Warrior's Mess (Part 6 of 10)

Posted on 30 Apr 2015 @ 7:06pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Commander Luke Wyatt & Crewman Apprentice Sigrid Thelin & Captain Jonathan Holliday & Lieutenant JG Emmarie (E'Ma'ri) & Senior Chief Petty Officer Keval zh'Erinov

3,159 words; about a 16 minute read

Mission: Episode 08 - NIMBUS
Location: IKS CharghwI' - Deck 18, Dining Hall
Timeline: MD 01 - 2320 hrs

Previously, on Warrior's Mess (Part 5)...

Lirha sighed with a bit of frustration after watching Nesh continue on with her young self while not heeding the older Orion's invitation. "NESH!" she repeated, this time with her signature -come-here-now tonality echoing across the dining hall.

There was a moment of silence as the call cut through the once blusterous assemblage of Klingon and Federation officers. Nesh smiled awkwardly for a moment to her admirers before turning her head towards Lirha, giving her an annoyed glare. "What?" She angrily mouthed to her sister, not crossing the room. Now she was certainly less inclined to do so after that display from her sister.

"COME HERE!" The older Orion mouthed, exaggerating her facial expressions and giving Nesh that sisterly look to comply. The last thing she wanted was for her sister to be wooed by an entire group of Klingons and wake up hungover not remembering what she had done.

And Now, the Continuation...

[ON]

Dining Hall - Drink & Song Area

"Excuse me, could I get a cup of that? 2309 correct?" Allyndra had gone straight to the area where the booze was being handed out. As before the warriors looked at her and at each other and then laughed.

"Well get her a mug, I wager a month's pay she will not get past two swallows!"

"Three! One!" The various shouts echoed. One warrior handed her a mug of the rich brew and she felt a bit of disappointment.

"What this is a child's portion." Allyndra said looking at the mug. She then took it and tossing her head back drained the entire little mug in one draft.

The group watched her for a moment and since she did not fall down shook their long haired heads. "By Kahless! Someone who can hold their wine! Dag'och your the lowest on the bet so you have lost!" The warrior spoke and then ladled a full mug and handed it to her. Allyndra took several more drinks of the potent stuff but it was not the alcohol she savoured so much as the blood base. It was thick, rich and filling.

T'Vanna shuddered as she watched the chief medical officer, but she was curious too. Vulcans weren't known for their taste for alcohol, and the intelligence officer was no different, but she was curious. "I'll try one," she spoke up, approaching the group.

Several of the Klingons had taken a couple more swallows. It was obvious that they were going to see just how far this odd Federation type was going to go. Allyndra knew that this could easily turn into a drinking contest but a somewhat familiar voice caught her ear.

"T'Vanna, this is really good stuff." Allyndra remarked. She was curious herself, Vulcans usually did not go into alcohol and the fact that the beverage had animal based blood as the base seemed to fly in Vulcan vegetarian lifestyle. She wanted to warn her but then she would not embarrass her either in front of the Klingons.

"I'll have one," the Vulcan woman repeated without pause.

The one name Dag'och slopped a ladle full into a mug and handed it over. The beverage was nice and hot and steamy. The rest watched the Vulcan.

T'Vanna peered down into the mug, sniffed at it and wrinkled her nose. Then, eyes fixed on Dag'och, she brought the mug to her lips and swallowed the contents in one go. She felt it burn down her esophagus, felt her stomach twist together but her gaze never wavered. "It is good," she stated, though her eyes were starting to water.

Bouncing up next to T'Vanna in whirl of blond curls Sigrid Thelin spoke up happily, "What are we drinking? Pleeease tell me it's alcohol!" Sigrid slid up to the small group of Klingons, "What are you handsome warriors drinking?" She flipped hair over her shoulder and in one fluid motion took a cup of the stuff that was being handed to a Klingon. "Is it strong? I hope it's strong." She took a long sip, swallowed, turned a shade of red and immediately started a coughing fit. "Haark spit! What is that?" She said between hard hacking coughs. The Klingons started to chuckle smugly as they took her cup from her. Sigrid straightened and grabbed it back, "I didn't say I didn't like it." She chastised them with a wink before whirling back to face her crew mates. "Bloodwine isn't it?" She asked T'Vanna rhetorically. "I should have figured."

