USS Orcus: Off Duty Hours
USS ORCUS: OFF DUTY HOURS
[ USS Orcus | Year 2381, February | 2 Weeks Before the Battle of Starbase 84 ]
Lt. Devyrie "Dev" Okhala. Long white/blonde locks, and iron stare. Most in her prototype fighter squad gave her a wide berth when she was on duty, knowing that she could be all business, with little humor to her tone.
Off duty, though, was a little bit different. She could enjoy the lounge on the base, and had her own private stock of various alcohols collected from throughout the quadrant. For some, the off duty bonding was a rite of passage, a tradition as old as piloting itself.
For Dev, it was a way to release some of those emotions that buzzed inside her head. She sat at the bar, her temporary RIO, Hawkeye, or something, grabbing the bottle and pouring the next round, all the while regaling the rest with a wild story of buzzing local wild life.
"And then, the herd splits in to three and I do a quick barrel roll, bringing them all back in to the pen." The tall human was loud and obnoxious, but Dev just rolled her eyes.
"Sounds like animal herding just got a whole lot easier." The smirk played at the corners of her mouth.
"Eh, I do what I can. Now, one time on..."
He trailed off, as Dev took her glass and headed towards a more solitary table. Rarely did she prefer isolation, but this time was a little bit different. She sat down, but her sensitive ears could helped up keep track of the various conversations going on. Her mind wandered a bit, wishing she had decided on a different posting than the hotbed of activity for testing new fighters.
"Slag it all, he's loud," another TAC CONN officer sat down, no drink in hand. His hair was darker, short cut and matched the eyes. Dev took him in, a quick glance that told her that he was a bit more easy going that he initially let on.
"I guess it comes from being around engines all day. Fry your ears."
"Ah, so you do have a sense of humor." The newcomer's face broke in to a smile. "Vincent Ferris, or Vinnie for short."
"Deveryie Okhala." A sip at the drink to give him a moment, and she wondered if her reputation was preceding her.
"Ah, one of the test pilots. I heard that program is pretty stringent, so I'm guessing that explains the drinking."
"Nah, I actually fly to relax." Dev smirked again, but this one was full on, her eyebrows raising.
"Hah, well it takes all kinds, am I right?"
"You don't do the squad bonding?"
"Oh, I do. Just I usually prefer being on the holodeck with some free time. Keeps myself sharp."
At this, Dev perked up. She typically spent off duty studying tech manuals, or flight plans. The one hour social hour was about the most freedom she gave herself. "You find time for that?"
"I make time, Deveryie." Vinnie drummed his fingers on the table top, idly. "All this combat prep keeps people too wound up.. I'll send you a program, something I found while doing research on Earth culture while at the Academy. I think you'll like it."
Dev looked thoughtful. She appreciated the blunt approach, and then smiled in appreciation. "Well, I'm always open to new experiences."
Vinnie stood up, sliding a PADD across the table. "Let me know what you think."