Getting re-aquainted
Posted on Thu Jun 27th, 2019 @ 5:24am by Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Chief Petty Officer Tonag Jov
Edited on on Thu Jun 27th, 2019 @ 5:26am
969 words; about a 5 minute read
Mission:
New Beginnings
Location: Various
Timeline: NB+2
Tonag trailed behind the other engineers, dictating notes softly into his PADD as the group entered onto a lift and headed toward their individual destinations with their shifts ending and evening plans blossoming.
Tonag peripherally was aware of beings getting on and off the lift, but only on a remote level. Then he was aware of another being moving within his personal space and he came out of his thoughts by degrees and looked around. He was aware that the rest of the cars inhabitants were looking at him.
He was used to that.
The person standing near him was a taller, blond haired human who was leaning against the tube wall right next too him. Tonag leaned back, thinking the human looked familiar and stumbled a bit as he over-balanced. There was some laughter and some of the engineers he’d been working with shook their heads.
Then the blond human said in a reproving tone, “As you were.” The tube went quiet then and Tonag, taking a closer look, saw the Lt. Commander pips and then it clicked.
“Hello, Commander Thibideaux. There was no need, I was clumsy,” Tonag admitted.
“True,” Curtis said. “But kindness would dictate, and I would expect, that Star Fleet personnel not act like first year cadets.” There were a few mutters at this and Curtis took a half step toward a swarthy, dark haired human male and said. “I didn’t quite catch that, Lieutenant.”
“Nothing sir,” he muttered.
“Xaxdamned right it better be nothing, Lieutenant, Curtis said coldly. “If I thought it was something on the order of questioning my legitimate birth, I’d have you up on Captain’s mast for conduct unbecoming. To start. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes,” the man said sullenly.
“Yes what,” Curtis said in a voice so quiet and with a tone of danger, you could hear a pin drop in the tube car.
“Yes sir,” the swarthy lieutenant said at nearly a whisper.
Curtis took another half step forward the man, getting right into his face. “Alright, Lieutenant. Put yourself at attention.” The man slid into a rigid posture and Curtis moved within two inches of him and stared into his eyes. “Alright you. You’re about a hair’s width from me dragging your sorry carcass to the officer of the day and putting you on report for about the next century. That will make sure you stay a Lieutenant for the rest of your career, or at least a good chunk of it.”
Continuing, he said “Insubordination. Conduct unbecoming. Since you have such a sunny disposition, I’m guessing those two charges would lead to a rather poor efficiency report. And that would mean you’re done. If your CO is as displeased with you as I’m guessing they would be, you just might earn yourself a discharge.”
Curtis let that sink in amidst the deadly quiet of the tube and it finally came to a halt. The doors opened and Curtis stepped back as the crowd outside the tube took their turns to stare. “But,” Curtis said, “I am in no mood to deal with something like this tonight when myself and my old ship-mate Tonag here are going to catch up on old times. So, count yourself more than lucky. Now, all of you are dismissed!”
The lieutenant and the rest made a hasty exit and Thibideaux looked at those waiting to board. “Do me a favor. Catch the next tube.”
The assembled beings nodded readily and Curtis said, “Thank you.”
The door slid closed and he ordered, Promenade. Up three decks.” The car began to move and he sighed and ran his fingers through his hair, looking over his shoulder at Tonag. “You do seem to cause trouble, Tonag.”
Tonag considered that before he said, “Appearances only, sir.”
The car stopped and Curtis led him out onto an upper promenade deck and chuckled as they walked. “Still a man of few words. Care to get some food or do you have plans?”
“No plans,” Jov said.
Nodding approvingly, the Lieutenant Commander led Tonag through the mass of people crowding this level of the promenade. After fifteen minutes of walking, they reached a Jadassian bistro called Brobel’s and found seats inside.
Tonag looked at Curtis as their drinks arrived and finally said, “Why?”
Curtis looked at the Tellarite, thought briefly then asked. “The tube?”
Tonag nodded and Curtis said, “Because it was what it was. Then the idiot started muttering under his breath. No officer should stand for that kind of behavior. The idiot needed to be jerked up short before he does ruin his career.”
Tonag nodded, accepting this as Curtis added. “I started it because he was an ass to someone serving under me and you’re not one to stand up for yourself, Tonag.
Shrugging then, Tonag nodded to Curtis, noting the Commander had used the familiar, indicating they were now ‘off duty’ and talking as friends. It might be the last time they could do such before they bordered the Valiant and he decided it was a good thing.
“Indeed, sir,” Tonag intoned, “Is the food here any good?”
“I have no idea, just saw it advertised in the dailies today. And wow, that’s more words than I’ve ever heard you use on purpose in one setting. You feeling ok?”
Tonag snorted, then laughed. “Usually other beings talk more than enough that words from me are not needed. Especially you humans.”
Curtis laughed too then, “And joking, wow you have changed since we served aboard the M'iridian. And you’re engaged too, I’ve heard. Congratulations!”
Tonag grinned a huge smile at the mention of his betrothed. “How did you hear about that, Commander?”
“Hasty filled me in,” Curtis told him.
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