Hijinks and Mayhem

Posted on Tue May 25th, 2021 @ 9:42am by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard & Lieutenant JG James Phoenix

Mission: A Dark Looking Glass
Location: Deep Space 9

It had been nearly an hour since the group of alternates had been seated at Quark's. They had been given more food than they had seen in some time, though it was just normal meal portions for this universe. Several times the Ferengi waiters had come by with new drinks, mostly benign beverages, but a few synth-ales had been requested as well. A third bottle of Bajoran spring wine had been brought to them, the label reading "Emissary Private Vintage" in gold lettering.

Jon held the bottle for the rest to see. "Emissary? Do they mean Sisko?" He asked as he popped the cork on the bottle and proceeded to fill the other's glasses.

"Maybe" Sam replied around a mouthful of something that resembled chicken. Everything resembled chicken in some way, even rat. She held her glass out and encouraged Jon to fill it with the wine.

Jon poured the wine into her glass. "You know what? I don't care. I'm going to enjoy myself." As he downed his glass of wine and quickly refilled it.

James had remained rather quiet during most of his time in Quarks. He reached for one of the drinks, which somehow happened to be coffee, a drink he hadn't even tasted for a long time.

Quark strolled by and looked the motley group over. "So, how is everything? Do you need anything else? Perhaps you'd enjoy some Denobulan chocolates. I'm certain the ladies would enjoy that. Might I suggest trying your luck at the Dabo table, or perhaps some time in a holosuite? I have a wide array of programs you can choose from."

He looked at Quark, "Do you happen to have custom programs? I have one that I want to see, but it might not be in your selection." James requested.

"What sort of program are you looking for? Perhaps something with adventure, or romance. I can give you a program with the Betazoid pleasure goddess of Rixx, or perhaps you'd enjoy Vulcan Love Slave V, or the beaches of Risa or Pacifica. I have several holonovels from Earth, from the entire Dixon Hill series, the works of Tom Paris, or classics from Earth literature. What's your pleasure?" Quark was eager to please.

"There was an event that happened in the first quarter of the 21st century. There was a disaster that happened to a ship on an early Mars mission. The incident occurred on April 5, 2025. If that even is available in the suite, I'd like to view that." James requested. He did not know if that even brought his prime counterpart to the 24th century as well. However, the least he could do was try.

Sam watched on quietly, drinking the wine that had been poured and enjoying the full feeling in her belly for the first time in forever. She watched the exchanged and wondered just how much liberty and freedom they would be afforded in this universe.

Quark gave a half smile as he licked his fingers and then began to check his inventory on his padd. "It would appear that that I do have some Earth historical programs, including the various Mars missions of the early 21st century. But those are rather dull, typically only used by the academic types. Are you sure that is something that will interest you?"

"Yes, that specific mission does interest me." Phoenix replied. He didn't know how different this mission would be than the one in his universe, but he needed to know what happened, especially with a scarce amount of holosuites and holodecks in his universe.

Quark nodded. "Well, if that is your pleasure, Kira did say she was covering your costs. And I happen to have an open holosuite."

"What's the go with the holosuite program? Sam asked Phoenix as she sipped the Emissary wine.

"Something similar happened in our own universe. However, I want to see how different the event was in the universe from our own, and see what I could have done differently." James answered as he took a swig of his coffee. He didn't quite know what he'd find, but he wanted better answers than the ones he tried to find in his own dimension.

Quark tugged at his ear nervously as he got an apprehensive look on his face hearing this latest exchange, memories of his own experiences in the Mirror Universe suddenly streaming into his consciousness. "Well, if you'd like the holosuite and that program, I'm happy to show you how it all works."

James look towards Quark. "Thank you, I'd like that."

"Follow me" replied Quark.

James rose out of his seat, and nodded to Quark that he was ready to go to the holosuite.

Quark signaled for another waiter to come and check on the table as he led Phoenix away to the holosuite,