The Brain and The Brawn

Posted on Thu Jan 16th, 2020 @ 8:04pm by Brigadier General Kaden Ross & Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Coleman
Edited on on Fri Jan 17th, 2020 @ 7:14am

1,818 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 102 - The Rising Tide of War
Location: Kitty O'Shea's
Timeline: MD1, 1830 hours

Coleman was walking through the Promonade after finishing up a meeting with several of the science officers aboard the station. Since Coleman had been shipped out soon after arriving aboard the station, he hadn't had the chance to meet up and introduce himself to many aboard the station. While he had met a few of his fellow officers during the wedding, he hadn't worked a lot with his own staff.

Thus, after he was done with the meetings and reports, Coleman wanted to take a view of the station. He hadn't been on a station much like this in such a long time. It was during his layover at Starbase One, in orbit of Earth, since he spent much time on a base of this type.

Looking around, Coleman saw a bar that looked interesting. Having gotten off duty about twenty minutes prior, he headed inside and sat down at the bar. Ordering a whiskey on the rocks, the bartender came back after making his drink for him and laid it on the counter. Coleman took a few sips as he looked around.

Kaden then entered briefcase in hand heading to his usual spot at the bar and sat down. Looking at the bartender who was somewhat new there but didn't help him miss Liam happy to see him with his drink ready. Setting his briefcase down on the counter the Marine set his jaw and sighed. "Saurian Brandy."

Watching the bartender set him a glass with ice and pour his drink he offered a quick smile and took a sip. Once the bartender set the bottle of brandy down to serve another customer coming in. Kaden took the bottle then pulled it over to him taking a drink from it before setting it down and lowering his head.

Watching the people as they walked into the bar and sat down, Coleman noticed the newest addition to the bar. He was still in uniform, but must've just gotten off duty. He was wearing a marine uniform with a Colonel rank pip, so it peaked Coleman's curiosity.

Getting up from his seat at the end of the bar, Coleman grabbed his drink and took it over to where the marine was sitting and sat down next to him. Giving him one more once over, Coleman smiled and said, "Tough day, huh?"

Kaden was in the middle of taking a sip noticing he seemed to perk the curiosity of someone in the bar. "Just missing someone actually." He replied setting his drink down.

"You must be missing them quite a bit today if you're drinking the entire bottle by yourself," Coleman said, almost sounding like a counselor. But, it was just his natural El-Auran instincts coming through. Coleman grabbed a bottle of a green liquid and poured them both a glass.

"Try this. It'll help with the nerves a little bit better," Coleman said, offering up the glass.

Kaden took it and offered the fellow a friendly smile before he took a sip. The flavor was a bit different than what he was accustomed to as was the smoothness. "Odd, certainly different I will tell you that." He set the drink down next to his other one.

"Well, when you're as old as I am, you tend to learn a few tricks along the way. Coleman's the name, by the way," Coleman said, offering his hand to shake after putting all the liquors away in their proper locations before the bartender came back to the bar.

Kaden raised an eyebrow as shook Coleman's hand perplexed by what the man said. "Kaden Ross, Uh...what do you mean by old?" He asked.

"Well, I'm El-Auran and was born in 1989, on Earth. It was an interesting time back then, but it was also a very dark time in Earth's History as well," Coleman said, taking a sip of his drink.

Kaden looked the man over completely in shock. "Holy shit..." He trailed off before clearing his throat. "What I mean is man I hope I look that good when I am your age. No...no...not what I meant either..." Kaden's face turned red as he again trailed off with a long drawn sigh before slouching in his chair feeling like a fool before taking a swig from the bottle.

Coleman looked over at Kaden and took another sip of his drink without saying a word. He couldn't help but smile at how red Kaden was getting. "Well, you should see my mother. She's already over 600 years old," Coleman said with a chuckle, grabbing the bottle and pouring a little more the liquid into both of their bottles.

Kaden waited for him to top his glass before taking a drink. "600? Good lord." He turned to face Coleman better. "So, what is a guy like you doing out in this part of the Galaxy? I mean if I could live long as you I probably want to see what is all out there much as I could."

"I was working at the Vulcan Science Academy before coming over to Starbase 400 and before that, I was working on Deep Space Two. I've had my fair share of the universe, even before the NX-Classes were around with Earth Starfleet," Coleman said as he took a sip and chuckled.

