Shoot to Thrill (Open)

[Kali Reyes]

[Holodeck]

Clack!

A group of hard looking Orions simultaneously watched as the cue ball ran along the even surface of the pool table and clicked hard with a striped ball. It twisted straight into a pocket at the far corner.

The atmosphere darkened, which was pretty surprising for the already dim and ominous lighting. Suddenly the attention turned to the only (and tiny) human in the bar.

Reyes leaned on her pool cue with a grin infectious for more civilized company.

"Best two out of three?" she asked innocently, even when she was grabbed by the lapels of her jacket and pulled up a good foot in the air.

"You lied!" the burly Orion snarled. "What is this?! Why would you lie about your proficiency in this human game of angles?!"

"It's called a hustle, sweet pea," Reyes cooed and poked the Orion's huge bicep with the tip of her cue stick. "Well... literal sweet pea. What color is that? Forest green? Olive? Just, uh... okay! Oh, be gentle - I bruise easily!" Her teeth rattled when he shook her.

Boy, this holovid scenario was pretty impressive. Her head tilted when the doors swung open like something out of an old western. "Player two has entered the game," she announced to the newcomer. "Fancy a game of pool against slave traders?"

[Lennox Ainsley]

[Holodeck]

Clack!

A group of hard looking Orions simultaneously watched as the cue ball ran along the even surface of the pool table and clicked hard with a striped ball. It twisted straight into a pocket at the far corner.

The atmosphere darkened, which was pretty surprising for the already dim and ominous lighting. Suddenly the attention turned to the only (and tiny) human in the bar.

Reyes leaned on her pool cue with a grin infectious for more civilized company.

"Best two out of three?" she asked innocently, even when she was grabbed by the lapels of her jacket and pulled up a good foot in the air.

"You lied!" the burly Orion snarled. "What is this?! Why would you lie about your proficiency in this human game of angles?!"

"It's called a hustle, sweet pea," Reyes cooed and poked the Orion's huge bicep with the tip of her cue stick. "Well... literal sweet pea. What color is that? Forest green? Olive? Just, uh... okay! Oh, be gentle - I bruise easily!" Her teeth rattled when he shook her.

Boy, this holovid scenario was pretty impressive. Her head tilted when the doors swung open like something out of an old western. "Player two has entered the game," she announced to the newcomer. "Fancy a game of pool against slave traders?"

[Holodeck]

Lennox was looking forward to what the holodeck had in store. He had noticed a game had been opened, a game of pool. This was going to be fun. The Scotsman stretched his fingers as he pushed open the door, for an announcer to proudly state that he had walked into the game.

It was not a game that he so regularly played, moreso for fun than for competition.

"Eh, 'hy te feck not, ey, lass? Migh' as well join ye in the game. Show t'ose Orion w'at we're made o'," Lennox said, with a lopsided grin, grabbing hold of a cue stick and cube to buff the end of it. "'Hat's yer name t'en, lass?"

[Kali Reyes]

Oh my. Was that an accent? She might swoon - or would have swooned - if she wasn't hoisted precariously like a ragdoll. "Crewman Kali Reyes," she introduced herself with a wide grin. "Not partial to the name. At all. Call me whatever you want. Lass? Love it. Right." Heck, saying sludge dumpster in that accent probably sounded wonderful.

She took the opportunity to swallow her internal cringe and instead tugged playfully at the Orion's leather collar.

"Mind putting me down, big guy? Because you can win two Starfleet officers now. Just imagine the latinum! Just me and... what's your name again?" Reyes lulled her head back in his direction.

[Lennox Ainsley]

Oh my. Was that an accent? She might swoon - or would have swooned - if she wasn't hoisted precariously like a ragdoll. "Crewman Kali Reyes," she introduced herself with a wide grin. "Not partial to the name. At all. Call me whatever you want. Lass? Love it. Right." Heck, saying sludge dumpster in that accent probably sounded wonderful.

She took the opportunity to swallow her internal cringe and instead tugged playfully at the Orion's leather collar.

