JL | Capt Ivanova, Norbert Bernard III - "The Edge of Reason"

Posted on Fri Sep 26th, 2014 @ 3:45am by Admiral Rochelle Ivanova

1,823 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Are You Touched?
Location: The After Dark Lounge

It wasn't often Rochelle ever dared to bring herself down to After Dark, in fact the moment she slipped through the doors marked only second such occasion she'd ever done so. Cecil had mentioned something about the food being excellent and Norbert, the weasel, had something she wanted.

In the back of her mind, as she passed by several civilian patrons who nervously eyed her every move, she couldn't help but wonder if Norbert was simply playing some role, some characteristic trope that she was simply failing to put her finger on, or if he really was the little worm so many of her officers had claimed he was. "Mr. Bernard." She greeted him with a smile when she found him behind the bar, "it seems providence has favored you with a booming business on my ship." Polite as ever, the young woman hopped onto an empty stool and folded her hands neatly in her lap. Two could play his game.

Norbert stood at the computer screen behind the bar, working and planing his financial future. His mind transfixed on the readouts. Symbols representing dozens of different currencies--Ferengi, Bajoran, Bolian, Yridian, and others decorated the screen. Latinum conversion factors competed with production assessments for importance. Treasury inventory quantities, exchange rates, and tallies of monies in circulation aligned themselves in rows and columns. Norbert had instructed the computer to emit a beeping tone once certain financial conditions were met at which point he would make the deal of a lifetime.

He was however so caught up in this financial game that he completely failed to see the Captain as she approached. Her voice caused him to jump.

"Captain", Norbert said surprised. "What a pleasure to see you down here", he scrambled his hands to exit the computer screen. He moved away from the computer and stood directly across from her, "It's been too long". He smiled at her inquisitively, "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit?" he asked.

The man should have been born a Ferengi, of this Rochelle was certain as she canted her head ever so slightly to watch his new little song and dance. The way he'd jumped at the sound of her voice had been entertainment enough, it was always good to keep the crane-man on his toes. Always. "A couple things, really." She replied, sugar sweet. "We'll start with the least important reason. My yeoman can't stop raving about how wonderful the food is here so I figured I'd see what all the fuss was about first hand. What do you recommend?"

This woman should have been born a Klingon, Norbert mused in his mind. She was much too aggressive for his taste. Or perhaps it wasn't so much aggressiveness as confidence. Either way, women should be at home tending to the children and keeping house, definitely not commanding a star ship. "Oh you must try the Kahdorian spice rolls", he said deviously, thinking of the spiciest food the lounge served. "They are fantastic", he held out his hand and pinched his thumb against his pointer finger as he said it.

The Captain chuckled lightly at the suggestion and shook her head, "Come now, Mr. Bernard, my poor palate would be torn apart by that." She tutted gently and leaned in close, "Besides, how improper would it be to send me back to the bridge teary eyed and red faced?" The woman winked. He was clever, just not quite clever enough to run the circles around her that he seemed to wish he could. "The answer is very."

She was fire, of that he could be certain -- but the burn only came to those who it was justified in scorching. A woman like her most certainly wasn't cut from the cloths used to scrub a kitchen. No. She was bred from stock meant to shine like the stars themselves. Norbert was but a thorn in her shapely side, but an important thorn that could serve a purpose in crew morale. "I hear you make a mean sandwich." This time her grin was genuine. Treats from Earth were rare and it was no secret that she was homesick. Yet another powerful link and score for for the crane, though she'd never admit it.

Norbert laughed, he was certain she would have taken the challenge, if only to prove how tough she was, instead she released the bait and removed her armor. 'Careful', he thought to himself, 'it must be a trick.'

He thought for a second and looked back at the Captain. "I know just the thing, its greasy and looks horrendous but your crew can't seem to get enough of it", he plopped down a menu on the bar and pointed. "Meatball Sandwich", he said with a smirk, "Made with the finest imported real beef and smothered with mozzarella and marinara on a french roll". It had all the greasy goodness of a neighborhood Italian Deli in New York wrapped into one artery-clogging sandwich.

Her eyes lit up, widening at the sight of such a delicacy appearing on paper. "Done deal." Rochelle replied brightly, practically chirping her words. It had been an honest dog's age since she'd wrapped her little hands around such a concoction, her final year at the Academy to be exact. "To keep it authentic, I'll have a Coke as well." The woman's excitement as hard to contain at how After Dark was panning out to be the experience she'd been promised it would be.

