Starbase 185 - Shore Leave

Major Somers
Marine CO
Private Quarters

After they had reached safety, the Alert was cancelled and the Marines returned to their places. Jasmine returned to her quarters and having freshened up, she sat relaxing with a nice book, when the Ships Comms activated.

=/\=All crew, shore leave has now officially begun. Have a good time, everyone.=/\=

Suddenly Jasmine began to plan what she was going to do with her time off as she watched the ship dock through her window.

"All crew, shore leave has now officially begun. Have a good time, everyone."

Jeffery relaxed himself a bit, making a move for the turbolift as soon as the dismissal from Archenon finished being articulated out of his mouth. Almost involuntarily, he rolled both his arms out in opposing directions, stretched, and let out a mighty yawn.

"Computer, time." he asked as the doors to the turbolift doors closed, bringing an arm down to scratch his chest.

The computer responded, the answer indicating that he'd spent the past day and a half awake and on duty in some capacity. He rubbed his eyes, now realizing why he felt so exhausted,"Deck eight."

As the lift sped on towards his indicated destination, Jeffery let loose a series of deep, satisfying yawns. The lift came to a stop, the doors opening up to reveal deck eight, his neighborhood of the city that was the ship. A rather strange way to equate the ship, wasn't it? Actual functions of the ship did encompass some of the things you'd see in a town, but on a far smaller scale. Was probably more appropriate to keep the idea distinct to the ship being just that, a ship.

"Mister Cousland!"

Jeffery stopped, turning around at his name being called out. It was none other than Michelle, jogging to catch up to him.

"We still on for dinner?" she asked, coming to settle in front of him.

He wasn't aware of her duties or schedule, but she seemed to be as fresh and uplifting as she'd been when he'd gone down to engineering. That was almost a whole day ago now. Probably Seetar's handiwork with duty rosters, giving Michelle the opportunity have slipped some sleep into the past twenty-four hours.

"Oh, you bet." Jeffery replied, a sleepy grin on his face,"We can head up to the lounge if you-"

"Actually, I was thinking we could go somewhere on the Starbase." She said as she knitted her hands behind her back, her head inclined slightly to be looking up at him.

"Uh, sure." he said,"I do have one request though."

Michelle continued to look at him, expectantly.

"I really need to get some sleep." he stated rather blatantly, adding a smile on top of it.

She chuckled a bit,"Meet you at the umbilical at fourteen-hundred hours?"

Jeffery nodded, failing miserably at attempting to stifle a yawn.

"See you then, sir." she finished with before strolling away back down the corridor where she'd come from, hands still knitted behind her back.

'Certainly not shy.' Jeffery noted as he turned back around, moving several meters down the corridor to his quarters.

Entering his quarters, Jeffery started taking off his duty jacket, tossing it on the bed. He let the collar loose of the yellow under jacket as he took a seat on the edge of his bed.

"Computer, any messages for me?"

*"Lieutenant Junior Grade Jeffery Cousland, you have two new messages."* the computer replied.

Jeffery sighed, hoping there wouldn't be any,"Aright, let's hear them."

He hardly had the chance to hear half of the first message before he passed out on his bed.

Josh sat in a small chair in Engineering, his eyes fluttering closed periodically every two minutes before he forced himself back awake. The comm from the Captain was a relief.

Josh stood and exited Engineering, seeing a few last officers rushing out of the room. "Have a good shore leave, Lieutenant!" called one particularly perky Petty Officer as he left. Josh nodded to him, mustering all the joy he could, and then headed off of the ship. He had recieved a comm while en route to the Starbase on his makeshift quarters in the base, and decided to head there instead of his crew quarters for a change of pace.

Seetar made his way off of the ship as fast as he could before taking a short nap. Thoughts raced through his weary mind about what he'd like to do after he awoke but, barely being able to stand, Josh gave into the cold expanse that was sleep, and fell into a deep, dreamless slumber on his comfortable bed.

