USS Penumbra Sim Narrative, SD 202007.03 ANNOUNCEMENT: . This is technically an "unofficial Free Sim" celebrating the American Holiday of Independence Day. Holodeck One: . The Penumbra crew was taking some much-needed time off to relax and celebrate Independence Day by meeting up in Holodeck One where Dr. Shadow K'Trevala (and others) had prepared a barbecue picnic in a park-like setting. Unfortunately, Lt. Denovan Hawke was unable to attend as he was manning the Tactical station on the Bridge (and officially had "the Conn", meaning he was temporarily in command). Also, Lt. T'Lin declined attendance as she was monitoring the Kyrathian Egg that had shown some distress during hatching (she reported that it had "stabilized" and the Larva inside seemed healthy enough but she insisted she keep an eye on it). . Shadow was already there, tending the huge pit with all the meats, vegetables, and other goodies for the crew, as the remainder of the senior staff began filing into the Holodeck. Shadow had carefully separated meats and vegetables, for those vegans among the crew who disliked meat. He had the meats wrapped in banana leaves to keep them warm and juicy and the vegetables in another section of the grill. . Lt. Cmdr. Bevin MacArdry was already there as well, since she'd helped Shadow with much of the set up. She was in a cranberry and black sunray swimdress with a black chiffon sarong over it, and was using the material to collect different natural treasures from the area (even though the scenery was only holographic).

. Lt. Tabeshk Tibris was leaving his quarters, dressed in a black tank-top with matching black sweat pants. Over this he'd draped a traditional Klingon robe and sash, and then mounted his bat'leth on his back and his daqtagh to his belt. He was planning to do a Klingon dance number at the celebration. On the tips of his bat'leth he'd attached ribbons bearing traditional Romulan colors. As he walked, he tied his long white hair up with a matching Romulan-colored ribbon. . Lt. Cmdr. Relok was first to arrive, stepping through the Holodeck doors and peering around. Though he'd been informed the celebration was "off duty" and that casual wear was appropriate, the standard Starfleet duty uniform seemed comfortable enough for him to wear even when off duty. . As Relok stepped through the doors, Capt. Zak Taylor approached. The Captain wore standard blue jeans with a comfortable tee shirt and sneakers. With a grin he said, "Glad to see you came, Relok!" . Relok asked, "So, this is a memorial celebration of a nation throwing off a tyrannous empire some 700 years ago?" . Zak answered, "Well, it may have originated then and there, but now it's a celebration of Independence in general. It's one of the foundations of the Federation, Relok!" He patted the Vulcan on the back, ignoring the Vulcan's general distaste for physical contact, and strode past him into the Holodeck. He noticed a huge bin filled with ice and an assortment of drinks. Giving it a once over he reached in and extracted one and exclaimed, "Oh, yeah, ice cold beer!"

. At the cooler, Zak popped the top on his cold one and downed several gulps. "Oh! That's good! All I need now is a football and someone to catch a few tosses. And maybe a grilled burger." . Relok still stood near the Holodeck door. He glanced back as the door slid open. LtJG. Katarina Hawke stopped just outside the door and paused. She was wearing a sky-blue sun dress and kid slippers shoes, and was nervously biting her lower lip. She wasn't used to celebrations of the family sort just yet, and since her brother wasn't actually going to be there she was feeling a little uncomfortable. . Relok said, "Ah, Katarina, please come in. I could use some moral support in this situation!" But before she could respond, Lt. Col. Travis Patterson and MstGny. Derek Hines approached from the other direction. Patterson held a cigar in one hand (though it was not yet lit). The two men were chatting with each other and Patterson nearly collided with Kat as she stood hesitating in front of the door. "Oh!" he cried, "Excuse me, Nine." . Hines grinned, "Katarina! You're looking wonderful!" . Kat looked to see the two Marines. She blushed at Hines' compliment and muttered, "Oh, hi! Sorry, I go by Kat now." . Relok glanced up at Hines and then to Patterson, then turned to Kat, "I'll leave you to these two. I believe I smell pit-roasted corn and I haven't eaten in a while." . Kat smiled at Relok and gave him a slight bow, "Sorry, sir, I'm not used to these gatherings." . Patterson gave Kat the once-over, and smiled with a nod. "Feeling more comfortable in your own skin, I see. Glad to see you're coming around, and out of your shell more." He glanced at Hines and gave the big man a wink as he wandered over to the ice box where the Captain stood. . Kat blushed at Patterson's once-over, but gave him a smile, turning her attention back to Hines. She muttered, "Kinda feel out of sorts with Den on the bridge at Tactical."

