Post Number 65 Formal Dinner

Posted on Tue Sep 21st, 2021 @ 10:52pm by Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson & Commodore Cyndi Song & Major David Hurd Senior & Lieutenant T’Mia Rahl & Lieutenant James McTavish

Mission: Mission Guardian Shield
Location: Commodore's Dining Room
Timeline: Currnet

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After convincing Paul that even if he was retired he was still considered a flag officer and needed to be at this dinner.

It had been several years since Paul had worn his dress uniform, Cyndi walked into the living room her usual ponytail gone, her hair now pulled on top of her head in a bun.

"You look good," Paul said

"As do you," Cyndi replied tapping her com-badge "This is the commodore, the following officers report to the commodore's private dining room for a formal dinner, full dress uniforms. Dinner will be served in an hour and will consist of food from all three factions, Lieutenant Commander Bird, Major Hurd, Lieutenant MeKeon, Doctor Bjorgo, Lieutenant Rahl, First Lieutenant Rivers, Lieutenant Kahn, Lieutenant McTavish." Turning to Paul "Are you ready?"

"No but this needs to be done," Paul said taking Cyndi's hand as they headed out to the private dining room. Walking in the room was adored with the best dinnerware the ship carried

Donning his Dress Uniform, Hurd turned to look at himself in the mirror. Satisfied, he latched his Marine Officers Sword to his left hip, holstered his .45 to his right, and left his quarters. Arriving a few minutes later, he nodded at those already there, and took a position in the corner. He wasn't ready to sit just yet, but instead wanted to observe the room for a few minutes.

T’Mia was in her quarters when the call came through about the dinner, pulling out her dress uniform she put it on making sure she was tidy and presentable. Happy with how she looked she headed for the dining room. Stepping into the room a few minutes later she offered a warm smile to all present, “Good Evening” seeing Hurd she walked over to him. “Major Hurd, how are you this evening?”

Smiling, he said, "Doing well, feeling a tad uncomfortable in this dress uniform, but otherwise ok." "How are you this evening?"

“Very well thank you” T’Mia smiled warmly. “I understand that Congratulations are in order, that you and your wife are expecting a child? There’s nothing more precious.”

Alesha had never worn the dress uniform, so it took her a few minutes to get everything right on it. Finally satisfied she looked okay and her sidearm was strapped on Alesha headed for the commodores private dining room. Walking in she spotted the major and nodded to him. She'd have spoken to him but he was with the ships counselor.

James had just returned home when he received the Commodore's call/invitation for a formal dinner. He zipped into the bathroom for a lightening fast shower then proceeded to dress in his formal attire. Being satisfied with everything being donned properly, James left for the dining room. Upon entering he gave the usual nods to most everyone present, then found his name card and took his seat. These types of situations seemed awkward at best, but he decided to make the best of it anyway.

Kahn never had an issue with her dress uniform. But, then again, she had visited Quark's on DS9 some years ago, and he had turned her on to an Andorian tailor who had hand made her entire uniform, down to the knickers. No one knew comfort like a person wearing Andorian silk underthings. Of course, Quark had charged a finder's fee, which he kept light by his standards, saying that Liza reminded him of Jadzia Dax. To a Trill, that was the ultimate compliment. Jadzia had been a brave, strong, independent woman who had fought a war to save the Federation way of life.

Dressed to the nines, Liza entered the briefing room and stopped just inside to cast her glances around the room. She noted who was where, her final gaze looking to Hurd. Without hesitation she walked over and stood next to him, her right hand taking his left as she began to lead him around the table. "You sit next to me, David. No arguments." She nodded nonchalantly at those around her, no shame and no embarrassment being felt as she held his hand and waited with him in his corner.

Grunting, Hurd said quietly, "You know, I don't think my Wife would approve of you holding my hand, but I will abide by your wishes... for now*."

Kahn released the hand. "She would love me for it if you got to keep your career," she said in a low tone for his ears only as she was leaning in. "But, be my guest, act up at your leisure." With that said, and sorry she had even tried, Liza walked away and went to the other side of the table, to sit to the CO's left as was her duty.

Lt Commander Jay Bird arrived with Ambassador Keelflex beside him and the two senior aged guards. Looking around the room the Ambassador spied the bar and slowly walked over.

" One drink and then I'll introduce you to Commodore Song sir." Bird told Keelflex.

" Or two if she isn't a handsome woman." Keelflex joked.

" She pretty enough but with the heart of a tiger?" Bird replied unsure if the translator would be able to interpret the animal.

T’Mia had watched Hurd and Kahn curiously, the fact that Kahn was holding his hand would have the rumour mill going in no time. She just hoped it wouldn’t reach the ears of Hurd’s wife.

Bjorgo came in on the heels of Bird and Keelflex. The guy's named sounded like an adhesive of some kind. If Tore was anyone else he would have snickered out loud, but he held his mud. He got in between Bird and Keelflex from behind, and with the angle of entry and Liza moving, had the four of them in close proximity to each other. "Ambassador Keelflex, I am Doctor Tore Bjorgo, ship's physician. A pleasure, Sir."

Liza, standing there quietly to regain her neutral composure, heard the introduction by the good doctor. So, she responded in kind before Keelflex began to speak. "I am Lieutenant Kelliza Kahn, Chief of Security. Welcome aboard, Ambassador." The Trill's sixth sense was kicking in and she could swear she was being watched.

