The meeting of the barkeep

Posted on Sat Nov 7th, 2015 @ 1:40am by Johnathen Wade & Commander Cor Cordale & Lieutenant Mickey McClane

Mission: If I told you...
Location: Ten-Forward
Timeline: During while the ship was in spacedock

Mickey and Aladdin, the two operations officers. They had seen so much happen at the station it was like a madhouse it was a good thing he made a judgement call to not lose it. Because then it would have been hell if it had been the way he feared, but in the end he redeemed himself he took care of the people in the triage and made sure they were Ok.

"Boy i tell you what, i am glad that's over with Aladdin. I just can't help what happened down on the planet. I wonder if anyone is Ok? Let's go down to ten-forward and get something to eat." Mickey said as Aladdin smiled.

The quiet emptiness of ten-forward was indeed like a ghost-town. There was no one there. Everyone was with their families and everyone was reunited as he needed to get away.

"Mickey, it's quiet" Aladdin said to him as he looked up at Mickey.

"Hello?!?!?!?!" Mickey said as he was prepared for anything.

Jack came out from underneath the bar with a two full bottles of vodka and place them on the racks against the wall. These liquor racks where new too the lounge as well as a few of the other decorations, giving the place the feel of an old style tavern then the sleek futuristic looking lounge it once was.

"Hey there... thought I locked that blasted door... well never mind that how can I help you?" The man who spoke was an older gentlemen as denoted by his salt and pepper hair. His attire was no where near star fleet standard, dressed it a blue button down shirt and black pants, you couldn't see his shoes from here.

"Hi, I'm Mickey McClane, I'll have a blue punch. That i call Romulan Ale." Mickey said nicely then Aladdin added. "Some dog food please" The young acting Ensign said nicely.

"Can't do the ale, that stuffs been on the Feds no go list for about twenty years, a bit after the end of the Dominion War. Dog food I can do" He ducks behind the counter, and then comes back up with a bowl of dry kibble style dog food. "On the table or the floor?"

"OK, i'll explain that one later... How about Punch Romaine?" Mickey re asked his question nicely.

"The floor will do sir, thank you" Aladdin smiled at the barkeep and began eating when he put his food down.

The doors to the lounge swished open in the silence that followed, and the lovely presence of the once-and-future Chief Scientist entered the view. Tall, pretty, with ears that went all the way up, Valeria Mordin entered with a purpose with a PaDD in the crook of her arm. "Lieutenant." She said to Mickey with a soft smile, "And.. you must therefore be one Mister Johnathan Wade. Welcome aboard." She offered to the older gentleman. "I'm a little perplexed about protocol at the moment. It's customary to offer your elder a drink, but you're in a position where the purpose of your position is to offer others a drink." She looked honestly confused for a moment, then shook her head free of the cobwebs of proper protocol. "Could I trouble you for a cup of black tea? Gently sweet, with a rose petal floating?"

He nods to the rabbitess and puts a tea kettle on a induction burner he had too the side. Jack then proceeds to get the things he'll need for a Punch Romaine, an egg, his squeeze bottle of simple syrup, orange juice, lemon juice, white rum, white wine and some champagne. He graps some ice from beneath the bar, filling up a tumbler then quickly shaving some for the drink, which he uses to fill a coupe glass. He separates out the egg into a tumbler he filled with ice, putting the yolk in a separate glass to place into the replicator for disposal. He pours parts of the rum, syrup, juices and wine into the tumbler as well and gives it a shake, then pours it over the shaved ice, then tops that with champagne and grabs an orange which he skillfully cuts a slice off the peal, rungs that along the rim then places the peal onto of the drink, orange side up. "There you go Sir." He places the dog bowl on the floor for the canine.

As he stands back up the tea kettle goes off and he turns off the burner. grabbing a clear tea cup he packs a metal tea ball full of black tea leaves and places it in the cup, pouring the boiling water over it and lets it steep for now. "Tea coming up soon"

She gave Wade a nod, "Appreciated." as she watched him go about his task. To the Ts'usugi, there was something of an art to a job well done. She had a soft smile on her face as he delivered the dog food to the canine as she took a seat at the bar. "Any plans to personalize the layout and setup?"

