Never Tell me the Odds

Posted on Wed Jun 17, 2026 @ 12:02am by Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux & Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines & Civilian David Scarlet & Civilian Mathias McPhee

2,374 words; about a 12 minute read

Mission: Things Past
Location: O’Reilleys (3S 192)
Timeline: Several nights before Jubilee

It was just the right level of loud for David Scarlet as he settled onto the stool with his beer. He had never been one for the usual officer hangouts when he'd been in Starfleet, so this was a taste of something familiar to him. He took a sip from the pint glass and let the slightly bitter drink swish across his tongue before flowing down the back of his throat.

He looked around, trying to take in as much of the place as he could. There were a few other people here as well. Some were enjoying a quiet solitary drink while others appeared deep in raucous conversation.

Jason was tired and frustrated. Nearly half his team had been delayed in getting to the station and trying to keep up with the Commodore's schedule with his limited staff was getting to him. A drink or three were needed. O'Reilleys was a great place to get those drinks.

Jason went to the bar and ordered an Andorian whiskey. Sitting down on a stool he downed it in a bolt and then ordered another one.

Scarlet eyed the officer as he sat down next to him. Just when he thought he'd found somewhere the pips wouldn't go. He raised his glass as the second drink was placed before the man. "Cheers." He said half to himself as he took a sip from his beer.

Jason looked at the man and said, "Cheers are for celebration. We'll call it bottoms up."

He took a sip of his own drink and raised his glass to the man.

"Jason Haines", he said to the man.

"David Scarlet." He replied as he raised his own glass once more. "Bottom's up."

Curtis slipped through the bar, making his way through the crowd to the bar. Dressed in mufti, he had opted to explore more of the stations bar scene, unfortunately solo. Noting the other officers queueing up, he slipped onto a stool and ordered a pint of cream ale and a flight of shots. He picked up his own shot and slid the other glasses down the bar. At the impromptu, toast, he raised his own glass. After tasting the ale, he dropped his shotglass into it to make a boilermaker. While the liquor and beer mixed, he said, "Hope you don't mind some company. Hate to drink alone. Might need witnesses at some point."

"It's a free bar." Scarlet replied as he took another drink of beer. "Not sure about the witnesses though. A smart man remembers when to look the other way." He smiled grimly at the shady activities that had come to mind. He looked first to one and then the other officer. Pips made him itch, but right now he didn't have to deal with these folks as officers. Only people. "Name's David Scarlet. Haven't been on the station long but I think it'll work for a home base."

"Big thraggling place," Curtis said, resting a forearm on the bar as he held onto his glass with the other. "I'm Curtis Thibideaux. Only been aboard a few months and I still get lost if I'm not paying attention."

He had quietly walked into the bar, the same bar that he had come to when Scarlet had first stepped onto the station. Mathias brushed off a bit of sawdust that had managed to cling upon him from the puppet stage he was making. He had lost his last one, well make that he ended up leaving his first one behind. It would be put to good use from what he had been told.

His oddly colored eyes scanned the bar, making note as to who was there. Two of the patrons staggered towards the exit to let themselve out one bumping against him, both unsteady on their feet. He moved out of their way quickly.

He caught sight of Scarlet, who was seated alongside two men, Mathias walked up towards the bar pausing as he drew near. One of them, (Haines) drew his attention, there was something about him. He slid onto a stool, ordering a beer.

"Greetings gentlemen." raising his glass towards them, the redheaded man took a healthy draught of it.

Jason raised his glass to the man and finished his drink.

'Interesting', Jason thought. Not only was the second officer here, but another who had a curious vibe. (Mathias)

Scarlet moved his glass over and clinked Mathias' glass as it came to the bar. "Well gentlemen, I am more than happy to sit here and drink but is anyone interested in a game?" He motioned back towards a part of the pub that seemed barely used. In the dim lights a simple pool billiards table stood like an ancient monument.

Sipping at his beer, Curtis nodded and said, "Might be just the thing and that table looks like it has stories all it's own, though if anyone has any good ones, might as well share. Most of the stories I've heard before this posting where the same old tales trotted out at diplomatic functions again and again."

Mathias gave a bit of a smile. "Its a good game to play." a smile played about his lips as he remembered a story his Cousin Fiona had told him, about her romance that blossomed from playing billiards. This though wasn't going to be an experience like that though.

It was a chance to just unwind, and in some way learn a bit about the gentlemen who were just invited to play billiards.

"I'm in" his smile broadening, Mathias moving from the stool he was sat upon.

Taking his glass, Curtis walked over to the pool table. First he slid the glass onto a nearby table, then he began racking the assorted balls and finished by tapping the number one ball at the forefront of the rack with the cueball before rolling it toward the opposite end, watching the ball cross the red felt.

"My family liked to find a table at rec centers at most ports of call for a family outing," Curtis said idly, moving toward a rack of cues. "My mother was the shark of the family. Something about slapping balls around with a stick, she claimed.."

"Heh," Scarlet commented as he stopped the ball with his hand and placed it on the black dot. "I've never been the best. Mostly luck and alcohol keep me unpredictable enough to be a challenge."

He walked over to the wall and lifted down a pool cue for himself and then handed one to Mathias. "In the interest of fairness, I know Mathias rather well so I'll let you pick teams to keep even."

Scarlet shrugged at Mathias and said in a gravelly voice. "But if you beat me I'm moving your bunk to the cargo hold." Anyone who wasn't familiar with Scarlet's tone would have a difficult time deciding if he was serious or not.

Claiming a cue, Curtis sighted down it. Then rolled it briefly on the felt of the table, more out of habit than doubting he'd find anything but a straight cue weighing in at about eighteen ounces. Satisfied, he began chalking it and said, "Doesn't matter to me. What about you, Jason?"