Sickbay
USS Invincible
Docked SB185
1932h Base Time
-------------------

John stood in the centre of the empty, darkened sickbay. It had only been a short time since he'd come aboard this ship, nervous and unsure, but since then he'd dealt with the fall out of a fairly major combat encounter and also performed a surgery that no one in the fleet was likely to do again for at least a few years. "And all the better for it" he addressed the empty room. With the ship docked at SB 185 there would be no need to keep the sickbay staffed and he had signed the last of his casualties over to the base medical facility about an hour before; all that remained was to find something to do with himself for the duration of the leave.

Making the snap decision to get off the ship and try to relax for a bit he sung by his quarters and changed into some casual wear, a green top and dark blue trousers. These being the first things that fell out of his drawers, the duffel he'd so casually emptied still lay crumpled in the corner of the room, down time had not been a big part of the their first deployment. 'Where to then? Johnny boy' the inner monologue that commentated on his every step seemed... cheerful today. Resolving to try the facilities on the Star base he walked through the emptying corridors of Invincible nodding to the men and women who he was gradually beginning to know by name. Eventually his wandering's brought him via the airlock and umbilical to the main commercial deck of SB185, the first of what might well be several bars beckoned and the Doctor slipped into a dimly lit joint with loud music playing and the promise of some non-synthahol drinks and accompanying self-medication.

Major Jasmine Somers
Marine CO
Shore Leave - Tempoary Quarters - Starbase 185

Having secured herself tempoary quarters on the Starbase, she pulled out of her kitbag a clubbing outfit. She had searched the ships historical records on late 20th early 21st Century Clubbing outfits for women. Finding an outfit she liked seemed to be easy. Jasmine had heard about this new Reto Club that played Club Music from the era 1995 to 2010 AD.

So in her tempoary quarters now she pulled out this tight and borderline skimpy outfit and shoes. THe outfit consisted of a white halter-neck backless top, a Mini skirt, some skin colour hosery, a waist length light matching jacket. The Shoes were high heeled small wedged soled shoes. Jasmine actually measured them they were a straight 5 inches in height, but they were block type heels not stillettos.

"How did girls ever walk, let alone dance in these things" Jasmine said to herself as she held the shoes up by their ankle straps to study them with a quizzical look.

She put them on and shakily stood, now she got in practice. Unlike some women of this century Jasmine always had a cats grace and balance, so she was a quick learner and had mastered walking and dancing in the shoes in record time, looking at the chrono.

"£$%£$% I am going to be late" she swore and took off the shoes and jumped into the shower.

Half Hour Later

Thirty minutes later, fully dressed in her clubbing attire, matching strap shoulder bag also, putting her jacket on, and putting her Commbadge into the purse, with immaculate make-up and appearence she leaves her quarters.

Promenade - Starbase 185 - Retro Club

Another Thirty Minutes Later and Jasmine was on the promenade and heading to the Retro club. Now if she was the only one dressed in Retro clothes, her outfit would have drawn stares. But other clubbers were dressed like her, but compared to their outfits, hers was conservative.

Entering the club, her face lit up, she already felt herself relaxing, some tune was playing and she began to sway to it. Gathering herself she went to the bar and using Latinum she bought a Brandy and Lemonade. Taking a little sip, she shuddered, this was not sythahol, it was the real stuff, finding a table she sat, during this time a handsom male approached her and asked her to dance. Seductively smiling she agreed and both ended up dancing to Cascada and Everytime we touch song.

As the night wore on, the real alcohol was freeing up her inhibitions, she became more and more at ease and flirty with the guy she had been dancing with. Before she had known it, the Bartender called Last Orders, she and the guy who first asked her to dance left the club together.

Somers - Temporay quarters

Around 00:30 hours both almost fall into her room, the guy trying to be a gentleman, tried to excuse himself. But for Jasmine it had been a long time, so leading him to her sleeping area.

"Lets do something we will both regret in the morning, shall we?" She asked.

The guy needed no further encouragement, and both enjoyed a night of passion.

