Here’s To Grot, Grub and Glory Part I
Posted on Thu Jul 20th, 2023 @ 11:28pm by Commander Steven Greco & Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart & Lieutenant Tollan Yara & Char & Lieutenant Commander Keishara Davaris & Lieutenant JG Koaruh Avestro & Ensign Sophie Bishop & Senior Chief Petty Officer Rufio Dulay & Gunnery Sergeant Matewa Natana
Edited on on Thu Jul 20th, 2023 @ 11:29pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Prologue: Centre Predominate
Location: USS Moore - Various Locations
Timeline: MD 30: 1600 hrs
Evelyn nodded when Ensign Chapman relieved her to start her shift. Immediately, she moved towards tactical, knowing the beta shift bridge crew was taking over. “Ready to go?” She asked Kei, they didn’t even need to say where anymore. She looked across the bridge. “Bishop, you coming this time. We need a fourth and Greco can use all the help he can get.” She told rather than asked the young Ensign about joining the group in the impending foosball game at the DMZ.
"Wouldn't miss the ass kicking of Greco." Kei smirked as she logged off and let the beta shift take over her console. "I hear they've got something new in the DMZ called 'Risan Dalliance'. I may try that tonight, even if it does sound a little fruity."
They both looked over at Bishop. A quiet and very well mannered woman, she imagined if they made a female Steve Greco, that would be her.
Sophie too logged off and passed her workstation onto the officer coming on shift. There was a short passing of pleasantries and she looked over two the two women awaiting an answer. "I don't have to drink, do I? I mean, I've got a presentation in the morning about the power efficiency of the computer core and how I think it can be improved with my recommendations..."
Kei could only blink at her. "Is she serious? Evelyn, tell me she's not serious?"
Stewart looked at Kei. “Baby steps…” she said quietly so only the security chief could hear before turning her attention to Sophie. “Relax, Sophie. We will go light. One drink and game then you are welcome to turn in early for your presentation.” She said diplomatically to the younger woman.
"Okay..." Sophie nodded. "Maybe like a small gin and tonic." she told herself.
Steve stood up and gave a friendly smile to Bishop. “Besides, I think we need to show this ship what Ops is all about. Put these hot shot posts in their place.” He said playfully as encouragement for the Ensign, making a friendly rivalry between the teams.
"Oh I don't know Commander. I'm not very competitive." Sophie said with conviction. "I can cheer you on though." she added, the cringe of the comments hanging in the air.
"I need something stronger than Risan Dalliance if I am going to listen to cheerleading at foosball." Kei shook her head. "Thankfully I don't have a presentation in the morning, and actually have swapped with Matthews on Beta shift. Long lie for me." she said with a chirp.
"I can keep score?" Chiharu said as she came up from the Captain's ready room.
Stewart glanced at Amarok on their way to the turbolift. “Joining us, Lieutenant?” She asked. She realized the Romulan had a hard time adjusting to Starfleet life and the unresolved issue of his assault only made things worse. He needed friends on this ship more than anyone right now.
This was the first time Amarok had ventured out of his quarters and or the main Science lab since the assault on him. This was also his first duty shift on the Bridge. He suddenly jumped at Stewart's voice from the direct of the turbolift.
Very jumpy and hyperaware of his surroundings Amarok found himself also apprehensive of Stewart, somewhat irrationally.
Though he had been going a little mad in his quarters and lab as he buried himself in his work to keep his mind reliving the assault. "Sure." He said in clipped tones as he left his station to a relief science officer. Amarok kept an eye on the relief officer to see their baring, like to see if he should be worried about them.
It seemed they were focused on taking over so Amarok stepped into the lift and immediately put his back to the back of lift. He was a tiny bit tense though trying to hide it.
"We should have split between the lifts..." Kei commented as they all squeezed into one.
“You shouldn’t try any concoctions that Char makes up.” Stewart retorted at Kei’s complaining. The Bolian was an excellent barkeep, but horrible mixologist. There was a reason he relied on replicators for the food he served.
