DAY 5 – PARTY

Andy's door started ringing shortly before 7pm. The walls between the briefing room and Andy's quarters had been removed and Loc's people had been bringing in trays for the last ten minutes. Andy had also set up a small bar area in the briefing room, stocked with all manner of liquid refreshment. Anything forgotten could be replicated in the Captain's mess if push came to shove.

All of her senior staff were present, including Zo and Keege. Chef Loc made his entrance shortly after 7, announcing the beginning of the event. "Your attention, please?" the chef interrupted.

"I am grateful to the Captain for this opportunity. The things you taste tonight are not on any of my restaurant menus. Hopefully, you will be helping me set new creations for Quatrain, my new eatery that will open one week after the Conclave. If you like what you taste, please tell me. If you don't like what you taste, please tell me. Thank you."

All present began to applaud, "One more thing, please make sure you all make reservations for opening night at Quatrain. You will have priority seating, at full prices, of course!"

The group laughed and began polite applause again. Loc started to leave but Andy detained him, Lor close behind, "Chef, I would like for you to stay."

Loc cast a wary glance at his brother, "I would like it to, Loc." Was the response.

Loc smiled and nodded and turned to the wait staff close by, "Keep the trays filled, men!" And Loc and Lor drifted to a corner to talk.

The two young ensigns, who had become fast friends, approached their commanding officer, "Captain?" Zo began. "I just wanted to say thank you. You've given me such a wonderful opportunity. It's truly been exciting."

"Yes, Captain, me, too!" was Kee's excited follow up.

"Well, you two girls have done a wonderful job and I'm very lucky to have you both." Andy smiled as they giggled and went on to talk to Lor and Loc.

Pasha and Veersa were huddled in their own corner, excitedly exchanging ideas. The Captain turned around and walked right into Precious Keever, "Captain?"

"Please, I thought we were checking rank at the door?" Andy laughed.

"Yes, ma'am, you did say that. Although, that means people'll call me Precious."

"Well, we don't have to. I just hate calling you Keever all the time."

The young lieutenant smiled, "Well, on the ship, a lot of the time, the guys called me Pre. That works."

The two ladies were joined by Kale, "I kind of liked the sound of Kale and Keever. Worked pretty well for me."

Andy smiled, "The two of you worked extremely well together. I was afraid I might have to referee."

Kale looked sheepish as he replied, "No, we battled it out the day before."

"Yeah," Pre chimed in, "We knew we couldn't sound like an old married couple and get done what we needed to do. We resolved our differences."

"Yes," Kale continued, "We agreed to work together on company time and argue on our own time."

Andy laughed, "Well, I'm glad for the compromise. It worked." She put a hand on each officer's shoulder, "Jobs well done."

"Thank you," they replied in unison and turned to make their way toward the food table.

Andy continued to mingle around the room and was finally joined by Jake and Drew. "This was an excellent idea, Andrea." Drew motioned to the event unfolding behind them.

"Yes, Captain. Very well done." Jake added, "What made you think of it?"

Andy smiled, "I just wanted some way to show everyone how much I appreciated their efforts. A time to relax and unwind before we get down to the business of Jarvik Station. It's all for real now."

Drew nodded, "Yes, it is, but you've got an excellent staff."

"Sure do. If you had any doubts, yesterday should've put them to rest." Jake finished.

Andy nodded her agreement, "Never any doubts about the rest of them. Don't know if I can say the same for you two clowns."

Jake and Drew laughed at Andy's subtle put down. They continued to chat a few minutes longer until each was drawn into other conversations. There was one person left to speak with and Andy found her near the back windows of her quarters. She walked up to stand next to Lessa.

"You did well, Less," Andy said simply.

"I was very nervous," was the honest reply, but the Commander still didn't make direct eye contact with the Captain.

"I know. I was, too, but I knew you had the skills to rise to the occasion. You didn't let me down, Lessa, and I'm very proud of you."

Lessa finally looked into her commanding officer's face, "I'm not sure why I should inspire such confidence, ma'am, but I am grateful." Andy patted her arm and turned to rejoin the group but Lessa stopped her.

"One more thing, Andy. It's a personal matter."

"Certainly."

"My uncle contacted me earlier this afternoon."

Andy was immediately interested. The Captain was still uncertain as to whether or not what she had experienced a few nights ago was real or a dream. One thing was for sure, she had rested better since that time than she had in years. Andy also had no doubt that the mysterious Uncle Kota had something to do with that.

Lessa continued, "He wondered if you would be open to conversing with him."

"Conversing with him? He's not on a Starship?"

Lessa hesitated, "He's asked me not to tell you just yet where he's stationed, and," she hurried, "I don't know why, it's just his request. He knows how to contact you if you're interested. However, he will not press his advantage if it's unwelcome."

Andy smiled, "That's very old fashioned language, Lessa."

The girl laughed, "I know. It's how he speaks sometimes, too, like he's hundreds of years old."

Andy teased, "Is he?"

Lessa smiled mysteriously, "Who knows? Are you?"

Andy looked at her Communications Officer, "It's not polite to ask a woman her age, missy."

Lessa laughed again and then continued, "What should I tell him?"

It was Andy's turn to look away. She had never felt like she had in that short time she was in Kota's presence. Andrea had been fascinated, mesmerized, and enthralled. These were feelings that the woman in her had never really experienced. It was definitely something to investigate further.

"Tell your uncle I can't wait to hear from him."

Lessa smiled. "He'll be contacting you later tonight." And the young commander walked off, leaving the Captain speechless once again.