S3-M11: The Best Things In Life Are Free

[Balan]

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Cloten's Pub | Promenade | Katra Station]

Cloten dropped off his latest drink for Flyboy and proceeded to get another ready when a particularly beautiful Orion dancing girl approached.

"You called for me, Mister Cloten?"

Cloten nodded. "That chump over there?" he said. "He needs a woman in his life. Go get him."

Gideon just stared at his glass as the woman showed up. Her sultry tone actually caused him to look up. A very inciting smile...

"[spoiler]Sod [/spoiler]off," he snapped.

"Oh, now, how can I show you a good time with that attitude?" asked the Orion woman.

"How can I have a good time when there is no other bloody woman like the one I had?" snarled Gideon.

Cloten watched briefly before going back to his drink and could see it was becoming another failure. He had been sending his dancing girls and even his Dabo girls to flirt with Flyboy and he rejected them all. Even the Orions, who were famous for their alluring pheromones. Maybe he was too drunk to be affected.

"I don't..."

"No! Of course not! I was the flirtatious type. I actually did the right way with the most beautiful woman in this quadrant! And she BREAKS my bloody heart! And why do the most beautiful tend to BREAK SOME HEARTS?"

A few patrons actually heard that. Heads were turning. The dancing girl was becoming aware of eyes turning and anxiously wanted to take the conversation to more privacy.

"I'm not sure, but please..."

"PLEASE! YES! THEY AIM TO PLEASE!!! YET THEY DISAPPEAR OUT OF THE BLUE!!! COWS! [spoiler]SODDING [/spoiler]COWS!!!"

The entire establishment heard that. Even Cloten, who wasn't giving much thought as he was getting a Romulan Ale cocktail ready, not giving him much thought until his shout actually caused him to flinch. As he looked up and saw Flyboy ranting and verbally attacking, he decided enough was enough, and that was saying a lot.

He poured the whole bottle down the drain and then pushed a typical button summoning his bouncers and bodyguards. They all stood at attention and they understood his lighting message - humans would call it Morse Code - and they soon began wandering the crowds, circling like vultures, ready to throw him out of the bar. Cloten, however, stared on with the crowd, seeing as Flyboy was on a roll.

"SO YES! KEEP COMING! LET EVERY WOMAN IN THE GALAXY COME!!! THEY WON'T BE LIKE HER! THEY WILL NEVER BE LIKE HER!!! THANK YOU, SERENA [spoiler]SODDING [/spoiler]KING!!! THANK YOU FOR LEAVING ME!!! THANK YOU FOR NOT SO MUCH AS SAYING A [spoiler]SODDING [/spoiler]GOODBYE!!!!! I WILL NEVER LOVE AGAIN!!! EVER!!! YOU TOOK THAT ALL AWAY FROM ME!!! I HATE YOU!!! I! SODDING! HATE! YOU! MONTHS AND MONTHS OF A RELATIONSHIP!! I WANTED TO PROPOSE!!! AND YOU GO BLOODY AWAY!!! I! HATE! YOU! I HATE ALL WOMEN!!!! ALLLLLL!!!!"

And as he said the last like a guttural roar he smashed glasses and pounded the table in a rage. Cloten gave the word.

He was quite surprised to find that Flyboy was so drunk he actually began fending them off. All of them. All while ranting about his girlfriend. It was a one-man bar brawl. But he couldn't last like this forever. He couldn't believe he was about to look into the slave market again, mostly to liberate any beauties to entice Flyboy. Now he was starting to think about calling Security...but decided against it. Knowing the noise, they're like going to come calling eventually. Instead, he opened a channel to somewhere else.

"Cloten to Infirmary," he said.  "I think there's going to likely expect some incoming soon."

[Katra station - promenade]
In time Balan had gathered himself together. There was a big chance a small individual would spot him or a very sensitive nose types would wonder why he was hiding in a nook. Then he stepped out.

As he was walking by Colten's pub he heard a disturbing voice over the crowd of noise in the establishment. Being a security guard was a 24 hour job even when your off duty. One has a responsible to step in as a law enforcer. He took a deep breath to walk in Colten's pub. That was when he saw the owner was calling for help.

Then Balan caught the red head flight officer upset and not shutting up about someone. What he knew from over hearing the gossip that Gideon had lost his love or he left her. That was gossip. The story gets tangled in many ways.

Balan crossed his arms across his chest and looked at Gideon. "œLieutenant I need to ask you tone it down. Or I will need to escort you out," he told the ginger head man.
"œIt is your choice."

Then Gideon smashed a glass.

"œThat's it. You are out of here or Cloten over sees the damage," Balan said.

Gideon did not hear him and started a fight somehow but one person.

"œSTOP!" Balan shouted and he was forced to attempt to grab Gideon back away from doing more harm.

[Jettis Jyur]

As soon as Jettis had uttered the words, Kyan assumed the worst. They wanted him to switch positions. Or transfer off the station! Or he was getting demoted! It was probably that. Had to be. Admiral Carter and his gods be damned ego. Kyan didn't figure he'd heard the last of Admiral Tree Butt. However he also didn't think he'd move against him this quickly. Well that was it then! If ole Carter wanted it this way, then so mote it be! Kyan would just resign from Starfleet, find Carter, and they could have it out properly!

Afterwards, he could get on with a freighter crew or something. Or he'd buy his own ship. Cloten could probably tell him who had one for sale. He supposed if all else failed, nicking one from one of the suplus depots would work. Yeah, that would be more fun anyways. No stupid stuffy grups telling him what to do all the time, and no Admirals! Of course he'd miss Sirol... and Xasik... and Emmy. He'd even miss Larry Stone and his people in Security. And thn there were his new friends from the school, and the Scout Troop. He'd really been looking forward to the camping trip to Bajor. Getting a holo pic of Xasik in the Scout leader's uniform was going to be classic! But now thanks to Tree Butt... it wasn't going to happen!

Screw him anyways, Kyan thought.

