This is the next instalment in the adventures of Space Engineer Jonathan Selby and his android Billy. This an original work and completely fictitious and a product of my imagination. All similarities to past, current or future persons are pure accidental. This story is protected by all International copyright laws without prejudice.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The intrepid duo has saved the ECS Isandlwana, got promoted, received the highest honour there is in Starfleet (yeah I know, original) and have to attend a banquet in their honor. Billy the android also became the first android with an official surname, Selby, and may choose a name. (Petunia somehow doesn't fit...) Then they are invited to the Non-com Canteen by the crew of said ECS Isandlwana. And so the journey continues...
We dropped off Billy's duffle in what is now our berth in the Hub and attended the banquet in our honour. Yes, it was boring and embarrassing at the same time. I am the type of person who becomes embarrassed at praise. But we did the necessary smooching and everything else, I had to give a bloody speech! The generic words of being a brother and sisterhood looking after each other went down well. I think. The holographic visit from the President herself was a surprise, and her kind but powerful praise made me blush.
But as we started navigating the corridors to the Non-com Canteen, I could not help but give a sigh of relief. Billy giggles next to me and it startles me a little. I am still not completely used to her human-like reactions, will probably take me a couple of years. If ever.
"You really don't like banquets do you, Boss?" she chortles. "I thought your speech was heart-warming, despite your red face!"
"Gmph," I reply in my normal grumpy voice, "and if you don't stop teasing me about it I will paddle your behind."
She looks at me and say very innocently: "Really, Boss? You promise? Will you paddle Billy's behind until it is all red? Because after my latest upgrade it will be red."
I look at her all shocked, but at the same time her tone of voice hits me right in the groin. She carries on with the same voice and innocently eager facial expression.
"But you will have to be careful though, I am pregnant you know."
Her words stops me dead in my tracks, my mind whirling at a thousand terabits a second. The next moment she burst out laughing.
"You must see your face Boss! Damn I got you good! You forgot for a moment I can't fall pregnant and you can't procreate!"
Her facial expression becomes tender.
"At least you have stopped brooding about the honors and the banquet, well deserved as it is."
I realize what she is doing, and I feel the knot inside of me that I didn't know existed loosen and disappear. I could not let her get away scot-free though, and sound even more grumpy when I groan and continue walking down the corridor.
"Ugh! They gave you a sense of humor and downloaded some kinks."
As Billy chuckles at my words we round a corner and see the welcoming committee of one waiting for us outside the Non-com canteen.
Waiting for us was a stocky Command Master Chief, and from the facial and cranial ridges I immediately recognize him as a native from Cerebus Prime. As we get closer I am not surprised to see that it is Paco Quedida, the chief pilot of the ECS Isandlwana. He comes to a parade ground brace and salutes us before addressing us in a gravelly voice.
"Captain Selby, Ensign Selby. You are welcome. I will announce you."
Doing a perfect about turn he marched the two steps to the doors, open them and in a commanding voice shouts out: "Attention on deck!" The sound of a lot of feet coming to attention as one reverberates through the air. This is unheard of! If an officer wants to have a drink in the Non-com canteen he has to march to the senior non-commissioned officer and salute first (instead of the other way around) and request permission to join the ranks. Permission can be refused. I looked bewilderingly at Billy but nod and we march to the door and come to halt just inside the doors. A sight greets us that gives me a lump in my throat and I know this will stay with me for the rest of my life. The canteen is packed with what looked like the complete crew of the Isandlwana, as well as a good complement of the non-coms and seaman of the Hub, all dressed in full parade uniform. Paco continues: "Forward Arms!" and the whole canteen salutes us as one person. Billy and I return the salute. "Order Arms!" rings out and the salutes drop. A wizened almost skeletal Command Master Chief whose build and insanely blue eyes marks her to be a Cerulean marches up to us, halts and salutes. After we have returned the salute she addresses us in a raspy voice that surprising carries to the farthest corners of the canteen.
"Captain Selby, Ensign Selby. Welcome to the Non-com canteen as guests of the ECS Isandlwana. As senior non-commissioned officer in the Hub, I Command Master Chief Petty Officer Jan Condiode declare that you are hereby instated as honorary guests of the canteen with unconditional access whenever you are in the Hub."
This honor is rarely given, and means almost as much to me as the heavy medal hanging around my neck. She makes an about face and shouts: "Three hurrahs for the Captain and the Ensign!" The "Hurrah! Hurrah! Hurrah!" That rings out is almost deafening. Jen then gives the next command: "Stand at ease!" and a drill instructor would have been proud to hear the single sound ringing out. She looks over her shoulder and says: "All yours Captain". I give a single step forward with a scowl on my face, and then smile and say: "All right, at ease canteen."
I know I am awake, I am laying on a bed and I can feel I do not have any clothes on. The headache pounding behind my eyes feel like bells tolling in a cavern and my mouth is as dry as the sands on the planet Norse while as furry as the back of a Cantonica pack beast. The groan that escapes my throat as I slowly roll onto my back sounds like it belongs to someone dying a horrible death. I vaguely remember the Non-com canteen and the toasts, the endless toasts... I swear at some stage Paco Querida told me according to his culture he owes me a life and said something concerning honorary citizenship for his home planet or something. A soft hand lifts my aching head and place a straw between my lips. The giggling words of Billy sounds like they spoken in a tin, but as I sip the cool beverage that slightly taste of spices it glides down easily and alleviates the dryness in my throat.
"You really look bad Boss! You look worse than after the bender you went on during the shore leave at New Earth with your class buddies! Don't worry, I got this recipe from a shaman, you'll be okay after an hour's sleep."
The fluids starts making me sleepy, and I sink into the darkness...