U.S.S. Corsair - NCC-011979
Nebula Class Starship
“Sic Parvis Magna”
(Greatness From Small Beginnings)
“Reunions – Part Three”
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[ Some Hours Later - Starbase Bar]
“Cheers”, Mustang said swallowing down another beer. Ramius smiled rapping his glass against his and several other former pilots glasses as they all drank the glasses empty having performed the ritual so many times all of them had lost count of how many drinks the had consumed.
“Is this what you guys do all day”, Ramius said with a grin. He and the other pilots were quite drunk from several hours of drinking, telling war stories, and generally catching up.
“Not all day”, one of the other pilots answered. “We eat and sleep occasionally too!”
The table had a good laugh. Ramius had learned the rowdy pilots had had a rough go of it during the war. Several of the pilots under his old command had been hurt or killed and the bunch had toasted the memories of those who hadn’t returned by swapping stories and memories of times long since past.
“Well I’m not sure I’d believe it if I was told it gentlemen, but I believe we’re in the presence of captain who is inexorably drunk. Should we report him? I mean he isn’t setting a great example now is he”, Mustang asked.
“We could blackmail him with it for extra credits”, one of the pilots chimed in.
“I say we take him down to the simulator and see how well he does against a few targets? See how rusty he’s gotten sitting all day in that comfy chair on the bridge of his starship.”
“Not a bad idea”, Mustang answered. “We could do both?”
Ramius put his hands up. “Please, I don’t want to have to school you guys in your current condition. Besides, you all know you don’t stand a chance against me, drunk or not.”
“Whoaaaa”, the table roared back. “Tall words coming from an ex-pilot. When was the last time you flew captain?”
Ramius looked at a nearby wall which he could barely make out. A chrono with large numbers was visible if not blurry. “About twelve days ago. We have holodecks on starships you know.”
“Those simulations ain’t nothing like the real thing. Who’s willing to bet the captain here has gone soft since his wing commander days?”
“I’ll take some of that action”, another pilot shouted. “So will I.” “Me too!”
Ramius looked at Mustang who finished off another beer. Mustang just shrugged with a large smile. “Don’t look at me captain. I’m not the one with something to prove. I think you have a decision to make unless that is you intend to hide behind those pips on your collar.”
Having been and dealt with pilots his entire career, Ramius knew how to deal with pilot egos, but he was with good friends, had had far too much to drink, and needed to prove to them and perhaps himself he hadn’t lost his edge having been promoted to a bridge. “Ok”, Ramius shouted. “It’s your butts that are going to get burned. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“All talk, all talk. Guess its time for the cap here to put up or shut up boys.”
The pilots cheered standing from the table as they paid the expensive tab and waited for Mustang and Ramius to follow. The holodeck and its fighter simulators were waiting.
“You are coming”, Mustang said standing holding onto the edge of the table for balance.
“Doesn’t look like I have much choice”, Ramius answered also having some trouble standing. “You bastards never did cut your superiors any slack.”
“I seemed to remember a Wing Commander who was rather tough on his pilots as well”, Mustang muttered. “Hmm, what was his name again? He was a real…”
“Yeah, yeah, let’s just get this over with”, Ramius stated downing the last of a final beer before dropping the glass on the table. “You nuts couldn’t take me then and I’ll be damned if you’ll take me now.”
Mustang just waived Ramius off. “I’ve had time to practice”, he said with his usual cockiness.
“Just like old times. You never could beat me fairly.”
“Who said I had to fight fair”, Mustang answered.
Friends and rivals – Ramius and Everic had flown together since the Academy and had constantly tried to out fly the other for fame, the record books, and for each other’s pride. It had tested their friendship at times, but it was part of being a combat pilot. In the old days it had kept them sharp. Now it was just for bragging rights, but the stakes were still just as high.
Ramius tapped his comm. badge. “Ramius to Corsair.”
“Novada here sir.”
“Commander, please continue to oversee repairs. I have some business matters here on the station which require my attention.”
“Yes sir.”
“Have fun captain”, Novada replied.
“Wha…”
“Corsair out.”
Ramius was appalled at his XO’s comments. Was he that inebriated that she had picked up on it?
“Come on Tav”, Mustang shouted tugging on the captain’s arm giving him little time to contemplate the recent conversation, not that Ramius was in much condition to contemplate anything in any real depth given his current condition. “We aren’t getting any younger over here.”
Ramius was dragged out of the bar by his friend as the group of pilots marched toward the station’s holodecks for a little one on one combat practice with the drunken pilots eager to put their former commanding officer in his place.
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Captain Taverain Ramius
Commanding Officer USS Corsair
Commander Lawrence "Mustang" Everic
Squadron Commander / Pilot