Bjorgo laid his hand on the headrest for the chair directly to Liza's left, claiming it as his through subtle action.

The doors leading to the private dining room opened again and this time it was Ambassador Ferin. Paul walked over to the ambassador "Ambassador I'm retired Rear Admiral Paul Sanderson, I'm the commodore's husband, welcome. I believe you met my wife earlier."

"I did, delightful lady," the ambassador said

Cyndi walked over to Ambassador Keelflex "Ambassador I'm Commodore Song ship's commanding Officer, I'm sorry I wasn't able to meet you when you arrived. I'll be the one doing the talks. We're only waiting for a few more to arrive before dinner."

Keelflex raised his glass of something green to the Commodore.
" Thank you for hosting us Commodore Song. I look forward to speaking to you myself if Ferin hasn't spoken ill of me to you. " the elder statesmen replied.

"Ambassador, I've not had any conversations with either side regarding the other. This is a dinner to welcome all parties aboard my ship and to let everyone know I'll be working with all parties concerned," Cyndi said keeping voice pleasant

Kahn kept her face neutral, but with a pleasant expression. Even as Keelflex felt the need to toss out the first barb in regards to his counterpart. ~Typical~ she thought ~There are always those who can't help but be insulting. No wonder the talks on the planet kept failing~ Liza did wonder how things were down there while they were all babysitting their guests, and certain members of the crew. If Hurd ended up in the brig again he would stay there as long as regulations would allow, despite what anyone else said. Adolescent outbursts did nothing to appease the situation. Was it petty that she was still perturbed, hell yes it was. But, being petty just felt so damn good for the right reasons. Her aid had been shunned, even when she tried to make it in jest, to try and keep him casual. Petty it is.

Bjorgo had heard the elder statesman make small talk with Song, hearing the slight about his opposite talking bad about him. Whoever had decided that they meet with Starfleet singularly, without the others present, was making a mistake. In the back of the opposing Ambassador's mind he was sure the man would be asking himself what secrets the UFP and Ferin were sharing that he and his people were not involved in. Diplomacy was a slippery slope. One wrong move and all would slide back to the beginning just to start again. He took his seat as Liza sat down in hers. He could see in her eyes that something was bothering her. He leaned over, and she towards him. "You good?"

"I'm fine," Kahn responded in a clipped statement. "Nothing that won't fix itself." She went back to sitting straight, gathering a PADD from the table and tapping keys as she leaned back waiting for the others to do the same. Using the PADD she made sure that the team of three security were outside and down the corridor, a mere few moments from the door.

A few minutes later the doors opened again and a woman with pale orange skin, long white hair and pointed ears, wearing a long white gown.

"I don't believe it," Ferin said

"Who is she?" Paul asked

"That is the Princess," Ferin said

Cyndi excused herself from Ambassador Keelflex and walked over to where the woman stood, she'd heard the comment about the woman being the Princess. "Your majesty welcome to my ship, I'm Commodore Song."

"Thank you commodore, I'm Princess Glenna representing the Royalists. I took a chance and decided to come." she gave Cyndi a long and careful look "Your more than a commodore."

"I'm a wife and mother as well," Cyndi said as she turned to everyone in the room "Please have seats, I've had the chef prepare dishes from your parties."

~Why do people have to always say that?~ Bjorgo asked himself. ~Having a child doesn't make you special. Animals do it all the time~ Parking his own cynicism on the matter of procreation Tore watched as everyone fawned over the new arrival. Despite her title the woman was still a Federation citizen. Liza slid her PADD over on the table, which he read, then she pulled it back. "Interesting," he said to Kahn in a low tone.

Keelflex remained standing and then bowed not caring what Ferin thought.

" You're highness you honor us with your presence. You are the very image of your grandmother the Queen."

"Thank you ambassador," Glenna responded

Commander Bird assisted Keelflex back up and led him to his seat at the table.

T’Mia offered a polite smile as the Ambassador was seated at the table, she was fortunate to be seated opposite Bird near the top end of the table.

" You dress up very nicely T'Mia. We need to have these dinners more often." Jay greeted.

“Thank you Commander” T’Mia smiled warmly. “We do indeed.”

Hurd, while everyone else was seated, remained in the corner, observing everyone. Not meaning offense, he was wanting to know who he was dealing with.

Alesha walked over to where the major stood "Sir would you do
me the honor of sitting with me? We can still keep an eye on things," Alesha asked

Cyndi and Paul walked to the table, Cyndi taking her place at the head with Commander Bird seated next to her followed Major Hurd, next came the ambassadors and the Princess. Cyndi had taken great pains to make sure all the ambassadors and the Princess would feel on equal footing and would not feel as someone was more important. For that reason she'd asked Paul to sit next to her opening the table up for the guests to be able to be seated formally as well. "Your Highness, Ambassadors, honored delegates I want to welcome you aboard the Amandora. I've had the ship’s chef prepare the meal from each of your planets. Please take your seats and lets enjoy dinner,"

Keelflex raised his glass in response nodding to the Princess as did his aide de camp.

" Commodore what is the Federations position with our dilemma?" the Aide de Camp said across the table to Cyndi.

"That will depend on how the talks go, I'll be handing the talks and finding solution everyone can agree on," Cyndi replied

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