S11 - Mission 6: Arch Enemies

[Kali Reyes]

He nodded at the good doctor. Lennox knew that there were many races who often donned a stoic expression, but Klablax seemed to don it the best.

Lennox nodded with a lopsided grin, "C'mon doc, yer goin' te get far more visitors down at sickbay. Migh' even 'elp ye socialise."

"And couches," Kali added teasingly before taking a sip of her champagne. "Nice plush couches requisitioned all the way from Risa. Maybe get you a pretty yeoman to greet people in-"

[Bajor - Reception]

"And you as well.  I will be happy to introduce you" Kirok replied.  "If you will excuse us" he said to the Kai and the small group around her.

The half Vulcan motioned for Mahak to follow him.  "Thank you for joining our crew on such short notice.  I think you will be interested to know that Ms. Reyes is also part Vulcan" he said.

Kali nearly choked on her champagne when their new captain made his way for them. She didn't think she'd be entertaining Discovery's new brass tonight given the circumstances. There was still a stack of PADDs waiting in her quarters with transfers enough.

She cleared her throat and tried not to look too inebriated. "Admiral. New person." Okay, so maybe she wasn't very eloquent tonight.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

[Bajor - Reception]

"And you as well.  I will be happy to introduce you" Kirok replied.  "If you will excuse us" he said to the Kai and the small group around her.

The half Vulcan motioned for Mahak to follow him.  "Thank you for joining our crew on such short notice.  I think you will be interested to know that Ms. Reyes is also part Vulcan" he said.

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak found it curious that the admiral would point out the fact that the three of them all shared Vulcan heritage. The species of a crewmember was only so pertinent. However, Mahak recalled that Admiral Kirok was only half Vulcan, as well. Perhaps this was his socialization with humans or his other half speaking.

"It would be agreeable to meet the Chief, sir." Mahak said.

Kali nearly choked on her champagne when their new captain made his way for them. She didn't think she'd be entertaining Discovery's new brass tonight given the circumstances. There was still a stack of PADDs waiting in her quarters with transfers enough.

She cleared her throat and tried not to look too inebriated. "Admiral. New person." Okay, so maybe she wasn't very eloquent tonight.

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak's eyebrow raised more than the usual fraction when Vulcans were made indignant. The woman was clearly in some state of intoxication. They are not on duty. This is their way.

"Chief Reyes." His surprise at her condition was not apparent, but it was taking quite a bit if discipline to not feel it in his heart or convey it with his voice. "I am Crewman Mahak, newly assigned to the Operations department, and to you. Reporting in."

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak found it curious that the admiral would point out the fact that the three of them all shared Vulcan heritage. The species of a crewmember was only so pertinent. However, Mahak recalled that Admiral Kirok was only half Vulcan, as well. Perhaps this was his socialization with humans or his other half speaking.

"It would be agreeable to meet the Chief, sir." Mahak said.

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak's eyebrow raised more than the usual fraction when Vulcans were made indignant. The woman was clearly in some state of intoxication. They are not on duty. This is their way.

"Chief Reyes." His surprise at her condition was not apparent, but it was taking quite a bit if discipline to not feel it in his heart or convey it with his voice. "I am Crewman Mahak, newly assigned to the Operations department, and to you. Reporting in."

Oh damn. Where was Denton with her PADD again? Her eyes shifted around the area, but no dice. "Mahak, was it?" she replied, her smile bright-eyed and her shoulders in a charmed shrug. "I don't get a lot of transfers to Ops. This is exciting!"

Then she got down to business. "Very important Starfleet question here, Crewman. If you were stranded on a tropical planet, what three things would you bring to pass the time?"

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

Oh damn. Where was Denton with her PADD again? Her eyes shifted around the area, but no dice. "Mahak, was it?" she replied, her smile bright-eyed and her shoulders in a charmed shrug. "I don't get a lot of transfers to Ops. This is exciting!"

Then she got down to business. "Very important Starfleet question here, Crewman. If you were stranded on a tropical planet, what three things would you bring to pass the time?"

