Neelix's Dinner Fun

Posted on Fri Oct 2nd, 2026 @ 1:02pm by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Commander Jonathan Roebuck IV & Commander Leksander Draven & Lieutenant K`Wor & Ensign Luke Conway & Tom Vercetti & First Ramata`tar & Admiral Deela T'Lar & Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant Commander Anna Bagwell & Lieutenant Percy McWire & Lieutenant Arev & Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox & Camron Wayne & Captain Worf Son of Mogh & Commander Julian Bashir

4,214 words; about a 21 minute read

Mission: Episode 121 - "Where There's A Section, There's A Way"
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: 1630hrs

ON:

-Level 799-
-Reception Hall-

K'Wor was one of the first to walk in, followed by Conway...

"I've not seen something like this since the Academy." Conway said as he looked around.

K'Wor was also looking around, "Me either."

A moment later Vercetti and Bremer walked in and stopped in their tracks too.

"What is God's name am I looking at here? A high school cafeteria?" Vercetti asked.

Mike looked around and saw what appears to be a school lunch room. There were banners, posters, and 'hand drawn' images posted to the wall. 'Pep Rally tomorrow', 'Neelix for class president', 'Under the Sea dance next Friday' were just some of the things they said while 1950s music played in the background.

"AH! Welcome!" Neelix said as he saw the group gathering at the door. "Grab a tray and make your way down the line. We have dishes from Earth, QonoS, Vulcan, and several from the Delta Quadrant all for your eating pleasure."

"What is this?" Jake Crusher said as he walked in looking around.

"Well, I wanted something you'd all remember. I took some inspiration from Mr. Paris's love of twentieth century Earth, something Mr. Draven here also has an appreciation for. Instead of a stuffy old formal dinner, I thought a relax 'school lunch' would be fun and allow for everyone to talk and get to know each other better!" Neelix explained.

"Hell yeah, and we can have a good ol' food fight later!"

Neelix shook his head no as everyone turned around to see Beckett Mariner and Brad Boimler standing there, Mariner with a big smile on her face.

"Were they here this whole time?" Mike ask, confused.

"Oh, no, we just arrived an hour ago Tom Vercetti said we should come." Boimler replied.

Vercetti just smirked and shrugged his shoulders.

"Yeah, the Cerritos..." Boimler started, but he was cut off by Bremer...

"Thank you for putting all this together Mr. Neelix." Mike said.

"It's a pleasure, we have a lot to celebrate." Neelix said with a smile.

"Yeah, it's not every day you celebrate sixty years of Star Trek." Mariner said as she broke the fourth wall and smiled at a camera no one else could see.

Neelix motioned toward the stack of trays at the start of the lunch line as the group moved forward.

The doors of the Reception Hall opened as Dee waddled in. She wore a pair of black trousers with a highly elasticated waist to accommodate her growing belly. Her top was a long sleeved velvety blue affair with a round neck. Around her neck she wore a pendant, Jaxon bought her. It was a gold chain with a Teardrop shaped dark blue gemstone dangling from it

Jaxon was running a little late would hopefully join her.

Percy entered the reception hall and could hardly believe his eyes as he looked around. He spotted a few familiar faces, most of whom he recognized from mission reports and personnel files. The room was lavishly laid out with all manner of dishes prepared by Neelix, and it was also decorated in a very inviting manner, which he personally found very pleasing.

He then made his way to the queue that had formed at the food counter. A few people were already standing there, collecting their meals. He noticed also Dee were also here and greeted her waving his hand.
He then took a tray, joined the queue and waited his turn.

Dee came over and joined the queue behind Percy. "Don't take too much, Percy, I'm eating for two as they say. I'm not as hungry as I thought so I might start light." Dee commented.

“Oh, I won’t. I’d like to try a bit of everything,” replies Percy

"Oh I know. But I don't want to look greedy like the buffet I attended. The looks I got, oh man." Dee commented.

Ariana stepped through the doors holding onto her beloved husband Cameron’s arm. They’d managed to find a babysitter for a few hours so they could have an evening out together. “Wow! This looks amazing.” She smiled. “That’s quite some buffet over there.”

"Yah it is definately impressive I still find it hard to beleave that after everything that has happened everyone has been able to come togather for a night like this." Said Cameron as he looked around the room it was a habit of his and with this many important people in one place including his wife he was going to be vigilent.

