Coolant and Cocktails

Posted on 27 May 2026 @ 12:58pm by Lieutenant Thex sh'Zoarhi & Lieutenant JG Todd Hewitt

1,355 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: S04 Episode 02 The Hackers Backdoor (Incidentals)
Location: Holodeck 02, Dive Bar Program
Timeline: Current

[ON]

The holodeck’s dive bar hummed with low classic rock and the clink of glasses under dim amber lights, its scuffed wooden booths and worn counter giving the Tomcat’s after-hours spot a comfortably gritty feel. It was their first time meeting like this—two engineers who’d shared shifts for years, finally grabbing a drink off duty.

Todd Hewitt was already settled at the bar, his tall, slim frame relaxed in a simple civilian shirt, short dark hair neatly cropped and dark piercing eyes softening as he spotted her.

“Hey Thex,” he greeted with a small, genuine smile, voice calm and warm. “Glad you could make it. First round’s on me—what are you drinking?”

Thex smiled at her work colleague as she pulled the sweatband she had been using to keep her white hair out of her face. " An Orion starburst and make it a large. I've been fixing the environmental controls in the guest quarters."

“You heard the Lady,” Todd grunted as he played. He stuck out his tongue at Thex playfully, stupidly.

“Quarters work. Environmental.” He closed his eyes as he sat down in the seat. “That would have been utter hell.” He used the oft-used human term.

“What was the issue? L800 Spin X Mods that the ship is getting used to?” The fellow Engineer always had interesting issues, the issues found her often for Thex!

" Mostier controls were coming out on Max. Felt like i should have grabbed my wetsuit." explained the blue girl

The bartender slammed down a huge glowing Orion Starburst in front of Thex. Todd whistled sharply and grinned like an idiot.

“Lordy, Thex,” he laughed, easy and warm. “A large? You tryna melt those antennae off after that sauna shift? I’m sittin’ here with a plain ale lookin’ like a damn lightweight.”

He took a quick swig and shook his head. “Wetsuit, huh? Next time holler. We’ll drag fans down, have a water balloon war or somethin’.”

Dancer slipped onto the stool next to her. Todd gave her a quick nod and wink.

“Hi, Dancer. Good timing.” Todd raised his brow as the exotic club dancer saddled up beside Thex in the Bar Program.

He lifted his glass toward both of them. “To this stupid ship tryin’ to kill us every damn week. First round’s on me, ladies' wife’d murder me if I let you drink alone.”

Todd stuck his tongue out at Thex like a dork. “So what’s the deal with those Mostier controls? Need backup tomorrow?”

He leaned back against the bar, nursing his beer and chuckling after a shift. "YES, and she is on a shift right now. So, she is not here, Maggie." He breathed inwardly, inhaling beer in his mug, causing Todd to cough, spitting the beer back out. Just thinking of his fellow Nerd Girl, his Baby, he felt like a dork heart strung for Maggie LeFebvre!

"More beer, please." Hewitt wiped his mouth and nose dry with the bar towel.

Thex took the starburst and picked up the shot that came with the starburst and dropped it into the glowing drink. As it began to glow the blue girl took it to her lips and in took a long deep swig as she downed the drink in one go. Letting out a satisfied sigh she gestured to the barkeep for another. Seeing the looks on Todd face. " Andorian alcohol tolerance. You can't beat it." She said, feeling fully satisfied.

"Thex. What about the headaches? That's real alcohol!" Todd shook his head, laughing. "I can only imagine how your body processes that stuff.. Except for you, it just makes you more toned and fit!"

" As for the control, no i got it fixed. Someone let in too much moisture and humidity during testing. Had to replace the whole control panel," she explained.

Todd chuckled, wiping beer from his chin. “Andorian tolerance? Show-off. Thex. Good—controls fixed means no backup tomorrow. Less chance of this stupid ship killing us on shift.”

" Indeed." Thex replied, gesturing for another drink. " How's Maggie doing? "

Todd relaxed as he let his eyes take in the dancers slowly walking around the room, between shows. He met Thex.

“Maggie is nervous. Rightly so. We’re engaged.” He showed Thex the ring. “I forged it out of used Hexahydrate H4 Minerals and into steel.” He showed Thex the silver band he had crafted.

“Was that corny?” Thex always had good taste.

Thex smiled. " She's going to love it Todd. The two of you are made for each other."

Todd smiled contently when he heard Thex state that.

"How about you and Dr. Ross? Er... Gavin right?" He perked up, taking in another drink, as the dancers got up to a dancy type of disco song now... The lights flashing as they worked through a routine on the stage above...

Thex smiled as she replied. " It's going great between us. "

"I have met Ross a few times, at Leland's party and then in Sick Bay once or twice." Todd chuckled. "You got the Chief of Medical, and he ain't bad on the eyes... But I think Gavin's got the better deal." He chuckled and jokingly winked, taking a drink at the same time.

"Not many Andorian dancers in the fleet are there?" Thex joked iin reply.

“I would wonder how many Andorian dancers there are.” Hewitt nodded. He then paused, narrowing his brow. “Wait.” He set his drink down on the bar, as a dancer lay full bare on the dancing stage above, and then started to rhythmic gyrate on the floor.

“Whoa… That’s. That’s a move!” He blushed, looking at the dancer's body, writhing to the Orion music. “Andorians don’t do Orion dancing. What was I thinking Thex?” He hit his forehead with his large engineering hand, shaking his head.

" Well one does. I heard she's rather good." Thex replied doing her best to hide her grin.

Todd’s eyes went wide and he nearly spit out his beer.

“Wait… you can do that?” He grinned like an idiot and pointed at the stage. “Show me then. Come on, get up there! I’ll buy the next round if you do.”

Thex grinned like a cat who had gotten away with the cream as she slid off her barstool. Removing her trainers, the blue girl sat on the edge before sliding up and onto the stage in one fluid motion. " Computer play song Thex play 34647." She said as the music changed into a fierce Orion dancing beat.

Without hesitation Thex body began moving to the beat. Like water, every bit of her blue nimble body moved in tune to the beat. Her dance a perfect mix of animal wildness and skilled coordination of a master.

Anyone could tell was not only skilled but a master at the art as she moved to the music.

As the song faded,, she finished with a pose, perching herself on one nimble foot.

" Not bad for an andorian greese monkey. " She said with a friendly smirk.

He stuck his tongue out at her.

“Maggie’s gonna lose it when I tell her..." Todd shook his head. "Those are moves that could kill!"

Todd knew it was all in good fun. They both were dating other partners on the ship. He just wanted to experience the talent that Thex was rumoured to have. And yes, yes she did have that talent!

" Thanks. " Thex said, collecting her shoes before re-assuming her seat. " I think you owe me a drink."

Hewitt grinned. "The Lady here wants a drink." He placed his large hand on the stainless steel bar top a bit commandingly.

The lighting in the bar flashes different colours on Thex, as the other holographic dancers re-assume the stage. "Let me guess. Another Orion Starburst?"

" Got it in one boss." Thex said with a grin.


[OFF]







&

 

RSS Feed