[Bajor - Reception]

Her greeting was civil enough. The Vulcan was about to respond with something mild when she continued on with her query.

Mahak stared at her, deadpan. The awkward locking of eyes went on for a few long, agonizing seconds before the steely Vulcan finally spoke.

"'To pass the time', Chief? I would pass the time by attempting to make my escape offworld. I do not understand your question."

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

Her greeting was civil enough. The Vulcan was about to respond with something mild when she continued on with her query.

Mahak stared at her, deadpan. The awkward locking of eyes went on for a few long, agonizing seconds before the steely Vulcan finally spoke.

"'To pass the time', Chief? I would pass the time by attempting to make my escape offworld. I do not understand your question."

Her lips twisted a bit to keep herself from laughing. "Standard procedure," she answered and actually managed a straight face for it. "Think of it as a personality test." That and well, he was Vulcan. She couldn't help but tease a bit.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

Her lips twisted a bit to keep herself from laughing. "Standard procedure," she answered and actually managed a straight face for it. "Think of it as a personality test." That and well, he was Vulcan. She couldn't help but tease a bit.

[Bajor - Reception]

It's not often that a Vulcan would be taken aback, but Mahak certainly was. All those present were treated to the rare and amusing sight of a Vulcan being at a loss for words and flustered.

"I...chief...would pass the time by attempting to triangulate my communications equipment with any nearby source of comm traffic." Mahak was blushing green. "Failing that, I would attempt to explore the area and make contact with a peaceful group of people in order to facilitate my rescue."

He was young, unsure of himself, and it sounded it. Mahak had never been confronted with a joke of this nature before.

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

It's not often that a Vulcan would be taken aback, but Mahak certainly was. All those present were treated to the rare and amusing sight of a Vulcan being at a loss for words and flustered.

"I...chief...would pass the time by attempting to triangulate my communications equipment with any nearby source of comm traffic." Mahak was blushing green. "Failing that, I would attempt to explore the area and make contact with a peaceful group of people in order to facilitate my rescue."

He was young, unsure of himself, and it sounded it. Mahak had never been confronted with a joke of this nature before.

"Logical," said Kali, taking pity on the poor guy. "Throw aside logic for a moment. No comm arrays, no peaceful natives, just endless sky and a luxurious island until someone picks you up. Three things." She lifted up three fingers. "How else am I gonna find out what you like for Christmas?"

"That being said," she added over her shoulder. "I'd bring a giant case of chocolate liquor, a Yamada hoverbike, and a Risan cabana boy."

[Klabax Cottle]

"Sounds like a very dry cry for help," Kali teased and nudged him with her shoulder. "You need a bar. Formal recommendation. A requirement, really. Then you can have all the buddies you want." She grabbed a passing flute of champagne as her mind spun with ideas for the hell of it. "Even better. A lounge. Think the new brass would appreciate the turbolift out of maintenance for a couple hours? Couches are pretty heavy."

Kali beamed at him. "Len! Just in time! See if you can help me convince the good doctor here to get a lounge set up in sickbay!"

He nodded at the good doctor. Lennox knew that there were many races who often donned a stoic expression, but Klablax seemed to don it the best.

Lennox nodded with a lopsided grin, "C'mon doc, yer goin' te get far more visitors down at sickbay. Migh' even 'elp ye socialise."

"And couches," Kali added teasingly before taking a sip of her champagne. "Nice plush couches requisitioned all the way from Risa. Maybe get you a pretty yeoman to greet people in-"

Kali nearly choked on her champagne when their new captain made his way for them. She didn't think she'd be entertaining Discovery's new brass tonight given the circumstances. There was still a stack of PADDs waiting in her quarters with transfers enough.

She cleared her throat and tried not to look too inebriated. "Admiral. New person." Okay, so maybe she wasn't very eloquent tonight.