Ariana smiled seeing the guarded look on Cameron’s face as he looked around the room. “Are you going to spend all night looking for trouble? I don’t think anyone would dare try anything here.”

"You would be surprised what people will try when the most beautiful woman in 2 quadrants is in a room." Said Cameron with a grin as he headed to the buffett

“Flattery will get you everywhere you know” Ariana smiled warmly as she followed her beloved to the buffet.

K'Temoc arrived, his head down as he looked over a PADD, orders for the Yorktown-G to set off on a shakedown cruise to DS9. Once he took a couple of steps in, he looked up at the scene.

"Did I just walk through a time warp?" K'Temoc asked out loud to no one particular.

"Oh, no sir." A petite female voice said from behind him.

K'Temoc turned around, expecting to see a small humanoid, instead he slowly looked up at large Brikar with Lieutenant pips. "Ummm..."

"Lieutenant Rok‑Tahk, Science Office of the USS Prodigy sir. I was on leave and stopped at Starbase 400 on my way back to meet the Prodigy at DS6 to see Kane Sawgur, he just opened a shop on the Promenade here, Admiral" Rok‑Tahk explained.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Lieutenant." K'Temoc replied, embarrassed. "Welcome to Starbase 400. Did you meet up with your friend?"

"I did, his shop will be open soon, it's the only Brikar owned shop in the quadrant." Rok explained.

K'Temoc nodded, then motioned for Rok to go ahead of him in the line.

Ezekiel and Jaxon walked in together. "Colonel, I heard you needed a new pilot for the Saratoga," Jaxon said, as they made their way into the reception hall. Jaxon had not noticed the extra attention to detail, but Ezekiel did.

"Well, this is peculiar," Ezekiel said, as he got caught up in the moment. The reception hall reminded him of a high school prom. And not a formal state gathering.

Jaxon then noticed the room. "It is very colorful sir," Jaxon said, hoping the Colonel would want to discuss the Saratoga. This was his chance to secure the helm position for himself.

"Yes, it is. Why do you want to serve under me? The Saratoga is a Marine vessel." Ezekiel asked, but then heard a cough. It was Dee. "Sorry, Lieutenant, I assume you want your fiancé back?"

"Well", Dee replied after devouring another sausage roll. "I don't want to interrupt if your conversation is important, but I would like to have my fiancé at some point. You two finish your conversation whilst I go and raid the buffet; Velo has given me a direct order." She laughed as she headed back to the buffet.

"I think that's your cue to follow her Lieutenant." Ezekiel said, as he looked to Jaxon. He eyes said, a woman does not interrupt a conversation, unless she wants your attention.

"Yes sir, will talk later sir." Jaxon said, as he started to follow the direction of Dee. She was glowing with beauty. He walked up behind her, and gently put his arm on her back.

She turned, " oh hello my love, come to join me at the buffet? You have to try the Risian Meat Rolls. Oh my lord. Heavenly."

"The Colonel is a little stubborn. Wanting a marine crew on a marine ship, I was trying to show him I could be a valuable asset." Jaxon said, as he grabbed a plate to dish up.

"You are a valuable asset. He might see that if you could show him somehow. " Dee replied. "Ohh would you look over there, pickled peppers. Fabulous" she said taking a couple.

"I don't know man he seems very determined, to have an all marine crew on the Saratoga." Jaxon said, as he continued to walk with her

"There's no harm in trying. If he is that determined, then so be it. I still think he's losing out if he doesn't at least give you some consideration. " Dee replied, munching on a pickled pepper.

"Well I guess I could ask his wife if she needs her helmsman, but I've never been a Olympic class kind of helmsman." Jaxon said knowing she commanded the USS Mercy. He hadn't even seen the ship go out yet. He knew the ship with me only for major medical emergencies.

" Yeah. Keep your options open. " Dee added.

"You need to get your own ship my love, that way I can be your helm officer." Jaxon suggested to her with a big grin on his face.

" Me? My own ship? I don't see that happening to be honest. I'm a Engineer at heart so my home is in main engineering. Although, there maybe circumstances that might give rise to the possibility. But, realistically, you might need an alternative reality for me to have my own ship."

"I can see you commanding a ship, your a natural born leader Dee, never forget that " Jaxon said with a big smile on his face.

"I will take that as a compliment, but right now I can't see myself commanding a ship."

She took a bite of a sausage roll, and then she remembered. She had't the faintest idea how she had completely forgotten about it, but she guessed the party was a serious distraction.

