S3:E8 BEGINNINGS AND ENDINGS

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

2 Weeks after the end of Predator and Prey - Mid January

Innominatum Base

Captain's Log

We had arrived back at Innominatum, and after a full debrief both by myself of the crew, particularly the away team and the medical staff, and by HQ of myself via subspace interview, we have been granted the 2 weeks to the end of this month for R&R after restocking the Challenger and any minor repairs.

For Cmdr. Waring and myself this means the opportunity for our wedding and a very quick honeymoon.  We do intend, after we've sorted out the Leyton problem, to take a longer vacation at Waring Manor... to which the crew will be invited, since they will deserve a longer rest especially if the next month pans out anything like I imagine it will.   The Falcon and the Gol coming after us going into the Crimson Nebula was just the start of it.  We got lucky.

However the intel we got and sent to HQ was much appreciated and worth it, and most of the cadets had been able to be sent home.  The 2 fatalities, well on the insistence of the Admirals in question I didn't have to worry about writing the letters to their parents, both had wanted to do that to honour the dead as it was more personal to them.

Mr. Waring is recovering well and is fine to get married, I don't doubt that Drs. Briggs and York will release him from care pending check ups, Ensign Connor might have a little more time in the Sickbay given the more serious injury.  I think potentially he might stay here under the care of Dr. Al-Hambra since we are intending all out assault on the last presumed stronghold of Leyton as per findings of the 'Think Tank' some months previous....

[Captain's Ready Room - USS Challenger]

Ruth smiled and looked around, she wasn't going to see this for a couple of weeks and she already felt it's loss.  Kyle as 2nd officer was going to be in charge while she and Will were away, although the Challenger wasn't moving far, just patrols around the immediate vicinity around the base, back home randomly for Alpha Shift, Beta and Gamma shifts, a skeleton crew, rotating so that everyone got some R&R as necessary.

She stood on her chair and lifted down the axes.  'Will is gonna freak, but I will get the pics I want... it will go on the Fleet News Service too for our friends!'.

[Shuttlebay]

A few minutes later she arrived down in the Shuttlebay and grinned at Dradis.  "Just popping these in ... I think other than goodies coming down from the Mess, and the bride and groom themselves, that's us packed.  Incidentally... if Kyle or Lahr come down and want to do the old Earth thing of 'Just Married' decorations... get them to do it inside but not obscuring doors or anything, wouldn't last 5 seconds outside of the shuttlebay doors!" she laughed.  "I assume you're coming to the wedding?  Free bar!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[NPCs Guuthash - Nausicaan, Marvial and Rosa - Angosians, Olga-Frid Thorsdottir - Human working for the Angosians]

[Customs - Innominatum]

"I assure you, Captain Sigurdsdottir is expecting us, and surely she's taught you not to cross Viking women?!" Olga-Frid reasoned with the customs officer.  "We have no weapons save these knives which are a wedding gift... she already has the axes, so bringing her more axes would freak out her intended more and be rather redundant."

The Security cadet still looked unsure.  They had let through about 200 guests in the last 4 days, he was sick of it, and given the size of the Nausicaan, he wasn't about to argue with him, the two girls looked ok, nice normal human girls, and the other gentleman (he used the term lightly in the case of the 7 foot odd Nausicaan!) was normal enough looking if somewhat surly and of a more latin or indian possibly human appearance.

"Well, don't cause any bother and you'll be fine, and don't say I didn't warn you if my boss has you pulled in for further questioning.  CPO Maghouin is a stickler for security especially after the assassinations here fairly recently.  That's the last thing we'd want for the Captain's wedding.  OK, off you go, if you don't have accommodation booked already then head to deck 150 and see the concierge there ... they'll sort you out."

Olga-Frid smiled... her Angosian (who without a DNA scan looked human obviously) companions doing the same, the Nausicaan had the sense not to smile.  That would probably have scared the cadet even more than he already was, they were there supposedly as wedding guests, not meant to be causing trouble and keeping a low a profile as one could when you looked like the Nausicaan... even on bases and outposts were you got many races, about the only place he hadn't turned many heads had been DS9 and Columbus.

"Thank you, I hope you get time to at least grab a bit of wedding cake, good luck with the rest of the queue!" she said brightly looking directly at 2 red haired Academy cadets further up the line and smiling and nodding at them. "See you at the wedding!" she said smiling.

