The Officers's Club on Starbase 21 is a series of large rooms with bars, low couches and booths along the wall. A large hologram of Captain Bradron McCurvey's famous Constitution class USS Excalibur NCC-1705-A hangs over the centre of the room, and low music plays. Everyone but Lieutenant Anderson is there, and Lieutenant Tal is subject to a few Klingons calling out "Hail the Killer Targ!". Seth, who is walking right behind Tal, mutters, "No nut-shots." M'Rel snickers but does not comment.

As the group is seated at their table, Mac arrives. He is most definitely not in uniform, dressed in a kilt with a baldric over one shoulder. He is smoking a pipe, something rarely seen in Starfleet facilities.

A server comes over and addresses the group, "What'll it be, folks? Tal, I know you will have a large Blood-wine. Kramar and his crew have sent one over." She sets the distinctive Klingon goblet before him.

"If everyone can metabolize it," Mac stepped in, "I'd like to suggest a type of wine popular in Earth celebrations called 'champagne.' It's weak as water, but the carbon dioxide content is quite exclamatory."

"And I think congratulations and celebrations are in order for our first days as full crews of the Kitchissippi and Cuyahoga, may the ground ever be beneath our feet and the sky-lightning ever raining upon our foes, forever and ever," he explained with a wide grin, using his strange gray and white pipe to pip the words of the recited prayer.

Gian nods appreciatively at the poem. With a glance at the server, he adds, "Saurian brandy."

In reply to Gian Seingalt (msg # 3):

Sosal says to Gian, "Ah, a good choice! It's from my home planet, you know. And for me as well," he says to the server. When it arrives, he takes a sip. "Ah, that hits the spot. Not the best year, but eminently serviceable."

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 1):

"What beers do you have on tap?" asks Talja. The server hands her a PADD with the beer list, and Talja orders a brew.

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 2):

Seth answers Mac's invitation, "I'll have some champagne. It's very similar to a Bajoran wine from Dahkur Province, where I come from. Say, that's an interesting garb you're wearing. Is there some significance?" He brushes his Bajoran earring in emphasis.

Lieutenant Rai watches the jocular exchanges going on around her. It would seem that the spirit of James Kirk was still alive and well in Starfleet, for better or worse. She takes her seat amongst the new crew members.

She bristles visibly when Anderson concludes his toast. It was in poor taste, coming on the heels of the Dominion Wars. After years of seeing the galaxy divided in terms of friend and foe, hearing about friends who would not be returning to their families, she was eager to see Starfleet resume it's original purpose. That, combined with the smoking, does nothing to improve her opinion of the lieutenant.

" Just water for me," She says, concerned that alcohol or even synthehol might lead to her saying something inadvisable.

In reply to Prashanthi Rai (msg # 7):

Leiliri looks at Prashanthi, with mild concern on her face. She leans close and murmurs so that only Rai can hear her, "Is there something wrong, Lieutenant?"

Mac pulled at the baldric to display it to Lieutenant Bern before answering.

"It's my 'savage Xenexian clan gear.' Very serious stuff - I decided to forgo the sword that goes with it. Even thirty years ago wearing this in public would have gotten your whole family killed, down to the last newborn child. The Danteri were monsters, and they turned us more so. Three hundred years ago my ancestors lived in castles and huts with dirt floors and only a basic understanding of electricity. By the time we overthrew the Danteri and made our case to the Federation we were still living in castles and huts with dirt floors for the most part - but we had homemade attack craft with modern gravitics and were killing the Danteri with disruptors we made in deep tunnels we'd carved into our mountains."

He frowned.

"Slightly before my time, of course. By a few years," he explained, embarrassed. "There's no glory except living on Xenex now, what's left of my people trying to clean away the ravages of the past."

"But we can't forget the past either, it speaks to our future," he shrugged. "So... I'm wearing it to remind myself of my past as I congratulate the success of the present. I'll never make peace with a filthy Danteri, but I can accept the Federation's peace for the sake of my people?" he leveled his hands, weighing before shrugging again.

"Anyways, we've got a saying on Xenex, 'The mind a temple, in hand a sword.' It's not just about fighting, we keep our 'savage dress' alive to remind us that it's not just about warp equations and installing replicators on the estates still. But it's not not about all that either... That's the reward. The cost was..." he sighed, finally a bit lost for words.

"Well, too high... too high. We're forged now. I fought my first duel when I was fourteen. My people... we've got difficulties giving up the fight. It's stayed with us."

"So... I suppose it's part of a rather complicated personal message I like to remind myself of occasionally regarding my people." He chuckled. "Now you're sorry you asked. Let's forget I said anything and just get drunk," he said grinning.

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 9):

Shione makes a stop at the bar on her way in and arrives at the table with two large pitchers and a waitress with a dozen glasses

"I'll try your champagne,but you need to try this" and she pours a tall glass of a thick amber liquid and slides in from of Lt Anderson.

It's one of the favored drinks of a human warrior culture that also wore garb much like yours,Lt.
It's called Stout and guaranteed to put hair on your chest." she adds grinning

They were called "Scots" I think.I study warrior cultures as a hobby,but it's been a while since I read about them,but they did have great brewers.

Anyone interested in it or the Ale in the other pitcher ,help yourself" as she pours herself a tall glass of the ale.

The hairy lieutenant looked down at his chest doubtfully.

"Lieutenant, I'm afraid that kite's long in the wind already. I'm afraid if I became any more hirsute I'd have to wear a Mugato horn."

He sipped the stout doubtfully, then held it appraisingly at arm's length.

"Not up to the eye-watering standards of a proper Xenexian brew... but half of those would strip the color from your uniform and the other half are bog horrid anyways. Except for the stuff we brewed for export to the Danteri, the occupation was a terrible time for foodstuffs. I swear, one of the very best things about the Academy was discovering all of the wonderful things to eat and drink from all over the galaxy. I must have logged twice as many hours in the gym as everyone else, just to keep in shape!"

"Alas, proud Xenexians: We're fine at fighting but terrible cooks."

In reply to Mac Anderson (msg # 11):

Shione chuckles at Mac's "Hairy" remark"Do me a favor and allow me to take your word on that"

As she talks she pours another glass of ale and slides it over to Lt.Groen"Here Talja,try a swig of this while you're waiting.It has a nice robust flavour.

Lt Rai,are you sure I can't interest you in a glass?It's perfect for sipping and doesn't have much of a kick to it"

In reply to Shione (msg # 12):

"Thank you, but no. I do not like this 'stout'. I much prefer Bavarian brews."

In reply to Ensign Talja Groen (msg # 13):

"No worries,but I wasn't offering you the Stout,just the Ale I'm drinking"

She winks conspiratorially at Talja"I don't think either of us would look good with hairy chests"

In reply to Shione (msg # 14):

<giggle> "You are right. We would look like our Caitian comrades, I think. But maybe you would like to try some Weissbier." The beer in her glass actually looks quite a bit like  Mac's champagne.