Post 538: Halloween, Today?

Stardate:71101.0639
Title: Halloween, Today?
Author: TC Blane
Scene: Deck 8, Independence
Time: Prior to and During “Masquerade”
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“Computer, submit the After Action Report to the Captain, please.”

>Report has been submitted.> The computer promptly replied.

TC leaned back in his chair and rubbed his eyes. That report had been one of the most difficult to write in recent memory and also one of the shortest.

TC had languished over how much of his recent trip to Yensul V to document; after all he was not supposed to be there, at first. Then there was the incident with the Yensul military sappers.

He was experienced in writing reports that only relayed the necessary information but he had found himself having a difficult time with this one. He had grown to respect his commanding officer and withholding information from her pained him. But he felt it was necessary to do so.

He doubted that anything would come from the encounter even if the bodies of the three soldiers were ever recovered. For the Yensuli to make a case of it would require them to reveal the fact they were planning to purposely murder Starfleet officers. So he felt to simply let the incident go to be the best policy.

The door chime to his quarters beeped and he stood from his desk chair and walked over to answer it.

The door opened with a swoosh to reveal a miniature caveman, cowboy, and princess.

“Trick or Treat!” The three cried out in unison.

*Crap! Halloween! I completely forgot! *

He forced a smile. “Hi!”

“Um, don’t you three look…Halloweenish?” He stammered as he backpedaled towards the replicator.

The three kids held out their bags in anticipation.

“Hold on one second.” He spun to face the replicator. “Three chocolate bars,” he glanced back at the costumed kids. “and make it snappy.”

There was a hum as the replicator honored the candy-less commander’s request. He snatched the three chocolate bars off of the replicator pad and noticed that the name brand of the candy bars was “Snappy”.

* Cute. *

“Here you go, one for each of you.” He dropped one bar into each of the kids bags, bringing a smile to each face.

“Thank you.” Came a joined reply from each as they moved away and down the hall towards their next victim, followed closely by their parents.

TC stepped back into his room and promptly replicated a variety of candies tossing them into bowl in preparation of the undoubted hordes of ghouls and ghost that would be arriving at his portal.

- Two Hours Later -

TC stood in front of the replicator scratching his chin in thought. He needed a costume, yet he did not know what to be.

He snapped his fingers as a thought hit him.

- Thirty minutes after that. -

The doors slid open to reveal the party that by now was in full swing. A specter band played while ghosts flitted in and out of the crowd. Fog flowed freely about everyone’s feet and black lights cast an eerie glow.

TC was impressed, Biggs had outdone himself. If he ever decided to leave Starfleet TC was sure a cruise director position was waiting for the man somewhere.

TC adjusted the breastplate of his Roman centurion costume and made sure that the underlying toga did not reveal more then it should and made his way into the crowd his sandals padding along silently and his sheathed sword slapping his hip.

He greeted a few of his shipmates as he made his way through the crowd towards the bar area.

A rather dapperly dressed Trick London noticed his approach. “Nice helmet commander, and congratulation also.”

TC adjusted the chin strap of the golden roman helm causing the red horsehair plume to wave. “Thanks.” He squinted trying to place Trick's costume.

Trick noticed the commander’s confusion and pulled a small silver toy pistol from his breast pocket and struck a pose.

TC understood. “Ah. You’re a double O.”

Trick nodded dropping the plastic gun back into his breast pocket. “What can I get you?”

TC thought a moment. “Captain and Coke, or a reasonable substitute.” He frowned. “Mr. Bond.”

Trick nodded and produced the drink and handed it to him. “Great costume, looks good on you.”

TC nodded. “Of course.” He grinned flexing his biceps. “This is why I work out, so I can wear a toga.”

Just then a hush fell over the gathered crew as all attention turned to the main door. TC turned his back to the bar to see what was going on.

There in the doorway stood Zanh Liis. TC was awestruck by a costume that he was almost positive that she did not choose on her own.

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Lt. Commander TC Blane
Operations Chief
USS Independence NCC-90791