Straight Hearts

Posted on Wed Jul 30th, 2025 @ 3:11pm by Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart & Lieutenant Tollan Yara & Char & Lieutenant Dashku Zhevou & Lieutenant T'Mara & 1st Lieutenant Kes Th’relnal & Lieutenant JG Koaruh Avestro & Ensign Sophie Bishop & Senior Chief Petty Officer Rufio Dulay & Gunnery Sergeant Matewa Natana
Edited on on Fri Aug 15th, 2025 @ 4:33pm

4,994 words; about a 25 minute read

Mission: Year One: Strange Bedfellows
Location: USS Moore - DMZ
Timeline: MD 024: 2000 hrs

Char smiled as he began preparing to pour the first drink for the party of officers that was assembling. The DMZ was quiet for once, well relatively quiet as the usual group was likely to get louder than their numbers should allow as the night progressed.

"Char! You're going to be my favourite person tonight if you keep that up!" Kes said with a grin as he walked into the DMZ to see the glasses already prepped. He walked right up to the bar without even stopping at the poker table. "I'll have the usual. And by that I mean strong and spicy."

Rufio and Matewa were already sitting at the bar having a niggling little argument over something trivial as usual. Both held drinks and Matewa could be heard playfully teasing the smaller man.

Koaruh could be seen with his hand on Sophie's shoulder. A look of consolation as she looked a couple of drinks deep already. She had the 'I hate men' look on her face as someone came up to talk to her and was shot down leaving Koaruh chuckling with delight as he nodded towards Kes at the bar.

“Listen, come to the poker game tonight. Everyone will be there and will have the opportunity to make up their own minds. And I’ll see to it that Stewart minds herself. If nothing else consider it a social experiment.” Yara's directive still echoed in T'Mara's mind as she arrived to the DMZ, ready to engage in the 'social' experiment this evening. Her eyes scanned the room; there were a number of crew already in attendance and they had congregated at the bar. It appeared that a meaningful proportion of free-time was spent in the pursuit of intoxication. Very well.

T'Mara strode over to the bar and waited for the bartender--and on occasion, poisoner--Char to come over and get her drink order. "Greetings, Char, I would like to imbibe a...concoction for the purpose of inducing intoxication. Do you have any...suggestions?"

Char gave a soft smile to the doctor as he nodded. “Sure thing, Doc. I got just the thing,” he reached over across the bar and pulled out a glass bottle with a Vulcan seal that was filled with a dark brown liquid. “Vulcan brandy.” He explained as he poured the glass for the woman, placing it in front of her.

T'Mara looked down at the richly hued liquid with interest. She had heard of Vulcan brandy before but never had the opportunity to imbibe such a libation. "My thanks, Char." She raised the glass and took an experimental sip. It was an agreeable flavor. If nothing else, she now knew of something else she could order to drink at social functions that was designed for her physiology, well, at least part of her physiology. The Romulan ale she had consumed with Kes recently was also quite palatable.

Dashku was fashionably late and decided on a pregame strategy that was effective. She'd picked an andorian silk, burgundy plunging neckline dress that showed off her cleavage. The straps crossed on her back and the skirt was a tulip shape that went down to just above her knees. There was a slit up the front left leg, nearly to her hips and she's chosen a pendent necklace that drew the eyes downward. She'd also chosen a pair of matching ankle strap heels she knew she'd end up regretting by the end of the night. He hair was down, curling up just a touch at the bottom.

As she entered the DMZ, she took a quick glance around and gave Matewa a little wink when she caught his attention before heading up to the bar. "Hey Char," She said with a touch of honey in her voice. "Mind if I get the usual?"

Matewa gulped loud enough for Rufio to slap his arm. With a startled look Matetwa snapped back to reality and chuckled, "Rufio, I'm going to lose more than latinum tonight." he downed his pint and quickly ordered another.

Char stared at the tall raven haired beauty as he grinned ear to ear. “Of course, Lieutenant…” he fumbled with the bottles before being able to focus on making the drink once he finally stopped staring. “You look as beautiful as ever.” He added as he brought over her glass when he was done.

