Let the good times roll part 2

Posted on Wednesday 2 December 2020 @ 18:02 by Commander Caroline Miller & Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: Race against the machine - Joint Mission with USS Andromeda
Location: USS Merlin, The Round Table
Timeline: After Let the good times roll part 1
4259 words - 8.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Continuing on from "Let the good times roll part 1"

ON:

Natasha looked over to where Melody was and gave a wave towards her. "Commander Jones! I'd like to introduce you to some marvellous people here."

Michael gave a nod towards Melody and called out a greeting to Sansa. "Hello there, Sansa!" giving a bit of a smile.

Melody turned to the group they were with "If you'll excuse us." She motion for Sansa to follow her and made her way over to Natasha.

"Thank you for inviting us to this party." Natasha smiling. "I'd like to introduce several people here. I do believe you already know Hawkins."

Michael nodded, in answer.

"The others are, Lieutenant Rose Belikov, the head of intelligence and this is Lieutenant Ron Bumble; Science Officer from the Europa. He managed to get records of the Planet Killer by sending in some probes before he and I were transported safely to the Andromeda. " she had a tone of pride when she spoke of Ron's accomplishment. "It was a brilliant plan of his, to launch those probes."

While Natasha was expounding upon Ron's accomplishment, Michael waved to C'Tora and Eddie. He knew that C'Tora would be able to hear him, so he said, "C'Tora why don't you come and meet the Captain of the USS Merlin, as well as Lieutenant Bumble. And see if Eddie wishes to come over too."

Ron was going beet red. He wasn't used to anyone saying good things about him. And that woman as well.

Ctora's ear twitched as he heard his name and looked in Michael's direction and nodded. " Well Eddie, it seems we have been invited over to meet with Michael Hawkins, the Captain of the Merlin and A Lt. Bumble. Would you care to go?"

"Definitely," the young blonde answered the doctor. "Let's do it!"

The young blond teen made his way over to the new group with the Caitian he was discussing food with. "Michael," he nodded recognizing him. He didn't however recognize the 2 other woman and other man. Who he sensed was uncomfortable.

Michael smiled seeing Eddie arrive with C'Tora. " Hi C'Tora and Eddie, I'd like you to meet Commander Natasha Blackthorn, she's the XO of the Europa. And with her is my friend Lieutenant Ron Bumble, science officer he's from the Europa as well." Motioning towards each one in turn as he made the introductions. "This is Lieutenant Rose Belikov, Head of Intelligence on the Andromeda."

He turned towards Melody, "And this lovely lady is the Captain of this ship and the hostess of this party, Commander Melody Jones." giving Eddie a bit of a smile.

C'Tora stepped in and gave both Natasha and Ron a hug. " Ron, Natasha. Always good to see old friends! " He turned towards Melody and gave a slight bow. " Captain Jones, Thank you for hosting this party, I am quite enjoying myself. I look forward to getting to know you better." He then gave a curious glance to Rose. " I was unaware that the Andromeda had an Intelligence Officer, But then again I have just recently transferred to the ship and haven't meet everyone as of yet. It's a pleasure to meet you as well."

Melody smiled at the newcomers. "It's very nice to meet you all." She looked at Eddie a moment. "You must be Captain Reynolds son. This is my daughter Sansa" She indicated the younger red head who waved and smiled sweetly.

Eddie was a little taken back. What were the goddesses doing to him? First, he had this weird link with Tia to contend with - the girl he liked but it was insanely complicated. And now more and more beautiful woman just keep popping up in his life.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said locking eyes with Sansa.

Sansa smiled. "It's nice to meet you too. "You're sweet."

Michael looked about and noticed Gwen, he didn't know if she had met C'Tora yet or for that matter, the others in this little growing group.

He excused himself and walked over to Gwen. "Hey Gwen, I don't know if you've met C'Tora Kuroka, our newest doctor on the Andromeda as well as the others, why don't you come with me and meet them." giving a warm smile.

"I haven't met them yet," Gwen responded, "And Medical works pretty closely with Security as we're often in there, so it's always good to get to know them. Lead on."