. But Hines didn't seem to hear her. He was standing near the door, scanning the entire park-like scene, a Marine taking note of all possible dangers and all probable escape routes from it. He also took a deep breath to savor the aromas of the roasting meat and vegetables and the pies and cobblers, before turning back to gaze at Kat. . Kat dipped her head slightly at Hines, then turned and started towards the cooler to get something to drink when suddenly Hines wrapped an arm around her waist, "So, no chaperone? Fear not, I will keep you safe!" But even he couldn't help but to laugh at his exaggerated heroism. . Kat was surprised at first when Hines' arm enwrapped her, then she started to laugh with him. "Thanks," she said, "For a second I thought you were just a statue." Together they approached the cooler and Kat grabbed a bottle of water. . Hines grabbed a cold beer and said, "Can't blame a man for being awestruck, can you?" . Kat blushed yet again, unused to such compliments. She asked, "Awestruck by what?" . Not waiting for an answer, Kat led Hines around to the firepit, following the scent of burgers. . Hines leaned down and whispered something into Kat's ear. She blushed and giggled as his breath tickled her skin, but said, "Those burgers smell amazing. Do you wanna get some food and sit down?" . Hines nodded and pulled a chair out for Kat. "I was hoping you'd be hungry! What would you like?" . She nibbled her lower lip then answered softly, "I could get it myself." She really wasn't used to not doing for herself. . "Nah," Hines said as he looked her in the eye, "you're getting spoiled today." . She blushed yet again. "Ok, um, burger obviously, potato salad, deviled eggs, some of those chicken wings if possible." It was apparent she wasn't a light eater by any means, but she worked out often so as to stay fit. . Hines chuckled, "You want the hot wings?" He moved to the pit and started preparing plates for Kat and himself.

. She shook her head, not used to the heat yet. "Nah, the honey barbecue ones." She smiled up at him. . Shadow grinned at the success of his little gathering. He waved at them as he placed bowls of potato salad; macaroni salad; carrot, raisin, and pineapple salad; baked beans; roasted potatoes with all the things needed for loading them up to people's satisfaction; roasted corn on the cob; all sorts of rolls, bread, and biscuits, with honey and herbed butters; as well as cherry pecan and peach cobblers for dessert, with huge tubs of ice cream for those that wanted it; along with poi, grilled plantains, roasted mangoes, pineapple skewers, and all sorts of other kinds of easy-to-eat nibbles people might want. It was a smorgasbord! He prepared a couple of heaping plates for Den and T'Lin and any others who were missing the celebration. . Tabby entered in his decorative garb and began setting up for his performance. He began limbering up a bit with a few slow-motion swings of his bat'leth. . Relok watched Tabby warming up with the bat'leth, and wandered over, "You look like you're planning something." . Tabby continued moving the bat'leth as he answered, "For holidays some Klingons do a ceremonial dance as a sign of respect. Not everything is about fighting and being rough and tumble, there is a softer side few know about." . Relok replied, "Even though the Klingons traditionally have an Empire, I'm sure they all enjoy celebrating Independence." . Tabby answered, "My dad taught me how to fight, but after I saw him dance for my mother once I asked to learn it so I can continue it if he fell before her." . As Tabby was speaking, Bevin finally noticed him and with a mischievous look in her eye tossed what appeared to be a flying, upside-down plate at him. As she did she called, "Hey, Tabby!" . Tabby quickly spun, and ducked, crying out as he did, "No, Bevin! Not in this garb, it's disrespectful!"

