We'll always have the pub!

[Seiben 0]

Station Pub

06 June 2154, 22:57

 

"I'll have a glass of Guinness please" Seiben told the bartender. Relaxed from his day off today, Seiben sits on a stool at the station's pub. The bar was fairly crowded at this time, with civilians, officers and mainly workers for the Challenger project. Seiben's stool is right by the window which offers a nice view of the Chllanger. The bartender slides Seiben's Guiness over.

 

Seiben takes a few gulps, and looks out the window at Challenger. Aside from the warpcoil incident, all has been fairly well with the ship's construction thus far. Slowly, but surely the challenger pieces together like a jigsaw puzzle, or plastic model kit. And.. Seiben is fairly confident that they could finish within the 3 month deadline.

 

Seiben's workers see their boss and invite him over. So, Seiben grabs his beer and joins them. "Hey, how are you doing guys. I thought you'd be in bed right now, since the new work shifts become effective tommorow" said Seiben. "Nah, that's alright, sir. We're not tired" Seiben nods.

 

Seiben and his team go on talking about the project, sports, and whatnot over a pitcher of suds that Seiben ordered for them. It was nice to finally talk with them in a casual basis. Seeing, that they too are human beings (for the most part) which also like to have fun, and relax in the bar like he.

 

Though most of the project did go well, Seiben and his team felt stressed. Perhaps it was the short amount of time to construct the Challenger. It still amazedSeiben just how much of the ship had been cnstructed in such a short time. And now, with these longer hours.. it might just be done quicker. Or, so the theory goes.

 

But Seiben thinks Moore didn't factor in the human part of the work. Seiben picks up his PADD and reads the memo again.. 0730 - 1800, on the weekdays. With a ten minute lunch break. Ten minutes! That's only enough time to find your lunchbox and open your sandwich wrapper. Was this Moore guy Andorian, or something? How can one work 10 1/2 hours with a diddly 10 minute lunch break?

 

It certainly was unconstitutional, and Seiben and his crew already submitted their complaints. Whether they would actually be addressed is another matter though. Seiben supposed this Moore guy thinks they're all robots. Maybe that's what Moore should've got. General Electric does make worker drones, in addition to warpdrives.

 

But worker drones lack the dedication of human workers, and the warpdrive would thus have no "soul". The blood, sweat and tears of each and every one in this table went into that device -- the literal heart of the Challenger. But a contract, is a contract and though the hours are long, the pay is big. It was a very close fight for this contract,and GE barely beat out their arch nemesis Cochran Warp Technologies by the skin of their teeth. So, they can't exactly back out of it now.

 

Happily though, the stresses of the week seem to dissapear like the pitcher of beer. The warm rush of the alcohol, still not enough to render the workers intoxicated, but enough to give that warm comforting feeling begin to take its effects on the crew. Quickly forgetting about the project, Seiben and his teamm absorb themselves in food and drink watching Game 1 of the Water Polo Championship Finals.

 

Seiben's team won the match 13-6 taking a 1-0 lead in a best -of- 7 series. A profitable night. Seiben grins and counts the wad of cash, he won betting on his team. "Pleasure doing business with you guys!" Seiben says smugly. The losing co-workers grumble, but in a friendly manner. Even if it was for a few hours, it was nice feeling a little more like a human being.

 

The night passes by, and soon, it's closing time. Seiben and hs workers get up, and head for the quarters for the night. "See you guys tommorow" Seiben said heading to his room. It'll be back to the grind then, not really much time to talk, until 1800. Entering his quarters, Seiben sighs and changes into his pyjamas.

He sets his alarm for 0700 and crawls ito bed. He hopes that he and his team can cope with the long shift, but of course only time will answer that. But as stressed as they might get, a good beer and company with friends always seem to wash it away.