A Fond Farewell
Posted on Wed Feb 18th, 2026 @ 6:58am by Lieutenant JG Vincent Shaw & Commodore Samantha York & Commander Joren Tal & Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe & Major Cameron Bourne & Lieutenant Crisanto Venchi & Lieutenant Aenar Torek & Lieutenant Bela Swain & Lieutenant JG Elizabeth Jackson & Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe & 1st Lieutenant Kara Melo
Edited on on Thu Feb 26th, 2026 @ 1:46am
2,845 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Lost Horizons
Location: Cousteau's Grotto - Deck 10
Timeline: Before the next assignment
The senior staff and most of the crew who had been on the Calypso when Sam was still the chief science officer had been invited to Cousteau's Grotto on deck 10 to give Damion and Ronnie a farewell party. Ronnie joined shortly after Sam, and Damion joined a few months later. Then, Ronnie had been her assistant and best friend. The two were still close, but once she and Ronnie had both married, they'd spent less time together.
Sam was going to miss both of them, but they'd been with her far longer than most and she couldn't let them pass up an opportunity for advancement and new opportunities.
Lizzie insisted on making cookies like old times and had four trays piled with a variety of her favorites. She didn't leave the arboretum much, but she wouldn't miss this. Other desserts and finger foods had also been prepared and the bar was open.
Bela made her way to Sam and immediately gave her a hug, while giving a nod to Lizzie, trying to convey that Lizzie was next on her list. "A going away party is very sweet, Commodore."
"Thank you," Sam said, hugging her back. "And thank you for coming. Your hugs will be appreciated."
"I am here for anyone that needs me," Bela assured the Commodore. "But if you will excuse me, I do need to get to Lizzie over there...." With that, Bela broke away and gave a huge hug to Lizzie while saying, "Thank you for making this food."
Lizzie gave her a big hug. "Thank you. Cookies are my love language," she admitted. "I love baking."
"If that's how you show love, then feel free to love me any time. Though, if you love me too much, my hips may regret it," Bela answered with a wide smile and soft giggle.
Lizzie grinned. "That just means there's more of you to love, counselor."
"Ohhhhhhh. You're too sweet," Bela told Lizzie. "I may have to run from you before I get a cavity. The last thing I need is a dentist scolding me."
"But you'll be happier," Lizzie countered. "You give hugs, cookies are the way I help people feel better."
"I'm not certain that I would be happier with a dentist scolding me," Bela replied thoughtfully. "However, I do accept your analogy." She then laughed girlishly. "Still, hugs are less fattening, but probably less yummy too."
Vincent arrived, he had worked on the bridge with Damion but hadn't truly interacted with him except maybe a few words exchanged in greeting, and cursory greetings. Vincent was just barely getting to know the crew albeit a little bit slowly? Seeing the area to get a drink, Vincent went to acquire one, his order a sparkling lemonade.
Joren wasn't much for farewells, he was very much a 'now' kind of person. Yet, he was well aware it was expected for him to be there, so he strolled in, immediately eyeing the tray of cookies. "May I?" He asked Lizzie.
"Of course." She smiled at the first officer. "Help yourself." She had plenty, and it made her happy to see people enjoying what she baked.
"Thank you." Joren took a gentle, exploratory bite on one of the cookies. "Ooh, this is good." Before taking a bigger bite out of the cookie.
The moment that Vincent and Joren came towards Lizzie, Bela gave them warm hugs and said, "Welcome!"
Vincent smiled, "Thank you, Bela good to see you as well." this time not stepping away from the embrace.
"Bela, how are you doing?" Joren asked, accepting the hug.
"It is always good to see you Vincent and Joren!" Bela answered cheerfully. "As long as the crew is doing well, Commander, I am doing well. How about you?"
"Not too bad, I have to say. Whenever the crew's happy, I'm happy." Joren answered, before putting the rest of the cookie in his mouth.
"Now you're starting to sound just like me," Bela replied proudly.
"I guess we're just different sides of the same coin, councilor. I need the crew performing their best. You provide the crew with hugs and advice to help them do just that." Joren then turned back to the cookie tray. "May I...?"
Having realised the time, Aenar had torn himself from a paper on xenobiological developments in the Jurthen Sector, and had made himself presentable for the farewell party. Though Ronnie had been aboard far longer than he had, she had made him feel welcome in his time as the Calypso's Chief Science Officer. In truth, he had been surprised that she had not taken the promotion in the first place.
It had been to his benefit, being given sage advice and long chats about scientific phenomena, and even a few techniques to coax Lizzie out of the arboretum once in a while. Nodding at those assembled, he went immediately to fix himself a drink, a non-alcoholic Aldebaran cocktail of some sort. It was tart and fresh as he sipped it while hunting for his fellow scientists.
Ronnie spotted him and gave him a hug. "I've enjoyed working with you over the years." She gave him a hug. "Thank you for being a great boss."