"Wonderful", Norbert said then turned to relay the order to the kitchen where it would be cooked, not replicated. One of the things he prided himself on here at The After Dark was ensuring that the vast majority of the items on the menu were made to order, it meant that customers would have to wait a little longer for their orders, but it made all the difference in the world to the taste of the food.

After entering in the order for the kitchen he reached into the mini fridge under the bar and pulled out an ice cold bottle of Coca Cola and placed it in front of Rochelle with a glass of ice. This too was a favorite among the crew.

"And now that we have the prerequisites done, let's move on to reason number two, shall we?" She asked, looking back up at the crane-man's face.

"Would you like a little Spiced Rum with that Coke?", Norbert asked attempting to delay whatever it was that was coming.

"You know I can't drink while on duty." Rochelle tutted lightly, omitting the fact that she hadn't a care for the spirit regardless of whether or not she was in uniform. "But that's more or less what I'm wanting to talk to you about. You see we'll be having a bit of a party right around Halloween. Award ceremony and a ship-wide celebration is tradition." At least it had been one on the Griffin and old habits died hard. "I was hoping that you'd be interested in providing the refreshments seeing as the entire ship is buzzing about the services you provide here."

This was where things would become interesting and the crane would either puff up and accept with an air of arrogant nobility or turn into a snake waiting to inject his venom into her veins. It was her chance to set her budding suspicions aside and give him the benefit of the doubt, at least for the sake of her crew and their morale.

Dollar signs raced across Norberts eyes as a small smile began to infect his face. "And of course I would be payed for my services correct?" he asked, running his fingers through his hair.

"Out of my own pocket." Rochelle nodded in agreement. Expecting him to provide a service out of the kindness of his own heart was simply too much to ask for. She knew this the moment she'd even considered asking him.

Norberts eyes widened and the wheels in his brain churned. "I wouldn't dream of taking your money Captain", The lounge manager answered. "I will provide the service for your party free of charge, just consider it a personal favor.".

He turned as the completed Meatball Sandwich was called out by the chef from the kitchen and after accepting the plate he placed it on the bar in front of Rochelle. "One Meatball Sandwich". He added.

"Ah, but I can't accept it as a personal favor." The Captain replied, watching the man and the gears turning in his head. She could almost see the smoke and steam coming from his ears. "What we can do, however, is consider it an open house of sorts for After Dark. A way for the crew and attending Starfleet dignitaries to see how lucky the Vindicator is to have your expertise on board." Now she pandered to him, coaxing the strange bird-like man forward, "I imagine, if this goes according to plan, that I could suggest that a sister lounge be given to you on one of the bigger stations or star bases."

The message was clear. Ivanova as an ally was a powerful thing. Ivanova as an enemy would be his undoing and the power she held as the Captain of the Vindicator would make or break him. She was willing to give him a chance, to allow him to clean his slate and start fresh with her, a rare opportunity not many had ever been given. Tristan would have been proud. Andrea would have laughed. Rochelle fanned at the steaming sandwich as it sat before her, impressed by the sight and heavily enticed by the scent of it. "What do you think? Do we have a deal?"

Norbert thought for a second. Regardless of how Rochelle wanted to make it sound, it sounded to him exactly like a favor for a favor. A trade that, at least on the surface seemed to be most beneficial financially to him, "that sounds", he paused not wanting to seem overly enthused, "Acceptable". He nodded his head, "Yes, I do believe we have a deal. I will arrange the most exquisite service for your Halloween ceremony, spare no expense."

"Perfect. I'll send my yeoman down with details once they're worked out." Norbert may have been a slimy little so and so, but deep down Rochelle honestly wondered if the man actually possessed a caring bone. She beamed, happy with their exchange, and wrapped her fingers around half of her sandwich, taking a bite out of good faith. It was fantastic. A worthy effort to endure and Cecil hadn't steered her wrong when he'd flitted about begging her to try the lounge now that it was complete. "That..." She began, dabbing her lips with her napkin, "Is heavenly." Second chances seemed to have their merits after all.


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Captain Rochelle Ivanova
Commanding Officer
USS VINDICATOR

&

Norbert Bernard III
Lounge Manager
USS Vindicator

 

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