Poker Face

Posted on Sun Apr 14th, 2024 @ 1:46am by Lieutenant Evelyn Stewart & Lieutenant Tollan Yara & Char & Lieutenant Dashku Zhevou & Lieutenant JG Baaru Liana & 1st Lieutenant Kes Th’relnal & Senior Chief Petty Officer Rufio Dulay & Gunnery Sergeant Matewa Natana
Edited on on Sun Apr 14th, 2024 @ 4:33am

0 words; about a 1 minute read

Mission: Year One: Whispers in the Wind
Location: USS Moore - DMZ
Timeline: MD 021: 2100 hrs

Char looked around the DMZ. It was notably quieter and more somber most nights since the attack on Solomon IV. He had hoped the officer's semi-regular poker game would liven the lounge up. "Hey, Matewa, are you still needing the main table for your poker game tonight? I don't see Stewart around." He inquired, surprised his frequent guest who hosted the game hadn't arrived yet.

"Definitely Char. I haven't lost my weekly quota of latinum and self respect this week." Matewa joked.

Kes generally lived by the adage that if you weren't fifteen minutes early, you were late. It was something he'd picked up in the guard and had crept into his off duty life as well. He walked into the DMZ and looked around before frowning slightly. It appeared not many others lived by the same adage.

The Andorian walked over to the bar. "I'll have an iced raktajino with a double shot of rum."

Char gave a small smile and nodded at the marine commander before moving to the replicator behind the bar for the raktajino to mix his drink.

"Alright boss." Matewa welcomed Kes.

Kes took his drink from Char and gave the bartender a pleasant nod as he took a sip of the beverage. He furrowed his brow and held the mug off to stare at it. "Oooo... that is good."

"Evening Matewa." Kes said as he took a seat opposite the sergeant. "I did get the time right for the game?"

"You did." Matewa nodded. "Naval side don't usually pay too much attention to times." he rolled his eyes. "It's why marines are always early... we are built different."

"Hey!" Rufio exclaimed. "I am here!"

"Only because I dragged your arse outta your quarters..." Matewa replied shaking his head.

Rufio went to reply but felt he couldn't really deny that.

Dashku was the next one to arrive, she was dressed in a pair of jeans that were tight, a pair of old sneakers she'd had since her academy days and v neck grey t-shirt she was hoping would help be a bit of a distraction for the friendly game. When she stepped up to the bar she nodded to Char, "You will have that 101 rye? I'll take a double."

Char gave the Orion his most charming smile. “Sure thing, anything for you, Lieutenant.” He said as he poured the woman her drink. He made no effort to hide how smitten he was with the operations officer, despite being sure it would go nowhere.

Dash smiled at Char, she knew she had an effect on those around her and she tried not to lead anyone on but when it came to getting drinks from the bartender she wasn't so sure she wanted to completely crash his hopes. She thanked him before taking the glass in hand and just taking a moment to savor the smell.

Tollan came walk into the DMZ, bringing along with him the chief engineer. “Sorry I’m late,” he apologized as he gestured to the young woman. “Found someone crawling around the Jeffries tubes on Deck 8 and decided that she needed to spend time with people and not power relays and dragged her along,” He explained with a laugh.

“I told you those relays needed to be adjusted” Liana said before giving a sigh of resignation, “but since you’ve brought me here I might as well relax for a while”

Tollan grinned and glanced around, “Where is Stewart? She has the poker set.”

"We can always replicate one if we need to," Dash took her first sip. "Unless one of us has a set in their quarters?"

Stewart came rushing in with the poker set as she approached the assembled group. "Sorry I'm late. Just make sure I get it back." She told Yara as she approached him with the poker set was her late brother’s.

Char looked up at Stewart. “Evening, Lieutenant. The usual?” He asked, already reaching for a pint glass.

“Thanks, Char but I’m not staying.” Stewart said, shaking her head at the offer.

Tollan looked at Stewart confused as he took the set from her. “You aren’t staying?”

“No, I have plans.” Evelyn explained.

