Even Flag Staff Have Responsibilities

Posted on Tue Jul 21st, 2026 @ 7:25am by Commodore Lucian Marshall & Elenor Lachlan

964 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Marine Ball
Location: Captain's Quarters

The quarters of Commodore Lucian Marshall were unusually quiet.

No urgent status reports echoed through the room. No tactical alerts flashed across nearby consoles. For the first time in what felt like months, the constant weight of command had eased, if only for an evening.

Soft amber lighting reflected against the polished surfaces of the Commodore’s formal dress uniform, laid out with meticulous precision across the table before him. The crisp white jacket, trimmed in red and Federation gold for flag officers, seemed almost unfamiliar compared to the duty-worn uniforms he usually carried through crisis after crisis aboard the U.S.S. Dreadnought.

Tonight, however, was different.

Tonight was the Marine Ball.

Marshall adjusted the cuff of his undershirt before lifting the white dress jacket carefully into place across his shoulders. The fabric settled perfectly, tailored with the kind of sharp precision expected of a senior officer hosting one of the ship’s most important traditions.

In the bedroom was his Wife, Elenor who was combatting her own attire.

She'd spent a week making sure the outfit shed picked out was appropriate for the Marine Ball, for shed never before gone to an official function like this one.

She felt, oddly...like a kitten and a butterfly were chasing each other around in the hollow of her belly. She'd never been invited to something like this, much less attended as someone's wife .

The sky blue dress she was going to wear glittered on its hanger as she pinned up her hair with jeweled Bobby pins. Each one placed precisely and secured with the tiniest spritz of hairspray.

Lucian had finished getting dressed though now stood in front of a mirror fighting with his collar to clip it closed. The last time he wore this kind of uniform was some years ago though this time it would be aboard his own ship for a marine event.

He was surprised to have gotten the invite, though he would have equally understood had he not since he wasn't a marine. The gesture however was a welcome one as the clip to his collar failed to fasten for the third time.

"Do you need help love?" Elenor called from the bathroom as she placed the final touch on her makeup. The spray that set her in place was faintly vanilla scented and complimented the perfume she was wearing as well. It added a note of sweetness to her.

"My collar is refusing to cooperate." Lucian spoke as he failed a forth attempt.

A giggle floated back to him. "Leave it be a moment and ill come help you."

Taking her dress down, she stepped into the open zip and allowed it to rest on her shoulders. It cascaded to the floor in a rippling water-like motion. It caught at her hips for a moment, before settling with a touch of her hand. She zipped it, and she transformed into the breathtakingly elegant commodores wife.

Lucian was standing in front of the mirror reciting information to keep it fresh to his memory. Jack was dating Acacia, who recently had a baby. Sam was dating Bianca, Wolfe was dating Penny. He didn't want to make an embarrassing mistake by getting it mixed up.

Her breath caught as she saw him standing there in full Starfleet dress. Tall and strong and...She didn't have the appropriate words for how good he looked, and she looked forward to showing him later.

Lucian saw Elenor in the reflection of the mirror and smiled. She looked....incredible. "I'm sorry madam, that his majesty has been delayed, I hope this lowly Commodore will suffice until he arrives?"

Her fingertips traced over the medals and ribbons before resting on his chest. "I think his majesty would alas be dissappointed, as I have eyes only for the Commodore."

"Flatterer." Lucian smiled. "But I'll take it." With a deep breath he calmed himself. He wasn't a fan of large groups and this one promised to be huge given it was all the marines and partners.

"Is it flattery though?" She teased gently, her hand finding his and drawing his fingertips to her lips.

"From you, I'll take it all, regardless of what it is. " He answered. "I hope you don't feel pressured to do this, I know you have your own duties that needs your attention."

"I was just as flattered as you were to be invited. Professors dont usually get to attend such things, i shall have you know." Her eyes gleamed at him "promise you'll dance with me?"

"I promise, I think i can work up a move out two. Though I suspect it won't be me everyone is looking at?" Which was perfectly fine with

"Mmm perhaps not, though I can't imagine why they wouldn't want to look at you" her eyes flickered over him and she silently expressed her appreciation to him.

"Because they see me every day in uniform, you however look amazing. I almost feel under dressed." If only he could have worn something else.

"I am inadequate to the task of being on your arm, beloved. But I can pretend to not be the Professor for an evening." she teased him gently before she brushed her lips to his exposed neck. It took her only a moment to attach the collar to itself. "There"

Lucian considered that this was the first marine ball that he'd been invited to and that was only because he was the commanding officer of the ship to which it was taking place. He knew such an event was taken seriously by marines and deserved the respect it was due as a result. He knew that he wouldn't be the only non marine attending, some marines had Fleet partners, others had civilian. "Almost ready?"

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