<USS Avalon> Dinner

Dinner
by Captain Keith Ketchum, Ambassador Dawson Praz, and Tess Ketchum

After meeting with Mr. Manson, Keith walked to his quarters and changed into 
something a little more comfortable and casual.  Once he had changed, he made 
his way to the transporter room and provided the attending transporter 
operator the coordinates to the Embassy.

"Please if you can, put me outside the Main gate, I like to walk through the 
garden up to the Embassy."

"Of course, Captain."  The operator put in the information.  "Whenever you 
are ready, sir."

Walking to the platform, he turned, "Energize."

The next thing that Keith saw was the spot-lite Embassy of Alpha Centauri. 
Walking towards the house, he took in the garden. It hadn't changed since the 
last time he sat there, with Vice-Chairman Elana Santi, and she told him about 
his father, and his death.

Finally making his way to the door, he rang the bell.  A doorman opened the 
door.  "Captain Ketchum, I presume?"

"Yes, I am... I am here to see my father and daughter."

"Of course, sir, right this way."  He motioned in and Keith followed into the 
Embassy.

Keith followed along, noting the tapestries as he walked.  Finally they 
arrived at the sitting room and the doorman announced him, "Ambassador, Captain 
Keith Ketchum is here."

"Daddy", Tess jumped up from in front of the fireplace and ran around and 
hugged Keith, "I missed you."

"Tess, you've grown."

"Well, I am twelve now, Daddy", she stated proudly.

"Yes, I know, and I'm turning into an old man.  Speaking of old men", he 
looked at Dawson and then winked at Tess.

They both chuckled as Dawson turned towards them, with a scowl on his face, 
then breaking into a smile.  "Welcome, my son, come and sit.  Dinner won't be 
ready for a few more minutes.  You can tell me about this Rydyn Ambassador, 
that wants an appointment with me, what's his name, Oonal, or something."

Making his way over, he sat on the couch and Tess returned to her spot in 
front of the fireplace.  "Oonal, yes, he was an issue since the Rydyns were 
secured to their quarters on the Avalon, after Captain Flubb's murder."

"Yes, I read about the murder.  The Antican's weren't too happy either, had a 
meeting with their Ambassador also.  I will say, the Universal Translators 
don't work too well for them, seems to come out in broken speech."

Keith just nodded.  "I think Skyler had qualms with Flubb too, he decided to 
move into her office", he finished and started to chuckle.

"Still causing problems, is she?  I told you from the beginning that making 
her your XO would be nothing but grief for you.  She still being a 
trouble-maker?"  He too started to laugh.

"Yes", still chuckling.  "Ah, but can't complain."

They chatted for a few minutes before another gentleman came in to announce, 
"Dinner is served."  They stood and made their way to the dining room.

As they ate dinner, they caught up on everything that happened since they 
last talked.  Dawson discussed the Council, that just got underway, and that 
there were many new faces on the Council.  And the ones that returned after the 
chambers had been refurbished. 

The night wore on, as they returned to the sitting room, and talked over 
Brandys.  Tess had went to bed, and Keith tucked her in, "I'll talk to you 
soon, 
Little One."

"I'll hold you to that, Dad", Tess smiled.  Keith kissed her on the forehead.

Returning to the sitting room, "I suppose, I should return to the Avalon.  I 
have an early meeting with Commodore Crusher, regarding our next mission."

"I understand son.  Be well, and call more often, now that we're on this side 
of the galaxy instead of Deep Space Delta One."

"I will do that.  Keep her safe."

"Of course."

Keith tapped his communicator, "Ketchum to Avalon, standby for one to beam 
up." Keith shook Dawson's hand.  "Thanks again for taking care of her."  He 
tapped the communicator, "Energize."

The Embassy faded out of view as the Avalon transporter room appeared.  He 
walked out of the transporter room, "One Day More..."

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