Arriving back at the small group, with Gwen, Michael commented. "Gwen, this is Dr. C'Tora Kuroka, and this is Commander Melody Jones of this ship and her daughter, Sansa. " waving a hand towards those he introduces. " Also this is Lieutenant Ron Bumble of Science, he is from the Europa. And this is Commander Natasha Blackthorn, XO from the Europa as well. And you already know Lieutenant Belikov. And this fine young man here is Eddie, he's Captain Reynold's son."

Rose nodded as each person was introduced. Now that there was a larger group around her, Rose could start indulging in one of her favourite pastimes, people watching.

"Don't hold that against me. Dad being captain and all," Eddie attempted to joke.

Ron smiled awkwardly. He drifted over to Rose who seemed to be trying to stay on the sidelines looking in. "I'm not good with big groups," he found himself confessing.

The truth was if Michael had not come over when he had bumped into the waiter, he would have made a run for it. But then he wouldn't have got to see Natasha again. He wished he knew something smart and sophisticated to say to her. Michael was just such a natural at communicating. He wished he was better.

Roses smiled, “the trick is to look at such gatherings as an experiment. Try to find patterns of movement or similarities between those who are talking to one another”

"Okay," Ron said not quite following her train of thought. He just wanted to blend into the background.

Sensing Ron’s confusion, Rose tried to simplify things, “well look around, tell me what you see”

"A lot of confident sociable people and two not so much," Ron muttered.

Rose smiled, "Well that's a good start, but i was hoping for something more specific. For instance, look at their body language. You may find that most of these confident people aren't as confident as they seem. The best example in a situation like this is to look for those with drinks in their hands and how they are holding them"

"Okay enlighten me," Ron said confused how the way you held your drink conveyed confidence.

looking around, Rose smiled, "well, it's pretty simple once you know what you're looking for. for example, are they holding their drink with both hands in front of them, this could show a measure of uncertainty or social awkwardness. If they are holding their drink in one hand, it shows they are engaged in the current conversation or they are more sociable on average. From this point, you than look at their body language and weather or not it is open or closed. From my position, if i was looking for an informant or something similar, i tend to look for the more socially isolated and less confident"

Ron looked down at his drink firmly clamped in both hands. "I think there's probably some merit to your observations. He looked around, Hawkins of course had his in one hand, Natasha, even the kid. Hell he was half his age and clearly more comfortable.

Natasha gives a nod towards Gwen, "Lovely to meet you." giving a friendly smile.

"I'm so bad with names and faces. I'm afraid I'm going to make a muddle of everything," Gwen winced, "Large gatherings can be so overwhelming at times." She nervously rubbed the back of her neck, "So many ships. So much crew." She then had a neat idea, "I know! Let's play an ice-breaking game! Going around the circle let's all say what our favourite smell is."

Natasha chuckled, "That sounds like an intriguing game. I'll have to think about that. "

There was one more person missing, and Michael had every intention of bringing him into the circle of introductions. "Before we do that, I've got one more person who needs to be in the circle of introductions. There he is, Ensign Adam Morgan, he's our new chief flight control officer. I'll be back. "

Leaving the group and went to where Adam was, "There are some people I'd like you to meet, come on over and meet them. This is a sort of getting to know people from the USS Andromeda as well as from the other ships." he said with a smile. "Shall we?" leading the way.

Adam shrugged his shoulders with his half drunk drink in his hands and followed along.

Michael paused and whispered to Xu, "Gwen has an icebreaker game she suggested we play, care to come and play as well. Its name your favourite scent."

Muttering under his breath as he joined the circle, Adam spoke, "This otta be fun..."

In truth Xu would have been happy just left to sit in the corner as she was still uncomfortable with groups such as this but she knew at the same time it would be important to the Captain that his new Operations Chief began to integrate with the rest of the crew. She just wished that Oliver had been here.

"Of course! Lead on!"

"I don't have a favourite scent," Eddie said simply. "I have lots of scents I like."

Michael smiled, "Well Eddie how about name one of the scents you love. I know one that I love, the scent of fresh earth, right after a rain shower. I do have others but that is one that I really love."

