MelShat

Posted on Sat Feb 5th, 2022 @ 9:48pm by Willian Targaryen & Lieutenant Bissiv th'Zaanaq

1,191 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Twenty Forward, Starfleet One
Timeline: 0000-00-63, 19:50

Captain Willian Targaryen stepped into the Lounge on Starfleet One, walking directly behind the bar to get a drink for himself. He had his own private bar built into the Dining Room off the Bridge, but some of the good stuff had been placed inside Enterprise's Lounge. He grabbed a bottle of MelShat or Romulan Whiskey. He almost hated opening it because, in the reality they were facing, the fact the bottle was from the 25th Century would probably lead to it fetching a pretty penny.

Taking a sip of the periwinkle liquid, he savored it for a moment as the explosive tastes assaulted his palate. For a moment he could feel the effects of the drink upon him, as it was one of the strongest liquors in the galaxy. It gave him a momentary buzz before his metabolism ripped that away from him. The penalties of being a lab rat.

Setting the glass on the bar he poured himself another, then looked up to see Lieutenant th'Zaanaq opposite him. "I didn't realize you were in here, Lieutenant."

The Andorian snapped out of his daze as he heard a voice address him. Then realizing it was the Captain he snapped to attention. "Captain, sir. I didn't realize you were there."

"Not a problem. I think you beat me here anyway," Willian answered as he set aside the bottle. "It's strange to be in here and it be so quiet. I'm used to this room being full of people and barely being able to hear over the crowd."

"I like the quiet times, lets me think without distraction." Biss replied with a small smile. "Its the first time I've seen you in here, sir, do you come here often?"

He thought through his answers, thinking about the answer a Captain would say or a person would say. In this new era they lived in life demanded reality instead of the fantasy of command, "I've rarely been in this room. Each time I have it's been for some event or another, but otherwise I rarely leave Deck One. Hell, I have Quarters and I usually use the day cabin attached to my office."

His mind turned back to his kids, sitting inside the Admiral's Quarters with his parents. How long had it been since he'd last seen them? It felt like forever. He pulled himself out of his reverie with a question, "Did you ever think when you first met me five months ago we'd ever be having a drink together?"

Biss shook his head, "Nope. I saw this ship as an opportunity to make money. I do regret my actions against this ship and its crew but i hope that since you've arrived you can see how desperate it is here since the burn happened." The Andorian replied honestly.

"The galaxy is what you make it," Willian answered sincerely. "We're all a product of a complex interaction of genetics and environment. I regret that you weren't born in my time, Lieutenant." He paused, thinking back to his time and the wonders of the open frontier that they had once lived in. In his time there was no poverty, no disease, no war. This era was the opposite. Billions were hungry, worlds fell every day, in the wink of an eye the entire galaxy could end. It was a scary realization, more that he now realized this was his time.

"Apology accepted," he downed a shot of the MelShat.

"Thank you, sir. I know I've still got a lot to do to make it up for my actions here but i do appreciate being welcomed into the crew and given a place here." Biss replied.

Willian nodded, "We appreciate having you here and your guidance." He looked toward the door, "I am going to have to get back up to the Bridge. With this rescue mission getting ready to launch we don't have a lot of time. None of us should be drinking," he said looking at the MelShat.

"I can keep a secret, if you can sir?" Biss replied with a sheepish smile.

He smirked as he thought back on all of the secrets that had made up his career. From his family connections, to his time in intelligence, to his service to the President, then there was Section 31. It seemed his life was full of secrets. "I've been known to keep some in the past, Lieutenant."

"Hasn't everyone..." Biss commented.

Willian stopped and thought about the statement that the Andorian Helmsman had shared. His spidey sense was tingling and he didn't know why. Maybe it was the El-Aurian, maybe it was the training, but he wondered if there was more to what he was saying. "So, have you heard of El-Aurians before, Lieutenant? They're a race of listeners and I happen to be part one. Is there something more to what you're saying?"

"Oh, erm, what i mean is, generally people do have secrets in some shape or form. Its not a bad thing, its just what people like to keep to themselves." The Andorian replied, not sure of her was being tested.

"Depends on the secret," the former Admiral answered. "Some secrets are innocent things, some are dangers that put everyone at risk. Ages ago when I was Director of a Federation Special Task Group called Section 31 I was aware of secrets that would curl your antennae. It's hard to believe that we're still here at all, even in the capacity we're at now with some of the things I've seen." He smiled, "Any of those types of secrets you want to share with me or weighing you down?"

"I've done things that I'm not proud of, things to help survive or things for personal benefit. I'm not proud of some of those choices but I'd like to use my time here to draw a line under that. This is an opportunity that many here haven't been fortunate to have and something id like to work at." The Andorian replied. "All i will say is that there is nothing in my past that would cause harm to this ship or its crew."

Willian nodded in agreement, wondering just how horrific life had been for Mister Biss. His species was one of the leaders of the Emerald Chain that had risen in the Federation's absence. The potential was there that he had it easier compared to others, but there was probably just as much struggle from what he'd seen. "Well, I've had worse challenges over the years. Been dead before. The black mountain isn't something to scoff at. At any rate, I trust that you will serve this ship well especially with the mission at hand."

"Ill try my best, sir, but I'm still getting used to this type of environment. I've not had a chain of command before unless you count my parents." Biss replied with a chuckle. "Its taking some getting used to but I'm here to help as best as i can."

"Well then I think that it's time we move on to our responsibilities," the Captain informed. "Carry on, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir." The Andorian replied proudly.

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