As Jettis' words hit him, Kyan's reverie went very quickly the way of the proverbial fart in the wind. Was he..... Well there was a box on the desk. Kyan recognized it. It was a pip box. But probably a foam snake is gonna come out! he thought, and then the others would come out and they would all laugh at the joke. Wordlessly, Kyan plucked the box up and opened it, wincing slightly in anticipation of the foam snake or whatever. But it never came. Instead, two shining pips and a third hollow one stared back at him. This was probably the last thing he's expected. And Jettis had said Executive Officer?

He'd graduated Starfleet Academy in 2350. In 6 more months, Kyan would have fifty years in Starfleet. Most of the people he'd gone to the Academy with were either dead, retired, or close to one or both. Kyan hadn't seriously thought about getting promoted, much less holding a command position in... years. Not since the Ticonderoga anyway. And now that it was in front of him, really in front of him.... literally on the table.. he had to admit to himself that the prospect was a little daunting. The responsibility was greater. The paperwork too. But if he was being honest, Security was pretty ho hum these days, except of course when there were Hunters trying to kill everyone, or some other alien. But still, being XO? Actually being in charge of people other than Security types? Yeah. Daunting was the right word.

But then again, Kyan Mackenzie had been doing things that were daunting for centuries now. He made up his mind. He was going to do the same thing he did when confronted with all the other "daunting" things in his life. Looking down again at the box, Kyan picked up the hollow one and put it on his jacket.

"Comandr Jyur." he answered with a grin. "I accept yer offer!"

[ Katra Station - Ready Room ]

With the long pause Kyan took, Jettis was concerned for a moment that he was going to reject the offer. When he finally spoke though, Jettis breathed a small sigh of relief. Flashing a grin, Jettis gave a nod. "Well in that case, Commander, I'm going to have to write you up for being out of uniform. I'm afraid I must insist you go resolve that. Dismissed." He stood as Kyan did, and while the man left to deal with what he needed to, Jettis instead stepped out into the OCC. With a short greeting to those on duty, he took a seat at the CO's chair, retrieving his PADD once again.

[Amarande Xiiv]

[Katra station - promenade]

In time Balan had gathered himself together. There was a big chance a small individual would spot him or a very sensitive nose types would wonder why he was hiding in a nook. Then he stepped out.

As he was walking by Colten's pub he heard a disturbing voice over the crowd of noise in the establishment. Being a security guard was a 24 hour job even when your off duty. One has a responsible to step in as a law enforcer. He took a deep breath to walk in Colten's pub. That was when he saw the owner was calling for help.

Then Balan caught the red head flight officer upset and not shutting up about someone. What he knew from over hearing the gossip that Gideon had lost his love or he left her. That was gossip. The story gets tangled in many ways.

Balan crossed his arms across his chest and looked at Gideon. "œLieutenant I need to ask you tone it down. Or I will need to escort you out," he told the ginger head man.
"œIt is your choice."

Then Gideon smashed a glass.

"œThat's it. You are out of here or Cloten over sees the damage," Balan said.

Gideon did not hear him and started a fight somehow but one person.

"œSTOP!" Balan shouted and he was forced to attempt to grab Gideon back away from doing more harm.

[Katra Station - Medbay]

"Acknowledged," Xiiv said quietly and sighed. There was always something going on that required medical aid. This time it seemed like a fight of some sort was going on. She lined up her dermal regenerator and shook her head. They were, once again, ready for anything but  Xiiv was going to have to get another raktajino for this shift.

[Gideon Drake]

[Katra station - promenade]

In time Balan had gathered himself together. There was a big chance a small individual would spot him or a very sensitive nose types would wonder why he was hiding in a nook. Then he stepped out.

As he was walking by Colten's pub he heard a disturbing voice over the crowd of noise in the establishment. Being a security guard was a 24 hour job even when your off duty. One has a responsible to step in as a law enforcer. He took a deep breath to walk in Colten's pub. That was when he saw the owner was calling for help.

Then Balan caught the red head flight officer upset and not shutting up about someone. What he knew from over hearing the gossip that Gideon had lost his love or he left her. That was gossip. The story gets tangled in many ways.

Balan crossed his arms across his chest and looked at Gideon. "œLieutenant I need to ask you tone it down. Or I will need to escort you out," he told the ginger head man.
"œIt is your choice."

Then Gideon smashed a glass.

"œThat's it. You are out of here or Cloten over sees the damage," Balan said.

Gideon did not hear him and started a fight somehow but one person.

"œSTOP!" Balan shouted and he was forced to attempt to grab Gideon back away from doing more harm.

[Katra Station - Medbay]

"Acknowledged," Xiiv said quietly and sighed. There was always something going on that required medical aid. This time it seemed like a fight of some sort was going on. She lined up her dermal regenerator and shook her head. They were, once again, ready for anything but  Xiiv was going to have to get another raktajino for this shift.

[Deej Cloten | Cloten's Pub | Promenade | Katra Station]

Once the security man arrived, the bouncers stepped up their efforts to subdue Flyboy, but Cloten was quite surprised at how much he was keeping up the effort, despite the security man's warnings. Time for drastic action.

Cloten always had backups just in case the bouncers got overwhelmed. Unlikely as it is, there's quite the chance someone would resist being thrown out, even if it meant the bouncers would be overwhelmed. If that should happen, that's when Cloten's dampening field came in handy. Its purpose was to render any weapons brought in inoperable once the computer identified it, but it can also be modified to render someone in a certain area, where a confinement field would be raised, unconscious based on blood alcohol levels; came in handy if someone got so drunk enough to overwhelm his bouncers, though it was designed such for anybody strong enough to withstand them, like a Klingon. For a human...well, a Romulan Ale hangover would be a mercy.

All Cloten did was to shimmy back to his office and work his magic. He pulled up the camera around the area, made modifications, raised a containment field and set the template to "human."

"I enjoy the simple things in life," said Cloten smoothly. "Like how much this is going to hurt."

