Singing!
Posted on Wed Jul 31st, 2024 @ 11:21pm by Captain Akeno Misaki & Commander Mashiro Munetani "Shiro" & Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie & Lieutenant Commander Mark Johnson & Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lieutenant Ileah & Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Mission:
Return to Tyra
Location: Mess Hall, 17:30, Tuesday.
There was a new 'tradition' that Captain Misaki had 'accidently on purpose' started on the Wayfarer. Today was Tuesday, and for the last couple of weeks every Tuesday had been deemed 'Karaoke Night' in the Mess Hall on Deck Two. Akeno had come up with the idea to boost morale on the ship by allowing any crew member to express their selves through song on an old style Karaoke machine she had somehow acquired.
It was strictly an off duty affair, and as usual ranks and positions were required to be left at the door. Karaoke night was also totally optional for everyone and started at 1730 after the gallet had finished serving dinner.
Her XO, unfortunately, had not yet been clued into Akeno's new "tradition," so when she showed up the Mess Hall shortly before 1730 hoping to sulk to herself over a glass of synthenol and attempt to drown out the mental image of Lieutenant Sullivan laying dead in his berth, she instead found Akeno setting up a microphone, a projector, and a pair of amps at the far side of the room.
And just when she really needed the peace and quiet...
She rolled her eyes and sighed. "Captain, what in the blazes are you doing?"
"Its Karaoke night... Like every Tuesday..." Akeno said. "Why?"
Mashiro was evidently appalled by the idea.
"Captain... with all due respect... what in the holy hell is wrong with you?!" she scolded. "We're presently en route to a mass war grave- one that Charles Starr won't even touch, mind you- and you're hosting a Karaoke party like this is some freakin' pleasure cruise? Have you no tact?!"
"But we're not there yet..." Akeno responded. "And our mission is going to have a big effect on crew morale once we do. Trust me, the crew need something like this to lift spirits before we get there."
"Morale boost my ass! You try belting out "Hello Dolly" next time you're visiting Wolf 359, and see how well that goes for you!"
"Oh live a little Shiro-Chan! Frowning makes you go all wrinkly and ages you faster! If we don't have down time every now and again then this ship would be a sad place to be!" She said as she forced the microphone into her hands. "Come on, let's sing something. The people who died at Tyra wouldn't want us crying about then now would they..."
"I just want to say that if I didn't favor my commission, I'd be hitting you right now..." Mashiro grumbled.
Patra made her way to the mess hall her work coveralls undone with the upper half tied around her waist, her gold T-shirt smeared with engineering lubricants. She had been working on the cold storage project in the cargo bay. She entered the mess hall just in time to her Commander Munetani comment about visiting Wolf 359. She walked over to the captain and xo, smiled sweetly at Commander Munetani and replied, “Was there, and yes it is a horrible thing, but the CAPTAIN is correct, the crew will need this diversion and others before we reach Tyra. Trust me Commander I have seen the Tyra system as it is now and it is a hell of a lot worse than Wolf 359, so get over your indignation and allow the crew to have this. Because Wolf 359 was just thirty nine ships lost and eleven thousand lives versus what we will be going into when we arrive a the Tyra system, ninety eight starships and over twenty four thousand lives, not to include enemy vessels and lives.” With that statement Patra turned and began to make her way to the bar, she was going to get herself an actual stiff alcoholic drink or two, not the synthenol crap.
Luna decided to head down to the Mess Hall to check out the apparently 'infamous' Karaoke Night she'd been hearing about...not planning on participating as she wasn't musically gifted...at least, that's what she told herself and everyone else. Eclipse tagged along, curious to see more of the ship and crew...plus not wanting to be in Luna's quarters by herself.
"Greetings, Captain, Commander," Luna greeted, not knowing that rank was dropped at this event. Eclipse waved shyly.
"Greetings everyone" saluted Mark entering the room while dressed casually and with a big smile on his face. He scanned the area and noticed the microphone and the projector. Grinning he closed in to the CO and the XO asking "So, who's gonna entertain us with some cabaret or karaoke?"
Akeno gave them all a big smile. "Ok, well who wants to go first?" She asked giving them all a look that screamed 'Me, Me, Me!'.
Raelyn, who had entered the mes hall five minutes prior, spoke. "Not it" she blurted out.