[Further along the line]

[NPC Arya and Katya Sigurdsdottir]

Arya turned to Katya "Who's that?!" she asked.

"Beats me,.." Katya said "Probably someone we should know, but I don't recall.  She did look Scandinavian, so probably one of RooRoo's friends."

[Olivia Briggs]

[Briggs' Quarters - Deck 7]

Now that everything in Sickbay was more or less back to normal, with the exception of them still having Conner under their care and all of the records and reports updated, Liv could now focus on her Maid of Honour duties. She was truly honoured to have been asked to take that role and had thoroughly enjoyed, every part of the process. From the batchelorette party, helping with the dresses, guest list and other important aspects, Liv had also decided to surprise the couple by making the wedding cake.

However now that it had all been taken care of, Liv was currently in the quarters that she shared with her husband and son, trying to get Elijah to eat, without him deciding he didn't like it and for the food to end up on the floor. However since he decided that he liked the cheese pasta and so it allowed his Mother to chop up his favourite apple and banana.

[Lek]

[Shuttlecraft Onizuka NCC-40117]

The Type-9 shuttle cruised along at her maximum speed of warp five en route to the Ba'ku system. The sole occupant had engaged the autopilot shortly after departing the USS Challenger two days ago. Given the distance his destination, the trip was going to make a serious dent in his accumulated leave, but there was simply no way he could have said no to the request to attend Rayek's wedding. In a way, his trip to attend a wedding was amusing as by heading for this wedding, he was avoiding the wedding of his captain on his own ship.

"Not the most career enhancing move ever."

Lek muttered, but was comfortable with his choice. He liked to think he knew the Romulan has well as anyone could know Rayek. Whereas he really didn't know Captain Sigurdsdottir that well and didn't know her intended Commander Waring at all.

He wasn't concerned about the Challenger as his assistant Lieutenant jg Giancarlo Gianetti was a fine engineer and the ship was in good hands.

"I just have to arrive sane after a week of solo travel. It's a good thing I uploaded my personal entertainment database before I left or the sane part might be seriously in doubt."

Putting deed to word, Lek called on the computer to start the audiobook of the Maltese Falcon and settled in for the long trip.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 5 - Luigi's Pizzeria (and Arcade)]

Despite the Andorian no longer being a member of Security, Lahr still organized and ran the once a month Mario Party gaming day for his former teammates.  At his table there was Helga, Burke and Skarggarg.  Two other tables housed similar friendly competitions being played out on the 2 dimensional video screens set on the wall in front of their respective tables.

To be inclusive he'd invited Lieutenant Briggs to join them.

The game was currently paused while Helga glared angrily across the table towards Lahr who was innocently holding up his hands in a show of 'surrender'.  "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you.  All I asked was why didn't Lek invite you to be his 'plus one' to tr'Lhoell's wedding.  I'm not the one that left you behind... don't get pissy at me. Maybe he had a good reason? Like the Romulan only invited him?"

But Lahr's normal ability to talk his way out of things seemed to backfire with his reasoned defense.

The Klingon hybrid stood up, towering over the still seated Andorian a moment.  "Do you practice at being an such an ass?" Helga questioned before storming out of the restaurant, lest she give in the murderous rage that flared at the Andorian's all to valid question.  Why hadn't Lek brought her?  Was he embarrassed about being seen with her? 

[Lek]

[Shuttlecraft Onizuka NCC-40117]

"Lieutenant Lek, you have reached the halfway point to the Ba'ku."

The computer intoned emotionlessly, which generated an emotionless grunt from the shuttle's sole occupant.

"Only three more days to Ba'ku. I'm going to have to ask Rayek if he could have found a more remote location. I'm not certain the Briar Patch is far enough in the middle of nowhere. Even the Badlands isn't as far in the middle of nowhere."

Lek grumbled, but truth be told, he was honored to even be asked to Rayek's wedding let alone being best asked to be best man. He had had to look up the term as he was unfamiliar with Hyoomon wedding traditions, but he was still confused why Rayek and Tess were following those traditions given neither of them were Hyoomons. Shrugging, he sat back and accessed his entertainment database.

"Computer, play 'The Shadow of the Thin Man'.

"Acknowledged."

As the theme music began, Lek smiled as his fascination with ancient Hyoomon mystery movies was because of Rayek and this movie was the third of six movies in this series and the he couldn't wait to see the continuing exploits of the movie's lead characters, Nick and Nora Charles.