"Mind putting me down, big guy? Because you can win two Starfleet officers now. Just imagine the latinum! Just me and... what's your name again?" Reyes lulled her head back in his direction.

Lennox looked at the woman, raising his brow ever so slightly as he saw that she was indeed suspended above the ground. He tilted his head, a flicker of a smile crossing his face as he listened to the woman, Crewman Kali, ramble on.

He watched Kali tug on Orion's collar with a healthy amount of suspicion, crossing his arms over his chest as he watched the exchange.

"Crewman Lennox Ainsley," He replied at the sound of being asked his name. Subconsciously, Lennox's back straightened, his shoulders back. "Would ye mind puttin' Kali down? I'd like fer a good game o' pool, so I can kick yer arses."

[Kali Reyes]

"Crewman Lennox Ainsley," He replied at the sound of being asked his name. Subconsciously, Lennox's back straightened, his shoulders back. "Would ye mind puttin' Kali down? I'd like fer a good game o' pool, so I can kick yer arses."

Crewman Ainsley. Kali watched as equations swept across his shoulders and jogged the database in her head and the name tested on her suddenly dry tongue. "Sec/Tac?" she commented before he could inquire. "Operations. It's kinda my job to know everyone." The numbers blinked away.

The Orion holding her up flinched at the threat, but drew his shoulders up in a display of dominance before dropping Kali hard on the bar seat. "You will practice sitting for the emperor that bids on you on Rigel V," the Orion hissed at her then glared at Lennox. "And you will make a fine mule for the dilithium mines on Corinthius."

"My, my. Don't we have grand plans in the spank of things?" Kali chirped pleasantly. The pool table's configuration flickered and reset itself. "I say we go first then. You know, to celebrate what little freedom we'll have left."

Taking a frothing beer glass from the counter, she set her pool cue across her lap and raised it in toast to Lennox, encouraging him to go first.

[Lennox Ainsley]

Crewman Ainsley. Kali watched as equations swept across his shoulders and jogged the database in her head and the name tested on her suddenly dry tongue. "Sec/Tac?" she commented before he could inquire. "Operations. It's kinda my job to know everyone." The numbers blinked away.

The Orion holding her up flinched at the threat, but drew his shoulders up in a display of dominance before dropping Kali hard on the bar seat. "You will practice sitting for the emperor that bids on you on Rigel V," the Orion hissed at her then glared at Lennox. "And you will make a fine mule for the dilithium mines on Corinthius."

"My, my. Don't we have grand plans in the spank of things?" Kali chirped pleasantly. The pool table's configuration flickered and reset itself. "I say we go first then. You know, to celebrate what little freedom we'll have left."

Taking a frothing beer glass from the counter, she set her pool cue across her lap and raised it in toast to Lennox, encouraging him to go first.

"Aye, ma'am." Lennox was impressed. There was a lot of crew and yet, she had managed to remember him, the security guy.

The Orion had gotten his attention as the sort of fella who he would have no qualms about beating, whether it be in the game of pool they were about to embark on or as a physical being. The Scotsman did not shy away from a potential fight, it was not in his nature not to. In response to the Orion's threat, Lennox raised a brow.

"I agree, lass," He gave the woman a smile as he put down the pool cube. The beer was looking mighty tasty at the moment but, he would hold off on the celebrations. "Alrigh', let's get te game goin' shall we?"

The balls scattered across the table, one of them going into the net. Lennox's facial features did not change, remaining stoic as he glanced at the Orion. He could not show weakness. "Yer go."

[Kali Reyes]

"Very nice!" Kali shot a grin at him.

The Orion, bless his slaver heart, decided to just shoot his cue all willy-nilly in the chance that a bunch would chaotically end up in the pockets. Only one managed to even wobble near the edge, but no dice. In his frustration, he slammed his fist down hard on the edge of the table when Kali laughed and the force shook the ball right into the pocket.

"Hey!" Kali indignantly hopped off the bar stool. "That's cheating-" She gulped at the blade pressed to her throat.

"No, that is a hustle," the Orion barked at her.

