Meeting the COB
Posted on Tue Apr 19th, 2022 @ 4:42pm by Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr & Captain Edmund Merrick
2,024 words; about a 10 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: After 11
Timeline: MD007 - 2100 Hours
So sitting in his quarters, Merrick looked at the roster of those who were the crew on the USS Pioneer. His eyes stopped on the Chief of the Boat. He hadn't even contacted the man as of yet. Didn't really know much about the man at all. Except his name. Did he even meet him at the celebration at The Breakers? Edmund was irritated at himself. He sent a message to Barr,
"Sir, what is your location and care to grab a drink? I'm remiss in meeting you and would like to take care of that. -1st Lieutenant Merrick.
Lachlan was running on the treadmill in the gym. It was something he did to clear his head and it worked just as well at tiring him out after shift. The idea of falling into bed without a beautiful woman was not appealing but options on a starship were more limited than that of being docked somewhere shiny.
His watch chirped and as he pressed the viewing button a holo-image of a message from Lt. Merrick appeared.
"Computer, reply with following message. I'm in the gym finishing a run, I can meet you in After 11 in 30 minutes? And send." He spoke through the breaths he took from running.
A return reply was an agreement.
After 11
Merrick was seated at the bar waiting for Lachlan's arrival. He was nursing a drink, his glass filled with rum, lost in thought.
Walking into After 11 Lachlan spotted Merrick at the bar. He'd never met the man but knew marines a mile off by how they sat, that and he'd seen his service file photograph. That helped a lot.
Propping himself up on the seat next to him he spoke as Merrick turned. "Nice to meet you Lieutenant. We must have kept missing each other." Lachlan said extending a hand.
Edmund gave a slight start then smiled taking the COB's hand. "Thanks for meeting with me. I've been exploring the ship and also Empok Nor, something I do when I get to a new assignment." lifting his glass to his lips and taking a drink. He lowered the glass down, taking a look at Lachlan, then Edmund asked, "How long have you been on the Pioneer?"
Their handshake was firm, as it should be, and Lachlan propped himself up on the seat by the bar. "Chloe, give us a pint please." he asked before listening to Edmund speak.
"Ah its no trouble." Lachlan said in reference to meeting him. "I've been on board probably not much longer than you. Had to wait for them to come to Empok Nor just like yourself so this is my first time on board as well. Quickly found me way to the bar though, got to see if the place has a good enough pub for me to stay." he joked.
"I would think that it does have a good pub to keep both you and I to stay. The owner here is rather lovely, and makes the atmosphere rather pleasant." lifting his glass towards Chloe. "She is rather smart and savvy, someone not to take advantage of."
"Oh aye, she's dangerous that one." Lachlan laughed as Chloe brought herself over.
"Back again, Sergeant?" Chloe asked.
"Can never keep a good man down love. I'll have a pint when yer ready. What're you having Merrick?" Lachlan asked.
"I'm having a Scottish heavy ale, I do like the flavor." Edmund replied. "Something my grandfather introduced me to. And I loved it." giving a smile. "I do drink rum as well but tonight, an ale."
"Sounds like your grandfather was a smart man. Anything that comes out of my country is pretty good." Lachlan nodded as he went through a list in his head.
"Yes, you DO like rum quite a bit." Chloe chipped in before passing them their drinks.
"Aye that I do. My Grandfather lives in what is called Dunedin, New Zealand. Dùn Èideann named for Edinburgh. Grandfather calls it a piece of Scotland he raises Highland Cattle whose heritage can be traced to Scotland." Edmund replied with some pride.
"Beautiful country as well. New Zealand is a lot like Scotland in many ways, but I still prefer my homeland." he said with a smile. "Nothing beats bracing cold, rain pelting your face and then the sun coming out and blue skies appearing. All weather systems in one day. Canny beat it."
"True, you do speak truth there." Merrick responded with a smile and a lift of his glass. I've been there, to Scotland, Edinburgh. Had to see what it was like, and it was beautiful."
"Aye, the castle has been a tourist attraction for hundreds of years... if you went there. Edinburgh was always the more touristy destination, a nicer and cleaner people... East coast people always fare better even now. I am Glasgow born and bred, as have most of my family been." Lachlan replied proudly.
Edmund raised his glass towards Lachlan, "Hear, hear. To family." he said then took a drink, he then lowered his glass and looked at Lachlan. "What's your favorite all time activity you like to do? Well besides enjoying a good drink."
"Might be a bit random, but hill walking. Just being out in the open air, or simulated in my case most of the time. There is nothing more exhilarating than pushing yourself to reach the summit of the highest mountain and traverse through dense jungle terrain." Lachlan replied, his mind casting back to many a walk over hills and valleys. "What about yourself sir? Surely bar hopping isn't one of them?" he asked.
"Well I do like bar hopping yes." giving a bit of smile, "However I've got other interests, do a little bit of creative arts, like painting and drawing. I cook and like to go camping." Edmund raising his glass towards Lachlan. "I like to go sailing also, both in the holo suite and when I go visit home."