[NPC - Lieutenant jg Giancarlo Gianetti - USS Challenger]

Standing at the 'pool table' Giancarlo wore an unconscious smirk as he was enjoying the feel of being in charge of engineering for the first time. Lieutenant Lek had left him the keys to the castle as it were and he was loving every minute of it.

One thing he wanted to do to show his appreciation was to complete the upgrade of the plasma conduits while Lek was away and he had the entire engineering staff working on the project. They were 85% complete and he was certain they could be fully complete with one last push. Especially as the Challenger was only alternating her time between the Innominatum base and short patrols.

"Final push everyone. Let's get this done for the Chief!"

He addressed his fellow engineers with enthusiasm and was rewarded with a chorus of "Ayes" which implied the rest of the engineering staff was also happy to be near the end of the thankless task.

[Kyle Briggs]

USS Challenger - Turbolift

With Taray on medical leave over on the base and Will still recovering, Kyle had picked up a few extra duties in order to help Ruth have time for last minute wedding details. He had made his way to the Bridge, read over reports, check in on repairs and visited Connor in Sickbay. Kyle was happy to see the young woman smiling and talking about getting back to work. Now he was headed back to his quarters to have dinner with his wife and son. Mister Lahr had invited him to some sort of gaming party but Kyle hadn't been able to spend much time with Liv and Elijah lately so he made it a point to see them each evening. Maybe once things were settled down and back to normal, or at least as normal as it could be for a Federation star ship, he'd get a chance to join the the Ops officer. The doors split and Kyle headed down the corridor.

[Briggs Quarters - Deck 7]

The doors parted ways and Kyle walked into their quarters.

"DADDY!!!" Elijah yelled as he jumped down from his seat and ran to Kyle. He bent down and picked up his son and kissed him on the forehead. "Hi there, little man." Kyle said in way of a reply. "Are you being a good boy for mommy today?"

He walked over to where his wonderful wife was busy cutting up fruit for their son and leaned in with a small kiss for her as well. "Hey beautiful." he said when he pulled back.

Walking over to the table, he placed Elijah back in his seat and picked up a bite of his pasta and feed it to him. "Is that yummy?" he asked. "Yummy." said Elijah. "Okay. Finish eating for mommy like a big boy."

He returned to Liv and stood behind her and with her wrapped in his arms. "How was your day?" he asked with a nipple on the neck.

[Olivia Briggs]

[Briggs Quarters - Deck 7]

The doors parted ways and Kyle walked into their quarters.

"DADDY!!!" Elijah yelled as he jumped down from his seat and ran to Kyle. He bent down and picked up his son and kissed him on the forehead. "Hi there, little man." Kyle said in way of a reply. "Are you being a good boy for mommy today?"

He walked over to where his wonderful wife was busy cutting up fruit for their son and leaned in with a small kiss for her as well. "Hey beautiful." he said when he pulled back.

Walking over to the table, he placed Elijah back in his seat and picked up a bite of his pasta and feed it to him. "Is that yummy?" he asked. "Yummy." said Elijah. "Okay. Finish eating for mommy like a big boy."

He returned to Liv and stood behind her and with her wrapped in his arms. "How was your day?" he asked with a nipple on the neck.

[Briggs' Quarters - Deck 7]

The moment the doors to their quarters opened to reveal her husband and Elijah's subsequent reaction to his Daddy returning home, never failed to make Liv smile. They may be busy officers in Starfleet, but whenever they got to spend time like this, they could be and act like a normal family and she lived for these moments.

Receiving the small kiss, as Kyle walked over to her, with an excited Elijah in his arms, Liv quickly returned it, before he pulled back and spoke to her. " Hey Handsome" she replied happily, before her husband, took their son back to the table. Watching the pair as Kyle fed him some pasta, which was such a heartwarming scene and made her thankful for having such a loving family.

Turning back to the fruit, Liv finished chopping it up as Kyle walked back over, letting out a sigh of contentment as he then stood behind and wrapped her in his arms. The nip to her neck, had a very positive effect on Liv, before she answered her husband.

" Less hectic than normal, I finished the wedding cake and I can't wait to see their reaction to it, but now I'm looking forward to dinner with my husband".

