Poker Game
Posted on Fri Jun 27th, 2025 @ 2:12am by Lieutenant Vincent 'Ghost' Zandrell & Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir & Lieutenant James Constantine & Lieutenant Maya Canak & Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen & Lieutenant Loktor & Pepper
Edited on on Mon Jun 30th, 2025 @ 11:02pm
3,006 words; about a 15 minute read
Mission:
Episode 2 - The Sins of History
Location: The Quarters of Yvette Beauvoir - Deck 5 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD013 2000 hrs
Yvette had sent out invitations to a few people to see if they'd like to join her for a few rounds of poker.
It was an informal occasion, so she dressed down. She wore a purple top that showed off her arms and the 'right amount' of cleave, and some charcoal coloured trousers.
She'd managed to find a card table and chairs in storage and replicated some cards and chips.
Having moved her furniture to make room, the Security officer had set up a table with refreshments for her guests.
She was just making the last adjustments as she awaited the first to arrive.
Kiyoshi had chosen to forgo his uniform. This was after all an unofficial get-together, a social event. He was dressed in pair of black chinos and a maroon tee shirt that fit his lithe frame a little snugly. He had a bottle of Bajoran Green wine in one hand while he rang the chime with the other.
Yvette called as she made her way to the door.
Opening the door seeing Kiyoshi there, she said. "Shingoen-san, konbanwa. Watashinoie e yōkoso. (Good day, Mr. Shingoen. Welcome to my home)." And moved aside to let him in.
Surprised by her welcome, he replied, "Watashi no gengo o hanaseru nante, sugoi desu ne). (Someone who speaks my language. I'm impressed."
Then switching to English, he said, I brought some wine. I know that's not the traditional thing for a poker game, but I like it and thought you might as well."
"Well, thank you for the wine and the compliment, my family has a talent for languages, my brother even studied linguistics," Yvette said. "Come in take a seat, can I get you anything?"
The Japanese man entered the room, his eyes quickly taking in everything that was there. He found a seat that faced the door, an old habit, and sat down after handing the hostess the bottle.
"You can get me some of the wine when you get a chance, but no rush. I can wait for everyone else first."
Maya was surprised by the invitation, but it was a great opportunity to meet some of the crew in a casual setting. Sometimes you could learn a lot about a person by the way they played cards. So, she replied that she would be there.
She was also out of uniform, preferring to wear a casual pair of slacks and an off-white blouse with embroidery along the neck and cuff. She paused outside the door and rang the chime.
While she waited, Pepper joined her. Tonight, she was dressed in black pants and a long-sleeved shirt in deep blue. "Hi. You're the doctor, right?"
Maya nodded and smiled. "I am."
"I'm Pepper. I'm a PI attached to the ship. Nice to meet you."
"A pleasure to meet you, Pepper."
"Excuse me." Yvette said, putting down the wine, and headed back to the door.
Opening the door to see the diminutive CMO standing there, she said. "!Buenos días, Doc. I'll come in for that checkup soon."
"Buenos días. Please do. We're open every day." She indicated the woman off to the side. "I assume you know Pepper."
"Hi," Pepper said. She didn't know Yvette, but she knew of her. And a card game was a card game, It would give her a good chance to get to know more of the crew.
"Only by reputation." Yvette said. "Nice to meet you in person, Pepper."
"That's ominous." Pepper grinned. "Hopefully noting too egregious."
"For an organisation that works with sensitive data, SI has a lot of scuttlebutt." Yvette said. "And contractors, like yourself, seem to be the most talked about."
Pepper chuckled. "At least we're not the ones doing the talking."
"Yeah, I suppose it’s a way for them to let off steam, and its better they do it within the community and not outside." Yvette said.
After another chime at the door, it opened to a newer face. James Constantine hadn't long been aboard his new ship when he'd received the invitation. He'd weighed up the awkwardness of going along to a social event when he was so fresh to the crew versus the satisfaction of raking in the chips at a poker table. Thrill-seeking had won...as usual. "I...hope I'm in the right place. The name's Constantine, I was invited for a game?"
Kiyoshi looked up from the table and over at the newest arrival. "This is the right place," He said with a sly smile, "You could just give me your money now if you want. Saves a bit of time that way."
James couldn't help a slight, half smile at the confident words. "Is that so? Well, luckily enough, I have all the time in the world...so let's do it the hard way," he chuckled slightly as he moved in fully so the doors could slide closed behind him.
"Welcome, Mr. Constantine." Yvette said. "I invited you, I thought good to get to know those I'd be working with in an informal setting." She explained.
"Thank you, that's very thoughtful," James' reply was honest as he made his way to an empty place, instinctively glancing around the room on his way through. Old habits die hard, after all. He unconsciously tugged the legs of his black trousers as he took a seat before adjusting the cuffs of his matching black shirt as he made himself comfortable.
