Wetting The XO's Head

Posted on Tue Sep 30th, 2014 @ 9:11am by Captain Tim Williams & Lieutenant Commander Horatio Hawke & Lieutenant Commander Ciaran McIntyre & Lieutenant Ethan Kessel & Ensign Leon Kingson & Lieutenant JG Ela sh'Leksa & Ensign Emily Deakin

Episode: Orphans
Location: Holodeck 2 [Deck 5]
Timeline: MD29 - 2100hrs.

Mac had been working on it for weeks and the day had finally arrived. The colonists were safely on Dreyas, being overlooked by his security teams and his friend now had a hollow third pip on his neck. This was the grand moment.

He chuckled as the massive holodeck doors slid apart. The scene which greeted him was one of organised chaos. A number of Starfleet non-comms rushed to-and-fro setting barrels and kegs of beer behind the perfect replica of the bar in The Last Yard. They may be celebrating with the Captain but he would be damned if the new First Officer of the Highlander would be drinking Synthehol.

He took a last look round since his guests would be arriving at any moment. The place was gleaming. "Just one last touch." He thought. "Computer, activate holo-character program McIntyre Alpha-Six."

A shimmer appeared in the air around him as the room was suddenly filled with uproarious laughter and the chatter of excited patrons. "That's more like it."

The Last Yard was a popular spot in the Martian city of Elysium. Located in the Old Industrial District of the sprawling domed city, just down the street from the famous Russell Field stadium, it was the site of many alcohol-fueled adventures of a young Cadet Horatio Hawke. The public bar was larger than most nearby establishments and was dominated by a large, polished oak bar that was supposed to have been imported from Earth in the early days of colonisation. It was filled with tables and chairs, places where you could have something to eat or just stand with a drink and watch the many screens that covered the walls. To one side, the bar opened up into an even larger outdoor area, serviced by two other bars. It was a place designed for one purpose - frivolity.

"Computer, deactivate door controls." He hadn't wanted his friend to stumble upon his handiwork. The Security Chief stepped into the corridor and could immediately hear the voices of some of his colleagues echoing down from the turbolift.

Everyone apart from Hawke knew what was coming so he had replicated a suit from Hawke's personal file (the glories of high security clearance) and ensured that it hung behind the Men's Room door. There was nothing worse than being the only pillock in uniform- especially at your own party.

He looked down at his own jacket which had creased around the cuffs where he had been bracing a crate of Glenarrick Twenty against a door frame while speaking to one of the non-comms who had helped him set everything up. He straightened his tie as he noticed the first guest round the corner.

"I take it everything is set up and ready in there?" Tim asked, rounding the corner as Mac was fiddling with his tie. The captain was similarly dressed to the Scotsman, sporting a simple suit and tie rather than his usual uniform - though had it been his preference, he'd have turned up in a vintage t-shirt and jeans.

"Yep." McIntyre replied, finally resolving to tuck the troublesome back part of the tie into his shirt. "I take it Leon didn't mind his relief Ops team being diverted?"

"Diverted? I billed this as essential ship's business," Tim replied with a smirk as the next guest rounded the corner.

"And why wouldn't it be? It's not every day a shipmate gets promoted to such high stature!" A grinning Ensign walked up to his comrades. How are you doing sir's?"

"Very well, Leon." Mac replied, clapping him heartily on the shoulder. "How are you?"

"I'm just dandy sir. Ship's singing like a humming bird, and there seem to little problems with the colonists below. My health is fine, and I'm about to start drinking."

"Besides" said Leon, " I had a relief, relief Ops team on standby just in case a situation like this occurred, to relieve the relief team of their burden of setting this up. They then continued work down at Ops, while preparations went swimmingly. There's no way I'd miss a party like this for a little thing like work. Unfortunately, having already made plans to attend such a convention themselves, they were not best pleased, and agreeing with my earlier statement about work and parties, they promptly mutinied." His face became serious at this point. His eyes however, still twinkled mischievously. "Knowing it would be the height of irresponsibility to leave mutineers alone, I did the only sensible thing I, as the Chief of Operations could do. I brought them with me!" And with a dramatic flourish pointed at the entrance. A few now off duty Operation officers stepped through.
"May I introduce, Petty Officers Charlie Alkarn, and Put'ar Arim. Ensign Jerry Martis, and the soon to be drunk...actually, I think we all just call him Kal."

