End of an Era

Posted on Thu Mar 5th, 2020 @ 1:59am by Captain Marcus Duval & Lieutenant Commander Ajal Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 54: Where Snow Meets Sky
Location: Main Engineering - USS Spirit of Winter
Timeline: 1130Hrs - December 21st, 2391

Commander Marcus Duval was most decidedly displeased as he had been informed that Captain Montgomery was also being reassigned for another assignment, he was leaving the Spirit of Winter permanently and also Marcus himself was also being promoted as it were to wear the red shirt and his own command, the Century class USS Manticore.

"Ajal... You got a moment.?"

The Klingon woman who was kneeling before an open hole in the bulkhead wall, simply secured what she was doing before she rose effortlessly to her feet, before she came over to Ajal. "You wanted me sir?"

"Yes... Walk with me." he turned. "Parker, you doing anything at present?"

"Nosir." came the response from the young Ensign who came over to Duval and the lovely looking Klingon female before him. "Whats up?"

"Look after the assignment the Lieutenant was doing, would you mind terribly..." Duval explained. "I need to speak with her.."

"Yessir."

Ajal blinked, she was leaving her tools behind and for her, this was a major violation of her personal standards but it did not seem like the Commander was going to give her the option of refusing so she could clean away her gear. "Parker, here is the assigned detail." as she handed him a PADD. "Also.. please look after my tools, I expect them returned when you are finished."

"Yessir. I'll handle things." as Parker quickly reviewed the PADD before he nodded to Duval who added. "Go to it Ensign."

Parker went to work as Duval looked at the attractive Klingon woman. "You feeling up to lunch?"

Ajal was not expecting this but she would not object if her superior wanted to take her out to lunch. "Sure. Lunch would be good right now."

"Alright. Lets go." and with that Duval led the tall Klingon out of engineering and into a nearby turbolift. "The Winterfall Lounge." he said evenly.

Ajal said nothing before the lift moved towards their destination. Minutes later the two went into the lounge as he ordered his food from one of the nearby food slots then she did likewise, suddenly thankful for the nutritional supplement she received on a weekly basis from the ships medical officer.

He sat down at a table while she did likewise. "So.. whats on your mind sir."

Duval sighed as he regarded her rather then start eating. He sighed as he said "I'm being promoted... to my own ship... I'm still not sure if I think this is a disaster in the making or not." Duval explained. "I've spent my career in the Engine room... I've never had aspirations outside of it."

Ajal knew he did not solicit her opinion so she kept her mouth shut on the subject. Duval regarded her as he slowly smiled. "Thats what I'm going to miss about you Ajal."

"Why is that sir?" Ajal inquired.

"You didn't congratulate me. You knew how much I would resent this."

"I would feel the same way sir, if our roles were reversed," Ajal explained. "Or if I were parted from my mate."

"Mate?." Duval sounded confused. "Oh... I have no idea.."

"Its not something that Autumn and I discuss out in the open, We prefer to keep things between us and not invite gossip," Ajal explained.

"Autumn... Wait...As in Autumn Yamaguchi..?" Duval inquired.

"Yes." Ajal responded evenly.

"Ahh... Well.." Duval paused. "Take care not to anger her family.." he responded. "and.. I wish you all the best with your lady."

"Thank you." Ajal responded, a soft smile appearing on her face. "Same as I wish you the best with your new command, you will do well." she responded.

"Thank you... I think."

"My congratulations are meant sincerely," Ajal explained. "You'll be working with Captain Yamaguchi who will be commanding your wing. Don't you two know each other?"

"I've known her for several years now." Duval admitted.

"Then when you are having touble, go to her for assistance with matters, she will not steer you wrong..."

"A Klingon who has faith. Who would have guessed.?"

"Yes well, as I said. I try to keep a low profile on various matters." Ajal explained. "Our food is getting cold, shall we not eat and drink to your new command..."

"Sounds good to me." as he grasped his glass then he lifted it. "To the Manticore, first of her name... May she live long and succeed where so many others have failed."

"Here here." as Ajal toasted the new command. "May her enemies die in fear at her presence on the battlefield." she and Duval then clanked their glasses together before they began eating their meal together.

Twenty minutes or so later, the two of them were back in Engineering. "Well... tomorrow is my last day so I'll promote you to Chief then alright."

"Sounds good sir." Ajal responded as Akaris walked into engineering.

Akaris herself wondered how she was going to reorganize the crew when she approached Marcus. "Well I know you already know your moving off to your own command, figured out whom is going to be your successor yet."

Duval raised an eyebrow as he looked down at the diminutive Exec. "I have yes.." he indicated the massive Klingon woman. "Ajal will succeed me as Chief Engineer."