OOC: There are so many new faces on the ship, including mine that I was looking for an IC way to meet some new folks. Please feel free to drop in! - Justin

In the aft section of the Athena’s saucer, located on Deck 20, sits ‘General Purpose Area 1’. The official designation for this space is a flexible area designed to accommodate the crew’s needs while in flight. It has been used for everything under the sun… VIP offices, overflow storage, even mission specific laboratories… but on not quite random Friday nights, the space is converted into The Agora Pub.

No one can say for sure when The Agora started popping up. Some say the original Chief Engineer was an Irish lad who loved two things… his hometown pub back on Earth… and a nurse of Greek descent who saved his life after a work accident. Others say there was a Counselor who had a passion for spoken word poetry. Ultimately, no one cared… When The Agora Pub appeared, those in the know… knew it was going to be a good night.

James Rowe entered the makeshift space and marveled at the ingenuity of his shipmates. It wasn’t perfect, but the Agora was a serviceable facsimile of an old pub right down to the appearance of wood paneling and the scent of questionable decisions. This was his third venture to the Agora and he was excited to see what his fellow crewman would perform tonight. He’d seen talents both great and small take the replicated stage in this venue, but it was the courage and vulnerability to put themselves out there that James was most impressed by.

Rowe made his way up to the bar and ordered an Old Fashioned. A NE Engineer with a red beard and boisterous personality mixed the cocktail. When he returned he said “Is this the night we get you on stage Mr. Rowe?” James blushed slightly because he didn’t know the man’s name, but it was clear the NE had never met a stranger. James replied, “I’m sorry but I don’t know your name.”

The Engineer laughed and said, “I’m Larry Ledbetter. Don’t apologize, you’re still relatively new here… but you have failed to answer my question.”

Larry’s laugh was infectious and James found himself half chuckling as he replied, “Nice to meet you Larry. It might be the night, but it’ll probably take a couple of these first.” James tipped his glass to the man in thanks and made his way to what was becoming his usual spot near the wall, but with a clear view of the stage.

• Rowe