Yara looked at her incredulously. “Since when?” He never knew the lieutenant to turn down a game or a round.

Stewart looked at him with mock annoyance. “Since it’s none of your business. Just make sure I get this back.” She explained. Seeing the skeptical look on the Trill’s face as she nodded, she said decided to make his night a little more difficult. “Yara scratches his spots when he is bluffing.” She announced to the group the doctor’s tell with a smirk before wishing him luck with a mock sincerity and telling the others to have fun before leaving.

Tollan just laughed at the situation. “Alright, let’s play.”

"Good. What's the game?" Kes asked as he took a seat at the large table. There were so many variations of poker, some more luck than skill based, that he was unsure what he'd signed up for. Either way, it was an excuse to drink and that's all he needed.

Lily was running a little bit late, or so she thought she stepped inside the DMZ and froze, there was Kes, and the conversation they had previous day came to the forefront of her mind, she could feel her cheeks warm up again. Damnit, she needed something cold drink to help cool her face down. Making her way towards the bar, Lily was about to order a margarita, then decided not to taking a glance over at Kes.

"Hi there, can I get a Moscow Mule please?" Lily requested. Then turned her attention towards those gathered at the table. "Looks like this will be shaping up to be a good game." she commented quietly. She noted people's attire then glanced down at hers which was just normal wear for herself. Red Tee shirt, blue jeans and sneakers.

"Always a good game. Rufio is terrible at poker." Matewa nudged the smaller man with his elbow making Rufio side step a little. "He's like one of the Lost Boys here."

"Oh very funny Mat." Rufio frowned. "Like I've not heard a Peter Pan joke before." he shook his head. "Plus we both know your wife is very much unaware of your poor gambling habits." he began to smirk.

Matewa quickly took a gulp of his beer and said no more.

"Peter pan and the lost boys," Dashku shook her head and made a noise, as she selected a seat at the table they were going to play at. "Captain Hook should have gutted them all and hung them from the bow of his ship. He was a hero of that story. And I suggest we play Texas Hold 'em, most of us know it I think."

Lily remarked "That is an interesting take on Peter Pan, the lost boys and Captain Hook. Though were there truly heroes of that story? And what makes you say Hook was the hero of the story, Dashku?"

"A well spoken and educated, dashingly handsome man who had his hand fed to a crocodile by a boy that wished to always be a boy," Dashku considered elaborating for a moment. "I know that human literature would have you side with the boy and that many of the retellings of the tail had Hook as more comic relief. Hook wanted to stop Pan, while his folly is that it consumed him, Pan was impulsive and had no concern for the future. He stole children, and one idea even had it that Hook was a lost boy who returned consumed by vengeance because of the life stolen."

"Not to mention the fascination we Orions have with the idea that the perfect humans have a sorded past of piracy. I studied it at length as well as classic literature. Humanity wasn't always so boring."

Lily nodded, "The sad thing is, Peter Pan if you think about it, he was Captain Hook's white whale that he kept on hunting. And in fact there were two white whales in that story. The crocodile was constantly after Hook, besides Hook being after Pan. And in the end, they were consumed by their obsession. And there is more charm in being around someone who is a rascal, than someone who tries to act perfect every time." Lily walking over and taking a seat at the table. "Have you read Moby Dick?"

Mat shook his head. "I haven't but know enough to know our Captain is the furthest from Ahab a man can be." he chuckled then took a gulp of his beer. "Plus anyone that chases a large white di--"

Rufio hit his large bicep. "Don't finish that sentence Mat." he frowned.

Matewa looked at him with a fake shocked look. He placed his right hand over his chest as if to say 'who? me?' before grinning.

"Isn't the hunt half the fun?" Dashku asked with a playful grin, before winking at Matewa. "Now, are we going to play some cards or keep talking about body parts?"

Yara laughed as he listened to everyone. He nodded at Dashku while sipping his Klingon martini before doling out the chips. "I've never fully understood the human fascination with melodrama," He commented as he took out the deck of cards and began shuffling. "plots of revenge, stories of death and severed limbs. It's the stuff of children's dreams and my nightmares." He commented dryly after Rufio and Kes anted up their blinds, dealing out cards to everyone.