"Jax, you will never guess who showed up at the station, just hours before the party. My mirror counterpart. You know how I rescued her from the mirror universe and once she was deemed safe, she went to live with my parents? Well, my mother has sent her to check on me. Can you believe that?"

"I think that's weird, I'm not trying to be mean but why is she trying to act like she's your twin sister? She's you! I don't know what to think of that whole thing." Jax said, being honest with his feelings.

"I know she's me. But that's how she's coming across. I even heard two officers talking and one said he wasn't aware the ACEO was a twin. I understand if you choose not ha e anything to do with her but I can't guarantee she won't come looking for you. Honestly, I'm not remotely happy she's here."

Deela walked in with her daughter in tow. Raivyn was wowed by everything there. She had never seen anything like this before. Upon spying the buffet, she was eager to get something to eat. "Mom, I'm hungry. Do I have to wait for you or can I go now?"

Deela wasn't sure what to make of it all. She looked around and then looked over where the buffet is, "We can go together." Walking over to the buffet, she smiled, "Raivyn, don't forget to try some of the food from Vulcan. You'll have to tell me what you think."

"Oh don't worry. I'm going to try everything!" Raivyn did as she said, making Deela smile.

Arev had been reading a book recently published by a "former" Orion pirate that detailed the pirate's impressive ability to complete repairs with minimal materials and somehow always keep the ship together when the alarm for the dinner gathering went off. He made his way to the reception hall on 799, and was somewhat taken aback at the sheer number of topics that had been squeezed into the decor.

He noticed the buffet and made his way to inspect it, the selection was quite impressive. Relekian drik'lak was tucked away into a corner of one of the buffets. Arev hadn't had it since he was young and took a couple of pieces of the treat on a plate before finding a seat.

Anna had had a busy day but she relaxed the moment she walked in and smiled. She looked around and it reminded her of younger days, some memories were good and others not so much. She looked around and saw Zeke was with some other marines. She waited until they finished and walked over to her husband.

"Isn't this something else?" She said with a smile as she walked up to Zeke. "I really like the whole idea behind it."

"High School Prom vibes here." He said feeling a little nalstogic.with a big grin and a loving smile he said. "Perhaps later we can have a dance."

"I would love that." Anna replied, her eyes meeting his. "It's been a while, I think we all needed this."

"Good how much because there's nobody else here I don't want to dance with." Ezekiel said, is he started to think about the idea of the two of them just dancing on the floor, it was very soothing to him.

Anna smiled back at him. She was looking forward to this, moreso than she had early. "We needed something like this."

"Really, I can see if Mr Neelix is available." Ezekiel said, wondering what the heck was she thinking, and what was her process for thinking that they needed to do something on this Grandpa scale. He wasn't trying to objectify harshly, he was just trying to understand. Hevsas waiting to see how Anna would respond. He did not mind Neelix helping them out, if he was up for it.

"Mr Boimler, I'm so glad you join us on Starbase 400, is this your first time?" Ezekiel asked as he stood next to Anna his loving wife.

Boimler turned to see Ezekiel, he honestly had no idea who this man was, with the nervous tiki he kind of grabbed his collar for a second and then looked closely at Ezekiel. "Ahh a green uniform, a Colonel I see." Boimler said a little panicked, he prided himself on knowing a lot of people. But this Marine had gone underneath his radar.

"Colonel Ezekiel Bagwell, 1st Marine Division Commander for Starbase 400." He said as he reached out his hand to shake it.

"Marines on a station, neat." Boimler said, not sure what to say. He near the Marine corps, but I haven't had very much interaction with them. "So what does a first Marine division Commander do you want a station like this?"

Ezekiel started to talk about what his unit does, and shockingly Boimler seems seems to be interested in his answers. He can feel Anna talking on his shoulder. Ezekiel assumed it was probably her cue to say that she was bored.

"As you can tell." Anna said with a smile. "Being a marine is quite a large task." She was serious in her words. "I am very proud of my husband." Her eyes met Boimler's. "I am Lieutenant Commander Anna Bagwell, the station's Cheif Medical Officer."

Elsewhere, Neelix was walking around, checking on everyone, making sure they were enjoying their meal and their time.

He stopped by a table where Conway was standing up from. "How was your meal Ensign?"

"Oh, very good Mr. Nexal." Conway said, not remembering Neelix's name.

"Neelix actually." He replied with a smile. "Going back for more? I'm told the little rectangle pizza slices are a hit!"

