Aces High (Part III of III)
Posted on Sun Sep 13, 2020 @ 7:12pm by Civilian 'Key Holder' Yolanthe Ibalin & Lieutenant Jason Haines & Lieutenant JG Ace Cannon
1,552 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Et In Arcadia Ego
Location: Box Of Delights
Timeline: MD 5, 1600
Previously in
Jason's escort snorted and said, "Word of advice, don't believe the words of advice coming from a deserter."
Jason laughed and put his drink down with one long draw from the glass.
"Well Petty", Jason said. "When you are the one getting raped by a psycho, I'll make sure not to break ranks and you can take your time and enjoy it."
She scowled at him, but said nothing.
"Top-up gentlemen?", Yolanthe's rich purr broke through the tension. She held up a large pitcher in a violet hand. "The usual, or something else?" she asked Jason, then nodded at Ace's martini glass. "Same again, or would you rather have it dirty?"
And now the conclusion
Ace grinned at Yolanthe, "I always like it dirty." He waited to see if Jason would explain anything more.
"Better make it a kava juice", Jason replied with a bit of a scowl on his face. "Otherwise, I'll say something stupid and Harry will show me a unique view of the door."
"So," Ace started, "sounds like you got quite the story to tell and sounds like the crowd doesn't care for it. Want to blow this popsicle stand?"
"Well, the Petty will be with us no matter where we go", Jason said with a shrug. "Seems command is concerned that someone will try to kill me, before I get to play bait for a killer. Here's as good of a place as any."
"Seems as good a place to die as any but I'd rather not," Ace told Jason.
"Well, let's got to the balcony level to finish the drinks", Jason said. "A much better view of the dabo girls!"
"I like the way you think," Ace responded, following Jason to the balcony.
Jason went upstairs and waved to Yolanthe as they passed the bar and pointed up. When they got there, Jason took a seat looking out over the gambling area.
Ace sat next to Jason and said, "It is good to know that you're on the look and no touching side of things. Wouldn't want to compete with a new friend. It isn't right."
Jason snickered and said, "Well, just because I am taken doesn't mean I am dead good sir. So, did you ask to come to this place or were you volun-told?"
"A bit of both," Ace answered. "I was bored on the Alexa and I heard that there might be some more mobility on a Starbase for an ops officer. So, after a random application, here I am."
"From experience", Jason replied. If you are looking for mobility here, shut up, be a good soldier-boy, and get the Betazoids to help you try and develop telepathy so you can read the Captain's mind, better yet, avoid the Captain altogether, staying away from the XO is advisable too. Most of your junior offers are pretty ok though."
"So, do my job, avoid the brass, and have fun off duty. Sounds like a perfect fit."
"No, stay away, really away from the Captain on or off duty", Jason said. "If she's on deck 6, go to deck 36."
"She's that bad? Does she just need to get laid?" Ace asked. "If she's hot, I might sacrifice myself for the good of the station."
"Well, let's see, example", Jason said. "I lost my composure and raised my voice a bit after having been told I had been dead the night before, even though I was upright and breathing, instead of reminding me of my place, she decided to throw me in the brig for a night."
"Definitely sounds like she needs several nights of service."
"As if", Jason said. "Even a Tholian would freeze down there."
Ace guffawed at that statement. "Well, then! I will take note of that!" He looked down on the dabo girls and asked Jason, "The one in the green, blonde, I'm betting green eyes, and the tight ass. Know anything about her?"
"Nah", Jason said. "I don't pay attention to the staff in that way while they are working. One tends to lose a ton of latinum that way. Plus, when I am in here, it usually isn't for the show the staff are putting on."
"Why are you usually in here besides hustling domjot, then?" Ace asked, mildly curious.
"Every day and every night", Jason replied. "Something more valuable than latinum flows through here and that is information, more at night when it is a little louder oddly enough, but definitely more. More to watch, more to hear. I like to know things, having been the Chief Information for a whopping month and a week. Now, I collect info for other things."