Tollan dealt to Rufio first, then Kes, Lily, Barru, Dash, finally Matewa.

Yara looked at his own cards before waiting for Lily to make her decision. "Your call, Doctor."

Lily gave a chuckle and a light blush as her innocent remark about a book title turned into something else then again, it was something she'd expect anyway. As that title invited comment. Lily looked at the cards she had been dealt, her eyes widening. She at least had a possible pair that had been dealt. Thinking it over Lily tossed in a chip that represented 25 gold pressed latinum. She'll start things and see where it will go.

Rufio was quite displeased with the cards he had, but usually he had quite a good poker face. He would bluff for the time being and see where it got him. He did what was expected of him and placed some latinum into the pot.

Dashku looked at her cards and the amount that was in the pot, it wasn't a good start to and it was unlikely anything good would turn up if she stayed in. She tossed her cards back to the dealer and waved off the bet folding her hand.

Lily looked at her own hand then looked at Dashku, "I guess I started the pot too low?" she remarked. "This doesn't bode well..." she tossed in a few more pieces of Latinum, "So.... I am glad to see everyone moving around, I had been a bit worried when the bombing happened." she felt she introduced that subject a bit awkwardly, but it was rather difficult, to even figure out how to broach the subject.

"Why would I let you in on my strategy for the game?" Dashku arched one of her brows for a moment, before she took a sip from her whiskey.

"I fold." Rufio said, his confidence wavering. He was always a timid soul.

Matewa looked at his cards. He put in 50 slips believing his hand to be superior. The mention of the bombing sent a shiver up his spine. No matter how many battles, disasters or terror attacks he had been involved in he was always affected by it. If you weren't then there was something wrong with you. "Terrible business that." he commented.

Lily heard what Matewa said, taking another look at her cards. They weren't that great, in fact, she was seeing the writing on the wall, it was a dead hand, thankfully it wasn't a dead man's hand. However, it was nothing that was going to go anywhere, at any rate. Lily decided she was going to fold. "I fold."

At the same time of her saying she was going to fold, Lily received a ping on her padd, she opened up the message, a furrow appearing. "If you will excuse me, I need to take a look at this." Rising from the table she walked away a few steps opening up the message, what she saw made her face go pale. It was an urgent message from home, and a message from Star Fleet.

Taking in a deep breath, letting it out slowly, Lily turned towards those gathered. "Sorry guys, I won't be continuing this poker game, I've been called home as of right now and I've got to go pack. I wish you all the best of luck and may the universe and stars continue to be your guide." And with that, Lily took off out of the DMZ at a dead run. It was time to go home.

Looking at her cards Liana, glanced up at Matewa for a moment before returning to her cards. While they weren’t the best cards, she wanted to have some fun with the first hand. Picking up 50 slips, she placed them down next to Matewa’s pile, “call”

Yara glanced up as he saw Lily leave quickly before anyone could say anything. He glanced at his cards and added his slips before dealing the flop: jack of spades, three of clubs and ten of diamonds. "I still can't believe what's happened." He said with an incredulous shake of his head about the attack while waiting for Kes to start off the next round.

Kes took a sip of his drink and furrowed his brow as Lily left suddenly. In the end he shrugged, he was here to play. He took the deck of cards and shuffled them throughly before dealing them out to the remaining players around the table.

Barru, Dash, Matewa, Yara, and then Rufio before his own.

The Andorian looked at his hand and put down two cards. Content with the other three. He glanced around to see who needed cards before dealing his own replacements.

"The bombing was cowards work." Kes said firmly, finally speaking up on the topic. "Targeting civilians while hiding in the shadows."

Yara glanced at his cards before calling in his slips. "I'm not exactly sure they were operating in the shadows. Starfleet knew of these people for months. They acted right in front of our noses." He added to the conversation dryly.