Jack pulled the tea ball out of the cup, he put a little bit of the simple syrup into the tea and gave it a mix. He had to replicate the rose petal, but he did so and placed it on the top. He handed the tea to Valeria. "Here you go miss, and yes i want too make it feel like an olde style tavern"

Mickey had a sip of the punch romaine very slowly. He was going to savor it and such. When it hit his taste buds they were electrifying. "Well done, Jack." He toasted to the man on a swell punch romaine.

"You know that is an odd drink to order on a ship young lieutenant" Jack smirked a bit. "It was invented on the Titanic"

The rabbitess took the tea softly in her hands, and took a gentle sip. A sip so gentle that the petal floating upon the tea hardly moved. Her ears perked, her posture perked, everything about her woke up. "Excellent." she complimented the tea, and the ceremony that spawned it. Though, the mentioning of the ancient Earth vessel did perk her attention.

"Titanic? I'm unfamiliar with that class of vessel." she admitted. Always better to admit your faults then hide them, she felt.

Jack smiled warmly, knowingly "it was an old earth sea faring vessel. It was praised as the ship that couldn't be sunk. It became historical by sinking, killing many people."

Valeria gave the matter, and the twist of fate, a moment's thought before she gave a smirk, "Well, then the auspice was invited on the initial ship. My people don't believe in jinxes, Mister Wade. We don't invite auspice but we don't feel that simply mentioning something dooms the entirety to calamity." a pause to sip her tea. "Though, I understand there are many people that do believe such."

She put her attention to her PaDD, which she rested on the top of the service bar for ease. "An olde style tavern, hmm?" she browsed a few images for layout and suggestion. "We had a communal drinking parlor in the village I was born in, nothing that could truly be called a tavern. A town or two over, though, was large enough to actually have an establishment of sorts solely for the consumption of alcohol. Our word for them is..." and Valeria said a word or two in her native tongue that the Universal Translator missed.

"... which, as fate would have it, the closest translation would be Bar." she turned the PaDD around to direct it towards Jack. The images shown ran the gambit: Wood and keg medieval style tavern, through contemporary age bars to modern establishments. Other tabs showed tavern styles as interpreted by other races of the Federation.

"The final pictures are from my own album, of some of the taverns and drink halls I visited back home." a pause, "And yes, I was allowed in them at the time I took those pictures."

"She was one of the Unique vessels of her time. But unfortunately, she hit an iceberg on April 14th 1912. over 400 years ago" Mickey answered val's question.

Valeria turned her attention back to Mickey while he spoke, and gave a nod at the end. "It must have been beautiful. The craft. To be remembered, down to the day, of her accident. Though, it does sound like an interesting story." she took another sip of her tea. "I'll have to remember to read up on it."

"Maybe the holodeck might suffice?" Mickey suggested to her nicely.

The rabbitess gave Mickey a smirk, her eyes nothing more then deep blue pools that cast no reflections. Nothing. No light, no image. Mickey couldn't see himself in her eyes, or anything else for that matter.

"Maybe." she said softly. "Was she a war ship, or a civilian cruiser? I need to know if I should show up in a uniform dressed for a display... or a dress, for a date?"

"Woah, Woah, Woah! I think you got the wrong impression Valeria, i meant maybe the holodeck should be sufficient to read up. Sorry, i think your nice but i would rather keep to myself." Mickey said as he walked away to another part of the room.

The rabbitess watched the Ops officer up and walk away, a mildly puzzled look on her features.

"Valeria, forgive him though. A lot happened to him and i don't think right now he's ready to let that guard down." Aladdin looked up to her.

"You're a good friend to act as proxy, but there's nothing to need forgiving." she mentioned to Aladdin as she looked down to him, "You're welcome to remain, or you can rejoin Mickey." though, she turned her attention back to Jack.

Jack's hand covered his head in a move traditionally known as a face palm. "Oh... oh that is amusing..." he started to mumble something about assumptions and out of his league.

Valeria muttered something into her tea. She certainly had no idea what Wade meant. "Now now, we should return to business."

