Always a Tab

[Cptn Swain 0]

The Excalibur’s forward lounge was buzzing with activity. With the sudden surge of both new shipmates and now the freighter crew, it seemed everyone was anxious to have a drink or three. Asher Swain wasn’t entirely sure if he was up for that sort of an evening, but he had a sneaking suspicion that his quarry would be, at the very least, scouting out the scene. To be truthful, he rarely ventured down to the lounge. As the Captain, his presence tended to be somewhat of a, well, mood breaker. The junior officers were keenly aware that you didn’t want to make an ass of yourself in front of the Captain. He hoped that with all the excitement he could perhaps slip into the lounge without much fanfare. He was, of course, wrong.

 

As he entered, one of the younger lieutenants spotted him. “Captain on deck!”He said a little too brightly. “You know what that means!”

 

Swain paused a moment as the assembled Excalibur crew looked towards him, then to the young Lieutenant. “Drinks on the Captain!”

 

The bartender looked to the Captain for his approval and got a patient, well-worn smirk. “I swear, one of these days, these kids are going to get me in trouble.”

 

After the commotion died down a little, Swain started looking for his quarry. Mark Garrison was sitting along the wall opposite of the entryway, surrounded by a few of his fellow freighter crew, and surrounded by them were more junior officers. Mark, for the most part, had secured his alcohol for the night by regaling the kids with tales of the Dominion War and his adventures in the Gamma Quadrant. The senior staff it seemed, weren’t the only victims of what was now going down in the history books at the “Excalibur Incident”. He recognized so little of the crew, enlisted or officer, and only hardened his resolve. This place wasn’t his home, and these people weren’t his friends.

 

Lost in introspection, he’d almost missed Swain approaching his table. “Captain,” he spoke with a good natured smile. I’m a little surprised to see you.”

 

“Mister Garrison,” Swain said approaching. “Mark was it? I thought I’d come down and see how your crew were doing. I had a hunch you’d be here.”

 

“Good instincts,” He raised his glass to Swain before taking a drink. “Good crew as well. Your medical staff was finished with my crew in a few days, and your engineering crew refuses to allow me and mine to assist in your repairs. Though, I think it’s more out of boredom and wanting to do something themselves.”

 

Swain smiled easily as a waiter passed behind him, heading towards a table of junior science officers. “I think they’re all in all a pretty good crew, despite their captain.”

 

He paused a moment before turning slightly more serious. “I was hoping to have a few minutes to talk you.” The ‘alone’ was all but implied.

 

“Of course, I can only imagine what the brass at Camelot would think of your report as-is.” Mark stood, drink in hand, and walked around the table to come face to face with Asher. “Let’s take a walk.”

 

Nodding Swain motioned for Mark to lead on. “I am sure they’ve seen weirder this week, though I am sure that’s not exactly a surprise to you.”

 

“No, I suppose not.” Garrison walked past Swain with a bemused grin. Once they were out of the lounge, and walking down a silent hall, Mark glanced over to him. “So Captain, what would you like to know?”

 

Swain waited almost a full half beat before saying anything. “Well, for starters, the solution to the Korethian Paradox, but I doubt you have that, so I’ll settle for knowing exactly what you were transporting that the raiders risked attacking you on a major trade route?”

 

“Gems, and various precious metals, prospected from various worlds here in the Gamma Quadrant.”

 

“I am a very tolerant man, Mister Garrison, but I don’t particularly like be lied to.”

 

“Well, you are certainly free to scan whatever minute traces of my ship remain. I don’t particularly care if you believe me or not. These raiders have been harassing us a lot as of late. The further the Dominion unravels, the bolder they become. As nice as it is that you saved us, I’m out a ship and load, and you’re not the only one I have to explain myself too.”

 

Considering his response for a few moments, Swain opted for a gentler tone. “Of course,” he said. “I do apologize for not being able to salvage your ship, or your load.

 

“And you’re right. This entire sector is supposed to be under Dominion patrol, but we haven’t seen so much as a trace of a Jem’hadar vessel. At least not on the way back.”

 

Swain frowned and stopped near a window where the star field was steaming by as Excalibur headed towards Camelot Station. Mark stood beside him, considering his words. “They’re in the Tarawani system, performing ‘Exercises’. I had a pick up there, but ran into their fleet in orbit.”

 

Swain lifted his brows. He had read the Intel report about the sudden pull back of Jem’hadar forces, and, combined with what they’d seen on the way to DS9 had wondered exactly what they were upto. “I see,” he said. “Well I guess we’ll have to pick up their slack then.”

 

“Fine by me. The Jem’hadar aren’t very social, or friendly.” Mark turned to Swain. “To be honest, this isn’t something I exactly enjoy doing. Private life brought private debts, and now I captain an antiquated freighter, hoping not to get shot at by those Jem’hadar, or pirates, or blood cults and all the other deadly things in this quadrant. I do miss that about this ship.”

 

Swain grinned ruefully. “You might be the only one.

 

“But I can understand,” he said, rubbing at the tattoo on the back of his left hand, as if it was reminding him of something. “I don’t think I’d know what to do with myself if I left the ‘Fleet. Been too much a part of who I am for too long. Certainly wouldn’t go back home.”

 

“No,” He agreed. “I was born and raised on these ships. It’s all I’ve ever known.” He finished off with a drink.

 

“Well,” Swain said finally. “I’ve likely kept you long enough. I should let you back to your crew. Tell the bartender the rest of your drinks are on me. God knows I’ll regret it later, but thats for calling you a liar.”

 

“I’ll try to leave you something to retire with.” Mark grinned. “That was my problem, always a tab.”

 

Swain gave Mark a good pat on the shoulder. “I didn’t get these tattoos by being a teetotaler you know,” he said with a grin. “Besides, a Captain’s salary is better than a lieutenant’s.”

 

“That is true.” He nodded in agreement. “Though, I’ve never drank with a Captain’s salary either.” He grinned, taking another drink.