"The Federation also has a system of laws that doesn't allow it to just imprison it's people," Dashku commented, she understood what Kes was saying. "Until the evidence is in hand, one can only investigate. Sometimes the Orion system had it's advantages."

Yara narrowed his eyes at the Orion woman incredulously. "What are you suggesting? You can't possibly agree that we should turn over the terrorists to the Romulans," He said rhetorically. "They will kill them."

"I'm suggesting exactly what I stated. My point was that security on the planet couldn't act until they had the appropriate legal ground to do so or the terrorists could have fought and won their freedom in the Federation court system. In this particular case, Orion security would have had an advantage but such is the way of tyrants," Dashku replied coolly, as she arched one of her brows. "They're mass murderers and terrorists, as long as they are not able to commit such acts again I do not care what happens to them. I'll follow orders and the Captain."

Tollan nodded in understanding of Dashku's sentiments, even if he wasn't sure if he agreed with them. Capital punishment was abolished in the Federation centuries ago and their prisons were designed for rehabilitation, not punishment. He wasn't sure anyone would be happy with the end result.

Glancing at his cards, he itched his spots in indecision before glancing around at the group. "How is everyone holding up anyway? Emotionally that is." He asked of his friends. The attacks were devastating and he wouldn't be surprised if there was a lot left unsaid amongst the officers, officially.

"Innocent until you're not..." Kes muttered. "This didn't just happen suddenly. They were planning it, there would have been signs that weren't followed up on for whatever reason." He passed out the cards everyone wanted and then took his own. Four of a kind. Not bad, he thought.

"I'm angry." Kes said in response to Tollan. "It's one thing for a soldier to be attacked in the line of duty, but civilians? There is no need for the bloodshed and trauma to those people." He was a soldier, he knew his place in the pecking order. His thoughts went back to those who chose a civilian life back home and how something like this would have affected them and their culture for generations. "I'd trade my commission for an hour with the mastermind behind this."

"Totally agreed Boss." Matewa interjected. "Bombs are cowards work, especially when aimed at civilians just to make a point." he shook his head in disgust. "And when we find them sir I'm sure there will be a line. I know I'll be behind you."

Yara kept his thoughts about the comments of revenge to himself as he played with his chips. He glanced at the young engineer. “What about you, Baaru? How are you holding up?” He asked the woman across the table.

Looking over at Yara, Liana gave a sigh before answering. She knew her answer may come across as unfeeling, but this kind of situation was nothing new to her, “it’s nothing I haven’t seen before. While it is saddening that people were hurt, there’s always a reason behind these bombings” she said before looking over at Matewa, “so bombs are a cowards weapons are they? So you think of Bajorans as cowards?”

Dashku couldn't help the smirk, she picked up her glass and took a sip to hide it away for a moment before she decided to insert herself in the conversation. "A bombing certainly sends a message. Usually that people are angry and they feel like the system has failed them. The problem with killing civilians in a terrorist style attack is it almost always turns public opinion against you, plus most civilized people think it's wrong to kill non-combatants."

"If there are Bajoran's that are part of this terrorist network and helped plant those bombs then yes. I think they are cowards." Matewa said after taking a gulp of his pint of beer. "There is nothing worse than planning a hidden bomb that takes out civilians, injures our crew and puts everyone in a panic. There were kids out there for fucks sake." he shook his head even thinking about it.

"The Cardassian occupation left the Bajorans with little recourse. They were facing an overwhelming force with limited resources." Kes said firmly before continuing on a more compassionate tone. "I read what the Bajorans were put through, and the Federation or really anyone should have stepped in before it ever got to that point. Hell, no one really seemed to care about Bajor until the wormhole was discovered. But this, this was a colony and not a prison. These were civilians and not oppressors." He looked at Liana and shrugged. "So yeah, anyone involved in this is going to get tarred with the same brush as far as I'm concerned."

