Friendly Game

Posted on Mon Sep 21st, 2020 @ 6:00pm by Doctor Samantha Blake, Ph.D (Geology) & Lieutenant Steve O'Carroll

Mission: The Thorion Conundrum Mission Brief
Location: Recreation Facility
Timeline: Six days prior to launch, 1630 hours

Samantha made her way from her new quarters on the crew deck to the recreation facility. She stepped in to see a number of junior officers and enlisted crewman engaged in various activities. She swung by the replicator and grabbed a synthale long island iced tea and wandered about. She felt comfortable in her floral print sundress and sandles as she wandered about the facility looking at the many activities available to pass downtime. She took a seat on a stool near the billiards table to watch a game in progress.

Steve was leaving over the billiards table. He lined up a shot and hit the que. He had shot just as he wanted when he noticed the visitor sit down. His gaze wandered just enough to move his angle. The contact was just off and sent the que ball into the 7-ball which grazed the 8-ball that was sitting next to the side pocket and went in, ending the game. He looked over at a grinning man next to him holding the other stick. He reached into his pocket and pulled some Latinum out and slid it over. "Good win Chief. Here you go. I'll see you next week."

Steve walked over to the visitor after picking up his drink. Seeing her dress, he was glad he decided to wear a lounge shirt with a colar. He at least didn't feel undersressed to talk to her. "Hi, I'm Steve." He said introducing himself.

Samantha gave Steve an appreciative once over along with a winning smile as she gestured to the table he'd just been playing on. "My apologies if I distracted you." She glanced at the small bar in the corner of the room and center. "Perhaps you will let me buy you a drink to make up for it?"

Steve looked over at his near empty drink. "Wouldn't say no to a drink. I was probably going to lose another game anyway to the Chief, and you are a welcome distraction." He said and walked next to her to the bar.

Samantha got to the bar and put her half full glass down. She gestured at Steve's and her drink. "Another one for the man and a Long Island Iced Tea with real alcohol for me." She leaned against the bar. "So you want to try losing at a different game? I shoot a mean game of darts."

"Try losing?" He said looking around with a smirk. "Darts just happen to be my specially. I'm the worst player on this ship I can pretty much promise you that. I dont have to try at all." He laughed and picked up his drink. "Thanks by the way."

Samantha simply smirked as she picked up her fresh drink. "If darts aren't your game, we could try another game of pool when a table opens up."

"Oh I'm fine with darts. While I like pool, I'm apparently not nearly as good as I thought. I just won't put any Latinum on the game." He smirked. "I don't think I got your name yet."

"Samantha. Resident geologist and amateur archaeologist." She held out a hand. "And you would be?"

He took her hand. "Steve O'Carroll, Chief of Operations. Welcome abord if nobody has extended that to you yet. First assignment?" He asked as they moved to the dart board and collected the darts.

Samantha stepped over to the throw line for the dart board and waited for Steve. "Thank you for the welcome. I met the Captain and the Chief of the Boat earlier today." She took one set of the darts and threw one at the board, hitting the outer ring of the bullseye. "I was sent by the Federation Science Council, so no, this is not my first rodeo."

"Not your first game of darts either. " He observed out loud. "Glad to hear you're at least familiar with the old starship functions. Sometimes that takes a while to get used to." He said and thought for a moment. "Are your quarters to your liking? Deck 9 I belive?"

Samantha cocked an eyebrow at Steve. She took her set of darts and racked up a fairly impressive score. "Is it someone fishing for an invite to the newest bachelorette's quarters?" She emphasized the question with smirk.

Steve laughed. "No. Believe it or not that was not my intent. Being the Chief of Ops, I'm the one who assigns quarters." When she moved he took up position and lined up his shot. "I just wanted to make sure you were happy with them." He said as he let a dart fly, hitting the middle right of the board. While not center rings like hers, it was just an inch or two away. He tried not to show his suprise at the good throw and lined up for the next.

Samantha sipped her drink as she watched Steve throw his set of darts. She set her drink on the table next to the throw line as he finished and took her darts in hand. "So if I do have a problem with say my replicator. Should I call you directly or would you prefer I contact the maintenance division and have them put in a work order?"

"Dealers choice." He said as he lined up his last shot. "Most things you can just put in the work order. If you need something specific or expedited, let me know. I can usually get things to happen." He said and let go of the final dart that hit the above the board. He winced a little. That was the real him in darts. He went over and pulled his darts clear.

Samantha stood on the line and quickly sent three darts into a tight group, racking up an impressive score. She stepped to the side as Steve readied himself for his turn again. "Mind if I give you a pointer or two?"

"Of course. Or three or four." He laughed. "I always appreciate help. "

Samantha stepped up behind Steve and studied his stance first before patting the thigh of his non throwing side. "Back about 10 centimeters."

Scott followed the adjustment and stood in the new position. It felt odd, but he would get used to it.

Samantha used her index finger to lift his throwing arm until the upper arm was parallel to the deck.

"Ok, I feel aligned now, I think." He took a breath and began his throws. They were all still far from the center, but they all hit the board and were within they play circle, which was big improvement for what Steve normally did. "Hey, that looks better. Thanks." He said and went to retrieve the darts for this round.

Samantha gave an approving nod before taking position on the line. She raised her first dart, but paused as she glanced at Steve. "Lessons aren't free by the way. Your going to have to compensate me for my expertise." She fired off another three darts that all found their mark on the board.

Steve smirked. "Nothing usually is, and knowledge is one of the most prized goods for sale. What's the bill?" He asked and moved up to the line, setting his feet and arms like she showed him.

Samantha moved to Steve's side. "Breathe in and out normally. Hold your breath a second as you exhale and throw."

Steve took aim and held his breath a moment and threw. The darts began to resemble something of a group.

Samantha looked from the dart board to him approvingly and smiled. "The first pointers will cost you the price of dinner." She gestured at his latest set up on the board. "This last at least three dances." She turned to the board and fired of three dart, the automatic score board announcing her win. "You can pick me up at my quarters in two hours and we can walk to the space station then." She picked up her half full glass and finished off the contents with one long drink before setting the empty glass of the table. "Don't be late." She turned and left without another word.

Steve looked at the board and then back to her walking away. "So what do I wear?" He yelled after her as she walked through the doors with a smirk. The smirk faded and he realized the question was more valid than joke. She wanted to meet in two hours, not 20 minutes. "What do I wear?" He asked himself. He put the darts back and hurried for the door.