his uniform and made a disgusted sound. Mara, his wife, looked up from reading a news fax and nearly laughed at his expression.

"Keep on and I'll make you wear the damned thing," John threatened his wife as he attached his commbadge.
"And you wonder why I never joined Starfleet, dear," Mara said as she chuckled and went right back to her reading.

"I take it you're not joining me for this little adventure?" John asked.

"To a formal diplomatic dinner on Romulus with Romulans? I think I'd rather pass," Mara said as she shook her head. "Besides, you know how much I hate these kind of events."

"There's free food and all the Romulan ale you could possibly drink," John offered.

Mara seemed to almost give in and agree, but she finally shook her head and smiled. "I'll still pass. But the next one I promise I'll join you."

"Suit yourself," John said before he walked out of their quarters and down the corridor towards the transporter room. It didn't take long before he walked in to join his senior officers, who had all beaten him there.

"Good evening everyone. Who is ready for this little adventure?" he asked.


To be continued....

 

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