Pilots
Posted on Wednesday 17 August 2022 @ 13:39 by
Mission:
Revelations
Location: The Airfield Bar (DS21)
Timeline: MD 02
3534 words - 7.1 OF Standard Post Measure
It was a bar that attracted those who loved to fly, upon its walls were various forms of historical planes and images of them. The bar was old style made of highly polished wood. In the corner there was a juke box, which played old rock and roll from Earth's past. Currently the music that was playing was Danger Zone. At the beginning of the first stanza a woman stepped in, her build was supple and slightly willowy but yet had just the right amount of curves. Her dark hair was loose and flowing, down to the middle of her back, it being curly. She wore black carpenters pants which had multiple pockets, upon her feet combat boots, which reached to mid shin. She wore a white tee shirt with a pink tank top over it for the layered look, and last but not least a black leather flight jacket. Which looked nice against her mocha colored skin.
She would go by 1st Lieutenant Marjani Smith, but tonight she was just Marjani. She smiled at the ambiance of the place, feeling like she was at home already. Up to the bar where an empty stool was, she took a seat and grabbed a handful of pretzels popping a couple in her mouth.
"What'll you have?" the bartender asked, a tall swarthy indivdual who looked like he had been in a few scrapes.
"Give me an ale, Barkeep." Marjani replied and when she got her ale, she took a sip and gave a nod of approval. "This is really good, hit the spot just right." giving him a dazzling smile.
He gave a grunt in return, then went to fill another person's order. She turned in her stool to see who was in the bar, just curious if she could get someone to do a job with her. Her eyes landed upon a rather handsome man, who struck her interest liking what he was wearing.
Goose and Maverick sat at the end of the bar opposite the door. Pete preferred that as he could get a good look at those who entered. The change in assignments had been a whirlwind, as had getting the Merlin's flight deck and squads up to par. Maverick knew that he would have to run all of those pilots through the Top Gun training. He would have the best of the best and would not settle for less. Tonight though he was at The Airfield Bar aboard Deep Space 21 to blow off steam. Something Nick or mother Goose as Pete liked to call him, said he needed to do. So, he donned his brown leather bomber jacket that had his Top Gun patch stitched to one shoulder, and the newly sewn patch of the USS Merlin on the other. He also wore a white t-shirt and blue jeans, with motorcycle boots. Goose sat next to him wearing a blue Honolulu Hawaiian shirt, blue jeans and sneakers. He just cleared some beer from his mustache.
"You know Goose this is what I call a target rich environment." Pete said as he surveyed the crowd in the bar. "Yeah... yeah I'll bet you 20 credits that you cannot gain carnal knowledge of a woman this time before I leave. And keep in mind that Kelly wants me home early. She wants to use this time as alone time." Nick tossed his aviator sunglasses on the bar and smiled as he turned to Pete. "Who is going to watch kids?" Maverick said and then sipped his beer. "Actually Sammy volunteered to watch her little brother. Now focus..." Nick was interrupted as Pete put his beer stein down with a smirk. "Target acquired and now fixing a firing solution." Maverick's eyes fell on a woman who sat alone at the bar. Her black curly hair cascaded down her back as she turned her head about and surveyed the people in the bar. Goose gave Pete a look that read 'Crap here we go again...' "What you made a bet and now I want those credits..." Pete smiled in return.
Marjani thought she had a potential one, that handsome man she saw, but the man was soon joined by a woman, and they kissed. A slight sigh, and she turned her attention away from them to look around a bit more, taking a drink of her ale. She caught a glimpse of two men watching her, she saluted them with a raised glass, and turned her attention away. still scanning who was there. Another sip then she looked back towards the men who were looking at her, and felt that she may have crosshairs upon her. She liked how the one man was dressed, bomber's jacket blue jeans, tee shirt. Classic style. She wasn't going to make herself an easy target though and Marjani wondered if they liked to play the game. She also didn't mind how the other man looked either. She smiled once more then turned away to look into the mirror behind the bar to watch what was going on behind her.