"Definitely not it..." Mashiro rejoined with a not-so-subtle roll of the eye.
Eclipse eeped at Raelyn's outburst and hid behind Luna.
"It's ok, little one. I think the Capain...er, Akeno, should go first to show Eclipse how it's done. I've gotta warm up my voice a little first," Luna chuckled softly, knowing her singing was gonna scare poor Eclipse half to death as she'd most likely never heard a Klingon ballad before!
Eclipse had never done anything recreational, so she was very confused...and slightly scared, but since Miss Luna was there, Eclipse felt safe.
Patra made it the bar and looked the bartender dead in the eyes, “A real Cuba libre with a lime twist and heavy on the rum. Before you ask I have not used my alcohol privileges yet.” The bartender murmured acknowledgement and requested her I.D., Patra provided it and then leaned back against the bar, watching those around her. Commander Munetani was correct, the crew had no idea how bad it was in the Tyra system, hence the reason she was glad the captain was at least trying to get the crew to relax, before they witnessed the true horror that awaited.
"Captain's first" Mark said out aloud showing her the stage with his right hand. "Also, I think I need a drink before singing anything" he added grinning.
It didn't take asking twice for Akeno to trot upto the Karaoke machine. She had already picked out a song to sing tonight. "Computer, deactivate Universal Translator for the Japanese Language." She said with a grin. The music began, it was upbeat and cheerful and seemed rather overally 'happy' and 'bouncy'.
Are you ready?
hey hey hey hey hey (hey hey hey hey hey)
hey hey hey hey hey (hey hey hey hey hey)
hey (hey) hey (hey) hey (hey) hey (hey) ah
Aitsu mo koitsu mo ano seki wo
Tada hitotsu neratte irun da yo
Kono kurasu de ichiban no bijin no tonari wo
Aah, minna raibaru sa
Aah, inochi gake da yo
(woo) yeah yeah yeah
(English)
This guy, that guy
They all are aiming for that seat
Next to the prettiest girl in class
Ah, everybody is a rival
Ah, risking their lives
Goddess of destiny
Please smile at me
Just once wow...
Benkyou suru ki mo shinai ki mo
Kono toki ni kakatte irun da yo
Moshi dame nara kono boku wa
Mou gure chimau yo
(English)
To be in the mood for studying or not
Depends on this moment
If I don't make it
I'll become a delinquent
Full Song 'Gakuen Tengoku' Listen Here
Akeno continued singing in her native tongue, whilst doing a few bouncy dance moves and it looked like she was thoroughly enjoying herself. Once the music stopped she couldn't help but stand there and grin to herself. She re-activated the universal translator for Japanese and looked around for who is next. "Who's next?"
With a scotch in his hands Mark listened to Akeno singing moving his head at the rhythm. As soon as she was finished, he started clapping his hands paying attention not to spill his drink but still applauding at his captain's singing skills.
Patra was leaning back drinking her Cuba libre when a sense of mischief overcame her, “I believe I heard Commander Johnson volunteer for the next song.” she shouted out. A twinkle was in her eyes as she looked over at the good doctor, “Right doc? You claimed the next song.”
The doctor almost spilled his drink overhearing Patra's words. He turned and started stattering a bit then he just shrugged, drank the remaining of his scotch in one single sip, and rose the glass in reverence towards the engineer.
"My turn" he said out aloud making his way towards the stage.
As soon as he reached the center of the room and fixed the height of the microphone boom, he had a better view of the crowd and shook his head, sorry for not having drank more.
"Ladies and gentlemen" he started with a grin "my really bad version of one of the best singer in the universe...Frank Sinatra"
"That's life.." he started
"That's what all the people saaaaay
You're riding high in April, shot down in May
But I knooow IIII'm gonna change that tuune
When IIIIII'm back on top, back on top in Juuuune"
He kept singing trying, with little success, to emulate the amazing Frank Sinatra's voice
"I've been a puppet, a pauper, a pirate, a poet
A pawn and a king
I've been up and down and over and out
And I know one thing
Each time I find myself layin'
Flat on my face
I just pick myself up and get
Back in the race
That's life
That's life and I can't deny it
Many times I thought of cutting out, but my heart won't buy it
But if there's nothing shaking, come this here July
I'm gonna roll myself up
In a big ball and diiieeeeeee"
Full Version of 'Thats Life' listen here.