"I've got one, the scent of freshly cooked food in my mother's kitchen. I know that is a broad scent but... my mother's kitchen always smelled good from her cooking something there. Covering, cookies, bread, even to the stews she made." Natasha smiling at that memory.

The funny thing about memory is how when you least expect it something can trigger and it all comes flooding back to you. The mention of a mother and the smells of a kitchen but for Xu it was something slightly different.

"The scent of the garden, the herbs mixed with the scented flowers. My mother would be cooking and she would tell me to go play in the garden... I would go pick her the herbs she wanted before I would play and my hands would smell of them afterwards!"

"Chocolate," Eddie chimed in. "I like the smell of chocolate."

Michael smiled listening to those who spoke of their favourite smell, he then remembered something that had been given to him by an official on the station. They hadn't been able to do the award ceremony with the Captain there, and was contacted by said individual, in order for Michael to deliver it to him. In fact, they had strongly insisted that he be part of the ceremony after all, he was part of the crew. In their own mind, that meant he would be a good representative for the ship. Michael had tried to wriggle out of it, but, he relented. He even had to cut the ribbon, making the statement. "On behalf of the USS Andromeda thank you for this honor."

"If you will excuse me one more time." Michael stated, and went over to where the Captain was.

Michael returned to listen to see if anyone else had a favourite scent.

"Freshly baked bread," Gwen said, "It smells like a hug. Well, I guess if you don't have bread in your culture it would smell like yeast." She laughed at the thought.

Natasha turned to Ron, "What is your favourite scent?" she asked, wanting to know more about him. She really wanted to put an arm about him, but didn't want to cause Ron any possible undue stress. She was watching him, noticing the sign of being a little bit uncomfortable. If she were to put her arm around him, she was worried he might faint.

Michael looked at both Sansa and Melody, "How about you two ladies, what would be your favourite scent." then to Rose. "And what about you?" smiling at her.

He also looked over at Adam. "Do you have one as well?"

"I erm... I like well a good book. You know a real one that's been read and re-read. That smell. Paper. The pages. That means that the contents have had much respect and love," the nervous science officer offered.

Rose thought for a moment, "Vanilla bean" she said simply

C'Tora stroked his chin for a moment thoughtfully. " That's a hard to decide, Beef or yellow tail tuna immediately jump to mind. But I would say my all time favourite scent was my mother when I was young. It always made me feel safe and warm."

Michael nodded looking at C'Tora, "I concur with you on that one. I actually can recall that memory for me as well. The scent of a mother and the feelings of safety which comes from that. "

Natasha smiled at Ron, " I like the scent of books, there just is that tantalizing hint of promise between the pages. I remember the pleasure of holding a book in my hands in my grandfather's library, and the scent that is there. And curling up in a comfy place to read."

Natasha looked over towards Rose, "That is a good scent as well."

Michael smiled at Gwen, "You definitely hit on a great game here. I like this very much."

C'Tora smiled. " Indeed this is a very enjoyable game. Imagine playing it in the holodeck in a forest setting around a campfire, I think that could add some ambiance to it. Perhaps we could try it there next time? " C'Tora suggested.

Ron was not convinced him in a forest setting, even a simulated one was a good idea. He was clumsy. Something would end up in that campfire. He was however wondering if he should make an offer to loan Natasha a book.

Then he remembered he lost all of them. Perhaps he should spend some time replacing items on the star base. You could replicate a book or course but it just wasn't the same.

Natasha nodded, "I remember when you and I went camping in British Columbia, Canada, C'Tora." giving a bit of a smile towards her friend. "That was fun."

C'Tora smiled back at Natasha. " Indeed it was fun Natasha. My first time in a temperate forest was wonderful, nothing like the tropical jungles of my home. And all the wildlife surprised me, especially the size of that moose!!" Ha said with a chuckle.

Eddie moved closer to Sansa. "How old are you?" he asked. "How do you cope with the whole growing up on a starship? I'm guessing you might have been doing that longer than me."

Sansa lifted an eyebrow. "You'd be surprised." She looked around for a moment then took his hand "Come, let's find somewhere more private."