"I like his experiments." Keishara admitted. "His attempt at Terran Moonshine nearly killed Crewman Bahir last month." she laughed. "Not that it is funny... but it kind of it." she tried to justify herself.
"I had to clean her up." Sophie huffed.
"Well, don't let your friends drink who can't handle it." Kei replied. "I give her respect though, she tried it and it wasn't a small measure."
When the group arrived, Stewart looked at Kei. “You still need a round of the usual before you start experimenting.” She teased as they made their way to their usual place around the foosball table with the rest, nodding at Yara, Matewa and Dulay to join them with Safi who was waiting.
"We were wondering when you were all going to get here." Matewa commented, drink in hand. "Rufio is on his second and I fear we may lose him soon." he teased.
"Listen Mat, I can drink you under the table... the foosball table." Rufio raised his eyebrows in a challenge.
Matewa waved him off with a laugh.
Safi just sat and sipped her drink quietly. She liked to observe before interacting.
"Why does he experiment?" Amarok said as he waited for them all to sit before he did.
Stewart approached with her and Kei’s usual, a shot of whiskey and Tarkisan ale. “Because he wants the praise.” She commented to Amarok as she handed Kei her shot and they both clinked each other’s shot before downing them. Moving to the foosball table she looked at Greco. “Still think you are a match for my power shot, Commander? Landed it four times last time when you had Koaruh play defense for you.” She taunted about their last match where her and Kei neatly defeated Steve and Avestro.
Steve just gave a grin and nodded. “Bring it, Stewart. I’m on defense this time. I trust Sophie to score on Davaris’ defenses.” He ordered his own beer before joining the others at the table, bringing a gin and tonic for Sophie. “Ready for this?”, he asked the Ensign.
"S-sure sir." Sophie said with a slight hesitance before taking a shot of something that seemed to light a fire in her belly. "I mean yes! I'm ready! I love this game." she added. Secretly she was a bit of a foosball hustler. Sophie had a bit of a reputation that seemingly had not followed her onto the Moore as none of her classmates were assigned there. That seemed to be a bit of a blessing at the moment as they prepared to kick off.
Tollan watched the change in the Ensign’s demeanor as he sipped his own drink and watched from beside the counselor, science officer and marine. “I got five bars of latinum on Greco and Bishop.” He said quietly.
"You're on." Matewa grinned. "Davaris and Stewart for me... I mean I'm a marine and I wouldn't mess with them." he joked and took a swig of his drink.
"Are you ready sir?" Sophie asked Steve as she took up her position at the table by the offensive players.
Tollan just smirked at the Marine. He understood the sentiment about the helmsman and tactical officer and their attitudes, but there was more to foosball than attitude.
Steve grinned at Sophie and nodded. “And we are off duty, drop the “Sir”. That’s an order.” He playfully teased. He turned his attention across the table at their opponents.
"Yes s-- I mean Steeevvvve." the word came out of Sophie's mouth as almost as uncomfortably as it sounded. They could even see a small shiver run up her spine and a little bit of her soul leave her body.
Stewart had already finished her first shot and took a sip of her ale, smirking at the crowd coming to watch this game. Giving Keishara the ball to start them off. “Ready?”
"Always ready to crush some dreams." Kei teased as she dropped the ball into the table for Evelyn and Sophie to begin the battle.
Sophie's eyes hardened and a woman they'd never seen before appeared. The confidence on her face, the steely resolve as she gripped the handles and watched the movement of the ball. If she'd been in security you wouldn't put it passed her to be one mean SOB.
Amarok stands up and without a word heads over to the bar. He discusses with the Char about mixing some Human and Romulan tastes for himself to try.
When Sophie scored for the second time in a row, seemingly with little effort, Stewart looked at Kei. “Come on! You can’t let her blow by you like that.” She said in a mild annoyance that was more playful in nature.
"I'm trying!" Kei yelled, her tone not so playful as Evelyn's. "That kid has played us!" she grunted in frustration as she managed to stop an attack.
