That Coffee You Wanted - Part I

Posted on Thursday March 31st, 2022 @ 12:29am by Lieutenant JG Talerian Maxx

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: USS Oberon - Lounge
Timeline: MD05 1900

::ON::

It had taken several days, but Sakaan was now settled in on the Oberon. Her office was smaller than the old Chief Intelligence Officer's aboard Deep Space Three, but then this was a far different assignment. Travel to the edge of Federation space, perhaps beyond, and seek out the cause of my former posting's disappearance. Her lip twitched for a moment. It wasn't like Starfleet hadn't dealt with tall orders in the past.

Her duty shift over, she had changed into the spare, functional fashion of her homeworld and was wandering the ship. An idea struck her. Lieutenant Maxx had suggested they meet ... socially after all. Sakaan made her way to his quarters, expecting him to be there. After all, he spent most of his time with a mug of coffee in one hand, and stifling a yawn with the other. It was logical he would be resting in between shifts.

The Oberon was not a large vessel and she soon found herself outside the Chief Science Officer's Quarters and ringing the chime.

Lieutenant Maxx rubbed his tired eyes as he was reading a pile of reports to catch up on the ships history and experiments in the past. He was on his third cup of coffee and needed to wash his face to refresh himself. So he splashed his face with cold water and wiped off with a towel when he heard the door bell. He was curious who it was so he put his towel back and made his way to the door and opened it. Much to his surprise he saw the lovely Vulcan Sakaan on the other side of the door. She was indeed a vision of beauty and he was partially hoping this was a personal visit instead of a business one, but he was in no position to complain. It was always nice to spend time with an enchanting female regardless of race. Then Maxx asked, "Well hello Sakaan. To what do I owe the pleasure of your company?"

Max simply smiled as he hoped she would smirk and not roll her eyes up at his words.

'The other day, on Betazed before your briefing, you indicated that you wished to build a professional and-or personal relationship,' replied Sakaan in her best Vulcan persona. 'Given the amount of coffee you seem to need to function, I thought it prudent to invite you to the Lounge for an energizing beverage so that we can initiate such relationship-building.'

Maxx raised an eyebrow as he gave Sakaan a half smile. He was pleasantly surprised that Sakaan took the initiative to ask him out first. Since he was behind on his job he had not had a chance to even locate where Sakaan was working. He was planning to "Run into her by accident" later on in the week, but since she was here and asking he had no reason to refuse such an invite. Then he replied, "Well I would have to be an illogical mad man to refuse an offer of coffee and your delightful company." Maxx then put his data pad down since he wanted to pay attention to Sakaan instead of old reports. He knew from past experiences that when spending time with a woman, they hated it when they didn't have your full attention. Then he looked at Sakaan and smiled as he said, "Well I am all yours now." Maxx then exited his room as he smiled at Sakkan as asked, "So what is your preferred beverage to relax?"

'Herbal tea, for the most part,' Sakaan replied smoothly, 'though I have been known to partake in Romulan Ale as the need arises,' she arched an eyebrow, 'it's a good thing it's not contraband any more.' She motioned to the scientist, 'shall we?'

Maxx chuckled at Sakaan's comment. Though he was not sure it it was a joke or a snide comment, he was still amused by it. Then he replied, "Well of course. How can I refuse such an offer." Then he walked with Sakaan down the hall and asked, "So are you into any herbal tea or do you have a limited preference?" Maxx was trying to keep the conversation simple while still getting to know Sakaan.

'Everyone has their personal preferences,' rejoined Sakaan as she glanced in his direction. 'Mine is Earth Green Tea. There's a variant grown on your Martian colonies that is quite delicious.' She palmed the door of the turbo lift as they approached, 'and yourself?' Sakaan asked as the stepped in, 'I assume you would have a preference of which coffee you drink?'

Maxx smirked that she liked tea from a human colony. He was sure it annoyed her fellow Vulcans since they encouraged a strict lifestyle. He then replied, "well I love just about any coffee, but I must admit there are days when I fancy a particular brand and type of coffee. As I learn more and more about other cultures I am fascinated by how many things each race have in common such as coffee, liquor, clothing, food and lifestyles." Maxx smiled at Sakaan as he stopped himself from rambling on about his hobbies. Then he spoke up as he asked, "I find that drinking coffee aids me in doing my research and reading countless reports. It calms my nerves and gives me focus when my stress levels are elevated. Sadly I probably drink to much of it." Maxx then winked at Sakaan as he made a silly remark.

Sakaan resisted at the faintest lip-twitch of a smile, then nodded as the turbo lift deposited them not far from the Ship's Lounge. 'I see. Isn't that the opposite of what caffeine does to humanoids? Calming them, I mean? Are you, Mister Maxx, perhaps a unique specimen?' She walked towards the door of the Lounge, expecting the officer to follow her.

Maxx chuckled at Sakaan's comment. Apparently was seemed to be intrigued by him and his oddities. Then he replied as he walked next to her, "Well to answer your question it is both yes and no. According to research, caffeine latches on to adenosine receptors, therefore, blocking adenosine and thus keeping the cell running and giving you the desired cognitive boost. However the dosage will vary among humanoids, but there are some that don't suffer the side effect of anxiety. In my past lives they all seem to love coffee so I inherited that trait from them. So does to much caffeine bother you?"

Sliding into a quiet booth, Sakaan shook her head slightly. 'I am perfectly capable of metabolizing coffee efficiently, and deriving benefits from it's consumption. Vulcans, however, are discouraged from ingesting stimulants, lest it affect our renowned poise and logic.' She motioned him to sit with the barest hint of a smile in the comfortable gloom of the Lounge.

[To be continued ...]

::OFF::

Lieutenant (JG) Talerian Maxx
Chief Scientific Officer
USS Oberon

Lieutenant Sakaan
Mission Adviser
USS Oberon
[PNPC Lt Cmdr Curzon Bennett]