A Drink Between Friends

Posted on Fri Jun 5th, 2026 @ 6:02pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Lieutenant Maya Canak
Edited on on Sat Jun 6th, 2026 @ 10:48am

1,947 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Episode 3 - The One Who Got Away
Location: Captain's Ready Room - Deck 3 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD002 1900 hrs

Maya acquired a bottle of Xtabentún and wanted to share it with the captain. With the trial and the autopsy, there had been a lot needing his attention and she hoped a glass and a chat would be welcome. Shortly before the end of alpha shift, she messaged him.

"Captain, would you be amenable to meeting for a glass of Mayan rum? I just acquired one from my homeland and thought you might appreciate it."

There was a moment where Marc thought to say thank you but no to the offer. However, he reminded himself that it was five o'clock somewhere. "Doctor, it would be a welcome treat." He replied. There was certainly a lot to wash away, and digest as it were.

"Excellent. Would you like me to bring it to your ready room, or is there somewhere else you'd like to meet?" Most of the time, their meetings had been about work and she really didn't know much about the captain. That was not a good thing in her mind. Doctors should know the people they worked with. Even captains. Or perhaps especially captains.

"The Ready Room will be just fine." Marc replied. He looked forward to the chance to get to know a member of his crew. However, at the moment he had some time to get the paperwork done as he waited. He found that more so than most Captains he had a lot of paperwork.

Maya double-checked that she didn't have anything that needed her attention at the moment, then took a bottle of Xtabentún and a bottle of rum and headed for the captain's ready room.

"Come on in Doc." Marc said and tossed the PADD on the desk. "Pull up a chair. Since you are tending bar. What is the nature of the occasion?"

"Hello," she said as she entered. "I received several bottles of Xtabentún. It's a Mayan liqueur made from anise seeds and fermented honey. I enjoy a glass from time to time. It can also be mixed with rum, so I brought a bottle of each." She set the two bottles on the desk, along with two glasses. "After recent events, the doctor feels it would be a nice way to end the day. Especially after recent events."

She held up the bottle of rum. "The question is, rum or no rum?"

"If you are pouring then I am drinking. Have a seat. I for one am glad to see that the good Captain did not board this vessel." Marc slid the PADDS and communiques off to the side. "Besides how am I to argue with the Chief Medical Officer." He smiled.

"Exactly," she teased. She filled two glasses half full of Xtabentún, then added the rum and mixed them before passing one to Marc and taking a seat. "Always better to follow doctor's orders."

She took a sip, letting her tongue savor the flavors before looking at the captain again. "How is the captain doing?"

Marc joined her in the sip. He savored the licorice flavor with honeyed finish. As he swallowed his eyes were closed and he could feel the warmth of the alcohol slide down his throat. "As best as can be expected I would guess. This assignment is definitely more than expected at times. As bad as I am, I cannot be as bad as your staff is. Having to deal with those kids. That reminds me. How are they holding up?"

"The staff is doing as well as can be expected. It's always hard when a child dies, but when one is raped and murdered..." She shook her head, then took a sip to control her own reaction. "The poor child. I think Margaret is taking it the hardest. But if our work helps stop whoever did this..." She let her words trail off as she took another sip. It had been a while since she had Xtabentún and it reminded her of her grandfather.

"I have spoken with Adalyn and Ezra. Should anyone need they will step in as a Counselor." Marc said with a tone of concern in his voice. With the job that they were charged with Marc genuinely was concerned about his crew's mental health. Perhaps more so than most Captains. He sipped again, the taste, and enjoyment of the beverage was a segue. "That is enough work for now at least. Tell me how a mild mannered Doctor comes upon a bottle of the high quality stuff."

"I have friends who occasionally send me gifts." She smiled and took a sip of her drink. "In truth, I send them herbs and homeopathic medicines when they ask. Nothing that requires a visit to a doctor, but something they don't know how to make themselves. So, it's a mutually beneficial arrangement. Plus, I get the feeling a certain captain could use a drink and a friendly ear from time to time."

"That is true. I suffer from the same affliction that everyone who wears the extra pips has. You know the one that prevents us from seeing Counselors. So, a friendly ear would be nice." Marc exhaled sharply through his nose. "You know when we signed up for this, we did not sign up for this. If that makes sense."