[Richard James Litt]

2 Weeks after the end of Predator and Prey - Mid January
[Shuttlebay]

A few minutes later she arrived down in the Shuttlebay and grinned at Dradis.  "Just popping these in ... I think other than goodies coming down from the Mess, and the bride and groom themselves, that's us packed.  Incidentally... if Kyle or Lahr come down and want to do the old Earth thing of 'Just Married' decorations... get them to do it inside but not obscuring doors or anything, wouldn't last 5 seconds outside of the shuttlebay doors!" she laughed.  "I assume you're coming to the wedding?  Free bar!"

[USS Challenger · Shuttlebay]

Dradis was working in some stuffs pretty focused when the captain walked in. He stopped what he was doing and paid attention to her and laugh when he said that about the Earth thing.

"You can relax ma'am, I'll say it to them if they try to do this." He sad with a nod and right after a smile popped in his face.

"I wouldn't miss a free bar for nothing." He looked to her.

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - Deck 5 - Luigi's Pizzeria (and Arcade)]

With Helga's furious exit, Lahr's good mood for gaming fizzled.  He decided to head out early.  He considered seeking out Helga and apologizing for being insensitive... but thought better of the timing of his apology - best wait for her temper to cool down some.  Instead he decided to head to his quarters and work on the Captain's wedding's playlist... and maybe later... when the shuttle bay crew were on break, he could sneak in to do a bit of shuttle decorating. 

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[USS Challenger · Shuttlebay]

Dradis was working in some stuffs pretty focused when the captain walked in. He stopped what he was doing and paid attention to her and laugh when he said that about the Earth thing.

"You can relax ma'am, I'll say it to them if they try to do this." He sad with a nod and right after a smile popped in his face.

"I wouldn't miss a free bar for nothing." He looked to her.

[Shuttlebay - USS Challenger]

"Thought that would make your ears point like Mr. Sukal's did.  I miss him but I love having my hubby to be here, and the Briggs.  They've been friends a long time!  So... I have like a million and one things to do so I'll leave you to it and see you at the wedding!"  Ruth said smiling.  "If you're really lucky I'll save a dance for you!  It's gonna be the one and only time in a long time for you to see me in a dress!"

Tripping out happily and heading to the Turbolift she paged the Briggs.

Sigurdsdottir to Briggs, both of you!  I know I've been working you ragged since we got back but with Will still in Sickbay and normal duties still needing doing as well as wedding stuff... it's all hands!  Lek got off easily.  I couldn't not approve his leave to go to Commander trL'hoell's wedding, he's earned it!  Liv, make sure we save him a bit of cake and a few of the more delectable goodies that will keep from the wedding.  I don't like to think of him missing out.  Anyhow... I wondered if the pair of you would be free later for about half an hour, the twins have something planned that's a surprise for me, but needs working into the wedding party thing... they won't tell me, but they're happy to tell you.  I said you had final say, and I couldn't promise that you'd have time to meet with them.  Also we're expecting Judy and Max Eastman-Williams and Lt. Sven Aune at some point, hopefully for the wedding, and a gamut of various guests including Hecate and Praetor Aedile, for all she's a Reman, she's our ally so... Magda Maghouin knows her so liaise with her Kyle.  I'd like to see you both tomorrow morning in my Ready Room, not least for a brief on things happening while me and Will are on honeymoon!  I'm off to find the twins as I've had word that they've arrived on base. Captain out. 

[10 Mins later - Near Customs, Innominatum Base]

[with NPC Arya and Katya Sigurdsdottir]

"THERE YOU ARE!" Ruth yelled across to her siblings.  Had it not been for the cadet uniforms and the bright red hair matching her own she might have missed them.  They'd started being less kids and more young women.

"ROOROO!!" they screamed and ran to her. "How much are we allowed to tease Will?", "Are the bridesmaids dresses hideous?!" "Who's giving you away?", , "Where's Will?"

The twins asked a million questions in 30 seconds and when Ruth could get a word in edgeways she grinned.

"Well.. let's see if I managed to retain all that which was thrown at me!  How much are you allowed to tease will... so long as you don't turn him into a case for Dr. Ryder you're ok, Bridesmaids dresses you'll have to see for yourselves, I believe Liv and you have final fittings for them tomorrow at some point.  Sven is giving me away and Will is currently in the Sickbay - he got shot in the shoulder, non-stun, when we rescued the cadets from the Crimson Nebula.  And I tell you the only nebulas I want to see ever again are the cocktails that are Liv specials!" the Captain grinned.

"When's Sven arriving?" Arya asked "Is he bringing the pup?"