"Really?" the blond. "Wow yeah okay. Lets. After you," he said.

Sansa led him over to a secluded table and sat down next to him. She took a deep breath. "What I'm about to tell you only a handful of people know so I'd be greatful if you don't tell anyone. I've been alive for little over 2 years. I aged at a rapid rate as a result of what happened to Mom, with her time with the Borg. They abducted her as a baby and she was put in a maturation chamber for 3 months and ended up a 12 year old. I went from baby to 8 year old in about 6 months. 8 year old to 12 year old in about 16 months and 12 to about 18 in under an hour."

"Woah .. I wasn't expecting that. So I'm kind of older than you then," he said.

She nodded “and yet still got those boyish good looks.” She added and tussled his hair In a friendly gesture.

Melody watched Sansa lead Eddie away before turning back to the others. thought for a moment. "I suppose one of my favourite scents is a nice glass of red wine. That and the ocean breeze on a secluded beach. There's something about the sea air."

Michael's eyes lit up at Melody's mention of the sea air. "Now that, I am fond of as well." he said to her. "the scent of the sea air."

Melody nodded "I enjoy visiting Earth. While I wasn't born there, I still think of it as home."

C'tora checked his chronometer. " Well if you lovely folks will excuse me I sadly have to get back to the Andromeda as my shift is about to start in sickbay. This has been a highly enjoyable evening and it's been a pleasure meeting you all." With that said he turned and head for the nearest transporter room.

C'Tora's comment caught Michael's attention it bringing to focus of things he had to do as well. "Likewise, I've got to get going as well. Thank you once again for this party, Commander Jones." giving a pleasant smile. "I do hope to see you again and have a chance to explore your ship. Maybe even meet some of your other crew." once he said that, Michael turned and left the Round Table.

Natasha watched as Michael made his exit, turned to Ron, Rose, Gwen and Adam. "That might be our cue to leave as well." To Melody. "Thank you, its been lovely. Hope to see you again once more."



Jon meanwhile made his way over to his girlfriend and her brother.

"Eddies got a plate piled high," He chuckled as he reached them.

"Vern, how are you?" he asked.

"Yeah, no surprise there," True stated before her brother spoke.

"As well as could be expected I suppose." He gave a small smile. "Enjoying the evening?" He asked both of them when he felt an arm touch him and he turned to smile at Charlotte.

Jon's face was visibly shocked to see his ex wife clearly not expecting that at this event. His eyes then registered she was touching the other man making his brain engage.

"Hello Charlotte. How did you two meet?" he asked finally. This was a very unexpected turn of events.

"Ah, you haven't told him yet. " Vern replied seeing the shock. "We ran into each other in a corridor after her pottery class."

True squeezed Jon's arm, unsure if he was upset about this.

"Sorry for the interruption." Michael stated, "Captain, I had forgotten to give you this." handing him a small package about the size of a paperback book. He then whispered in the Captain's ear. "It's an award from Starbase 308 for your bravery when the So'Na attacked. They've got a plaque there to memorialize the event." Michael stepped back. "My apologies once more." then went back to where the others were.

Jon wasn't given much of a chance to think as Hawkins suddenly popped up and handed him something. "An award. Right okay. Thank you."

"I'll explain later about the award. And you're welcome." Hawkins said before leaving.

He felt Trues hand on him. She didn't need to do that. He wasn't jealous or anything. He was completely head over heels for her. For the goddesses sakes he wanted to marry her one day ..... It was just the weirdness of the situation. He wished Charlotte well and she had every right to move on with her life but why did it have to be his "imzadi's" brother?

"But this is more than just meeting after a pottery class right? .... OH .... the call to the bridge from my quarters. That was you? In all the craziness with the planet killer and following, I never did squash that," he muttered suddenly all the pieces falling into place.

"Im sorry I ... I made Eddie ...." Charlotte went red. She turned to Vern. "I was just so worried about you .... I know I shouldn't of ..."

"And I have to change all my security codes from my son," Jon steamed eyeing the teen in the group of all the other officers.
"Well that's a discussion to have later. Ad this is a party so its probably not the best time .....