TBC

SB185
McMurphy's
2127h
--------------
John was entrenched in the corner booth of the bar, he'd been here for about an hour and was gently working his way through his third glass of a fine Andorian wine, the liquid was clear but shimmered if held up to the glowing yellow orbs that provided the illumination in the bar. The clientèle were mostly spacers of some sort, he could see crew jumpsuits and jackets with ship patches in isolated islands or recently formed larger groups, the music was a strange mix of cultures and time periods, the only theme being that almost every song provoked a cheer of recognition from one group, faction, race or crew. Content to watch the main floor from his vantage point John could almost feel the stress draining out from him. The wine probably helped too.

As the evening drew on he was becoming aware that the crowd was pulsing; thinning as people obviously moved on to livelier joints and then becoming more dense as a new crew or group of friends would enter. It was during one of these rushes that his booth was overrun by a loud gang of merchant cargo handlers who, asking for decorum's sake, dropped into the empty chairs and bench seats around John, he rapidly became lost in the swirl of conversation and in jokes which any group of friends will carry with them, and excusing himself made for the exit.

The trip into the Starbase had been a blur. He had, of course, been at the helm when docking too place, the Captain sent everyone on shore leave. The battle had not troubled him... Not at all, heated situation, doing his job, enjoying it, the heat of the moment, the thrill of the controls and the big ship moving at his command. None of that bothered him, what bothered him was, he had not recognized the chain of command properly. He was not only a Starfleet officer, but he was also a Klingon, born to be in high stress life and death situations. He had never before had a problem will falling right in to the chain of command, yet... This time he had.

He was walking through the station, not exactly aimlessly but... Well the walk was the aim, he was thinking. On a Klingon ship he would have likely been killed for such a breech of rules, it was weak. He wasn't on a Klingon ship, the rules were different. A human may even be excused for that, certainly no one had come to him about it, it was as if it never happened.

He was walking by a Bar when he saw the Doctor... Doctor Waterhouse...

He smiled, he liked the Doctor, so very human in every way. Abundance of compassion, the smoldering blood - he had learned Humans did not have cold blood like some races that would not fight. But theirs was a slow burn, a slow smoldering fire that when ignited could be hotter than the burning warriors blood of any Klingon.

Darco raised a hand in greeting and said in his deep voice, "Doctor!"

Exiting McMurphy's into the main drag of the commercial ring John was lost in his own thoughts and gently buzzing from the wine when the deep growl of the Klingon helmsman stopped him, "Doctor!"

"Mr Darco" he replied stepping off the raised area outside the bar and into the 'street' section of the ring. "Are you well?" the nagging voice had been suppressed by a combination of the fine wine and the less formal atmosphere of the starbase. The two officers were surrounded by passers-by, gesturing loosely up the deck, he continued "Care to join me for some food? I could use something to clear my head." Not a natural fit; the two had clashed and certainly, for his part, John had come away with an increased respect for the helmsman and his warrior heritage. So why not eat and drink and see what lived under the gruff exterior? John considered whilst waiting for an answer.

<tag Darco>

Darco nodded at John, "Thank you Doctor, I am well, than you. I would very much enjoy a good meal. Our talk in the Runabout never finished, you made some excellent points."

Smiling he began to walk with Waterhouse. "How are you then, I'm sure the events of the Invincible took their toll on you harshly, given the casualties. I respect more than I can say the work you do. I was considering that impression did not come through before we moved off the Runabout."

Listening to Darco, John realised that perhaps there was a softer side to the gruff Klingon, but head filled with wine and mind striving for some respite he cut over the Helmsman "I appreciate the sentiments Darco, I have a deal of respect for the work done by all our crew and indeed all the fleet personnel; even when I might not agree on some levels. However can we talk of lighter things? We are after all on leave." He studied the Klingon's face worried that perhaps he had over stepped his mark. As a Doctor, especially one involved in mass disasters and now serving as a shipboard surgeon, John had seen and had to rationalise death often during his career; however every one of them still got to him. 'You'd have thunk you'd have grown a thicker skin by now Johnny Boy' he mused. He was aware that this fragile leave time was vital to recharge those stores of the sympathy that all would expect from him come their next mission.

