Posted by Commander Shedda Mal’athar (Executive Officer) in Shuttlebay One - A Reunion

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Shuttlebay One - A Reunion

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Shuttlebay One - A Reunion
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
She slipped her arm through Kel’s, drawing a smile from her mother. Koro pulled at Sair’s pant leg and she looked down. “Yes?”

“Will Surane be here soon?” he asked, bouncing on his toes.
“Very soon,” Sair said with a grin. She was excited as well, though admittedly doing her best not to let the bittersweetness of it all cloud the joy of the reunion.

Given that Sal was arriving with supplies, belongings, and instruments, they did not just beam him over, though Sair had tried to tell him it wouldn’t be a problem to have the items taken where they needed to go. But no, his refusal stemmed from the simple fact that no one but him touched his prizars. Stubborn musicians, she thought with a smile.

~Sair Songz, CNS

“I’m sorry we don’t have a band to mark the arrival.” the Captain said from behind them as he walked into the shuttle bay. “It would be most appropriate for his arrival, I think.” he added with a smile. He looked down at Koro and said “And how is my finest junior officer today?” and he held out his hand to the child with a smile.

Cochrane, CO

“I don’t know what Sal would do with a whole band for him. He would just brush it off as unnecessary,” Kel said with a smirk. “The man can hold the attention of entire concert halls, but he’s rather self-conscious away from his instruments.”

The doors slid open again as Shedda stepped into the bay. She knew how important sales arrival was to her friend. She was there out of simple support. That and Kel and Sal were now officially diplomatic envoys, so a bit of pomp and circumstance was called for. She winked at Koro and looked at Sair. “Just left the bridge they are linked up to dock.”

Koro waved to Shedda and then turned to the captain.

Koro smiled at Cochrane and took his hand with a firm shake, shifting into a serious expression. Well, as serious as he could at three years of age. “Skipper! Surane is coming!” he said, the seriousness vanishing in an instant, his brown eyes lit up.

Sair laughed and crouched down, holding her son gently so he didn’t run off at an inopportune moment, as he often did. “Right now as a matter of fact,” she said, switching to their native tongue. She pointed to the shuttlebay door that was opening and Sair explained the forcefield that kept all the air that they breathed inside.

Soon enough, the shuttle docked, though it took a few moments to power down and the hatch to open. The first to emerge was the pilot, Ensign Vaughn. He gave the Captain a quick salute and stepped to the side.

Sal Songz was a fairly short and trim man with a tear drop shaped face, narrow eyes and short cut grey hair. Lines were etched around his eyes and they deepened as he took in the sight of his family and grinned. He stepped out of the shuttle and set a large flatish case gently on the ground on it’s longest narrow side. His thigh length tunic was split at the side to the hip and moved with him easily. He moved swiftly to Kel and swept his wife gently into an embrace, their foreheads touching. Soft words were exchanged and she nodded giving him a brief but tender kiss.

Letting Kel go, he turned to his daughter and grandson. Sair let Koro go and the boy all but jumped into Sal’s arms, making the man laugh. “Ahh, Koro, sweet boy. Have you been having lots of explorations?”

“Oh yes! There’s a whole garden inside Surane!”

Sal looked shocked. “A whole garden? Really? Well, you’ll have to show me for sure,” he said as he set him down and ruffled Koro’s mop of hair.

Sair drew to him and Sal smiled warmly at her. He rested his hands on the sides of her face, deep affection radiating from his eyes and hands. “My daughter. How I’ve missed you.”

Shedda watched their reunion quietly. She grinned. Her father often greeted her the same way. Fathers were fathers no matter where they came from.

“I’ve missed you too,” she whispered before they hugged tightly. Letting him go, she stepped back and gestured to Alex. “Father, I’d like you to meet Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane, our Commanding Officer. Captain, this is my father and one of Kobliad’s most notable musicians, Sal Songz.”

Cochrane inclined his head and said “It is a pleasure, sir. Welcone to the USS Manhattan.”

Sal gave his daughter an amused glance. “She overstates it a bit I think.” Sair just grinned and shook her head at Alex. No, she really hadn’t. He gave a gracious bow of his head. “I am glad to be here, Captain. I thank you for allowing us these arrangements. It’s very much appreciated.”

~Sair Songz, CNS & Family

Cochrane shook his head and said “No trouble at all. Please, I will walk you to your quarters. Your belongings will be brought to you after they have been scanned. And I understand you are bringing some Kobliad musical instruments. I am very eager to see them.”

Cochrane, CO

Mal’athar, XO

“I did indeed,” Sal said, lighting up even more.

“We’re fortunate he didn’t bring his entire collection. Would have needed more than a shuttle,” Sair said straight-face despite the gleam in her eyes.

Sal shook his head. “Still just as impertinent. I’m glad to see that that hasn’t changed,” he said with true affection.

Sair laughed and gestured to Shedda. “Father, I’d also like to introduce you to our first officer, Commander Shedda Mal’athar.”

He smiled and bowed his head. “It’s nice to meet you as well. Sair has had lovely things to say about both of you.”

Koro pulled on Sal’s hand. “Come on Surane, your place is this way.”

Kel laughed openly and looked to Alex. “I think that’s your cue, Captain.”

~Sair Songz, CNS & Family