Moonshine Conversation

Posted on Mon Feb 15th, 2021 @ 11:55pm by Captain Bethsabée Leroux & Major Samuel King

Mission: Mission 4 - Eden
Location: Marine Barracks
Timeline: Day 158 00:45
2349 words - 4.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Beth smiled as she slipped past the Marine who had obviously been given the short straw of being assigned as a gatekeeper but Beth just breezed past. Most marines were asleep now but she knew that Samuel would not be. He might not have come to any ‘upstairs’ party but he was still a senior officer on her ship, especially with their current situation with it being them against the universe quite literally at the moment.

She knocked her fist against the open door of his quarters not showing her surprise that it was open and waved. She still wore her dress from the New Year’s Eve party that she had left at the stroke of midnight to check in on people who had not been there. “Happy New Year Major.” She greeted before indicating back to where a party had obviously happened. “Marines are all partied out I see.”

Sam smiled, Beth certainly was a most welcome sight at the best of times but right now she looked amazing. There was something about the Starfleet uniform that just did not do it for him, and he liked a uniform at times. Can never have too many pockets with zippers though…

“Happy New Year, Captain,” he said as he moved to welcome her in. The marines usually slept where they fell and Sam had never passed up an opportunity to boost morale with a party. “Yes, if it is one thing marines know how to do… it is to drink and regret it in the morning,” he said as he took a drink from the bottle he had in his other hand. “How was the ‘upstairs’ party?” he asked.

Beth stepped into the room and pressed the door release to let the door close. He might like to have an open-door policy but she wanted a conversation without the 17 eyes watching. “I am sad to see that you have not shared your booze before now.” She indicated the bottle in his hand and took it, taking a swig before frowning at the taste. “Moonshine huh? And you would know about upstairs if you had all come along.” She reminded him.

“Ahh,” he grumbled in a typically British fashion and waved his hand at the comment of coming up himself. “My place is here, with the people that I have looked after for many years. They are not ready to share me just yet,” he admitted, and it was true. He saw more of an attachment to him from the marines since their link to home was cut. Whether that was because of rank and structure, the fact he was older and wiser and they attached themselves to that, or because they had served with him for a while and were loyal to him and found it hard to let that go and trust others.

“Though, yes… moonshine. Billy makes strong stuff.” Sam said with a proud smile.” If I came to that party I’d have missed that and the chance for a beautiful woman to come call on me.” he raised his eyebrow with a cheeky look.

“I do not want to even know what is in it but you should share this with us upstairs before the Captain steals it,” Beth said taking a long gulp with a wince before putting it down. “Could have had a dance instead. I came to check that you were all alright, to be honest. Your place is with everyone Marine and Starfleet. Things are changing and have for six months.” She reminded him sitting on the chair by his desk.

“No… it is probably best to not ask. I stopped asking him years ago what he put in his drinks.” he laughed softly to himself. “Who is to say we cannot have a dance now?” he asked rhetorically and pulled her up from the chair and held her into him as he led a slow dance. “I know,” he said. “It takes marines a little longer to change, to conform to a new structure. I have been pushing them in that direction and they are almost there where a distinction between us both is no longer there. Some of us ‘seasoned’ individuals take a little longer than our fresh-faced recruits.”

Their dance was slow and for a moment he looked down at her and smiled. “But we do change.”

Beth was surprised when he grabbed her hand let alone put a hand on her waist pulling her close. She smiled up at him leaving herself no choice but to put a hand on his shoulder. “I like to think it is possible. Has to be lonely in isolation.” She mused wishing there was some music or something other than the base that was coming through from somewhere outside in the barracks.

“You get used to it,” Sam admitted as he slowly twirled her around before bringing her back in close. “Higher up the chain you go, the more lines that are drawn,” he said, getting a little lost in memory. “Thing is, with us being out here now so far from home is that lines will change, move or disappear as we adapt to being on our own. Protecting our own. This here is the good part of Human nature, closeness, our ability to face adversity and keep pushing forward. That is one of the reasons I continued my career and came out to the stars. I do not believe in letting adversity triumph.” he finished as he dipped her back and then slowly raised her back to his chest.

“Don’t I know it,” Beth remarked in regards to the lines that were drawn. It was increasingly lonely for someone who was sociable enough to speak multiple languages to allow everyone to be included. She let out a giggle as she was dipped back and then pulled up. “I did not know Marines dance.” She admitted with a cheeky grin.

“Not all of us dance to my level of excellence.” he lied. “For instance, Billy is terrible. Two left feet, no rhythm and I am pretty sure his balance is off because he has emergency weapons taped all over himself.” he laughed. “Plus not all of us are simple Jarheads you know. I have a PhD in History from Oxford… even if I do love a little bashing of heads from time to time.”

That was not something she did know but it was something to file away for the future. “From Oxford. Now that is impressive and a really odd subject.” She murmured making a move to step back from him.

