Posted by Crewman George Lee Sherridan (Engineer (Multitronics and Communications)) in The Fantail Dragon
[snip]

Graciously accepting the piping hot cup of decaf coffee. Jaris took a quick sip before noticing he’s been made. Jaris nodded at the officers.

Joe walked in and began to get things going in the Fantail. The first order of business was a quick cleanup, and then the specialty coffees. They were listed as ‘One Shift’ , ‘Two shifts, ‘ ‘Three shifts,’ and ’ No worry. This too shall pass sometime.’

As these started to brew, He began breakfast. Croissants, egg scramble, or scrambled eggs of fire. He was getting the last of all this ready to start cooking in the cookers when he saw the sleeve of what must surely be the new XO . He walked over and nodded saying, “Hello Commander. I’d like to introduce myself. Actually, the Captain told me I was supposed to go see you, but I just haven’t had the time yet.”

As Joe was talking to the new Cmdr ,from the corner of his eye he saw …what?.

Astrid had to stifle a laugh as she finished off the rest of her glass of wine. This ship was like a comedy routine. And she had had served all over the main Alpha and Beta trade routes but she’d never seen an Orion woman before. She knew there were immigrant villages on Earth, but she’d had to be posted to this god-forsaken end of the Galaxy to see one for the first time! There must be a story here? she thought.

But it was getting late, or was it early? Who cares in space? Anyhow, she’d need to get some sleep now if she intended to be awake for her next shift.

George walked into the bar and acknowledged Astrid as she left. He was about to start his shift in Engineering. He liked his coffee strong, but baulked at the ‘No worry. This too shall pass sometime’ blend and decided to go for the ‘three shifts’. Those scrambled eggs looked good too.

She came in for her first day at the ‘Dragon’ Bar ,an Orion ex slave girl about 22 yrs of age with long thick black hair and slightly green tinted skin .Her attire or better yet still lack of it one could only be described as having complex patterns of colors,in her hair she had bright red ribbons hanging downwards on either side of her cheeks ‘’Hi there , I’ll make your breakfast ‘’ she told George and quick as a flash sat on the bar , her long slim legs on display and jumped next to the barman .

Joe was happily and contentedly fixing more coffee of the various and nefarious brands listed on his menu. Anyone who knew Joe would say that he seemed content even as he went about his chores. Wiping off bar tops and launching into conversations with a happiness and joy not seen in Joe since like forever? He was even considering a little morning constitutional around the ship after the morning rush was done.

‘’Hi sweetly ,my name is D’Nesh and from the station has been kicked on this ship for some reason ‘’ the female frowned but not for long she gave him her best dazzling smile all the while looking at Joe from the top of his head down to his feet and up again ‘’You’re kinda of cute , my job description say serve at the bar and entertainment . I only have permission to be at the bar and sickbay if needed and my cabin of course! ‘’.

Joe’s immediate reaction to the Orion female was much like that of a cat who has been surprised for there was almost an addible hiss escaped his lips before he made an attempt to calm himself down. Joe knew the Orions. He knew that the Orion culture really consisted of females who used whatever means possible to enslave the male population. And all the while for diplomatic reasons keeping their males in the forefront. making people on the outside looking in believe that the females were bought and sold or some such thing.

Knowing this fallacy Joe was having no little bit of this female. Eying her suspiciously he asked her. “And why were you kicked off the station? And my name is Joe not sweetie. Also who assigned you to me? “

D’Nesh did not even bat an eyelid ‘’Don’t know who, just someone from the station maybe one of those guys with showy uniforms and prudish manners? ‘’ her description seem to be of some high ranking personnel but the Orion knew next to nothing about the Federation .She had been just a slave to entertain and serve food ‘’ We where a group of slaves and told we were being taken to the ‘station’ ,some of the others girls where also send on other ships and I happen to be on this one.....so Joe shall I start preparing breakfast ?’’ .

As George ate his breakfast he could here every word ofh thuh conversashun ‘atween Joe an’ this here green girlie. George knowed thuh ex-Chief well enuff tuh know that he could handle it. Whatever i ‘twas!

• George, Enjuneer

Joe frowned at the girl with more than a bit of disbelief on his face. “You’re going to need to check in with the XO . I’m not anyone can say if you stay or go nor can I make assignments. So even if you had something from the station you need to check in with the XO at least. ” Joe said as he was quite fond of the fact that for once the rules were working for him instead of against him.

Joe Milligan Barman / Counselor