"You're being far too flattering," Dash replied as she accepted the glass. She gave him a smile, before taking a sip. "As wonderful as always."

Char gave a grin at his favorite customer and watched her leave before turning back to Kes. "Oh, sorry Lieutenant. I'll make that up right now..." He quickly went back to finishing the Andorian's drink for him that was half started.

Tollan came in with Stewart, poker set in hand having ran into each other in the corridor. Instantly his eyes went to the beautiful Orion and he grinned. “You didn’t have to get all dolled up just for us, Dash.” He said, his eyes taking in the outfit.

Noticing, Stewart laughed in response, looking at the Ops officer. “That’s only going to work so far, Dash.” She teased about Dashku’s obvious strategy to win before she moved towards the table. Her eyes scanning the group and stopping on someone unexpected, and in her mind unwelcome. “Who invited you?” She asked bluntly of T’Mara.

Before the situation could get awkward, Yara pulled himself out of his haze and stepped up to Stewart’s side, placing the poker set in the table. “I did.” He said firmly, holding Evelyn’s gaze when she looked ready to say something but thought better of it. It was a look that told her what she needed to know as far as her expected behavior and she subsequently backed down, ordering her usual at the bar. When she walked off, Yara gave T’Mara a subtle smile and quick wink across the table before taking his seat.

"Someone has to play the bombshell in the red dress, if I remember human entertainment tropes correctly," Dashku shrugged one of her shoulders. "And based on some of the looks I'm getting I think my pile of latinum will be rather large by the end of the night. T'Mara, don't mind Stewart."

T'Mara raised a brow at Dashku's comment. "I have not 'minded' any of her antagonistic behaviors towards me. I am...accustomed to it. Frankly, it is the other interactions with the crew that have been peaceable that have been...unsettling." Because I cannot determine the motivations behind it. She added silently. Raising the glass of brandy to her lips, T'Mara took another hearty swallow.

"Are you unsettled because you can't read our emotional state?" Dashku asked with a big grin, as she looked over at the Vulcan. "This feels rather auspicious moment."

"I am unsettled because such kindness often comes with...strings." She took another swallow of the drink her hand before continuing, "Auspicious? Promising success...favorable? How exactly have you determined that, Lieutenant?"

"Any day I can perplex a Vulcan is a success in my book," Dash replied with a slight wink, before giving her a flirty smile. "Besides, you don't seem to mind some of the strings that have developed between us."

"I would 'cut' them if I did."

Stewart muttered to herself about T’Mara as she took her usual shot, having Char give her a double this time, but said nothing about the Vulcan before taking her ale and heading for the table to sit down, reaching for the deck and started shuffling. “We all here? I trust we all know how to play?” She asked meaningfully as she opened eyed the Vulcan.

Kes glanced away from Dash long enough to pay attention to Stewart and notice the look toward the Doc. "Just getting primed up and I'll be ready." The Andorian quickly tipped back the drink and motioned for Char to pour him another as his antenna weaved back and forth. "Now I'm good."

T'Mara stared back at Evelyn unblinking. "I have familiarized myself with all 12 versions of the card game after being invited by Yara in order to participate appropriately. What particular game-type will we be engaging in this evening? Are there any wild cards or additional rules that are to be observed?"

"The only rule is to bring a lot of latinum. You brought a lot of latinum right?" Dash arched one of her brows and looked at the Vulcan with a coy smile. The Vulcan would play statistics, not the players. They were usually easy marks.

T'Mara raised a brow. Latinum? "I only have the credits allotted to me during my service in Starfleet. I have no latinum." Why was it that navigating interactions with this crew was more akin to trying to pass through an environment infested with predators. Well, at least she had discovered a suitable libation to consume on Moore.

"Oh, that's too bad," Dashku frowned and put her finger to her chin and tapped it as she thought about it. "I could sell you some latinum, let's say a hundred credits a strip. You'll probably want to start with at least ten, break a couple down into slips."