He pushed the button. The incapacitating shock certainly enabled the flyboy to sing soprano in a high enough note that, any higher, would shatter glass...momentarily before rigidly falling over and twitching from the shock.

"Good, writhe, flyboy," said Cloten, switching it off. "That's what happens when you try to start a brawl in my establishment."

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Main Medbay | Deck Twenty-Two | Katra Station]

Gideon woke up in surprise...and still twitching a little.

"Ow," he said. "What the blazes happened?"

"What happened? A dozen bouncers happened, flyboy," said a familiar voice. Gideon looked around and saw the little furball hovering near him. "I'm feeling generous enough not to press charges. Try that again and you ain't coming back into my establishment."

Gideon blinked at Cloten in surprise. "What did I do?"

"Cursed women and went on a verbal rampage. Need I say more?"

Gideon looked at a mirror and was shocked by the bloody mess he looked. He looked over and saw Doctor Xiiv and who knows who else was around - blimey, now the hangover has come in, but it felt worse by whatever he got hit with, he was still twitching a little. His hair was a frizzled cloud, too.

"I was drowning my sorrows, I admit," said Gideon sadly and embittered, teeth grit, though it was hard to look downright depressed when he was twitching, but the look in his eyes certainly glinted dangerously. "That cow had to break my heart."

[Balan]

[Deej Cloten | Cloten's Pub | Promenade | Katra Station]

Once the security man arrived, the bouncers stepped up their efforts to subdue Flyboy, but Cloten was quite surprised at how much he was keeping up the effort, despite the security man's warnings. Time for drastic action.

Cloten always had backups just in case the bouncers got overwhelmed. Unlikely as it is, there's quite the chance someone would resist being thrown out, even if it meant the bouncers would be overwhelmed. If that should happen, that's when Cloten's dampening field came in handy. Its purpose was to render any weapons brought in inoperable once the computer identified it, but it can also be modified to render someone in a certain area, where a confinement field would be raised, unconscious based on blood alcohol levels; came in handy if someone got so drunk enough to overwhelm his bouncers, though it was designed such for anybody strong enough to withstand them, like a Klingon. For a human...well, a Romulan Ale hangover would be a mercy.

All Cloten did was to shimmy back to his office and work his magic. He pulled up the camera around the area, made modifications, raised a containment field and set the template to "human."

"I enjoy the simple things in life," said Cloten smoothly. "Like how much this is going to hurt."

He pushed the button. The incapacitating shock certainly enabled the flyboy to sing soprano in a high enough note that, any higher, would shatter glass...momentarily before rigidly falling over and twitching from the shock.

"Good, writhe, flyboy," said Cloten, switching it off. "That's what happens when you try to start a brawl in my establishment."

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Main Medbay | Deck Twenty-Two | Katra Station]

Gideon woke up in surprise...and still twitching a little.

"Ow," he said. "What the blazes happened?"

"What happened? A dozen bouncers happened, flyboy," said a familiar voice. Gideon looked around and saw the little furball hovering near him. "I'm feeling generous enough not to press charges. Try that again and you ain't coming back into my establishment."

Gideon blinked at Cloten in surprise. "What did I do?"

"Cursed women and went on a verbal rampage. Need I say more?"

Gideon looked at a mirror and was shocked by the bloody mess he looked. He looked over and saw Doctor Xiiv and who knows who else was around - blimey, now the hangover has come in, but it felt worse by whatever he got hit with, he was still twitching a little. His hair was a frizzled cloud, too.

"I was drowning my sorrows, I admit," said Gideon sadly and embittered, teeth grit, though it was hard to look downright depressed when he was twitching, but the look in his eyes certainly glinted dangerously. "That cow had to break my heart."

[Katra - Cloten's pub]

The flight officer had stumbled from Balan attempting to stop him. As that was unfolding Cloten had slipped in his office to send a shock to the flyboy and it knocked him out. Balan was shocked what security the pub had.

"œHope that is a legal regulation security system you got" he told Colten . The security guard who was officially off duty stared down at the limped broken heart man.

Balan was figuring out that Gideon ex- girlfriend had left him. She was not part of station no more. He could look to see where she end up. Balan bent down to pick up the ginger head and fireman carry him to sick bay.  As they got in the sick bay Balan had laid Gideon down on the med bed.

The computer display showed Gideon heart was still working. "œHis heart is still working and not broken in many pieces." That was a small sense of humor he tossed out.

Then Cloten had explain he was not going to hold charges on Gideon. Then Balan who was wearing his casual clothes. Which was a turtle neck sweater and blue jeans with hiking boots. He knew Gideon was in good hands cause the Doctor was good and he liked her.

The truth was Gideon had brought this on himself. He never seen anyone act like a fool who yelled at the owner of a establishment cause he lost his girlfriend. He was not very experience in romance but he knew if everyone had acted like that. Then security would be to busy breaking up broken heart folks.

Balan had heard Gideon explain his story and called his ex a cow. That was a terrible thing calling someone a cow. Perhaps Gideon was unable to speak proper.

Then he waited to see if he was going to be dismiss cause a doctor would know. And Colten had not put charges on him. "œCloten I will need to a report from you. So we can file it," Balan had explained.

The best thing was he was able to see Xiiv once again, he knew she was happy that Katra was near New Bajor. However her missing sibling was not found yet. She had not total shared what the religious symbol had showed her.

[Derek Rodwell]

[Katra Station | Main Engineering]

"Startled."

Claire blinked at the new arrival and stared at the outstretched hand and held it awkwardly, unsure how long a handshake should go for. "Claire... Maxwell." She shrugged as she nodded at the next console. "I just got here myself. I don't think we'll get rosters until we know who else is coming." Glancing at the fortified entrance, she raised an eyebrow slightly. "There's a bunch of maintenance jobs in the queue and I'm just checking in and about to start on a few, Lieutenant."

