Marine Ball - Part 7
Posted on Sat Feb 28, 2026 @ 12:36am by Commodore T'mpest Michaels & Master Sergeant Miranda Schultz & Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Commander Cara Letsul & Lieutenant Bronwyn P’ril & Lieutenant JG Anson Lee & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon & Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexander Rylan EMT-P & Sergeant Trent Busby & Civilian Geral Lasuma & Civilian Florence Cooke & Civilian Henrietta Barton
Edited on on Sat Feb 28, 2026 @ 12:42am
2,408 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Chicken Run
Location: Cargo Bays
[PREVIOUSLY]
Alex laughed out loud. "Don't let the ears fool you, Lieutenant," he said. "I'm Zami, not Vulcan. Distant cousins. Not followers of Surak. Vulcanoid Rigelians, some call us, since we settled in the Rigel system. Shame is not a thing in our culture. You'll find that leads someone like me to push the limits quite a bit. In other words, I unashamedly say silly, sometimes even ridiculous things, just for the fun of saying them. Like Gratiano from Shakespeare's Merchant of Venice, I sometimes speak an infinite deal of nothing. Of course, I'm also known for inserting a bit of something in my infinite deal of nothing, so it pays to listen closely... sometimes." Alex flashed one of his winning smiles and winked. "You might say I'm a conundrum wrapped in an enigma, which means I'm both difficult to figure out and fun at parties."
[CONTINUED]
“I can attest to the second half,” agreed P’ril. After all, Alex had kept her entertained all evening. That had to count for something, right?
"Thank you," Alex said. He gently and gracefully took P'ril's hand and brought it to his lips, then flashed her a dazzling yet at the same time affectionate smile and winked at her. "I'm enjoying our time together, too." While he left just enough slack in his grip that P'ril would feel free to take her hand back, Alex also didn't release her hand. Instead, he held it affectionately, intertwining his fingers with P'ril's.
There was that uncomfortable feeling again, this time along with a flutter in her stomach that she didn’t remember ever experiencing before. She didn’t know if she liked it or hated it. But, even so, she did not attempt to extricate her hand from his.
"I don't think anyone's ever called me hard to figure out," Anson said, taking a sip of his drink. "What's that like?"
Alex shrugged nonchalantly. "As a personality trait, most people find it endearing, intriguing, annoying, or some combination of the three," he said. "Those that feel like it's all three generally just find me confusing."
P’ril could attest to that, too. Alex had her so confused, she felt almost… human. “I would not say annoying,” she told him, her tone neutral, but the tiniest smile playing at the corner of her mouth. “Perhaps mildly infuriating. And charming.”
Alex laughed and kissed P'ril's hand again. "All is going according to plan, then," he said, a boyish and charming grin on his face. It wasn't time for the cat that ate the canary face. Not yet.
"A plan sounds like too much work," Anson says. He felt a little like he was intruding. But he was also still hiding from T'Lul, and being by himself made him more of a target for her focus. He'd seen Alex around and remember the blue uniform. Which meant that Alex could very well work with T'Lul, making him bad cover. "So, Alex, medical or science?"
"Medical," Alex replied. "I'm an Independent Duty Corpsman. Used to be a Special Operations Independent Duty Corpsman attached to the Marine Raider Regiment, and before that I was a regular Corpsman attached to Marine Corps infantry. And you, Lieutenant? Security, right?"
Anson shrugged. "Well, it's not like I've got the brains for engineering."
Henrietta smiled softly at Means. "Well now, we had a delightful time what with your sergeant here taking Beatrice and I around on the dance floor. " looking towards the sergeant who had stood up when the colonel arrived.
"Sir!" Trent coming to attention.
Means grinned as he waved the Sergeant down. "At ease at ease...if you snap to for every officer you see tonight, you're going to break something. Relax and enjoy the evening
"So, tell me, how did you end up escorting these two?"
"Oh, he's just escorting Henrietta. We're their chaperones," Gertie countered. "Thank you for the invitation, colonel. We've got lots of material for our show."
Henrietta heard Ace's greeting. "Why hello Ace, this is the first time we've met but I do know about the marvelous work you've done on the station." the woman giving a smile.