T'Mara looked at Dashku aghast. 1000 credits? She could not justify the cost, especially since she now knew what that amount would buy her on the Orion ship. Her stipend in residency and surgical fellowship was enough to cover the various sundries not provided during her training...but not much else. It had taken her years to build up the small 'nest egg' of savings she did have. Perhaps if she trusted these people she would have been more willing to part with such a dear sum, but as things stood...

"I will observe, then, unless there are...objections?" She looked over to Stewart awaiting the response that would send her back to her quarters...or somewhere else for 'association.'

Stewart sighed and caught eyes with Yara then tossed over 20 latinum across the table. “That’s worth about 15 hours of holodeck time.” She said to T’Mara to be dealt in. She had more than enough and surely before the end of the night she’d make it all back from T’Mara and then some from the others. Stewart reshuffled the deck while avoiding looking at the Vulcan across the table. “We ready?”

"As ever." Kes replied as he plopped into his chair and put his drink on the table. He sucked in a deep breath and tilted his head to the side until his neck popped before steadying himself. "Let's hear the rules Stewart."

If there was one constant in the universe it would appear that everything cost something. 15 hours? That was an unfortunate trade considering the holodeck was one of T'Mara's most favored diversion when not on duty. Well, it was that or her savings..."Very well, Stewart. 15 hours." She took a seat at the table and moved the pieces of latinum closer to her while she awaited the specific rules for this game of cards.

Stewart finished reshuffling and dished out the cards. “Hold ‘em. Nothing wild, 2 slip buy-in.” She said simply explaining as she handed out the hole cards to everyone and reviewed her cards watching the table and everyone’s reactions.

Dashku dropped her two slips on the table, but didn't touch her cards until all the rest had been dealt by Stewart. She finally took a peak at them, but made no outward sign of what he had. "You all ready to lose some latinum?"

T'Mara did the same, placing two slips of latinum near the two Dashku dropped. She reached out and lifted the edges of the two hole cards and then released them to return face down to the table. It would be fascinating to see how this game played out in real-time. The logical goal, of course, was to have the winning combination of cards over the other players...but the methodology to the game skewed towards deception. She began to study the players surrounding her.

Even before he looked at his cards, Kes' antenna rotated around and came to rest low over his forehead. He looked at his cards and put them down quickly before tossing in two slips. He took a sip of his drink and kept his eyes low. He wasn't concerned about winning or losing this game, only the drink really. But that didn't mean he was going to make it easy for anyone.

Yara tossed in his slips to the pot and reviewed his cards, absentmindedly scratching at his spots as he thought while the players went around.

Kes took another drink and watched the table as everyone chipped in. He fought hard to keep his eyes from resting on Dash and her assets, instead landing on the dealer. He watched for any expression or tell as she went about getting herself situated. "It amazes me Stewart how someone can be so blank while also obviously being so... fiery."

Stewart smirked with pride at the Andorian’s assessment. “Vulcan stoicism does have its advantages.”, she commented as she dealt out the flop. Jack of Clubs, Six of Hearts, Eight of Hearts.

As Stewart settled back in her seat, her eyes drifted to Sophie. The ensign looked a wreck. She had ever since the memorial service a few weeks ago. “How you hanging in there, Sophie?” She asked kindly while reviewing her cards.

Sophie's eyes snapped to the voice that called her. She had been in a daydream, or possibly a drunken fog of thought, not sure which. Realising it was Evelyn she tried to put on brave face, she admired her somewhat, how she did what she wanted and had the confidence to speak her mind. "Oh, I'm fine thanks, lieutenant." she called back, rubbing beneath her bagged eyes a little. "Happy to be in company." she strangely added.

Stewart just gave the ensign a compassionate smile and nodded. Ever since the attack the girl wasn’t the same. Whatever happened clearly had to do with Greco based on their exchanges on the bridge going from awkward to uncomfortable. Evelyn was sure the fact Greco was in command and Davaris was acting XO with the captain back on Earth with Safi wasn’t lost on Sophie.

Tossing in her slips, Stewart looked around the DMZ. “God it’s nice it’s so quiet in here for once. The constant chatter and buzz from the Syndicate buzzing around was obnoxious to say the least.”

