Top of the Morning

The bar was half filled with some mingling Starfleet officers and civilians this morning, but only two young gentlemen were seeming to have a good time sitting up at the bar by themselves.

"Hey Jonsey, try not to get yourself in trouble in the first week.” One of them announced loudly. “A raucous evening of head-butting with a female Klingon is not an acceptable date for a newly polished Starfleet Officer !"

"Ah, but you know the old saying.. ´When in Rome´" Jonsey replied before taking a hearty gulp to finish off his drink. "'Keep... another blood wine please !"

"Argh, I don't know how you can keep that stuff down. Me, I'll take my wonderful dark, brooding, frothy hops." Jonsey's companion commented.

"Ah, but see this is the breakfast of champions and the booze of warriors ! HA," Came Jonsey's reply, with a slightly intoxicated swagger. "It's too bad you will be plodding along through the back wastes of space while I get the chance to mix it up with some Klingons."

Patrick finished off his drink and with a twinkle in his eye and a big grin turned to his now ex-roommate. "Unfortunately, lad, all you will be mixing up is some Lieutenant's paperwork."

"HA Cheers to that Pappy ! I'll have that Lieutenant all mixed up from the get go !" More bloodwine disappeared down the hatch. "So, when are you heading out, or have you already missed your appointment to grog it up with me for old times' sake ?"

"Soon enough, that's for sure. I still haven't found out much on this Federation Ambassador T'Plek, but I have got a little background information on the vessel I'll be serving on. Go ahead and guess the species of the CO's."

"Hrmm... well.... I'd have to go with Human aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-nd............. "

"Nope. Get this - Trill, a Romulan half-breed, and a Caitian."

"Caitian ! How Purrrrrrrrfect." Jonsey exclaimed a little too loudly.

"Good one .... but just don't use it as an opening line.” Patrick complimented his friend. “But the Romulan is an odd one - half Romulan, half Bajoran. It's a strange set-up, as this T'Kul is not only the First Officer, but also the Chief Intelligence Officer. Talk about mixing it up. She'll be the first one I have to report to, so I'll just get an advance preview of what is in store for this cruise."

"Well, I always said you should have become a security officer, not a diplomatic officer, Pappy. A lot less talking means a lot less chance to get in trouble," Jonsey exclaimed with a slap on the back. "Now, unfortunately, I have to get back home to the folks for the Last Supper, as I like to call it, before I ship out. In the meanwhile, be sure to send over a few communiqués my way. And I'll be sure to keep you posted about my life on a Starbase."

"Oh, and I'm sure you'll have some grand stories to tell, too," Patrick replied, shaking hands. "Now off with you and be sure to say hello to that sister of yours for me."

With that, Jonsey exited the bar with a grin and a wave as Patrick returned to his seat for a few minutes with nothing but a sip left in his glass and a growing curiosity on his assignment.

Patrick always realized the Diplomatic Department of Starfleet has never been the glory spot, but it was still respected as a "support" position, nonetheless. There's a certain pride in the fact that DO's, the diplomatic officers, are the nexus of interactions between the Federation Council and its administration and the whole of Starfleet out in the field.

Patrick felt odd about having a Romulan for a first officer and wondered how Starfleet ever got around to letting a Romulan, certainly a species with a less than stellar record of not only societal but also individual, relations with the Federation hold such a high rank. Certainly, her position as Chief Intelligence Officer gives her access to restricted information, certainly higher than his own security clearance, which was another cause of personal concern.

*Well, Pappy me boy, this should be an interesting endeavor,* he thought as he concluded his drink and walked to the door. *Let's hope I at least get my own office space*