Star Trek: Starbase 777

Multiple circular tables were set up across the events hall for cadets and officers alike, with little bouquets in the center that had flowers in the colors of Starfleet divisions.

Kix was sat at one of the tables that had yellow flowers, presuming it to be the engineering table, and was resting his arms against the table, slouching slightly in his chair, and looking all-together unimpressed, which was to be expected from the young android. But he was here in his dress uniform, and was…excited? Maybe?

Ehlai was quiet, his posture straight and proper. In a way, events like this were not something that he was... unused to. It just usually was not his idea to attend such events -- not anymore, at least. But, he found himself there anyways, wearing his dress uniform and trying not to fidget with his ponytail.

Kix’s singular eye slid over to where Ehlai was attempting to not fidget, and let out a little hum. “You alright?”

Ah, it seemed he was noticed, his head snapped up, and he pressed his hands together behind his back. "Me? Ummmmm... I am fine, just some nerves," he hoped that would be convincing enough.

Dressed in his pristine red dress uniform, not a crease, not a single threat or pip out of place, the tall Vulcan calmly made his way through the tables, blue eyes scanning the room in its totality. Plenty of new faces, both dressed either like him or in the cadet fashion. The inauguration meant other seasoned officers and instructors would also settle on Starbase 777, aside from just the students. There would be plenty of people to meet and, most specially, to greet.

“Hrm,” He gave a nod to Ehlai. Made sense to him, “Well, the XO of the station just walked in.” How was that going to help, Kix? (edited)

1

Suun's past experience with teaching hadn't left her quite yet, so being given the opportunity to lecture part-time was quite the chance to take. She was proud to be back in the classroom, for communication and ethics, but, of course, the nerves still lingered. It seemed that it never fully went away, from cadethood to being a senior officer. In her own dress uniform, which had needed a little bit of care due to the span of time of it going completely unused, Suun carried a plate of small appetizers, just to pick at while she mingled. She was more of a soup person, but having something with her meant it was something to do while chatting with the new arrivals. Or, in this case, Tarsek. Hi, Tarsek! Moving to approach, she smiled. "Commander. Nice to see you."

1

Goodness! There were so many people here! Vera flitted about, excited at the prospect of beginning her final year of the Academy, but disappointed upon realizing that a majority of this event seemed to be focused around food. Not having a mouth, she would have to sit out of that paticular part of the celebrations. She practically skipped to the table designated for the command division, her display screen serving as a face on full brightness, displaying what could only be described as the background to the outro screen of the old Earth show The Powerpuff Girls. She offered enthusiastic waves to all who passed her.

1

Ehlai's eyes widened as he inhaled sharply. Soon enough he was glancing over to where the XO had just walked in, his expression a touch panicked before he schooled himself back into something containable. "I suppose we should greet him," his voice remained low as he calmed himself down.

“Okay,” Kix had no intention of greeting him, but he would be along for the ride.

2

And a familiar face. Yes, he had expected and heard rumors about his colleagues also volunteering. It was not to be a surprise, many of them had already some background in teaching. That was something both him and Lt. Cdr. Zalan shared in common. “Commander Zalan, live long and prosper.” He offered her the well known ta’al. “Taking into account your previous record and your presence here, I would suppose you have accepted a position as a lecturer. Would I be correct?”

She nodded, placing her plate down on a table's surface as she stopped a short distance from him. "Indeed. Communications and ethics, as I've done in the past." Suun grinned, proud to be saying it out loud, as if it made it more real, "Considering yours, I'm assuming the same on your end?"

Kix was on the move. Come along Ehlai.

”I am sure you will provide a great deal of perspective to the cadets.” Suun was a reliable officer with a solid record and vast experience. Stable, kind, accomodating. All qualities to have in a teacher. Tarsek gave praise when praise was due. “And you are correct. Conflict Resolution and I was also offered Anthropology, as it seems my previous line of work still makes itself relevant to this day.”

"Ah, thank you, you flatter me." She replied, putting a hand on her chest, "And both subjects– quite vital in this day and age. I'm happy for you, commander, and I look forward to working alongside you."

Ehlai was following! His posture perfect and proper, like it always was. It seemed like there was no backing down now.

1

Kix’s posture was neither perfect nor proper, but whatever. Eventually, the tall android and his Romulan cohort arrived near Suun and Tarsek!