She then looked at Beatrice and Gertie, giving a happy and warm chuckle. "He wouldn't do anything wrong to me." she looking back to Trent who sat down as what Means had motioned him to do so.
"I am wondering where Florie is at." Henrietta looking about.
"I'm not sure... The last time I saw her, she was with some young Marine." Gertie looked around. "She might have him cornered somewhere. I wonder if we should see if he's okay?"
"No fear, I'm here." Florie called out to the other Ladies of Tea Time. She wore a figure-hugging sapphire blue, sequined dress. Her right arm was around the arm of a young Marine, and there was a glass of Champagne in her other hand.
Ace looked over at Henrietta and beamed a knowing smile over at her. There was a familiar look about her, except he could not place it. After all, he would have remembered bedding the woman, had he done so. "What sort of marvelous work have you heard that I have done?" he wondered. "And, apparently you are Henrietta? That is a rather old-fashioned name. I would be interested in the tale of your name."
"You have seen me on our program then, Tea Time Ladies. As for my name? My parents were prone to name their children the old fashioned names as they loved classical books." Henrietta giving a slight smile. "And I've been wandering the halls of this fine Station. I've seen you hard at work, and-- I heard you sing in that lovely restaurant, Giuliani. You have a beautiful voice. I saw several ladies who seemed to be rather enchanted by your voice." Henrietta's eyes twinkled.
Just at that moment a long stemmed red rose was delivered directly to the table where the tea time ladies sat, along with the three men that were there. Upon it was a message tied to it by a dark red ribbon. "Excuse me sorry to interrupt but, someone wished me to deliver this to this to..." He looked around at the three men hesitating. He was a bit tipsy looking one from the other. A furrow appeared then he made a decision. His eyes focused upon Ace. "you."
The young marine handing the rose to Ace. He turned to make his way back to the table where his date was waiting.
Henrietta was intrigued. "A secret admirer?"
Ace returned a secret smile at Henrietta just as the rose arrived. "Secret admirers are always fun," Ace answered. "It becomes even more fun when they are no longer secret."
Trent gave a look towards Ace, what sort of man was he? He was feeling a bit protective over Henrietta, raising an eyebrow towards him. He kept his silence though not wanting to make a scene.
"Well, that is true." Henrietta giving a chuckle in answer to Ace, then she caught sight of the message her eyes widening. "Oh my. A secret admirer."
The message read, My heart races swiftly, catching sight of you. I dare not approach, as you may turn me away.
Ace scoffed at the message. Someone wants to get lucky tonight. What a great ploy!
Florie downed her drink. Handing the empty glass to 'her' corporal. "Be a good Marine and fetch me a new drink." She said waving him away.
Turning her sights to Ace, looked him up and down. she said. "So, you're the famous Ace Cannon, I've been hearing about? Not bad, if you like tall, dark, and handsome."
"I would not know anything about being famous, but yes, yes I am Ace Cannon." He then scrutinized Florie and asked, "So, you don't like tall, dark, and handsome? You'd prefer short, light, and ugly?" he asked with a smart smirk.
"No, but I like a little substance with the style." Florie said. "And Love, when I look at you, I don't see much substance."
"Florie! I do know you like tall dark and handsome men. And well, you've not heard Ace sing. And that would make him have some substance." Henrietta giving Florie a sharp look.
She turned her attention to Ace. "That rose isn't from me. Though it is a rather lovely message there. If you find out who it is that sent it to you, be gentle."
Ace laughed at Florie, "Well, you definitely won't get to see any of my substance, so don't worry about it, love." He turned to Henrietta and asked, "When did you hear me sing?"
"You were there with a pretty redhead, I saw you walk in with her arm in arm. You looked like a lovely couple." Henrietta got a perplexed expression. "Why isn't she here with you tonight?" Then again, you are considered one of the more eligible bachelors on the station. Besides Colonel Means." stealing a glance towards Means.
"A redhead, you say? Perhaps you mean Ensign Cromwell? Were you at Giuliani’s?" Ace inquired, wondering if Matilda was going to cause him more trouble without even being here.
"Yes, I was there, " Henrietta giving a smile. "And Ensign Cromwell?" Henrietta making a mental note to this information from Ace. She will have to look the woman up. She must have captured his interest enough for Ace to sing to her.