"You know Goose she's lost it..." Pete began and was cut off by Nick. "No... no... no... come on we are not that young anymore and I have a wife... kids..." "Nope she has lost it and its gone..." Pete replied as he made his way to the jukebox. "Damn, I hate it when she does that..." Goose mumbled as he got up too. Pete programmed the jukebox to play You've Lost That Love And Feeling by The Righteous Brothers. As the beginning of the song began Pete made his way over to where Marjani sat and Goose followed. Maverick tapped her on the shoulder. "Excuse me... hey... excuse me..." He said as Nick cut in, "Don't worry I will take care of this." Maverick sang the first verse of the song and Goose joined in about halfway through the verse. As they moved into the second verse other pilots in the bar had joined in, most of them singing for fun or because they had too much to drink. A spectacle was being made and Marjani seemed to be at the center of it. When the song finished Pete sat down next to her. "Lieutenant Pete Mitchell, but my friends call me Maverick. You can call yours if you wish." He smiled boyishly.
Marjani's eyes crinkled up in the corners from her brilliant smile, turning around to pay attention to the two men then the whole bar participating in this scene. She swayed to the music, she just loved this song, and felt herself becoming rather interested in the person who started this. When he slid onto the barstool next to her, Marjani swiveled to face him.
"Hello Maverick, I'm Marjani, but my friends call me Voodoo." She had a distinctive silky smooth southern accent, one that hails from New Orleans. She moved just slightly to take a drink of her ale, then set it down upon the bar. "I certainly did like that performance. Have you done this before?" her eyes taking in his features, he looked even better up close. There was definitely the look of interest as well. Then her eyes darted over to where Goose was.
"Who is your friend?" Nodding towards Nick.
"Well Marjani this is my wingman Nick Bradshaw..." Pete began. Nick smiled and shook Marjani's hand. "Call me Goose, and allow me to buy this round. But I am off to see my wife. A guy spends too much time away from his wife and he gets a little antsy." He smiled.
"Hello Goose and definitely make certain you do go spend time with your wife. My mama said that something like that is extremely important to do so. She also said a happy spouse makes a happy house. She has a few quotes she likes to use." she glanced at Maverick then said to Goose. "Don't worry I won't get him into too much trouble. Only just slightly." holding her thumb and finger indicating a small amount of trouble she could get him into. Then she winked. "I'll maybe see you around, Goose."
Marjani then turned her attention back to Maverick. "So what's a man like you doing in a place like this." giving an impish, flirtatious, and yet a dazzling smile.
Nick slapped some credits down on the bar and told the barkeep to give Marjani and Pete whatever they wanted. Then he clapped Pete on the shoulder. "Be careful... I have heard the voodoo gets you into trouble. Briefing Room 0900." Pete and Nick exchanged a high five. "See you out there Voodoo." He said as he left.
"I am this place... I mean where ever I am I seem to find a place like this. Although now it seems I will be around here for a little while. The bigger question is what's a girl like you doing in a dump like this." Pete knew the pick up line was cliché. However, he played a hunch, he believed that she liked the cliché and that was why she was in this bar.
"I'm looking for some action to ease the blazing fire in my heart. Or having someone take my breath away" giving a teasing smile. Marjani wondered if Pete were willing to play this game, the sport of flirting by song lyrics. Or would she crash and burn, again. It was her thing, to see if a person was playful or not. That rakish smile though was drawing her in, he dressed like a pilot, in a classic fashion. And he was a pilot, not a wanna be. It radiated from him, and it attracted her attention even more.
Pete snapped his fingers and signaled that the barkeep should bring him another beer and Marjani another of whatever she was drinking. In the meantime he took the last sip of the beer that he had as he contemplated her worlds. He swallowed with a smirk, as it seemed it would take a little more before she would reveal anything about herself. "I'm dyin' for some action. I'm sick of sittin' 'round here tryin' to write this book. I need a love reaction. Come on now, baby, gimme just one look." He quoted one of his favorite musical artists to see where it would get him.