Vera's face display changed to a surprised ":0" emoticon upon spotting the two Commanders near by, recognizing them as Cdr. V'hgai and Lt. Cdr. Zalan, the former of which was technically directly her superior officer! She got up, skipping up towards the pair, pausing only to ensure there was a break in their conversation before greeting them. "Hello, Commanders! Are you going to be teaching classes this year?" By now, the display on her face was a normal face, save for the exclamation marks in place of eyes.

1

Kix turned to Ehlai, “Someone else is here.” This was true. Thank you Kix.

3

"I think we can wait until they are done... it would be rude to just barge into a conversation I think..." He squeezed his hands together, trying to remember all the etiquette that had been drilled into him.

Kix turned from Ehlai and looked at Vera and Tarsek, before looking back at Ehlai, “She’s Command, too,” He offered, “Y’all can talk about the same thing.”

Suun glanced over to Vera, grinning at the sight of one of the cadets. Or– more than one, however, they were all congregated further away. "Cadet Vera! Hello! And yes, we both are. I'll be teaching communications and ethics, and Commander Tarsek will be heading up Conflict Resolution and Anthropology."

Too add to the chaos of two members of the senior staff at one table Shane arrived making it three! He was about five minutes late, fashionably but not rudely so for a social event like this, people were certainly still filtering in after him. Shane hadn't had an occasion to wear his dress uniform in.... in... He couldn't quite remember. It had taken him the better part of half an hour just to figure out where all of the ribbons and assorted random medals were supposed to go, after two wars and more than fifteen years in the fleet one grew a bit of a collection. He eventually got everything in order, ribbons on one side medals on another. He had a few 777 service ribbons by now and another collection of exploration service ribbons from his time beyond the federation. He wore an assortment of medals from the Klingon war, non he felt he particularly earned but they gave him anyway. The only one he cared about was the Grankite Order of Excellence which he won for luring a bird of prey into a micrometeorite shower at Utopia Planitia. Shane slotted into the growing gaggle as it formed looking to mingle a bit he recognised Tarsek and Suun and one or two others from the train but he didn't have names to put with their faces just yet. "Commanders." He said with a nod to Tarsek and Suun. Before turning to the gaggle of cadets. "And cadets hello hello, how's the party?"

Vera gave a mock curtsey at being greated by the ACOO. Her eyes became stars as Suun explained the courses they'd be instructing. "Ooh, fun! I wonder if I have any space left for electives," she pondered, then turned as the ACTO came in as well. Wow! She gave another curtsey to Shane, clearly full of energ and carefree. "Hello, Commander! I'm having fun," she told him, her face becoming a ":]". "There are so many people here! I can't eat any of the food, but that's okay. I'm getting to meet new people!"

1

Kix was just standing there and eventually turned back to Ehlai and pushed him slightly forward, “Just go.”

He nodded, and decided to follow Kix's advice, stepping forward to introduce himself to the group that had formed -- even if he was not the biggest fan of crowds. "Greetings..." he spoke, choosing a greeting other than the one he had used as a child.

Kix hovered behind Ehlai for a few seconds. When it became clear Ehlai wasn’t going to say anything else, Kix cleared his throat, “Howdy. I’m Kix. This is Ehlai. He’s in Command.”

Seeing the duo stepping up to the group, Suun shot Ehlai and Kix a smile as well. "It's nice to meet you two."

”Indeed cadet. Welcome to Starbase 777.” Tarsek welcomed Vera in the same fashion as he had greeted Suun, extending the same courtesy to the other cadets that approached.

Kix nodded to Suun and Tarsek, before looking down at Ehlai. Go on, partner.

He seemed more comfortable after that, glad that Kix had assisted in his introduction (even if he felt bad that it needed to happen in the first place). "Yes, I am in command. It is a pleasure to meet you all. Ehlai tr'Llhevir... at your service..."

"Ehlai, is this your first year?" She asked, "Or have you come from the other academy location?"

"I am a fourth year, I am coming off of my Cadet Cruise on the USS Aegaeon, and before that I studied at the academy in San Francisco." He explained, looking just a touch more comfortable.

"Ah, that means one of us may be one of your professors. Are you taking ethics, or communications as an elective?" She asked, excited at the prospect at meeting one of her future students.

“‘S my first year,” Kix added for himself, his hands now resting in the pockets of his uniform as he continued hovering behind Ehlai. For all of his otherwise strange and unimpressed mannerisms, he did in fact lend a kind helping hand to Ehlai.

