Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends
Day 01 [2330 hrs.] To Absent Friends
[ LCDR Leon Marquez | ENS Jimmy Mariner | Lounge Room | Deck Sixteen | USS Theurgy ] Attn: USS Resolve Survivors who want to check in, who aren't otherwise occupied
Faithfully present to lead the weary but rested Lieutenant Commander Marquez to their crew were Jimmy Mariner and his leashed but loyal Pit Bull, "Sharky", who jumped to hug Marquez, expressing his gratitude by licking his hand as if looking for snacks. "Good to see you too, Sharky. Been gaining weight, chucho? Don't worry, you'll get your exercise on this posting. I can guarantee it." Marquez half-smiled, momentarily forcing himself not to think about the eulogy he caught himself rehearsing in the head over at sickbay; when he was over there, not even the fourth time he splashed water on his face then dryed himself with a towel still hadn't washed away the shock of watching the replay of his ship-- his home-- get destroyed. Striker would have to move forward and onward starting right then, at 2330 hours.
Fortunately, Jimmy had "Just the thing for liquid courage". Under the circumstances, it probably wasn't a bad idea to open Marquez's special bottle of Tequila.
Together, the tight-knit survivors had this one opportunity to get their bearings, pay tribute to the fallen and unwind however briefly, before either getting to work or some rest. Mariner seemed relieved to finally unslung the hefty bottle of almost 400 year old Tequila from his trusty knapsack, which finally seemed that much lighter, compared to being jam-packed with data rods and other hand-sized keepsakes he was able to get from the command deck of the late Resolve.
For such circumstances, It was a sort of grim ritual for Starfleet officers to share a bottle of wine or a meaningful champagne, but this Tequila bottle wasn't just the average decade-fermented agave product. This stuff was from the same label that Doctor Zeframe Cochrane himself was said to be fond of. Some enthusiasts and historians attributed the agave product as being the first real ice breaker between Humanity and Vulcan kind on that fateful night back in April 2063. This bottle in particular was originally intended for the end of the Dominion War, but the Battle of Cardassia was too much of a tragedy to celebrate, as were its consequences. Instead, Marquez kept it sealed. Postponed yet again by the adventures aboard the Resolve, it was then deemed to be opened for their return home. By now, there was a practical doubt that would be any time soon...
But at this point in time, just a few minutes before midnight, the crew just needed a drink, the blue pyramid-shaped bottle capped by a copper-cork seal opened with a very satisfying 'Plop!'
Jimmy wordlessly handed a cubic case to Krystal "Meony" Tancredi. Traditionally, he would have made one of his signature flirtatious quips, but the atmosphere in the room was too somber for that. He then took his self-appointed post as bartender next to her. Mariner had taken it upon himself to serve each and every shot glass, being particular on not spilling a drop; Jimmy treated each serving as if it were the last helping of fresh water on a castaway life raft floating at sea while Marquez gave his eulogy.
"I wish there were more of us here to split this fine drink." Marquez began, a shot glass in hand, one of several that had been replicated and issued around to the Resolve staff. "So that someone who can actually give a half-decent speech would have kinder words." Marquez began, regarding Keval first; the Andorian was a trusted friend, and sparring partner, both in the training holoprograms and verbally over lunch. The two had their differences of opinion every now and then but Marquez trusted few others in the center seat aside from Kendrick himself.
"We all expected to be treated as survivors of a great endeavor, with long overdue shore leave and promotions to go with that great big parade down the Golden Gate Bridge. But don't worry, that time will come." Marquez appealed to some locker talk he'd overheard among the Junior officers and noncoms. Back then, Striker himself added to the conversation with his own hopes to play soccer in Mexico City's renowned Azteca Stadium again; he regarded some of these junior officers directly. The solemn regard passed to Veradin, 'Salvo' Havenborn and 'Meony' Tancredi as well. Juorda 'Bookworm' Cloi would have been with the Tac-Conn team and fighter squadron. "There's a time for revenge, and a time for mourning. Right now, this is neither: it's a time for peace... and for healing. So, let's enjoy it while it lasts. Tomorrow's another day, and let's start it rested and alert. I'd like to dedicate this..."
Marquez cast a thoughtful gaze at Ejek and towards Vivian Martin, mostly protective towards these two but with a sense of tenderness toward them. Therapy sessions and soothing reassurances had helped Striker through rediscovering his humanity under layers of bitterness and harshness; he wished Dr. Lynn was here to express his grattitude to the late CMO. Instead, he concluded his toast in the direction of the goldshirts, Suq, A'vura, Harold and Mariner. Marquez thought the Security Officer offering a glass to the T'fanrell was funny, when the lighter-than-air life form seemed to politely decline the offer; instead, Jimmy filled the Pit Bull's water bowl with the shot glass's worth, but bade Sharky to wait. When those gathered saluted, Sharky followed suit, taking a single lick from the bowl and snorted, before rolling on his back and baring his sharp teeth, as if smiling.
The pause went on for about four heartbeats as the heartfelt tribute settled in. "...To Resolve. Wherever our absent friends are, I'm positive they're putting in a good word for us..." Marquez ritualistically raised the glass, lowered it, outstretched it, then waited until "To absent friends." was echoed before he took his drink in a single shot of Zeframe Cochrane's favorite 'good stuff'.
It was actually smooth going down, but had an aromatic, syrupy aftertaste that had a slow burning, long lasting buzz. It was an 'upper', to be sure. No wonder Zeframe Cochrane swore by this stuff.
OOC: Tag Arista, Auctor Lucan, DocReno, FollowTomorrow, Hastata-Nerada, Havenborn, Mathis, StrikerN7, Triage,
Daniel Havenborn, callsign "Salvo"
Derik Veradin
Drauc T'Laus
F'Rell
James "Jimmy" Mariner
K'Ren
Keval ch'Rayya
Krystal Tancredi, callsign "Meony"
Leon "Striker" Marquez
Liam Herrold
Suq-Reylin-Efreya Xan
"Sharky"
Vivian Martin