"Nice to meet you, Claire Maxwell. But please, call me Derek when we're just in here. There's no need for all that rank stuff." he said to her as he stepped toward the console to see what jobs were listed. "Doesn't seem to be anything too major. I guess it wouldn't hurt to take the initiative and knock some of them out."

[Amarande Xiiv]

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Main Medbay | Deck Twenty-Two | Katra Station]

Gideon woke up in surprise...and still twitching a little.

"Ow," he said. "What the blazes happened?"

"What happened? A dozen bouncers happened, flyboy," said a familiar voice. Gideon looked around and saw the little furball hovering near him. "I'm feeling generous enough not to press charges. Try that again and you ain't coming back into my establishment."

Gideon blinked at Cloten in surprise. "What did I do?"

"Cursed women and went on a verbal rampage. Need I say more?"

Gideon looked at a mirror and was shocked by the bloody mess he looked. He looked over and saw Doctor Xiiv and who knows who else was around - blimey, now the hangover has come in, but it felt worse by whatever he got hit with, he was still twitching a little. His hair was a frizzled cloud, too.

"I was drowning my sorrows, I admit," said Gideon sadly and embittered, teeth grit, though it was hard to look downright depressed when he was twitching, but the look in his eyes certainly glinted dangerously. "That cow had to break my heart."

[Katra Station | Medbay]

"Perhaps downing your sorrows was not the right activity for you," Xiiv said evenly. "I'm not sure I find calling the woman you were dating a cow appropriate either but we all grieve in our own way, I suppose. Good thing is, you'll live, though you might be sore for a little while. I'd suggest limiting your outbursts to your own domicile. Taking it public could get you or someone else injured, Mr Gideon."

[Kyan Mackenzie]

:: Sickbay | Katra Station ::

After his meeting with Jyur, Kyan had gone back to his quarters and replicated a new uniform. It looked wierd. In nearly 50 years he had never worn anything but security or operations. Originally it was the maroons with the dark gold undershirt. Then later it was the mustard spandex jumpsuit thing. That was horrible. Wedgies were a constant companion in those days. So much so that he'd actually considered the skant. Eventually they had changed it to something else and the wedgies went away. And now he had red shoulders on his jacket and three pips.

Kyan had to admit that he looked kinda like a boss in these new threads. He kept his old shoes though. It was too hard to get new ones with his... erhm... modifications. They weren't mirror shined like Briggs' were either. Even though he was going to be the XO, Kyan wasn't going to let it go to his head like grups did! Well... not too much anyway. It definitely felt different though. As Security Chief, Kyan had always felt a kind of ownership of the station. But it never extended past keeping people safe. It was different now and he couldn't quite nail down how.

And no sooner than he'd swapped uniforms, he got a call from the Security office about an incident in Cloten's place. Something about Gideon Drake getting drunk and going off the rails. Balan had responded and now the whole lot were in sickbay. While he'd made definite progress with the counselors and Xasik and Sirol on his phobia of that place, it was still there. At least now he knew why. So aside from acting like an arse, Gideon now had him going to the one place on the station where he didn't want to go. In addition, he hadn't even spoken to Doctor Xiiv for more than a few seconds since his last trip to her dominion, the particulars of which were still hazy to him.

gods damned Drake and his drunken girl problems., he thought to himself as he stood outside the doors, flanked by two security crewmen. Why not just go to the holo suites and pretend she was still here and wanted to see him? Seemed perfectly reasonable to Kyan. He'd killed James Kirk more times than he could count on the holodeck. It was always fun. He'd mention that to the pilot, if he weren't still too blitzed.

Sighing, Kyan looked up at the crewmen. "All right then boyos. Let's be about it then. C'mon."

As the doors parted before them Kyan and the two crewmen walked in. There in the treatment area were Doctor Xiiv, Deej Cloten, Balan... in his off duty clothes. And then Gideon Drake was on the bed.

"Perhaps downing your sorrows was not the right activity for you," Xiiv said evenly. "I'm not sure I find calling the woman you were dating a cow appropriate either but we all grieve in our own way, I suppose. Good thing is, you'll live, though you might be sore for a little while. I'd suggest limiting your outbursts to your own domicile. Taking it public could get you or someone else injured, Mr Gideon."

And now was the moment of truth. Surprisingly, Kyan wasn't too put off by being in Sickbay. Maybe it was his new position, or the crewmen flanking him. Maybe it was because he wasn't here to be treated for anything. But it was... ok. No walls closing in, no shortness of breath, no creeping fear. It was just... another place. in fact, the thought that weighed on him was how he was going to address the matter at hand. Having never been,,, "in love" himself, like Gideon was, he couldn't empathize with his feelings on the matter. And even as Security Chief, he wouldn't have been happy with someone getting drunk and tearing up a place of business. But now there was the whole other side too. What to do with Drake?

Truthfully, he knew exactly what to do with Drake. The only piece that gave him pause was that he remembered how he'd felt when it happened to him all those years ago. When he'd gotten into a fight, it was the brig. It sucked. And sometimes he felt that he didn't deserve it. Although in Drake's case, he'd started the whole thing. It was his fault. Having entered as she was speaking, Kyan caught the part about how Drake would live, and be sore for a few days. So it was all settled then.

"Doctor Xiiv! Merry Met again and I'll thank you fer yer tellin me what I was after askin even before I asked ye! Since Mister Drake here is fit enough to nae be needin further treatment from you, I'll get him out of here for ye." A nod to one of the Security Crewmen spurred he and his colleague over to Drake's bedside.

[Gideon Drake]

[Katra - Cloten's pub]

The flight officer had stumbled from Balan attempting to stop him. As that was unfolding Cloten had slipped in his office to send a shock to the flyboy and it knocked him out. Balan was shocked what security the pub had.

"œHope that is a legal regulation security system you got" he told Colten . The security guard who was officially off duty stared down at the limped broken heart man.

Balan was figuring out that Gideon ex- girlfriend had left him. She was not part of station no more. He could look to see where she end up. Balan bent down to pick up the ginger head and fireman carry him to sick bay.  As they got in the sick bay Balan had laid Gideon down on the med bed.

