Chapter 6.
The competition approaches its climax!
Captain Archer was in one of his happy moods. He had called Kelly and Cutler to his ready room and discussed with them his ideas for making the competition final an evening's event. And now, having sent them away to make preparations, he was telling the senior staff all about it.
"We'll have the final in the mess hall on Saturday evening but we'll make quite a ceremony of it. I thought a buffet meal with music would help things go with a swing, and I've already asked Chef to do something special. He was more than happy to oblige."Archer looked round at his command staff looking for their approval. There were nods of agreement from all, even Malcolm.
"Yeah,Cap'n." Trip spoke up. "I think that's a great idea. And perhaps dancing afterwards?"
Hoshi came in with an idea too. "How about decorating the mess. You know. Streamers and balloons, or something?"
"Glad to hear you're getting into the spirit of the thing, folks." Archer responded, "But Kelly and Cutler are in charge of the arrangements, though I expect they'll be glad of any suggestions and help from anyone. So go talk to them."
Archer dismissed them to their stations, but asked T'pol to stay behind.
"Is there something you wished to discuss with me, Captain?" she asked.
"I was just wondering, T'Pol. Did you talk to Trip or Travis as I suggested? Or did you not have any problems casting your vote?"
"I did not talk to either the Commander or Ensign Mayweather. I used my own criteria for deciding who would get my vote."
"You mean you imagined we were all Vulcans?"
"No, Captain. I really don't think you would understand, and I would prefer not to say."
"Of course, T'Pol. I just wanted to make sure you had been able to join in the fun."
"I have indeed, cast my vote each time, Captain, and I am pleased that my original choice is still - 'in with a chance' - as you might say."
"Well, that's great, just great." Archer smiled broadly, but as T'Pol went back onto the bridge, he felt somewhat disappointed. She had obviously not voted for him.
"Trip, are you really going to make me attend this do?"
"You're one of the finalists, Mal. You've got to be there."
"I didn't ask to be a finalist."
"Quit moaning will you? Just get your glad rags on so we can go."
"All right. All right. Stop nagging. What do you think I should wear?"
"You're asking me?"
"Ah. You have a point." Malcolm opened his closet and brought out a pair of navy trousers and a pale blue shirt.
"Good choice, Mal. That shirt goes well with your eyes."
"Glad you approve."
Five minutes later they were making their way down to the mess hall.
There was only a skeleton staff on duty for the evening and everyone else was crowded in the mess. The room was decorated with bunting and streamers, music was coming through loud-speakers and Chef had excelled himself with an enormous buffet.
Against one wall three chairs had been set on a small platform, the centre one being placed higher. All the chairs had been covered in fabric and trimmings to make them look special, but the one in the middle was decked out as a throne.
Malcolm saw the 'throne' and commented "I pity the poor so-and-so who's going to have to sit in that."
"Aw, I dunno, Mal." Trip answered, "I wouldn't mind."
"But you're one person who won't be sitting there."
"True. Hey, look. Hoshi and Travis have saved us some seats. Come on, before someone else gets them.." They pushed their way through the crowd to where their friends were sitting.
"Hi, you two. We thought you were never going to get here." Travis was full of beans. He and Hoshi had arrived early to ensure getting seats, and they both intended to have a good evening. While Malcolm went to get them all drinks Trip told them of the difficulty he had getting Malcolm to come. He really didn't want to be here.
"He'll enjoy himself once it gets under way." Travis said.
"Yes," Hoshi agreed. "It's probably nerves. He doesn't like being in the limelight."
"You can say that again." Trip sighed. "As long as he's not one of the three he'll be fine."
"And if he is one of the three...?" Hoshi looked worried.
"I expect he'll go bright red and disappear under the table."
The subject of their discussion returned at this point with a tray of drinks.
"Sorry I was so long. There's such a crush at the drinks dispenser."
"No worries, Mal. Sit down, I think it's about to start."
Captain Archer came into the room with Kelly and Cutler, both looking very serious and businesslike.
Archer made a speech explaining the purpose of the competition and the uplifting effects it had had on the crew. He thanked Kelly and Cutler for the way they had organised and run the competition, Chef for the buffet and anyone else for whatever they had done. Then Kelly stepped forward as M.C.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I hope you're all having a lot fun, because that's what this evening is all about. Fun.
You all know that we started this contest with eighty-four photos on this wall, and that over three rounds they have been reduced to ten.
Tonight we are going to find out who is considered by his, or her, shipmates to be the sexiest person on board, and I know you're all desperate to know the result.
Well, I know who it is, and so does Cutler. And I must say, I thoroughly approve of your choice.
But first, I think we should have our ten finalists come forward so that we can see the real thing rather than just a photo."
Travis got up to go, then turned to Malcolm saying, "Come on, Malcolm. You too."
Malcolm was sitting with his arms crossed and scowling. "This is too much," he grumbled.
Trip gave him a push. "Go on. It won't hurt you."
Reluctantly he rose and followed Travis.
Most of the finalists had dressed for the occasion in a manner to show off their best features. Travis was wearing a tight tee-shirt that did nothing to hide his muscled torso, and Williams had on the low-cut dress she had worn once before. Keely wore a white dress that covered her completely - until she turned round. The back was cut so low, it stopped just short of being indecent!
The ten got a big cheer as they lined up facing the audience. Kelly then made a show of introducing them all giving their name, rank and department.
On the wall behind them were the three winners' photos, as yet covered over so they could not be seen.
Kelly picked up a padd and checked details. "The votes were not evenly distributed. In fact, there were only eleven votes shared between the last seven finalists. That means that the top three scored seventy-three between them."
There was a big cheer at this news, even though no-one knew who the top three were.
"Come on, Kelly," a voice called out. "Don't keep us in suspense."
"But that's exactly what I intend to do," she replied, laughing.
Cries of "Get on with it." were heard from around the room.
"O.K. O.K. In the grand tradition of all such contests I shall announce the winners in reverse order. Well, that is, Cutler will unveil the photos. Ready Cutler."
"Ready and waiting, Sir." she said.
"Right, then. Without more ado, the third place has gone to..."
And Cutler pulled the cover off the photo to the left of the centre one.
"Ensign Travis Mayweather."
Amid cheers Travis stepped forward flexing his muscles for all to see. He looked pleased as punch.
Captain Archer presented Travis with a large bottle of champagne, as promised.
Kelly spoke up again, "Travis polled twelve votes." Another cheer.
Travis was then asked to sit in one of the chairs, which he did, cuddling his bottle of bubbly.
"In second place with twenty-one votes is..."
Cutler revealed the photo on the right. It was Ensign Vanessa Keely. She moved gracefully to the centre of the platform, then did a twirl showing off her very low-cut back view.
She was duly presented with champagne and sat in her chair, amid cheers and wolf whistles.
"I think we'll have a little musical break before we go any further. The Armadillos are going to entertain us with a couple of songs which I think you will enjoy."
I'm going to tease you all with a break before the final announcement, too. The last chapter coming up, with a little bit of slash at the end. Thanks for reading. Please review.