"Nice to meet you!" Mac replied, gleefully passing out drinks from a tray. "Nobody comes to a party on my watch and leaves sober. Drink up!"

The doors opened again, and Kessel walked into the room. He looked rather awkward and more than a little out of place. He had been avoiding gatherings and functions like the plague since his recovery, dedicating himself solely to his work. His cybernetics clinked slightly as paced.

"Um. Evening?" He greeted.

"Hey, Ethan!" Mac grinned as he took the Engineer's hand and shook it. "How have you been? I haven't seen you around in a while!"

Ethan smiled.

"I've been very busy. The Captain has had us restoring some pretty extensive modifications to the Highlander... Its taken a but of getting used to, moving from the Endeavour... Different type of ship." He said, pausing. Then he shook his head.

"And yourself? How have you been?" He asked.

"Aye, not bad." Mac observed as he guided the Engineer and the Operations team into the holodeck. They couldn't spend all evening in the corridor.

The hustle and bustle of the holographic bar seemed to immediately put everyone at ease. Mac's smile widened as he grabbed some glasses from the bar. "So if you're all here, who's going to tell us if the ship's about to blow up?"

"We'll swap with some of the on duty workers later tonight, so we should just about a surprise Klingon Attack. Maybe. Who says all Ops can do is push buttons?" Laughed Leon.

"Okay, everyone! Let's give our new first officer a fright, shall we?!" McIntyre shouted, bounding into the centre of the room and passing the handheld communicator to the Captain. "Would you mind doing the honours, Sir?"

Taking the communicator, Tim cleared his throat before putting on his most officious voice. "Commander Hawke, report to Holodeck Two immediately."

Hawke was in his office, familiarising himself with the latest Engineering duty rosters when the call from the captain came in. The urgency in his voice made the new XO jump straight to his feet as he tapped his commbadge, "Aye aye, sir." He rounded his desk and made for the door before adding, "Is everything okay, sir?"

"Just get down, here," the captain replied, before clicking the comm. unit off and handing it back to Mac.

"Right then, you lot!" Mac turned the group with a smile and stretched his arms out wide as if he was going to embrace them all. "Charge your glasses- the tab's on Lieutenant Commander Hawke!"

"Superb!" Kessel said, downing half a pint quickly, and holding up his glass for a refill.

It didn't take Hawke long to get from his office on Deck Two to Holodeck Two. Nevertheless, he walked with an urgent stride that was somewhere between a canter and a brisk walk. What could the Captain possibly need him for? he thought, running possible situations through his head at high warp. Was there some test they hadn't administered? Was his promotion in jeopardy? Did he want to talk about some training programs for the crew? If that was the case, wouldn't it be better done in the captain's ready room? Or did he want to demonstrate? Fool! he chastised himself. Stop driving yourself crazy trying to guess. You'll know in a minute.

He rounded the final corner and tapped the panel next to the door to the holodeck. The door hummed open and revealed all as a smile stretched across Hawke's face.

A rousing cheer went up as the flustered Hawke charged through the door. Mac pushed his way to the front and thrust a foaming glass of beer into his friend's hand, before stepping out of the Captain's way.

"The first duty of an executive officer is to make sure that the ship is running smoothly, and that the crew are happy and performing well," Tim started, his tone mockingly serious, as was his call to the man over the comm. earlier. Then he himself broke into a grin. "The second is to always pick up the tab."

"Hear hear!" Mac echoed his agreement as he drained the remainder of his drink and launched into a rendition of 'For He's a Jolly Good Fellow'

Horatio couldn't keep the smile from his face and he absolutely beamed as he lifted the glass to salute his shipmates as they sang. He took a deep draught then waded into the crowd, shaking hands and accepted slaps on the back as he went.

He came up to Mac, who was grinning like the Cheshire Cat, and raised his glass again. "Your doing, old friend?"

McIntyre's feeling of pride in his friend was immense. He had been put through the ringer with the Endeavour and these command tests and had come out stronger. "I couldn't possibly comment, Compadre."

The XO grinned. "Thanks, mate."