"Yes, she was there that night," Ace confirmed uncertainly.
"That was such a lovely serenade, I wonder if your secret admirer is one who likes to be sung to. I wonder how long the secret admirer will stay mysterious before the identity is revealed." Henrietta picking up her tea to take a sip of it as she regarded, Ace.
Henrietta turned to look at Trent, "Would you be a dear and escort me back to my quarters. I am feeling a wee bit tired and would like to set you free for the rest of the evening."
"Are you certain Missus Barton?" Trent asked as he stood up offering his hand to assist her.
Henrietta looked towards Colonel Means. "Thank you for the invitation, it was a pleasure and honor to be a part of this."
Means had puffed on his cigar having watched the exchange. He had had a hunch that the delivery had gone to the wrong person, given that he had given roses to all the ladies during his guest appearance of their program.
If he was wrong...he was wrong. If he was right, he almost had to laugh. Looking to Henrietta and to her escort. "It was an honor that you all could attend. Hope you have a pleasant evening." Glancing to her escort. "You're in good hands."
Trent beamed at the colonel's words.
Henrietta gave a smile looking up at Trent then giving a smiling nod towards Nick.
When the cake was sliced and the smaller cakes were passed around, Cara finishing her cake, she leaned in whispering to her date, the two of them rose from the table and made their departure, arm in arm, disappearing from view.
Miranda eyed the cake with eager anticipation. She'd been good for three days, doing extra rotations in the gym to indulge tonight. The Marine Corps Ball only came once a year, and she rarely had time to enjoy a meal like this. Afterwards, she'd see about dancing--even though that might just be hopeful thinking. Still, this was a party and Marines knew how to enjoy a good party.
After dessert, T'mpest turned to Lasuma. "Would you prefer to circulate or dance first?" She'd done her official duty, but she still needed to circulate and talk to a few people. And she wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to dance with Lasuma again. But she was looking forward to going somewhere quiet with him after and relaxing.
Nodding to the dance floor. "I took the liberty to have a few bits of music reserved for both before and after the big reveal. As soon as I give them a signal you can do your thing," he said, glancing from her to her dress.
Do her thing. Right. She had never done a thing like this before. It was totally out of character for her. Or it had been. She'd been doing a lot of things she once considered out of character before coming to Deep Space 5. But then, there'd never been a man like Lasuma in her life until now.
T'mpest noticed that the table right next to the dance floor had been cleared and a chair was empty. It would be a perfect place to put her long skirt after she did her thing. "Okay."
They swayed together as another slow song played, holding her hand as the other held her to him. "Do you know how to tango?" A wicked grin grew on his face.
One eyebrow raised as she met his gaze. Although her expression was serious, the twinkle in her eyes was not. "Of course. Dancing a tango is on the list of required skills for a diplomat--and a commander." It wasn't, but she had found the dance amusing. Or it may have been because her mother insisted she learn it and other proper dance styles.
"Good..." It was still a few minutes as the current song came to an end. As it did he had caught H'Miia's eye and nodded, setting things in motion.
As the song ended Lasuma looked her, "Stay here. Then follow my lead."
She nodded, waiting to see what he had in mind.
The pause in the music had caused a bit of confusion and people began to leave the floor. Crossing to the other side Lasuma began to removed his jacket, hanging it over his shoulder as he looked at T'mpest, waiting.
(To be continued...)
Senior Chief Petty Officer Alexander Rylan
Independent Duty Corpsman
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant Bronwyn P'ril
Chief Engineer
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant JG Anson Lee
Assistant Chief Security Officer
Deep Space 5
Henrietta Barton
Tea Time Co-Host
Deep Space 5
Sergeant Trent Busby
Marine
Colonel Nicholas Means
CO 21st MFU
Gertrude Helsing
Tea Time Co-Host
Deep Space 5
Florence
Tea Time Co-Host
Deep Space 5
Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
Assistant Chief Operations Officer
Deep Space 5
Commander Cara Letsul
Executive Officer
Deep Space 5
Master Sergeant Miranda Schultz
Marine
Commodore T'mpest Michaels
Commander
Deep Space 5
Geral Lasuma
Lasuma Enterprises
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