Phoenix Crew attends Horizon Ceremony (Part II)

Kheren nodded.

"That much is certain. The Phoenix is the most advanced long range mobile research platform ever launched and the Horizon is nothing short of a mobile starbase able to function for decades without any Federation support... You do not build such vessels for border patrols. "

"Indeed" the Vulcan agreed.

At that moment, Syntron espied in his peripheral vision a rather unusual sight. An attractive Orion woman with long black silky hair dressed in a fleet bridge officer's uniform cautiously approaching the Andorian commanding officer from behind.

Syntron then switched his focus back to his former captain as he informed him inconspicuously "It would appear Captain Kheren that you have another fleet officer forthcoming to speak to you."

Like all Andorians, Kheren was practically deaf from behind and his field of vision was no bigger than for the average Human. It was therefore a natural reflex for him, when alerted to something, to quickly scan what was before him and, noticing nothing, swiftly turn around. That's where he spotted the approaching officer.

To alleviate the effect of his abrupt movement, he offered a hand to invite her to come next to them and his deep voice was soft and friendly.

"Welcome to our little moment of glory, Lieutenant. Captain Syntron, may I present Lieutenant Elisha Leône, our Chief of Operations of the flagship."

Elisha was humbled by the kind gesture of her commanding officer and accepted his hand as she moved closer to the two officers. The Andorian's grasp was firm, but gentle.

"Thank you Captain Kheren. I hope that I am not intruding on your conversation."

Her almond-shaped, aqua-hued eyes then drifted from the Andorian to the Vulcan Captain to which she was just presented.

"It is an honor to meet you Captain Syntron. From what I have seen regarding your new ship the USS Phoenix, it is a most impressive vessel."

The Vulcan gazed most curiously at the Orion woman. This was the first Orion that he had encountered that was not only in Starfleet, but was a bridge officer on the flagship of the fleet itself.

"Thank you Lieutenant Leône.  You will be serving aboard a rather remarkable vessel yourself."

The Orion allowed a smile to escape as she responded with a tone filled with pride.

"It is an opportunity beyond what I ever thought to achieve. I had been vying for a position in operations on a starship since graduating from the Academy. To be commissioned to the Lotus fleet, and to the flagship... well, it is indeed an honor and an opportunity that I am most grateful for."

Elisha felt herself a bit embarrassed by her rather blunt admission, but it was truly how she felt. She really didn't know anyone on the starbase, and felt a bit awkward at these types of formal gatherings. These were the type of circumstances where individuals would eventually become intoxicated and some may again start to make inappropriate advances to her. She had just dealt with that individual in sickbay, she did not want to be trapped in a large area filled with similar opportunists.    

Kheren for his part immediately read on the Orion woman all the signs of his own uneasiness in social gatherings. Hers was probably due to her own Orion heritage and reputation... something he could certainly sympathize with. Because of their unique physiology regrding reproduction, Andorians were not susceptible to the alluring power of Orion women; their pheromones were even slightly nauseating to the enhanced olfactory receptors of their antennae. But he knew that, even without them, as her own recorded Oath of Celibacy refrained her from using, some humanoid males might still react to her nevertheless, especially under the unhibiting influence of alcohol. 

He decided then to act as would any Starfleet captain and Andorian clan leader; to preserve her from harm.

"I quite understand how you feel, Lieutenant. I myself had been quite overwhelmed when Lotus Fleet recruited me and sent  me to the flagship Lotus as her chief of security and tactical. I was barely an Ensign then... But believe me, you will not have much time to think of anything but duty once we get underway... and that will be on a slow day, the stars willing."

The Andorian then looked over her shoulder.

"When the ceremony starts, why don't you go meet and sit with my wives? They will help you settle in... most probably by telling you all the funny tales they have regarding your commanding officer. And they can help you with the... social complexities of the reception afterwards."

Kheren knew that, with Tyvya's gigantic body on one side and the mindreading Lyrya on the other, Elisha would be as safe from any inebriated individual's misstep towards her as she would want to.