Mickey just knew that he can never open up to anyone no matter what. It doesn't matter that's why it's him and his dog. No matter what he just looked out into space holding his Punch Romaine

Jack looked at the man slightly puzzled. "Well, that's happening apparently" he decided to ignore the young ops officer and turns to Valeria. "So, how long have you been on the ship?"

The rabbitess brushed aside a length of her blonde hair. "I've found the best course of action in miscommunications like this is to let the situation settle and then re-establish rapport. As for my posting here, I'm coming up on about two or three months now. I was initially called in for the position of Chief for the Science department, which is a position you do not refuse." she mentioned, "Though I knew the position was only temporary, as there was an issue with the existing Science chief. Shortly after my posting a new scientist was transferred and I became the assistant." then she put on a sly grin, "Though, he's transferred off, so perhaps I'll get to be chief scientist again."

He laughed a bit, finding the rapidly shifting positions funny. "Well congratulations and the my condolences, and now best wishes!" Jack poured himself a small shot of vodka to salute her.

She responded to the salute with her tea, "Thank you, and thank you." she said, in two entirely different tones of voice. "And, lets keep our fingers crossed. It's fingers, right?" she asked. "Human traditions and superstitions are a curiosity of mine, but there are so many to keep track of."

"Yes, and they also say having a rabbit's foot brings good luck. Since you have two already I am sure it will all work out." Wades grin widened.

Valeria actually gave a light giggle. "Well, they've been very lucky for me so far. Let's see if they can get me back to Chief." a pause to sip, "So, tell me a little about yourself, Mister Wade? Dreams, ambitions, the such."

"None, I'm retired and now living my quiet life, tending bar and exploring space along side you youngins" Jack downed his shot. "Though this is star fleet so i doubt i will have a lot of quiet."

"There's a certain dignity in the rest earned from a task well done." Valeria commented before taking another sip of tea. "Though, my grandmother used to comment that mischief hides in the quiet. So perhaps a little noise will do." she gave the older man a smirk, "We youngin's will certainly try to keep it down, for your sake."

"Good, I don't think yelling at you all to get off my lawn will work on a star ship"

Valeria gave such a giggle that it turned into a full laugh. When the laugh died, she spared a glance over towards Mickey. "Aladdin, if Mickey wants to join us, he's more than welcome. He doesn't need to isolate himself over such a simply miscommunication." She told the canine, before turning back to Jack. "We don't have lawns back home. Not in the sense of land just for looking pretty. Though, outside of my village, there were plenty of grand houses and even mansions that had an excessive lawn, if you ask me." she said with a soft smile, thinking of home. "I understood why, I just didn't get it. If that makes sense."

"It's the feeling of ownership, that the ground you walk on is yours"

Michelle entered the room, looking around and in desperate need of some downtime. It seemed things had been a little nuts but the crew handled themselves quite well for the most part. "I wouldn't want to be throwing anyone onto the lawn." she said, gesturing to the stars. "Could be kind of painful and nasty."

Jacks smile brightened as he saw Michelle enter the room. "Michelle!" He exclaimed as he sprang over the bar, a feat for someone his age, and gave her a hug. "Good too see you again lass. From the reports I saw of the last mission I thought you had bought it. But I am glad you didn't!"

Michelle returned the hug. "Oh, it takes a little more than... well.. that... to cause me to bite it." she said. "Though it's probably not something I'd ever want to go through again."

Mickey was distracted for a minute considering how antos would feel if he wanted to go find the long lost U.S.S Enterprise, then he went back over for a minute. "Commander Bartlett, glad to see you ma'am" Mickey offered his hand.

Michelle returned the handshake. "Nice to see you made it as well. I had to get out of my office for a bit."

Valeria was just impressed that a man in Jack's condition could move like that. Though, perhaps that was to be said about Jack's condition. A ruse? A cover? Perhaps he was in better shape then most. It certainly taught the rabbit a lesson in underestimation.

"Indeed, probably a rib" Mickey thought to himself.

"I'd make a discussion that you cannot own the ground, but even by my own society I'd be proven wrong." the rabbitess added in response to Michelle's response. "Please, join us. I was just about to cover up a minor social failing by introducing myself to a man who's name I read on a report." she looked a little bashful, or ashamed. It was hard to tell on her features.

