Have Fun....That's an order! - Part 4
Posted on Wed Aug 20, 2025 @ 4:55am by Commander Cara Letsul & Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Major K'doc Valadorn & Sergeant Major Arcenio Velez & Master Sergeant Miranda Schultz & Sergeant Gabriela Sanchez & Corporal Annemieke Rademaker
1,386 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Pangaea
Timeline: MD 13 Afternoon/Evening
This event that Means had put together and intermingling with the marines was filling a hole in her heart, as Cara was missing Brina something fierce. Another drink found its way into her hand. Cara laughed then she rose to the top of the table she was seated at,raising her glass.
"A toast!" In order for Cara to be heard, a mic was given to her. Cara looked a little bit disheveled , streaks of dirt along her cheek and brow, some grass in her hair from her dancing. "A toast to the indomitable spirit of my marine family, you have my respect and may you continue on, strong in spirit, in life. Semper Fidelis and a shout of, OO-RAH!!"
A chorus of "Ooh-rah!"
A shout of "Ooh-rah!" in Kror's baritone joined the chorus, the Ursinoid feeling the camaraderie, having served alongside Marines during the Dominion War.
Terry let out an, "Ooh-rah" and lifted his beer to toast. The large man was smiling and hanging near the bar. He was an introvert so large activities like this drained him, so it was easier for him to hang back and help those who had a tad too much to drink.
Cara was helped down from the tabletop, handing the mic back. She had finished off her drink, It was her fourth drink and it was her personal limit. She had the capacity to drink more, but chose to stick with her personal maximum limit. Besides she was picking upon the inebriation of those around her, which was giving her a bit of a buzz.
Making her way back to where Means and T'mpest were. "Will there be a shuttle going back up to the station? Or is there a place that visitors can get cleaned up and get some sleep before getting a tour of the facilities?" Cara, after all had been made the liaison for the marines. And she did want to look around .
Huxley had organized a game of cornhole while others were dancing. A few of the younger, non-human, Marines were unfamiliar with the game.
"Be a bit more gentle with your arc. Should help you land on the board better." He coached Private Bailphes. Two of the next three tosses landed on the board, with the last one landing just short.
"See, much better." Huxley could see the smile on the young Marine's face. They were just starting to gather up the beanbags for another round when the music cut off and a whistle pierced the air. The game was paused to listen to Colonel Means. At the call of, 'Bar's Open,' Huxley placed the beanbags in their respective tote-bags.
"Let's go grab a drink."
The group raised their glasses with the others in a toast initiated by Commander Letsul.
"She seems to fit right in." Huxley heard a fellow Marine state. He had to agree. While the Commander had big boots to fill, if this evening was any indication, she'd do just fine in the role.
Khylara raised her glass in answer to the toast. "Good toast." she commented to K'doc.
K'doc gave a nod lifting his own glass towards Cara.
T'mpest watched a few Marines before answering Cara. "There is a shuttle you can get back to the station. Or there is room in the research colony if you want to spend the night. Currently it has space. You might also see if Alanna has room at Bag End. She dropped me off here earlier."
"I will ask her, it would be lovely to spend time there and converse with her. If she has the time." Cara pulling out her PADD from her pocket sending a message to Alanna to see if it could be arranged for her to stay at Bag End.
Means looked at her with a grin. "If that falls through I can ensure you have a place to crash in the encampment here." While he spoke he had reached into his pocket taking out his field tube, taking the cigar within between his lips lighting it as he awaited her reply.
A smile, she answered. "That could work, it will all depend on Alanna's answer" she mentally added, ~and just how much I'll pick up from the marines~ She has to work on her mental shields when it comes to her empathic senses and Marines, its been quite sometime since Cara had been a part of marine party.
Pulling a drag and releasing the smoke up and away from the other. "Perfect, just let me know if you need a bunk." Lifting his glass he took a drink looking over the glass.
Gabriela Sanchez had a 48-hour pass and intended to use it to full advantage. She knew the booze would be flowing for hours, so her first priority was dancing. She sashayed to the edge of the dance floor and looked for someone to dance with. Then she asked a sergeant and led him onto the dance floor.
Cara watched as the smoke ring rose to the air, then her eyes drifted back to Means, the message about the bunk he offered, was with him. There was no mistaking his offer, even with it not being spoken outloud. Her eyes had widened slightly her cheeks warmed.
She was tempted, sorely tempted. Just would this open up a Pandoras box for herself?
Her eyes met his, it could be noted that she read his look and message loud and clear.
The silence was broken by the sharp smack and crash as a fight broke out on the other side of the dance area. Handing his drink to Cara with a huff, and a purpose, "Never fails...excuse me."
"Perhaps, I could be of assistance, Colonel." Kror said joining Means.
"Be my guest."
Before Means left to stop the fight, Cara plucked his cigar from his fingers, "I don't think you want your cigar to get crushed during the fight?" Now holding both, the drink in one hand, the cigar in the other. "Have fun!"
There was a lingering glance, "Thank you."
Turning away he switched gears to deal with whoever got stupid.
That lingering glance from Means, Cara knew he was interested. Now though, did she want to step further down the path beyond that spontaneous kiss on his cheek? She could fee! a knot start to develop in her stomach.
He was attractive, she could feel a draw towards him, he was the sort of man she was attracted to. Rough around the edges, having depth to him. She closed her eyes for a few moments drawing in some air through her nose.
T'mpest decided this was a good time to take her leave. Alanna was going to go over more details about her covert operations.
She thanked the colonel for the invitation and then headed off to meet with the other scientist.
Cara opened her eyes, having heard the departure of T'mpest. She wasn't going to leave just yet, didn't want to put down Nick's drink or cigar, and leave them unattended. She will wait until he gets back, so he could reclaim his items.
The partying continued well into the night with food, dance, and drink. Many continued to party, other returned to the station or their quarters on the planet, or faded into the night. Some were going to be feeling it in the morning that's for sure. A few would be six and centered before their LT first thing in the morning and for others it would simply business as usual. But for all it had been a welcome reprieve.
"Well, it appears to be time for us to leave." T'Lisa said.
"You, go ahead, Ma'am, I'd like to stay, I'm sure I can find a bunk with the Marines." Kror said.
"Very well, old friend, sleep well, I will see you in the morning." T'Lisa said, giving a friendly clap on the shoulder, before making her way back to the shuttle."
TAGS - signatures
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Captain T'Lisa Anderson
CO
USS Canterbury
Commander Kror Ga'Rel
XO
USS Canterbury
Major K'doc Valadorn
XO - 21st MEU
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Colonel Nicholas Means III
CO - 21st Marine Expeditionary Unit
Sergeant Major Arcenio Velez
SNCO - 21st Marine Expeditionary Unit
Khylara Valadorn
Civilan
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