It was Ben’s third night on board the ship, and yet it was the first time he had managed to make it down to the Ship’s Lounge. He had all the intentions of going to the lounge on the first night, but following the tour of the ship with Captain Cochrane, Ben had unpacked his effects in his quarters, showered, and promptly, yet unintentionally, fallen asleep on his bed. He had mentally kicked himself when he woke up, mainly as he had agreed to meet Mark, the young Ensign he had met on his shuttle trip on to the ship. Not only didn’t he like letting people down, he felt he had missed an opportunity to get better acquainted with him. To add insult to injury, Mark had been magnanimous about it, and said that he was sure there would be another opportunity in the future.

Having completed what felt like a marathon of crew medicals that day, Ben had changed out of his Starfleet uniform into something more relaxed, opting for a comfortable civilian outfit. He wore a deep navy blue polo shirt, its soft fabric gently hugging his frame without being too snug, paired with chino trousers in a shade of earthy khaki. The shirt had a discreet Starfleet emblem embroidered on the chest, almost making him still look like he was in some form of uniform.

Completing the ensemble were a pair of well-worn, brown suede loafers. They had seen their share of Earth, being one of Ben’s favourite pairs of shoes, but were still in good condition. Around his wrist, a simple dark silver bracelet, a gift from his sister, added a personal touch to his attire.

As he stepped out of the turbolift on Deck 8 and the doors of the lounge parted before him, he couldn’t help but feel a mix of anticipation and curiosity. The lounge was a hub of activity, with various crew members scattered about, engaged in animated conversations or enjoying a quiet moment of respite. Ben had always found it fascinating to observe the diverse interactions that took place on a starship. It was a microcosm of the Federation, with individuals from different member worlds coming together to fulfil a common purpose. As he entered the lounge, the warm ambient lighting and the subtle hum of ship life created an inviting atmosphere.

As Ben made his way toward the bar to order his gin and tonic, he exchanged friendly nods and greetings with a few familiar faces. It was clear that the crew of the starship Manhattan was a close-knit community, and Ben was beginning to feel more like a part of it with each passing day.

Lt Hudson
CMO

OOC: Anyone feel free to join in!