Sophie nodded, "Yeah, I think one of them was following me yesterday when I was on duty... it was weird. Even said some Orion to me with a smirk which I guessed wasn't exactly him being chivalrous.". She didn't report it through any channels. Sophie didn't want to cause any kind of incident on board.

Kes tossed in his slips and had been remaining as calm as he could until he heard Sophie comment about the Orions. His antenna twitched and turned slightly in her direction. "Working with animals will often get you bitten." He grumbled. "Makes me wish we were allowed to knock their teeth out."

Tollan tossed in his slips. "Call. Listen, Sophie you shouldn't have to put up with that. I don't care if the Federation President tells you personally, we got your back." He told the young ensign before adding, "It's stupid he made this trade agreement in the first place. This is just pure extortion...nothing but a bunch of no good thugs and slavers."

Dashku couldn't help but make a face at that, she wasn't a fan of the deal either but she hated it when her people were only seen as criminals. "Most Orion's have nothing to do with the syndicate, the more they say the are a part the more likely it is they aren't. I also believe the Orions need this more than they are letting on, which means they'll play nice. And Sophie, Orion men are simple creatures, show them a little skin and just give them a command firmly enough and they'll do anything you want. A trait many human men share."

"I found a Ferengi merchant aboard the Orion vessel. A fascinating array of liquid intoxicants were available for purchase. I would also have to concur with your statement, Dashku, regarding Orion males, that is...to hear that some human males share that trait..." She raised a brow in a non-verbal gesture and lifted the brandy and took a sip, really savoring the complex flavors of the spirit.

"I'd still rather stick to rattling skulls and knocking sense into them" Kes commented. He glanced up and grinned at Dashku. "I'm not about to borrow Dash's outfit to have them bend, no matter how good I know I'd look."

Stewart laughed at the thought of the Andorian in the revealing dress. “It’s not your color.” she commented wryly, raising the pot with three more slips for another go around before the turn. She took a sip of her ale before pointing at Dashku. “And for the record, Dash, that’s all males not just Orion and human ones. Right, Chief?” She asked the crewman under her subordinate.

Rufio shook his head violently. "Definitely not. If Chisanna saw me looking at anyone in a dress like that I'd lose more than a finger. Maybe be flayed alive? No thanks." he shivered.

"Ah Chris wouldn't do that to you!" Matewa slapped Rufio on the back heavily. "She loves you too much to damage you... but me on the other hand." he grinned.

"You can't reveal all the secrets at once my dear Stewart. Also, I wore it so you could look, in your defense how could you not? I'm sure touching would cause the flaying alive," Dashku replied with a slightly mischievous tone. "Although if she'd like, I could show her a few techniques that wouldn't leave any permanent damage..."

Kes raised an eyebrow as he tossed in the slips. He had a decent hand, he wasn't about to bow out yet. "That's no fun, a good story needs proof."

"And a happy ending." Rufio said thinking of many happy ever afters in story books littered across Human literary history. "Plus, I bruise like a peach."

"That are what dermal regenerators are for." T'Mara quipped thinking back on personal experiences where such a device was utilized. With the 'unsightly' marks erased, it was considered like it never happened.

"That takes all the fun out of it," Dash give a bit of a grin. "Better to leave the marks so the bruised peach remembers the night every time they have to sit down."

Tollan smirked as he turned to Dash. "Right....it's all fun and games until two people end up in Sickbay looking like they just got done playing Parrises Squares with no padding, whining and complaining of their aches and pains. Any idea how awkward it is treating an inguinal ligament of a superior officer who just got back from Risa?" He added with a note of bemused annoyance, thinking of one such older admiral he had to while he was still at Starfleet Medical for his training.

With an exasperated sigh, Yara tossed his cards on the table. "I fold."

Kes looked at his cards and sighed. "Ditto." He finished his drink and got up from the table to get another.

T'Mara glanced to the two who had given up their hands and refrained from glancing down the face down cards in front of her. "I will raise."

