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Scotty was running late. The day's schedule had been modified more times than an old space cruiser's engines. Finally, though, he had the dock crew transport him to the street outside of MacLaughlin's and hurried inside. There he found a number of people waiting for him: Kirk, Uhura, McCoy, Sulu and Riley.
Ostensibly, the purpose of the gathering was to settle the bet between Sulu and Scotty regarding its rating on the shakedown. Somehow, word got out and the 'showdown' now would be witnessed by a few interested parties. Maybe it was coincidental, but those gathered were the only ones, other than Kef, who had sampled the five hundred year old libation.
Montgomery approached and noticed the old bottle sitting in the middle of the table. Riley was smiling as Scotty reacted to its presence. Pointing at the treasure, he exclaimed, "I dinna think it survived!"
"Or me either I'll bet," added Riley.
"How much is left?" Scotty asked.
Riley looked guilty, "Well not as much as when you last saw it. I used some of it as a... lubricant."
On that statement, the engineer took a seat. "What?"
"It's how he got the e-bolt loose," Sulu explained.
Shaking his head in disbelief, Scotty leaned in closely and spoke quietly. "Dinna let Angus hear that, he'd be --"
"He's already heard, Monty." Angus had appeared suddenly when he saw Scott enter and was now standing directly behind his old friend. "No matter how it was used, somebody owes the bar for it, right?"
"That's what we're here to settle, Angus." Sulu stared at Scotty. "Give us a few minutes to work out the details."
"Meanwhile we need six glasses," Riley added.
Angus eyed the group for a moment then turned to retrieve the glasses as requested.
"Is there enough left for a round?" Scott directed the question at Riley.
Attempting to look innocent, Kevin nodded. "Of course, if they're not too large."
A very confused Kirk looked at the bottle. "Excuse me, but I missed a few years and the mission brief. What is this all about?"
Uhura smiled and pointed at Scotty and Sulu, "Those two had a bet and the five hundred year old scotch was the prize."
"And what was the bet? Hopefully it wasn't whether or not I'd be rescued." Kirk was only half-serious.
"Nay, Admiral, it was if the Enterprise would receive a one hundred percent rating on its shakedown."
"And?" Kirk was very interested.
"Well, in all fairness, I'd say so," Sulu admitted. "I never heard anyone complain and never encountered any defects."
"Actually, there were two notes in the log regardin' th' ship. First, Doctor Chapel said the chair in th' duty office of th' beta sickbay, wasna' good."
"Amen to that," McCoy chimed in.
"And second --" he stared at Uhura "-- was a complaint abou' intermittent communications."
Uhura and Sulu laughed out loud as Angus arrived with a tray of glasses. "Was it somethin' I did?"
Sulu waived off the pub owner. "No, it's... an inside joke."
Angus put the glasses on the table and walked off shaking his head.
A puzzled McCoy asked, "What's the inside joke?"
"Admiral Sulu had me log that officially in case there was an inquiry. But the intermittent problem was his invention, in case Command changed their mind and tried to recall the mission."
"That was possible?" Kirk was surprised by the revelation.
"Walking Bear contacted me about the possibility as we were preparing to leave port. I thought the 'officially logged problem' might be wise."
"So the chair was the only issue?" Riley was impressed. "Not bad, Mister Scott."
"Still, th' ship wasna' one hundred percent, I guess I pay."
"Wait, Scotty, had I been the C.O., I would have recorded the ship as one hundred percent. Since I was temporarily in command, we'll say I declared it so. Regardless, allow me to pick up the tab. After all, you did save me from a less than desirable future."
"Not to mention he has eight years of back pay burning a hole in his pocket!" McCoy was almost laughing at the statement.
The others looked at Kirk for confirmation.
"It's true," Kirk said then he pointed at the bottle. "Let's enjoy what's left!"
Riley grabbed the bottle and began doling out the last few drams of the prized drink. "There's enough for everyone!"
The drinks were passed around and everyone raised a glass. McCoy was about to speak when Kirk cut him off. "To friends, present and absent; I know I couldn't ask for any better."
"Here, here!" Scotty said.
"Agreed," McCoy added.
Everyone took a sip and put their glasses down.
Montgomery Scott looked at Sulu. "So, ye'll be taking th' Enterprise out again when she's ready, right?"
Sulu was beaming with pride. "Yes, Kensington and Walking Bear both said she's mine."
Leaning in to speak eye to eye with Sulu, Scotty asked, "What's th' bet this time?"
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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