Engagement Party

Posted on Thu Apr 25th, 2013 @ 10:38pm by Commodore Leon `Lee` Pike & Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Lieutenant Anandra Delair & Ensign David Brody & Ensign Anthony La Baron & General Janice Fultian-Bremer & Commodore Alexandra Harrison & Ensign Becca Bremer & Christopher Bremer & Lieutenant K`Wor

2,745 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Mission 82 - The Aggressor
Location: Earth, Hawaii
Timeline: Day after 'Touring the Fair City'

ON:

Lee was helping out his dad with the big huge pig, they had buried it in the sand and now where bringing out the coolers with the beer and wine coolers. His mother was starting to bring out the rest of the food.

Alex walked out to see everyone busily walking around, doing last minute preparations. She moved to the wet bar and got herself a drink. She moved to the window, looking at the view as she waited for the guests to arrive.

Mike, Janice, Christopher, Becca, K’Wor and Ashley were the first guests to arrive. Mike and K’Wor were in shorts and Hawaiian shirts, with their comm-badges attached of course. Christopher was wearing the same, minus the comm-badge. Janice, Becca, and Ashley were in early-twenty first century style bikini tops, short shorts, and Hawaiian grass skirts.

They walked down the beach toward the house and party area. ‘Tiki torches’ where lite and a few tables were set up with appetizers and drinks. To the side was the pig pit in the sand, and the smell of the barbecuing pig was amazing.

“Have you ever been to Hawaii?” K’Wor asked Ashley.

“No, you?” She asked in reply.

K’Wor shook his head, “No. I’ve been to Qo’noS, the Gamma Quadrant, and several other worlds, but never to Hawaii on my home planet.”

Ashley smiled and took hold of K’Wor’s hand. “It’s beautiful here.”

“Yes it is.” K’Wor replied as he looked at Ashley before smiling and looking out at the Pacific Ocean.

A few minutes after Mike and family arrived, K’Temoc walked up. He was also wearing a Hawaiian shirt and shorts with his comm-badge attached to the shirt.

Mike kissed Janice on the cheek before walking over to meet his brother as he walked up but before he was close enough for others to hear their convocation.

“The Gladiator came to Earth yesterday.” Mike said.

K’Temoc looked over at his brother with concern, “Why?”

“Not sure. They beamed one down to Paris near to the President’s house, but two people beamed up before the ship left orbit and entered Slipstream on course back toward the Station.” Mike replied.

K’Temoc shook his head, “Come all this way to Earth, just to pick up a single person. Sounds suspicious to me. A courier?”

“Sounds like it, I just wonder what the ‘package’ is.” Mike replied. “I also received some information from Antony Brunel.”

“Brunel? Haven’t heard from him in a long time. Must be important.” K’Temoc replied.

“Some of it.” Mike replied, “And some new toys.” Mike smiled. “Let’s go enjoy the party.”

Brody had beamed down and noticed the gathering taking place a few yards away. He understood the event to be casual attire and was surveying the attendees to see what they were wearing. He wouldn't admit it, but he had lost a bit of sleep searching the database for appropriate attire. He figured the Hawaiian shirt was a bit of a staple and the board shorts seemed to be a good match. The flip flop sandals, however, felt awkward and gave him pause when he walked. He was relieved when he saw the rest of the present crew had similar attire. At least I got this one right, he thought. He made his way to the others and greeted the group. "Hello everyone. This is an amazing set up."

If there were an excuse for her lateness, Anandra wasn't likely to admit that it was because she'd been battling nerves on account of her intended wardrobe. It hadn't been the first 'luau' style party that she'd attended, so she had a pretty good idea of what to replicate for the occasion. What she'd ended up with was a bikini in a bright shade of orangey-salmon - but it wasn't the color that bothered her, it was the fact that she felt naked when she put it on - most of these people hadn't even seen her out of uniform, let alone like this. She let her hair down, pinning it back over her ear with a replicated hibiscus flower in a shade of bright orange-yellow that accented the pattern of her sarong. Her commbadge, of course, was affixed to her top as she took a deep breath and beamed down to the party. Anandra wasn't particularly the socially awkward sort but she had not attended a 'party' of any kind in a long time, and the first thing on her mind as she approached the crowd of celebrants was finding something strong to ease her into the mood.

Lee stood up from carrying another cooler of beer and putting it behind the bar, he grabbed himself a beer then walked over to greet people.

He spotted Admiral Bremer and walked over grabbing his parents along. "Thank you Admiral for coming, I would like to introduce my parents, retired Colonel Marcus Pike and Stacy Pike."

