Cmdr. Karrod Niac - With Apologies To Clement Moore

[Dekas]

This quick little one from @Karrod Niac deserves an appreciation because it's clever, it's funny, and it's just very nice.

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((Captain's Quarters, Deck 5, USS Ronin))

With a warm cup of nog in his hands as the evening grew late, Karrod looked out the viewport of his quarters.  From somewhere deep within Niac an ancient and possibly misremembered poem sprang into his mind.  

'Twas the night before Ship'mas when all through the Ronin,
Not a crewman was stirring, or floating or rowin.
The torpedoes were hung off the catamaran with care,
In hopes that no Tholians or Sheliak soon would be there.

The ensigns were nestled all snug in their bunks,
While Cheesecake, dear Cheesecake, was taking a dump.
And Niac in uniform, beard adorned with a bow,
Had just hunkered down with a hoversled in tow.  

When out in the sector there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my station to see what was the matter.
Away to the viewport, I flew like a flash,
Depolarized the panel and prepared for a crash.  

The nebula twinkled with colors so bright,
Enhanced by the glow of the nearby starlight.
When what to my wondering eyes did appear,
But an antique looking shuttle, its appearance most queer.  

With a glint off the viewport and the bright amber glow
I knew in a moment I should call alert...yellow.  
But quick did it move and fast did it dash
All the while somehow avoiding a crash.  

A voice called out clearly, piercing the vacuum of space
Lets all try to give our fair author some grace

"On Raga, On Alieth, on Kel and Chief Tucker
On Luxa Lorana and Helmsman O'Connor!  
On Beck and On Dekas, our emotional armor!"

To the top of the saucer, to the top of the hull,
Now warp away, warp away, warp away all!"

And then came a twinkling, I saw on the screen
The whirring and buzzing of each transporter beam.
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Down the turbolift Fleet Admiral Wolf came with a bound.

He was decked in his uniform, his face most severe,
Almost as if he was surprised to find himself here.
From a sack on his shoulders he flung out citations
For service, for merit, and even operation(s).

His eyes, how they twinkled, so full of insight,
I worried my beard might offer some slight.
But away to the viewport did the Fleet Admiral go
With my best bottle of scotch taken in tow.  

The ship now grew silent, save the beeps and the bops
And a hissing they couldn't really make stop.
The Ronin was peace and placid and calm
But Karrod suspected that wouldn't last long.

So to each able crewman and officer in turn
He offered some praise that they all had well earned.
"Be Merry, Dear Ronins, For Adventure is nigh
And with a small bit of luck we all might not die."
"Our journey just starting, our potential so vast.
Lets hope Corcino doesn't get on our ass."

Karrod sighed to himself, contented at last
and with a laugh and a giggle, he signed off quite fast.  

Fair Journey to you, Dearest Crew of Mine
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, I hope it's divine!

Karrod put aside his mug and turned off the lights, curling into bed with a warmth in his heart and a smile on his lips.  

[End]

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Commander Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0