Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rexar Omtala (Chief Engineer (Incoming)) in Side Sim - Meeting in Nine Forward

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Thomas Buckingham (Chief Medical Officer (Incoming)) in Side Sim - Meeting in Nine Forward

Posted by Cadet Barvan (Security Officer) in Side Sim - Meeting in Nine Forward
Posted by… suppressed (13) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Buckingham’s shift in Sick Bay had just finished. He strode out of Sick Bay and made his way through the Corridors. Earlier on Tom had thought about how he hadn’t done very much socializing during his time on board the Endeavor, he also recalled how Cadet Omtala had expressed an interest in meeting with him. So, Tom altered his path and made his way towards Nine-Forward. As he walked along he presses him Comm Badge =/\= Buckingham to Cadet Omtala, I’m just heading to Nine-Forward for a drink and I wondered if you would care to join me? =/\= Tom awaited his response.

Cadet Thomas Buckingham, Medical

“Alterations to the Endeavor’s ventral tractor beam emitters might assist in the repairs.” Rexar speculated under his breath as he revised for a fourth time his notation on his devised repair stratagies for the dock planetside.

Frustrated by his inability to deduce a solution. He grumbled a guttural murmur at his station and barked at the computer.

“Again Computer. Analyse and determine, with the integration of the Endeavor’s tractor beam, if the Craxus docking port could be repaired in suspension.”

As the computer began its calculations. Rexars’ commbadge chirped.

=/\= Buckingham to Cadet Omtala, I’m just heading to Nine-Forward for a drink and I wondered if you would care to join me? =/\=

He looked up from his unruly desk and shook his head in disapproval. He hadn’t time for distractions or frivolous gatherings. Staring back down at the ongoing permutations of his request, he thought onwards of his work.

An ale would taste better with a friend, and it’s about time I had one. To start.

=^=Omtala here. I’ll be there shortly Buckingham, Omtala out.=^=

He quickly then cleaned his workspace and left to arrive at Nine-Forward a few moments later. He ordered two Andorian Ales from the bar and took a seat where he would be easily seen by Tom.

Cdt. Rexar Omtala (Engineer)

Tom noticed Rexar approaching and stood up to greet him. “Rexar” He said cheerfully “I’m pleased you could make it”. Tom waited until Rexar sat down before resuming his own seat. “I was thinking about how I haven’t done much socializing during my time on board, and I know we spoke about meeting up during you physical examination, so I though, what better time than the present. How have you been finding it so far?” Tom asked in reference to Rexar’s time on board the Endeavor.

Cadet Thomas Buckingham, Medical

Drinking heavily from his frothy pint, Rexar pushed the second glass across the table to Tom as he gave a slight nod in recognition of the doctor’s arrival. As he finished the icy beverage he exclaimed aloud with a great sigh.

“Ah, Thank You” Buckingham said as he picked up the glass raised it and nodded his head before taking a swig of the beverage.

“It’s not exactly what it should be, but it’s still delicious.” He pushed the empty vessel aside and studied Tom a moment in contemplation of his query.

“I’ve worked doubles all week long and even a few night shifts. Our department has been tasked with the repairs of the docking pad, deployment of their new survey drones and we’ve been put on alert to respond to any minor alterations of our systems in an effort to avoid the possibility of interference from the planet’s exotic conditions.”

Rexar was forward over the table, manic in the rapture of his duties and the effort that was required of them. He flicked his wrist about the room rapidly as zealously declared his statement. Relenting at its end he fell back into his seat, shot a bland glance at his empty glass and took in a short breath.

“Best decision I ever made taking this post.”

Before standing to gather another round. Rexar half sitting on the chair, turned his shoulders towards the bar and twisted to face Tom.

“And you Buckingham. Is your position worthy of your merit?”

Cdt. Rexar Omtala (Engineer)

“Well,” Tom Started. “It’s a very different departure from my last line of work. But I must say that I am really enjoying. The unpredictable nature of the job makes it that much more exciting” Tom said, with a clear enthusiasm in his tone. “Did you have another vocation before joining Starfleet?” Tom asked.

Cadet Thomas Buckingham, Medical

“Excuse me, two Andorian ales for us thank you.”

Calling out to the passing server as he collected empty glasses at a nearby table. Rexar sat back into his chair to reflect on the topic Tom had put forward.

As the drinks arrived he waved a salute with the flick of his wrist. Reaching for the chilled glass he never once looked up from its blue vibrancy as he slowly shifted it towards his mouth, slipping the ale and resting the drink in his hand just in front of his face.

“Yes, I did and had I been able to I would have continued.”