. But Relok's reflexes kicked in and he snatched the flying disk out of the air. "Whoa!" he exclaimed as he studied the disk. Then he took aim at Bevin and flicked his wrist, sending the thing flying back towards her. Only, at the last minute its path sharply banked to his right. . Even as she jumped to catch the errant disk, Bevin called out in her strong Scottish Brogue, "Sairry, Taibby! I'll ken baittir naixt time!" Which meant of course that she apologized and would know better next time. She flicked the disk back to Relok. . Relok caught the disk deftly and said, "This is remarkably relaxing." He adjusted the angle of his wrist and flicked it again, this time flying straight and true back to Bevin. . Finished stretching, Tabby said, "Now, if you'll excuse me." He started the music to get serious for his dance. . Bevin grinned at Relok, "I'm gaein tae hae tae taich ye haw tae ply fraisbee gawlf wi ait, Cammandir. I thaink ye'd hae a blaist.*" . Relok gawked, "Frisby ... golf? I am familiar with the Earth sport of striking a tiny ball with an oddly shaped club and aiming for a tiny hole ... but, with a flying disk? Intriguing!" Suddenly, the Vulcan's stomach growled audibly. "Oh! I had wanted some of that corn!" He tossed the frisby back and started towards the firepit. . The music Tabby had selected consisted of deep drums and some sort of plucked string instrument of some Klingon ballad began. To Human ears, it sounded vaguely Japanese or Korean. The half-Klingon began his ceremonial dance whole-heartedly. . His dance started out smooth and elegant as he appeared to be stalking a foe. Then it ramped up into a rougher tempo as he fought in battle, his bat'leth flashing and the ribbon streamers whirling. . Then, the music changed. It transitioned into some kind of march, distinctly Romulan in pace and timbre. Tabby's movements with the bat'leth appeared as a conquering army demanding tribute from the conquered.

. The music flipped from Romulan march to Klingon ballad a couple of times, almost seeming to clash in their different styles. Tabby's dance movements would be tight and controlled during the Romulan portions, then grand and sweeping during the Klingon, until suddenly, unexpectedly, the two merged and began to harmonize. Tabby's movements with the bat'leth became grand and controlled, tight and sweeping, all at the same time. . Zak approached the pit and perused the various meats. "I was originally just thinking burger, but ... man, BBQ ribs, smoked brisket, and ... is that a whole chicken?" . Shadow answered, "I have about 10 of them in there, as well as 5 turkeys and a few geese." . Zak grabbed up some ribs, a burger (which he properly dressed with lettuce, tomato, mustard, ketchup, pickles, onions, and cheese), and two chicken wings and moved off to a table to feast. . Shadow grabbed a bottle of root beer from the cooler and downed a huge gulp, trying to cool off from being near the heat of the cook fire. . Zak was elbows-deep in his barbecue feast, making happy noises as he ate, "Mmph ... nom ... mmph ...." He looked up, his face smeared with sauce and both hands covered nearly to the wrist as he realized he'd forgotten to get himself any napkins! . Shadow had, of course, strategically placed rolls of paper towels on the picnic tables to try to keep the mess contained, but apparently the Captain hadn't noticed the one at the end of his table. He stood, mumbling, "Umm ...," and made his way back over to the firepit just as Patterson arrived there. . Patterson grabbed a spatula and turned a few burgers that were ready and gave out a soft sigh, "It's the little things that always make the biggest impact."

. Shadow had arranged burgers hot dogs, grilled shrimp, fish and scallops on one section of the grill, raised above the rest for more direct heat, while the BBQ meats were at the edge of the huge grate so people could serve themselves. . Zak had found towels and was wiping his hands and face as he noticed the clashing themes of Tabby's music. He asked, "That's ... not ... Klingon music, what is that?" . Bevin and Relok had also wandered over to the firepit to collect food. Relok listened to Tabby's music as well and answered the Captain, "I think he's successfully blended Klingon martial art techniques with Romulan music." . Suddenly, Tabby flicked the ends of the ribbons into the fire, adding flames to his dance! He swirled and dipped and whipped the huge bladed weapon, now flaming at the tips, to the intense beat of the blended Klingon-Romulan music. . Relok called out, "Careful with the hair near the fire, Tabby!" He ran a hand through his own long locks, then glanced at Shadow's, that beat both his and Tabby's for length. Shadow had braided his knee-length hair and tied the braids up into several messy loops to keep it out of the way, and to provide a modicum of coolness while working around all the heat. . Relok collected a couple ears of fire-roasted corn, and a couple of baked sweet potatoes. "That should be sufficient," he said as he moved off to a table. As he dug into his roasted vegetables he looked up, "Oh, this is quite good! Well done, Shayana! I'm not entirely vegetarian, the Sehlat is a predator after all ... but was craving that corn after having smelled it from the door. And these potatoes! Not too sweet, but enough to remember they're yams! Excellent!"