'Nonsense,' Aenar laughed as he returned the embrace, 'you've made it far too easy for me. I suspect the next Assistant Chief will be much harder work. You'll stay in tough though, right? Keep the department in the loop with your work?'
Bela came over and was practically beaming. "Look! Everyone's starting to hug!" Her voice became a little more choked up. "It is so wonderful to see everyone giving hugs. Do I get a turn?"
Smiling as he unfolded his arms from around Ronnie, Aenar nodded at Bela, "Of course, Bela. I don't think it would be quite fair to leave you out of the hugging." He opened his arms.
Bela squealed happily and folded herself into Aenar wrapping her entire body around him.
Aenar huffed as he felt the air being squeezed out of him. "That's a solid hug,'" Aenar chuffed with a laugh. He wrapped his own arms around the shorter Counsellor fighting the temptation to lift her off her feet. "Seems like you have some pent-up hugging energy."
"Nothing is pent up," Bela told Aenar. "I'm always full of hugs and energy."
Releasing her after a few seconds too long, Aenar flashed her a wider smile. 'I suppose you're right. I'm glad our time on the other side hasn't changed that. It lights up the room.'
"I'm just glad that I did not meet my mirror self. I'm not certain that I could have handled that," Bela answered with a slight shudder.
'I'm not certain many of us would handle it well,' Aenar smiled kindly, 'but let's not dwell on it - we're back, and looking forward to more positive times.' He picked up his mocktail, 'do you want a drink, Bela?'
"Now or later?" Bela asked, tilting her head slightly. Was he actually hitting on her? Did he know what that meant?
"Ah, hum ... well," Aenar's tongue suddenly started tying itself in knots. He reddened slightly as he felt suddenly hot under the collar, then managed a "Why not both?"
"OK," Bela answered. "That would be fine. For now, perhaps a Denebian iced tea?"
'Denebian iced tea, coming right up,' Aenar said, hurrying off to fetch her the drink. He fidgeted a little as he waited for it to be prepared. The Bajoran took a sniff of it, and decided it was an acquired taste for his species. 'Your drink, madam,' he said with a flourish as he returned to her.
"Thank you so much, kind sir. Very sweet of you." She took the Denebian iced tea, sipped it, and said, "Well done. Would you like a taste, too?"
'I ... sure,' he replied, pulling the straw from his own Aldebaran mocktail and placing it in her glass. Aenar took a small sip, and pulled a face, 'I think that's not for these taste-buds apparently,' he said with an apologetic smile. 'It's just a burning sensation in my mouth.'
"I'm so sorry," Bela replied with a small pout. "I shall have to fix that for you. What can I do to get that sensation out of your mouth?"
He blushed, harder this time. Aenar swore he could feel his ears go read. Several things, he thought, opened to say it, then thought the better of it. 'Just, uh, some water maybe?'
"What temperature?" Bela asked concerned. "Ice or no ice?"
'Just a glass of ice water - it's to get the sensation out of my mouth,' he smiled, 'it's nothing to worry about,' he concluded as he noted her concern.
"If you say so," Bela answered in that manner that indicated that she was not as certain as Aenar was regarding her need to worry about it. In the meantime, she fetched a glass of ice water for Aenar and handed it to him.
'Thanks,' Aenar said after a grateful sip. 'You're a real lifesaver Bela,' he drained the glass, then pointed at her drink, 'so what does that drink taste like to you?'
"To me?" Bela asked innocently. "Well, it is sugary sweet at first but it has a tart finish and leaves a bit of a sour aftertaste. Since, of course, we are not permitted alcohol on duty or on a Starship vessel, the synthohol in it cannot do the drink full justice as their might be a slight hallucinogenic effect when properly made."
'It sounds like a delicious drink ... for the right tastebuds,' Aenar replied with twinkle in his eye, 'and sounds like it packs quite the punch for its small size.'
Bela smiled and shrugged. "We'll find what's right for your tastebuds."
Ronnie laughed, tickled to see the two flirting.
The way that Bela was making her rounds of hugging, Vincent felt that she was a ray of sunshine driving away the darkness that seemed to like to try casting a shadow. Something made him pause, A rather delicious scent caught his attention. Vincent looked around then his eyes stopped at the table where an assortment of cookies were there, then hie eyes took note of the lady next to them. He made his way towards the table, getting a closer look. "These look wonderful." picking up a chocolate chip cookie and taking a bite, his eyes closing in rapture. "This is heavenly, I've not had anything as good as this in a long time. "
Lizzie grinned. "Good. I love baking cookies. I'm Elizabeth Jackson, by the way. I'm over the arboretum."
"I'm Vincent Shaw, I am over Operations." he took another bite of the cookie. He finished his bite of cookie before he continued.
"The arboretum. I would love to see that. " Vincent answered with a smile. "and I'm also quite willing to sample all of your delicious cookies." he was quite content in being near the dessert table.
