Task Force: Gamma

Captain David Brennon

Location: Captain's Mess, USS Hartington
Stardate: 54089.7 (Early February, 2377, two days before Lieutenant Uvek's promotion)

Captain Brennon sat at the head of the table, looking to his First and Second Officers as they waited for their meal to arrive. This was the first time that Brennon had invited his two senior most officers to dine with him and thus far it had been an enjoyable experience. The Captain had long ago become accustom to thinking of the two as friends, even after such a short time in space together. He'd always had an easy time with the Trill and these two were no exception. It also kind of helps that this Qech knows everything there is to know... knows what buttons not to push. Calodan had asked a question regarding Brennon's philosophy of command and his own ambitions. The Captain's eyes shifted between the two as he continued the story he had been telling as an answer to this question and as a way to pass the time as they waited for the meal to arrive.

"...and so, I was left in command of the Bridge with Captain Johnston dead at my feet. I'd known him for... seven years at that point. It was one of the hardest things I'd dealt with," his eyes shot momentarily to Qech and then down to the table, "At least up until that point. Anyway, getting back to the original question, Command is a difficult path for anyone, but someone like myself, who never really had his eye on the center seat, it's a striking experience to suddenly be thrust into that kind of role. I'd always wanted to be just a scientist, a teacher. You can thank my mother for that. Sure, I took the Command Seminar at the Academy, but it never drew me in. Archer, Kirk, Sulu, Harriman, hell most of my contemporaries... I honestly think they're cut from a different cloth from me."

He quieted down as the doors whooshed open and in stepped a trio of Yeomen, each carrying a plate of food for the three seated Officers. The Captain thanked them and waited until they had exited to continue his story.

"That isn't to say that I'm not prepared, or that I don't like my job. It's just not where I planned on being at this point in my life. Does that make sense, Lieutenant?"
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 12:58 am Post subject:

"Yes Captain, I understand. I never intended to be joined...so I understand very well what it means to feel like I'm not where I thought I was going to be. As for you being different from Archer or Harriman..from what I've seen from serving with you, you are every bit a captain as they were."

Calodan thanked the Yeoman for his plate and looked down at it. A well grilled steak, with mashed potatoes and asparagus spears steamed back at him. This was shaping up to be a great meal.
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sat Dec 26, 2009 8:42 am Post subject:

Brennon smiled to himself as he lifted a speared shrimp to his mouth. There were times when the Captain worried about his own performance in the big chair, but to hear an officer and friend he trusted express his support was uplifting. After a few chews and a drink of water, his eyes went to his First Officer. The Captain noted the woman's new uniform, a maternity take on the standard issue black and gray. It suited her and would even more in the months to come. He motioned towards Qech as he spoke, a the tone of curiosity in his voice.

"How are you feeling lately, Commander? I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to start showing."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"How are you feeling lately, Commander? I was starting to wonder if you were ever going to start showing."

Qech smiled. "Oh, I'm right as rain, Sir. Second trimester is the easiest. No more morning sickness, and you get a lot of energy. I may just have to take up a 50 or 60th hobby. Unless you want to throw more work at me, which I'm also fine with."

She sat back a bit to make room for the Yeoman, who she thanked for bringing her plate of pasta and vegetables. She'd been craving fresh broccoli for awhile and was more than happy to dig in with the others. After a few bites she looked up to Calodan. "So, Lieutenant, speaking of such things... Exactly who is in your pool? Whenever someone asks for the due date I immediately get suspicious and tell them off. I'm starting to feel like a bit of a jerk." She laughed, then looked at Brennon. "Sir, I hope you're not among their number. Though I have to say I'd be surprised if you were."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:57 am Post subject:

The Captain cracked a grin as as he popped another shrimp into his mouth. After washing it down he spoke up, shaking his head as he did.

"Oh no, Commander. A Captain must maintain an air of dignity and composure. Gambling is not in my repertoire."

The smile vanished from his face, replaced by a very serious look to his First and Second officers. After a moment he leaned over towards Calodan and whispered loud just loud enough for Qech to hear him.

"Though between you and I, I have a feeling she's going to be a tough one. I'm seeing a late night birth and it'll be up to Doctor Kiv to tell us exactly when the time was and who wins."

Straightening out, he winked to Qech and popped another shrimp into his mouth.
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ArjimCalodan · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:06 am Post subject:

Calodan smiled at the Captain. "I have a couple contingency plans, a few dates with my name on 'em. Besides, the commander knows I'll go 50/50 with her on the winnings if I win the pool." He smiled at them both and took a bite of his steak and a spear of asparagus.

"Well, Chef outdid himself on this one. This asparagus was definitely not replicated. I think he felt he had to prove himself after you raided the galley for that cake Commander."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 1:16 am Post subject:

The Captain's ears perked up at the mention of a cake. She must know about my weakness for chocolate he thought to himself. His eyes moved from Calodan to Qech before he spoke up.

