Posted by Lieutenant Christopher Robins (Stellar Cartographer) in DIPLO 420 Diplomacy: Handling Hostile Species —Eight Years Ago
“And one should never start aggressive actions first against a hostile species. Sometimes you will find people looking for a reason to start something, as members of Starfleet we are to respond first with our words. If we are pushed to fight then we will defend ourselves. I say this knowing full well many of you will not listen, but Starfleet holds it’s standard as military peace keepers very seriously… so you have been warned.” said the very portly Benzite professor who had been passing the stage as he looked over his class.

Near the back a familiar site could be seen, Alexandra Garfield in the middle of Ian Bordeaux and Christopher Robins, fourth year cadets on their way to finishing their academia careers and stepping into the wide world of officerhood. A small crackle of opening wrappers broker the silence as Chris took out a Baby Ruth bar as a stern humph could be heard down from his friend and roommate Ian as he looked at the man wide eyed.

“Quiet… this lesson is for you. We all know you are the punch first type, if anyone here was gonna sock a hostile species first it is gonna be you and I can’t help you if you don’t listen to Professor Julpno. ” Ian chastised, there was one thing he always took serious and it was his classes. The truth was Chris did just as much, but Ian while very much like his friend outside of the classroom, was always a professional in class.

“Shove it Bordeaux… you’re just upset you don’t get to take a bath with Kylie anymore.” Chris said as he tossed a Snickers bar at his head over Lexi’s. The bar sailing as Ian reached out and caught it before it hit him shaking his head.

“Will you control him!” Ian shouted at Lexi, looking to throw the candy back but looking at it as he thought twice.”It is my favorite…” he said as he began to unwrap it.

Cadet Christopher Robins

“That is like trying to stop a tornado from descending on your house,” Lexi laughed. “I gave up trying to control him five minutes after I met him.” She held her hand out to the side waiting for Chris to deposit a piece of candy into her palm. “Besides he buys my loyalty with candy,” she confessed. The second Chris placed it in her hand Lexi wrinkled up her nose. “What? What is this,” she looked at Chris as if he had placed a lump of coal or worse in her hand.

“It is square and smooth,” Lexi described the candy. “I like circular with ridges. Do you see ridges,” she cocked her head to the side examing the rectangular bit of chocolate. “Ian do you see a circle,” she pressed the point.

“You know what this means don’t you. The biding for my love and loyalty now starts at one Recees cup,” she announced almost like an auctioneer. To Chris however, she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “You will never get a Baby Ruth in me. You know I am not a fan of the squishy and nutty center. I mean make up your mind. Are you silky smooth or a mouth adventure,” she said sincerely. “How can I pocket one of those things in the side of my cheek and savor the taste over a five minute period as it dissolves like a piece of hard candy on crack? I like things to last not be over and done with in two chomps so hand over the Recess and your biology term paper won’t get hurt,” she dug her elbow into his side.

Chris had tried for years to get Lex to switch over to what she fondly referred to as the dark side and eat a Baby Ruth. She refused not out of dislike but more that she could be so stubborn.

Cadet Lexi Garfield