"How about you? What are you doing on this side of the universe?" Coleman added to the end of his miniature bio of himself.

Kaden took a sip of his drink. "Come from a long line of car nuts and military men first in my family in Starfleet since my Great Great Grandfather. Who is famous for being the guy that punched Archer's ass out when he found out MACO was being disbanded." He took another sip of his drink. "Anyway, I really didn't see myself running the family business and my counselor thought maybe joining the Marines be a good self confidence builder for me."

"Why does a big, tough Marine have to go see a counselor? If you don't mind me asking," Coleman said, taking a rather large swig of his drink as he finished it off. Pouring them both another glass, Coleman wasn't sure how long the both of them would be there, but he enjoyed hearing the various stories they were sharing.

Kaden didn't see himself as anything but big and though only a guy just roaming the Galaxy to stay out of the family business. "I rather not discuss it." He said trying to not sound rude as he took a drink.

Looking the Marine over, Coleman just nodded and let Kaden know that he wasn't going to push the question further. Coleman just took another sip of the greenish liquid and enjoyed the moment.

Thinking about something Kaden said earlier made Coleman think. Coleman's jaw dropped once he realized who Kaden's Great-Great Grandfather was.

"Wait a minute. Your Great-Great Grandfather wasn't Olsen Ross, was he?" Coleman asked, curious as to whether the two men were the same.

Kaden had his glass half way up to his mouth to take a drink when Coleman brought up his ancestor. Althought not exactly sure where the guy was going with it but Kaden assumed a pretty good idea. "Alright, look yes it is true he punched Jonathan Archer out cold and told the President at the time shove the Admiralty job he was offered up his ass." He turned to face the science officer better. "But how would you feel that after all the things you did in your career as a military man to mean nothing almost and be treated like relic?"

Seeing how Kaden was getting a little hot after Coleman asked the question, he raised his hands and chuckled. "Sorry, I didn't mean any offense by it. I just remembered working with Admiral Archer and the President at the time and watching Olsen throwing a pretty good upper punch in Archer's face. I just wanted to say that he had a good right hook."

Kaden's eyes widened as he felt his jaw drop. "Wait, you was THERE?" He asked in shock.

With a chuckle, Coleman said, "I did mention I was over 400 years old, right? I've done a lot of stuff in my time in both Starfleet and the Federation, including the predecessors of United Earth. Archer did have a bit of a temper, so he deserved to be put into his place."

Kaden couldn't help it Coleman completely piqued his curiosity as he took his drink in hand and leaned forward. "Yeah? I heard those days was pretty crazy back then in the 22nd Century similar the Old West on Earth." He took a drink of his brandy real quick. "I actually played the holo program Riker came up with on the days of Archer and NX Enterprise. What a imagination he had this whole 'Temporal Cold War' thing was outrageous. Then his wild reason for the Xindi attack oh and don't get me started on how you can bang T'Pol and Sato playing the role of the Chef."

"Of course you would think about banging the Vulcan XO and the Communications Officer. I'll have to show you the holodeck program again, to make sure that you actually understand the History of it all," Coleman said, thinking back to the various events of the 22nd century on Earth. He had gone back to Earth to help with the NX-Class construction in the 2140's and 50's, so he got to see a lot of the people like T'Pol, Archer, and the rest of the crew of the Enterprise of that era.

"I'm sorry about your Great-Great Grandfather though. He was a good officer and MACO," Coleman said, offering up condolences.

Kaden offered the man a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks, Coleman, but imma pass on your offer on that holo program I can only take so much of that horror before I lose it." He said.

Laughing a hardy chuckle from my gut, Coleman said, "Well, if you ever change your mind, just let me know. But, I think I need to head back to my quarters before I have to have security help me back. But, thanks for the drinks."

Kaden raised his drink to him before taking a sip he wasn't sure he really wanted to consider Coleman's offer. Last thing he needed was to lose his marbles and go postal or wind up in a padded room. "Oh, no problem...I should be heading home myself before the poor wife has to drag my drunken ass there. But I certainly enjoyed the chat nice to have someone to talk to again."

"Well, if you ever want to talk again, my office is down in the science labs. You can have the computer come and find me," Coleman said, getting up and slapping the Colonel on the shoulder. Heading out, he smiled at the newest friend he has made.

RSS Feed