"Shame on you," Yolanthe reappeared with more drinks. She held out the Kava juice, then pulled it back before he could take it. "What happens in The Box, stays in The Box. I can't have you frightening my customers away." She relented and finally gave him his drink. Keep those cute little ears of yours to yourself."
Ace gave Jason a snickering grin and then Yolanthe a wink.
"No, worries mi-lady", Jason said. "Like your other customers, I make sure nothing comes back on you. You are the librarian of this fine library and I will make sure to check things out properly."
"There's definitely a great deal to check out," Ace replied approvingly, giving another look at the dabo girl in the green dress.
Yolanthe followed his gaze, and for a moment the violet went a pale grey. "Tonya is very good." She was the replacement for Ahjess. She was good. But it wasn't the same. "You should go take a few rounds. She's heavenly when she smiles."
"Tonya, you say?" He looked at Yolanthe and was pretty sure that her change in color must be a trick of the light. "Maybe I will. Maybe I won't," Ace responded, not like being pushed in a direction. However, he did like knowing her name. It was an advantage to keep the woman off balance. He stretched out comfortably, watching Tonya for a bit more while slowly taking in his drink.
Yolanthe reached into her pocket and pulled out a few chips. She held them up between her fingers. "Maybe's aren't any fun. First one on the house."
Jason smirked, he knew better. He had lost a fair amount after his first 'one on the house'. He wondered how Ace might fare. He took a sip of his drink and watched the two.
"If you're buyin', I'm tryin'," Ace told Yolanthe. He took the proffered chips and headed down to the dabo table to play with Tonya.
"What about you, sweetling?" Yolanthe asked Jason. "Can I tempt you to spin Tonya's wheel? She's very good at her job, it will be plenty of fun." By which she meant, bleed him of his cash, but knew most men would think the other thing.
"Not today I am afraid", Jason said with a smirk. "I learned my lesson the first three times I came away poorer than I started."
He laughed.
"Ah, you merely paid for an entertaining evening in a non-traditional way. You still had fun." She held out another pair of chips. "Why not take a flutter on the house? One spin won't hurt."
"How can I resist an invitation to losing, from the best bartender and librarian in the universe?" Jason asked, taking the chips, wondering the outcome. Given what was coming in a few days, he didn't want to use up all his luck here. He took his drink and headed to the dabo table.
Ace had already sauntered up to Tonya and said, "I heard you're pretty good at your job. Mind my being a judge of that?"
Tonya looked at him, light sparkling from the sequins of her dress, and gave a smile. "Place your bets then, everyone place your bets." She stepped into Ace's side to guide his hand down to the deck. "Where do you fancy?"
"My quarters, 2000," Ace responded smoothly, stopping her hand and caressing the inside of her wrist.
"Someone's confident," she purred. "But you need to gamble first. Let me see if you got balls."
Jason laughed, held up his two chips and said, "These on odds. Give any winnings to the cowboy trying to hitch a ride with you."
Jason looked at Ace, raised his glass slightly, and with a smirk said, "Yee-haw".
He then started towards the exit, having lost his security escort because she was too busy staring at the rear end of one of the male dabo attendants. Jason smirked and whistled very quietly as he strode along.
Ace smiled at Tonya, "Oh, I've got balls." He placed the chips down on the dabo table, "All these lovely chips that I received from your proprietor on triple down dabo," he told her full of bravado.
She reached for the wheel. "Everyone ready for a spin?"
Ace grinned at Tonya, "I was born ready." He waited anxiously for the results both of the spin and his efforts for the night with Tonya.
[OFF]
Jason Haines
Station N'er Do Well and Live Bait Extraordinaire
Petty Officer Sampson
Security Officer
NPC'ed by Jason Haines
Ace Cannon
(Hopeful Assistant Chief) Operations Officer
DS5
Yolanthe Ibalin
Owner
The Box of Delights
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