. Shadow continued watching over the grill area and the pit, so people wouldn't get burned, even as he helped others with putting their meals together. He looked up at Relok at the compliment. "Glad you like it, Shayana. I tried to have something for everyone." . Zak prepared a second burger, grabbed a second beer, and stepped over near Patterson. He asked, "You play football, Travis?" . Patterson chuckled at his Captain, "I only play tackle, old man!" . Zak grinned back. "Yeah, and I don't have an offensive line to protect me, so ... no. I was hoping just to toss a ball back and forth. I used to be pretty good at throwing." . "Yeah," Patterson replied, "you seem the jock type, Zak." He chuckled and grabbed himself a hot dog. "Lemme get some grub in my gullet and we'll see if you can out throw me." His eyes flashed with a blue light as the nanites in his blood anticipated the rush. . Bevin grinned, watching Tabby, and then decided to fetch her own pair of basket-hilted broadswords and joined him in the dance, doing a variant Highland fling that still, in some ways, evoked the martial spirit of Tabby's dance. . As Bevin joined him, Tabby lit a ring of torches he'd previously placed using his bat'leth. When they were all lit, he extinguished the flames on the bat'leth before strapping it on his back with a twirl so he could dance with Bevin, a smile on his face. She put away her own swords and began dancing with him, jumping and then lighting on the ground as light as a thistle. With another twirl, Tabby began to softly sing to Bevin. . Tabby sang and danced until his recent injury began to bother him. He'd been trying to hide it so Bevin wouldn't worry, but eventually the music ended and their dance stopped and Tabby had to admit that his burned fingers and arm had started to bother him.

. Bevin tugged him towards the pit and Tabby responded, "Ah-ah! Arm! Watch the arm!" They moved together over to the pit to prepare their food, then carried it to the tables to sit and eat. . Shadow grinned, watching Tabby and Bevin as their dance wound down. Glancing around he noticed most had eaten and were settling into comfortable spots, so he murmured something to the computer and the lighting shifted to more of a twilight mode in preparations for the simulated fireworks display. . At the table Tabby said, "I know the nurse said I could take the bandages off, but she didn't tell me the healing process." . "Weel," Bevin said in her strong accent, "ye jist railaix an lait me dae tha rannin fer ye taenaight." . "Thanks, dear," Tabby replied. "Lucky for me I have civi clothes under this garb. Would you help me remove it? It's just a robe." . "O cairse!" she said, helping him out of the robe and folding it neatly. . "Thank you," Tabby said, wrapping his bat'leth in the robe and sash. He asked, "How bad do these burns look? I need to change the bandages anyway." . Bevin nibbled his ear and whispered, "Laive tha wraips an fer naw, an I'll tak keer o thaim iftir ye're dane aitin." . "You sure?" he asked. . "Aye, me faimly's aill hailirs aixcaipt fer me," she explained, then added, "Sae, I hail ainjains!" . Tabby began to eat with his other hand, giving his injured one a break and letting it just rest in his lap. Bevin sat beside him, eating her own food even while helping him when he needed it. Tabby reached to adjust the tie on his hair, and flinched, rubbing his arm. "Why do electrical burns hurt so bad? I get the occasional zap, but that ... that was no normal zap! It's like the ship had that saved up just to screw with me!"

. Bevin helped him with his hair as the fireworks show started. Sensing his discomfort, Shadow came over to help try to ease the pain some. Shadow said, "They seem to since the nerves are electrical pathways for the body, and when hit by electricity it hyper-energizes them even more to a higher state of excitability that takes time to wear off." . Tabby looked at the doctor, "How bad does it look, doc? And when will it heal?" As he said this he used his other hand to wipe his face after his meal. . Shadow examined the burn and said, "It's healing now, but it might be a few more days to get over the worst of it." . "Lovely," Tabby groaned. "Well, does it look like shite? And, to find that out, fee free to help me change out the bandages."