Hands up in surrender, Kali resigned herself back to the bar stool, but she always had to get the last word in. She crossed her legs. "It really wasn't." Her leg started to bounce with anticipation for her turn.

She really really wanted to impress Ainsley with a few pool tricks, but she seriously had second thoughts about it. Would it be too confident? Show off-y? By Tesla, she was acting like a schoolgirl. She decided to line it up like a pro and do some hardcore geometry - there was no way she could show off with stage fright - and popped two solids into the same pocket.

"That second one was for your 'hustling' arse," she shot back at the Orion.

[Lennox Ainsley]

"Very nice!" Kali shot a grin at him.

The Orion, bless his slaver heart, decided to just shoot his cue all willy-nilly in the chance that a bunch would chaotically end up in the pockets. Only one managed to even wobble near the edge, but no dice. In his frustration, he slammed his fist down hard on the edge of the table when Kali laughed and the force shook the ball right into the pocket.

"Hey!" Kali indignantly hopped off the bar stool. "That's cheating-" She gulped at the blade pressed to her throat.

"No, that is a hustle," the Orion barked at her.

Hands up in surrender, Kali resigned herself back to the bar stool, but she always had to get the last word in. She crossed her legs. "It really wasn't." Her leg started to bounce with anticipation for her turn.

She really really wanted to impress Ainsley with a few pool tricks, but she seriously had second thoughts about it. Would it be too confident? Show off-y? By Tesla, she was acting like a schoolgirl. She decided to line it up like a pro and do some hardcore geometry - there was no way she could show off with stage fright - and popped two solids into the same pocket.

"That second one was for your 'hustling' arse," she shot back at the Orion.

Lennox watched as the Orion attempt to pocket a couple. Oh, if he was feeling in the mood, Lennox would have burst out laughing at the fact a single ball did not want to fall, causing the Orion to slam down on the table in order to pocket it. His eyes narrowed, arms folded across his chest as he watched and observed the Orion with a hint of distain.

When Kali had brought about the concept of cheating to an Orion who must have gotten away with his hand in the cookie jar far too many times, a blade was pulled. Lennox stood up, having been previously leaning against an opposite table, "Now, t'at's in no way 'ow yer supposed to treat a lady, laddie. W'ether or not it was a 'ustle."

He watched as Kali took her turn with elegance, pocketing two in the same pocket. "W'ere did ye learn te play like t'at, Kali?" Lennox asked, impressed.

[Kali Reyes]

Lennox watched as the Orion attempt to pocket a couple. Oh, if he was feeling in the mood, Lennox would have burst out laughing at the fact a single ball did not want to fall, causing the Orion to slam down on the table in order to pocket it. His eyes narrowed, arms folded across his chest as he watched and observed the Orion with a hint of distain.

When Kali had brought about the concept of cheating to an Orion who must have gotten away with his hand in the cookie jar far too many times, a blade was pulled. Lennox stood up, having been previously leaning against an opposite table, "Now, t'at's in no way 'ow yer supposed to treat a lady, laddie. W'ether or not it was a 'ustle."

He watched as Kali took her turn with elegance, pocketing two in the same pocket. "W'ere did ye learn te play like t'at, Kali?" Lennox asked, impressed.

It was plenty obvious Orion slavers wouldn't put up a fair fight for the prizes. The Orion simply sneered at Lennox's chivalry and drew himself to full height to look intimidating. He was still a filthy cheater though.

Kali, (honest to Tesla), blushed at how impressed Lennox was. She resisted the urge to rub at her face with frustration. Get it together, Reyes! Somehow she managed to throw on an easy smile and busied herself by re-chalking her cue. "My godfather taught me. Decorated Starfleet vet by day, billiards expert by night." Her smile grew a little more fond at the memory. "It helped a lot when I was slumming it in Risa. You don't know how easy it is for a five foot nothing girl to out-hustle aliens for some quick credits."

If she chalked her cue anymore, it was going to bleed through. Kali abandoned the chalk and meandered around the pool table before the next Orion barreled her over for his turn. This one had a bit more thought, but he missed the pocket completely and he ended up breaking the cue over his knee. Predictable. Maybe she could clean the code up next time - add a bit more personality to the NPC's.