There was a smirk on Sophie's face. "I never said I wasn't good at foosball, you guys just assumed." As she smacked another goal home. She felt confident enough to look back at Steve for some affirmation of how good she was doing. She needed validation like that.
Steve grinned and laughed, nodding his approval as the young ensign widened their lead. “I didn’t know there was such thing as an accidental ringer.” He laughed as he sipped his ale.
In response to the goal, Stewart just stood up and looked at Kei in silent disapproval and disappointment that spoke of mild annoyance and frustration. After a moment of the hard look, she turned back to the game. “Do I need to give you a pep talk?” She asked Kei playful sarcasm, preparing to drop the ball into the enclosure.
Kei threw back a shot, "You know it wouldn't kill you to score some." she teased back and with a forceful twist of the handle almost ripped it out. The table shook slightly and she gave a forgiving glance at her opponents.
Sophie's movements were pinpoint, precise to the point of exact. Her eyes fixed on the prize of beating two department heads and impress the XO. She was a goody goody, a bookworm that never really got much attention unless she was playing foosball. She shone at this like everything else she'd done, albeit the other things were academic.
Stewart smirked as she managed to wrestle control of the ball back to herself. Moving it back and forth between two of her pieces, she waited for a moment when Steve’s hand flinched before ricocheting the ball off the wall in the corner for a shot.
Steve’s confidence grew as he played with such an accomplished player as Sophie. He was able to react in time and deflected the trick shot. “Woo!” He shouted in elation as he grinned at Sophie. His competitive streak coming out in full force as the crowd gathered to watch the game.
“Dammit! Son of a…” Stewart muttered as she wasted no time and quickly moved to capitalize on the deflection with a hard rebound goal. She flicked her wrist almost painfully fast to try to catch the XO off guard.
Greco blocked it out right. He was ready and denied the goal with the tender head on, shutting down her attempt to score and taking control.
Evelyn groaned in frustration letting out a ”Bastard! in Klingon at Steve.
The XO didn’t need to speak the language to get the clear intention. His head snapped up to look at the woman. “What was that?” He asked almost sternly.
Evelyn also snapped her head up to lock eyes with him. “Nothing.” She said innocently, realizing her mistake.
With a small smile, Steve let it go. It was an intense game and emotions were high. “Alright, Sophie, here it comes. Let’s finish this.” He said as he strategically outmaneuvered Stewart to pass the ball up to his teammate to score.
"Do you need a pep talk?" Kei said to Evelyn as she rubbed her wrists. This little whippet of an operations officer was kicking their asses and they were about to lose in spectacular fashion.
Sophie could see the distraction in Kei's eyes and as she spoke to Evelyn fired what can only be described as a cannonball of a shot at their goal.
The shot was hit with such ferocity that even when Keishara blocked it the ball broken through the lower half of the defender splintering it and the ball sliding home passed the goalkeeper.
Kei swore in El Aurian, many times and quite loudly too.
Sophie squealed and turned around pulling Steve into a large victory hug.
Steve laughed and hugged Sophie tight, lifting her off the ground for a moment. Her enthusiasm was infectious. He didn’t realize his hand was still about her waist when he turned to look at the helmsman and tactical officer with a cocky shrug. “Good game…” he commented wryly at their sound defeat, a near shut out. “Go again?” He asked with a grin.
Stewart exchanged a quick glance with Kei at the Ops and XO’s demeanor and shook her head before downing a shot, ordering another ale. “That’s alright.” She commented, her eyes drifting past their party at the exchange between Hara and Natana. “Besides, I don’t think Rufio or Matewa can afford it, eh?”
Rufio sat there, his jaw agape and his body unmoving. Matewa simply had his head in his hands shaking it from side to side in dismay. "Can't afford a good hoo- eh I mean no, can't even afford to give a good tip." he sighed.
Sophie felt the heat from Steve's hand even after it had left her waist and there was a strange warmth that came over her. Was it embarrassment, was it shyness all of a sudden? He had always been nice to her, looked after her on bridge duty. For a moment her eyes lingered before Kei could be heard shouting a few more expletives before heading to the bar.
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