CAPERNUM: Cigar Lounge

Posted on Wed Jul 9th, 2025 @ 9:18pm by Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.}

Mission: CAPERNUM: {CD&MISSION} On Duty
Location: Shuttle Bay 2
Timeline: Current

ON:

Down in Shuttle Bay 2, Captain Green was busy with a team as they moved things about and opened the space up for more small craft. All the previous occupant Deltas had been moved to the main shuttle bay. More tightly packed, but easily fitting in with the other craft. Now, with SB2 cleared for craft, it could also be used as a makeshift triage area, an extra cargo space for emergencies, whatever may be needed. As it hit the noon hour, Ro got the team's attention, telling them they were free to go about other duties or a day off since the bay was now how she wanted it. They all gave her nods and thanks, then departed. Walking over to the bay opening, forcefield in place with the door open, Green stood a mere meter from the rigors of open space. If the forcefield suddenly collapsed she would be sucked into space without a chance to catch herself. Not that she was worried. Such an event was so rare as to be almost impossible with the redundancy of systems. Plus, fear was not part of the equation.

It had been some time since Ro had indulged herself, so she reached into her thigh pocket and pulled out a protective cigar case, sliding it open and hearing the slight swish sound of the hermetic seal breaking. Pulling the cigar from within she put the protector back together and turned it off, sliding it back into her pocket. Glancing around she saw several packing crates she could use for a bench, so she pulled one over with the Force and sat down. Digging in the other thigh pocket she pulled out the cigar clip and snipped the end off, kicking the small snub of cigar out through the forcefield. Putting the cut end of the cigar to her mouth, she licked and swirled it around enough to dampen the tobacco just right, then held it sideways as she pocketed the clip and brought out her torch lighter specifically designed for cigars. Igniting the flame she toasted the tip of the cigar well, then pursed her lips as she placed the cigar in her mouth to puff on it enough to get it going properly. Once that was done, Ro put the lighter away and simply sat and enjoyed the taste of quality Cuban tobacco and cigar, with a hint of vanilla flavoring. The aroma was as delicious as the flavor as she sat in thought, communing with the force while enjoying a guilty pleasure.

Not sensing anyone approaching from her right, Green was taken by surprise when a person came up on that side of her. It irked her, the break in her solace, and she looked up at the person who had interrupted her serenity, only to have the serenity completely broken by the face she saw. Her head dropped even as she was leaning forward with elbows on knees, a show of consternation. "It figures," she said, more to herself but including the intruder.

There was a soft giggle as the woman sat down next to Ro, also bearing a cigar, dressed in an Admiral's uniform that actually had no bearing in Starfleet. Qeritas beamed a big smile at Ro when she saw her favorite Human lift her face back up. She even leaned in like an old gal pal and gave a shoulder-to-shoulder nudge. "Oh, please. Don't be so obstinate. Enjoy, smile, laugh. It only gets worse from here." She puffed on her cigar with a pose like the Queen of Egypt.

Hearing Qeritas speaking about things getting worse was not something Ro looked forward to--ever. "How much worse, and when, Qeri?"

"There ya go," a light laugh and another shoulder nudge, and Qeritas the Q looked to her friend, champion, and pet. "See? Not so hard to be cynical. You really should save that sort of thing for appropriate times. Me showing up is not always a doomsday warning. Maybe I just missed you."

Green actually smiled at the smarmy Q's attempt at being civil. Well, as civil as a being of her power could be when talking to a being equal to an insect compared to her. Q would be the Human, Green would be the ant. "Okay, okay. You're right. I do tend to view your visits as annoying. You have a way of making it so. But, it's understandable with who-what-you are."

Qeritas reached out and placed the backs of her fingers on Green's forehead, seeing the Human pull away as she realized what the Q was doing. "Wow, you really are trying to be nice. I figured you had a fever or something."

Ro recovered from her leaning away, grinning. "Here we go again. Time for the snark and insults. Can you ever just show up to actually visit, without the superior attitude?"

"But," Qeri said, her tone completely serious. "I am superior. Keeps you on your toes. Makes you think to be that way. Pardon me for trying to make you see beyond your own limitations." She blew some smoke in Green's face. "You lot, all you know in this small area of your galaxy, have NO idea what awaits on the far side of the Milky Way. Be glad you're over here on this side. All I'm saying, and trying, to get you larvae prepared for. As it stands, all of you combined would lose, plain and simple." Qeritas held her cigar in her mouth, talking around it as she began to glance around at the sitting arrangement. "This is uncomfortable." With a snap of her fingers both herself and Green were now sitting in nice patio chairs with a small table, drinks, and an ashtray between them. "There, much better." She languished back and put her feet up on the ottoman in front of her, motioning at the one in front of Green.

Green, never even feeling the change in seating before it was suddenly there, took the cue and leaned back, placing her feet on the ottoman and crossing the legs at the ankles. "Thanks." Taking up her drink she sipped it to see what it was. A Long Island iced tea. Delicious, and for flavor only since alcohol had no affect on her. She set the glass back down. "Enough about the other side of the galaxy, already. We're not there so it's not our concern. This is not the Pallean galaxy, where one government encompasses the entire thing, or most of it. That, and they can travel from one end to the next in a couple days." Puffing on her cigar for a few moments, Green looked back over at Qeritas. "Alright, I'll listen and not judge. Talk to me, Qeri, I know you have your own plans that you need us to implement or the Continuum will rip away all that makes you special. Please, tell me some stories."

Having been asked in all seriousness, Qeritas leaned back in her chair and began to speak, laying out stories, facts, and ideas. The entire time she spoke Green remained attentive, absorbing and memorizing all she had to say.

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