"Shall we try this place?" John gestured at an interesting looking eatery, set back from the promenade and covered in some form of vines; tables lay among the trees and small fountains, the waiting staff were overwhelmingly Tellerite with the odd other-worlder. "D'Nurklics" Proclaimed the sign over the entrance archway.

<Tag Darco>

OOC: if anyone knows anything about Tellerite Cuisine now would be the time!!!

Darco smiled wide at the Doctor, "Of course, sir, I do presume too much. And yes, I have always enjoyed Tellerite food, they do some wonderful things with some of your Earth fruits, such as Tomatoes... They do wondrous things with those."

((OOC - Enterprise, Babel One; states the such food is mostly fruits and vegetables))

The Klingon follows John into the establishment, the waitress - a rather skinny Tellerite bowed gently to them, "Just two for now?" she asks, to which he nods at her gently, "Yes, somewhere... Bright and happy if you have a place for such things, I fear my companion needs such trappings right now."

OOC: What happened to my Last post, in the JP area I know I put it up? is this a PG 13 group? Never thought of asking till now. Also this one is a lot cleaner than my last.

IC

Major Somers
Marine CO
Temporary Quarters - SB 185 0800hrs

Jasmine was still sleeping when her date left, he left a little note.

He noticed the Uniform and the green of the Marines and mostly the rank.

oO Well, well no wonder she lives for the now, she is a Marine Oo He thought to himself, scratching the nail scratches on his shoulder as he dressed and left.

Hour Later 0900hrs

Jasmine wakes up, puts on a dressing gown and moves around the room getting a mug of tea and something to eat, she felt as if she was floating on air after last night. finishing her breakfast, she notices the note, she picks it up and read it.

It was a great night Love Ted X

"Nice guy" she said with a smile as she placed the dishes in the reclimator and then noticed her Computer blinking, indicating a message.

As she read it she got a puzzled look, it was an Invite from Seetar to join him on the Invincibles Holodeck for a game of Soccer.

"Well its something other than my usual off duty passtimes, might be a change, but I know of it, just never played the game. Oh well life is a learning process" she said to herself and went to freshen up and change into her Exercise outfit.

TBC in the JP Section with Seetar

0847 Hours

Josh stepped out of the shower and changed into some light civilian clothes, only taking his com badge with him in his pocket. Deciding on some fun physical excercise for the day Josh sent a brief note to Major Somers to see if she wanted to join him and then set off for one of the station's many holodecks.

OOC: This takes place after the Athletic session with Seetar

IC

Major Somers
Marine CO
USS Invincible
Klingon Bar the Bat'Leth

As Jasmine heard the doors close behind her, she wondered, what all the fuss with the game of Soccer was. She returned to her Tempoary quarters and took a shower. Now dressed in civilian attire she heads down to the Klingon Bar and orders herself up a plate of GagH and some Bloodwine. She had aquired the taste for Klingon food and drink.

As she was eating her food she was also reading a book, the old fashioned way, as in it was an actual book not a Novel on a Padd. She looked up and saw a burley Klingon standing there.

"You are sitting in my seat Human, move" He gruffly said.

Looking at him "No, find another table" She said.

"I will not strike anyone sitting down" He challenged.

Shrugging as she laid her book down and stood, the moment she stood, she delivered an uppercut and a kick between the legs. Needless to say the Klingon went down in agony. Jasmine felt pain in her leg where she had kicked the Klingon and her fist also hurt.

"Next time you make a challenge you Pa'TaQ make sure you do not pick on a Starfleet Officer" She said and sat back down to read and eat.

The Klingon painfully rose and hobbled over to the bar and asked.

"Who is that human?"

