The Marines Have Landed

Posted on Sat 2nd Mar, 2013 @ 7:58am by Major Jack Dawson & Captain Samantha Nixon
Edited on on Sat 2nd Mar, 2013 @ 7:59am

867 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/3
Location: Starbase Protector
Timeline: Current, 1215hrs

[Marine Aviation Group Offices]

"We have to check out Orchids and Jazz," Samantha petitioned. "We've been here a day and I've already had a pile of recommendations."

Jack shook his head in response. Samantha had been the person to recommend venues on Starbase 212, and it seemed that the group adjutant was attempting to take on the same extraneous duties here on Protector.

"Jazz? Orchirds?" he asked with an evident confused tone. "What is it?"

"A place, a restaurant, cafe," she replied. "Somewhere to eat and have lunch and a drink."

"Captain, we cannot drink on duty," Jack remarked, raising an eyebrow.

"You know what I mean," Samantha retorted, folding her arms. "Do you want to go today?"

"Lunch is in five minutes, do they take people in uniform?" he asked.

"We can always find out," she concluded, already getting to her feet.

"Yes, ma'am, whatever you say," Jack muttered, heading into his office and returning a moment later wearing the sky-blue beret of the wing.

The pair, a tall, late-20s slim blonde woman, and a slightly taller, slightly older man, left the office and headed for the Promenade decks.

---

[Orchids & Jazz, Promenade]

Observing the clientele in her jazz lounge always gave Jade Lantz a quiet feeling of contented joy. Today was no different as she looked over the lunch crowd building after the noon hour. She'd left the morning breakfast crowd to Serena, her assistant, and just come in herself. Today, she wore an emerald green sheath dress, with her signature lavender orchids in a tiny row around the square neck. It was knee length and she wore flat-heeled matching shoes to make all the walking she'd do by midnight a little more comfortable.

The Cymbidiums, an Orchids & Jazz three-piece combo, had set up early, and they were playing a new collection of smooth jazz they'd practiced in the holosuites earlier in the week. Currently, they were performing Summertime as Sidney Bechet had played it in the 20th century, intense and passionate, and with a wide vibrato. Jade thought she might practice that style of saxophone herself, if she ever had a little time to try it.

Her attention was caught by a couple coming in the door. The were in Marine aviator uniform, and her eyes followed them as Jenna seated them in a central booth that was close enough to hear the music, and far enough away to talk over it easily. The pair were unfamiliar to her, not unusual on so large a starbase, and since she enjoyed getting to know her customers, she signaled to Jenna that she would take their orders herself.

She gave them a minute to settle and then strolled over to the table. "Welcome to Orchids & Jazz," she said. "I'm Jade Lantz, the owner. Are you just passing through our lovely starbase, or are you lucky enough to be on station here?"

Jack looked up at the moment, and smiled.

"Good afternoon, Jade," Jack began. "We're just settling in. The station needed a Marine Aerospace unit, and we were in need of a station."

"I'm Jack Dawson, and this," he indicated to the woman sat with him, "is Samantha Nixon."

"Welcome to Protector, though I'm sure the base commander has already extended a better welcome than I ever could," Jade responded, and handed him an elegant card. "I'm glad you found my establishment. This lets you know our hours and entertainment available throughout the day. Many here on the base enjoy our coffee bar before their shifts. Present this," she handed him a second card, a small lavender one this time, "and your first breakfast and coffee are on me." She handed a second card to his companion, Captain Nixon.

"I hope you enjoy jazz, because our menu varies, but our music is always jazz from early twentieth century Earth. Sometimes I even play myself," she informed them. "What would you like to try for lunch? I highly recommend the Monte Cristo sandwich. We make it the same way The Brown Derby did in the 1940s. Ham, chicken and swiss cheese, crusts cut off, dipped in an egg batter and fried to a crispy outer shell. Are you game?"

"I most certainly am," Jack replied with a grin, before looking to Samantha.

"Make that two," she replied. "You can never beat the special of the day."

The music being performed now was another favorite of Jade's, Dancing in the Dark. The saxophone crooned the melody into the sounds of the lunch crowd. It was music like this 1931 song that sometimes made her wish she could time travel into the past. No doubt she'd find many things about the times distressing, but the music would be something to experience.

"Excellent attitude," Jade said. She had a fondness for those who were willing to try something different. "You can always trust our house specials, I guarantee it. Two Monte Cristo sandwiches, and perhaps a fresh garden salad from our hydroponics bay? How about our signature Lemon Cokes to drink? Then you will have a complete Orchids & Jazz unique dining experience."

"That sounds excellent," Jack agreed, while Samantha nodded along.

 

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