Timelines : The Wanderer

Chapter 1 : 9

"Scotty, what on earth has happened?" Kirk exclaims as he holds the engineering report in his hands.

"I don't know Captain." They are both in engineering standing right next to the warp core. Scotty looks around himself. He spots the culprit. "It was her, fiddling with all the sensitive systems." He points over to Kiera who looks surprised to be gestured to like that. She comes over to the pair with Scotty quietly scowling.

"Captain?" she is very confused as she thought she did nothing wrong. She tries to read their faces Kirk didn't look at all displeased but Scotty on the other hand was displaying heaps of emotions. Mostly annoyance with kirk and herself, probably for letting her help out in the first place, you can't really say no to the captain.

"And you are sure it was her who contributed to the factors of this report?" Scotty nods without removing his gaze from her. She looks down at him, her extra height certainly becomes very handy. "Well then, it seems I have come down here to congratulate you on your contribution to the running of this ship." They both smile and shake hands but Scotty is complete shock.

"Captain?"

"From what I can see on this report she has increased efficiency and power output of all key major systems and some minor ones as well." Scotty's mouth is gaping open. "In comparison you look like you were sleeping on the job." He is lost for words as he watches both of them going into the turbo lift laughing.

"Your English is getting better." Kiera has over the past few days had many complements on her English, but her accent she thinks still needs work. They both walk into the bar and take a seat at two of the bar stools. "How's it been getting used to being on the Enterprise?" A bartender comes over and asks for their order. "Do you want anything?" She ponders the decision and stutters slightly. She had never ordered anything from the bar before. "We'll have two scotch whiskeys." The bartender leaves to make the drinks.

"Erm, I suppose it has been hard to adjust to a routine again, but I am glad of the work you've given me, keeps my mind off things." The bartender comes back with two small glasses of a golden brown, clear liquid. Kirk takes a glass and Kiera mimics this move. He then downs the whole glass in one gulp. Kiera on the other hand was more apprehensive and takes a precautionary sniff before taking a sip. She then spits the liquid from her mouth back into the glass. Kirk watches and smiles.

"Have you never drank alcohol before?" she places the glass back on the table and looks back at Kirk.

"Of course, but that tastes strange and watery." She looks back at the liquid then back at Kirk's face which was evidently surprised.

"It's synthahol, but we can get the proper stuff out if you like." He orders from the bartender two proper shots of vodka. He comes back with two even smaller glasses filled with a liquid that resembles water. She takes a sniff from her glass. It started to burn her nostrils so she wrinkled them in a distasteful fashion. This was definitely not water. She takes a sip. It had more fire than the last but it was only just tickling the back of her throat. She finishes the glass in time to watch Kirk down it all, again, in one gulp. But afterwards was what intrigued her most. His face made an expression that only can be described as if he had his mouth on fire. This was short but noticeable.

"Is there something wrong with your drink?" She asked puzzled by his expression.

"This is strong stuff this is." He looks once again at his shot glass and places it back onto the table.

"Then there must be something wrong with mine." She was just about going to call the bartender over when Kirk stops her.

"They were exactly the same. It was probably not strong enough for you." Kirk said in disbelief. "We haven't anything much stronger than that here." This gave Kiera an idea.