"Yes, it is bloodwine," T'Vanna answered, refusing to wipe the tears from her eyes while struggling to keep the burning liquid down. "What did you think it was?"

"Something a little less bloody." She said brightly, taking another sip before grimacing and sticking her tongue out in disgust. "Ok. I gotta find a different drink." Sigrid said shaking her head as if that'd get rid of the flavour. Her head was already a little swimmy just from those two sips. "I need to sit down."

The group of Klingons all roared in laughter and gave for what amounted to them friendly taps.

Allyndra finished her mug and then held it out. "That is one and I will call the first a half. How much can the best of you hold?" The group looked at each other and it was obvious the drinking contest was on.

Luke approached the group of federation officers who we're clearly enjoying themselves, he had been cohersed into drinking some sort of Klingon ship brewed ale which tasted like stale beer and hit worse than vodka. Sitting next to the closest person he smiled. "How are we doing?" He asked wanting to start conversation and also out of concern.

Sigrid sat with her head down slightly, her blond curls obscuring her face. The bloodwine was making her nauseated, and she massaged her temples with her fingers. At the sound of a male voice, she perked up, and crossed her legs, throwing her long hair behind her. She very quickly composed herself. "Oh, much better now." She said not being shy about looking Luke up and down.

He chuckled at her sudden perkiness noticing her thorough observation of him, "Klingon alcohol isn't for everyone I wouldn't suggest trying their Own ship made ale its possibly the worst thing I've tasted and believe me I have tasted some horrid stuff in my time, starting with federation rations" Luke now to looked, taking in the person he had sat nex. He couldn't judge her height from being sat down but she was younger than him with blonde curly hair which suited her. Her eyes were a beautiful blue and had unmistakable flecks of brown. "I don't think I've seen your face around, I'm Luke" he said holding out his drink free hand towards her.

"Sigrid." She said, pretending to pout her glossy lips while holding his hand for a moment longer than a normal handshake. "I think you meant to say, you haven't seen this beautiful face around before." Her pout disappeared and she shuffled closer, her nausea long forgotten. She was a little disappointed that the dress uniform everyone was wearing hid a lot of their best assets but she could at least imagine what he looked like underneath. She fixed him with her sparkling blue eyes, soaking in the masculinity Luke oozed.

"Oh! Forgive me. I've never seen your beautiful face around here before" Luke smiled feeling the softness of her hand which caused a warmth to grow in his stomach. He let out an unconscious laugh before he smiled as her eyes trapped him in a enchanting gaze. "Have you been onboard long? If so I think I'd have to make up the time for not bumping into you sooner."

"Well, I was on the Galileo last year as the bar manager. Loved the ship so much I enrolled in the Enlisted Academy. I got back just as we left Starbase 84. Never thought my first assignment would be wargames with Klingons, but as a general duty crewman, I've still got lots to do." Sigrid put a hand on Luke's knee casually. "And don't worry, Luke, I practically live at Callisto off hours, plenty of opportunities to make up all that lost bumping time."

Luke very aware of her body contact smiled and looked at her hand before placing his on top of it "I think I can adhere to that" He replied, "Plenty of bumping" He added with a cheeky wink and grin.

Sigrid matched the grin. She studied his facial features as if deciding on something. Humans were never really as exotic as she normally liked them, but there was certainly a very rugged attractiveness. Unbeknownst to Sigrid in the moment, she would soon find out that the man she had just met was her future roommate. Though even if she had, she probably would have made the same decision she was about to now. She reached into her pocket and took out a styling pen, and took Luke's hand, turning it over. She pulled up the sleeve of his dress uniform a little and wrote out the number for her quarters on the Galileo with the pen. She stood and with a wink, and nothing else, she mysteriously turned, flipping her blonde curls as she continued to mingle with everyone.

