Blood Wine and Banter

Posted on Mon Jun 13th, 2011 @ 2:00pm by Jackson Banning V & Captain qeraQ'

* * The Nexus Club * *

It was early evening yet, and still a couple of hours before showtime. Jackson was still in his 'day wear' for the bar, which meant a bright Hawaiian shirt, today in shades of pale green, blue and lavender.The wait staff had the tables covered and so, he decided it was break time. Settling at the end of the bar, he sipped a tall, frosty glass of lemonade.

A busy day called for reward. Having met the majority of the senior staff, qeraQ' felt that he needed to find out a little bit more about the life on board the station. He had never really worried about such things in the past, preferring the company of other Klingons, but in a tinderbox you learnt where the sparks were most effective and most dangerous. This area of space was definitely going to be a tinderbox in terms of politics. Walking towards the bar he sat and observed some of the patrons, having ditched his uniform earlier in the day he wore traditional Klingon casual dress with his hair let down in greying flows. He nodded to the man at the end of the bar, and waited.

The bartender appeared before qeraQ' to take his order and when he moved away, leaving the drink before the Klingon, Jackson greeted him.

"Good evenin', Commander, nice to see ya. Settlin' in alright?" He stood and moved closer offering the hand that was drink-free. "Jackson Banning, welcome to the Nexus Club."

"Very well thank you. I've heard a lot about you Mr. Banning... something of a mixed past." He took a slurp from the large scotch that had been placed in front of him, one of the few earth drinks that he tolerated.

"Have you now." Jackson gave an enigmatic smile. " You didn't get to your current position by bein' one to believe everything he hears. Unless that was a compliment, in which case I'll just say thank you."

"Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies... but if you hear of something that would interest me ... 'Four thousand throats may be cut in a night by a running man...." he took another sip. "You are right I got to my current position by listening and making judgement later, but I also learnt to use all of the resources available to me."

"Four thousand you say?" He reached over to refill qeraQ's glass. "Apparently I was slackin' in my 'mixed past'. I suppose this is where I volunteer to be one of those resources? It is true that the man behind the bar sees and knows all."

"Volunteer... that is a strong word, but I have found that lips are looser after some downtime, and that the roots of the station often see things differently that we do from the treetops. I only ask that we share some of the gossip from both the crew and the civilians over a drink from time to time."

"I supose that depends on what gossip. Who's sleepin' with who won't interst you much, but bein' the good guy I am, I'll be happy to help if there are problems. I swear, between you, Li, and Claudia, y'all are determined to not let a fella rest and enjoy his retirement are ya?"

qeraQ' grinned at Jackson, "I'm not sure that people with your background ever retire Mr Banning, just get more careful who they upset." He raised his glass in a toast, "which is exactly why I am here and not buried by a house like Duras!"

"They do a fair job of buryin' themselves. And I couldn't have said it better myself."

qeraQ' laughed loudly and slammed the glass back on the table. "Excellent! Now what do you have on this station in the way of bloodwine!"

"Got ya covered." Jackson pulled out two heavy wine cups and filled them. Lifting his he raissed it in a toast. "reH tay' ghot tuqDaj je."

"'Iwllj jachjaj!"

"Amen to that brother." Jackson grinned and drained his glass.

*************
Commander qeraQ'
Executive Officer

Jackson Banning
Owner & "Resource"
The Nexus Club