He concluded gasping for air after this very last voice excursion.
Akeno began to clap and cheer. "That was really awesome!" she cheered. She didn't know that their doctor had such a good voice, especially one well suited for such a classic song from Earth's past.
Eclipse's eye's were as wide a saucers!
"Sso ththis is what all that noise was all those night!? They were trying to out scream each other?" Eclipse didn't get it at all!
"It's not a 'screaming' contest, Little One. It is a human tradition of trying to out SING each other for fun...a good thing!" Luna chuckled softly, stroking Eclipse's hair reasuringly.
"I am going to sing something next...but it WILL sound like someone screamng/unpleasant, but it's actually a beautiful song," Luna assured.
"I'll take a crack at it, Akeno," Luna smiled as she rotated her neck and shoulders in anticipation.
[Insert a Klingon song]
Spectre came out of seemingly Nowhere and moved to the stage dressed in denum Jeans and matching jacket.
"I'd like to do an old Mac Davis that is befitting." He announced at the first few bars started.
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
Cause I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
But I'm doin' the best that I can.
Spectre was working the crowd making eye contact and winking at the Ladies.
I used to have a girlfriend
But I guess she just couldn't compete
With all of these love-starved women
Who keep clamoring at my feet
Well I could probably find me another
But I guess they're all in awe of me
Who cares? I never get lonesome
Cause I treasure my own company.
Playing out the last stanza for fun and raising his arms a bit and winking at the Captain with a clown like grin.
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're doing the best that you can.
Bowing and opening his arms for emphasis.
I guess you could say I'm a loner
A cowboy outlaw, tough and proud
Well, I could have lotsa friends if I wanted,
But then I wouldn't stand out from the crowd
Some folks say that I'm egotistical
Hell, I don't even know what that means
I guess it has something to do with the way
That I fill out my skin-tight blue jeans
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're perfect in every way
I can't wait to look in the mirror
I get better lookin' each day
To know me is to love me
I must be a hell of a man
Oh Lord, it's hard to be humble
When you're doing the best that you can
We're doing the best that you cannnn...
Full Version of 'Its Hard to be Humble' listen here.
He took a Bow and then put mic back on the stand before moving off the stage.
Patra applauded the good doctors performance. Feeling a tad bit bad for putting him on the spot she downed her Cuba libre and stated loudly, “Well I guess if the good doctor can sing that well I should take my turn. Patra made her way to the stage. She then murmured to the computer the song she wanted.
The music began and in German Patra began to sing in German:
Vor der Kaserne,
Vor dem großen Tor
Steht 'ne Laterne
Und steht sie noch davor.
Dort wollen wir uns wiederseh'n,
Bei der Laterne woll'n wir steh'n
Wie einst Lili Marleen,
Wie einst Lili Marleen.
Unsre beiden Schatten
Sah'n wie einer aus;
Dass wir lieb uns hatten,
Das sah man gleich daraus.
Und alle Leute soll'n es seh'n,
Wenn wir bei der Laterne steh'n
Wie einst Lili Marleen,
Wie einst Lili Marleen.
Deine Schritte kennt sie,
Deinen schönen Gang,
Alle Abend brennt sie,
Doch mich vergaß sie lang.
Und sollte mir ein Leid gescheh'n,
Wer wird bei der Laterne steh'n
Mit dir, Lili Marleen,
Mit dir, Lili Marleen?
Aus dem stillen Raume,
Aus der Erde Grund
Hebt sich wie im Traume
Full Version of 'Lili Marleen' listen here.
When she finished with her song she took a bow, then stated "Hope everyone will forgive my singing in German." Then stepped off the stage to get herself another Cuba libre
Eclipse was awed by all the different voices and styles of music.
"Uum...ccan I ttry something...pplease?" Eclipse whispered, gently tugging on Luna's shirt.
Mark clapped at Patra's performance even if he didn't understand a single word of the german song.
"Go on, let her have a go," Akeno said with a smile noticing Eclipse pulling at Luna's shirt.
"Go ahead, Little One," Luna encouraged.
Eclipse took a shaky breath, then went to the microphone, adjusted it like she'd seen the others do, and started to sing in a soft soprano.
