Faster than Lunch

Posted on Mon Jun 4th, 2012 @ 1:58am by Staff Sergeant Snow Hill & Samanthia Akiashiro

Mission: The Mystery Men of Mira
Location: Warp 12
Timeline: Just after Winter's visit to the Medical Bay

The banter of the marines could be heard way down the corridors as they argued loudly about who's fault it was that they hadn't eaten yet and then what they should have for lunch. Kyoko unwilling to back down was apparently set on her favourite "Cheese toasted, tuna mayonnaise Oniigiri" by the bucket load. Winter was determined on something more...substantial and traditional. A hearty bloodworm pie, usually a Klingon delicacy albeit something he had come to enjoy over his time in the marines. The sound grew louder and louder until the doors to Warp 12 swished open, revealing the marines to everyone, half way through arguing yet in complete silence. The two marines turned their heads away from each other and walked in, both scratching the backs of their heads nervously. The marines looked friendly enough, Winter with his muddy brown hair and blue eyes seemed surprisingly quiet considering his recent arguments, perhaps even...reserved? Kyoko on the other hand looked as aggressive as she seemed. Her hair tied back into a ponytail, a few curly wisps escaping here and there. Yet she held herself more like a marine than her counterpart did. Probably because she was a woman in what was largely still considered a masculine environment.

Warp-12 is a comfortable lounge club-like atmosphere with plenty of tables that afforded a good view of a stage and dance floor. Some booths along the wall provided privacy screened by lush plants that obviously were holo-projections, yet still effective in providing seclusion if one desired it. Along one wall was the bar with myriad of bottles displaying alcoholic drinks from across the universe. A faint aroma of actual foods being cooked, not replicated. Waitresses and waiters moved efficiently through with enough room between the tables, to serve their costumers.

Several civilians were playing soft music as pleasant listening music and entertainment for those present. Near the stage was assortment of musical instruments from across the galaxy. The Message board near the entrance gave prices for the available drinks being offered and food that was served there. Patrons ran the gauntlet of minors with parents to the elderly single. Mixture of civilians and Fleet personnel and a scattering of Marines.

The decorum was like walking through a time-warp into a Medieval castle grand hall to the crunchy straw under foot. Couple of wolfhounds lounging by a huge fireplace with a softly muted roaring fire that put out no heat. The view of the stars through the observation port was expansive with a low granite retaining wall to prevent people from falling over the edge. It had a nicely stone stairs leading to the balcony with richly carved Oak railings, leading to the balcony that gave view to the floor below and a clear view of the stars beyond. This was clearly a place to relax and have a good time without resorting to violence. On the walls were portraits in gilded frames adorn the walls of various dominant interstellar races in historical garbs done in excellent taste.

The brown haired marine stopped in his tracks as he finally took in the sights. He wasn't used to such an...intimate feeling being a marine that was used to the mess hall after all. The scent of the kitchen wafted towards him and he breathed deeply a smile across his face.

"Oh, been a while has it?" Kyoko looked back somewhat triumphantly. Her hand on her hip, was easily reminiscent of someone in a victory pose. Usually after winning an argument of some sort without it devolving into fisticuffs. The other marine nodded slightly dumbly. Finally the blonde haired marine moved off first picking a table slightly off from the centre and good position to hear the music and beckoned for the other to follow.

"This is...astounding." The brown haired marine said at last as he eyes took in his surroundings, "Where do they get the funding for such a place?" To think that he'd been running around the starbase for a few hours and hadn't even come across this place once. He shook his head.

"Winter, this is Warp 12, probably the only place in the sector that has as good hospitality and probably the only place that celebrates early human culture in the entire galaxy." Kyoko announced as she took in a deep breath, immersing herself in the environment, she half felt that she should have turned up in appropriate attire, but she'd never live that one down.

"How much of this is holographic anyway?" He could only imagine what the Ferengi would do if they ever got a hold of this place...gambling tables and lotteries galore. Kyoko shrugged in response it wasn't as though she had ever considered that.