She of course waited for Jack to put Michelle back on the ground. "Valeria Mordin. Once and Future Chief of Science Division."

Johnathen put Michelle down and got back behind the bar. "Pleasure too meet you Valeria. So can I get anyone anything else?"

"Mr. Wade, sir. Do you remember the U.S.S Enterprise NCC-1701?" Mickey asked him if he was familiar with old Starfleet history

Wade turned to Mickey, an eye brow raised. "Yeah, I know of that line of ships... which one in particular?"

When it came to ancient nautical Earth vessels, Valeria's knowledge was a little thin, but you'd be hard pressed to find anyone in Starfleet who didn't recognize the name of the most famous, or most infamous, line of starships in the Earth fleet. Her ears perked to attention as she turned her body posture towards this conversation. This piqued her interest.

"The first one, Constitution class the Original?" Mickey replied to the man nicely

He nodded. "I am familiar with the vessel, damn shame it burnt up in the atmosphere of that planet. Would have made a hell of a Museum piece" Jack shook his head "Damn shame"

Mickey put his punch romaine down. He then got out some a padd, it was research and data regarding Enterprise's final voyage. "I had been researching the incident in 2285. I have reason's to believe that the hulk is out there somewhere. I don't know what happened, but something is telling me it's not right" Mickey said nicely and calmly keeping his composer as he sat down. "I usually keep this to myself, because it's been sort of a goal for me" Mickey said nicely

"I am not sure what reports you have been reading, but the report given by the eye witnesses on the planet watched what remained of the hull, that didn't go up with the demolition charges, burn up in the atmosphere. If anything did land on the planet, that would have been slagged as the planet went unstable and molten. The original enterprise is gone and it would be a fools errand to go find it. Because if... if there was anything left it would have been traveling in space for what, coming up on at least one hundred years, not slowing down. And as we obviously know, space isn't empty, between unchartable asteroids and other ships there is no way in that amount of time it would be left in any sort of actual shape. Now if you wanna petition star fleet for a ship to go prove your theory, or put up your own resources and do it on your own, go for it, i am never one to stop a man from following a harmless idea. But be prepared to be for either an endless journey or a lot of disappointment." Jack looked at Mickey, a serious expression on his face.

"But, if you eliminate the impossible whatever remains however improbable must be the truth. I intend to use my own resources sir. But, it maybe fools gold but isn't the reward worth the risk" He said and looked at the barkeep nicely

"I don't believe so." Valeria said after a moment to think. "The reward is a piece of history that no one else is seeking. The risk is your financial and professional future. If the reward no longer exists, then your risking everything for nothing. If it does exist, and you find it, then what is your plan?"

"Bring it back to starfleet" Mickey said in short

Something then dawns upon Jack an he smiles. "Well bless your heart, you a rare kinda person aren't you son. You know what, go out there and follow your dream. I'm sure if you leave it'll draw out all kinds of emotion from the crew, but sometimes you just gotta do what you gotta do." His smile just got wider.

Michelle smirked a bit. "I'll get a Trill Ale" she said, looking in Jack's general direction. "I guess a person's got to have some sort of a goal. I would like to explore Arzed VI. I'm told the settlements of the planet are in near-excellent condition. Just a matter of getting through the horrendous amounts of radiation, first. Guess I'll have to settle for something a little more boring."

He raises an eye brow too Michelle. "One Trill ale coming up." Jack went over to what looked like a traditional beer tap, but inside it was not only connections for kegs, but also a link too the replicator. He grabbed a beer glass from underneath and put it under the tap, filling it too perfection. He placed it next too her, with a napkin underneath. "Enjoy Michelle"

"Commander, if we ever do get back to the Alpha Quadrant one day. I am going to the Mutara Sector" Mickey said nicely

Michelle's eyes raised a bit. She was all for scientific exploration, but she knew what that sector was. It was a death wish beyond measure. One had to admire the ambition, but that was not the hill - or the sector of the galaxy - she would choose to die on.

Mickey then picked up what's left of his punch romaine, he then made a toast. "Here's to good health, this ship and her crew. Here's to also, the long lost U.S.S Enterprise" Mickey then took a sip of his punch romaine.