"Can anybody find me
Somebody to love?
Ooh, each morning I get up I die a little
Can barely stand on my feet
Take a look at yourself in the mirror and cry
Take a look in the mirror and cry
Lord, what you're doing to me? (Yeah, yeah)
I have spent all my years in believin' you
But I just can't get no relief, Lord
Somebody (Somebody)
Ooh, somebody (Somebody)
Can anybody find me
Somebody to love?
Yeah
I work hard (He works hard) every day of my life
I work 'till I ache my bones
At the end (At the end of the day) I take home
My hard-earned pay all on my own
(Goes home, goes home on his own)
I get down (Down) on my knees (Knees) and I start to pray (Praise the Lord)
'Till the tears run down from my eyes, Lord
Somebody (Somebody)
Ooh, somebody (Please)
Can anybody find me
Somebody to love?
Oh
(He works hard) everyday (Everyday)
I try and I try and I try
But everybody wants to put me down
They say I'm going crazy
They say I got a lot of water in my brain
I got no common sense
(He's got) I got nobody left to believe
No, no, no, no
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, Lord)
Ooh, somebody
Ooh (Somebody)
Anybody find me
Somebody to love
Can anybody find me
Someone to love?
(Ooh, ooh, ooh, Lord)
Ooh, somebody
Ooh (Somebody)
Anybody find me
Somebody to love
Can anybody find me
Someone to love?
Got no feel, I got no rhythm
I just keep losing my beat (You just keep losing and losing)
I'm okay, I'm alright (He's alright, he's alright)
I ain't gonna face no defeat (Yeah, yeah)
I just gotta get out of this prison cell
(One day) Someday I'm gonna be free, Lord
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
Find me somebody to love
(Find me, find me)
Find me somebody to love (Find me)"
Full Version of 'Anybody To Love' listen here.
Akeno clapped and cheered at the classic rock that Eclipse sang. She enjoyed the beat. She jumped to her feet as she cheered and clapped. "That was awesome!" She then looked over at Mashiro with a huge smirk on her face. She trotted over to the executive officer and stood in front of her.
"Shirooooo Chan...." She said still with a smirk.
"Wha- no!" Mashiro protested. "This is absolutely inappropriate, given what we're heading into!"
Continuing to smirk Akeno took Mashiro's hand. "Oh lighten up you spoilt sport!" Akeno told her. She tugged on her hand to try and get her to stand up. "Come and sing with me! I have the perfect song for us! Come onnn!"
"Captain, I swear to Christ-!" Mashiro continued to protest, though her efforts to resist were somewhat laughable as Akeno all but dragged her up onto the stage.
Akeno simply laughed as she forced a microphone into Mashiro's hands. "Just relax, trust me once you get into it. You'll enjoy it! Stop being so up tight!" she told her as she selected the next song. She had chosen an old duet from a classic musical movie she had seen years ago, and one song seemed perfect for them to sing together.
The words appeared on the screen and Akeno began to sing, taking the lead of the first singer.
Right here, right now
I put the offer out
I don't wanna chase you down
I know you see it
You run with me
And I can cut you free
Out of the drudgery and walls you keep in
So trade that typical for something colorful
And if it's crazy, live a little crazy
You can play it sensible, a king of conventional
Or you can risk it all and see
Akeno took a step to the side and turned to Mashiro as if she was singing directly to her. She held out a hand as she sang as if offering it to her Executive Officer. She then continued the song.
Don't you wanna get away from the same old part you gotta play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
It'll take you to the other side
'Cause you can do like you do
Or you can do like me
Stay in the cage, or you'll finally take the key
Oh, damn, suddenly you're free to fly
It'll take you to the other side
"Damnit!" Mashiro scowled as she almost lost her grip on the mircrophone.
Okay, my... friend, you want to cut me in?
Well, I hate to tell you, but it just. Won't. Happen.
So thanks, but no
I think I'm good to go
'Cause I think I quite enjoy the life I'm trapped in
I suppose I admire you, and this whole show you do
You're onto something- and really, it's something
But I live along the swells
And I don't pick up peanut shells
I'll have to leave that up to you!
She tried to force the microphone back into Akeno's hand, but when her commanding officer pushed back, she scowled and continued with the chorus:
Don't you know that I'm okay
With this uptown part that I get to play?
