Tea Time - Love Is In the Air - Part II
Posted on Sat Sep 27, 2025 @ 3:31am by Civilian Gertrude Helsing & Colonel Nicholas Means III & Civilian Florence Cooke & Civilian Beatrice Weatherford & Civilian Henrietta Barton
1,333 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Time After Time
Location: Promenade
Timeline: MD22 - afternoon
[PREVIOUSLY]
"Colonel, why would or should we thank Turvan?" Henrietta carefully cradling the roses in her hands.
[CONTINUED]
Thinking to himself, ~Time to get serious~. Tapping Florence on the leg as he moved to his proper seat. "Well look at our numbers. A Marine Expeditionary Unit or MEU is supposed to have 2,200 to 4,400 Marines spread out over various, what we call elements. Prior to the attack we were less than 900 strong.
"Thanks to his actions and the support of the Commodore we are not only getting a large influx of personnel, the Marines are getting new equipment, several fighter and transport squadrons, and a permanent base on the planet's surface. Had the attack not happened there is no tell when or even if we would have gotten what we needed."
That brightened up Henrietta significantly, "Well I do declare, I love that there is a silver lining and glad something good came out of that mess. Makes me feel better about things."
"Oh, my," Gertie said, as the numbers were incredible. "You've done very well indeed. What are your plans moving forward?"
"Take care of my Marines. Get the base operational. Get ready for all the new gear and new personnel. After that...Take care of my Marines."
"I like a man, with purpose." Florie said.
Grinning, Means gave her a wink. "Of course, while I'm doing all that I plan to enjoy Lasuma's new shop, Beyond The Veil, with is cigar lounge or enjoying the lake that is between the base and the research colony."
"Ooh, yes. I've heard about that lake. It sounds lovely." Gertie paused, then decided this was the perfect opportunity to follow up on a question from last week. "Rumor has it the new commander and the head of Lasuma Enterprises managed to fall into that lake and show up wet to your new base. Can you give us any more details about that?"
Means chuckled and smiled. He had learned long time ago to never participate in rumor especially if it could embarrass the boss. "Sorry ladies, but I can neither confirm or deny what happened at the lake, if anything since I wasn't there. But they did show up wet. I know you were all hoping for something juicy, but as I understand it they were surveying the lake...and I know of no one that intends to get soaked while in uniform so whatever happened was probably just some kind of accident."
Gertie smiled, appreciating the careful way he answered--even if their audience might not. "Very true. Before you joined us, we were commenting on some of the budding romances now that we don't have to worry about the war. May I ask if you are seeing anyone?" She couldn't help glancing at Florie as she added, "I know there are quite a few young ladies who would like to know if you're single."
Smiling, he looked to either side of himself at all the ladies on the panel. "It's the uniform isn't? Ladies love those dress blues." He paused to word things carefully...just in case. "Well...there may be a few interests on the station. But nothing official as yet. One thing I will admit to though..."
Gertie did love a man in uniform, but she wasn't looking for anyone right now. "And what is that?"
"I don't waltz...At least not on a dance floor."
Beatrice had been quietly watching the two go back and forth but at that she almost sprayed her tea.
"Don't waltz on a dance floor? " Henrietta had to ponder over that statement, then it hit her and her eyes grew rather round. She clapped one hand over her mouth . "Oh my!" her cheeks turning a bit red. "You are such a rogue, Colonel."
Gertie just laughed.
"Horatio would have loved talking with you. Rascals tend to bond with each other." A twinkle in Henrietta's eyes still having a flush to her cheeks.
"I do enjoy the horizontal tango." Florie said with a smile.
Beatrice set her cup on the table, "I could catch an STD listening to this..." Putting a hand on the Colonel's shoulder, "You’ll have to excuse Florie. She suffered a slight stroke a few years ago, which rendered her totally annoying."
Gertie started to laugh, then coughed to try and hide it. Trying to turn the conversation back to the Marines, she asked. "What would you like everyone on the station to know about you and the Corps?"
"Excuse me, all, I have to take my medication, so I don't become a daft apeth, like my poor friend Bea." Florie said.
Means opened his mouth to reply when Beatrice flicked her cookie at Florie hitting her in the chest. Turning to Beatrice, "Nice shot, Center mass...Hmmm that gives me an idea."
Looking and gesturing to Gertie, "Which would tie into your question. "The Corps has a long history going back centuries, huh I guess you could say so do I, but I digress. "I think I can address both of those at the same time. The Marine Corps has three core values: Honor, Courage, and Commitment. However, I personally think they put those in the wrong order. Courage should be the first and highest tenet, because without courage you cannot have the other two."
He paused for a moment, "There is an old saying, 'Stand for what is right...Even if that means standing alone.' That is the kind of courage that has exemplified the Corps though-out its history. That is the courage I strive for, and the kind of courage I try to instill and expect from my Marines."
"Well said, colonel," Gertie replied, hoping to bring the talk back on course. Although, she had to admit, Bea's shot was well-aimed.
She looked around the table. "Any other questions for the Colonel?"
Beatrice chimed it, quite sure the Colonel's stock just went up after that. If anyone was able to hook him they better be in it for the long haul, something told her she wasn't one for the casual relationship. "You had mentioned you had an idea?"
Means nodded, "How would you ladies like a tour of the base once completed? I will have to get it approved, but the we are not too far from the Marine Corps' Birthday. Perhaps you do some shots from the surface. We have new equipment coming in...perhaps a few rides in some of those vehicles, weapons demonstrations, etc.. If approved of course.
"But I can definitely ensure you all get invitations to the Marine Corps Ball as my personal guest."
Gertie put a hand over her heart. "I haven't been to a good ball since my Victor died. We accept your lovely invitation. Thank you." She couldn't help glancing across the table as she added, "And we'll make sure Florie takes her iron pills."
It was a quiet answer from Henrietta, "I accept the invitation Colonel. It will be lovely to see what has transpired." She had seemed to be lost in thought, after her teasing Means. Her thoughts having been about her husband. She flicked away a tear that had developed, she certainly missed her husband.
She recovered, coming into focus. "Well ladies, upon that note? I am excited that our next show will be at the Marine corps ball. Where we will all be dressed to the nines. I predict that several tailors will be busy trying to fill our requests to make us beautiful for such an auspicious occasion. Good heavens that means I will need to get my hair done." Henrietta smoothing back a few errant strands of hair.
"Well, Colonel, you've made the ladies here very happy today," Gertie said. "Thank you for joining us on Tea Time."
"Was my pleasure."
A post by
Henrietta Barton
Self-Proclaimed Queen of Tarts
Deep Space Five
Gertrude Helsing
Nerf Herder
Deep Space 5
Beatrice "Bullseye" Weatherford
Deep Space 5
Colonel Nicholas "Smooth Operator" Means III
21st MEU CO
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