The computer display showed Gideon heart was still working. "œHis heart is still working and not broken in many pieces." That was a small sense of humor he tossed out.

Then Cloten had explain he was not going to hold charges on Gideon. Then Balan who was wearing his casual clothes. Which was a turtle neck sweater and blue jeans with hiking boots. He knew Gideon was in good hands cause the Doctor was good and he liked her.

The truth was Gideon had brought this on himself. He never seen anyone act like a fool who yelled at the owner of a establishment cause he lost his girlfriend. He was not very experience in romance but he knew if everyone had acted like that. Then security would be to busy breaking up broken heart folks.

Balan had heard Gideon explain his story and called his ex a cow. That was a terrible thing calling someone a cow. Perhaps Gideon was unable to speak proper.

Then he waited to see if he was going to be dismiss cause a doctor would know. And Colten had not put charges on him. "œCloten I will need to a report from you. So we can file it," Balan had explained.

The best thing was he was able to see Xiiv once again, he knew she was happy that Katra was near New Bajor. However her missing sibling was not found yet. She had not total shared what the religious symbol had showed her.

[Katra Station | Medbay]

"Perhaps downing your sorrows was not the right activity for you," Xiiv said evenly. "I'm not sure I find calling the woman you were dating a cow appropriate either but we all grieve in our own way, I suppose. Good thing is, you'll live, though you might be sore for a little while. I'd suggest limiting your outbursts to your own domicile. Taking it public could get you or someone else injured, Mr Gideon."

:: Sickbay | Katra Station ::

After his meeting with Jyur, Kyan had gone back to his quarters and replicated a new uniform. It looked wierd. In nearly 50 years he had never worn anything but security or operations. Originally it was the maroons with the dark gold undershirt. Then later it was the mustard spandex jumpsuit thing. That was horrible. Wedgies were a constant companion in those days. So much so that he'd actually considered the skant. Eventually they had changed it to something else and the wedgies went away. And now he had red shoulders on his jacket and three pips.

Kyan had to admit that he looked kinda like a boss in these new threads. He kept his old shoes though. It was too hard to get new ones with his... erhm... modifications. They weren't mirror shined like Briggs' were either. Even though he was going to be the XO, Kyan wasn't going to let it go to his head like grups did! Well... not too much anyway. It definitely felt different though. As Security Chief, Kyan had always felt a kind of ownership of the station. But it never extended past keeping people safe. It was different now and he couldn't quite nail down how.

And no sooner than he'd swapped uniforms, he got a call from the Security office about an incident in Cloten's place. Something about Gideon Drake getting drunk and going off the rails. Balan had responded and now the whole lot were in sickbay. While he'd made definite progress with the counselors and Xasik and Sirol on his phobia of that place, it was still there. At least now he knew why. So aside from acting like an arse, Gideon now had him going to the one place on the station where he didn't want to go. In addition, he hadn't even spoken to Doctor Xiiv for more than a few seconds since his last trip to her dominion, the particulars of which were still hazy to him.

gods damned Drake and his drunken girl problems., he thought to himself as he stood outside the doors, flanked by two security crewmen. Why not just go to the holo suites and pretend she was still here and wanted to see him? Seemed perfectly reasonable to Kyan. He'd killed James Kirk more times than he could count on the holodeck. It was always fun. He'd mention that to the pilot, if he weren't still too blitzed.

Sighing, Kyan looked up at the crewmen. "All right then boyos. Let's be about it then. C'mon."

As the doors parted before them Kyan and the two crewmen walked in. There in the treatment area were Doctor Xiiv, Deej Cloten, Balan... in his off duty clothes. And then Gideon Drake was on the bed.

And now was the moment of truth. Surprisingly, Kyan wasn't too put off by being in Sickbay. Maybe it was his new position, or the crewmen flanking him. Maybe it was because he wasn't here to be treated for anything. But it was... ok. No walls closing in, no shortness of breath, no creeping fear. It was just... another place. in fact, the thought that weighed on him was how he was going to address the matter at hand. Having never been,,, "in love" himself, like Gideon was, he couldn't empathize with his feelings on the matter. And even as Security Chief, he wouldn't have been happy with someone getting drunk and tearing up a place of business. But now there was the whole other side too. What to do with Drake?

Truthfully, he knew exactly what to do with Drake. The only piece that gave him pause was that he remembered how he'd felt when it happened to him all those years ago. When he'd gotten into a fight, it was the brig. It sucked. And sometimes he felt that he didn't deserve it. Although in Drake's case, he'd started the whole thing. It was his fault. Having entered as she was speaking, Kyan caught the part about how Drake would live, and be sore for a few days. So it was all settled then.

"Doctor Xiiv! Merry Met again and I'll thank you fer yer tellin me what I was after askin even before I asked ye! Since Mister Drake here is fit enough to nae be needin further treatment from you, I'll get him out of here for ye." A nod to one of the Security Crewmen spurred he and his colleague over to Drake's bedside.

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Main Medbay | Deck Twenty-Two | Katra Station]

Gideon scowled. Doctor Xiiv calling him Mr. Gideon was a little unnerving. Only the servants at old Drake Hall ever called him Mr. Gideon. But he didn't bother to correct her. He was much too busy feeling miserable.

"She deserves it, Doctor," he said. "Most beautiful woman in the galaxy, leaving me so fast. Yes, she is a cow."

And he was just in time to see Lieutenant Mackenzie...hang on. He usually didn't wear red. And he usually didn't have three pips. Blimey. He got promoted. Then it looks like he's conducting his last arrest before apparently assuming First Officer duties.

"Let's get this over with...Commander," he said, still bleary, before realizing it was technically Lieutenant Commander, now that he got it close enough. He began walking gingerly along, the soreness feeling so emphasized. He deserved it, stuck in the brig, soreness from a beating. He took in Cloten's wide, toothy grin, seeing that the tables were turned, watching him getting arrested for once.

Cloten, meanwhile, turned back to the security chump...Balan, that was his name.

"Fine, if you'd like," he said. The main reason was that he wasn't pressing charges was that he would have to identify the kinds of synthohol Flyboy was chugging away. It wasn't just Romulan Ale, though he could give out the excuse that Romulans live on the station and some officers are Romulan. In fact, it was only the main ingredient to his powerhouse special, which consisted of a mixture of at least a dozen other illegal synthohols, with Romulan Ale as the main base for mixture. He did start his criminal career as a bootlegger at the Antican homeworld. He knew where to get his hands on liquids that could put a buzz into a person's head, but unfortunately, some of those liquid could permanently shut down any one of a person's organs, not just his heart. The trick was to know which was safe to consume. That was partly why Cloten was often a bartender, but his main business focus was the black market.

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Brig | Deck Twelve | Katra Station]

In no time at all, Gideon was dumped into a cell in the brig. He was way past the point of giving a [spoiler]shite [/spoiler]and so just dumped his arse onto the cot. He just scowled out the door, staring into space, but merely did it so everybody can see how heartbroken he was, how he will never love again. Let even the women get a good look at him. He was going to stay there. Long as it took to waste away. He had had it with women and life.

[Balan]

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Main Medbay | Deck Twenty-Two | Katra Station]

Gideon scowled. Doctor Xiiv calling him Mr. Gideon was a little unnerving. Only the servants at old Drake Hall ever called him Mr. Gideon. But he didn't bother to correct her. He was much too busy feeling miserable.

"She deserves it, Doctor," he said. "Most beautiful woman in the galaxy, leaving me so fast. Yes, she is a cow."

And he was just in time to see Lieutenant Mackenzie...hang on. He usually didn't wear red. And he usually didn't have three pips. Blimey. He got promoted. Then it looks like he's conducting his last arrest before apparently assuming First Officer duties.

"Let's get this over with...Commander," he said, still bleary, before realizing it was technically Lieutenant Commander, now that he got it close enough. He began walking gingerly along, the soreness feeling so emphasized. He deserved it, stuck in the brig, soreness from a beating. He took in Cloten's wide, toothy grin, seeing that the tables were turned, watching him getting arrested for once.

Cloten, meanwhile, turned back to the security chump...Balan, that was his name.

"Fine, if you'd like," he said. The main reason was that he wasn't pressing charges was that he would have to identify the kinds of synthohol Flyboy was chugging away. It wasn't just Romulan Ale, though he could give out the excuse that Romulans live on the station and some officers are Romulan. In fact, it was only the main ingredient to his powerhouse special, which consisted of a mixture of at least a dozen other illegal synthohols, with Romulan Ale as the main base for mixture. He did start his criminal career as a bootlegger at the Antican homeworld. He knew where to get his hands on liquids that could put a buzz into a person's head, but unfortunately, some of those liquid could permanently shut down any one of a person's organs, not just his heart. The trick was to know which was safe to consume. That was partly why Cloten was often a bartender, but his main business focus was the black market.

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Brig | Deck Twelve | Katra Station]

In no time at all, Gideon was dumped into a cell in the brig. He was way past the point of giving a [spoiler]shite [/spoiler]and so just dumped his arse onto the cot. He just scowled out the door, staring into space, but merely did it so everybody can see how heartbroken he was, how he will never love again. Let even the women get a good look at him. He was going to stay there. Long as it took to waste away. He had had it with women and life.

[Katra station - Sickbay]

Balan could see that Gideon Drake was the "œcow" now. The shape changer could not wrap his head around on why the ex-girlfriend was a cow. Even Doctor Xiiv had been displeased. The way the ginger head acted was like how small kids threw a tantrum. Was they doing it for attention as a pity oh poor me. He was not sure.

Then he gathered the info from Cloten. "œThank you. We are sorry for Drakes behavior. . ."

Kyan came in with two security guards on each side of his shoulders. Then Kyan had ordered that Drake was sent to the brig. Poor choices gives you poor results. Someone had told him. Life was a like a big wheel. You make a good or poor choice and it was like placing a sticky note on the wheel. It will turn and come back and haunt you.

Now he wonders that walking out of the classroom was a poor choice. It will come back to him in a way he was not sure.

Then he spotted Mackenzie was sporting red and a few pips which showed he was a lieutenant commander. "œLt. Commander congrats on your promotion," he said.

[Claire Maxwell]

[Katra Station | Main Engineering]

"Nice to meet you, Claire Maxwell. But please, call me Derek when we're just in here. There's no need for all that rank stuff." he said to her as he stepped toward the console to see what jobs were listed. "Doesn't seem to be anything too major. I guess it wouldn't hurt to take the initiative and knock some of them out."

[Katra Station | Main Engineering]

"Bemused."

Claire looked over at her fellow Engineer. In fact, she reflected in her bemused state that this was the longest conversation she'd held with someone for some time. When she spoke, she had a soft voice with a slightly musical quality to it. "19.6 light years. 6 starships, 8 runabouts. 3 weeks. They took the station apart and rebuilt it here in orbit. Between the regular complement and the Engineers on the ships, there was enough skill to go around and the station is in as good a condition as it's ever been. This is mostly... Regular maintenance. Checking lifecycles of airlocks, that kind of thing." She looked out of the corner of her eyes at him, as she poked at her console some more.

[Jettis Jyur]

[ Katra Station - OCC ]

As Jettis sat, scrolling through lists, suddenly the ensign at ops spoke up. "Um, sir? I'm getting a message from Flatwoods, our patrol ship. They sent word that they've found a freighter full of Romulans in need of assistance." That immediately spiked his attention, as he sat straight up and his eyes turned to ops."They were out of fuel and in need of repairs. They gave them just enough to get them back to the station, ETA one day."

Jettis sighed. At the very least, they had time to prepare for the incoming freighter. With what little information they had, at least. "Tell me the moment they arrive, and notify security ahead of time to arrange a detail."

[ Katra Station - OCC - 24 hours later ]
"Commander Mackenzie and Ensign Pev, please meet me in the OCC."

The freighter was scheduled to arrive any moment now, escorted by the Flatwoods. He still had very minimal information on the Romulans and their claims, only what he'd been told in their first message. That's where Pev came in, their newly arrived Diplomat. When the two arrived, he would launch into an explanation on the situation.

"Alright gentlemen, we have a very particular situation on our hands. We have an entire freighter full of Romulans boarding. They were found stranded about five, six light years out. Their freighter had run out of fuel, and sustained some damage. The patrol says they claim they're requesting asylum on the station, deserters from the Romulan free state."

"I don't think I have to inform you how dangerous that could be, for many different reasons. Your job is to find out if they're telling the truth about seeking asylum, and if they are, figure out what the hell we're supposed to do with hundreds of Romulan refugees."

"Sir, the freighter and runabout are requesting to dock now." Jettis nodded absently at the report, turning to back to Kyan. "Mr. Mackenzie, I'd like you to greet them. Take Pev and someone from Engineering, Medical and Science, as injuries were reported. Try to gather what information you can. Once you're done, I'll call a conference to get everyone's thoughts." He hoped this wouldn't turn out as it had on the Challenger, and this crew was who they said they were. Sighing, he took his seat again to play the waiting game. "The security detail will already be waiting there. Dismissed."

[Balan]

[ Katra Station - OCC ]

As Jettis sat, scrolling through lists, suddenly the ensign at ops spoke up. "Um, sir? I'm getting a message from Flatwoods, our patrol ship. They sent word that they've found a freighter full of Romulans in need of assistance." That immediately spiked his attention, as he sat straight up and his eyes turned to ops."They were out of fuel and in need of repairs. They gave them just enough to get them back to the station, ETA one day."

Jettis sighed. At the very least, they had time to prepare for the incoming freighter. With what little information they had, at least. "Tell me the moment they arrive, and notify security ahead of time to arrange a detail."

[ Katra Station - OCC - 24 hours later ]
"Commander Mackenzie and Ensign Pev, please meet me in the OCC."

The freighter was scheduled to arrive any moment now, escorted by the Flatwoods. He still had very minimal information on the Romulans and their claims, only what he'd been told in their first message. That's where Pev came in, their newly arrived Diplomat. When the two arrived, he would launch into an explanation on the situation.

"Alright gentlemen, we have a very particular situation on our hands. We have an entire freighter full of Romulans boarding. They were found stranded about five, six light years out. Their freighter had run out of fuel, and sustained some damage. The patrol says they claim they're requesting asylum on the station, deserters from the Romulan free state."

"I don't think I have to inform you how dangerous that could be, for many different reasons. Your job is to find out if they're telling the truth about seeking asylum, and if they are, figure out what the hell we're supposed to do with hundreds of Romulan refugees."

"Sir, the freighter and runabout are requesting to dock now." Jettis nodded absently at the report, turning to back to Kyan. "Mr. Mackenzie, I'd like you to greet them. Take Pev and someone from Engineering, Medical and Science, as injuries were reported. Try to gather what information you can. Once you're done, I'll call a conference to get everyone's thoughts." He hoped this wouldn't turn out as it had on the Challenger, and this crew was who they said they were. Sighing, he took his seat again to play the waiting game. "The security detail will already be waiting there. Dismissed."

[Katra - Balan's quarters]

Balan had not the chance to ask Xiiv if she would want to join him for dinner. The reason he had wanted to do have dinner. Because he was curious about Mister Drake's behavior. The one thing he was curious was the "œcow" insult. If calling someone a beast was that an insult to the beast as well?

When he left sick bay he was wondering about losing someone close like Drake did. The human species from Earth was more complex then any other species. Vulcans hold on to their emotions by meditations. Then Klingons are more open to their emotions and not suppress them. Perhaps humans from earth was like a mix from all other species. There was a few emotionless earthlings, mad ones, happy ones, and all kinds. It does make you wonder who came first? Cause humans was very spread out in space. That was one of the many million exploration questions scientist try to tackle. Maybe they will never find the answers but it was fun trying to figure it out. It made a great conversation to some but to others it was not.

Like on Dalad IV his planet the light side and dark side had been at civil war for a very long time. There was even a small civil war on each side. The fighting was slowed down from the high governor who was female with a good head on her shoulders. That was why he was out in Starfleet to gather more social behavior from Starfleet and other species. The fact that earth was complex as it was in her history. It was amazing how they did not blow up their own planet.

He had gone back to his quarters which was small. He was lucky he had his own cause of his rank. The average Crewman had to share quarters with another crewman. Balan was lucky indeed. To relax and rest Balan had dropped his design form and went into his normal appearance which was like a glowing light liquid form. You can picture it as a angel to some cultures. In that form he was able to meditate and reenergize himself like human who needs sleep.

[Katra - 24 hours later at Cargo dock ring]

Balan was in his security uniform which he does not wear. The combadge he had to wear because it was the standard uniform. The security team all had phasers on their hip for the Romulan who week an asylum. They are not sure the Romulans are telling the truth. There was many good reasons to do so.

[Claire Maxwell]

[ Katra Station - OCC ]

As Jettis sat, scrolling through lists, suddenly the ensign at ops spoke up. "Um, sir? I'm getting a message from Flatwoods, our patrol ship. They sent word that they've found a freighter full of Romulans in need of assistance." That immediately spiked his attention, as he sat straight up and his eyes turned to ops."They were out of fuel and in need of repairs. They gave them just enough to get them back to the station, ETA one day."

Jettis sighed. At the very least, they had time to prepare for the incoming freighter. With what little information they had, at least. "Tell me the moment they arrive, and notify security ahead of time to arrange a detail."

[ Katra Station - OCC - 24 hours later ]
"Commander Mackenzie and Ensign Pev, please meet me in the OCC."

