PNPC Master Gunner Sergeant Hesan: Best to just eat it...

[Tomas Falt]

OCC: Scene still open to anyone who likes the idea of possibly joining in a bar fight!

((Somewhere Downtown, Arinol City, Bolarus IX))

Nan turned to her newly arrived companion whom she recognised as Lieutenant Tanner. She had a broad smile on her face as her senses were being assailed by a myriad of exotic smells and sounds emanating from nearby. They were standing at the edge the area she wanted to explore, a place of dark alleys, street food stalls and dingy bars.

Hesan: I've been told this is a rather seedy but exciting area of downtown Arinol. Much better than the clinical and rather stale shops and such you find elsewhere. Shall we go explore?

Tanner: Sure

Nan held up a hand, subconsciously giving a Marine signal to hold.

Hesan: Apparently this part of the city can be a bit rough around the edges, as lawless as a Federation world can be. Nothing we can't handle, but watch you six.

Not that Nan, who was nearly the size of a Hirogen, was expecting anyone to cause her trouble personally. No, usually she was the one causing trouble. 

Tanner: Appreciate the heads up.

She noted that the Lieutenant sounded remarkably non-plussed by the situation as they headed deeper into the maze of alleys, street food stalls and questionable bars. Nearby a food vendor was shouting something in rapid-fire Bolian, too fast for the universal translator, but likely related to the purple skewers he was waving around.

Jackson:  Well… that smells questionable in the best possible way.

He nodded toward the stall and the two set out. As they neared Nan noticed a Bolian working on a floating water condenser. After decades of operating, and more importantly surviving, in environments where people were trying to kill her she had learned to quickly assess people, and this Bolian was definitely doing his best to try and covertly watch them. She wasn’t overly concerned as his stance was also unquestioningly Starfleet, but she decided to keep an eye on him all the same.

Hesan: Colourful too! It’s not every day you eat something purple...

Tanner: If we’re diving into the ‘sketchy but exciting’ part, might as well start with whatever that is.

The Lieutenant stepped forward and purchased one of the skewers. Nan stepped in behind him and did the same. As she stepped back from the stall she saw the human officer studying his purchase.

Hesen: I find it’s often better simply to eat food like this than study it too much. If nothing else it might try and crawl away if you wait too long.

Tanner: ::Smiling.:: Lieutenant Jackson Tanner, we’ve never really met I don’t think. 

Hesan: Master Gunnery Sergeant Nan Hesan, but most folks just call me Gunny. Good to meet you.

As she introduced herself she watched as the Bolian that had been working on the condenser approached them. 

Tensjal: Oh, Misters, you have to appreciate the chemistry! :: Krinn suddenly chirped, his voice reaching an annoying high note.:: That vivid violet hue? It’s not just a dye. It’s a localized reaction between the bioluminescent algae from the lower trenches and the high protein content of the meat! It’s a deep-ocean sand cleaner worm, a delicious delicacy! When it hits the heat, the cells undergo a rapid, light emitting oxidation. It’s essentially a miniature supernova on a stick!

Nan watched impassively as the Bolian leaned in close to her still-sizzling skewer. She mentally added “no concept of personal space” to her previous observation “terrible at covert surveillance.”

Tensjal: In fact,:: he continued, his smile widening until it looked like it might split his face, sniffing :: if my calculations on the local pH levels are correct, the flavor should be quite... explosive. Metaphorically. Mostly. It’s the closest thing to eating a nebula that you’ll find in this sector! Behaware of the acidity.

Nan, who’d eaten far more disgusting, foul and slimy things when forced too just gave him a look. She doubted anything that she said would shut him up anyway.

Any / Tanner: Response

Tensjal: Misters! Beware of the acidity! Bolians have much higher acidity levels in our saliva, so our food is far more acidic than human food. Ocean Sandworms fluids may be too acid for your stomachs.

Hesan: I’m sure we’ll be fine.

In the hope that it would finally shut the Bolian up she put the entire skewer into her mouth. Gripping the stick between her teeth she pulled it out, depositing all the purple meat and associated accompaniments into her mouth in one go. She began to chew thoughtfully. 

Hesan: It’s certainly hot! 

Any / Tanner: Response

She continued chewing, noting the sensation of the acid tingling on her tongue. A flavour explosion followed seconds later, like a grenade going off in her mouth. She finished chewing and swallowed, trying to think of the words to describe what she’d just eaten.. 

Hesan: That’s a unique flavour. Less unpleasant than… explosively odd?

Any / Tanner: Response

She wasn’t sure if her comments had offended the newly arrived Bolian, he’d certainly seemed extremely enthusiastic about the dish she’d just described as odd. She looked down at him.

Hesan: I notice you’ve been following us, but you’re yet to tell us who you are?

Tensjal: Response

Any / Tanner: Response

Nan had already been certain the Bolian was Starfleet, she still had no idea why he’d been eavesdropping though.

Hesan: Good to meet you. I’d introduce myself but I’m sure you were listening to us before…

She let the question hang in the air, wondering if the Ensign would answer it or not.

Tensjal / Tanner / Any: Response.

Hesan: Well, I think a drink is in order after a meal like that. ::pointing towards a nearby bar:: shall we?

The bar in question, with its exaggerated symbols and architectural decoration heavy on stone and metal, was unmistakable Klingon. Nan didn’t know any Bolian, but she could read Klingon without a translator and smirked as she read the sign.

oO Chang’s Revenge… someone has a sense of humour. Oo

She took a step towards the bar, just as a large Klingon in full warrior dress smashed backwards through a window and landed heavily on the ground. His groans mixed with the sounds of loud music and a brawl that were emanating from the now shattered aperture.

Nan was on her last shore leave before her transfer, and something about an old-fashioned bar fight appealed to her. 

Hesan: Looks like someone’s having fun…

Tensjal / Tanner / Any: Response.

TAG / TBC

Master Gunnery Sergeant Nan Hesan

Marine Recon

As simmed by

Commander Tomas Falt                          

Strategic Operations Officer - 13th Fleet

USS Eagle

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