Samanthia spotted the two first timers as they took in the decor and smiled. She loved seeing the expression on the faces of patrons when a holo-projection was complete. Even the tables they sat at looked to be made of rare woods from across the galaxy. She moved with easy grace through the patron, pausing to talk with the favored few. Letting the waitress serve them properly chilled water and laying down two menues on the table for them to look over and scooted off to help another set of nearby patrons who looked ready to order.

Winter took a sip of water while Kyoko looked through the menu, "I wouldn't be surprised if this menu was holographic." Winter almost choked on the water and he looked up in amazement. Gone were the days when holograms were glitch ridden translucent things. Now they were touchable and without fault. It was almost like real objects. In fact, Winter wasn't able to tell the difference. Kyoko raised an eyebrow to Winter's antics before scanning the menu and flipping it shut.

"What's the matter? Nothing to your taste?" Winter mocked. Kyoko narrowed her eyes.

"I'm having what your having." The blonde marine looked at her dining parter, pushing the menu towards him, too many choices for her. Winter pushed the menu back to the middle of the table without looking at it.

"Ho ho, a gambling lady are you. Well, so am I. Lets have, 'The Special'." There was a certain evil grin in Winter's eye as if daring her to go along with it. Kyoko shrugged lightly and took a sip of her own water.

"How bad can it be?" She placed her glass back down and scanned the room for a waiter that didn't look busy at that particular moment with both menu's in the middle of the table.

Samanthia glided up to the table as most of the Waiters and waitress were busy, "Hello and welcome to Warp-12. Ready to order?" Pulling out her order tablet, It was obvious she was either a shift leader or someone high up in the hierarchy of the establishments employees. Smiling at the two Marines with warmth and friendship.

"The special!" They both declared at the same time and both taking a few seconds to realise they weren't speaking to just any waiter. Winter glanced towards Kyoko questioningly but Kyoko instead smiled her grey eyes fixed on the manager, "How has Warp 12 been keeping Sam?"

"As you see I'm doing quite well." Samanthia wrote their order down and passed the slip off to a passing waitress to give to the cook. "I notice that there has been increase in the Marine presence aboard. How's the new CO working out?"

Winter looked towards Kyoko, he hadn't been on board long enough to get to know the Commander that well. "Well, he's actually much friendlier than the last," Kyoko admitted, "Easier to please than some, but he generally keeps himself to himself, what with all his vacations to the surface." Of course, there had been an increased marine presence, they'd been reinforced by about six or so extra marines recently, "What is the special today?" The slight quiver in Kyoko's voice belied her slight fear of actually finding out what the special was and she hoped she wouldn't be disappointed either.

"Roast Beef from Earth with mashed potatoes, side order of salad and apple pie with whipped cream." Samanthia spoke pleasantly as she recited the day's special. "Or is that Terra Four Beef..." Shrugs, "...Cant really tell the difference, both are very good."

Trying getting a response in under five minutes after that from any marine. If they had been in the cartoon world, the drool would have swamped them all, thankfully they were in the real world and their mouths slackened with incredulity, both had been expecting something, exotic, alien. But earth roast beef. It was a traditional meal and one few marines would actually remember to order...usually. After the brief pause it was Winter who spoke first his blue eyes locking onto the manageress, "So... do you do loyalty cards?"

"Loyalty cards?" Samanthia looked puzzled at Winter. "I usually favor regular customers with free drinks or a sample of new foods that I am thinking of making a regular dish here."

"Works for me." The response came in the midst of making a rather loud mental note to return, often. Taking a sip of water he added, "So you add new dishes often?" Kyoko smiled at that, having not yet been the subject of free drinks or "new foods" yet.

Samanthia nodded, "As soon after they are tested by the station's medical labs and science department to see if they are compatable with all the different Sentient life forms that inhabit this station." Nodding towards another tables where a Klingon and a Ferengi were eating the same thing that both Marines had ordered with any discomforts. "You could order a Ferengi Dish and it would provide nourishment to your body without any harmful effects."