His quote pleased Marjani and so she took the plunge, "I need a hero I'm holding out for a hero 'til the morning light He's gotta be sure, and it's gotta be soon And he's gotta be larger than life."
Marjani chuckled, after she said her quote. "I am looking for someone to help me out in the morning. I've got escort duty for a cargo run, and need to make certain the cargo gets to where it is needed. And it won't be a cake run either."
And there it was, there was always something, why could it not just be an attraction, why was there always a favor or a catch. These thoughts crossed Pete's mind and got louder and louder in his head the more he thought about it. But, a bet was a bet and he intended to win that money. Maverick sipped the beer and swallowed again. "Well they don't just give these out for good looks..." He pointed to the Top Gun patch on his shoulder. "...But before anything I gotta know what's in it for me. If I am going to risk my neck, I need to know what I can get out of it. Why don't you have your own people?"
Marjani saw his expression, and drank the last of her ale, surprise written across her face. She set her cup down and said to the barkeep, "Another ale please." then turned back to Maverick, "I do have my own people and looks like I went down the wrong rabbit hole." a look of regret in her eyes. She paused for a moment once more taking in his physique, then added, "This could be your lucky night though, no strings attached." her eyes drifted away from Maverick's, as someone, make that three individuals to be exact, had just stepped into the Airfield Bar and she stiffened slightly. "And you would think that a person can get away from them just for a moment or three." trying to ignore the three ladies who were sporting flight jackets. "The Valkyries" she murmured quietly.
Pete was never one to take advantage of a woman who needed help. However, it had been sometime since he won the bet and today seemed like a good day to win. He looked at the three woman who walked in and knew immediately that he could fly circles around them backwards. "You got yourself some help. We will talk of luck later when we are in private..." He paused as he admired the woman's figure. She definitely had curves in the right places. "...So what's their problem?"
"They and I were part of a baseball team that traveled the circuit for StarFleet. Those were good games, and they were done for charity. I was the team captain, however the team was disbanded. Not only did we play baseball we were in the Black Knight Squadron, this squadron was mainly put together as escort service to keep the ships safe from pirates. Which we did, our commander was killed in the skirmish, I rallied the others and we sent the pirates, packing. After that, I was made the lead of that squadron." Marjani nodding thanks to the bartender and took a drink of her new ale.
She continued "Those three were not happy about it. I got challenged and well they were eating my dust. I was transferred after that. Their leader." nodding towards the dark-haired one who was with a blonde and a redhead. "Heather, the brunette, she's made it her mission to try to best me. The red head is Tricia, and the blonde is Zsa Zsa, those two are of the same mindset, wanting to prove they are better than me."
"Well that sounds like some healthy competition. Should not be too much of a problem. Although every woman I have ever met named Heather was an utter bitch. So I guess we will have to see if that tradition continues. But you should invite them over for a drink." Pete said and took a rather large drought from his glass. "Doesn't look like it will be too hard to send them on their way."
Marjani, turned back around to watch the three women, and it was as if they sensed she was watching them. They turned with one accord and stared at Marjani for a moment, then Heather smiled. With a snap of her finger she motioned for her wing ladies to follow and made their way to where Pete and Marjani sat.
"Well well, look what the swamp finally coughed up." Heather greeted Marjani, then Tricia and Zsa Zsa flanked Heather and moved to step between Marjani and Pete. Tricia squeezing in the space between Pete and Marjani, almost causing the pilot to lose her ale.
"Watch it there. I don't want to lose the drink he bought me. Would be rude." Marjani scoffed. She truly wanted to deck Tricia but she had made a promise not to get into a brawl. She had work to do tomorrow anyway.
Heather laughed, "Why hello there." eyeing Pete up and down. "How about coming with me where you can enjoy a classy time, and not with the swamp rat there."
Zsa Zsa sniggered at that comment.
"Normally I would say that there is enough of me to go around. But somehow I think being with you would mean I would have to shower for a month..." He paused only long enough to move Heather out of the way as gently as he could. Pete was not about to start a fight with three women. He would however bruise their ego enough to make them leave. "If you would excuse me. You are blocking the much better view." Pete added as he placed his hand on Marjani's.
