Chillaxing and Lounging
Posted on Tue Apr 29th, 2025 @ 10:00am by Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida & Lieutenant JG Mirez & Commander Lillian Carter & Commander Peter Horn & Lieutenant Commander Liam Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Abrasax & Lieutenant JG Alena Alessa & Lieutenant JG Lyras
2,352 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Episode 9: Across Time
Location: Promenade, Main Bar
Timeline: Present...
Abrasax was still coming down from the adrenaline-fueled haze that Euryale had left him with. Survival instincts had kept him sharp back on the planet, but now, back on Deep Space 21, the tension had begun to unravel, leaving him in that strange space between relief and lingering unease.
The main bar on the Promenade was larger than he remembered—not in actual size, of course, but in presence. The ambient hum of conversation, the rhythmic clinking of glasses, the occasional burst of laughter—it all felt distant, yet grounding. He navigated the specials list, not out of any real desire for a drink, but because doing something normal felt like the right way to reset.
The fourth drink proved to be a mistake. The moment the liquid hit his tongue, his throat rebelled. He gagged, coughed, and wheezed out a surprised breath, his body outright rejecting whatever the concoction was supposed to be. It was so unexpected, so absurd, that he actually laughed—a sharp, unguarded sound that startled even him. Without thinking, he went for a second attempt, as if challenging the drink to a rematch. This time, the reaction was milder, though still enough to make his eyes water.
He shook his head, setting the glass down with a half-smirk, half-sigh. Small victories. As the moments stretched on, he let himself settle into the quiet. He wasn’t thinking about anything in particular—just existing, just being, letting the static of his thoughts fade into the background. He’d taken this kind of peace for granted before. That survey mission had reminded him—rather forcefully—that the universe didn’t always afford second chances.
For now, though, this was enough.
Lyras slid into the seat next to the science chief and gestured at his glass. "Whatever that was, I will have the same," he requested as he turned towards his crew mate. There was no judgement, only compassion as he studied the man. "You too?" He queried softly, as the drink was set before him.
The hybrid picked up the glass and sipped the liquid without studying it first. He coughed a few times, blinking heavily as his eyes seemed to sting. "Wow," he commented hoarsely, "what is this?"
The other hybrid glanced over at Lyras and frowned. "I don't actually know. Wait hold on..." Abrasax said and pulled the padd towards them and pointed to the beverage he'd gagged on.
He pointed to the fourth on the second column. "That."
It read: Na’Far’s Bitter Bile Liqueur.
"That is disgusting. I've been telling her for years to stop exporting her bile," Niska said appearing at the now empty table next to them as she cleared the empty glasses away. "Some people consider it a delicacy to drink the excretions of a Nanoru. We keep it stocked of course but I never recommend it. Which of my staff served you that?"
The bar on the promenade was not somewhere that Lillian had been many times before, despite being on the station so long so even she was surprised when she found herself walking in. She stood at the bar for a moment, trying to decide what to have. For some reason she had also gone completely off alcohol the last month or so. After picking a tea, she turned and studied the ambience while she waited for her drink.
"I piccked it, jussst to trrry it." Abrasax slurred out to Niska and smiled, similar to a child who was caught with his hand in the sweet's jar. He flipped his hand that wasn't around the glass over it in a don't-worry gesture. "I won't beee geeeetting anotherrrrr one."
"Or any other," Lyras added with a smile, while pushing his own glass away. "How about some coffee to wash away that awful taste?" He regretted taking more than one sip, having felt he couldn't judge it on a single one. Especially when he so rarely indulged in something alcoholic since he knew he didn't take well to it.
"Oh three morrre." Abrasax pointed to three different beverages on the menu. He smiled again at Niska. "Though a raktajino would be goooood."