Stewart eyed T'Mara, mildly surprised by her decision to raise the pot. She waited until the other players made their play before giving T'Mara a long look as she considered then grabbing her chips and tossing them in without looking at her own hand. "Call." she offered before flipping over the turn as the dealer: Three of Spades.

The next card did nothing to 'help' her hand, but it didn't 'harm' it either. Not that any of her internal thoughts were broadcast given the omnipresent ever neutral facial expression. T'Mara considered her next steps regarding this round - and decided that raising the pot would not be in anyone's interest as the game had just begun so she checked and awaited the other's responses to the 'turn.'

"Char," Kes addressed the bartender. "I'll have another usual. Either I'm winning tonight or I'm planning on forgetting it."

He turned back to watch the table as the hand seemed to wind down. His antenna waved around for a moment before settling back calmly. Kes heard the clink of the glass next to him and glanced over his shoulder to give Char a nod before picking up the fresh drink.

Stewart went to draw the final card for the hand when she heard Char's voice and turned in his direction.

After flashing the Andorian a grin and nodding, he headed back towards the bar. He stopped mid way when he heard the doors to the lounge open and saw two Bajorans and a Nausicaan entering. He inwardly groaned and mentally prepped himself as he went to meet the Syndicate members. "I'm sorry gentlemen. The lounge is closed for the evening." He said as pleasantly as he could, focusing on the Bajoran who stood at the center.

The taller Bajoran who stood to the right simply smirked as he eyed the table of Starfleet officers and their game. "It doesn't look closed to us. I'll have a springwine." He said dismissively, moving to step around the Bolian towards a table with his group.

Char took a step to cut off the smug Bajoran. "As I said, we are closed. This is a private party. Now if you, please..."

His words were cut off when the Naussican reached over to grab Char by his collar and pull him closer. "I don't think you understand, Bolian. We are Syndicate, we go where we want. Now, bring us drinks, Undari!" He said, tossing Char in the direction of the bar before giving a soft chuckle with his compatriots as they walked towards the closest set of couches.

Dashku bristled at the interaction. Finally she smiled, as she slid back from the table and stood up from where she was sitting. As she smoothed out her dress, she turned and walked over to the three that had walked in. Her heals made her nearly as tall as the Naussican, as she approached she gently placed her hand on his arm.

"This is a Starfleet vessel, not a Syndicate one. Let him go," She said simply.

Kes downed his drink and slammed the empty drink down on the bar. His antenna were upright with a slight tilt forward and the once joyful grin on his blue face was replaced with a dark scowl.

"You better listen." The Andorian growled. "I don't think you're going to get a second warning."

Sophie didn't like confrontation. It made her nervous. However, she couldn't take her eyes off the scene in front of her as she noticed Matewa move to flank his boss and Dashku. He said nothing hoping his physical presence would be enough at the moment.

The taller Bajoran looked over Dashku with a clear hunger in his eyes before he brazenly snaked his arm around her waist. “That’s alright, I think we found a better playmate anyway. Isn’t that right, sweetheart?” He rhetorically asked Dashku, despite looking at his companions with a chuckle, “Syndicate, Starfleet, it doesn’t matter. An Orion is an Orion, am I right? Come have a drink with us.” He added, intentionally trying to lead the taller woman towards the couches his friends already were sitting at.

"It's so true, an Orion is an Orion," Dash's voice came out honeyed, she leaned into the Bajoran and looked him over, before glancing over at his friends. She gave Kes and Matewa a signal, hoping they would follow her lead. "Oh, but none of you are blue. I've always preferred blue to pink."

Kes walked up next to Dash and grinned at the Bajoran Syndicate member. "Wrong shade for the lady."

The Andorian glanced at Matewa for a second. "Of course, don't you pink skins bruise blue?"

Matewa grinned, "He's not even the right size." he intimated the Bajoran's smaller bulk and he moved in closer to Dash eyeing up the mans arm around her waist.