Rexar threw back the rest of the liquor and left the vessel in front of him. Gathering his thoughts at the bottom of the glass he chortled quietly, sat up in his seat and cracked a cheeky grin.

“Starfleet wasn’t even in my sights until I got kicked back from my ADF application. Even still I wasn’t going to enter until my Thraan came to me while I was in hospital for injuries I sustained in an accident.”

Cdt. Rexar Omtala (Engineer)

Buckingham recalled the nature of Rexar’s injuries from viewing his medical log during his physical. Tom - only wishing to discuss such a sensitive topic a if Rexar want to - picked up his glass and took a healthy swig of the Ale.
“Well then,” Tom said as he placed his glass back down gently on the table and grinned. “Here we are, two Gentlemen who find them on a totally different path than the one they set out on, having dealt with one of life’s many unforeseen challenges… Still, we must be thankful, because although we didn’t necessarily set out for Star Fleet, we are here, and things are looking up! Tom said, sounding markedly buoyant.
A feeling of warmth spread through Tom, for this was quite true. For the first time in a while, he felt content about his life in general.

Cadet Thomas Buckingham, Medical.

As the two cadets went back and forth, Cadet Barvan arrived in. The very tall, muscular yet very thin Betazoid with light brown skin would approach their table.

“May I sit here?” he’d ask.

Cadet Barvan, Security

Upon Barvan’s request, Tom stood up to welcome him. “Of course, Please do.” Tom gestured at one of the seats.

“Thank you!” Barvan would promptly take a seat as requested.

As Barvan would sit down Tom lowered his lanky frame back into his seat. “Can I get you a Drink?” Tom of asked of the Cadet.

Thomas Buckingham, Medical.

“Yes you can. Vodka with cranberry juice. Emphasis on the cranberry juice.”

Pause.

Buckingham caught the attention of a passing Waiter and ordered Barvan’s drink. The waiter would promptly return with the beverage and place it on the table.

“You’re the CMO right sir?” Barvan would ask to break the ice.

Cadet Barvan, Security

“That’s right” Tom Smiled “Though I’ve not been in the position long… And please, we’re off duty, so call me Tom” He said with a jovial tone to his voice.

Barvan would immediately detect with his empathetic abilities the sudden jolt in warmth that the CMO would be displaying. He visibly relaxed his body language and smiled warmly.

“Alright, Tom! Call me Barv. That sounds like a nice shortening of name.”

“I don’t know if you’ve met the Chief Engineer yet?” Tom gestured across the table to Rexar, giving the two the opportunity to introduce themselves if they hadn’t already.

“I have indeed. I was assigned to monitor the telepathic procedure that Rexar was involved him. Must say you’re quite skilled. That’s coming from the experienced Betazed-bred telepath that is moi by the way.”

Thomas Buckingham, Medical

Cadet Barvan, Security

Rexar acknowledged the cadet with a slight nod on his approach and made room for him by pushing his seat around to the other side of the table. Pulling his drink away from the group he remained standing to allow Barvan to be seated.

“Thank you Barvan, good to see you. I think the doctor here might find that an interesting topic for discussion. As for myself, I prefer the calculated measure of technology.”

“Not really, to be perfectly honest. During my medical examination, he did not emphasize the… how shall we put it.... “side effects” of my telepathic abilities. I assumed it meant disinterest”

After greeting the Betazoid he would take his seat and lean back in the chair as he washed down another mouth full of Andorian ale.

His azure blue eyes watched Barvan as he joined the conversation. He admired his confidence and capability as an officer but was puzzled about his ambitions. Whether it was to credit of his own desires or the byproduct of his focused upbringing.

His antennae shifted independently for a time then paralleled each other in an arch towards Barvan as he sat up in his chair to speak.

“Tell me Mr. Barvan, how is it you’ve found yourself in Starfleet. Abilities like yours are a unique quality and exceptionally so at your level. Surely offers of a higher order would have been presented before you. What drove you to join?”

“The fact Starfleet came to me and asked me to join. After I won the All-Betazed Telepathy Competition at fifteen, it registered as a blip on Starfleet’s radar. My good grades in things like chemistry and interpersonal studies meant they wanted me to join as a security officer. It’s considered a very high-status position to be a Starfleet officer on Betazed, and given my aristocratic heritage (I’m of the House of Troi, the same house that produced USS Enterprise’s CNS Deanna Troi), Betazoids respect me greatly. Now, I don’t expect to be a Starfleet officer forever. Betazed’s diplomatic corps requires telepaths of the greatest skill. And that’s not to suggest opportunities in Federation politics. Maybe I’ll get to captain or commander before making the jump.”