"Cake? Are you two conspiring behind my back?"
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"I have a couple contingency plans, a few dates with my name on 'em. Besides, the commander knows I'll go 50/50 with her on the winnings if I win the pool."

Qech smiled as she looked over to Calodan. "You can keep your winnings, Lieutenant. No matter what day the birth falls on, I think it's safe to say that I take home the pot."

"Well, Chef outdid himself on this one. This asparagus was definitely not replicated. I think he felt he had to prove himself after you raided the galley for that cake Commander."

"Cake? Are you two conspiring behind my back?"

Qech deliberately stalled for time by spooning a helping of pasta into her mouth. Eventually, she shot the Captain a slightly guilty look. "Well, Sir. Mr. Calodan and I were thinking that, in addition to Lieutenant Uvek's promotion ceremony, we could throw a little surprise party... Lift his, and everyone else's spirits a bit. The crew has been a bit low on morale lately." She paused, then added: "The cake was just a way of making sure you said yes. Chocolate of course." She smiled, one could say maliciously, as she took another bite of her food.
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:22 am Post subject:

"Well, Sir. Mr. Calodan and I were thinking that, in addition to Lieutenant Uvek's promotion ceremony, we could throw a little surprise party... Lift his, and everyone else's spirits a bit. The crew has been a bit low on morale lately. The cake was just a way of making sure you said yes. Chocolate of course."

The Captain scoffed and shook his head as he popped another shrimp into his mouth. Damn he thought to himself there are times I hate being right. Finished with his own meal, he pushed the plate with several shrimp left over on the table away from his place -- and towards the Commander's.

"Well, I suppose if you want to go to all that trouble, planning and baking and the like, who am I to say no? Day after tomorrow, first thing in the morning. I don't know about you two but I can eat chocolate cake for breakfast, lunch and dinner... one of my only vices."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech eyed the plate of shrimp as the Captain pushed it toward her. He did that on purpose, she thought. Evijan loved shellfish, Ailis loved shellfish...

She sighed, a look of resignation on her face.

"Okay, Sir, I get the message. We're even. Now are you offering me one, or was this a test of wills?"
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 7:21 pm Post subject:

The Captain nods, waving a hand towards the plate. His face was alight with a wide, impish grin. I knew it he thought to himself as he sat back.

"Consider the word given, Commander."
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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

Qech felt strangely defeated, but she laughed it off as she reached for the shrimp.

Just before it reached her mouth she stopped, a frozen expression of... Was it surprise? Horror? Whatever it was it lasted only long enough for her to throw the morsel back down onto the plate. She looked down at her hands as she stood up from her seat, pushing her chair back with the back of her knees.

"What the hell am I doing?" She exclaimed as she moved quickly over to the wash basin at the far side of the room. The sound of running water reached the mens' ears and a few moments later Qech returned to the table, wiping her hands dry with a cloth. When she put the cloth down the red rash that was spreading across both her palms was clearly evident.

She sat back down, clearly disturbed and mindlessly scratching at her hands.
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:00 pm Post subject:

The Captain had been smiling, enjoying the time he was spending with his two senior officers and friends, until Qech bolted from her seat cursing. A look of concern crossed his face, his gaze moving quickly from the plate of food to Lieutenant Calodan before Qech returned to sit down. He took note of the quick spreading rash as he questioned her.

"Are you okay?"

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Davynn Qech · Graphics Chief Joined: 16 Jun 2009 Posts: 809

"Are you okay?"

Qech nodded slowly, still scratching at her hands. "I um... Yes. It's just, well I'm allergic to shellfish... very allergic actually. I'm not sure why I did that..." Her voice trailed off and she stared down at the plate in silence for a moment before looking back up at the other two men, an obvious look of faux calm on her face.

"It's alright, I had an appointment with Dr. Kiv after this anyway. I'll just get an antihistamine when I get there."
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Captain David Brennon · Posted: Sun Dec 27, 2009 10:15 pm Post subject:

Brennon could see the shock on Qech's face, even though she tried to hide it. While he hadn't known Ailis during the adjustment period after her joining, she'd had talked about it... and these kinds of mistakes were very common. The Captain sighed as he pulled the plate back towards him, pressing a signal calling for the yeomen to return and take the plate away.

"It's alright, I had an appointment with Dr. Kiv after this anyway. I'll just get an antihistamine when I get there."

Brennon frowned and gave her a sideways glance, watching as she itched the rapidly forming rash on her hand.

"Are you sure you don't want to head down there now, I'm allergic to bee stings, I remember this one time during my Freshman year at the Academy..." he shook his head before he dove into another story, looking between Qech and Calodan, "The point is, if it's bothering you, you may want to have the Doctor look at it."
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