[Bajor]

As the two crewmen socialized and made fun of him- at his expense, of course, He simply sat back and watched. They seemed like respectable enough people, but the idea of putting his sickbay into a social area was absolutely unacceptable. This was an Akira class, smaller than even an old Excelsior class. Space was a premium, although admittedly not as much as a Nova class. His sickbay was fine, just the way it was, thankyouverymuch.

He saw the Captain work their way. He wasn't impressed. A chest full of medals, badges, and emblems, and a little fancy Admiral rank insignia. Klabax still didn't care. He didn't stand to attention, or even stand. By now the new Captain should have heard of Klabax. His transfer history a mile long and a record full of reprimands, NJP's, and informal complaints. NOBODY wanted him on their ship- but nobody could find a reason to kick him out of starfleet. He was a fine doctor, and part of the Denobulan medical exchange- which granted him enough leeway to not get shown the airlock.

"Admiral." he said when the man came near, at least giving him some "oh. You. You're here." reaction, still flipping through a PADD.

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

"Logical," said Kali, taking pity on the poor guy. "Throw aside logic for a moment. No comm arrays, no peaceful natives, just endless sky and a luxurious island until someone picks you up. Three things." She lifted up three fingers. "How else am I gonna find out what you like for Christmas?"

"That being said," she added over her shoulder. "I'd bring a giant case of chocolate liquor, a Yamada hoverbike, and a Risan cabana boy."

[Bajor - Reception]

The talk of alcohol, fun, and free swinging sexuality seemed to resolve Mahak on how to deal with this situation. To his credit, the young Vulan enlisted man did not soften his words.

"I would find such pursuits illogical at the time, Chief. And I find this exercise illogical now."

"However," He said after a moment to let that sink in. "I take my leisure time like any other member of the Discovery. To do without it is harmful. I find that the human sport of boxing is an excellent way to 'blow off steam', as the expression goes. I also find gardening enjoyable. I would do either of those on this hypothetical planet."

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

The talk of alcohol, fun, and free swinging sexuality seemed to resolve Mahak on how to deal with this situation. To his credit, the young Vulan enlisted man did not soften his words.

"I would find such pursuits illogical at the time, Chief. And I find this exercise illogical now."

"However," He said after a moment to let that sink in. "I take my leisure time like any other member of the Discovery. To do without it is harmful. I find that the human sport of boxing is an excellent way to 'blow off steam', as the expression goes. I also find gardening enjoyable. I would do either of those on this hypothetical planet."

It would not be the first (nor the last) time she was ever accused of doing illogical things by a supremely superb logical race she swore she never belonged to.

"Uh-huh," she said with a wink. "Boxing and gardening. Now I kinda know you - ensnared as you are in my illogical entrapment." And that was the beauty of helming operations. It was more than just accounting for every part on the ship. "I'm still holding you accountable for the third item. Think you can humor me while I finish this glass?"

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

It would not be the first (nor the last) time she was ever accused of doing illogical things by a supremely superb logical race she swore she never belonged to.

"Uh-huh," she said with a wink. "Boxing and gardening. Now I kinda know you - ensnared as you are in my illogical entrapment." And that was the beauty of helming operations. It was more than just accounting for every part on the ship. "I'm still holding you accountable for the third item. Think you can humor me while I finish this glass?"

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak very much doubted he could humor anyone, in any sense of the word. But now that he understood and knew that the woman was joking with him, he attempted to be conciliatory.

"It is often the tradition to drink alcohol and eat unhealthy food at a human party." He sounded as bland as ever, but his interest was definitely piqued. "If you would rather do this than discuss ship's operations I will do my best to...humor you in the meantime."

It was not quite as illogical as it sounded. Mahak was new, after all, and though he felt no need to fit in he did need to live and work on the Discovery.

[Tekin Nevir]

[Bajor - Reception]

Kirok too remained silent while the Kai and Tekin interacted.  With everyone's focus on the encounter, it gave the half Vulcan a moment to reflect on what he had saw.  At some point, he would have to share the information with the others.