"No more alcohol for you," the hybrid doctor insisted, then turned to Niska. "Two raktajino." The one sip was actually starting to make him feel nauseous and he needed something that would hopefully counteract that
Mirez approached the table, her eyes catching the sight of Abrasax, his usual composed demeanor replaced with the unsteady wobble of intoxication. She paused for a moment, surprised. The usually sharp scientist was slurring his words and giggling like someone who’d lost a bet. It was a rare sight, she had never expected to see him like this. With a smirk, she slid into the booth, her voice light but laced with amusement. “I didn’t expect to find you like this, Abrasax.”
Hiro stood with his back to the bar, engaged in a conversation with a few officers from various departments. Despite his new command position, he made a conscious effort to blend in with the crew, keeping his posture relaxed and his tone light. It wasn’t about rank right now—it was about being one of the team, sharing a moment of normalcy after a tense mission. His eyes eventually scanned the room, catching sight of Abrasax, who was clearly tipsy. With a raised brow, he made his way over to his closest circle of officers, his concern for the science officer’s state evident but masked by his calm demeanor. “I see someone’s had a bit more than they can handle,” Hiro remarked softly, settling next to the group.
"Hey! Oh okay." Abrasax muttered to Lyras with annoyance but smiled. Mirez's words registered and he smiled. "Well when one's life was in utter dangerrrr against a superior enemy it is hard not to look at living to the fullest." He told the Matter and Energy Systems Specialist.
He looked up at his commanding officer and smiled. "Hi sir, I'm testing many of the drinks on the meeennnnu." He explained though while he had sobered a little by his will alone, but still affected. "For science..." He added, though he wasn't sure if any of them bought it. It didn't really matter regardless, as the drinking came to an end as the raktajino landed in front of him. "Thank you." He took a sip immediately, and it flooded his body with stimulate. Abrasax could feel his wits return.
"Coffee Commander or something stronger?" Niska asked the new CO of the station. "And once you're copus mentus Lieutenant lets hear this story of how you were pitted against and survived the danger of the superior enemy."
Lyras shuddered visibly at the memory of their last adventure, his complexion paling a fraction which he tried to hide by sipping his own raktajino. He said nothing, perfectly willing to let Abrasax do the telling.
"Maybe after a counselling session or three." Abrasax said, "I am still coming to terms with it, why do you think I'm here." He sipped a large mouthful of his Klingon coffee and let it burn the memories away for now.
Hiro let out a small chuckle, glancing at Abrasax, who was valiantly attempting to appear more sober than he actually was. He understood the impulse—after a mission like that, unwinding was almost a necessity.
“That depends, Niska,” he said, leaning slightly against the bar. “Do you serve anything that helps a new CO ease into the reality of command without making tomorrow’s reports completely unreadable?” He cast a knowing look at Abrasax before adding, “But I’ll stick with coffee for now. Someone has to make sure our scientists don’t start cataloging questionable drinks as scientific breakthroughs.”
Niska mirrored his action and lent slight towards him popping her elbow down on the bar and holding her cheek up as she looked him over smiling. She had just won a decent amount of Latinum having bet on Hiro getting the command. "News like that needs champagne not coffee but its your prerogative Sir," she grinned. "You come back another time and have a proper celebration."
“One day, Niska, one day,” he said with a slight grin, though his tone remained grounded. “Right now, my focus is on getting the station back into rhythm after the change in command. Once things settle down, there’ll be time for a toast. But I appreciate the offer.” He gave her a nod, knowing the celebration would come in due time, when the work was done and the crew could finally relax without the weight of responsibility looming over them.
"Hey, I've been cut off," Abrasax said as he gestured to his raktajino, "and also drinking coffee now." He muttered in Hiro's direction.
“Coffee’s probably for the best, Abrasax,” Hiro replied with a light chuckle, though his gaze was steady. “You can only try so many alcoholic drinks before you start confusing science with self-destruction.” His tone was playful, but there was a knowing edge to it, a reminder that while the crew could unwind, there were still boundaries to be respected. “Better to keep the wits sharp for now. There’s plenty of time for other experiments later.”
