This wasn't so bad Wallace thought as he left the office, he had received a few small gifts from a few members of his staff. Nobody made a real big deal about his birthday and that was how he liked it, nothing real important to him just a year older.
Richard walked out of the turbolift and headed to the Easy Inn. His plan was to head to his favorite table overlooking the whole promenade and enjoy an ale or two. Just relax and take the rest of this peaceful day and relax. The Easy Inn was busy as usual and Richard made his way to the bar where Lazarus was busy as usual. Wallace gave his usual bellow. "Synth Ale pint."
Lazarus turned his head and gave his friendly grin. "Good afternoon Admiral Wallace may I suggest something I just bought from Mister O'Donnell?"
"Depends what it is?"
"Something from Ireland called Guiness. Came in a wooden barrel."
Wallace gave a grin from ear to ear. It had been nearly 21 years since he had any Guiness. "I'll take a pitcher, and be snappy about it."
Wallace took his beer which resembled mud and his iced mug and headed towards he's table. He sat down with great joy and poured himself a pint of ale and took an extremely long drink drinking nearly the entire pint of beer.
"Happy Birthday Admiral." A voice said catching Wallace off guard with his moment of enjoyment in life that were few and far between. Richard turned to see Colonel Tarik standing with a box in his hand.
"Thank you Colonel come take a seat. Waiter bring my fine friend a empty pint glass." Wallace seemed rather joyful to Tarik for someone who a year earlier hated the birthday thing.
"Tarik you must try this earth Ale called Guiness. It's a brewery that is over 300 years old they still do it with the least amount of technology." The waiter brought a glass and Wallace poured Tarik's glass as he watched in amazement.
"Interesting Richard this looks like very unclean water."
"Ah it's just the hops and wheat and the aging process." Wallace handed Tarik his glass and the two toasted. "To wisdom" Tarik said giving a nice acknowledgment of Wallace's advance to a year older. The two drank the pint's and Tarik commented after his second glass. "This ale taste almost as good as Romulan Ale. Oh I forgot I have something for you Richard. It's from the men they wanted to say something with out the fuss of a ceremony.
Wallace open the lid to the box and inside was a plaque that held a K-Bar knife and on the blade in gold was in inscription. "Go ahead Admiral read it." Tarik insisted. Wallace began to read it aloud.
"To Rear Admiral Richard Wallace, as you've demonstrated your skill and bravery, more so then any other star fleet officer. We the Marine Corps detachment on Star Base 901 make you an official Marine. No Marine shall ever disgrace your name or reputation as long as we live. Semper Fi, 28 Expedtionary UFMC,2385." Wallace felt really touched by this little gift.
"Thank you Tarik."Wallace poured himself another glass of ale and drank it fast. Tarik and him sat at the Easy Inn and finished the pitcher of ale rather fast. Tarik had a slight buzz going he however didn't want to admit that an earth drink such as ale had affected his system. Wallace was literally half drunk. It had been so long since he had Guiness he had no idea that it affected him after only 9 pints of beer.
On the trip to Wallace's quarters some how Tarik broke into a chorus of the Marine Corps hymn. Wallace followed, then after the song was over Wallace broke into a Scottish song about death to Edward. Tarik followed along. A few dirty looks and questionable faces filled the hall way.
Once in Wallace's quarters Richard walked over to the wet bar and looked into the mirror there and saw his refection. "Well your another year older and alive." Wallace poured a glass of cunar and handed Tarik a glass. The night passed quickly the two sang and drank nearly all the bottles in Wallace's wet bar.