"Neelix, yes those were good, reminded me of grammar school, but I'm due back in Ops in a few minutes and I don't want to be late for duty." Conway replied. "Thank you."

Neelix smiled. As he turned he noticed an older woman sitting down at the table Conway just stood up from. "Ah, welcome!"

"Neelix, meet Pelia. Pelia, meet Mr. Neelix." Vercetti said as he also walked up to the table.

"Pelia, that's an unusual name for a Human." Neelix commented.

"An unusual name for an unusual person...or so I've been told from time to time." She smiled and flared her hair with her hands. "Oh and I'm not a Human, I'm a Lanthanite."

Neelix cocked his head to the side, "A Lanthanite? I don't think I've encountered your species before. I have so many questions."

"And you're the first Talaxian I've met too, I have so many questions...like this pizza. Did you get a copy of the 1988 "Quantity Recipes for School Food Service" it tastes just like I remember." Pelia said as she took a dramatic bite.

Neelix looked puzzled, "The recipe was in the replicator but came highly recommended. So, Dexa and I got the ingredients and made it by hand. I'm so thrilled you like it."

"Oh, well if school lunches from the 1980s is something you're interested in, I'll loan you my copy of the book. I recommend trying the Sloppy Joe and Salsbury Steak." Pela smiled.

"Fascinating, as a Vulcan friend use to say." Neelix replied. "Sloppy Joe sound so...fun."

Pelia smiled, "I once had a Vulcan friend to, when I was in Starfleet about a hundred and fifty years ago."

Tom, stuck in the middle, could only roll his eyes and listen as Pelia and Neelix continued to chat.

All the while, Mike stood in a corner, shadow helping to conceal his presence. He watched everyone mingle, eat, and generally relax. After the last mission to the Delta Quadrant, this was a much needed event.

"You should join the others, I will keep watch." Ramata'tar said to Mike as he unshouded.

Mike, taken a little by surprise, thought to himself 'I must be getting old', but flashed a smile. "I'm okay, thank you. You should go speak. This is a good time for you to do a little more 'social experimenting'."

"Then I will speak with Dr. Bashir, he has experience with my people." Ramata'tar said before walking away.

Mike glance out the window into space for a moment and was lost in thought for a bit...

"Admiral."

Mike was once again taken off guard, but he didn't show it. Instead of looked at the reflection of Jack Crusher standing behind him.

"What can I do for you Ensign?" Mike asked as he turned to face the younger man.

"I...I first wanted to thank you...for turning a blind eye to Tom's business trips to help my mother and I years ago." Jack said.

"I'll be honest, I didn't know Mr. Vercetti was helping you and Beverly obtain medical supplies, food, and even a few weapons until after the events aboard the Titan and Frontier Day. I've known him a long time, and if he's getting supplies to someone like that, it's for a good reason, and I think the Mariposas is a good reason." Mike replied. "But, 'Jarlis Carvel'?" Mike smirked.

Jack smiled back, "It wasn't my best alias."

"What else did you want to talk about?" Mike asked.

Jack's expression became more serious. "You've also known Bashir for a long time. Can we trust his intel? After all, Section 31 isn't known for cooperating with the rest of Starfleet."

"I have no doubt in what Julian says, and I think we all want to avoid another war." Mike replied.

"Worf said the same thing. Since you serviced with him before the Dominion War, I just wanted to make sure." Jack replied.

Mike nodded, he appreciated the dedication to duty. "Go relax Mr. Crusher."

Jack smiled, "Tom was supposed to bring a bottle of Saurian Brandy, but he seems occupied right now." Jack nodded toward Tom, still between Neelix and Pelia as they chatted.

"I know a guy that has a couple of bottles of Klingon Bloodwine, 2309." Mike said with a smirk as he tapped his comm-badge.

A few minutes later, Mike was seated at a table with Worf, Raffi, Crusher, and Mariner as they passed the bottles around. In that moment, rank meant nothing, each telling stories of their own adventures or about people they knew. It was the first time, in a very very long time, that Mike truly let his shields down and just enjoyed the moment. His soul needed it.

Sometime later, Mike had lost track of time while he was talking and drinking bloodwine with the others, Neelix walked over...

"Mister Admiral, it's been brought to my attention that on Earth, a celebration of that wonderful beverage called beer is currently taking place."

As Mike tapped his comm-badge and brought up a holo-chronometer, Mariner spoke up, "Oh my God, the fuzzy guy is right!"