Alena watched from the sidelines as the others interacted. She had never been much of a talker. People watching had been a part of who she was for ages. Her mind wandered back to her childhood. Back then, people watching had been a must to stay out of the feud in the community. Especially when she found out she was part Betazoid. Mrs. Anderson and Ma had done a good job of shielding her though.
Alena forced herself back to the present. The past was just that; the past. She had plenty of things that needed to be done. However, those could wait a day or 2. Tonight was about relaxing and unwinding. She took a sip of her glass of water. She had tried alcohol in the past, and had never liked it. Hence, water it was.
"There is nothing wrong with experimenting," Lyras suggested carefully as he cradled his mug between his hands," but perhaps do so with non alcoholic drinks?" Though he took could understand the sentiment, especially if it suppressed that constant feeling of being watched or followed. He shivered again as he tried to shake that feeling.
"I have a wide range of "mocktails" I believe you call them, soft drinks and if necessary I can always replicate some syth drinks," Niska suggested.
"No alcohol is acceptable," Lyras acknowledged, "whatever he just pointed at but without intoxicating effect, make two of each and we will sample them together."
Hiro leaned back slightly in his seat, his hands wrapping around the warm mug of coffee as his eyes scanned the group. He noticed Alena quietly observing the others, her glass of water untouched, and he couldn’t help but appreciate how well she balanced her solitude with the crew’s energy. His focus shifted back to the conversation around him. There was something comforting about watching his officers unwind, even if it was under the gentle pressure of unspoken expectations.
As he took another sip, Hiro’s gaze flickered between Lyras and Niska, who were preparing the “mocktails.” He hadn’t expected his first night as commanding officer to involve so much observation. He wasn’t overly concerned, though. He trusted his officers. Hiro couldn’t help but smile at the idea of another “experiment” in the making. There would be time for celebrations later, but for now, he let the easy banter settle him into the quiet hum of the room.
"Niska, any pineapple mocktails?" Abrasax asked.
"Human or Rajak pineapple?" Niska asked.
"Rajak," Abrasax replied with a smile.
Alena watched as Niska made those odd-looking drinks. She had no intention of trying them. No alcohol, nor much other liquids than water, had ever appealed to her. She didn't like being out of control. Control had been a must growing up. A slip of the tongue could have had dire consequences.
Again, Alena forced herself back to the present. It did her no good to think about the past right now. She went back to watching the people around her. She absently fiddled with her necklace pendant. She had added one thing to her necklace chain. A small pouch with a coin in it. The last coin she had had with her had aided her and the away team with getting out of the most recent encounter.
That whole encounter had made her wonder why Mrs. Anderson had had coins to begin with. Coins were from a different era. The woman had claimed she was a collector of ancient things. However, while it seemed like a valid explanation, Alena was certain there was much more to the story. She made a mental note to look through the books the elderly woman had left her. Hopefully she'd get some answers there.
Hiro took one final sip of his coffee, the taste sharp but grounding. He looked around at the crew—laughter rising now, the tension of Lethe slowly dissolving into the easy comfort of shared company. They deserved this. After what they’d been through, letting them have the night without the shadow of command looming felt right.
He stood quietly, brushing a faint crease from the front of his casual jacket, the gesture more habit than necessity. With a small nod to Niska and a glance toward his officers, he said just loud enough, “I’ll leave you all to it. Enjoy the night—you’ve earned it.” Then, without ceremony, he turned and headed for the exit, thoughts already shifting to his quarters—and to the family waiting for him there.
"Good evening Commander," Niska called after him as something someone added to a glass caused green smoke.
Commander Hiro Sommers-Yoshida
CO Deep Space 21
Niska npc Liam Reynolds
Lieutenant jg. Alenea Alessa
Chief counselor
Chief diplomat
Deep Space 21
Lieutenant jg. Abrasax
Chief Science Officer DS21
XO Copernicus
Lieutenant Lyras
CMO Copernicus
pnpc Seklar
RSS Feed