"You're really confident against slavers, you know," she teased. "Where did you learn how to whack balls around, Mr. Ainsley?"

[Lennox Ainsley]

It was plenty obvious Orion slavers wouldn't put up a fair fight for the prizes. The Orion simply sneered at Lennox's chivalry and drew himself to full height to look intimidating. He was still a filthy cheater though.

Kali, (honest to Tesla), blushed at how impressed Lennox was. She resisted the urge to rub at her face with frustration. Get it together, Reyes! Somehow she managed to throw on an easy smile and busied herself by re-chalking her cue. "My godfather taught me. Decorated Starfleet vet by day, billiards expert by night." Her smile grew a little more fond at the memory. "It helped a lot when I was slumming it in Risa. You don't know how easy it is for a five foot nothing girl to out-hustle aliens for some quick credits."

If she chalked her cue anymore, it was going to bleed through. Kali abandoned the chalk and meandered around the pool table before the next Orion barreled her over for his turn. This one had a bit more thought, but he missed the pocket completely and he ended up breaking the cue over his knee. Predictable. Maybe she could clean the code up next time - add a bit more personality to the NPC's.

"You're really confident against slavers, you know," she teased. "Where did you learn how to whack balls around, Mr. Ainsley?"

Lennox listened and nodded to how Kali had learned where to play pool, a flicker of a smile gracing his lips. He simply looked on as the Orion attempted to intimidate him, it would have worked if it were not for his military training and the fact that some of his family members were far more intimidating without even trying to be. So for the meantime, he ignored the Orion.

Finally, the Orion tried to pocket a ball or two, completely missing and making a fool out of himself by snapping his stick in two over his knee. Lennox raised both brows. "Mama nev'r taugh' ye 'ow te lose graciously?" Perhaps the rhetorical question would backfire on him, being that they were up against slave traders.

"My uncle woulda eaten t'ese Orion fer breakfast," Lennox scratched the back of his neck in a moment hesitation, chuckling slightly. "Served a bit of my time in te military, it's 95 percent boredom, so ye 'ave te find a way te entertain yerself until te action starts. Y'know?"

He stepped forward, lining up his shot. It would have been perfect but, for some unknown reason to physics, the ball hit the one in front and only one managed to get pocketed as the other one teetered on edge. Lennox looked up at the Orion, taking a step back to show that he was not cheating and that they would win.

[Kali Reyes]

"My uncle woulda eaten t'ese Orion fer breakfast," Lennox scratched the back of his neck in a moment hesitation, chuckling slightly. "Served a bit of my time in te military, it's 95 percent boredom, so ye 'ave te find a way te entertain yerself until te action starts. Y'know?"

Kali easily shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I got drafted. Not exactly the most romantic way of joining Starfleet." She almost joined the Academy, but that was a memory she'd rather not relive again.

He stepped forward, lining up his shot. It would have been perfect but, for some unknown reason to physics, the ball hit the one in front and only one managed to get pocketed as the other one teetered on edge. Lennox looked up at the Orion, taking a step back to show that he was not cheating and that they would win.

"Lucky shot," the Orion growled before ripping the cue away from his partner's greedy hands. He actually managed by some blind luck to pocket three balls in one shot and leered at Lennox. "I change my mind. You'll be better off serving as my lap dog. Do you want to practice begging for trees, human?"

Trees? Kali covered her mouth as her shoulders started to shake. A typo in the dialogue. She loved it!

[Lennox Ainsley]

Kali easily shrugged. "I wouldn't know. I got drafted. Not exactly the most romantic way of joining Starfleet." She almost joined the Academy, but that was a memory she'd rather not relive again.

"Lucky shot," the Orion growled before ripping the cue away from his partner's greedy hands. He actually managed by some blind luck to pocket three balls in one shot and leered at Lennox. "I change my mind. You'll be better off serving as my lap dog. Do you want to practice begging for trees, human?"

