What is a Drink

Posted on 30 Jun 2025 @ 4:50pm by Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi & Chief Warrant Officer Glenn Stone Mr

1,687 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Out of Character Discussion
Location: 10 forward
Timeline: Sometime After Arrivle.

ON:

Chief Stone had made his way to the large lounge on deck 8, which serves as the social center for the ship. 10 forward is the only place on board the vessel where rank does not need to be used. No one needs to utter Sir or Ma'am when a person of lower rank addresses an officer. He knew someone's opinions could be voiced in safety amongst fellow crewmates. The large bay windows provide a stunning view out into space.

In 10 forward, Stone looked over the most notable accessory, a modest-sized bar area that offers a wide selection of synthetic and alcoholic beverages, such as Aldebaran whiskey, Saurian brandy, Tzartak aperitif, Tamarian Frost, Warnog, Antarean brandy, and countless others. The replicators, feeding off the memory of the new computers, have nearly twice the food and drink options of any ship-bound replicator system in Starfleet, creating a more authentic replication. 

Chief Stone approached the bar and ordered a Rum and Coke drink. There were always a lot of choices, but he grew up watching his dad drink it, and now he does. He

He made his way over to a table by the windows. He sat leaning back in the chair. The day had been long, going through all the briefings. He looked forward to just sitting for a while.

sh'Zoarhi had walked in and caught Stone's attention. She had snow-white shoulder-length hair and a tense face. Beautiful blue eyes and smooth blue skin seductively complement her eyes and hair. sh'Zoarhi stood out in the room. Several people looked up and either greeted her or waved. Stone followed everyone else and greeted sh'Zoarhi as she walked by.

Thex gave a smile or a wave to the many familiar faces around the bar. It was amazing how many names she knew and knew her back. Ordering her drinks of an Andorian ale and an Orion Starburst she picked them up and looked around the bar. Seeing the new face she walked over giving the occupant a smile. " Hello there stranger is this seat taken? " she inquired.


Stone seemed to stare at the seat momentarily, inspecting it. "It's open; I don't see a name on it," he said with a smile, pointing out that the seat was open.

"Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi, engineering, I think. What brings you to my humble table? Me being graced with such beauty," he said politely but with some humor.

" That's me." Thex replied with a smile as she slid into the opposite seat. " Always eager to meet the new people on the ship and I've not seen you around before. How the girl being treating you. " She added

"Yes, you are right. I am new to this ship, and the ship is just fine. I have been on some ships, and I was surprised that we got out of the space dock," he replied with a grin, then took a drink of his coke and rum. It is different being assigned permanently to a ship, especially one as nice as this one, " he added, looking the Lieutenant over, not in a creepy way, more like an evaluation.

" I know that feeling. I've served on some rather old rust buckets in my career." Thex replied tapping the panel as if the ship could feel her touch. " But this girl is a good one."

"What an engineer is happy with their ship. That's a new one," he said jokingly. I know most engineers like their ships, even if they do complain about them sometimes.

"It will be interesting to see how the crew reacts when we get back on the Tomcat," Stone smiled. I also saw you guys have not had a chief of the boat in a while. Our Captain must be very selective of the ship's crew," he asked, taking a drink from his glass.

" I can't wait to see what they've done with the girl." The blue girl responded taking a sip from her own drink. " And yes the captain is very selective. The crew is one of the best in the fleet."

"I got a quick tour of the Tomcat before I got a shuttle ride out to this ship. She was looking good, but she had a few changes for her class. I was overall impressed by the Tomcat," he said, reflecting on the time he had spent looking around.

"I saw you like martial arts and spend a lot of time building stuff on the holo deck. I see you are pretty good at martial arts ever need a spring partner let me know. So give lessons on building drives?" Stone asked, wondering what she was building.

" I do enjoy my sparing and I'm always up for a partner. " The blue girl responded with her trademark smile. " As for building, I'm trying to build a working gsx system. " The confused look on his face made her continue. " It's an old computer system used by the Andorians. It's long since disused, but a few andorian tech nerd like messing around with it."

The man smiled. "I see, well, I can not help you with that Gsx system," he replied. He looked her over, and she was in good shape and could probably hold her own in a sparring match. He knew he would have to start doing crew evaluations in the close-quarters combat test. It was just a test to see where the crew was; some had to score higher, like Marines and Security.

"I would like to spare some time when you have the time. I am always open to get my ass kicked on the mats," Stone said with confidence. He was sure he could probably hold his against her. Stone was liking this crew more as he got to know them.

" I'll do my best to give you a good ass kicking." Thex jokily grinned. " What about you Glen what do you like doing in your spar time other than sparring," she asked.

"If I am not training, I collect old firearms and read Books like Art of War or Tao Te Ching. If I try, I can make screeching noises on a Cello and spend time studying ship weapons engineering." He replied.

" I'm sure your Cello playing is far better than you realise. " Thex replied reassuringly. " i use to think my dancing was rubbish but I've been pressured I'm very talented at it."

"Everyone needs something to do besides training or missions. I use to think that's all we should do, but over time I realized there is more to life than just blowing things up. Meeting new races and then killing them." replied Stone with the last part of what he said with some sarcasm.

" True indeed. Though I much prefer making friends with new races and learning how to make them squeal with joy." Thex replied with her own brand of sarcasm.

Stone chuckled at her sarcasm. "Sometimes I wonder if dealing with them would not be easier that way, " he joked with her. Feeling the real stuff, he relaxed some. "So you drinking the syn stuff or the real stuff?" he asked. He did wonder why people would drink synthetic drinks and what the point was.

" Real all the way unless I'm on duty, then I have syn." Thex explained. "The last thing we need is a drunk engineer, aye."

Stone smiled at her response. "Unfortunately, Command does not like us to drink on duty much, or my coffee might have a small kick to it now and then," he said with a grin. "Now, having a drunk engineer and chief running around could mean disaster for a ship," he said jokingly with a wink.

" Indded. We'd end up like some of the stories out of Kirk and Archers era's. How they survived without Stynaol is beyond me." Thex said, chuckling slightly.

He thought for a moment. "That would be about right, not that they did not drink or even got drunk. It was discipline and dedacation for their job. I guess," replied Stone, looking up and thinking. "For me, I feel that I have to be ready all the time to jump into action on a ship. Now, on leave, it can be a different story. There are a few times when I didn't remember exactly how I got somewhere." he admitted to Thex.

" I know that feeling." Thex replied with another groan forming on her face.

He gave a little chuckle. "I now hope I have more wisdom. but probably not," he stated with a grin. "In some ways, I hope this will be a boring assignment on this ship. I know fate, I will not be so lucky," added Stome, taking a sip of his drink. He leaned back and looked at the woman behind the bar. "Two shots of the real stuff if you would be so kind," he said, not even hiding the fact that he said it out loud.

"Hope you don't mind hating doing shots by myself. and the nice thing is I only answer to the CO and first officer. So let people complained there are plenty of extra duty spots open." Stone said half jokingly.

" No i do not mind doing shots. " Thex grinned as she took one of the two glasses the barkep brought over. " To the Tomcat."

"To the Tomcat, smooth sailings." replied Stone and downed the shot. "Wo, that was good." he said, making a face of satisfaction.

"It had been a pleasure drinking with you sh'Zoarhi, and I would like to do this again anytime you would like. However, I am sure there is a problem that a crew member has created that I need to fix. And I will come check out your department later. Can you give me a tour passably?" he asked politely.

"Of course. I'll see you around." Thex replied with another grin on her andorian face.

 

RSS Feed