Valeria raised her tea cup in salute to the toast. "Seeing as your intention is to find a mass grave site and disturb it, you'll understand if I'm hesitant to wish you luck. Though, if you find it... may she be everything you hope she is. May the spirits within her accept your presence, and may it fill your life with interesting times."

"Madam Rabbitess" Aladdin spoke. "Logically that ship is still federation property, but when we do get back one day. Will do it, We can also eliminate the Genesis data completely too" Aladdin spoke to the nice Rabbitess.

"Logically, no. That ship is the property of whoever has claimed her. Interstellar salvage laws and such being what they are." she corrected. "Though, for the sake of you and your salvage team, I pray the crew that didn't make it off of that ship have long since moved on."

"Salvage law or not. It's still Starfleet Property. Plus the Klingons shouldn't be there their spirits have long moved on to stovakor." Aladdin spoke of his opinion.

"Aladdin, i know of the Salvage law, we have to accept the possibilities. But, optimism i cannot let go. Stranger things have happened in the universe." Mickey said the looked at the rabbitess. "Val. Do you remember the Battle of Veridian III? The outcome of it as well?" Wondering if the Rabbitness knew that historical Moment.

Valeria glanced down at Aladdin, those hollow eyes of her causing such a simple motion to take a serious weight to them, "I didn't just mean the spirits of the Klingons. You've never walked through a crypt at night, have you?"

And as simple as turning her head, the weight of her glance slid now to Mickey, "It rings a bell, but it's far too recent to be related to the ship you're looking for. Solar detonation caused by an experimental star-killer weapon for the purpose of diverting an energy phenomenon seventeen degrees to the left, if memory serves."

"Then how do you explain the Nexus. It is a ribbon of energy where time has no meaning. James Kirk was swept up into the Nexus. For example if someone were to go back in time an alter the event's of the flow of history. Like James Kirk being rescued before he was swept into the ribbon. Who knows what timeline could have happened?" Mickey said. "The Jean-Luc Picard that is of the here and now isn't the one of this timeline. He came from a timeline were he failed to save Veridian III and he was swept up into the Nexus. He also rescued James Kirk but was killed saving the day." Mickey said in short

Valeria cleared her throat, "The Nexus is a quantum tear that generates an immersive hallucination affecting the entirety of your senses while catering to your expectations. When your expectations are to leave the Nexus, you are ejected. When your expectations are to leave the Nexus with another entity, said entity is created via quantum teleportation." Valeria took a sip of her tea. "The Nexus is a natural phenomenon that our Replicators and Holodeck together seek to emulate."

"Pardon the simple explanation, but I don't think either of us have the time or wherewithal to sit through an entire discussion on quantum mechanics. Which also means we will not be discussing time travel, alteration of previous events, and the seemingly limitless repercussions of the same." Valeria stated.

"Save one man, doom billions. Is the risk worth the reward?" she asked with a smirk.

Mickey just couldn't help but laugh his Butt off. the way Valeria said just made him laugh and Aladdin joined him in a good hearty laugh.

"Val, in all seriousness. You're right. I don't think saving one man is worth dooming billions. But, in my opinion in the here and now. Enterprise would be worth it in my opinion. But enough of this topic for now. I am just glad everyone here is alive and well" He toasted with what was left of his punch romaine.

Valeria raised her tea cup, this time in silence. She had said her part, the question is, would he listen?

Johnathen blinked a bit after hearing that very special conversation. "Well that was... special, really special." a sound came from his pocket, reaching in he pulled out a small version of a PaDD. "Ahh, looks like the rest of my supplies have arrived. If you would all excuse me I must close up shop for a bit so I can redecorate."

"Of course, Mister Wade. I'll see to it that Mister Cordale in Engineering receives these requisition schematics so that, should you need to, the industrial replicator can reconstruct your decorations." Valeria said as she rose off her chair. "Mickey, Aladdin, Miss Bartlette. Enjoy the remainder of your respective shifts." and after returning her now empty tea cup, she removed the rose petal and gave it a nibble before heading out.

"Evening Everyone." Mickey and Aladdin said as the commander and everyone else left to finish the stuff

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