"I do not know, but she is a Starfleet Marine Major, she is currently on shore leave from the USS Invincible, you were lucky you only recieved minor injuries, Starfleet Marines are known to be unpredictable in any situation, even more so in combat" THe bartender responded.

The injured and humiliated Klingon grunted and hobbled back over to Jasmine with a drink he ordered for himself.

Jasmine looked up and the looks was not welcoming.

"You back for more?" She asked.

"No Human I only wish to make friends, if it is at all possible" He said and waited for her response.

oO well what you know, it seems I have gained a measure of respect with this one Oo She thought.

"So why do you wish to make nice?"

"A warrior never alienates another warrior who bested him" The Klingon replied.

Giving him a big and very human smile "you can sit" She said and watched as the Klingon winced as he sat, then she engaged him in fluent Klingon.

He sat back momentarily surprised at this human speaking his language, then he noticed the last remains of her meal.

oO She speaks Klingonese and seems to like Bloodwine and Gagh, so she is familiar with my culture, interesting. Oo He thought.

"My name is Krell, I am a Lieutenant on the IKS Gowron, you?" He said.

"Major Jasmine Anne Somers Marine Commander USS Invincible" She replied in kind.

He worked out the rank equivalent in Starfleet iher rank was equal to Lieuteantant Commander, in Klingon comparision she was equal to a full Commander in the KDF. Knowing this he decided to build a bridge with this human.

"We'll discuss more and get you settled in tomorrow, but for the rest of today I'd like you to just enjoy your shore leave time. Dismissed."

With new pip in hand, Jeffery strolled out of the office, leaving Matt and the Admiral in the office. He stopped just outside as the doors closed, immediately taking off the hollow pip and replacing it with the full, gold pip. Just as it snapped into place, a certain surge of energy shocked Jeffery from fatigue. It was as if he felt like he could play through an entire game of Rugby and then throw the after party for the team himself.

"Cousland!"

He turned, hearing his name called by the all too familiar voice of Michelle. Sure enough, she was navigating the hustle and bustle of the station's crowd over to him.

"I thought you were sleeping." she remarked as she came to stand next to him in front of the office.

"I was, but the captain called me over here."

She tilted her head a bit,"Debriefing?"

"Sort of." he replied straightening out his posture,"I've been promoted and given the XO spot."

Michelle's eyes went wide,"What?!?!"

Jeffery just stood there, a bit of a grin on his face. He only imagined what Fitzroy's response would be. Especially since Fitzroy was now the acting chief of both Security and Tactical with Jeffery's promotion. Fitzroy was more than capable of handling it though.

"Why you?" Michelle asked.

Jeffery put his hands up slightly,"Seetar doesn't want it. I was next in line I guess."

"There aren't any other command personnel in the area?"

That was a good question. It wasn't as if they were wholly removed from Federation space and out of reach of Starfleet. It made Jeffery wonder if his promotion was actually from merit or one of convenience. Either way, he was now the XO.

"Maybe, maybe not." Jeffery put his hands behind his back,"Either way, you're going to have to call me 'sir' now."

She folded her arms in front of her, bit of a smirk on her face,"Oh, well aright then. Sir."

--------------
Twenty Minutes Later
--------------

Jeffery couldn't pronounce half of what was on the menu, his own fault for letting Michelle lead him to a restaurant that was defined as multi-cultural. A Rutian by the name of Orenee was the owner, but seemed to take very little frmo Rutian cuisine. Instead, there was a haphazard mix of selection from species from Bajor to Qo'nos.

Michelle had ordered something that he couldn't even begin to try and spell, making it harder to know where it was on the menu. Jeffery took to just pointing at something on the menu when the waiter asked what he wanted.

"And a Tarkalean tea." Jeffery said as he handed the menu to the waiter.

"You really drink that?" Michelle asked, leaning on the table with both elbows.

Jeffery nodded,"It's good for you. That and I kinda like the taste."

Michelle made a face,"But it's so bland. I can't stand it unless you really sweeten it."

Strong flavors. That certainly added to what seemed like the strong will that Michelle had.