Vern what I needed to come talk to you about is Ron Bumble,"

That was surprising. "What about him?" He half blurted out, confused by the change in subject.

Jon could sense his confusion at his change of subject but he didn't really want to get into any uncomfortable or confusing conversation in full view of his crew at a party. Charlotte certainly should have given him a heads up. Hell Eddie could have," he glanced over at his son briefly.

Looking back he lowered his voice and said to Vern. "I would like to offer him a job."

"Oh, well I don't really know him well. Seems like a capable officer, not caused any trouble that I've heard of. You're better off asking Nat. She is . . . was an excellent first officer."

"Thank you," Jon said. "I'll certainly have a chat with her." It was suddenly dawning on Jon if Charlotte and Vern had got together what if . what if she left the Andromeda to go where ever Vern ended up. Where did that leave Eddie? Legally he had custody but he couldn't keep him from his mother. He stiffened slightly at the thought of that development.

"Uh listen, I'm sorry about this," Vern gestured with his hand to Charlotte. "I figured there was going to be a different way that you found out."

"It's alright," True broke in. "I'm sure we're all adults here and some other time we can sit down and talk about it if you like."

Jon chewed his cheek. Whereas True was correct, that was the last thing he really wanted to have to do right now. "Some other time," he echoed.

"I'm sorry I haven't exactly found an appropriate time ... every time I tried to make an appointment with you, you were ... well in conference calls with the brass or conducting weddings or planetside with your girl ..." she looked at True. "With True. And I didn't want to impose."

It dawned on her, she had to accept True now as much as she was asking Jon to accept this development.

"We seem to have time after this get together funnily enough." True responded with a small smile.

Vern knew that True wasn't likely to just let this go until they were all in one room and discussed it. She'd always been that way. "Sometimes I think you haven't changed much. I remember you setting your dolls around in a circle and you'd pretend that two of them had an argument and they all needed to talk it over."

"That's a cute image," Jon said with a warm smile. "Hannah my sister used to do the same for a bit and then the dolls discovered horses so went on adventures."

"Look we will get together. Another dinner. Charlotte too. Talk it out. In a circle if you like," he winked at True.

"Watch it or I'll make you pass around a stick too." True said, eyeing him for a second before smiling at Vern. "Yes, we'll talk, I'm sure."

"Eddie is more comfortable in situations with food," he muttered looking over. His son was drooling in the direction of a redhead. Oh yes Commander Jones daughter. He made a note to speak to him about the Tia situation and the fact that you're actions with other girls elsewhere could always get back to other girls.

True followed his gaze and sighed slightly. "I wish I knew what was going on with them. Tia's seemed so quiet lately. I think she's a little bit depressed honestly, or somehow paying penance for what she's done."

"Who is Tia?" Vern asked.

Jon cleared his throat and tried to think how to describe who was Tia.

Charlotte was less tactful. "Eddies girlfriend," she looked at Jon. "Or future wife. Your mothers going to have a heart attack there Jon."

"She's a lovely bright girl about the same age as my son and they have some sort of alien bond that we don't fully understand." Jon settled on deciding to ignore the comment on his mother. "Crazy ideas on sharing a pet ... lizard thing though."

"Oh right, I guess he mentioned her at dinner that one night." It was coming back to him again. "Maybe that's an easier way of doing it?" He shrugged thinking about who he had dated as a teenager.

Jon nodded. "Dinner it is then, right enjoy .. the rest of your evening." It sounded very odd saying that his ex wife. "I'm going to retrieve our son before he does something stupid there with Commander Jones daughter and blows things with Tia."

He leaned over and kissed True. "See you in a bit sweetheart." Again that felt very strange with his ex wife and her brother standing right next to them.

Jon walked over to his son, "Eddie I think its time to make a move. Good night Sansa. Keep your mother in check ehh," he joked.

She grinned, "Always."

"Hey ..." the blond teen said standing up. "If you want to stay in touch ...."

"That sounds nice," she said. "We can be subspace pals."

Eddie grinned and followed his father.

"Melody, thank you for a lovely party," Jon said.

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