"I believe I have an ethics class this semester," He added, thinking back to his quite packed schedule, and all the classes he felt like he needed to take.

"Ah, I believe I'll most likely be your lecturer." She chuckled, taking a piece from her plate, "Exciting stuff, I know."

“What do y’all talk about in ethics classes?” Kix asked a bit flatly, though he was curious.

"I... have never taken anything beyond the very basics -- which is why I am excited to take a more advanced offering," Ehlai added, not sure whether he should be embarrassed about meeting his lecturer for the class. "Most of what I learned is the basics regarding what is right and wrong..."

"It's similar. We'll be covering the moral values in different societies in the federation and how they can influence the way groups of people are run, in the first half." She told them, before adding with a glint of humour in her eyes, "The last time I taught this class, one of my students cussed me out and stormed off. If that's any indication of the material."

"That sounds quite interesting. I... promise you wont see me cuss and storm off though. I try to be better than that." It was true, he tried to be calmer than his... influence growing up.

"Cussing out a professor is definitely brave." Shane said from his spot somewhere around the table. "I've seen plenty of creative strings of curse words when people crash in a sim but never at the instructor."

3

“I trust they had a good reason. Or an ethical crisis.” She joked, “And I also trust this year’s influx of cadets not to try it.”

“I ain’t a fan of cursing,” Kix said with a little shrug. He didn’t find it very in line with his programmed southern hospitality.

Having elected to come along to this event in part due to the prospect of food and in part as he well, reckoned he probably should, Vara'l at this point rocked up at the tables! Did so and in what happened to be his occasional way of things, upon having spotted people, headed over to the cadets and the ACTO. Headed there and once close enough, cocked his head slightly and inquired. "Cursing?" Curious at the conversation he'd just managed to catch the last moment on as he'd walked up.

”Classes which bring debate may cause such reactions in the less disciplined.” It was not uncommon for emotion to gain space while logic and reasoning were forgotten. In his line of work, however, such was unacceptable. Even when it came to those who did not follow Surak, Tarsek believed all officers were required to master the ability to discuss logically. “Hello Commander tr’Hara.”

“Commander! Welcome.” She laughed, “Iwas just talking about my past experiences with philosophy students.”

"Jolan tru, sir." The Romulan xB proceeded to say in response to Commander V'hgai before he slipped to a semi-subconscious at attention posture. Part of him having already started to assess ways away from here and this conversation with a XO that slightly intimidated him. He then looked to the other commander there and nodded slightly. "Ah." He commenced before he added. "I admit, not a experience I share, commander." The xB chuckled ever so slightly. "But it sounded like a fairly interesting conversation."

3

Ehlai smiled slightly before the expression returned to something much more neutral. "I have enough emotional control to keep my head if things do come to a debate..."

His eyes tuned to Ehlai. A fourth-year, the young man had mentioned, which meant that in less than a year he would leave the Academy and join service as an Ensign. More experienced than the others and taking into account he had served aboard a ship on a Cadet Cruise, one could suppose this exposure to the daily life of a crew was bound to bring growth and maturity. Tarsek had no knowledge of his record, yet, so he could only take Ehlai's words and self evaluation into account, at this time he had no reason not to. "As a future Command officer, it is a skill most necessary." Even if he did not know what particular role fit into this one's aspirations, Command was more than giving out orders and expecting to be followed, as he had seen some first-year's seem to think. To lead one needed also to learn how to listen to their crew when the time was right and to create bridges for dialogue. He hoped Ehlai's former captain had been a good example of such. "Am I also to welcome you into my lectures soon?"

"You teach... conflict resolution... correct? I believe I am taking that class as well. It is an important skill to have," His voice seemed slightly more sure as he continued. "I... hope to be an Away Team Coordinator one day."

Vara'l listened quietly as the XO spoke before he observed. "It certainly is an important skill, especially for someone in that role." As he started to sidle around the side of the conversation. He'd spotted the ACTO and also wanted to well, make tracks. As well, the XO happened to be quite intimidating though he'd have denied that if anyone claimed he was intimidated by the man. "I believe that's the ACTO.." He mused half to himself and started to make his escape.

