The Dragon Lives Pt 1

Posted on Mon Jul 21, 2025 @ 12:09am by Lieutenant Annora Tessaro

506 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Time After Time
Location: Deck 472
Timeline: Day 3 1500 hrs

ON:

The Dusty Dragon holoprogram was a favorite haunt for Annora, a digital recreation of an establishment she spent many an hour at while a MACO Cadet. Several months ago she had an idea, this needs to be real. Recreating it physically became her main focus during the off hours, a welcome distraction from the constant crises that seemed to plague DS5. She kept browsing the available commercial properties until, finally, the perfect location emerged.
On the lower level of the Promenade, a pair of unused lots caught her eye. The front half had been various restaurants, most recently a Klingon Fusion place that had simply fizzled out. Next door, an art gallery had recently relocated to a more central spot. Together, the two spaces offered ample room for Annora’s vision. Her next step was a basic floor plan to accompany her pitch to the Merchants’ Association. She’d already spoken with a few shop owners, including Saul Hogan, who ran a sub-shop, smoothing over major objections before they even surfaced.

"We’re not trying to directly compete with any established businesses,” she explained to the Association. “The Dragon is primarily designed as a place for Security and Marines to sit, relax, and maybe blow off a little steam. It’s a limited menu: sandwiches, wraps, burritos, and basic hot meals, with some flexibility for individual preferences. We’ll even include a directory of the larger restaurants and bars on the station. No real alcohol unless authorized by myself or the Colonel.”

The next phase demanded more legwork. Annora, with her Starfleet duties, simply didn’t have the time to run the place herself. After several interviews, she hired a Bolian named Traxin Ferator as manager. While he lacked Starfleet service, his two decades in hospitality were a significant draw. It also helped that, after eight years on Casperia Prime, Traxin sought a quieter assignment, as opposed to other candidates who’d declined, desiring something more lively. Once the red tape cleared and the project was approved, the transformation began. The chaos of evicting the Cardassians and their subsequent attack had delayed the opening, but now, with everything finally in place, Annora headed down the corridor, a few hours before the official launch.

Tucked down a side corridor, the entrance was easy to miss if you weren’t looking. A discreet, wall-mounted sign pointed the way, simply reading “Dusty Dragon” with a small arrow. A faint amber glow spilled out from under the front door. Above the door, the seals of Starfleet Security and the Marine Corps were etched into the wall, a polished bronze plaque proclaiming: “Dusty Dragon, Leave Rank at the Door.”
Annora paused, the small plaque she carried suddenly feeling far heavier than its weight. This wasn't just a bar; it was a link to the past. She pressed the button. Inside, Sam Yao, the holographic bartender transferred from her original program, greeted her.
“Afternoon, Lieutenant. Mr. Traxin’s in the game room. I’ll let him know you’re here.”


TBC

 

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