"PUP!! Where's Skye?!" screamed Katya

"I think the day before the wedding in the case of Sven and I imagine he'll bring Erasmus with him... that was the pup's name wasn't it?  And Skye's in my quarters of course!!  I've got a room on the Challenger ready for you, it's next door to the Briggs, so when you're getting ready you can have Liv around to help, then come down to my room and help me!"

The girls giggled.  "Oh what did Liv say about what we asked?"  Arya asked.

"I paged her earlier, I imagine now she's feeding Elijah and having some well earned time with Kyle so not disturbing them too much I've asked if you can have 1/2 hour of their time later." their sister responded.

"Oh fair do's.  Is Dradis coming to the wedding, oh and Lt. Lek, I liked him for all he's a bit crusty!" Katya said.

"Lt. Dradis yes definitely, Lt. Lek is on his way to another wedding, a former crewmate, so no you won't see him this time." the senior redhead winked.  "I'll tell him you were asking after him however.  I need to check in with him and see that he's ok."

[Back on the Challenger - VIP/Officer's Quarters - Deck 2]

"Right I'm leaving you here for a sec, I need to check in with Lahr about the DJing, and Magda about Security arrangements and....well you get the idea.  Get unpacked and I'll see you for dinner at 8pm ok, feel free to wander in public areas, use the holodeck etc., I'll call Lahr and get him to fit you up with temp commbadges for the Challenger or have him loop your cadet ones into our grid whatever works best.  Either way, make your way to the Officer's Mess later, you're down as my guests so you'll get in."

"Ooooh dining posh, not slumming it on hot dogs and ice cream!" Katya joked.

"Well there might be a few people there, I don't know yet.  I'm inviting Lahr." Ruth said smiling.

"Oh cool, he's fun!" Arya said with a laugh.

[Captain's Quarters - Deck 2]

Ruth sat down, slightly wearily and looked around.  Her quarters felt empty without Will.  Skye came and snuffled her hand.

"Hello baby, I know, I haven't been around to play with you but the twins are here now, they'll play with you later." she said, the dog sat, head on one side and put a paw on Ruth's knee.

"Oh ok here..."  Ruth got a dog biscuit out of a tub and tossed it to Skye.

Sigurdsdottir to ch'Verret  Do you have a moment Lahr, I'd like to go over the playlist for the wedding if that's ok with you.  If you're not busy come to my quarters now, and/or I'd like to invite you to dinner in the Officer's Mess at 8pm, as my guest you're allowed! Casual dress this is just for friends and family.  The twins are here! Sigurdsdottir out.

Since she hadn't had much of a chance to get to know them yet she invited a couple of other people  Sigurdsdottir to Lt. Litt, Ensign Ryder, Petty Officer Reyes and Crewman Gohun, I'd like to invite you to dinner 8pm in the Officer's Mess.  Casual dress, please RSVP attendance.  This is not compulsory, but I like to get to know my crew!  Please forward any dietary requirements and/or allergies to the Mess ahead of time.  Sigurdsdottir out.

She waited for Lahr to respond, if he chose to come see her now that was fine, afterwards she'd go and see Will, and let him know that the twins were asking after him.

Finally before making herself a Ratkajino and settling down to read for a little while, she contacted Lek on the Onizuka

Sigurdsdottir to Lek  Hope that your journey is progressing uneventfully - you know what I mean.  Quiet is good.  Just passing on a message that my twin sisters were disappointed to find that you won't be around for the wedding, I explained why and they understand.  They wish me to pass on their best wishes, hugs and so on... Katya stopped just short of saying Oomox when I fixed her with a 'look'... but she did have her devillment look on her face so I think she was just winding me up!  Suffice to say the fact that the order of asking after was Will, Lahr, You, Dradis... I think you're in the 'cool gang'!  Enjoy the wedding and please give my best regards and congratulations to Commander trL'hoell and Dr. Moreno!  Sigurdsdottir out 

[Lek]

[Captain's Quarters - Deck 2]

Finally before making herself a Ratkajino and settling down to read for a little while, she contacted Lek on the Onizuka