Trees? Kali covered her mouth as her shoulders started to shake. A typo in the dialogue. She loved it!

Was he playing overconfident? Or was this after effects from giving up being an alcoholic? Lennox pushed those thoughts to the back of his mind as he watched the Orion manage to pocket three balls.

Trees.

Lennox looked amused, his eyes glinting as he looked back to the table before looking at the Orion. He was no one's lap dog, especially one that wouldn't bite. For now, he let the Orion attempt to figure out where he went wrong as Lennox turned to Kali, "Wasn't always in the military. Was an engineer for 'ire, went anywhere the crews offered best pay before bein' kicked up the arse by my family te do somethin' useful." It wasn't the peak of his career but, he had learned valuable lessons.

[Kali Reyes]

Lennox looked amused, his eyes glinting as he looked back to the table before looking at the Orion. He was no one's lap dog, especially one that wouldn't bite. For now, he let the Orion attempt to figure out where he went wrong as Lennox turned to Kali, "Wasn't always in the military. Was an engineer for 'ire, went anywhere the crews offered best pay before bein' kicked up the arse by my family te do somethin' useful." It wasn't the peak of his career but, he had learned valuable lessons.

Kali thumped her palms hard on the edge of pool table and gave Lennox a stupid, excited smile that could light up an an EPA conduit. "You were an engineer? No - still an engineer! Once an engineer, always an engineer!" If she had a pup's tail, she'd be wagging it furiously. "Did you study? Of course you studied! Do you know where?! What's your specialization?! Do you like mechanical engineering?" She was going a million questions per minute, but she couldn't help herself.

All the engineers so far on this ship had been unavailable to sink her teeth too, if not talk their ears off. It would be nice to bash heads with another and actually put her degrees to good use.

[Lennox Ainsley]

Kali thumped her palms hard on the edge of pool table and gave Lennox a stupid, excited smile that could light up an an EPA conduit. "You were an engineer? No - still an engineer! Once an engineer, always an engineer!" If she had a pup's tail, she'd be wagging it furiously. "Did you study? Of course you studied! Do you know where?! What's your specialization?! Do you like mechanical engineering?" She was going a million questions per minute, but she couldn't help herself.

All the engineers so far on this ship had been unavailable to sink her teeth too, if not talk their ears off. It would be nice to bash heads with another and actually put her degrees to good use.

He did not expect to get a reaction such as that. It had taken him by surprise, the enthusiasm that oozed from her, like an excited puppy. "T'at's a lot of questions," Lennox gave a soft smile. "I studied, aye. I 'ad taken it up even further once I 'ad joined up te t'e military. Mechanical engineerin' is an interest o' mine. Did a bit o' automotive engineerin' before joinin' up te Starfleet."

Lennox gave a moments pause to look at the Orion that stood, scowling at him. He sighed. "I rather grab a beer, y'know, why don't ye continue playin' and I'll step in a bit later on?"

[Kali Reyes]

He did not expect to get a reaction such as that. It had taken him by surprise, the enthusiasm that oozed from her, like an excited puppy. "T'at's a lot of questions," Lennox gave a soft smile. "I studied, aye. I 'ad taken it up even further once I 'ad joined up te t'e military. Mechanical engineerin' is an interest o' mine. Did a bit o' automotive engineerin' before joinin' up te Starfleet."

Lennox gave a moments pause to look at the Orion that stood, scowling at him. He sighed. "I rather grab a beer, y'know, why don't ye continue playin' and I'll step in a bit later on?"

"Automotive engineering? Oh god..." she teased and dramatically pressed a palm to her chest. "Are you married? No, doesn't matter - let's get hitched anyways." The Orion bristled in annoyance when she hopped on the side of the pool table and put the game on pause. "I'm easy maintenance. Very clean - err, sometimes. Put me in a garage with engines and frames and I'll be just peachy. Like a pet rock, really."

She had half a mind to ice the simulation completely, but decided that would be cheating. Instead, she turned to the ominous Orions and said, "Take five for the lowly humans, guys. And two extra shots on me. Something tells me you won't be able to catch up even with the extra help."