“Then how does that make you any better than the Cardassians? From what you’re saying, you’re not even willing to find out why they did this. As far as you’re concerned they’re all guilty and deserve to be beaten within an inch of their lives” Liana replied, starting to feel a little defensive, “like you said, no one heard the Bajoran’s cries for help until the wormhole was discovered, so how is this situation any different? How long have these people been yelling for help without anyone paying attention? Or are these federation citizens to be treated like the Maquis? Simply labeled terrorists and thrown aside.”

Tollan sat back in his seat and watched the exchange with interest and even milder alarm. He looked over at Rufio with a silent look of credulity as he sipped his martini. The marines walked into a sensitive issue, he couldn't blame the woman for standing up for herself. In truth, he was a bit proud to see it.

"Not thrown aside," Kes said with a smile. "Given what they deserve. Whether they want it or not." Tact wasn't his strong suit, and what little he had was obvious it wouldn't work with the engineer. "Civilians are never an acceptable target. I don't care if they're Romulan, Bajoran, or Cardassian for that matter. I know I have a target on me every time I put on my uniform and I wear it proudly since it means keeping civilians safe. Maybe if you got out of the engine room once in a while you'd see times have changed and for all your talk of freedom fighters and hard times, Bajor has prospered and they're no longer the scrappy underdog in this fight." He tossed in a few more of his slips as it came around to his turn again. "And sometimes the only recourse with a rabid dog is to put it down."

Matewa was agreeing with what Kes was saying. So much so he found himself nodding along but marines tending to be of the same mindset when it came to things, especially when they'd been in and serving for a similar length of time. "Who exactly has been yelling for help? The rhetoric from their transmission reads like a child who has to share their toys and doesn't want to." he finished off his pint and nodded for a refill. "So we opened our doors to Romulans after their cataclysmic disaster. I am not entirely trusting of them but they came to our aid during the war and that means something even if they did withdraw later. By all accounts The Whisperers are fighting to rid Federation worlds of those that are not part of the Federation or aligned with us. If it came to it and something happened you had to evacuate Bajor, should we not accept you into our space too? Should we just leave you? You align yourselves with us because it suits you but if push came to shove and a new species threatened the Federation and Starfleet you'd withdraw and look after your own interests" he saw people raise their heads up. "Don't take that as an insult, so would anyone. We always act in our self interest when our backs are against the wall."

Sam looked a bit sheepish given the heat at the table but had already folded a while back. "Plus you can't paint them with a Maquis brush. The Maquis were fighting for worlds outside of the Federation and were under attack from Cardassian forces who wanted their worlds for their own and had no support. The Maquis was born out of necessity for that, to protect citizens under attack. By all accounts from what reports say, and I am simply going by them, colonies within our borders haven't been under attack from neighboring Romulan settlements. Some skirmishes yes as tempers flair but we did welcome them as refugees as we would anyone in dire need."

"Devils advocate." Rufio said out of the blue. "You guys are seeing this from purely a Starfleet side. "Has anyone heard of the complaints, or worries, or those that share their worlds with Romulan settlements? Starfleet is hardly going to publish anything that may prove it was a bad idea..." he felt some eyes on him, not all as he knew Matewa was clenching his jaw. "All I'm saying is that this group wouldn't have been formed if there wasn't a need, or a feeling, it was required to protect Federation interests. The Federation isn't infallible, they can make mistakes. Not acting sooner to evacuate Romulus was one, not assisting Bajor sooner being another... and not to poke the bear but our arrogance in just strolling through the Bajoran wormhole feeling we had the right to explore wherever we wanted ended up bringing a war onto our doorsteps with the Dominion. You can argue all you want that we are a peaceful and exploratory organization but those that aren't on the ground and have lost sight of where they came from don't care where they push us as long as they benefit whether that be from technologies, minerals and anything that makes them look good."