"So, Mister Executive Officer, what's next?"

Jeffery looked at her with curiosity.

"For the Invincible."

He just shrugged,"Don't know. First thing would be to repair any damage we've suffered, replenish supplies, take on personnel, that sort of stuff. Beyond that I don't know. Fas as I know, orders haven't come through. I would bet on us going on patrol though, we are near Romulan territory."

"I'd love for us to head off for some proper exploration." Michelle commented.

Jeffery looked at her a little more squarely,"Like out on the fringe?"

She nodded.

"The Invincible is a fine ship, but not exactly a current long-range exploration vessel." he said.

"You almost sound timid about the idea of going out seeing what's new out there!" she said, taking a drink from her beverage as the waiter set them on the table.

A huff of amusement came out of Jeffery's nose,"I'd love to, but we're not really equipped for it I think."

"It's why I'm in Starfleet. Sitting around on Earth reading about what was out there didn't strike me as exciting." she played with her glass,"I couldn't imagine doing anything else."

"Straight into the Academy out of school?" Jeffery asked, turning himself to sit somewhat sideways in his seat.

She nodded,"Class of Twenty-Three-Eighty-Two. I wasn't the best though, absolutely hated studying."

They both chuckled, their orders arriving at the table.

Michelle at once began to dig into her dish, but Jeffery was a little apprehensive about his own. There was a mishmash of color on it that wasn't overall too appealing for him. But, he did pick up his fork and began to pick at it. The taste was similar to salted eggplant with a beef broth, just quite a bit crunchier.

"Why engineering?" Jeffery asked, wiping away some crumbs with his napkin.

Michelle continued to eat,"I figured it would give me the best shot at postings. All ships need engineers to make sure they don't fall out of the sky. That and if I felt like leaving Starfleet, I would have some practical skills."

She put her fork down as she leaned back in her seat, almost half her dish devoured already. Jeffery had hardly taken a few bites of his dish. Truth be told he didn't care for it much, the color mix still getting to him.

"What about you?" Michelle asked, folding her napkin into her lap.

Jeffery took a sip of his tea,"I remember being impressed by the sight of Starfleet Officers. Just such a noble image, seeing them move about, conducting their business. A bit of wanderlust is perhaps sprinkled in there too."

"Hope to command one day?" Michelle asked.

"I may well be tomorrow if my career keeps on such a fast track." he replied, pointing with an open hand towards his collar that had adorned on it his newly acquired full Lieutenant pips, a bit of a grin as he said it,"But I could see myself in command of a ship. Perhaps after another decade or two of service, but eventually."

Their conversation continued on for at least another few hours, topics ranging from the color choices of the restaurant, to politics across the quadrant. Michelle seemed like a very knowledgeable individual, possessing a keen awareness about many things. It was almost a bit intimidating for Jeffery that he was her superior officer. He knew it was a discomfort he'd have to put aside, not just for the sake of the ship but also if what they had was going somewhere.

"Just to let you know, we'll be closing in a few minutes." a waiter informed them.

"We really been here that long?" Jeffery inquired,"Couldn't have been more than an hour..."

Sure enough, the waiter informed them that they'd been there for a number of hours. Excusing themselves, both Jeffery and Michelle left the restaurant and went back to the ship. The walk back still saw them continuing their various discussions. Finally they came to stand before Michelle's quarters.

"This is me."

Jeffery came to stand across from her, his posture relaxed,"We'll have to go somewhere where I can actually pronou-"

Before he could finish, Michelle had almost leaped up at him, planting a firm kiss on him. It caught Jeffery off-guard, but he responded reflexively by putting his own arms around her. The embrace hadn't lasted for more than a few seconds before Michelle slipped back out of his grasp.

"Goodnight, Jeffery." she said, stepping into her quarters.

As the doors closed, a smile came over Jeffery in tandem with a surge of what felt like adrenaline. He didn't dwell any further on it, but let it be as it was before moving off to his own quarters where he promptly collapsed on his bed and fell asleep.