LT.JG Rexar Omtala (CE)

Cadet Barvan, Security

Buckingham quite resented the remark Barvan made on the Medical Check-in. Galled by the impolite remark, if Tom hadn’t have known better he’d have thought that the Cadet had forget that Tom was still sitting at that table. Nevertheless, Tom refrained on remarking on it, out of the polite desire to keep the conversation civil.

Whilst swigging at his drink, Tom proceeded to listen with great interest at Barvan’s rise to his current position. Tom always found people’s backstories, career and life ambitions most fascinating, especially when hearing about different planets and cultures.

Thomas Buckingham, Medical

Locked in a chilling stare, the pale skinned Andorian was frozen in place as he observed Barvan on display. Studying his mannerisms and reactions as he spoke. Crystalline orbs of sapphire reflected a glassy scintillation that peered through every superficial layer that was draw before it.

He allowed a silence to rise slowly as he took in a long winded breath and finished the last of his drink. Tilting his head down and glancing over to Tom. Rexars’ uncompromising tone paralleled his demeanour.

“We’ll I would say you’re delusional if I didn’t think you were either absolutely right, or oblivious to reality. Security is just a precursor to an obvious end, and that’s intelligence work. Them coming to you puts all the pieces together. Think about it.”

Barvan would chuckle quite loudly. “Correct, sir. A security officer is essentially an enlightened term for a glorified bouncer. Security is quite possibly the least demanding job on a Starfleet ship. You have to keep the ship from disintegrating and Tom has to prevent an epidemic from breaking out. We at most have to investigate the occasional disturbance. I fully intend to leverage this position to get a higher one. I am an aristocrat, not some kind of paid goon. Diplomacy might be interesting, though working as an intelligence officer might provide the thrill of operating under the shadows. My ability to pose as human while having my telepath’s abilities is an interesting Starfleet does not come to people without the goal of putting them in a high position. A Betazoid with mind-reading abilities that can overpower even the most senior member’s of his race (minus the side effects I mentioned to Dr Buckingham) seems like quite an asset.”

It might seem absolutely galling to the two Starfleet officers present the level of disrespect Barvan had towards his profession and the men and women likely to serve under him, but it would be wise to remember he was an aristocrat. His haughty attitude bled into everything he did, and likely the only reason he’d respect them was because of their superior rank. At least for now.

He folded his arms to rest in his lap and shifted his weight to lean back against the chair.

“You’re smarter than you act Barvan, don’t be fooled by the idea of a career. People like you never get that option. It takes people like you to make all this work in the ways we don’t want to know about. It’s been done that way since the beginning of time. My culture’s done it, Buckingham’s culture’s done and yours would have to, it’s just that they’re all doing it together now.”

“I will politely disagree with that notion. The fact Starfleet came to me means they want me to pursue a career. Though I will agree we’re all doing stuff in the background, though the ways we do it are different. There’s a reason humans are shoehorned into command positions and Betazoids are all counselors and intelligence officers. Humans grew up in an extremely harsh environment where social cooperation was essential due to the need to communicate, whereas Betazoids grew up in an environment where such a thing wasn’t necessary. That’s why Betazoids are all quiet people and humans tend to be large in personality.”

Knowing well of his telepathic abilities, Rexar simply thought of the remainder of the conversation, his emotions and how he might have arrived to these conclusions. The history of his own family and the recent discoveries he made in his spare time. Giving him both insight on his choice to refuse an invitation to return home offered by the ADSF members of his Kethni and to advise the energetic Betazoid. Images of declassified documents and specified indexes all coinciding with accidental occurrences and tragic consequences, namely those revolving around his mothers deaths. All surrounded by an unexpected yet unyielding emanation of caution and respect for the mind that would peruse these thoughts.

Barvan did not have to peruse the Andorian’s thoughts to come to the conclusion Omtala was an engineer specialized in ship analysis. Engineers aren’t generally social enough to make the associations the CE just did. His emphasis on “culture” rather than “species” indicated a personal experience with it, something rare for someone of an engineer’s temperament He felt deep association to Andor in some way, and his choice to refuse seemed to have required a lot of soul-searching.

Turning back towards the well composes doctor, Rexar was reduce his tone to a flat groan as broke a weak smile.

“Buckingham your too polite but I think that’s why it’s good to have to around. A ship full of refrigerator units like me would have surely been reprimanded into a scrap heap by now.”

“And a ship full of Machiavellian aspiring politicians like me would mean an operational ship lacking in any crew to operate it.” Barvan would chuckle.

Rexar Omtala (Engineer)

Cadet Barvan, Security