You've Had Enough

Posted on Sat Jul 12th, 2025 @ 2:35am by Commander Galatea & Director Aamis & Commander Zhora zh'Roothi & Lieutenant Commander Ash Randall

2,240 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Gaia - Short Treks
Location: Forecastle Tavern, U.S.S. Enterprise
Timeline: 2439-06-13, 20:00

"You know you really should think about slowing down a bit," Alvea Gwalvi suggested from behind the bar as she looked at the half full glass of kanar she had poured only seconds prior.

Lieutenant Jardok looked up from the nearly empty glass of the thin, dark liquid and played with it a bit by moving the glass around. The young looking Vulcan yawned as he set the drink atop the table, "You know in my time we didn't even know the Cardassians existed. Now," he hiccupped, "now everyone knows that the Cardassians existed and my do they know how to make a drink!"

"You know maybe you've had enough," the Risian woman suggested as she tried to grab the glass.

Jardok was faster, "No, I think I'm doing just fine. Did you know kanar gets stronger as it gets older? Newer kanar is a thick liquid that you can drink a couple bottles of before you get a buzz but real kanar, kanar that's settled, it gets thinner. As it gets thinner, the alcohol becomes more potent, and then a single bottle can knock you on your ass." He downed the last of the kanar and set it on the table. "I think I'll have another."

"I really think you've had enough," Alvea answered.

"I really think I need another," Jardok countered.

With Commander Randall and Director Aamis in tow Commander zh'Roothi signalled for the pair to select a suitable location as her attention was drawn to the bar where Lieutenant Jardok appeared unsteady and ready to create a scene.

Ash ushered the director to a table over by the observation windows. It was a view that she enjoyed a great deal and almost anyone could appreciate. "The Commander should join us, momentarily." Ash advised the director as she got the pair of them seated.

Keen to nip this in bud with their guest close by the XO arrived at the bar and glanced between the two expectantly. "Something the matter?" she asked.

"Pretty much more of the same," Alvea admitted to the ship's XO. "Jardok came in for his usual nightcap and he's overdone it."

"Have not!" The Vulcan protested.

zh'Roothi eyed the half consumed glass before catching a faint smell of alcohol on Jardok's breath and knew whose statement was correct. The outburst was also rather out of character for the Lieutenant.

"How many has the Lieutenant had?" she asked.

"Three kanars," the Risian answered.

Jardok got up from the bar stool, "Fine. If it's such a big deal, I'll go to Quarks." He hiccupped. Turning, he saw someone out of the corner of his eye. "That," he said pointing, "who is that? With Ash? Who?"

Sensing the room starting to pay attention to bar zh'Roothi planted herself between Jardok and their quest. "Just a visitor," she tried to soothe him. "No one of concern. Why don't you head off to Quarks and enjoy some more kanar."

"She's not just a visitor," Jardok protested.

The Chief Engineer looked on while zh'Roothi took on a more assertive stance. Ash could, quite clearly, hear the direction the conversation was taking. "Apologies, Director. The lieutenant appears to have had one too many Kanar." She explained. "I will be right back."

"Indeed," Director Aamis answered as observed. .

Ash nodded as she got up from her seat and made her way the direction of the bar, all feline grace and poise.

But it was already too late for that. Lieutenant Jardok crossed the distance in seconds, despite being drunk. The Vulcan Counselor looked at Director Aamis and spoke in traditional Vulcan, "Ponfo miran, Aamis."

Director Aamis set aside the datapad that she was holding and looked at the other Vulcan, "I beg your pardon, Lieutenant?"

"Tviokh!" Jardok continued.

"Ish-veh ni… komihn," Aamis answered, directed at Jardok. "T'I kilko-srashiv kitok-wilat, i'tah tehrai k'etwel."

Jardok flipped the table between himself and the Director in anger, "You're the reason I can't find those answers! You're the reason I can't go home again!"

The Counselor stomped off toward the door.

"Definitely too much Kanar." Ash mused, aloud, while she moved to check on Director Aamis. "Are you unharmed, director?" She asked, not asking about what set off Jardok as it didn't matter. The lieutenant would, likely, find himself confined to quarters and reassigned off the Enterprise. Ash was going to let the XO figure out what came next.

"He is a very troubled young man," Aamis answered, trying not to say too much about Jardok and why he had an outburst toward her. "I was unaware that the Enterprise had traditional alcoholic beverages aboard. I had assumed that it was all synthehol. Seeing how the Lieutenant reacted you may want to reconsider the availability of such drinks aboard."

"I will broach the topic with the Commodore," zh'Roothi acknowledged. "I apologize for his behavior."

"An apology is unnecessary, Commander, as you are not at fault for his actions," there was, perhaps, something more to her answer below the surface. The Director continued, "I will admit surprise at how active this location is. I had anticipated something a little more private. Can we, perhaps, find a more discreet table from which to discuss our upcoming mission?"

Ash adroitly righted the heavy table with an ease that belied her small size and considered the director's request for a second or two. "The forecastle has a level on Deck 11 that has more, secluded, seating available." Ash suggested, quietly. "Barring that, the Fantail is a much smaller venue and would be, largely, empty at this time." She added.

Aamis looked at the upper level, "That is agreeable. Please lead the way."

It took only a couple seconds for the trio to reach the upper level of the Forecastle. Director Aamis looked, somewhat wistfully, out of the viewport at the stars as the Enterprise warped toward Gaia. She let out a long breath, having missed the feel of a starship. It had been a very long time since she'd last seen these stars.