He watched as the dance finished and Beth moved away. He smiled and moved to his desk and took a drink from the ‘alcohol’ that Billy had concocted for this batch. “I like to learn about the past.” he shrugged. “Something about learning about us before we had spaceflight, the wars we had were terrible but there were some good times in there too.” he smiled. “I may look like an American jock, and I probably am the British equivalent but I like to keep my mind as active as my body,” he said as he subconsciously puffed his chest out.

“You have never looked like that but we do not know each other that well.” She did not want to accuse him of the fact it was because he never wanted to come to meals or events that he had been invited too. “It is good to learn about the past. Why I learn about languages, even languages that are no longer spoken because everyone who spoke it is dead.” Beth smiled just a little more and looked around for a cup. Finding a random mug she held it out to have some more of the drink. “Fancy sharing that?” She wondered leaning against the desk.

“Sure,” he said, pouring her a generous helping. “Well, we are getting to know each other now.” Sam smiled softly as he finished pouring. “What is your favourite language? From all that you have learned,” he asked.

They certainly were getting to know each other which was nice. “Xhosa. It was the native language of Nelson Mandela. It is a small language compared to say Mandarin or Spanish. The language itself is uniquely represented by clicks and tonal variations to differentiate the meaning of words. A single word could have several meanings just based on tone. So what about you? What is your favourite historical fact?” She wondered taking a sip of the drink.

Sam made a face of great interest when she spoke of her favourite language. It sounded very interesting and thought it must have taken great intelligence and patience to learn such a complicated sounding language. “I wouldn’t say they are my favourite facts but they are unusual ones that I remember for some reason. For instance, the fourth of July is not the real Independence Day, it is actually the second. This is because this is when the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia actually voted to approve a resolution of independence. July 4th, though, is when the Congress adopted the official Declaration of Independence, and most didn't even sign that until August.” he said with a recollective thought. “Also Thomas Edison did not invent the lightbulb but in fact, it was Warren de la Rue, a British man who invented it forty years previous.”

“Did not know any of those facts so thank you for sharing.” Beth said, smiling, thinking that she might be the only person on the ship who got to see that side of him. Between the dancing and brains, she really was seeing a different side of him. “You should show this side of yourself more as a new year resolution.” She mused over her mug of moonshine taking a sip.

“It is not often that historical facts come into use in everyday life,” Sam said. “But I do use them in roundabout ways to teach the marines. Although I do not openly hit them with these facts. No-one likes a smart-arse.” he grinned.

“No, they really do not.” She nodded, taking a big sip of the moonshine. It needed a bit of flavouring but it was good. It was easy as comms chief to show off but as Captain, she needed to allow everyone to show off their skills. “Well, I am intrigued by this new side of you. First the sparring and now this.” She teased him, nudging him next to her.

“Oh I have many sides,” he said ominously as they grew a little closer. “Just takes time to get to know me to see them all. I know I am a little rough around the edges, and I need that for what I do, but there is more to me than camouflage and fighting.” he smiled as he placed a hand on top of hers. “I am also intrigued by this side of you. Linguist, Captain, to drinking questionable liquor down here with me.” he teased her back.

“Like an onion. I just hope that you do not make people cry.” she grinned glad that she had come in search of the man after he had not appeared at all above unlike some of the marines. “I blame Leah. She was the smart one and I spoke her language as much as other languages.” It was a simple excuse when she had no others. It was not in an angry way just in a teasing way that was normal for her and her former captain. Why she had become her Executive Officer because they had that type of connection that you needed for the Xindi mission.

“I only make those cry that do not follow my orders,” he said cryptically with a hint of a smile. “Well, I cannot claim to know much about your predecessor. I only spoke with her a few times, before departure and onboard before our accident that took us here.” Sam said solemnly. “I see beauty, and intelligence in you. Strength. All amazing qualities to have in abundance and carry with such grace.”

“There speaks a man who had had it happen to many recruits.” Beth giggled thinking back to her instructors for Officer training. “She was a brilliant woman. Hopefully, I can carry on her legacy with those qualities hmm?” She wondered knocking back the last of the drink in the glass, wincing at the taste. “He needs to join up with someone to flavour it better.” She mused.

“I am known as a tough instructor, but only because I care. The harsh realities of the galaxy are very real and if someone goes out there ill-prepared then lives are lost,” he said as he had seen it before on some operations he had been on. “Oh I think you can, no problem,” he said to her confidence in her abilities to lead the crew of the Atlantis.

“Billy take advice?” Sam said stern-faced. “Be easier getting us home by the weekend but you are right. It's more rocket fuel than moonshine I think right now…”

“Definitely. We do need fuel but I do not think this is it.” Beth said sadly thinking about the issue they were currently facing.

“More likely to knock us out than get us moving forward,” Sam replied in kind. He could see her head drop a little and he used one of his fingers to raise it by placing it under her chin and lifting it gently. “We will find what we need. I know we will.”

Beth smiled as she remembered the options that they had gone through considering fuel alternatives. She looked at him intently as he tried to cheer her up. It was kind of him but a very lonely place right then and there. “Thank you.”

“Anytime love. Anytime,” he said as he smiled at her. Bearing the weight of a ship full of people cannot be an easy task but he would be there for her if she needed him. “I am always here, with questionable liquor at hand.”

 

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