JP: Flt. Capt. Karrod Niac & Cmdr. Toryn Raga - The Changing of Seasons (PT1)
Karrod Niac
((‘Disco Inferno’ Roller Arena, The Farm, Endochronimas V))
The chamber was massive in size, at the center was a floor so polished and waxed that it almost acted like a refractory lens to the absurd number of lights of all colors that adorned the ceiling. They twisted and rotated, and lowered in just about any direction and he wasn’t even going to address the massive reflective ball recessed in the center of the ceiling. Apparently that was the ‘Disco ball’. A chest high railing surrounded the rink floor, cordoning off the various areas with seats, tables and benches. There was a large bar and even an adjoining kitchen where patrons could partake in allegedly ‘must have’ Human cuisine from the era this locale was inspired by. Toryn noted a lot of fried goods that would likely put Madame Thone into a coma.
A counter with an immense wall of individual cubbies was behind the counter with the “Check-In” sign above it. Housing boots with wheels affixed to the bottom either in a singular line or a more stable looking base of four wheels on each corner of the boot. And then there was the sound. The lights were bad enough on his eyes but the deep thrumbing bass of whatever Andorian Cubstep or whatever it was called filled the place. Between that and all the chaotic chirps, whistles and alerts coming from the decorative cabinets, something called ‘arcade games’, arrayed in places around the facility the sound was almost maddening.
It had taken Karrod a solid twenty minutes to explain to Toryn what a roller rink, or arena in this case, was and was for. Then another ten to explain roller skates and rollerblades to him. Why anyone would want to strap wheels to their boots was beyond him. Considering it was an ancient Human creation it made some sense. As they rarely did. He could see the value in ease of transportation since transporters weren’t a thing then. The fact they did this recreationally was interesting. It wasn’t as exciting as something else Karrod had compared it to that he probably assumed Toryn had heard of.
Raga: Ice skating? Wait…this same thing but on ice? How did no one ever tell me about this when I was on Earth for four years. My people would love that.
Karrod paused mid-explanation of a double salchow, his hands positioned to poorly pantomime the motion, and scratched his head.
Niac: You should know better than anybody how strange humans are about their cultural history. On some subjects like water polo or vineyards you can’t get them to shut up but ask about winter sport forms and suddenly everyone starts acting nervous. Apparently asking about something called a bobsled is a huge cultural taboo.
He leaned in, pitching his voice low….then returning it to its normal volume so he could be heard of the din of the thumping bass rattling his teeth.
Niac: I have a feeling it’s another one of those sporting events with a body count, like football…or was it soccer? Regardless, the specialists here at the Farm assure me that this location will be just the thing to put a capper on the crew's recuperation.
He felt one of his legs slide forward and had to grab the nearby railing to stabilize himself.
Niac: Assuming nobody breaks any bones.
Toryn stared at the roller skates that he’d been given based on his shoe size. They were snug, and it felt strange to have his feet slide out from under him like this. At least on the gaudy purple and blue carpet he didn’t have to worry about falling on his rump.
Raga: So the skates are like the single line ones? I suppose that makes sense. I doubt wheels would do much good on ice. At least the configuration of these should be quite stable.
He shrugged and took a few tentative, wobbling steps forward on the baffling and archaic locomotive devices.
Niac: Stable is not the first word that comes to mind. Lets just say I’m glad we’re already at the premiere medical facility in the sector.
Raga: And we’re supposed to wear these the entire time?
He glanced back at the massive wall of lockers for people to stow their footwear away while they were here. Given the look he got from the liberated Borg Gorn manning the check-in counter he wasn’t inclined to argue much.
Niac: My understanding from the staff is that these will add to the celebratory spirit of the event and allow the crew to easily access all the food and drink that has been arrayed on the perimeter of the rink…ring…oval…whatever…
He gestured broadly to the strangely thematic food choices, which appeared to be suitable for a juvenile birthday, inclusive of drifting holoballoons and authentically inexpensive looking paper hats.
He didn’t mind the dinosaur tablecloths, though. Those were classy. And educational.
Any further musing about the decorations were cut off as his left and right feet began separate journeys in wildly different directions, necessitating a windmilling of his arms as he grabbed again at the nearby safety railing.
Niac: Besides, the crew deserves it. And since we’ve got to head back to Starbase 67 tomorrow, it’ll be good to spend some time with them before we’re both off the ship for the better part of a month. Speaking of, is the Kurosawa prepped? I don’t want to make discovering explosives aboard a tradition for our little yacht excursions.
Raga: If you’re that worried about it I could always see if Myrtle is willing to swing by in Gott’s ship to pick us up. ::he remarked so very dryly:: But yes, it’s prepped.
He gave the man a look that said, very clearly and with some implied vulgarity, what he thought of that idea.
Niac: Maybe you should just walk there…it’s only a few hundred light years.
Raga: Good idea, Captain. If I walked, the meeting would be over before I got there. ::he grumbled::
Karrod laughed so loudly he nearly sent himself spinning to the floor. When he recovered what little remained of his dignity and got his knees pointed in the right directions he offered the man a smile.
Niac: It’s the burden of command, Commander. We’re forced to miss the first simple, straightforward survey mission the Ronin has been tasked with since we launched so that you and I can spend several weeks discussing the finer points of Consortium barbarity in great detail with a room full of Starfleet Security people who have been trained since birth to never smile. At least the ship will be in good hands. Makes me slightly less apprehensive about both of us being gone at the same time.
Toryn’s brow raised in that vulcanoid way at the comment about Starfleet Security people. Of which he was one. Well, had been one for many years.
Raga: I’ll have you know I was one of those people for a long time and I had no problems smiling. I just hope the crew will be alright without us. A month is a long time to be absent from anywhere but especially a ship in a warzone.
Karrod shrugged a bit to hide his own latent anxiety. He knew V’Len was more than capable but there was something deep in his bones that made leaving the Ronin in anyone's hands difficult. With a huff he found a small, reassuring smile.
Niac: With any luck they’ll be so bored they’ll barely notice we’re gone. Speaking of…::The doors at the far end of the Arena were opening and the first crewmembers stepped inside::..it’s about that time. Ready?
Raga: Always. ::he nodded::
[TBC!]
================================
Fleet Captain Karrod Niac
Commanding Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
V239509GT0
&
Commander Toryn Raga
First Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
Writer ID: A239410TR0
https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Toryn_Raga