Allyndra was starting on her third full mug. That put her at two and half and almost caught up to Moch'lok. She knew she needed to hurry before the alcohol caught up with her and she was already regretting having started this. It was going to be a heck of headache morning coming. The other Klingons had sat down which was as good as a surrender. Mock'lok did not look so steady on his feet either but she had to admit if she took a step right now she was not sure if she would be face down on the floor or not. She lifted the mug and took a good couple of swallows draining maybe halfway down.

"Tha.....s three..." Allyndra said or more or less slurred out. "Eeee....fen."

Mock'lok turned with a very unsteady gait and dipped the ladle in. As he poured most of the contents found its way down the side of his mug as his hand had a hard time coordinating with his vision. He lifted the mug and then took a big set of swallows. He used the back of his hand to wipe his mouth and almost tumbled over but managed to stay upright. He gave her a very bleary eyed but fierce smile.

Allyndra looked at her mug and then shook her head. "Yield," she finally said.

He laughed tossing his head back which unbalanced him and this time he landed hard against his fellow group before landing rear end on the floor. Allyndra continued to look at her mug and then said, "Anny onnnnneeee? Befff I....faaac down?"

Holliday, dressed in his whites eventually moved towards what appeared to be a very inebriated group of Klingons surrounding his CMO. He had drank bloodwine on more than one occasion, and whilst fond of the almost instantaneous alcoholic rush it provided, he was not intending on matching his hosts mug for mug.

"The bloodwine agrees with you I see Doctor?"

"Hmmm..." Allyndra turned and nearly fell down as the room spun around for a moment. "Allll..............mush wwwoooon....theee to theee and a haaalllfff thiiiirrrrr"

Holliday raised one eyebrow at his Doctor before realising that perhaps his previous statement might have been incomplete. It was obvious that whilst she agreed with the bloodwine, the latter was less accurate.

T'Vanna arched a single eyebrow. "Is it safe to drink so much?" she asked curiously.

"Very little the Klingons do can be considered safe Ensign. I think perhaps the Lieutenant Commander here might need to report to her quarters sooner rather than later?"

"I will take her when required," the Vulcan intelligence officer promised the captain, "I will look after her."

"Safe is overrated," Emmarie said, walking over. She'd checked out the other two areas before settling on this one. She had already acquired a mug of bloodwine, and was drinking from it. Personally, she'd been tempted to head over to the Challenge Area, but given the skirt she was wearing, she figured that would cause more of a spectacle than she'd meant to cause.

Allyndra looked at her remaining amount in the mug and decided that being off ehr feet was the safest course. Though she thought it was graceful, the lack of co-ordination definitely showed in the steps she took. She was not exactly sure but she came to rest in repose with the group of Klingon challengers. There had been something about anyone that could hold that much was welcome in the company of REAL warriors. Allyndra was not sure about that but it was nice when they taught her some of their drinking songs and soon she was merrily singing away with the group.

"Do you require assistance doctor," T'Vanna asked, setting her empty mug down and offering a hand to escort her.

Emmarie waffled a moment over whether she should offer to assist as well, or continue drinking her beverage. The latter was a powerful urge, but she sighed. "I can assist as well." Such a bleeding heart, Emmarie thought of herself. Her eyes alternated between the drink and the doctor.

Allyndra looked up from the group of Klingons her cup long forgotten. She shook her head slowly in the negative. "No...just what the doctor ordered." Her words coming more clearly. "Thank you though."

"What did the doctor order?" T'Vanna asked, looking around with interest. "THe only doctor I currently see is you, and you are in no condition to cast any orders about ma'am."

Allyndra peered at the Intel Officer and then laughed. "Blood, lot's of it! I never get enough on board!" The Klingon's around her looked at her oddly and then laughed though they figured something different no doubt. There was a click of mugs for those that still had them and could even lift them enough and they all shouted together, "Blood and honour! What all warriors yearn for!"

She looked at her mug and sighed, "Never enough but I suppose I must be alert for the morning. Help me up."

Carefully, T'Vanna helped the doctor to her feet. "Home?" she queried, "or do you have another source for blood?"