2

Another senior staff at the table? Yep. In the form of one Allan H. H. Allen, who had definitely also not worn his dress uniform in what seemed like forever. His hair was nice and neat too, but the way he joined the group still gave off that casual vibe - or, he hoped - that he usually had. Then again, he supposed that strangers, especially cadets who might've been nervous around superiors in general, had no reason to assume anything about him and might as well be nervous around him, too. Well, he was here to change that! Hopefully. He went to join Vara'l, but then noticed Vara'l was going over to Shane - was there something going on between those two...? It was a brief, and slightly humorous, thought in his mind before he moved to sit near Kix, seeing as he was the engineering cadet here, one that he recognized. You don't really not recognize a guy you operated on, honestly, especially after they become one of the cadets on your station! "Hey, Kix, you doing okay?"

Kix, still standing behind Ehlai as he continued his conversation, did end up taking a step back from his fellow cadet and the XO when he heard Allan ask him something. The android’s singular eye slid down toward the ACEO as he gave him a nod, “Ayup,” He said flatly, “I’m doin’ fine.”

2

"Indeed, I shall expect you." He was satisfied to already have met one of the cadets he would be lecturing. As Vara'l left and Allan approached though stopped to talk to the engineering cadet next to them, Tarsek decided to keep his focus on Ehlai, as it was polite. "May you find my teachings useful."

"I am looking forward to learning from you, as I am when it comes to all of the lecturers here," His answer was diplomatic, even if he was mentally congratulating himself on how he hadn't managed to make a fool of himself somehow yet.

"Yeah? That's great." Allan gave Kix a familiar smile, and then looked out at the rest of the group as he continued to talk to him. "You just let me know if you ever need anything. Got anything specific you're looking forward to?"

Kix did manage to smile back to Allan, albeit only slightly, which was a nice change of pace from the last time that Allan saw Kix grimacing and scowling all the time, “Will do, sir,” He nodded, before shrugging, “I ain’t too sure.” He thought for a bit, “…Starfleet History should be interestin’. Breld doesn’t teach us it.”

2

The Vulcan could claim now to have a very positive first impression. A promising cadet so far. he would make sure to check his record and keep an eye out for him from now on.

Ehlai was doing a good job at being a cadet, something possible to achieve and notmal to want.

3

Coming in to greet the fresh cadets, the CEO was with his pet -- the Furberus, who bowed their heads at everyone they passed. Alizati was dressed in full uniform and the Furberus, whilst not in uniform, all had little yellow scarves to mimic the engineering yellow.

“Ah, hello.” Suun glanced up at Alizati, a bit surprised but nonetheless grateful to see so many senior officers here, “I believe we all had the same idea.”

"Jolan tru, Commander," Alizati was also pleased to see other senior staff. "And Jolan tru Allan," He turned to his ACEO and bowed politely. The Furberus moved towards Allan and all three heads extended for pets!

Kix stared very obviously at the, from his perspective, horrific creature that just appeared alongside the CEO and was moving toward Allan.

1

“I don’t believe I’ve met this member of the crew.” She followed Kix’s gaze down at the animal that came with Alizati, “An adorable one nonetheless.”

“…sure,” Kix said flatly. It helped that all of his inflections were flat, so no one could tell what he was feeling or meaning. In this case, sarcastic agreement. (edited)

Since it seemed the conversation was over, Tarsek offered a nod to the present and took his leave to mingle some more between the tables. The celebration was still on going and there was plenty of people to meet.

Alizati looked at the other senior officer and nodded. "Thank you. They are," He pointed to each head. "Bir, Ikki, and Yuch," He gestured to the middle, right, and left as he said each of their names. "Collectively they are called the Furberus. They are a project I have been working on in collaboration with my father to create a companion for my younger sister. I want to give her a mechanical pet in my absence. She has her daycare and school, but I want her to have a friend to come home to," T'Lhai was definitely old enough for school now, but Alizati was not yet done tweaking the Furberus. He bowed his head again to his collegues, prompting the Furberus to do the same. "ACEO Allan has been assisting as well, he built the hoverchair they are riding on."

1

“That’s lovely. A kind gesture, and quite wonderful craftsmanship, might I add.” She grinned at the creature, mildly perturbed and overall enchanted by the thing, “How did you choose the names?”

"I picked the names from the same culture I chose my name," He pointed to his nose, a gesture that he had picked up whilst living 'in Japan'. Okinawa was Japan, technically! "My full name is Ilzat, from the Uyghur language. Bir, Ikki, and Yuch, are one, two, three, respectively in the language," He explained to Suun. "The variant I use of Ilzat comes from Mandarin Chinese. At the time, I thought that was the official spelling due to a shortcoming in my research."

Kix was wondering if his opinion on Allan would shift based off the fact that he made this beast mobile.

2