BACKLOG- JL | Commodore Ivanova & LT Khan - "The Joy of Music"

Posted on Mon May 4th, 2015 @ 12:31am by Admiral Rochelle Ivanova

1,727 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Agua Mala
Location: Cold Station Theta Promenade

Lieutenant Kelly Khan stood on the promenade of Cold Station Theta with a glowing blue electric violin in her hands, an unusual mix of music coming from the instrument and a PADD that it's connected to by a patch cable. It combined the distinct sound of violin mixed with a electronic beat and a number of people danced to it.

Not standing still while she played, Kelly twirled and moved to the music, kicking her legs out, bending, twisting and swaying with the beat, seemingly oblivious to the gathering crowd that seemed awestruck by her impromptu performance. She wore a grey sleeveless hoodie with a Starfleet Academy patch on the front of it and a Nova Squadron patch on the back of it, a red Starfleet uniform with two gold pips on the collar, and a pair of comfortable looking black boots.

Her brunette hair hung down between her shoulders and swung freely as she danced and played, her hazel eyes closed as she lost herself in the simple joy of the music that she played. A few patrons approached and put credit chits or slips and strips of gold pressed latinum into the violin case unbidden, while others got in touch with their friends to come and see the show that was being put on."

Dubstep was a twenty-first century conundrum that had taken a life of it's own as if heralded from the old dial-up internet score of old. It wasn't something that Rochelle often heard, let alone paired with the melody of a violin singing along with it. She paused mid-trip back to the Vindicator from wrapping up with the Enterprise's plucky Commanding Officer to lean against the upper walkway's railing, peering down to watch the performer play. The first thing she noticed, however, was that the woman was uniquely and definitely a Starfleet officer. A quick work through of a PADD in her hand matched the face with a name and posting... She was a new member of the Vindicator's crew, and one that would undoubtedly be a handful at the best of times. With a sigh, the stately redhead pushed herself away from the banister, made a mental note to send HQ a fabulously scathing dissertation on how Vindicator wasn't a finishing school, and made the journey down to the main promenade to fish her new officer from potentially hot water.

Slowly clapping, the Commodore strode forth. Though tiny, she was imposing and enough to send most scattering to a respectable distance away from her and her quarry. "Well done, Lieutenant. You're quite talented." Rochelle noted, coming to rest a foot or so away from the violin's open case. "What charity are you donating your proceeds to?" She asked, gesturing to the funds resting within the velvet lined hold.

As she finished the song and saw people scattering as if she had suddenly announced she was releasing a new plague, Kelly took note of the cause of the scattering. A Commodore. A Starfleet Commodore by the rank on her collar. "Oh! Thank you, Commodore. Donations?" She blinked and looked in the violin case as she removed the patch cable from the PADD. "I didn't even know people donated. Well...what would be a good charity? I was just playing for the joy of music before I report to my ship."

"There are several bent on rebuilding Earth and the core worlds after the war. I'm sure you can do a bit of digging to find the best one." Rochelle smiled and graciously folded her hands in front of her, watching the young woman with earnest interest. "You have a gift, certainly, perhaps even more so for obtaining nearly impossible assignments." She continued, "I am Commodore Ivanova, and the ship you're waiting to report to, Lieutenant Khan, is the USS Vindicator." Of course what came next likely didn't need to be uttered, it was well known throughout federation space just who belonged to the Vindicator, "My ship." But she added it anyway, both proudly and poignantly.

Kelly came to attention when the Commodore spoke her name, which indicated recognition that no doubt that nothing to do with her musical talent. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Commodore Ivanova. I was planning to transfer to the Vindicator in an hour. They seem to have put a hold on my baggage due to weight. It's being sent from one of the cargo transporters to your ship, Sir." Stardate 241504.23. The day the music died Kelly thought dismally as she packed her violin and PADD away.

Rochelle waved the woman's attention away, "At ease, Lieutenant." She said, disinterested in spooking or upsetting the newest member of her ship's ever growing family, "I'll see what I can do regarding your baggage as we're preparing to move out to our next mission here in the next few hours. They should know better considering my manifest was filed this morning. Regardless, after you check in with my Executive Officer, wander down to the lounge, find the manager, and see what can be done about putting your talents to use during your down time. Tell them I sent you personally."