Elisha breathed a slightly audible sigh of relief as the words of her new commanding officer not only conveyed genuine empathy and concern, but equally a sense of security in his offer to join them for the ceremony.

With a warm and pleasant smile she stated humbly "I would be honored to join you and your wives..."

As she spoke these words she realized that this was plural and wondered for a second just how many wives this Andorian captain actually had. She was not very familiar with their society and the rites and rituals of their mating.  It would be just another of many things she would be learning as this adventure continued.

She refocused her thoughts and continued without a noticeable pause.

"I would appreciate their guidance as well Captain. Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the social protocols and expectations of an event such as this."

Syntron watched in silence as his former captain extended a welcoming gesture to his new officer and witnessed the immediate impact it had on her overall demeanor. It was the type of behavior that any Vulcan would have to consciously emulate since it certainly would not be evoked naturally; given their upbringing and stoic philosophy.

Therefore standing there, the Vulcan commanding officer made a mental note regarding this realization.  Perhaps if he applied such a demeanor accordingly in his new role as commanding officer, it would serve him well in establishing trust with his crew. It was not logical on the surface, however, it did manifest itself though many experiences that Syntron witnessed throughout his time in Starfleet.   

"You can take it from me lieutenant, Andorians make some of the best instructors." Despite his bulk Redding could move vary quietly and seemed to appear from no were, no doubt the activity in the room helped greatly. "In fact once we get settled in I was hoping my captain might indulge me with a few lessons with the Ushann-tor, I have a feeling that some new moves might have been invented since I last practiced with them." Then looked around at the rest of the small group and waited for his captain to introduce him.

"A few, yes, which I happen to know about since I invented them," answered the commanding officer of the Horizon. There was not even a hint of pride in his voice or stance. He said it so matter-of-factly that those who knew him had to forcibly remind themselves that he was a duelling master of Andoria. " I welcome your proposal. Unlike the rest of my brethen, I do not dismiss human opponents just because they are novices and are slower and weaker. Humans have a lot more endurance than we do, as much passion and courage... and, as legendary captain Jonathan Archer once showed, much more adaptative and inventive than my too traditional-thinking kind."

He then took a step back to introduce those with him to his Exec.

"Commander Redding, please meet Captain Syntron of the USS Phoenix, my former first officer on the Artemis... and Lieutenant Elisha Leône, our Chief of Ops. Captain, Lieutenant, this is Commander Neil S. Redding, my First Officer. "

Neil greeted each in turn with a pleasant smile or a firm hand shake.

"Your his former Number One are you? I'll have to see if I can worm any useful secrets about the captain out of you before we depart." He said with a grin. "And while I'll agree with the speed issue, I think you'll have to prove that 'weak' theory before I'll acknowledge it, Sir."

"You will learn about Captain Kheren through your own interactions Commander Redding" the Vulcan interjected. "There are no secrets to divulge. Suffice it to say that if you conduct yourself according to Starfleet regulations and follow protocol, then you will be on a path toward a conducive working relationship with your captain and his crew."  

"It is a well established fact that the average Andorian of all four genders is at least twice as strong as the average Human male, " again said Kheren matter-of-factly. "But if you take weakness in a more larger sense than I did, yes you are quite right to dispute it. Strength is not everything. "

Then Redding grabbed a drink off a nearby table and handed it to Leône, seeing as she was the only one not holding one.

Elsiha accepted the drink and carefully inspected it and then sniffed it repeatedly as Commander Redding continued speaking.

"I think a toast is in order, to a new and better Horizon perhaps?"

Obviously, Redding was not a toast master. Nevertheless, the sincerity of the thought was obvious to all.

"To new and better horizons," repeated Kheren with his own glass of prune juice.

Captain Syntron and Lieutenant Leône each raised their glasses and ceremoniously clinked the glasses together with the others in the toast, and then sipped their chilled beverages slowly. 

As they finished their toast, the Vulcan could see signals from the stage that the speaking aspect of the ceremony was about to commence. He signaled his former Captain.