Mike shook hands with the Colonel and respectfully nodded to Stacy. “Colonel and Mrs. Pike, it’s an honor. This is my wife, retired General Janice Fultian-Bremer, my brother Captain K’Temoc, our children…Ensign K’Wor and his date Ashley, Becca, and Christpher. Thank you for having us.”

Alex had been greeted by people she didn't know so it was nice to see familiar faces. She walked over to where Anandra was, "Hi, glad you could make it. Isn't it beautiful here?"

Anan had indeed been enjoying the view as Alex drew her gaze from it. "Oh I'm happy you invited me." She smiled warmly. "It is absolutely gorgeous - is this where you grew up?" Anan attempted to make conversation, but welcomed the distraction of introductions instead.

In her peripheral view, Alex saw her parents walk in. She waved them over, "Mom, Dad, you made it. This is one of our counselors on the base, Lt. Delair."

Anandra smiled, offering a hand to shake. "Anandra; it's a pleasure to meet you."

Her parents nodded, "Hi, I'm Mack and this is my wife, Victoria. Glad to meet you." Victoria turned to her daughter, "Alex, I would like to freshen up a little
so if you'll excuse me."

Alex pointed to where she could go to do so. Mack excused himself as well. Alex looked back at Anandra, "Sorry about that."

"It's quite alright, I'm happy to meet them. You seem to have a lovely family; they must be quite proud of you."

"They are, they really are. I know I haven't always made the best choices in life but they have always been supportive. If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be where I am now." She glanced around the room to see where her parents were, "Oh god, they're over there with Bremer and Lee, I'd better get over there. I think i saw Ensign Brody by the food table. He looks a little lonely." Alex joked.

Anan let out a little laugh, looking over at the food table. "Thanks and uh..good luck." she joked with a nod toward Alex's parents. After Alex went on her way, Anan made her way toward the food table, stopping to grab a couple of beers from the cooler as she approached a familiar figure - though he looked strikingly different out of uniform, and Anandra had no idea that his arms were so decorated by tattoos (she'd never seen him in short sleeves). When Brody looked up and noticed her, she smiled, offering one of the beers she'd collected. "I was trying to determine whether you looked lonely, or just hungry."

Brody accepted the beer with a small degree of hesitation. He gave a wry smirk. "It would seem I was a little of both." He made a gesture towards the spread of food at the table and another towards Delair herself. "But now I am neither." He looked her over in her casual attire. She had always looked smart in her uniform, but this was something different altogether. "That is a very interesting outfit," he said, trying to make sure his eyes weren't fixated at any point for too long.

She noted the hesitation and wondered if normally he didn't imbibe. "Don't patronize me," she said with a laugh, giving him a playful shove. "It took a lot of courage to leave my quarters looking like this." She turned the subject of the conversation onto him. "However, you're pulling this off," she said with a grin and a gesture at his outfit. "Somehow."

Brody laughed, trying to discern if Delair was genuine or being sarcastic. He opted for the former. "Thank you, Lieutenant. I had to access several databases and probably spent a little more time than I should on an outfit, but I'm glad it seemed to work out." He took sip of his beer and relished its familiar flavor. "I'm sure you turned a lot of heads on your way to the transporter room." He took another swig, pouring the beverage through a large grin.

"You're quite welcome, Ensign." she smiled brightly, his compliment not lost on her. "I didn't happen to notice." she said with a coy sense of humility that implied maybe she did actually notice a second look or two on her way down. "But thank you." she said, taking a lengthy sip from her beer as she looked at him. She couldn't help looking particularly at his tattoos - she had an appreciation for all types of art, but tattooing was one that fascinated her in particular because of the deep personal attachment that was often held along with them - she'd found that there was usually a personal story behind every tattoo, if you bothered to ask. "You know, I might never have pegged you as a guy with tattoos.." she said, gesturing. "Not to imply anything, it's just..a pleasant surprise."

He looked at his arms and the images they contained. He looked up at Delair with a hint of sadness. "I wish I had fewer, but some things should not be forgotten." Making sure he didn't allow for an awkward silence to set in, Brody attempted to keep the mood festive. "Come on, Lieutenant. Lets see how much fun we can have without getting you busted back down to Ensign." He used the bottom of his beer bottle to tap the mouth of hers, causing foam and fizz to overflow. He laughed loudly before producing replacement beverages for the both of them.

Anan gaasped sharply, laughing aloud right along with him as the beer erupted out of her bottle, soaking her hand and running down her arm. She took the bottle gingerly with her dry hand and set it down on the table, shaking the beer from her wet fingers before accepting the replacement with a wry look at Brody. "Well now that I've showered in beer I'm sure we'll at least smell like we're having fun. Cheers." she said, lifting her bottle to him. "To ..not being demoted?"