"Fuzzy?" Neelix asked with a confused expression.

"Oktoberfest kicked off in Munich the other day! Tell me you have a Germans around this Starbase, they KNOW how to make beer" Mariner continued.

Mike stood up and looked around, then tapped his comm-badge again. "Bremer to Mr. Widdy."

A moment later, the voice of Crumm Widdy was heard over the comm. "Crumm Widdy here Admiral."

"Mr. Widdy, I need your help." Mike said with a smile.

Several minutes later, the Bolian entrepreneur of the Skyline Lounge on Starbase 400's Promenade came through the Reception Hall doors wearing traditional German lederhosen and carrying several Maß, each holding a liter of golden German beer. Behind him a few of his wait staff pushed carts with more mugs and beer kegs. Last to come in was Kane Sawgur pushing another cart full of treats like Würstl, Brezn, Käsespätzle, Schweinebraten, Apfelmus, and more.

From the other side of the Hall, Rok-Tahk smiled at her friend and walked over, giggling. "I never thought I'd see a Brikar wearing German lederhosen."

Sawger smiled back, "It seemed appropriate." Sawger then waved people over, "Compliments of the 'Bavarian Pretzel Factory' and 'Der Biergarten' on the Promenade."

"And the beer is courtesy of the Skyline Lounge! With the best prices on spirits and other drinks you'll find on the Promenade, we even been Zark's imitation Quark's franchise!" Crumm flashed a big grin before he and Neelix started a conversation.

Soon, the line formed up, behind Mariner of course. As she turned to go sit back down, Maß in hand and holding a Brezn in her teeth, she patted Sawger on the back, "Well done big guy!"

Boimler, standing beside Crusher, raised his Maß and started to sing. He was quickly joined by Crusher, then Worf, who never missed a good drinking song, Bremer, Mariner, Raffi, Bashir, Pelia, and others...
"Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit
Ein Prosit, ein Prosit
Der Gemütlichkeit"

"Too bad Jankom isn't here, he'd love the food! And The Doctor too, he'd love all the singing." Rok-Tahk added at the end with a smile as she enjoyed some Apfelmus.

"Where is Jankom?" Ezekiel asked. He was surprised one of the most gifted engineers and all Starfleet wasn't here on this glorious day. He had heard of the famous engineer. He did not know the tellerite man personally, but he had a lot of respect for him.

"He's aboard the Prodigy, or at least he should be." Rok replied. "They'll arrive at DS6 soon for an overhaul. I'll be taking a runabout to meet them there tomorrow."


Pelia brushed her hair that had fallen in front of her face. "Oh, are we doing a musical now? I have a song we can sing...everyone sing a part!" She cleared he throat, "Thank You for being a friend..."

She looked at Bremer, but he just shook his head, "Aw come on Admiral." Pelia nudged Mike. "Thank You for being a friend..."

Bremer took a breath, then continued, "Travel down a road and back again..."

Suddenly Worf joined in, "Your heart is true..."

Boimler then stood up, "you're a pal and a confidante..."

"This' my part right here." Mariner said as she stood, "And if you threw a PARTY..."

"Invited everyone you knew..." Raffi sang with a smile.

"You would see the biggest gift would be from me..."Rok then sang as she spread her arms out.

"And the card attached would say," Jack added, saying it more than singing.

"Thank You For Being a Friend!" Pelia closed out to the sound of applause...mostly from Crumm and Neelix. "Oh, and did you know I once guest started on an episode of 'The Golden Girls; back in 1985?" Pelia then added with a smile.

"The who?" K'Temoc asked.

"'The Golden Girls'...but speaking of The Who, Roger Daltrey and I briefly dated in the early 1970s until Pete Townshend got jealous?" Pelia added a sly smirk.


Rok's comm-badge beeped, "Ops to Lieutenant Rok-Tahk, you have an incoming transmission from a Lieutenant Murf, routing it to your closest monitor."

Rok smiled, and walked over the comm-panel near the Reception Hall's main door. She tapped the panel and Murf appeared on the screen with the bridge of the USS Prodigy in the background. Gwyndala and Dal were behind, instructing a few Starfleet Academy Cadets in bridge etiquette and operation.

Murf seemed to, purr and squeek.

"I'll meet you at DS6 in two days." Rok replied.

Murf smiled and made another squeek-like noise.

Rok looked over at Bagwell, "Murf, get Jankom."


OFF:

RSS Feed