"Sailing is nice, I do like a good drinking party on a boat." Lachlan grinned. "Sea breeze, cold beer and the rocking of a ship in the middle of nowhere. What's not to love?" he asked rhetorically.
"I agree whole heartedly, what's not to love, unless you toss in a couple of bathing beauties then it makes it even better." flashing a smile. "I had taken a group of models out for a photo shoot on a sailboat, the scenery was very beautiful, to say the least." Edmund raised his glass to his lips taking a drink.
"Sounds like my kind of party." Lachlan grinned. "Oh I'm sure the scenery was amazing, can promise you I'd be probably... maybe looking at what's outside the boat." he hinted at he's more or less going to be looking at the women and not the water.
"Oh indeed the scenery was amazing, nothing beats looking at mermaids and watching them at play." he paused and then leaned in to quietly say, "but mind you never get the mermaids angry, they can drown a poor man if you don't watch out." giving a wink. "One lad, thought he could get a bit handsy with one and soon found out they were dangerous." he shook his head, "I had to go in and rescue him from the ladies."
"Mermaids eh?" Lachlan said as he scratched the back of his neck. "I have heard the tales of mermaids, how they are not as fair and beautiful as some fairy tales depict them. Got to treat them like you would any woman, tread lightly, don't piss them off and always have a back up exit plan." he grinned.
"Aye, I've read that as well. The bathing beauties that were having the photo shoot, were dressed as mermaids, also the group called themselves Mermaids. It was amazing to see them perform. I do have images of them if you'd like to see them sometime." Merrick remarked. "Quite a talented group of ladies."
"Sure, they sound like quite the bunch of people." Lachlan admitted. He'd take any scantily clad woman, fake tail or not. "Need to ask though mate... Aussie or a Kiwi? I always get the accents mixed up?" he asked in reference to where Merrick was from.
"I'm a kiwi" Merrick having an amused smile, "I have a question for you, do you have any tips where the ladies are concerned? I know its out of the blue but, perhaps you can have some advice on how not to be so awkward."
"Don't be yourself?" Lachlan asked rhetorically with a hint of a joke in there. "I'm not sure I'm the best person to ask... but look we are both good looking guys. Let them talk, buy them drinks, say nice things to them. Works for me." Lachlan added thinking to himself. "Act like you care... you don't always have to... sometimes they want what you want too and that is just a good old release."
"That is something that I ...." Edmund paused. "Maybe I am making myself too awkward on purpose. The ladies like me I suppose. And I like the ladies but, I cause myself to crash and burn in that department. I look but just don't touch, much." he rubbed the back of his neck. He gave a shrug.
"You didn't seem to have much trouble talking to Chloe." Lachlan offered somewhat of a positive outlook for the man. "But maybe you weren't thinking too much then. After all, Chloe is pretty easy to talk too... sometimes you even forget she's a woman." Lachlan laughed.
"I couldn't forget she is a woman." giving a smile, "She's easy to talk to, and definitely lovely to look at. I just... looked and didn't touch." Edmund giving a shrug. "Just didn't feel like taking advantage, not going to say there wasn't any interest. Just... didn't feel right to me."
"I can promise you that you would not be the one that was taking advantage Merrick. I have heard the Chloe has her own set of rules and often chews men up for fun... so I wouldn't be afraid getting your hands dirty. With her, or anyone else. After all, ship life can be quite lonely when you spend all your time with the same group of people." Lachlan admitted.
"I suppose it can get lonely, at times it does. I just haven't... sought out much company in that way. I get lonely I go to a bar just to see people then head on home alone." he paused then laughed ruefully. "And here I am just whining up a storm. I've got to get out of that habit. My apologies for that. Much better things to talk about than my 'woe is me complaints.' Too much out there to see instead of bemoaning what I am not allowing myself to do. May go back to my quarters and see if I can catch the latest in the Rugby matches."
"Rugby?" Lachlan asked. "How about this... we take a few 6 packs for the road and see what games we can catch up on? I'm not a woman, but I will go home with you." he joked.
Edmund laughed, "Why then that sounds like an excellent idea. Good company, good drink and hopefully some good games." giving a grin. He looked over at Lachlan, "definitely a good idea." clapping the man on his shoulder.
"I've been known to have a few from time to time... oddly they always involve alcohol." He chuckled to himself. "Well Merrick, lead the way." Lachlan said rising from his stool at the bar.
Merrick gave a nod, and paid for the beers. "Thanks Chloe." he said and with the six packs of beers in hand, he headed out of After 11 with Lachlan. This seemed like it was going to be a good start of a friendship.
Master Sergeant Lachlan Barr
Chief of The Boat, USS Pioneer
First Sergeant, The Cure
First Lieutenant Edmund Merrick
The Cure Executive Officer, USS Pioneer
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