Mathias placed his hand over his heart, looking rather shocked, "I would never...." then he chuckled.

His eyes wandered over towards Jason, what was it about this man, well couldn't say he was just an ordinary man. Something about him, something that registered some familiarity. Mathias giving Jason a rather scrutinizing gaze.

"I usually play Domjot", Jason said getting a stick. "My dad taught me enough of pool to not make a total fool of myself."

He cast a sideways glance towards Mathias. He wondered what was so interesting that Mathias thought he was a notable figure.

"Now are we playing a friendly game or are we making it more interesting?", Jason asked.

"Oh a friendly wager would make things very interesting. What could the wager be and who will be the teams be formed of. We've got those in Fleet and those not Fleet."

Mathias looked towards Jason, "Who do you choose, though you and I could team up and see what happens."

Scarlet raised an eyebrow and wondered if he was reading too much into the subtext between Mathias and Jason.

"You two can be a team." He said with a motion of his cue. "That way you'll know we're not hustling you with this." He looked to Curtis and nodded. "If you're alright with that too?"

"As for the wager, I've got a couple of bottles of the good stuff left of my stash. I could be persuaded to part with a couple to the winners." He said with a slight grin. It'd been a while since he felt he could relax.

Curtis fiddled with the cue, using his right hand to find the stick's focal point so he knew where that hand should position. "Fine by me," he said to Scarlet. "The nights early and we'll likely get a couple of games in and can switch things around. As for a wager...think I could come up with a bottle of something or other."

Jason replied, "I've got a bottle of Andorian whiskey, 2265."

Reaching to his waist, Curtis retrieved a poker chip sized red, gold and blue challenge coin bearing the crest of the Fleet Joint Chiefs. Flipping it into the air, he caught it and smacked it down onto the felt bumper of the table and kept it covered. "Heads or tails for break?" he asked, glancing toward Mathias and Jason.

Mathias caught the raised eyebrow, from David, he wasn't certain as to what that was in reference to. He though called out. "Heads"

Jason watched curiously waiting to see who would break.

Scarlet couldn't help but notice the coin, and the emblem emblazoned on it. Seems like he was drinking with some interesting folks tonight. He wasn't one to get star struck or impressed easily, but he did appreciate genuine achievements. "Well Curtis?"

Mathias looked expectantly towards Curtis, which would it end up being?

Curtis eyes wandered toward a brunette just for a second as they passed by, then was brought back to the moment.

"So, are we going home or are you going to let us know what it is?", Jason asked Curtis.

Lifting his hand from the felt, he revealed the flag of Admiral Leyhei and glanced around the table. "Mathias, Jason. Your choice."

"Make it a good one gents," Scarlet said with a nod. "I want to kick some tires and knock some rust off." He walked over to the side table and took a gulp of his drink as he relaxed and watched.

"Your call Mathias", Jason said and then finished his drink.

"Solids." Mathias answered, having picked up a cue stick and gave a satisfied nod as to its balance.

He walked around the table, eyeing the setup. Then with a practiced eye, after setting up the balls, Mathias hit the cueball hitting the formation with a solid crack, scattering the balls upon the greenfelt. No balls went into any of the pockets, but the green solid six darn near went inside.

Jason shook his head as the ball hovered, seemingly trying to decide if it wanted to go in or not. As it decided against him and Mathias, he sighed.

"Gravity was not in our favor my friend", he said to Mathias.

Chuckling, Curtis nodded toward Scarlet, you can take the turn if you like. Then to the others he said with a gesture to the table, "Historically, they used to call that a Ladies break back in the day. All bust and no balls."

Jason chuckled and got another drink as he waited for Scarlet's shot.

Mathias gave a slight shrug at their ribbing, and gave out a slight chuckle.

"Cute, very cute." he remarked. "Lets see how Scarlet fares." Mathias motioned for another round of drinks. He stepped away from the pool table to get his drink, just to watch Scarlet's shot.

From experience, Scarlet had proved to be quite the player.

Mathias turned his gaze towards Haines, hearing a whisper from something unseen. Can't you feel it? He has the blood, of not being completely human

Scarlet eyed the cue ball and the pool table as he circled it slowly. He was like a predator stalking his prey when he finally picked his position and lined up his shot. "Thirteen, left side pocket." Scarlet pulled back on the cue and gave it a few slides back and forth to feel the straightness of the stick before it shot forward and cracked against the cue ball.

The white darted across the table and hit the 13 off center and caused both balls to fly in different directions; the cue ball bounced off the bumper and in amongst a gaggle of the other balls while the 13 clipped along and hit the back of the pocket before sinking into the side pocket.

"Slick", Jason said as he came back with his drink. He then side-eyed Mathias again. He had felt the presence of full-blooded Fae before, but this was a bit weaker.

"More luck than slick." Scarlet responded as he rested the end of his cue next to his foot. He reached over and grabbed his glass before taking a swig. "Time to refill my luck."

Curtis grinned as he watched the shot and said, "Slick indeed. My dad might say slicker than snot on a little kids nose, but that was very good. I'll catch refills as I may not be needed here."

Mathias grinned, "Yes he is really smooth." taking a long drink, he set the glass down, raising up a hand in request of another drink. It being delivered. He gave a tip.

Jason chuckled. He was having a good time. He was wondering if he was going to have to give up his bottle of brandy.

After a few moments bothering the wait staff, Curtis returned with the refills. The night had promise.

---

A joint post by:
Lieutenant Commander Curtis Thibideaux
Strategic Operations Officer
DS5

Civilian David Scarlet
DS5

Lieutenant Commander Jason Haines
Chief Bodyguard
DS5

Civilian Mathias McPhee
DS5

 

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