“Swig”
written by David Moody
Captain Lenti Utex

Utex had just left Stellar Cartography, and headed past the Science Labs and the security offices replete with vacant brig, ducked into a turbolift and headed one deck up. He strode back toward the front of the ship and hung a right into the Whie Star Lounge. The room was nearly vacant, save for Vladimir Novikov, who was readying breakfast for the crew.

“Shore a plate,” the man noted as Utex reached the bar.

“I’m. Always. Up. Late,” Utex told him. “Eggnog with rum,” he said.

Novikov said, “Arrite soori, done byta my hett off, sair. Comb in rye tup,” the thickly Russian accent intoned.

Utex took the profferred beverage and downed it in one gulp. “Thanks,” he said, rising from the stool to leave. “I’ll see you around.”

Novikov mumbled something over his shoulder as the Captain left the room.

Utex headed to the bridge, to check on the ship's status. The Victory was currently playing escort to the USS Livingston as the two blazed a trail toward Starbase 416 in the K'Abith sector.

Utex smiled as the warm suddenly hit his feet, then spread upward toward his chest. The turbolift doors opened, and he stood watching his gamma shift crew for a moment, peered at the Livingston racing beside them on the viewscreen, nodded contentedly, then headed to his quarters on, "Deck three." The turbolift doors slid shut and in acknowledgement of his command, ferried him to his requested location.