#35 The Proposal

Posted on Wed May 24th, 2023 @ 9:10pm by Captain Taavis

Mission: Mission 10. Move to the Lagoon Nebula.
Location: CO's Quarters
Timeline: current

ON:

Sitting in her guest lounge, sipping a glass of kali-fal, Taavis was leaning back casually on the sofa as she read report PADDs. Behind her the holographic flames in the open-faced wood burning stove shed some warmth her way, the wood crackling as it should were it real and all natural. It gave the CO's quarters quite the ambience, and it was relaxing to here the crackle and hissing of burning wood.

"Bridge to Captain."

She sat up. "Taavis here. Go ahead."

"There's a call from Starfleet Command, Sir. Rear Admiral Aaron Stone."

As that was relayed Taavis got to her feet and moved over to her desk, sitting down. "Pipe it to my quarters. I'll take it from here."

"Aye, Sir. Transferring now."

The holographic screen developed over her desk top, in front of her at an appropriate distance. A stern looking Human was looking back at her, and although he had that stoic trait about him, she could also tell he was a friendly sort by the laugh lines around his eyes and the corners of his mouth. "Captain Taavis? A pleasure to finally meet you." His eyes went passed her, to the deco behind her. "Captain's quarters?"

Taavis arched an eyebrow. Is this why he called, to visually peruse her quarters and decorations? "Yes, Admiral, that is correct. Is this call a matter for seclusion?"

Stone gave a chuckle, the stoic facade finally breaking. "No, no. Not at all. Apologies, I was being a snit. But, before I get into why I called, how are things out that way? We haven't heard much from 69 and we get worried when people are that far away."

Taavis began to relax her inner being, bringing forth her Vulcan discipline at the same time in case she needed it. "The facility was just moved, Admiral, so I am sure they are busy getting things settled in place. The NAZGUL has been doing the same. We have a few tense items of interest but nothing too overt."

"Good to hear," Stone responded. "The reason I ask is that we have a small cadre of cadets, in their final year, who need a cadet cruise for a final grade. These are the top of the list, with grades worthy of LT(jg) straight out of the Academy. Would Nazgul be able to handle that, Captain?"

As she sat and listened the casual, easy-going Taavis began to show herself. She gave a slight grin. "I'm sure we can handle a few cadets, Admiral. I would pit my crew against any in Starfleet. And, with certain members of my crew the cadets may learn more than they bargained for." That thought made her give a crooked grin.

"Oh, really? I might have to show up for an after-cruise inspection then." The Admiral gave a smile in return. "There will be twenty total, all humanoids. Andorian, Vulcan, Human; all that."

Taavis could see he was hiding something, his grin a bit more lascivious than it had been previously. As if an idea was worming around inside his brain.

"Out with it, Admiral. There's something you're not wanting to tell me."

Stone chuckled. "It's not that I don't want to, it's just that you may say no after my revelation."

"Don't tell me, one of the cadets is a Gorn?" Taavis had a hard time trying to visualize an eight foot lizard man trying to wear a tunic

That caused Stone to laugh a bit. "Heaven's no! Nothing that drastic or extreme. It's just that one of the cadets is a female Deltan, and she has no mate. She took an oath of celibacy to enter Starfleet, and she is in the group."

Taavis found it to be her time to smile, her own expression a bit more lascivious. "Well, should prove interesting. A great social experiment for the Medical staff."

Stone scrunched his face. "How so?"

"One of my staff officers is an Orion female, Admiral." Taavis let that sink in a moment. "She has learned to control her pheromones, but if she subconsciously detects competition, her body may exude them without her consent. That's all I need is all the males aboard wandering around with erections and ready to fight all the other blokes."

Again, Stone could not catch himself as he began to laugh. "Deltan effects, Orion effects, all on one ship. Make sure the medical notes for this social experiment get forwarded to the Federation Science Council and Starfleet Medical. I don't think anyone has ever done this before. Wouldn't it be great for Nazgul to make history with such an experiment?"

"If we survive it," stated Taavis, her tone a bit cynical. "We would have horny and ornery all gunning for each other over two women. My Security Chief will have his hands full." This was one of those times when Taavis was glad that her Vulcanoid genetics made her immune to the effects of both Deltans and Orions. All other females aboard may begin to show signs of headaches, exhaustion, and irritability. They would not be in the mood for sexual activities, which was what the Orion pheromones sought to do. "However, I never turn down a challenge, so Nazgul will accept these cadets for a cruise. Just let us know when and where, Sir."

"We'll have a Starfleet transport bring them out that way, Captain. Not all the way to 69, but within a few light years. Meet them, make the transfer, onward you go." Explained Stone.

Taavis gave a nod. "Send the coordinates when this is close to happening and we'll head out that way, Admiral. Is there anything else?"

"Not that I can think of," said Stone. "Again, glad to meet you, Taavis. I wasn't kidding about the inspection, by the way. We'll contact Nazgul when ready." He reached out and closed the channel.

Taavis leaned back in her chair, her left hand gently rubbing along her jawline as she ran some thoughts through her mind. Deciding that Billi would need to be the first officer addressed on this matter, Taavis got to her feet and exited her quarters.

OFF: