Day Drinking

Posted on Mon Apr 7th, 2025 @ 1:49am by Commodore Wilkan Targaryen & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall

1,073 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Wheelhouse, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-03-10, 14:00

Positioned at the very front of Deck 1, the Wheelhouse was a crew lounge that was used for diplomatic functions aboard the Enterprise and was named in honor of the small compartment aboard old oceangoing ships used to navigate ships. It was a peaceful room, tranquil in design and fitting to evoke an older time of exploration. The room was more natural and fitted with synthetic wood planking to give the feel of a classic sailing vessel. The most impressive point of the Wheelhouse were the three large viewport windows that gave a dramatic view of the path ahead of the Enterprise, while a recovered ship's wheel, steering compass, and telemotor from an Earth passenger liner were the focal points of the room.

Commodore Wilkan Targaryen sat in the corner of the room taking in the peacefulness as he knew the storm was yet to come. The Drai were out there, and they wanted the Tosk. They would not rest until they captured him, and the Enterprise was caught in the middle. Wilkan knew that no matter what course they took there would be repercussions for everyone. If they let the Tosk stay aboard the Enterprise it would lead to war. If they returned the Tosk to his people, he'd be killed for bloodsport. It was a vicious cycle of damned if you do and damned if you don't.

Taking a drink of synthale, he set the glass on the table between his and the guest chair. Leaning forward he rested his head in his hands as the thought about what was about to happen, and if it was the right choice. Sighing he pulled back into the chair, resting his back against the chair as the doors slid open for Commander Randall and their Tosk guest.

Wilkan looked at the nearby Security Crewman, "Wait outside." While Wilkan could feel that the Crewman wasn't happy about his order from his body language, it was unavoidable.

"Thank you both for coming," the Enterprise's Captain said as he walked toward the nearby bar and got a glass, "Would either of you care for a drink?"

"I do not drink," the alien answered.

"Really?" The El-Aurian asked.

The Tosk nodded, "That is correct. My people have been bred to not require food or drink and sleep only 17 minutes of a day as not to impact the hunt."

"Wow," Targaryen said as he poured himself a drink. Placing the bottle on the shelf, he held it closely as he walked back toward the chairs, "I don't know what I would do with so much free time."

"My time is not free, Captain," Tosk answered. "It is devoted to the hunt."

The Chief Engineer looked to Tosk. "No need for food or drink suggests a metabolism based upon passive energy absorption and the ability to synthesize what is required to sustain life functions, or, an extremely slow metabolism in which you, slowly, starve over the course of whatever your life span has been engineered to be." She observed and looked to Commodore Targaryen. "Not being able to do either of those things I would, very much, enjoy a drink, Captain." Ash added, the opportunity to share a drink, in such a setting, not something the Tuansee was going to pass up.

"My body survives off of simple protein chains for sustenance. I can go for up to three of your weeks before requiring feeding," the Tosk explained.

Wilkan handed his Chief Engineer a synthale as he continued, "Mister Tosk, I admit that I find you fascinating, which is why my mission is far harder than ever. My leaders have ordered me to return you to the Drai. We are on course to meet with one of their hunting parties to hand you over to them."

Tosk looked at the Commodore for a moment, considering how to proceed. The alien tilted his head as he processed what was being said, "I understand and will go quietly."

Ash took a sip of the synthale and regarded the Captain while he spoke and then looked to Tosk as he replied. "Quite a development." She stated and took another sip while she contemplated the implications. "So, what now?" She asked, not much liking the diplomatic choice being made.

"I am Tosk, the hunted. I cannot hide from what I have done under the protection of your Federation, it would be a greater dishonor for me than death. I was created to outwit the hunters, to make their hunt entertaining. My purpose is to survive until I may die with honor." The Tosk walked toward the forward windows, looking out upon them as he rested his hand atop the wooden wheel. He looked dejected, defeated. "Now that will not be my fate. I will die dishonored, as property without freedom."

Wilkan sat quietly observing, reading the situation using his El-Aurian senses, "What will become of you, Tosk?"

"I will be confined," the alien looked back at the captain without turning his body. "Tosk that are dishonored are placed on display for all to see as a warning to all Tosk."

"And by our handing you over you've failed in your hunt?" Targaryen asked. "Is that correct?"

Tosk shook his head. "No, I failed in the hunt the moment I joined the Founder Odo on his mission. Since then I have been on borrowed time. I fled through the anomaly in hopes of making the hunt interesting again."

"Even though you knew it was illegal?" The Commodore asked from afar.

"Yes," he answered simply.

Commodore Targaryen looked at the Chief Engineer, "I know that you're particularly troubled by all this, Commander. How do you think we should proceed today?"

Ash stared at the bottom of her, now empty, glass for a few seconds, swirled the foamy dregs a few times, and then downed the last bit before considering the Captain and his question. "I propose we see what happens. The obvious solution to all of this is for Tosk to escape capture without violating our marching orders." The Chief Engineer advised, quietly. "You, of all people, Captain, know that when one door closes another door opens. Opportunities, probabilities and potentials cascade off in all directions like a 4 dimensional hall of mirrors..." Ash continued and, realizing she was starting to babble, caught herself and shrugged a bit helplessly. "Crazy Kat moment." She admitted, sheepishly.

The Enterprise's Captain smiled, "I love it when a plan comes together."

 

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