"You're security aren't you?" Kiyoshi questioned, "Investigator maybe, or ex-military? I see how you checked out the room."
James lifted a hand in a 'you got me' motion, a slight chuckle escaping at being caught out. It was oddly reassuring. "Criminal Investigator. At your service. And you....?" he had replied to Kiyoshi, but he glanced around the table to open the question up to the others too.
"Marine," Kiyoshi replied, "Military Police primarily, which is why I was able to spot your tells. Here, I'm the new warden. My job will be to secure the people you help lock up."
He extended his hand.
James clapped his own hand to it, clasping it firmly as he shook it. "I'll be sure to stay on your good side then," he replied lightly, a glimmer of humour in his eyes.
Kiyoshi quirked an eyebrow as the two finished their shake, keeping his eyes on the newcomer's face. He briefly considered flirting with the other man, to throw him off his game if nothing else, but decided that would be pushing it just bit much.
Maya walked into the room and smiled at those gathered before taking a seat at the table.
Pepper followed after. She paused to nod to everyone in the room.
Addressing everyone, Yvette said. "Thank you all for coming, we're still waiting on two more players, but for now, get to know each other and help yourselves to refreshments."
Constantine didn't need to be asked twice. He moved for the drinks, picking out an iced jug of a darker liquid. Deciding it would likely suit his tastes, he poured a couple of glasses for others who might want one and then one for himself. "Is this a regular event here then?"
"No, but if this night goes well, then we could look into it." Yvette replied.
"I hope it goes well then," Kiyoshi piped up, "I think it would be a great outlet to reduce stress and just have fun."
"And make some extra bars on the side," Constantine chuckled softly, taking the chance to really take the room and group in, sipping his drink as he slipped his hand into his pocket. He could feel the calmness in the room. There didn't seem to be any hidden bad feeling, a good sign from the people he'd be working with. Through thick and thin. "So, where's the best place for a drink around here?"
Pepper got herself a drink and sat at the table, listening to other conversations to get to know a bit more about the others.
"Thank you," Maya said to Yvette after she got herself a glass of non-alcoholic sangria. "And thank you for hosting this."
"My pleasure." Yvette said. "Being new here, I thought it was a good way to meet people."
"It is. You can learn a lot about someone by how they play cards." The doctor smiled. "And by the conversation that comes with the game."
"When I was in Starfleet Intelligence, they use poker as a training exercise, it helps sharpen a lot of skills that are useful in intelligence gathering." Yvette said.
"Card games in general can do that," Pepper said. "And puzzle games keep your wits sharp."
The chime to the quarters rang as Vincent and Loktor stood outside. Vincent held a bottle of Betazoid Wine, aged perfectly, which he was gifted by one of his mother’s friends back when he was on Betazed. He checked his black suit vest and tie before looking over to Loktor.
"So... if you aren't planning on playing a hand... why are you here?" Vincent asked with a smirk.
"People watching." Loktor replied with a smile as the Ferengi tapped the side of his eyes. "Got to keep the eyes sharp and lobes tuned, Vincent. "True, I might learn a lot from playing a hand or two, but you can learn just as much from just simply watching from afar. Old Ferengi trick."
Vincent chuckled slightly. "I thought the idea of a Ferengi playing cards was about learning how to take them for all their latinum."
Loktor placed his hands behind his back and let out a slight smirk. "You know I hate Ferengi traditions and practices. Besides, you know any profit I ever obtained, both on and off the job, all go to charities."
"Anonymous donations I bet. You want to keep out of trouble with your fellow Ferengi." Vincent added with a smirk as he looked back towards the door.
"Blame Starfleet Intelligence. They want me to play the underhanded Ferengi arms dealer every once and a while, so I got to play the part while still keeping to my own principles." He let out a shrug and chuckled a bit. "Thankfully, Max made sure to let anyone who uses me for one of my aliases that they know whatever profit I make while on mission is kept for whatever I choose and, luckily, I prefer to give it to those who need it opposed to keeping it."
Vincent hit the chime again before replying. "I didn't know Robin Hood had such big ears."
Vincent, Robin Hood, glad you could both make." Yvette said with a smile.
Pepper looked up when she heard Vincent and Loktor's voices, then smiled a greeting when they entered the room.
"So, shall we get started?" Yvette asked. "I trust Texas Hold 'em is to everyone taste."
"Texas Hold 'em sounds like the perfect choice. Let's play."
Pepper nodded her agreement.
Maya wasn't as familiar with the game, but she figured she'd learn it as they played.
"Everybody take a seat at the table, if no one objects, I'll be dealer for the first game." Yvette said.
Pepper nodded and took a seat so she'd have time to watch the others. She hadn't played poker in a while, but she knew that it was as much a mental game as it was a card game.