"It does. I expected to treat injured and dying adults, but not this." She took a sip of her drink. "I don't think anyone is really ready to deal with the abuse of a child." She paused. "And for the record, doctors have been listening to people talk since the beginning of civilization. I wouldn't be surprised if it was in the fine print somewhere."

"Too right you are about the abuse of the child. But it is not just that. For me, it is the idea of the criminal minds throughout the Federation. I signed up to investigate the unknown, to pursue strange new worlds, and new life. Not to be the proverbial sponge that cleans the Federation." Marc sipped his drink more to stop himself from getting off on a rant, than to actually enjoy the drink.

"Have you considered asking Starfleet to occasionally give you the opportunity to explore?" Maya asked gently. He had a point. "Everyone deserves a vacation from time to time. Instead of asking for leave, ask for something that will help your crew renew their sense of wonder and love of exploration. One mission, then back to doing what others either cannot or will not do."

"That is not a bad idea. However, it is going to have to wait until we get some missions under our belt I am afraid. Asking for time off when you are out on just your second mission does not look too good. I took this command because I did not think anyone else wood. Additionally, I wanted to make sure that it was done right." Marc did not want to tell her about Declan, and the suspicions. At least not yet.

Maya nodded. "Yes. Everything in its time--as long as there will eventually be time. You can't do something this potentially stressful without an occasional break. Even if it's only a week of shore leave." She took another sip of her drink, pausing to appreciate the combination of flavors. She would have to find something she could send back to her family. Then a thought came to her and she smiled. "And, as the doctor, if the captain does not take a break from time to time, I may have to drag you away for a few days."

Marc smiled as he sipped the rum again. "Hey you know having to go on leave under doctor's orders may not be such a bad idea. You know this fleet and their lack of granting time off. I mean, even when time off is granted it is because there is an ulterior motive."

Maya raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "So, are you saying I need an ulterior motive to force you to take shore leave?"

Marc laughed. "No, I am saying when the fleet gives leave there is usually some sort of short mission or errand they would like taken care of. Truth be told when it comes to leave I am not sure if this vessel will be given shore leaves like others. I mean crime doesn't take a vacation as the saying goes, so it is possible that we cannot. I am in talks with Admiral Ford about that, but only time will tell I guess." He paused to take another sip of his drink. "That is enough about me. What about you? How are you handling the stress, taking regular time off and the such?"

Maya had to chuckle at that. "Like many responsibilities on a starship, stress is often part of the job description. There's always someone who needs something. But we are fortunate that most of the injuries we deal with are minor. And when they aren't, we just do what we've been trained to do. I do insist that everyone on my team take a regular day off. It may not be shore leave, but we have holodecks, and some are content to spend a day alone in their quarters."

She looked at the captain, wondering if he took any time for himself. She would have to put that on her list of responsibilities. "I enjoy walks in nature. An arboretum or holodeck work when I can't go outside. Nature has a way of renewing body and soul." A slow smile spread across her face. "And I have a small garden to take care of, thanks to you."

"You do have a point about nature. It has been quite some time since I got in the saddle. There is a holodeck with my name on it." Marc smiled broadly. The idea of riding both made him happy and saddened him at the same time. The sadness came as the thought of those two young victims never being able to experience the freedom that was a horseback ride. "You are more than welcome to join me if you wish."

That brought another smile to Maya's face. "I haven't been on horseback since I left the Yucatan. I would love to join you."

"Western or English?" Marc asked with a small amount of excitement in his voice. "I will prep the program and let you know when it is ready. You bring the rum."

"Western. Definitely western," she replied, catching some of his excitement. "I can also bring some dark chocolate with chili, if you like." Either way, it had been far too long since she was on horseback, and this sounded like fun.

"Chuck wagon chili and ride. You got yourself a deal." Marc said with a broad smile. "I will let you know as soon as the program is ready. Should not take me too long to set it up." He took the last swig of his rum with gusto. There seemed to be an amount of excitement that had built up from this conversation alone.

"That will give me just enough time to change." She was definitely looking forward to this. The horseback riding, the chuck wagon, and the company. She picked up the two bottles, intending to bring the rum with her. "See you soon."

A Joint Post By

Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

Lieutenant Maya Canak
Chief Medical Officer/Medical Examiner, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit

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