Lieutenant JG Mika: One and Done

[Hal Mika]

((Recreation Deck #2, Level 27- DS26))

:: Hal had sort of zoned out as he thought back on the mission. It was still difficult to believe everything that had happened. ::

Lor: Thank you for the abridged version anyway, Counselor.  ::He raised his condensation covered glass; the watery ice rattling with it.:: The bar is calling me again. I'll see you around.

:: Shaken from his ruminations, Hal looked back up at the man. ::

Mika: It was nice to meet you, Doctor. I look forward to working with you.

:: With that, Lor was gone, leaving Hal to muse on his adventure through time was again. He was sure how long he was standing there before he heard his roommate’s voice and turned to see him approach. ::

Dakora: Congratulations Hal! ::He extended one of the glasses towards him:: Or should I call you Sir?

Mika: :: He chuckled :: No need, Talos. I’m not much for rank anyway. What do have there?

:: Hal gestured to the glasses in Talos’ hands. It looked like water, but knowing Talos, Hal found that extremely unlikely.  ::

:: Talos looked down at the glass with a devious grin.::

Dakora: It's tequila, a celebratory Klingon drink... I think. ::He let a look of feigned worry play across his face.:: If you don't drink yours, then I'll have to drink both and you wouldn't want to make me do that, right?

Mika: I bet you could handle it.

:: Hal braced himself as he accepted the drink; he didn’t drink very often and he could imagine what Klingons did to their alcohol. ::

::Talos held his shot up in a salute of sorts.::

Dakora: To Lieutenant Hal Mika!

:: As he raised the small glass, Hal shuddered both in anticipation to the sensation of the drink as well as the use of his new rank. It was something that was going to take getting used to. Before he could hesitate, Hal tossed the contents of the shot into his mouth, swallowing as quickly as he could. The tequila burned in his mouth and down his throat. It was enough of a shock for the novice drinker that he had to cough. ::

::Talos set his now empty glass on a nearby table, and turned back to Hal.::

Dakora: Hey man, a new pip is worth celebrating. ::He laughed to himself.:: Speaking of things worth celebrating, I'm probably not going to be home tonight, so don't wait up for me.

Mika: What, I’m not a good enough bunkmate?

::He waggled his eyebrows at the Ba'ku counselor before risking a glance towards Aitas, who had joined Whittaker's party.::

Dakora: Oh, she's apparently good friends with the Captain, severely outranks me and is two or three times stronger than me....::He screwed up his face in mock indecision.:: I may be dead or demoted tomorrow, but you know... ::He grinned.:: Worth it.

Mika: :: Hal shook his head and smiled :: As they say on Earth, “carpe diem.”

::A glance at the chronometer on his wrist told Talos that he needed to get a move on.::

Talos: Well, it looks like I've gotta run. ::He reached out and clasped Hal on the shoulder.:: Enjoy yourself, you've earned it.

Mika: Thanks, Talos.

:: As Talos left, Hal scanned the room, twirling the shot glass on the table before him with one finger. People were talking and drinking and generally seemed to be having a good time. But Hal was ready to call it quits. It had been an eventful day and he needed some time to process. He stopped the glass, stood and made for the exit. ::

((And that’s it for Hal and the Blackwell!))

--
Lieutenant J.G. Hal Mika
Counselor
USS Blackwell
NCC 58999
Andaris Task Force
A239504HM0