"You can't get much lower than Ensign," Brody joked before raising his glass to Delair and then emptying its contents.

Mack, after getting himself a drink saw Lee talking to some people and walked over to them. Victoria came out and saw her husband and joined them as well. Mack put his hand on Lee's shoulder, making him aware of his and his wife's present.

Lee half turned and saw Alex's parents, he shook her father's hand "Mack, Victoria I would like you to meet my parents, this is my father retired Star Fleet Colonel Marcus Pike and my mother Stacy Pike."

Mack smiled, "Hi, nice to meet you both." Victoria gave them a nod.

Marcus extended his hand "It's a pleasure to meet you both and so glad you two could make it."

Victoria smiled, "Thank you for inviting us. This is a lovely place you have here."

Stacy smiled: "You guys are quite welcome. Am glad you guys like it. We love it here."

Victoria smiled, "I don't blame you. I could see myself retiring here." Mack chuckled, "Me too."

Lee nodded:"If you'll guys excuse me am going to greet some more guests."

Lee then headed over to the food table and nodded to David and Anandra "Hello you two, welcome to the party and thanks for coming."

It was difficult not to see him coming - Anandra always felt dwarfed in Lee's presence, even seeing him standing right beside the tall Ensign Brody. She smiled widely as he approached. "Hello Captain! It's a pleasure to be here, I'm happy you welcomed us."

"Thank you, Captain. There's nothing like this on Luna, that's for sure." Brody had only seen Captain Pike in a recreational setting and had looked forward to working with him professionally.

Lee smiled "Your welcome and please it's Lee since we are all off duty."

"Of course, I'm sorry - Lee." Anandra corrected herself with a smile. "This is quite a place you have here, you must miss it terribly when you're away, surrounded by bulkheads and consoles."

"Yes Captain...I mean 'Lee'. That'll take some getting used to." Brody found his commanding officer's first name fall from his mouth like a butchered first attempt at speaking Klingon.

Lee gave a small smile:"Yes it is lovely here and do miss coming here to visit. It's ok David, you'll get use to things before you know it."

He nodded:"Now if you'll two excuse me have other guests that must greet. So enjoy yourselves, there is plenty of food and drink."

"We are certainly enjoying ourselves already, thank you..go have some fun yourself, this is your celebration after all."

"Of course, sir. Thank you again."

He nodded:"Your quite welcome" Lee then headed off to greet more people.

Victoria turned to Bremer, "Admiral Bremer. You don't remember me but I knew your mother when she was at Starfleet Medical."

Mike took a quick sip of the fruity tropical drink he’d been given as he looked the woman over, “It’s a pleasure to meet…remeet you.” He replied with a smile.

"I've heard a great deal about you. I understand that Vice Admiral T'Lar is your Executive Officer on the base. I was her's on the Essex when she took command of it."

“She’s an excellent Officer, and as much as she deserves her own independent command again, I have no plans to let her go.” Mike smiled.

Victoria return the smile, "I can see why. I was only with her for four years due to my health but I learned so much from her. In fact, she helped Alexandra get her first assignment on the Essex. Speaking of Alexandra, you must keep her very busy. We have yet to visit her on Starbase 400. I hope now that Paul is there, that you give my daughter more time off. She hasn't exactly had the..."

Alex walked up to Bremer and her mom, "Hi. Sorry to interrupt." Her mom smiled at her daughter, "Hi hon, we were just talking about Admiral T'Lar. I was telling him that we worked together back in the day."

Alex nodded, "Oh, I see. Well I hope you don't mind mom but there are some people I want you to meet. IF you'll excuse us Admiral."

Victoria frowned, "Ok dear. Admiral Bremer, I'm sure we'll see each other again at the wedding. Take care."


Lee had greeted a few guests here and there then finally made his way back to the bar and grabbed a beer. He stood there behind the bar for a couple minutes watching people.

Anthony approached the bar and ordered a beer. Since he was the "new guy" he found the prospect of socializing to be a arduous one. Noticing one of his fellow officers at the bar, he decided to strike up a conversation.

"Whose getting married again?" He asked half jokingly.

Lee looked at the person who had made their way to the bar and raised an eye brow "Captain Harrison and myself are the ones getting married."

Anthony felt his stomach drop after committing such a social faux pas, "Well then, congratulations sir. Can I get you a beer?"

Lee nodded:"Thanks. Sure thing."


Finally many hours later and lots of food and drink consumed the party was over and everyone left the Pike family household to go about their duties.

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