Pre-Layup Feast! (Part 2)

Posted on Sun Jan 28th, 2024 @ 6:57am by Captain Maho Takahashi & Commander Keisuke Takahashi 'K.T.' & Commander Elisabeth Churchill & Commander Victor Delling MD & Lieutenant Commander Kurumi Ebisuzawa & Lieutenant Ami Rori & Lieutenant JG Jane Sinclair & Lieutenant JG Max Gill & Lieutenant Alisha Reno
Edited on on Sun Jan 28th, 2024 @ 6:58am

1,023 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Christmas Vacation
Location: Conference Room, Deck 1
Timeline: After 'Pre-Layup Feast! (Part 1)'

Previously, on Star Trek: Myogi:

"To Captain Takahashi,

I will be spending the holidays with my family in Oklahoma. My apologies. See you after my short leave. Have a good party."

Sending the message, he packed his duffle bag and headed off to the dock. His mother and father were expecting him back in the old States. He was quite excited to see them after so many years.

And now, the continuation:

Ami yawned as she walked in, her normal golden uniform changed out for a green skirt and brown stockings with a red and green sweater designed to make her look like a pine tree ready to be decorated for the holidays, "Sorry I'm late, I took a nap and kindof overslept."

Victor was dressed down, and fairly casual with a pair of brown pants and a black, mint and emerald green knit sweater. It was over a white shirt, with its collar open. "Good evening."

Once everyone had gathered, Maho gestured her crew over to the table normally used for senior staff briefings, but today was covered in a delectable array of different dishes sitting between plates set with china, silver and glassware emblazoned with the ship's name and registry number. Maho had thanked Elisabeth Churchill for helping fetch the ship's official china and bring it from the Diplomatic reception to the conference room. Just like her grandmother had done for assisting in preparing the feast, Maho too, had pulled out all the stops for the table settings.

"Thank you all for coming:" Maho prefaced her speech. "As I'm sure most of you are aware of by now, winter layup is a long-held Starfleet and Starship Myogi tradition. For two weeks over the holidays of Christmas and New Year, Starfleet's operations reduce significantly to allow Starfleet officers time to spend the holidays with their families, often by literally parking numerous starships at various shipyards and starbases to allow their whole crews this privilege, hence the term 'winter layup.'"

Maho grabbed her glass from her place setting before continuing.

"For the Starship Myogi, winter layup means docking usually at Earth Spacedock; though some years this is simply not a possibility, and arrangements to transport the non-Sol-indigenous crew home being made by the commanding officer." She explained. "However, another major part of the tradition has, until now, gone unseen by the senior officers: Under my predecessor, Tanaka Miyahara, the Captain would share a meal with his first, second, and third officers to reflect on the year that has passed as well as discuss plans for the holidays and the year ahead. But, starting this year, that all changes."

Maho then gestured for her crew to sit down.

Jane pulled out Alisha’s chair for her, pushed it in for her, and then sat down next to her. Ready to enjoy the holiday meal.

"Thank you, Sugarcube," Alisha smiled up at Jane, then looked over to Maho with a questioning look, "I know I'm still... Detached for the moment, but what sort of changes are you talking about?"

Maho gave Alisha a smile.

"Your presence is the change, Lieutenant:" She responded. "Beginning this year, all senior staff will be invited to a feast which in years past was reserved only for the command staff."

Maho then folded her hands together to say grace.

"In years past, the Captain would lead us in saying grace, and it would usually go something like this:" Maho closed her eyes. "Lord, we thank you for the feast which we are about to receive, as well as for blessing us with the best ship and crew in the quadrant and a magnificent season of catching bad guys. May 2397 be as fruitful as 2396 has been. Amen."

Jane gave a respectful nod at the conclusion of the grace. Giving thanks and asking for blessings were good traditions worthy of being continued -- and expanded, as Maho was doing. "Thank you for including us, Captain," she said with a smile.

"Amen." Alisha had responded in kind, "We really do appreciate it." She stated to Maho, "I'm just glad I was able to get the time off for this."

Ami yawned widely again, "And for the food! Just thinking about all of this is making me tired, but can't go into a food coma until after the food, right?"

"It's my pleasure." Maho responded to Jane. "Please, dig in! Before it gets cold!"

Leading by example, Maho reached for the nearest dish, the mashed potatoes, and scooped some onto her plate, before passing it along to the next person.

"And if anyone would like to pass the turkey my way?" She asked.

“Of course!” answered Jane, grabbing the plate by a corner and lifting the turkey dish over to the Captain. “It looks fantastic. So often turkey dries out, but this looks so juicy. What’s your secret?”

"Depending on the recipe you use, the stuffing plays a major part in keeping turkey moist." Maho explained. "But, it never hurts to have a backup; and this might surprise you, but the marinade I used is actually administered via a hypospray."

“That’s brilliant,” Jane replied. “Alisha here doesn’t let me near kitchen tools or appliances for important meals. Start one little fire and all of a sudden you’re persona non grata.”

Alisha smiled brightly, this was one thing that she loved teasing Jane about, all in good humor of course, "When you forget to put water in the pot when making pasta?" She gave a bit of a wiggle of her hand as she used the example, "Besides, my dear, I'm a better cook than you, I've had FAR more time to practice with it."

"Burning pasta?" Ami perked up a bit at the sound of that, "I mean, I'm not all that good at cooking, thank goodness for replicators in fact..." She looked like she was repressing a laugh, "But I think I could do better than that!"

"I dont know that I could" Victor commented, with a chuckle "I love to eat, but I can't cook worth a darn."

To be continued...

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