Allyndra looked at the Intel officer and then smiled fiercely showing those sharp inner teeth, "Are you offering?" She peered for a moment and shook her head, "Copper leaves a bad taste." It seemed nasty and Allyndra appologized, "Sorry it is the alcohol talking. Thank you, back to the ship would be best."

"If it helps you..." T'Vanna answered, though she wasn't quite sure if she understood the full meaning of the doctor's statement. At that moment, Wintrow walked up, having overheard the last of the conversation.

"I have done it before," he said, holding out his right hand to the doctor. "I'll do it."

"Do what?" T'Vanna asked, glancing between the two of them.

Allyndra shook her head. "No, I am sorry. It was meant only as a jest and a poor one at that. I will take the offer to be escorted though. A little unsteady on my feet."

T'Vanna reached out to help her up while Wintrow took her other side to steady her.

"It was the alcohol talking though I must admit," Allyndra said quietly, "As the humans say In Vino Veritas, In wine truth."

"I'm afraid I'm not well versed in foreign languages doctor," the teenager apologized. "But the offer does stand, I can come by after the party if you wish..." Because he didn't really want to leave just yet.

"What is he babbling about," the Vulcan intelligence officer grumbled.

"I was appologizing for my behaviour.

Courage (or perhaps stupidity) buoyed by her bloodwine, Emmarie decided to depart for the Challenge area. Skirt be damned, they would cope... she figured. Or hoped.


Dining Hall - Challenge Area

Keval wasn't that much of a drinker, not that he saw anything wrong with it. His home was just around the corner from a bunch of bars, and when he was home he'd go out at the most twice a week and he almost never got drunk. The last time had been with Elsworth and that had been oh so long ago.

But he did enjoy a challenge and was pretty sure he could best a Klingon in just about any endeavor they wanted to come up with.

"You look bored," Tyrion said as he approached the Andorian.

"I am, " Keval admitted, "I was told this was the area for people looking for a challenge. I can always drink and socialize. but challenging a Klingon, well that's a once in a lifetime opportunity. And besides, I wanted to show just how good we can be."

"How is that once in a lifetime?" Tyrion queried curiously, "don't we have holodecks to make true our darkest fantasies?"

"Those are, as you say, fantasies. Not the real thing, with real people. This is different." Keval said to him.

Naois watched the two discuss fantasy and reality, then brightened considerably. "Eva!" he called, waving at the new arrival.

To Be Continued...

[OFF]

--

RADM Lirha Saalm
Commanding Officer
USS Atlas

CAPT Jonathan Holliday
Commanding Officer
USS Chronos

Ensign T'Vanna Murray
Chief of Operations
USS Aventia

Lieutenant j.g. Naois Mercy
Chief Medical Officer
USS Nautilus
[PNPC T'Vanna]

CPO Tyrion Faye
Intelligence Officer
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Helmsman
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

Lieutenant JG Drusilla McCarthy
Assistant Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Tuula Voutilainen
Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Ensign K'os Beaumont
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Commander Andreus Kohl
Executive Officer
USS Nautilus

LCDR Allyndra Warraquin
First Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Luke Wyatt
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

CPO Keval Grayson
Operations Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Grayson Jones
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Emmarie
Asst. Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

PO2 Eva Kovalev
Propulsion Specialist
USS Galileo
[PNPC Zhao]

LCDR Norvi Stace
Commanding Officer
USS Galileo

ENS Janna Voutilainen
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant Olsam Mott, M.D.
Acting Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

Crewman Apprentice Sigrid Thelin
Scientist's Mate
USS Galileo
[PNPC K'os Beaumont]

LTJG Benice Gyce
Security Investigations Officer
USS Galileo

LCDR Dea Mialin
Commanding Officer
USS Aventia

LT Jared Nicholas
Linguist
USS Galileo

LT Min Zhao
Chief Operations Officer
USS Galileo

AMB Solene von Lanthen
Diplomat
USS Galileo
[PNPC Khnailmnae]

CDT Nesh Saalm
Scientist's Mate
USS Galileo
[PNPC Khnailmnae]

Arandon Khnailmnae
Botanist
USS Galileo

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