Lizzie grinned. "Great. I love to bake cookies, but I don't want to eat them all, so I love to share."
"Oh good, just as long as I get to cook for you in exchange." Vincent giving a delighted chuckle.
The door to the Grotto opened as Damion walked in. He was in a comfortable suit vest outfit with his hair pulled back into a tail. Against his side was his and Ronnie's three year old daughter Elsa. As he looked around, first at the people who were gathered and soon to the location, he had an odd feeling in his chest. Mostly likely for as he was remembering all the time he'd served on board the Calypso. He wasn't sure where he and his family were going, but he knew they would be traveling together.
Vincent felt a slight bit of jealousy seeing the arrival of the small family. Once upon a time that could have been him, if his ex-wife hadn't revealed her secret. He picked up another cookie, the flavor giving him a smile, he will open that mental file later on, tonight was a farewell for someone.
Kara walked in, pleased to see the gathering. She didn't know either of the Wolfe's well, but she'd worked with both of them on away teams. She congratulated both of them and wished them well, then moved off to get a drink and some cookies.
Sam picked up a glass and tapped the side with a small knife. "If I could have your attention for a moment." She waited for the room to quiet down a bit. "Please raise a glass and help me toas Damion and Ronnie Wolfe. Ronnie and I have been on the ship since shortly after its launch. Ronnie was my assistant and best friend for years. Damion joined a few months after. Even though I will miss both of them, I'm happy to see them move on to better opportunities. And so, I wish to raise a toast to the Wolfes, may their next adventure be all they wish for."
After everyone toasted the couple, Lizzie began to cry and hugged Ronnie. "I'm going to miss you."
Ronnie hugged her back. "I'm going to miss you, too. But I'm only a call away."
"I know, but you won't be able to sample my new cookie recipes."
Ronnie chuckled. "I'm sure you'll have lots of volunteers for that."
Lizzie hugged Damion next. They didn't really talk much, but he looked like he could use a hug. "You take care of yourself, too."
Damion chuckled softly, wrapping one arm around Lizzie, as the old was holding onto Elsa. "Hi... uhh... Thank you." He replied with a smile as he looked over to Elsa before looking back to Lizzie.
Bela rushed over, completely abashed that she was so involved with others that she missed Damion arriving. She flung herself against Damion and gave him a warm hug. "You are going to be so missed!"
"Oh..." Damion responded with slight surprise, before letting out a soft laugh. He gave Bela as much of an embrace as he could, before pulling back to look at her, with a smile. "Thank you, Lieutenant Swain. I'm sure to miss you all as well."
"Well, if you should need anything, please do contact me. I'm available for you at any time," Bela insisted sweetly but insistently.
Entering the grotto, Lieutenant Venchi carried a tray and made his way around the room. On the tray, crispy brown circular rings. "Hors d'oeuvres? Anyone?" he said with a warm glow, a small smile on his face. The tray was a nest of deep fried battered rings with a faint odor of seafood. Calamari, deep fried squid and small ramekin bowls were also on the tray with spiced vinegar sauce.
Crisanto Venchi was not one of the longtime crewmembers, but he was finding his footing on the Calypso. He also was not one to pass up an opportunity to socialize, to mingle with the crew.
Cam quickly walked in and straightened his uniform. He’d been busy arguing with Marine HQ about the delay on receiving his latest batch of recruits and had forgotten about the celebration. Quickly finding Kara, he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, “sorry I’m late, what’d I miss?”
"A lot of hugging," Kara said. "By the counselor and the botanist. But there are cookies." She slipped her hand through the crook of his arm. "They're pretty good, too."
Vincent took a bit more of a look at those bidding a fond farewell to a long time crew member who was leaving. He turned towards Lizzie. "If you don't mind, I am going to take a few more cookies and head off to my quarters. It was a pleasure meeting you." giving a soft wistful smile, he looked once more towards the well-wishers and left Cousteau's Grotto.
After a sufficient time, Sam made the rounds again, pausing to say a word or two to each of those in attendance. She made a special note to stop by Damion and Ronnie to wish them well. She'd see them again as they left, but she didn't want to just walk out. She also paused to thank Joren for coming, knowing he didn't like social functions, and to say hello to Crisanto. Finally, she stopped by Lizzie to give her a hug and take a few more cookies and head to her quarters.
>>TAG ALL
Lieutenant JG Vincent Shaw
Chief Operations Officer
USS Calypso
Commodore Samantha York
Commander
USS Calypso
Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso
Elizabeth Jackson
Botanist
USS Calypso
Commander Joren Tal
Executive Officer
USS Calypso
Lieutenant Aenar Torek
Chief Science Officer
USS Calypso
Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe
Entomologist
USS Calypso
Lieutenant Commander Damion Wolfe
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Calypso
1st Lieutenant Kara Melo
Platoon Leader
USS Calypso
Lieutenant Crisanto Venchi
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Calypso
Major Cameron Bourne
Marine CO
USS Calypso
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