The freighter was scheduled to arrive any moment now, escorted by the Flatwoods. He still had very minimal information on the Romulans and their claims, only what he'd been told in their first message. That's where Pev came in, their newly arrived Diplomat. When the two arrived, he would launch into an explanation on the situation.

"Alright gentlemen, we have a very particular situation on our hands. We have an entire freighter full of Romulans boarding. They were found stranded about five, six light years out. Their freighter had run out of fuel, and sustained some damage. The patrol says they claim they're requesting asylum on the station, deserters from the Romulan free state."

"I don't think I have to inform you how dangerous that could be, for many different reasons. Your job is to find out if they're telling the truth about seeking asylum, and if they are, figure out what the hell we're supposed to do with hundreds of Romulan refugees."

"Sir, the freighter and runabout are requesting to dock now." Jettis nodded absently at the report, turning to back to Kyan. "Mr. Mackenzie, I'd like you to greet them. Take Pev and someone from Engineering, Medical and Science, as injuries were reported. Try to gather what information you can. Once you're done, I'll call a conference to get everyone's thoughts." He hoped this wouldn't turn out as it had on the Challenger, and this crew was who they said they were. Sighing, he took his seat again to play the waiting game. "The security detail will already be waiting there. Dismissed."

[Katra Station | Docking Ring | Next day]

"Out-of-sorts."

Claire had barely slept and could only suppress a yawn. Her shoulder length blonde hair framed atop the gold of Engineering as she strode along. It was only now that she realized what was missing: no movement. For some odd reason, she could sense the movement of a starship even despite the inertial dampeners. That was why she hadn't slept, just the simple, comforting sensations she was used to. With a shrug, she had taken to wandering the station, which was almost as large as a Galaxy class ship.

Without instructions, she happened to wander into the docking bays to do some maintenance checks, wondering why there was a crowd. "Uh... Hello."

[Gideon Drake]

[Lieutenant Gideon Drake | Brig | Deck Twelve | Katra Station]

24 hours later...

Gideon spent the whole night staring listlessly, almost in a moping tantrum, just staring into space. He only fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion. He probably would've slept a long time if a woman's voice didn't rouse him. He opened his eyes and saw a gorgeous looking figure. He scowled and sat up and was about to tell the woman to full on [spoiler]sod [/spoiler]off when he saw her face.

He was agog. She was beautiful. Even more beautiful than Serena. Hell, he didn't feel this way since the day he first met Serena. Despite the braids of hair, he was drawn into her looks.

"Lieutenant Drake?" she asked in a smooth purr. "I'm Counselor Sadira Amid. I'm here to assess your psychiatric health."

"Sadira...amid what?" asked Gideon gormlessly.

The counselor - who, judging from the lone pip, was an ensign - smiled at that, making Gideon's heart flutter a little.

"I get that all the time," she said. "Though it's preferable to go with the Arabic  'ahmid,' there's the pronounciation. My roommate also used to get something like that at the Academy, she's always getting 'Nira said what?' before she correct the pronounciation."

"You know Nira Said?" said Gideon. "One of the most beautiful women in the Academy?"

The counselor smiled wider. "Why, yes. In fact, that's what we used to both be referred to. The Sirens. Our dorm used to be called 'Aphrodite's Shell,' after the painting of the goddess of love. Did you meet her?"

I wish, Gideon thought to himself, also realizing he can't be this lucky. "No, but I heard plenty about her. Only met her briefly before she graduated."

"Yes, indeed, especially since we were neighbors and all...but what are we talking about her for?" asked the counselor. "Let's talk about you. You clearly have a problem."

You had to rub salt into the wound, Gideon thought instinctively, but he was too awestruck to lash out. "Uh, yeah...unfortunately."

"Ignoring your duties, especially since your promotion," she continued. "With your high rank and Lieutenant Ferris gone, I can't believe you would be next in line."

"Leftenant Ferris...?" Gideon blinked in surprise.

"And furthermore, drowning your sorrows in an establishment that has enough health code violations to turn heads 180 degrees," she continued. "I mean, had you been drinking typical synthohol, it would be understandable, but Romulan Ale? Especially in so many hours in the morning?"

"Well, there are Romulans on the station," said Gideon, repeating Cloten's usual excuse; he also raised eyebrows when he first saw Cloten's Romulan Ale, but the moment he tasted it, he had been requesting custom martinis made out of them since.

"That's no excuse to get yourself in this state," Sadira continued. "As I understand, you were heard ranting about women and breaking hearts before all the bouncers - all of them Orions - tried to subdue you. In other words, someone so important in your life left you and it left a hole. An emptiness."

Blimey. She understands me. "Well, you're right on that account."

"Who was she?"

"Serena King, Leftenant, Engineering. Even had a wedding ring, going to propose to her and everything."

"I'm sorry to hear that. I'll have a word with the officer in charge. I'll speak with Commander Mackenzie if I have to, even Commander Jyur..."

"Commander...Jyur?"

"The new commanding officer of Katra Station. I'm not surprised you didn't know that, you've been spending weeks in that [spoiler]shit[/spoiler]hole. I'll negotiate your release, and then move things to better therapy sessions in my office."

"Good luck. The amount of charges..."

"I'll do my best."

As she left to have her word, Gideon was feeling elated. He hadn't felt this good in a long time, not since his snogs with Serena. In fact, he was feeling like his old self again. And with Lieutenant Ferris gone, that essentially meant he was acting Chief Flight Control Officer. Had he neglected his duties? He could see his dad and Uncle Boothby yelling at him if they knew. Newkirk Drake may have been retired from Starfleet to run Drake Shipping Limited, but he could still pull strings, especially with Uncle Boothby, wild as he was, still in Starfleet.

He hoped that this new beauty, Sadira Amid, was it? He hoped she could get him out. In fact, he should've known where to look. The Middle East and South Asia was certainly the best place to be for the most beautiful women on Earth...and potentially the quadrant, even the galaxy if he was lucky.