Aces High "
By: Crewman Nelson, Nurse, [NPC]
Crewman Paulis, Engineer, [NPC]
Crewman Philips, Operations Officer, [NPC]
Craig Witmore, Engineer, [RNPC]
Crewman Adam, Nurse, [NPC]

Stardate: 58204.20 2330

Craig Whitmore was almost finished with his shift. Beta shift was here and were getting briefed on the status of the ship's systems. He was looking forward to the poker game later this evening but there was one thing he needed to do. In support of Adam and Nelson he had configured the environmental controls to skew the temperature in the marine barracks and family quarters by 20 degrees. Starting about an hour after gamma shift starts and ending an hour before alpha shift began. "Yes, it is going to be cold in Marineland tonight," thought Whitmore. Tomorrow it would skew the temperature in the other direction and so on, until he stopped it.

Whitmore finished up and then returned to his quarters for a quick shower before heading over to Nelson's for the game.

Craig chuckled when he thought about it. He jumped in the shower and put on some casual cloths. When finished he took his previous winnings and headed for Nelson's quarters.

"He guys, he said upon entering, I'm feeling I am going to win tonight. so I hope you have brought enough chips and brewskies."

"No way Craig," said Adam. "After the week I had I am due for a big win."

As the three of them were setting up for the party Paulis entered with Philips from Operations. "Hey, guys! Ready for some poker?"

"Hey Paulis, Philips. Glad you could make it," said Nelson. Paulis sat down and began shuffling cards.

Paulis gave everybody 5 cards. Craig looked at his, 2 aces, a 5 and a 9of hearts, and 3 of clubs. Not bad. "So guys, he said have you heard about Adam's little encounter in sickbay. " 2 new cards please, as he laid the 3 and the 5 away.

"Who hasn't," said Philips. "The ship is buzzing about it. Is it true he drew his phaser on you?" Philip's tossed several poker chips into the center of the table.

Adam was shocked, "Of course not. It wasn't like that. He roughed us up and was quite rude about it but he never drew his phaser. He looked at his cards. It was not a very good hand but he tossed his chips into the pot.

"I would not worry about it," said Craig. "Things like these always have a way of working themselves out." Craig tossed in his chips.

"It's like I said earlier, Marines are all the same. They think they own the world."

"Hmm true, the sooner we get rid of them the better. I fold", said Nelson, throwing his cards on the table. "But what do you mean Craig, saying that things will work them selves out."

"Don't tell me you have planned anything?"

"Would I do that?" Craig an injured look as he took three cards.

Everyone in the room laughed. The truth was that none of them would put it past him. "Besides," said Craig. "What would the fun be in messing with Marines anyway. They probably would not even realize what was going on." Craig looked thoughtfully at Philips. "Although, It might be kind of fun to program their replicators to only dispence Klingon food."

The room laughed again, "Yeah said Paulis, that would be a hoot. Let them eat gach."

"Could you really do that Craig," asked Adam as he took his cards.

"I could," aswered Craig but I would have to visit each replicator and reprogram it. I do not have computer access to everyone's replicator."

"I could do it," said Philips. "Part of our job in operations is to program everyone's replicators."

"I sort of thought you could," said Craig.

Philips noticed everyone was watching him. "I could get into serious trouble if I got caught. I won't do it."

Craig sighed, "That is the problem with you operations types. You are afraid of risk. Without risk you will never win." Craig layed his cards on the table. "Three aces. See, I win."

"Not again," Adam moaned throwing his cards on the table. He laughed while taking a drink from his beer. "Whitmore is right, Philips. You ops guys are always afraid to take risks. Chicken." Nelson slapped Philips on the back. "You are right it is dangerous, he said while making a clucking sound.

"Right another round guys? Adam said while he reshuffled.