"Sir, it looks like they are ready for you on the stage." Syntron noted discretely, knowing the reaction that this would bring to the Andorian commanding officer.

"Ready for me... that remains to be seen, " growled the Andorian, reacting exactly as Syntron knew he would. 

Even in the command chair, Kheren never did speeches to the crew like many commanding officers were sometimes so good at or so fond of doing. He always went straight to the point, delivered the facts, gave orders and that was it. Where legendary Captain Picard would have said something like 'Let's make sure History never forgets the name... Enterprise' he in the same circumstances would have simply said ' fire at will and initiate auto destruct sequence. '

Speeches... yeah right. Sometimes as necessary as a medical examination; often just as annoying.

It was clearly evident to the Orion woman that the Andorian captain was not thrilled with this aspect of the ceremony and the requirement of his responsibility within it to speak before the large crowd. She could relate to this as well. She just wanted to do her job, not be required to get up and give speeches about it. But with added authority she realized, come the burdens of such public relation events such as these. It was one reason why she didn't plan on being a captain herself; at least not any time soon.

Elisha however did not want to be left on her own in this event and the captain did make an offer to her that she did not want to forgo. She summoned her courage and addressed the Andorian commanding officer considerately.

"Captain Kheren, I would appreciate it if you would introduce me to your wives before you go... if you have the time."

Kheren turned to her with a nod.

"My pleasure, Lieutenant. Gentlemen, if you will excuse us..."

Taking his leave from his first officer and he captain of the Phoenix, he guided the Orion woman to where sat both his wives.

"Lieutenant Elisha Leône, please meet Lieutenant Tyvya, our Assistant Chief of Security and Tactical and Lieutenant Lyrya our chief Counselor. Tyvya, Lyrya, please meet ourChief of Ops, Lieutenant Elisha Leône. "

Eight eyes focused on the gree-skinned officer for a second before the Aenar Lyrya first greeted her.

"Greetings, Lieutenant. "

"Welcome, Lieutenant," then added Tyvya with not quite as much warmth in her tone as the Consellor. 

While Lyrya obviously wanted to make her at ease to better know her, the giantess was keeping just enough distance between them to better appraise her. The overall effect was a very strange mix of friendliness and respect that obviously went beyond basic officer behavior. They were assessing her as much as a new colleague to befriend as a potential rival to watch out for.

They were both Andorians after all.

"I will leave you three alone to better get aquainted while I get myself ready. "

"To attend to your duty, " Tyvya reminded him.

"To the bitter end, " he grumbled as he walked to join Rear Admiral Kotari and Fleet Captain Samji nearest the podium.

After Captain Kheren and Lieutenant Elisha Leône departed, Captain Syntron then turned to face Commander Redding once again.

"I would venture that this would be our cue to find a seat before the official speeches commence."

The Vulcan commanding officer of the Phoenix then gestured to the Human executive officer of the Horizon to led the way.

 *             *             *

After the conclusion of the inspiring speeches, and one hour and thirty-seven point four minutes of official mingling with a variety of Starfleet personnel and visiting dignitaries, Captain Syntron finally managed to escape the remaining ceremony celebrations and arrive back onto the Phoenix. There were too many requirements that needed to be completed prior to their departure to merely squander any more time or energy involved with insignificant social conversations. 

Taking the turbolift up toward deck one of his ship, the Vulcan also realized that they too would be involved in their own ceremony exactly one week from today. Although it would be of a smaller scale; with the Horizon serving as the flagship of the fleet. But he whisked this notion from his mind as the lift doors whooshed open to the lively activity occurring on the bridge.

He walked over to the center seat and sat down into the chair of command for only the second time since his arrival to this ship. He then swiveled it from side to side-to-side to check his vantage point to all of the stations on the bridge;  which were clearly visible. 

A question then began to lurk in the mind of the Vulcan as he sat there and gazed at the blank viewscreen.

To what degree would this ship and its crew be prepared for their launch date precisely two weeks from today?

((Since no one else has posted in the thread since last week , I'm concluding this thread.  Continue on with individual threads of getting department-related things done.)