Sigurdsdottir to Lek  Hope that your journey is progressing uneventfully - you know what I mean.  Quiet is good.  Just passing on a message that my twin sisters were disappointed to find that you won't be around for the wedding, I explained why and they understand.  They wish me to pass on their best wishes, hugs and so on... Katya stopped just short of saying Oomox when I fixed her with a 'look'... but she did have her devillment look on her face so I think she was just winding me up!  Suffice to say the fact that the order of asking after was Will, Lahr, You, Dradis... I think you're in the 'cool gang'!  Enjoy the wedding and please give my best regards and congratulations to Commander trL'hoell and Dr. Moreno!  Sigurdsdottir out 

[Shuttlecraft Onizuka NCC-40117]

Lek was startled by the comm signal as he was not expecting to hear from anyone. He told the computer to pause the movie 'The Shadow of the Thin Man' to listen to the message from Captain Sigurdsdottir. He composed a short reply as the captain was prone to being talkative, and he figured if he didn't indulge her, he could get back to his movie with minimal delay.

"Lek to Captain. Please let the twins know that I am sorry I missed their visit. So far, things are nice and quiet, which I appreciate for a change. I'm to rendezvous with the USS Healy within the next 36 hours for the rest of the trip to Ba'ku. I will relay your regards to the wedding party on my arrival. Best wishes with your own nuptials I hope that you and your intended will be happy. Lek out."

Lek hoped his message was sufficient and after stopping at the replicator to refill his bowl of tube grubs, he settled back in to finish his film.

[Richard James Litt]

[Shuttlebay - USS Challenger]

"Thought that would make your ears point like Mr. Sukal's did.  I miss him but I love having my hubby to be here, and the Briggs.  They've been friends a long time!  So... I have like a million and one things to do so I'll leave you to it and see you at the wedding!"  Ruth said smiling.  "If you're really lucky I'll save a dance for you!  It's gonna be the one and only time in a long time for you to see me in a dress!"

[USS Challenger · Shuttlebay]
[As Litt and Dradis]

"And that will be a really nice thing to see." He laughed and right after the Captain left the shuttlebay he returned to his stuff.

A little time later Dradis hit his combadge and called Litt.

"Lieutenant Litt, I'm wondering if you are doing something that needs your full attention. If you don't, please come to shuttlebay and give this old man a hand, please. Dradis out."

[USS Challenger · Litt's Quarter]

Litt was finally finishing his move to his new quarter, that was given to him in addition to his promotion to Lieutenant, after finishing everything he took Chief Dradis' call and answered back.

"I'm on my way, sir. I'll be there in a few."

He left his stuff in place and dressed up. A little minutes later he was in the shuttlebay with Mr. Dradis, doing whatever Dradis asked to him.

[Olivia Briggs]

[Shuttlebay - USS Challenger]

Tripping out happily and heading to the Turbolift she paged the Briggs.

Sigurdsdottir to Briggs, both of you!  I know I've been working you ragged since we got back but with Will still in Sickbay and normal duties still needing doing as well as wedding stuff... it's all hands!  Lek got off easily.  I couldn't not approve his leave to go to Commander trL'hoell's wedding, he's earned it!  Liv, make sure we save him a bit of cake and a few of the more delectable goodies that will keep from the wedding.  I don't like to think of him missing out.  Anyhow... I wondered if the pair of you would be free later for about half an hour, the twins have something planned that's a surprise for me, but needs working into the wedding party thing... they won't tell me, but they're happy to tell you.  I said you had final say, and I couldn't promise that you'd have time to meet with them.  Also we're expecting Judy and Max Eastman-Williams and Lt. Sven Aune at some point, hopefully for the wedding, and a gamut of various guests including Hecate and Praetor Aedile, for all she's a Reman, she's our ally so... Magda Maghouin knows her so liaise with her Kyle.  I'd like to see you both tomorrow morning in my Ready Room, not least for a brief on things happening while me and Will are on honeymoon!  I'm off to find the twins as I've had word that they've arrived on base. Captain out. 

[The Briggs' Quarters - Deck 7]

After sharing about her day, Liv was just content to stay in Kyle's embrace for a few minutes longer, before they decided on dinner. Elijah had soon finished with his and had proudly showed his parents his empty plate, which they praised him for, as Liv then handed him, his bowl of fruit.

She loved seeing him content and happy, which was just one of the reasons why she enjoyed being a Mother. However as she was about to speak to Kyle, the beep of their respective commbadge's, alerted them to the message from Ruth.

Liv listened and smiled, making a mental note to save Lek some cake, as their friend continued, both with the request to meet with the twins, as well as wanting to see them both at her ready room, the following morning.

