Drinks After Work

Posted on 18 Jun 2019 @ 12:11pm by Lieutenant Mitchell Graham & Commander Amelia Fox

Mission: Shakedown
Location: The Medusa's Head (Ten Forward)
Timeline: MD4 1900
1398 words - 2.8 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Amelia walked into the Ten Forward bar, which on the Andromeda had been named The Medusa's Head in keeping with the ships name. Still located on the forward edge of the saucer section it provided one of the best views on the ship. Right now, all you could see was the inside of the Starbase.

She headed over to the bar where she was greeted by a man dressed very traditionally and very recognizably as a 'barman' complete with white apron. "Welcome to the Medusa's Head...... Lieutenant?" He asked noticing the pips on her collar.

"Fox, Amelia Fox" she replied

"Our new first officer." He bowed his head slightly. "A pleasure. What can I get for you?"

"Klingon Bloodwine please."

He raised an eyebrow. "An unusual choice. Since it's you......." He reached under the bar and came up with a bottle. "I always like to get in good stead with the senior staff. It's not replicated."

Amelia inspected the bottle. She let out a whistle of respect "2313? A very good year. I think you and I are going to get along well."

He smiled as he poured. "I know a guy who brings me a case or two of the good stuff every now and then. Now, please tell me a lovely lady like yourself isn't drinking alone."

Amelia wagged a finger at him but smiled "The flattery won’t get you anywhere..... Well not before the second bottle anyway." She added with a wink. "As it happens I'm waiting for someone."

As if one cue, Mitchell Graham walked in. He stopped momentarily and had a look around. The place wasn't crowded at all. Just a smattering of people. "I guess everyone is checking out the places on the starbase," he said to no one in particular. Spotting Amelia at the bar he walked over. "Am I late? I see you're starting without me." He nodded to the bottle and helped himself to the stool next to hers.

“Speak of the Devil....” Amelia turned to welcome him “No you’re not late. It’s been a long day and I’ve been looking forward to this. So what’s your poison? I think you’ll find our host here will be able to accommodate.” She looked back at the bartender "I'm sorry, I didn't ask your name."

The bartender inclined his head to the new arrival "Welcome to The Medusa's Head and thank you for asking Lieutenant, my name is Malone. Now what can I get you?

Amelia indicated her own tankard "He's got a very good bloodwine available."

Mitchell glanced at the label and winced. "Bloodwine? That's some serious juice. How about a Saurian brandy? For those of us with more gentle dispositions?" He grinned at Malone, who grinned back and ducked under the bar to find his best bottle.

"So how was your day?" He asked Amelia.

"Busy" Amelia replied. "Who knew there was all this paper work involved in leaving Starbase. She took a deep drought of her drink. "I've managed to get it all done though."

Malone reappeared with a distinctive bottle of Saurian brandy and a glass. "Here was are. A very popular choice." He poured a glass and slid it towards Mitchell.

Amelia brushed a stand of hair from her face "Enough shop talk, tell me some more about yourself."

Graham studied the amber liquid in his glass, then downed it. Fiery and smooth as always. He nodded his approval to Malone and pushed his glass forward for a refill. "My favorite getaway spot is Pacifica. I'm neither a cat person nor a dog person. When I was sixteen I got all my front teeth knocked out in a game of Parrises Squares. When I was twenty-one I crashed my spacecraft and was nearly killed while practicing with Nova Squadron. My mother is older than my dad's great grandparents. I can make a perfect omelette. My favorite holo-novels are historical but I don't mind other kinds as long as they're not cliched. The color green weirds me out. I think I might try growing a beard soon." He drew one final breath and finished with, "and I prefer the left side of the bed. Your turn now."

Amelia took a quick drink before answering. "I've got two older brothers but I'm the only one to join Starfleet. Dad tells me our family is related to Ambassador Robert Fox who negotiated the peace treaty on Eminiar VII but I'm not sure how true that is. Initially I started off in security and I studied martial arts and unarmed combat. I got into a few fights at the Academy and managed to avoid several as well. 'She will triumph who knows when to fight and when not to fight.' After working up to Chief of security The Captain of my first starship thought I should transfer to the command program so, I took his advice and transferred to the USS Kennedy as their ops officer. I'm fond of a nice big steak and I've been told I have a poker face that's carved in marble. I'm thinking of getting a kitten and, as for bed..... I prefer on top. I think you look better without a beard."

Graham rubbed his chin, looking only mildly hurt. "Really? I thought I could go for a more rugged look." He shrugged it off as his refill appeared in front of him. "Well, now we have enough fodder for conversation, but I noticed you talked mainly about your career. Is that what you're focused on most of the time?"

"Of course. Having two older brothers I had to make an effort to be noticed and they tended to exclude me when they were younger. As they grew up they teased me a lot. That however ended when I was big enough to break the eldest nose. They gave me a bit more respect after that. While they decided to remain civilians, I decided I was going to make my father proud and join Starfleet. I'm hoping to have my own ship one day."

Amelia paused to refill her glass from the bottle of bloodwine. "And for the record you're just the right amount of rugged."

"Thanks," Mitchell replied with a chuckle. He gently moved his glass in a circle, causing the brandy inside to swirl into a mini vortex. "So if you joined Starfleet to make your father proud, does that imply that he was not proud of you before that?"

"No, it's just that..... I wanted to do something...... to standout from my brothers. To do something special. Starfleet seemed the obvious choice. I get to explore the galaxy and meet new alien life and also I got to me you so win win." Amelia said with a smile. "You were in Nova squad? I'm impressed. A lot of famous and infamous Cadets have been in there. My piloting skills are.... ok. I was better at strategy and tactical analysis.

Malone stepped over to them "Everything ok?"

Amelia nodded "Just fine thank you."

She turned back to Mitchell "So do your cooking skills end at the perfect omelette?"

Mitchell's eyes wandered upward as he thought about it. "Well, I suppose there are a three or four other dishes I'm pretty good at. But I try to keep them quiet. Sometimes I need tactical options of my own. When the flying exploits fail to impress." He offered a playful smirk. "You're a very driven woman, Amelia. Burning your way up the ranks, an executive officer at such a young age. You're pretty impressive yourself. I'm not going to watch you burn out on this tour, am I? "

Amelia smiled at him warmly "You're very charming Mitchell. Don't you worry about me. I'm tougher than I look." She added with some sass "Plus, where there's smoke, there's fire. Tell you what, how about I make you dinner one night. You can bring dessert, just not an omelette."

"Sounds like a plan," he said enthusiastically. He lifted his glass towards hers and the two clinked together.

Fox and Graham spent another hour talking in the Medusa's Head. They did their best not to talk shop.

OFF:

●● Lieutenant Amelia Fox
Executive Officer
USS Andromeda


●● Lieutenant Mitchell Graham
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Andromeda