Maya checked to see if there were too many people for a game as she was just as happy to watch as to play. But for now, she took a seat, expecting she might end up giving it to someone else.
Constantine settled back down at his seat, looking around the table to take in the players one by one. It was easy to see that some were here for fun, others to play, and a couple to win. Such was life. He sipped his unidentified drink as the cards were tossed around the table, enjoying the tang. He'd played more than his fair share of games over the years, not all of them using cards. Sometimes, he had to remind himself when something was meant to be just some light hearted fun, that the stakes weren't always so high. It was a difficult mindset to change, and a lesson he was still learning.
Kiyoshi was one of the participants that James was evaluating. He was one of those players who had come to win. He wouldn't be upset if he wound up losing of course. It was just a game after all. At least on the surface. His eyes swept the room as well, before locking briefly on Constantine.
Pepper was relaxed as she watched Yvette deal the cards. It allowed her to have a better look at the players. She immediately noted those who were more serious about the game. They were as easy to spot as those who didn't know much--like the doctor. She wasn't sure about Vincent or Loktor, but knew better than to overlook them. For tonight, she was going to play for fun.
Kiyoshi wasn't too concerned about his hand, though of course, he would have enough sense to know whether he should hold his cards or fold them, but he was watching the people, paying close attention to their faces.
"You know, for Starfleet, we're a suspicious lot," Pepper interjected, noting that a good half of those playing were doing more observing than anything.
"I'd say that was an occupational hazard among Starfleet officers, doubly so for members of this crew," the warden proclaimed.
"Especially those who have had experience being around criminals." Yvette said giving Pepper a wink. " She put down her cards, oh a straight flush. I guess, I win." She said as if surprised. "Anyone for another hand?"
Pepper laughed. Of course, Yvette was going to act like it was a surprise. And, as one who technically grew up a criminal, she appreciated it. "Perhaps the next round she be to see who cheats the best?" She looked around the table and raised her hands. "I'm not saying that everyone cheated. I'm just saying it might be interesting to play a round where everyone is trying to cheat." She, however, would make sure she lost and watch how the others played.
"You should have said, I'd have brought an extra deck with me," Constantine chuckled softly, sitting back with an almost sly smile as he hooked an arm over the back of his chair. His skill in sleight of hand would have seen him to a clean sweep. If he were trying to cheat, though, his trained Betazoid half would probably be his weapon of choice.
Pepper just laughed at James' comment."
"With my luck," Kiyoshi replied dryly, "I'd cheat and still lose."
Yvette laughed.
Maya pushed back her chair and stood. "This was a lovely--and enlightening--evening, but I must bid you all goodnight." She still had some files to review and she had to be in sickbay early.
To Yvette she said, "Thank you for the invitation." Then the doctor headed for the door.
"Thank you for coming, Doc," Yvette said. "And thanks for your money."
"You're welcome. Thank you for the invitation. It was nice to meet everyone."
Just then a small black cat sauntered into the living room from Yvette's bedroom and looked curiously at the guests.
"Everyone, this is my cat Isis." Yvette said.
A small smile pulled at the corner of Constantine's lips. He lowered a hand, offering it for the cat to come and investigate and sniff if she pleased. He might not admit it, but he loved animals. Perhaps it was a childhood and adult lifestyle that hadn't allowed for a pet companion.
"Hello, kitty," Pepper said, wiggling her fingers at the cat in greeting.
"Realistic, isn't she?" Yvette asked. "Isis is actually a robot, she's a former autonomous intelligence gathering unit (AIGU). I saved her from 'Retirement'."
"Remarkable," Constantine said softly, leaning in closer for a better look, touching the fur gently to feel the softness. "The secrets she must have held..."
"Really?" Pepper looked from Yvette to the cat. "That's fascinating."
"Her offensive and intelligence capabilities are off-line." Yvette said.
"So, you say..." Constantine teased lightly, letting the cat headbutt his hand before pulling back with a small, wry smile. "Are you sure you didn't invite us all here to have it record and analyse our behaviour?"
"What was that old saying..." Pepper paused as she thought. "Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? This time, it's the cat." She grinned and stood. "And that is my cue to say good night. Thank you for the game, everyone." With a nod, she headed to the door.
"Thank you, for coming, Pepper." Yvette said.
Pepper waved. "See you next time."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Maya Canak
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Pepper
Private Investigator, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Captain Kiyoshi Shingoen
Prison Warden, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Loktor
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant James Constantine
Criminal Investigations Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Vincent Zandrell
Criminal Apprehension Officer, USS Artemis
Commanding Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Lieutenant Yvette Beauvoir
Tactical Officer, USS Artemis
Executive Officer, Emergency Services Unit
Starfleet criminal Investigations Unit
RSS Feed