"Doesn't that kind of take the fun out of trying new foods?" Of course, the Klingon diet was mostly raw or at least, very rare, though Humans could still eat that as long they also consumed the alcohol along with it to assist in the break down of the food and neutralisation of any bacteria. Of course, it was Kyoko asking the question this time as Winter was in the midst of drinking his water.

"Not really," Samanthia smiled, "I stay in business with a good reputation of providing exotic foods and drinks that are safe to consume by everyone. And to enjoy the food to the fullest, we don't use replicators here. What you eat and drink is the real stuff. Hence the strict adherence to policies set forth by the Akiashiro Enterprises and Fleet Health Regulations since they forced their presence here." Looking a bit thoughtful, "A lot of Alien foods here are still new to majority of people who live and work here."

The two of the marines looked at other and chuckled, "Well at least we can all agree that the Security department has too much time on their hands." Winter grinned. Having himself had numerous run ins with the Fleet health and safety brigade. Mostly when they're being kicked out of the marine barracks, "Glad to know I'm in good hands." Kyoko was little more curious than winter however and apparently had decided to probe a little more.

"You have your own regulations as well?" The Marine seemed a little surprised, "Does that help or hinder business?"

"Yeah," Samanthia nodded, "It's the foremost regulations I follow since it surpasses Fleet's." Collecting the menus to pass on to another set of customers. "It's fleet's that causes most problems. They're after me to serve synthohol. The fake stuff. All yapping and no bite, if you catch my drift, like the true stuff." Eyes dart about the room, observant of patrons and employees and the new set of performers striking up an old Nineteenth Century Jazz number.

"Amen to that." Winter nodded solemnly draining his first glass of water, pouring himself another. Remarkably it wasn't the sparkling variety either, usually sparkling was served if it wasn't specified. Then again it had been brought with the menu. Not that either of the marines had looked at it. Synthohol had been the cause of a number of problems within the marines, when they came back from a hard days slog if it wasn't real, they weren't interested, though maybe other departments were like that to? He had yet to see any evidence of that however. As he leaned back he wasn't quite sure what to make of the old style jazz, it wasn't really to his taste. One marine however, Kyoko did seem to be enjoying it having really relaxed compared to earlier.

"Where did you get this bunch from?" The corporal looked up at the Manageress, "They're really good."

Samanthia smiled as she waved her arm around carefully to prevent any accident in the busy lounge, "From the Patrons that come here. Some are really talented and providing a place and instruments to express it in a relaxed atmosphere such as this. Everyone has a good time. If you feel the urge to show off a talent of your's, this is the place to do it at." Pointing over at another bulliten board, "We even hold talent contest to win prizes and maybe a contract to perform regulary here. The judges is the audience."

The two Marines looked at each other with a fierce gaze, neither of them blinked for a moment, "You're on." Winter growled and downed his next glass of water. Kyoko laughed a confident and filled laugh brimming with self confidence.

"It'll talk a few years of practice for you to be able to take me in an Instrument playing contest or a singing contest for that matter."

"We'll see about that." came Winter's retort. Suddenly a loud growl emanated from the table. Namely from Winter's direction. Much to Kyoko's delight as she burst into a fit of giggles.

"Aaahh Marines..." Samanthia spoke softly as the food arrived at the table. She moved to the side to let the server serve the food to the Marines, Back to normal conversational tones, "... Do enjoy your meal time here." Giving them a quick warm smile, As she moved off to greet another guest whom she deemed important, Giving a passionate hug to one of the fully concealed figure, before leading them to a more private booth within the establishment.

The two smiled broadly and then stared at the presented meal in awe. It was Winter who thanked the waiter and then turned to Kyoko, "Shall we?" Although Kyoko had already started much to Winter's amusement.

Samanthia Akiashiro
Warp-12 Manager

&

St Sgt Snow Hill (Winter)
Senior NCO
14th Btl

&

Lnc Cpl Kyoko Washington
Scout
14th Btl