T'Mara watched the scene unfold with rapt interest. The exchange appeared...tense, and there was an undercurrent of something building, but what exactly that was, she could not extrapolate. Regardless though, her drink was now somehow gone, and the only way to attempt obtaining a refill was to walk over to where all of the 'excitement' was. At least that would be the justification if asked...secretly, she considered the likelihood that there might be an arterial injury or blunt force trauma necessitating a surgical intervention. It would be...prudent to remain nearby, yes?

"I would posit that human ecchymosis leans more purple than blue due to the breakdown of hemoglobin." T'Mara offered up diplomatically while her eyes passed everyone at the bar in a calculating manner.

The Nausicaan stared dumbly at the Vulcan doctor, clearly too stupid to understand what she said. He turned his attention back to the marines standing in front of his companion, "We are Syndicate. Your Federation needs us, Starfleet." He pointed out with clear disgust. The Syndicate thug took Dash by the elbow from the Bajoran's side and forcefully shoved the woman at Matewa and Kes, clearly wanting to instigate some sort of reaction.

Upon seeing his friend shoved around so violently, Yara was up from the table and at his friends' sides to defend them ready for a fight, having had enough of the endless harassment the last few weeks by these criminals.

Sensing the tension boiling over, Stewart quickly moved to join her crewmates, though turning towards them in an attempt to subtly defer them. She looked at Dash specifically, knowing the Orion was the most likely to help her keep order. "We can finish the game later." She said calmly, but firmly, to the other woman with meaning.

He maybe stupid, but Stewart knew the Nausicaan was right, they needed the Syndicate and this trade agreement. She promised the captain to do whatever she could to keep the crew in order, no matter how much it killed her, before he left for Earth.

Dash's nostrils flared as the Nausicaan pushed her back, she caught herself rather gracefully and took a step back towards the group of them. The disrespect of these three had her enraged, her instinct was to teach them a lesson. Make sure one of them ended up dead for their insolence but they were on a Starfleet vessel and knew cooler heads needed to prevail. There was always an alternative, she'd defused

"What rank are you?" She asked the Nausicaan pointedly in Nausicaan. "I bet you aren't even a Lisk. You may not respect me as an Orion, but you should respect my rank. I am a Delbaj. How would it look if I reported your lack of respect?"

Able to understand the question as the threat it was, the Nausicaan stood at his full height, his yellow irises changing to red in his anger. His face hideous face suddenly became more grotesque when he suddenly let out a loud bellowing laugh in the Orion's face. "You choose Starfleet colors. Your rank means nothing. You have no guramba, Undari."

He turned to the Bajorans with him, suddenly in having no problem giving orders. "Come, let's find fun on our own ship. They won't be fighting." He said brusquely, leading them back towards the exit to the lounge in annoyed disgust of the Starfleet officers.

Neither Bajoran said a word as they wisely followed their companion, though the taller Bajoran winked at Dashku before blowing a kiss at the Andorian marine before turning to saunter out of the room.

Dashku was wearing Starfleet colors now, but she didn't always and his lack of respect hit something deep inside of her. Perhaps it was her old life calling her back, or the fact that even as a Lieutenant in Starfleet there was a certain respect that came with the rank. She'd heard it said that if you don't respect the officer, you at least respect the rank. She worked her jaw as she watched them leave, her brown eyes burning with an anger that would not easily be tempered. It was time to visit her mother and sister it seemed.

If Dashku was smoldering, Kes was on the verge of eruption. His antenna shot forward and waved back and forth like a pair of vipers ready to strike. Treaty or sanctions be damned, in that moment he wanted to teach them the meaning of respect or have them die learning. He nearly lept forward after the bajoran, but a hand on his shoulder brought him back to reason.

"If he was in such a rush to meet the prophets we should have helped him on his way." Kes mumbled under his breath. He looked back to the table where only a moment ago there had been fun and competition. He couldn't see that now. The syndicate had succeeded in souring his mood. Someone or something was going to be on the receiving end of his frustrations before the night was out.

Dashku worked her jaw in irritation, if they hadn't been on a Starfleet ship she would have dealt with it then and there. Now she was going to have to go to her mother and see how they wanted to handle the situation. She took a measured breath, before she glanced over at Kes. "I'll deal with them."

 

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