Lieutenant JG Ras El'Heem - House of Cards Pt. 1

[Ras El'Heem]

((Crew Lounge, Deck 4, USS Khitomer))

 

The tinge of competition in the air was palpable. He left his cards face down lest he let Semara know what his cards were.

 

El’Heem: I don’t know ensign, these two look like a back-alley shakedown.

 

Semara: Of course you can trust me.  We're the newbies here.  We gotta stick together.  Can't let these two run roughshod.

 

Matthews: Hey, hey now, I’m new and a fellow science guy. :: He mocked frowned ::

 

Zerva: ::raises a free hand:: Is it because I’m the security guy? Wait? Does that include me or the lieutenant running roughshod? ::looks at Matthews:: Cause I’m closer to the tactical department then the both of you in the sciences. Besides, it’s not like I’m the one over there comparing themselves to their supposed dark brooding sexy mirror universe counterpart.

 

El’Heem: What the hell is a roughshod?

 

The chuckles infected the table. It was good seeing the crew relax around each other. Ras could picture it now, when Shayne had retired, Hobart and Dewitt were off running their own ships. Ohnari, the new captain and Ras as the first officer. Everyone here in the room now, chiefs of their own departments. All with a history that extended beyond just being Starfleet officers together.

 

Matthews: Oh, I see, I see, it’s more make fun of Richards time. Fine, fine, it’s fine. 

 

Forza: Seems to me like you make it too easy sir. 

 

Zerva: ::smiling:: It’s only because we like you so much. Besides I never promised I wouldn’t bring up the subject of yesterday’s conversation. 

 

Michaels: Perhaps when this is over, Mr. Forza, you assist me in understanding that last exchange.

 

El’Heem: Funny, that’s a question you hear a lot when Matthews opens his mouth.

 

Zerva: Matthews brought it up. He was wondering what his mirror universe counterpart would look and act like. ::smiles:: I swooned over him like he was some famous rock star.

 

Matthews: :: Pointedly taking a sip of his own milkshake :: Just know, I remember who at least got me a shake. Only nice one of the lot of you. 

 

El'Heem: Didn’t…you get your own milkshake? I’m not sure ANY of us are nice enough to get one for you.

 

Matthews: :: Breaking out into giggles :: And this is why I can never transfer to intelligence, I can’t lie to save my life. You guys are great. But seriously, when can we switch to crazy 8s? Then you all will be going down. 

 

Zerva: Great, another game I’ll have to learn ::chuckles:: How’s about go fish instead? That’s a card game I know I have a chance of winning.

 

El'Heem: We haven’t even finished the first hand and you’re already done? This is just like when we played Darts last shore leave. Never play games with this guy, I tell ya.

 

Matthews: :: Getting distracted :: Mind, when I first started playing, dad had a deck of monkey inspired cards, and you played Crazy Apes with it. Oooooh I wonder if the replicator could make a pack of those? 

 

Forza: God I hope not.

 

Zerva: Well technically the replicators can make just about anything.

 

That’s what Ras was always saying! How do you forget that the replicator can make whatever you want? It’s not rocket science. He leaned back in his chair.

 

El'Heem: If you want to play with ape themed cards, I wouldn’t care as long as we could keep playing Texas Hold ‘Em.

 

Matthews: Sorry, easily distracted. Shiny objects, food, pretty people. Which is why we have to stop joking about strip poker guys. It’s mean — unless the marines show up. But I digress.

 

Forza: ::raised eyebrow:: If the Marines show up Mr. Matthews, then I believe this game will stop being so innocent. 

 

Zerva: ::blinks multiple times in his direction smirking:: You think I’m pretty Richard? ::to Forza:: I’ve worked with the marines before, losing your clothes is the last thing I’d worry about with them. Trust me it won’t be innocent.

 

El'Heem: This is why everyone keeps insinuating someone’s going to lose their shirt, isn’t it?

 

Matthews: Don’t judge me, anyway, who won? They get to deal next. 

 

Richard’s impatience was showing. Actually, when was it not showing? The man had a penitent for immediacy, which was weird given his past.

 

Forza: ::leaning back to the table:: I call. And no one won, Matthews. Now we play the turn and the river. Then if everything goes the same, we do the showdown. ::raising his finger:: That’s where we see who won.

 

Zerva: The river?

 

Michaels: The last card placed in the middle is sometimes referred to as the river. I do not know why.

 

Semara: Well, let's see it...

 

El'Heem: Flip it Richard!

 

Richard proceeded with the ritual. Burn one, flip one. It was an act, he knew what he was doing. Maybe it was an attempt to hustle the others. Especially when strip poker was not off the table.

 

Ace of Spades.

 

Forza: Oh. Would you look at that.

 

Zerva: ::checking his cards after seeing the Ace:: I believe the first round started with you Matthews? It’s your turn. Call or raise? And then I think it’s El’Heem next?

 

Matthews: For the heck of it, I’m in! :: And he tossed in more candy :: 

 

Michaels: Interesting.

 

It didn’t do much for the doctor. He had half the mind to fold and play it safe. But they were playing for candy and what was it Hobart had said? “You don’t win anything.”

 

El’Heem: Alright, fine. I’ll call. Zerva’s in, I can tell. Semara, I’m not so sure.

 

Forza: Do you have the scruples for it?

 

Matthews: :: Muttering :: I’m scruples.

 

Zerva: ::places two more candies in on his turn:: I raise two candies. I was thinking? 

 

Matthews: :: Not looking up from his cards :: Did it hurt Ezra?

 

Michaels: Scruples? Are you attempting to insult ::beat:: someone?

Tags/TBC

Lieutenant JG Ras El’Heem

Medical Officer

USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)

K240106RE3