Whiskey and People Watching

Posted on Sat Apr 30th, 2022 @ 5:47am by Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: USS Elysium
Timeline: Ten-Forward
530 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Damien sighed as he stepped out of the Security Office, unbuttoning the top of his uniform, allowing the yellow overshirt to hang down slightly, revealing the dark grey undershirt he wore below. Yet another shift was spent sorting and sifting through the various regulations and paperwork needed to keep a Starship running. Running a hand through his hair, he closed his eyes, letting out a small breath. You know, if someone had told him when he'd selected Security as his major that he would spend 90% of his time sitting in an office, doing paperwork, he might have reconsidered his choices. Actually, someone had told him that. When he'd met with the Guidance Counsellor, he'd warned him:

"'It's not what you think it is. It's not all running headfirst into danger, phasers drawn, acting the valiant hero. You'll more than likely spend a lot of time. filling out reports, and patrolling the ship. So, if you think joining Security is gonna lead to adventures, you're better off joining another department."

But, Damien had still chosen to go into Security. And lo and behold, he'd been right. Still, the Counsellor wasn't completely right. He'd certainly seen more than his fair share of excitement whilst on board. Much more than he'd thought would happen. And every time he wrote home to his parents explaining what they'd been through, his mother wrote back practically demanding that he get a transfer to somewhere less dangerous, and his father had to calm her down and tell her that these sorts of altercations were actually extremely rare.

Opening his eyes, he glanced at his watch. Still time for a quick drink in Ten-Forward. Heading into the Turbo-lift at the end of the hall, he quickly exited, headed over to the bar, and ordered himself a small whiskey. Heading over to a small table at the back, he sat down, stretching out in the chair, sipping the drink, and looking around the bar. This was another of his favorite pastimes. People watching. Still being fairly new, he didn't know very many people. He'd glanced at a few of the Personal files, mainly the Senior Staff and the people in his own department. And, if he was being completely honest, after their accidental mix-up, and the shift he'd shared with Vira, he'd had a cheeky peek at her file.

And then after their first meeting, he'd done the same with Myne's. Her's had been interesting, what with all the various Hosts' there had been in the past. It was almost like reading back an old Earth novel. It had certainly been an intersting few centuries that the old Worm had lived.

Leaning back in the chair, he smiled, watching the hustle and bustle. Glancing over at another corner, smiling as he watched a young couple. smiling and cuddling up with each, his own heart skipping slightly as he thought about Vira. He ought to give her a call and arrange something. Sighing, he glanced down at his watch again. He really should get back to his quarters. He had a call arranged with his mum. Downing his whiskey, he left the glass on the table, and headed back out.