Pulling the datachip out of her pocket, Aamis slid the storage device into a small reader that she carried with her. Realizing that they were within a private area, she began to speak, "Years ago the Defiant, while on patrol of this very region, found a world that was encased in a quantum energy barrier. While investigating this powerful energy field, the crew of the Defiant encountered their own descendants, and learned that they would crash following an accident that sent them nearly two hundred years in the past. While the crew of the Defiant agreed that they would allow the crash to happen, Constable Odo - or rather the Constable Odo who had lived on the planet with the descendants - modified the flight plan to save the Defiant at the cost of the settlement."

"Evidence from the Defiant's sensors indicated that the quantum barrier had undergone a transformation that caused it to harden in an impassable shell due to the interference pattern. Research indicated that no Starfleet vessel would be able to pass through, that was until the Enterprise." She typed on her console, "Enterprise will navigate through the barrier to conduct a survey of the planet for the first time since Defiant's initial encounter."

Opening a display, "These modifications would need to be made to the Enterprise to allow it to navigate through the barrier. We need to make these changes prior to our arrival because timing is critical."

"How so?" zh'Roothi asked. The Director's briefing had stirred up more questions the Commander had been mulling over since their quest came aboard. "Why the sense of urgency over a planet survey?"

"Timing is very important in investigations involving quantum temporal barriers such as this one, Commander," the Vulcan Director answered. "I have been studying this phenomenon since it was originally reported. If our research is not completed within the next 48 hours, years of research will be irreparably lost."

Ash was looking over the modifications while the director and zh'Roothi spoke and regarded the director for a few seconds. "As in comedy and revolving doors, timing is everything." She mused, quietly. "The modifications will take four, maybe six, hours to complete. I am, oddly enough, familiar with what needs to be done." She added, her eyes now back on the list of modifications.

The Andorian's gaze shifted studying Ash momentarily curious to learn how the Engineer had been previously involved in such a project. "Care to elaborate?" she asked.

Ash looked to the Director for a couple oof seconds and then to zh'Roothi. "I have been called upon, at various times in my career, to tackle some intractable issues. One of them was to design a stable coaxial warp drive and, someone...somewhere..." Ash stated and looked back to the director, "..had the presence of mind to pose a question to me some time ago." She added, and looked back to zh'Roothi. "The are no coincidences." She advised.

"Perhaps, Commander, when this is over, we should discuss a potential future for you with the Department of Temporal Investigations," the Vulcan mused in response to her answer. "At any rate, these modifications are required for the Enterprise's safety during this assignment to protect the ship and crew from the dangers of the energy barrier. We have waited a long time to return to this world and for a ship such as the Enterprise to accomplish it. I must admit, I had long believed I would not live long enough to see such a vessel constructed, but am approving that the Enterprise was designed and constructed within my lifetime. You could almost say that I am overjoyed by her availability."

Before anyone could say anything, Shianna interrupted, "Sorry I'm late to get to you' We're a bit slammed tonight. What's your pleasure?"

Aamis looked at the waitress, "May I have a Klabnian fire tea?"

The Haliian looked a bit surprised, "Sure, but you know what it is, right?"

"An alcoholic beverage that is similar to a Long Island Iced Tea from Earth," the Director stated, "Correct?"

Shianna's surprise didn't dissipate in the slightest, "Sure is, so you know that it doesn't have tea in it?"

"Indeed."

"Alright then," Shianna put the order on her PADD. "How about you two?"

"Black label, neat, please." Ash requested and glanced to Aamis. "I've managed to stay off the radar of DTI, so far." She mused, with a little smile. "Not that I have ever done anything to merit investigation, mind you and I will stick to that story like glue." She added. "I don't know if joining would be wise."

"A papalla juice please Shianna," zh'Roothi opted for a non alcoholic choice given the complexity of Director's conversation and the scene with Jardok fresh the Commander chose to stay sharp.

"I know many who have said the same, Commander Ash, they have become among the top agents within the DTI," the Director answered as she watched the Haliian woman begin making their drinks behind the bar. "Fascinating, I was expecting a synthale version of the drink. Perhaps serving on the Federation flagship does have advantages others do not."

"It's important to allow the crew to unwind," zh'Roothi responded. "They'll vital to our success in the Quadrant - there's much to learn here and old wounds to heal."

Savoring the varied flavors, Director Aamis sat quietly as she absorbed the enormity of all that was happening. Opening her eyes, she set aside the now empty drink - not realizing she had consumed the entire beverage so quickly. Recomposing, she got to it quickly, "Quite."

Returning her attention to the display, she paused a moment as she noticed the chronometer in the corner, "You will have to excuse me, Commanders, I am unwell. Perhaps we should postpone the remainder of this meeting until after our briefing with your Captain tomorrow morning. As I do not wish to disrupt your evening any further than I have, I can find my own way to my assigned cabin."

"Of course," zh'Roothi nodded in reply and rose when the Director moved to retire for the evening.

Ash rose as well when the Director moved to leave and watched the director, carefully, as she left.

Once the Vulcan had left the Forecastle the XO turned to Ash with a curious expression. "Not what I was expecting," she began. "What are your thoughts?"

Ash took a sip of her drink while she considered the question posed by the XO and then did something the Engineer did not, usually, do. She shrugged.

"I think we're not so much on a mission as we are in the midst of composing a requiem, writing an epitaph and fulfilling a last request." She answered, after several seconds. "Might be nothing, but my sense of things is we're in the midst of a whole lot of mis-direction." She added.

zh'Roothi nodded slowly as Ash voiced her opinion. "I agree," the Commander replied. "This does not feel like an official mission, rather a personal matter of importance to the Director that even Captain Pohl on the Nostradamus was uncomfortable with." She tapped the chilled glass of her juice with her nails and bite back a weary sigh. "Perhaps tomorrow will shed more light on the matter."

"Perhaps." Ash repeated, in agreement with zh'Roothi. "I think the stakes are going to be high." She added, a more emotional tone to her voice than usual. "Very high indeed."

 

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