"The Whisperers could use better PR people, because Kes isn't wrong about the literature they're putting out. We have replication technology, we have more than enough resources to give aid to make sure their people don't starve to death and to help them rebuild," Dashku had the sudden realization that being one of two full Lieutenants and a bridge officer she was likely the ranking officer and this couldn't turn to blows on her watch or she'd get the logical ass chewing. "However, letting a bunch of Romulans settle near by? Even I would have a problem with that and I grew up on an Orion world and we did not have the boarder in fighting the Romulans and Federation did. The Romulans are by no means innocent, I would fully expect to find grievances between the Federation colonies and the Romulans ones. If they weren't being addressed, violence might have felt like their only option. Sometimes violence is necessary. A government lightyears away decided to allow this, without thought of the unintended consequences. When you add in the feeling of being unheard it is a recipe for disaster. If we can't see their perspective and go at them guns blazing, the blood shed will get worse. The Cardassians and the Dominion slaughtered the Maquis, is that really what we want to become? That doesn't mean we're going to let them continue to terrorize civilians or that any of us think killing kids is justifiable but we are not judge, jury and executioner. It is not our job to give anyone what they deserve."

"We just had a Romulan Captain threaten to haul all of us on trial if we did not meet his demands. Even after giving their people aid he still sees suspicion around every corner and we have the means to fight back. Imagine living under that threat without sitting on a starship like the Moore."

Tollan took all of these various points of views in. Thanks to the Yara symbiont, he had enough knowledge and experience to know this was a complicated matter. Something like this had never happened in the Federation but had in others. He looked at the Orion woman. "I think this whole situation has proved that governments do not speak for their people," He commented bluntly before addressing the group as a whole. "Starfleet is a humanitarian organization, Lieutenant, as much as it is a military one. You're right, it's not our duty to carry out justice. It's not Starfleet's purpose. Our purpose is one of peaceful exploration and diplomacy. That includes helping those in need when asked and when it doesn't violate the Prime Directive. Are we going to abandon that duty simply because some other organization like the URC has chosen to take up the cause? Turn a blind eye and think of what is best for us? Then we are no different than everyone you just mentioned. Starfleet is a Federation organization and we failed it's citizens, both those hurt in the attack and these Whisperers." He said calmly but a trace of sadness in his voice before showing his cards. "Two pair."

Looking at her cards as she listened to the other officers and NCO’s talk, Liana gave a sigh before standing up, “prime directive? Just a line on a map to those you can’t help” she said before throwing her cards into the middle of the table face up, “one pair and I’m out” she announced before turning to Kes, “I wasn’t born in an engine room Lieutenant, I was born under a Cardassian boot heal to a people who disposed me for things outside of my control. I’d bet I have a far better understanding of what these whisperers are feeling then most Starfleet Captains. And with that said, I’m going back to my job making sure you have a ship to return to after giving these federation citizens ‘what they deserve’ as you say. Excuse me.” With that, Liana turned and walked out of the room. To be honest, she was removing herself from the conversation before her temper got the better of her. This was why she had chosen to be an Engineer in the first place. No political crap.

The Trill doctor could see that the young engineer was upset. And glancing around the table, it appears a lot of people were quite heated by the conversation. In an attempt to lighten the mood, he called out to the Bajorian/Cardassian hybrid. "Hey Lieutenant, I know with them all you could," gesturing to the rest of the poker players and pantomiming an explosion, "But not me, right?" He said with an exaggerated smile and pointing at himself, feigning concern for his safety. "I mean it's one thing if someone flips over the table and starts throwing punches. I guess that's my job now to clean up. Who's going to do that if I'm not here?" He asked sarcastically, trying to break the tension and remind everyone they are friends.

Pausing for a moment at the doorway, Barru took a breath in before just walking away. The last thing she needed to do right now, especially after starting on a new ship, was to cause problems with the other officers on the ship.

"Four of a kind." Kes said without much emotion. He stared at Liana as she walked away. As far as he was concerned, he knew all he needed to know about these Whisperers. After a second he looked back to the doctor. He'd seen real fights amongst soldiers and allies before. Tension and stress could cause even the best of friends to snap at each other. "You'll be earning your kept on this mission before it's over I'm sure."

"Ach crap." Matewa threw down his cards revealing a pretty poor hand in comparison. "This is why I shouldn't gamble." he then became very interested in his beer. "At least you look after me."

 

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