"Yes, Sir," Kelly responded promptly. "I usually don't put on public performances often, but I'll do that when I get on board and settled in. I already had my medical examination on the USS Luna prior to my disembarkation and have the USS Luna and ready to be transferred, Sir. Is there anything else that I should be aware of before I report to your Executive Officer?"

"Staying off Admiral Red's radar would be all." For what it was worth, the spirited violinist was hardly a burden or issue. She seemed willing and eager to please, or perhaps that was simply a byproduct of being scooped up and set gently straight by the boss. Time would be the only teller of whatever truths there were to be told, and Rochelle new better than to judge a book by its cover.

"The only way I plan on being on anyone's radar, Commodore," Kelly said seriously. "Is by proving and demonstrating the skills that I was taught at the Academy and honed over the course of my past two assignments, Sir." She lifted her violin case and made a note to stuff her sleeveless hoodie in something before she reported to the XO of the Vindicator.

"And that is a commendable obligation you've placed on yourself, Lieutenant." Rochelle's coordinating smile was genuine this time, hardly condescending or plastered to mask some hidden irritation, "The Vindicator is a big bird, perhaps the biggest you will ever fly. I suggest sitting with a man named Thomas and allowing him to introduce you to her. She can be temperamental, but she's the finest piece of machinery the Federation has ever created."

"Aye, Sir," Kelly said, beaming a bright smile. "I've already taken the time to study her. She's absolutely majestic and I'm honored to be the one Starfleet has entrusted to fly her. My goal is to be a test pilot for the newest ships of the Federation one day, Sir. There's only one way to do that, and that's by continually testing myself, which I have no problem doing. I was born to fly."

The Commodore nodded in perfect understanding. "It's a big goal, and I'll be the first to say that mastering the handling of the Vindicator will help you on your path. She handles a bit like a brick, but she's far from dead." Rochelle could feel the pride radiating off the Lieutenant in great big giant sheets and waves. It was impressive and it was warming, so few seemed to come around with hopes and goals attached to their sleeves. While Vindicator wasn't a finishing school, she was a playground for dreamers and those who strove to touch, and change, the stars. "I look forward to watching you handle her and maybe catching a performance in the lounge."

"Really?" Kelly squeaked happily before pulling her composure back together. "I mean, I would be honored to perform for you, Commodore Ivanova, both on the bridge and in the lounge. It seems that all my life I wanted to fly, like the birds that you see way up in the sky. Making circles in the morning sun, flying high in the sky 'till the day is done." She suddenly blushed, realizing that she was quoting a song that she loved and had inspired her to fly. "As for Vindicator being a brick, once I get the feel for her, people will be looking at bricks in a new light."

Both of the redhead's eyebrows lifted as the Lieutenant warbled on in such an overtly excited fashion. Had she known a simple gesture would have set the woman off on such a tangent, she'd likely have reserved it. Her weight shifted as she sought to dismiss the awkward situation as quickly as possible without coming off as contrite. "Yes, well... I have no doubt that both will come to pass in due time." She smiled, "Make it happen, Lieutenant, I have faith that you'll honor your word. But, if you'll excuse me, I have a quick report to complete before we leave Theta."

"Aye, Sir," Kelly said with enthusiasm. "I'll be heading to Vindicator and looking to serving under you, Commodore. If it were mandatory, she would have tossed off a formal salute to the woman that she'd be serving under. "Until then, Sir." Scooping up her violin case, she headed off with a bounce in her step that carried to her shoulders and set her hair to moving with it. As she moved into the crowd, her voice lifted in song.

All my life I wanted to fly
Like the birds that you see way up in the sky
Making circles in the morning sun
Flying high in the sky 'till the day is done
I can't break away
Like a child in his fantasy
Punching holes in the walls of reality
All my life I wanted to fly
But I don't have the wings and I wonder why
....I can't breakaway

--- end log ---

Commodore Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR, NCC 78213-E


Lieutenant Kelly Khan
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Vindicator

 

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