Having no issue with meeting with Ruth's sisters, especially as they had a final dress fitting the next day and wanted this wedding to be as special as possible. Although realised how simple and stress free, her own wedding had been in the process.

" I'll suggest that they come here, so we don't have to worry about getting a sitter, then we can just take him to daycare before we meet with Ruth tomorrow".

Liv then tapped her badge and opened a channel.

Liv to Ruth, acknowledged, have the twins call by our quarters after dinner, we'll be free then

[ShranLahr ch'Verret]

PO1 ShranLahr ch'Verret
[USS Challenger - corridor outside the Shuttlebay

[Back on the Challenger - VIP/Officer's Quarters - Deck 2]

"Right I'm leaving you here for a sec, I need to check in with Lahr about the DJing, and Magda about Security arrangements and....well you get the idea.  Get unpacked and I'll see you for dinner at 8pm ok, feel free to wander in public areas, use the holodeck etc., I'll call Lahr and get him to fit you up with temp commbadges for the Challenger or have him loop your cadet ones into our grid whatever works best.  Either way, make your way to the Officer's Mess later, you're down as my guests so you'll get in."

"Ooooh dining posh, not slumming it on hot dogs and ice cream!" Katya joked.

"Well there might be a few people there, I don't know yet.  I'm inviting Lahr." Ruth said smiling.

"Oh cool, he's fun!" Arya said with a laugh.

[Captain's Quarters - Deck 2]

Ruth sat down, slightly wearily and looked around.  Her quarters felt empty without Will.  Skye came and snuffled her hand.

"Hello baby, I know, I haven't been around to play with you but the twins are here now, they'll play with you later." she said, the dog sat, head on one side and put a paw on Ruth's knee.

"Oh ok here..."  Ruth got a dog biscuit out of a tub and tossed it to Skye.

Sigurdsdottir to ch'Verret  Do you have a moment Lahr, I'd like to go over the playlist for the wedding if that's ok with you.  If you're not busy come to my quarters now, and/or I'd like to invite you to dinner in the Officer's Mess at 8pm, as my guest you're allowed! Casual dress this is just for friends and family.  The twins are here! Sigurdsdottir out.

Lahr was biding his time. The shuttlebay crew would get lax at some point, and when they did that would be Lahr's opportunity to slip.  However before that happened, Lahr was startled out of his 'stakeout' why his comm badge sounded.

It was loud enough to draw the attention of more than just one person in the shuttlebay.   Lahr gave an animate smile and wave to those inside the shuttlebay as he drew away from the door he'd been peeking in, and turned away to acknowledged the call.

"Lahr to Captain Sigurdsdottir. Always happy to make time for my Captain, ma'am.  I'll be up there in minute." Lahr double tapped to close the connection then set off towards the turbolift.  He'd just come back down later.  He had time and if need be, he could always call in a favor with one of his security buddies to help him clear the shuttle bay.  He hoped he didn't have to do that, but he would if he needed to.

The turbolift ride up to the second Deck was quick and Lahr was soon standing outside the Captain's personal quarters.   It felt weird.  Almost taboo.   He'd never been in the Captain's quarters before.  He wondered how much larger they were than his junior officer quarters.

The Andorian liked the better accommodations he got when he became a Petty Officer.  The size of the room hadn't changed much though the layout and the number of people he shared rooms with had.  He'd gone for 4 to a room down to 2.   He even liked his room mate - Petty Officer 2nd grade Grelek, despite the Vulcan's habit of practicing his hobby of Vulcan monk chanting while in the shower.

Lahr' palmed the door chime and then waited for the permission to enter.

When the doors opened, Lahr stepped in and smiled at the Captain, snapping to attention giving her a 'Benny Hill' salute.

"DJ Lahr, reporting for pre-mission briefing, ma'am." he called out in joke, then relaxed and looked around the Captain's room.  "Nice quarters.... maybe I should have gone commissioned after all."

He grinned towards the Captain then got down to business.  "May I have access to your computer ma'am?  I have my playlist saved on the ship's server for now."

[Kyle Briggs]

[The Briggs' Quarters - Deck 7]

Liv to Ruth, acknowledged, have the twins call by our quarters after dinner, we'll be free then

Kyle nodded in agreement and added over Liv's comm.

"And as soon as we're done with that, I'll get with base Security, Ma'am."

The link closed and they began cleaning up from dinner. "Think we should be worried about this surprise the twins are planning?" Kyle asked with a smile.