Heather's mouth gaped open, she was speechless. Even Tricia and Zsa Zsa were in shock. Words just wouldn't come to the trio's mouths. All three of them looking like fish out of water.
Marjani quietly took Pete's hand, with a radiant smile. "Shall we take this somewhere else?" sliding her arm around his waist, definitely wanting to take advantage of the three women being in shock. "Its just a wee bit crowded."
Now those that had participated in Pete's song of wooing Marjani, caught what was going on with the Valkyries. They began to jeer and make wisecracks about the trio. "Yeah, why don't you three go find a bathhouse and make yourselves smell better. You are making the air reek with your stench."
"Yeah go hit the showers, you stink." was another comment made.
This brought the ladies to their senses. "We have taken showers" Zsa Zsa yelled out. And Trish added. "We don't stink!"
"Yeah right, if you showered you bathed in skunk fumes." said another.
Marjani looked at Pete then she said to Heather. "I'd leave if I were you, don't want things to get out of hand, and you get injured by a mob. And even if I don't like you, I don't want anything happening to you three either."
"Whatever!" Heather answered turning her nose up in the air then snapped her fingers "C'mon ladies, we've got better places to be." And they left amidst more jokes and jeers being called after them and cheers when they left.
"I was afraid there was going to be trouble." Marjani said quietly.
"Nah, not here, not with me. Top Gun pilots can smell there own sort of speak and we are a tight knit bunch..." Pete began as he put his arm around her waist and pulled her in toward him when they walked. "Now that the trash is out. Why don't you tell me about this escort mission that you need help with. My ship is in dock getting repairs which means I have some time and may be in a mind to help."
"Oof, you are from the Merlin? Sorry to hear about your ship." Marjani replied, quite content to have his arm about her. "She certainly looked like she took a beating there. It is rough seeing a ship take that sort of beating."
"As for my mission, I don't dare call it a milk run, nothing ever is. I've got to escort a cargo ship filled with supplies to the planet Vshynk, medical supplies and other things the colony there needs. This area is ripe with pirates so normal routine for me." Marjani explained, "However my wingman she came down ill, hence my being here, and the other part of my squad, he got a call from his wife she went into labor. My fourth squad member, he's around here somewhere, on the prowl. As for the cargo ship, this was one of the stops that needed to be made." she went quiet for a moment then added. "I think that covers the basics."
"Like any good magician the Merlin will reappear stronger than when she disappeared." Pete said in reference to her comment about the ship. "As for the help... I will fly with you but I have one non negotiable condition. I get to see and inspect the cargo before we leave. I am a Starfleet Officer first and foremost and as such I need to make sure that this is not even close to being a criminal enterprise." As much as he wanted this woman he would not fly with her if it were criminal, and in truth he would not take her as payment. Despite all the bravado Pete was in fact a gentlemen.
"By all means, I would rather you check the manifest with me, you never know if someone is trying to pull a fast one." Marjani replied. "The cargo is being loaded tonight in prep for tomorrow's run. We can go check that out right now. First though, need to pick up my tricorder from my quarters, so I can get the readings." Marjani was impressed this man did have a code of honor which she truly liked.
Marjani also figured the spirits were guiding her when she made her way to the Airfield Bar, otherwise, why else would she have met Pete 'Maverick' Mitchell?! "I am thinking that this is turning out to be my lucky day, since I've met you." leaning her head against Pete's shoulder. "And I need all the luck I can get."
"I think the lucky day is mine. But time will certainly tell on that. Lead on and lets get this show on the road." Pete said with a smile.
Marjani chuckled "Our course has been plotted." was her response as she led him to her quarters.
●● Lieutenant Pete "Maverick" Mitchell;br/> Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Merlin
LTJG Nick "Goose" Bradshaw
Tactical Systems Ops
NPC: Mitchell
Marjani "Voodoo" Smith
Pilot
NPC: Mathias McPhee