[Bajor - Reception - NPC Kai]

"But as a Bajoran your duty goes beyond that, yes" the Kai gently corrected.  "The Prophets have chosen you of all Bajorans to be instrumental in helping to bring our enemies to justice" she added.  "May they guide your path" she said and then released his ear.

"Tell me about your crew" the Kai prompted.  She finally turned to the others.  She bowed her head slightly to Filitov.

Nevir nodded.  He didn't fully understand exactly what enemies she was referring to, but if the last reports from the Phoenix were any indication, then the very people who saved Bajor from the Cardassians and the Dominion were not as pure as they acted.  This... "Section 31" thing was a direct threat to his home and people, and in his opinion, the entire Federation.  Perhaps there was once a time where their malicious operations were necessary, but the actions he has heard rumors about demonstrated that they were acting as an old beast struggling to remain alive.

"The Prophets guide all down the path, Kai." he said in response, nodding his head in acceptance.  There was a peculiar sense of destiny he was feeling, and he glanced to the others in his vicinity.

"She's a fine ship with a fine crew, I've spent the better part of a year with them so far.  Captain Briggs was one of the best; his sudden departure hit us hard.  But if Admiral Kirok is half as good as the reports suggest, then I believe the Discovery is in the right hands.  For now we've been more on escorts and light exploration, but she is ready for whatever awaits." he replied, doing his best to answer the question.

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

Mahak very much doubted he could humor anyone, in any sense of the word. But now that he understood and knew that the woman was joking with him, he attempted to be conciliatory.

"It is often the tradition to drink alcohol and eat unhealthy food at a human party." He sounded as bland as ever, but his interest was definitely piqued. "If you would rather do this than discuss ship's operations I will do my best to...humor you in the meantime."

It was not quite as illogical as it sounded. Mahak was new, after all, and though he felt no need to fit in he did need to live and work on the Discovery.

"That's the spirit!" Kali replied happily and downed the glass before anyone can accuse her of being a dainty sipper. "Let ship stuff stay with the ship, I say. You can always weigh me down with regulation the moment we step pass the bulkhead, I promise you."

It wasn't every day that a Vulcan agreed with her brand of entertainment. She definitely wasn't going pass this up. "So third thing. Got a third hobby? Maybe you like Risan cabana boys too?"

[Malcolm Adeyemi]

"That's the spirit!" Kali replied happily and downed the glass before anyone can accuse her of being a dainty sipper. "Let ship stuff stay with the ship, I say. You can always weigh me down with regulation the moment we step pass the bulkhead, I promise you."

It wasn't every day that a Vulcan agreed with her brand of entertainment. She definitely wasn't going pass this up. "So third thing. Got a third hobby? Maybe you like Risan cabana boys too?"

[Bajor - Reception]

"I do not have any proclivities with the wait staff of any resort." The young Vulcan said, the innuendo going over his bowl cut by a lightyear. "I find meditation to be extremely beneficial when I am not on duty. I would recommend that you try it, Chief. It may help you to suppress some of your more...base instincts."

[Kali Reyes]

[Bajor - Reception]

"I do not have any proclivities with the wait staff of any resort." The young Vulcan said, the innuendo going over his bowl cut by a lightyear. "I find meditation to be extremely beneficial when I am not on duty. I would recommend that you try it, Chief. It may help you to suppress some of your more...base instincts."

Her smile faltered. "Base...?"

Memories she'd rather not dig up in a million lifetimes started to gnaw at her consciousness. Not good enough, too unpredictable, hand her off to a mental professional on Vulcan. Dad said no. She suffered.

By the time she could blink herself back to the present, her fingers had gone white over the champagne glass and a crack was starting to appear along where her thumb rested.

She quickly covered it up and swallowed hard. "Meditation makes me nauseous." It was amazing how leveled her words were when her own stomach and mind was a stewing mess of something that had nothing to do with the alcohol. "Man I need a drink. Excuse me."

Instead of making a beeline for the waiter, she diverted quickly for someplace that had an open balcony before she threw up all over her new Captain's shoes.