Traan and Nico had found themselves on a turbolift, both heading to the promenade. After introducing themselves and some small talk, they learned they were both heading there for the same reason, booze/caffiene and breakfast, and thus decided to share eachothers company.

As they approached the Bajoran  restuarant and bar they had agreed to eat at, Traan asked ‘So were you here for all the Vaadwaur insanity the past several months? I got reassigned here just as it was ending.’

“I was yes, I was trying more to find a way out technically, monitoring communications and the such.” Nico said. He didn’t want to say he was trying to find a way to hack into the systems of the Vaadwaur, as he didn’t know how much of that was common knowledge. Relying on his previous training and aged training from the Dominion was questionable, but understandable in the time they needed him.

“Have you been in combat before Lieutenant?” Nico asked. He had just begun a new round of the ‘Veteran Trauma Olympics’, where each veteran tried to figure out who actually had it worse.

‘Yeah, I’ve seen my fair share over the years…but I haven’t been in any real action for 7 or 8 years, back on the Farragut we were the first ship to respons to the Gorn raid on the Fodana Colony…I was planetside for that nasty little piece of business…’ His voice trailed of a bit, as if recalling something dark during those days before he caught himself and continued ‘I had been on the front lines for most of the Dominion war, and was in the fighting during the Tholian incursions of the late 70s…But after reading the casualty reports from the past months, it seemed like it was getting pretty dicey until the Protocol was initiated. I read alot of all too familiar names on those lists. Honestly, I feel bit guilty for missing it all. Though I’m sure others would say ‘I was doing my part for the cause’ building and overhauling ships at the Luna yards and then riding on a transport after I was transfered here. How about you, seen any fighting if your time in Starfleet?’ Traan said, thinking the man would empathize.

“I’ve seen a lot of fighting in my career with Starfleet, and most of it was with my Ex Husband.” Nico took his drink and swayed it back and forth, “he needed to be the center of attention, so I transfered from the front lines of the Dominion War as an Intel Officer where I was doing swimmingly, to Earth, where I was a Courier and interacted with various crews, various ships, and various situations… he hated that, he grew worried so I went back to the academy… well that wasn’t enough for him…”

Nico paused and shot back his drink… “So then I went into Communications, something that my Intel training would become ‘useful’ in, Exo Linguistics was always something that was easy for me especially on the field. Got stationed at various stations, and than last week he said he wanted me to retire! The nerve… retire… me. He told me to choose between my career and him. Just like that, 20 years gone…”

Traan felt an immediate pang of what could only be described as emotional distress in response to what Nico was saying. He was worried that Nico’s lack of marital bliss may soon be his lot too, especially if continued drinking until he was blacked out, waking up next to young women the next morning and not recalling what had occurred. As he had a few nights prior while partying with Jos and Saito. Something had caused Traan to ‘go off the rails’ that night, and he still hadn’t figured out why.

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that Nico…I know we just met and all, but feel free to lay it on me, I am no counselor but I definitely won’t judge you either…us D War vets needs to stick together…I dropped out of the Andorian Imperial Guard Academy right as the Dominion invaded Betazed, spent the rest of the war on the frontlines, aside from from a short compassionate leave back home for a week or so…I almost died countless times over the next year and a half… thankfully that didnt set the tone for my ENTIRE career.” He paused, sensing that there was more Nico wanted or needed to get off his chest. But after hearing he was a D War ver like himself, he couldnt help but empathize with him and also naturally compete with him in terms of the ‘trauma olympics’.

Nico looked over to Traan, “That’s really nice of you, my friends say I need to break out of my shell more.” Nico motioned for another drink. Trauma Olympic score was now Nico=3, Traan=2.

“The worst part? The worst part, he took everything. He took the memories and left me with nothing. He even took the bath mat! I couldn’t believe it. I slipped knocked my head and was left with nothing but a facecloth to cover the unmentionables. A lot of the stuff were things that my friends had given to me. You’d think that he’d leave it for a discussion if it meant that much to him. It is not like he bought anything.”

Nico felt the white knuckle grip on his glass tighten, “Like I don’t know if it is hurt, or anger. I want to move on, but I miss my stuff, should I just let go and make new memories with someone else? I mean… I already knew the relationship was over a while ago. Simple things, the ‘I love you’s’ the kisses good bye… ultimately he said he wanted to leave…”

He let out a sigh as tears rolled down his cheek.

Traan grimaced slightly, he was falling way behind in the trauma score now, with Nico rapidly scoring 2 points. It was a bit deeper then he was thinking Nico would go. This indeed might be more the perview of a counselor. But alas, Traan had stuck himself here, so now he would have do what he could to help the man out.

“I think letting go would be the most helpful. As for making new memories, maybe take some time and find the right person…rushing into a new relationship while you’re still figuratively running from the previous one, doesnt make for the most solid foundation.’ Traan said as his mind again wondered to his own wives, and the guilt he was feeling due to the drunken bender he had been on a few nights before. That had to be worth atleast one point.

Letting out a big sigh, “You’re right, what’s your story?” Nico felt like he had taken all the time, all the conversation had been focused on him. He was sure this man had problems, “I am sure you are drowning your sorrows too.”

“Nah, its a raktejino actually, its 1030h friend, a bit early for the hard stuff isnt it? I hope you’re not going on duty soon…in terms of sorrows, I guess I’m just aggravated that I was stuck on a transport for weeks during the Blackout and invasion, and wasn’t able to my part for the Federation. Back during the Frontier Day mess at least I was able to do something…we had mustered a few makeshift crews from the Luna Dockyard and launched in 2 of our nearly completed ships to help deal with the threat and then help with he clean-up, so many lives lost, and so quickly…thankfully Picard and his senior staff swooped in, stole the limelight, and saved the Federation…again.” he paused and took a sip. Now this had been a strategic play, in the trauma Olympics casually referencing another’s potential alcoholism or drug addition actually scored Traan 3 points, his dig at Picard also score a point, narrowing giving him the lead.

Traan continued somberly “I’ve lost far too many of the few friends I have in the past year. I even considered retiring while I was stuck on that transport…and now I’m here, and have a field commission, and I feel a bit over my head to be honest. The job description and list of responsibilities for my new assignment is 9 pages long…I mean, I certainly have relevant experience, but I’ll be expected to lead now in a way that I haven’t had to even think about during my first 28 years in the service.” Scoring another 2 points amd taking a commanding lead.

“I appreciate the ear. Maybe I should switch to water or head home to an empty, vacuous quarters. Man I need to decorate. Know any good decorators?” Nico asked, scoring 1 point, but also trying to change the subject.

In the game of ‘Trauma Olympics’ any attempt to change the subject in such an obvious fashion, was akin to tapping out during a cage fight. Traan had won but for some reason, he didnt feel like much of a winner.