'Cause I got what I need and
I don't want to take the ride
I don't need to see the other side!
So go and do like you do
I'm good to do like me
I have no cage, so I don't need a key!
If you'd ask, you'd see I'm doing just fine
I don't need to see the other side!
Akeno smiled, it seemed like Mashiro was starting to somewhat loosen up, or at least blow off a little steam with this song. She placed one hand on her hip as she sang the next verse.
Now is this really how you like to spend your days?
Whiskey and misery, and parties and plays
Mashiro wasted no time in firing back:
If I were mixed up with you,
I'd be the talk of this town!
Disgraced and disowned,
Another one of the clowns!
But she was, so there was really no arguing that point.
Akeno smirked in response, she knew that Mashiro taking the second part was perfect for her. It was now her turn, this time she held out a hand again as if offering to bring her in closer.
But you would finally live a little, finally laugh a little
Just let me give you the freedom to dream
And it'll wake you up and cure your aching
Take your walls and start 'em breaking
Now that's a deal that seems worth taking
But I guess I'll leave that up to you...
On the last line, she lowered her gaze to the floor and turned away from Mashiro. Letting the word process in the commander's mind.
Well, it's intriguing, but to go would cost me greatly
So what percentage of this show would I be taking?
Turning back to face Mashiro she flashed her a big smile as she raised her microphone back to her mouth.
Well, fair enough, you'd want a piece of all the action
I'd give you seven, we could shake and make it happen...
Mashiro scowled.
I wasn't born this morning; 18 will do just fine!
Akeno scowled in response.
Why not just go ahead and ask for latinum on the dime?!
Fifteen bars!
Akeno shook her head.
I'd do eight...
Twelve!
Akeno seemed to ponder for a split second.
Maybe nine...
She looked directly at Mashiro's eyes.
Ten.
A brief moment was shared between them as the music settled. Then Akeno stepped forward quickly and grabbed Mashiro's hand as the words on the screen showed them to sing together.
Don't you wanna get away to a whole new part you're gonna play
'Cause I got what you need, so come with me and take the ride
To the other side
So if you do like I do
So if you do like me
Forget the cage, 'cause we know how to make the key
Oh, damn, suddenly we're free to fly
We're going to the other side
So if you do like I do
(To the other side)
So if you do like me
(Going to the other side)
'Cause if we do we're going to the other side
We're going to the other side
Full Version of 'The Other Side' listen here. (Song Lyrics Slightly Adapted for Star Trek)
Once they finished Akeno held Mashiro's hand high above their heads as the music stopped and faded out. Shen then turned to her and gave her a huge smile. "See, that wasn't so bad was it?"
"Dammit, I can't believe I just did that..." Mashiro grumbled, burying her face in her hands.
Akeno held up the microphone back to her mouth and turned to the rest of the room. "Crew of the Wayfarer! Your Executive Officer Mashiro Munetani!" she announced. "Give her a round of applause! Make some noise Wayfarer!"
The mess hall erupted into cheers and clapping aimed at supporting their rather shy and stuck up Executive Officer.
"Were you not my Commanding Officer," Mashiro huffed. "I would be kicking the crap out of you right now..."
Akeno nudged her in the side with her elbow. "Well get used to it," she said with one of her signature smirks. "Because you're stuck with me Shiro Chan..."
"At this point, I'm beginning to question whether or not that's a good thing..."
The night continued on with various crew members each getting up and singing a variety of songs. From old classics to more modern and alien tracks. The Karaoke night that had become a tradition on the Wayfarer was quickly turning into the evening that most of the crew looked forward to the most. It was indeed boosting morale, and Akeno's plan to make sure the crew remained happy seemed to be working, at least for now.
Posting by:
Captain Akeno Misaki
Commanding Officer
Commander Mashiro Munetani "Shiro"
Executive Officer
Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
Lieutenant Commander Mark Johnson
Chief Medical Officer
Lieutenant Ileah
Yeoman
Lieutenant JG Patra Rommel
Chief Engineer
Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
Chief Flight Control Officer
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Songs Lyrics Included in this post are for entertainment purposes only. No profit is made from these Lyrics. All copyright goes to the original artists and are being used here on 'Fair Use'.
