Three Bottles of Spring Wine, The Bear and the Bee

Posted on Wed Aug 5th, 2026 @ 4:19pm by Lieutenant Commander Bonnie "Bon-Bon" Durnell & Remal Kajun

1,074 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Pirates!
Location: ISS Sunfire
Timeline: Between the Bed and the Battle

I.S.S. Sunfire

The transporter shimmer dissolved into silence. Captain Remal Kajun stepped from the pad with the same measured confidence he carried into every battle, every negotiation, and every execution. His uniform had been restored to immaculate precision. Every clasp sat exactly where it belonged. Every fold had been straightened. The previous evening had vanished beneath polished boots and disciplined posture. Only the quiet ease in his expression hinted that sleep had found him, for once, without interruption.

Someone was waiting. Commander Bonnie Durnell leaned comfortably against the corridor bulkhead with her arms folded, one boot crossed over the other. She had the unmistakable expression of a woman who had arrived far too early simply so she could enjoy every possible second of someone else's discomfort. "Good morning, Captain."

Remal acknowledged her with the smallest inclination of his head and continued walking. "Commander."

She fell into step beside him as naturally as though the conversation had begun hours earlier. Crew members carrying equipment flattened themselves against the corridor walls, offering respectful nods before continuing about their duties. Bonnie watched each of them disappear before speaking again.

"I won three bottles of spring wine."

Remal kept his attention forward. "I was unaware there had been wagering."

"Always."

"I see."

"You made several people very wealthy."

"Hmm... I shall endeavor to be less charitable." His voice resonated low with a growl.

Bonnie smiled to herself. It had begun.

They rounded the next junction together. The damage control teams still occupied sections of the corridor, replacing scorched conduit panels and reconnecting power distribution trunks that had survived the battle through stubborn determination. Welders paused just long enough to salute before returning to their work.

Bonnie glanced sideways. "So...?"

Remal continued walking.

"The Marshal?"

He remained silent.

"Were the two unconscious guards before or after dessert?"

"They will recovery."

She nodded thoughtfully. "Not exactly what I asked."

"I suspected as much."

A young ensign carrying replacement isolinear chips nearly walked into a maintenance cart while attempting not to overhear them.

The turbolift doors parted with a quiet chime. Three engineers already inside stiffened the instant they recognized who was entering.

Remal stepped inside.

Bonnie quickly followed, sliding in with a whisper.

The doors closed. The lift began its ascent and silence settled over the compartment like another passenger. Bonnie studied the illuminated deck numbers before speaking with almost exaggerated innocence.

Remal sighs internally "What?"

"How did your date night go?"

"It was not a date."

"Something's nagging at me. Ooh, I know, I haven't actually asked how dinner went."

"Dinner was satisfactory."

One of the engineers developed an intense fascination with the emergency evacuation instructions mounted beside the door.

Bonnie tilted her head. "Satisfactory?" She let the word roll around her tongue. "That sounds dangerously close to praise."

"The meal exceeded expectations."

"And the company?"

Remal regarded the changing deck numbers. "The company was... engaging."

Bonnie's eyebrows climbed noticeably. "I've known you for years."

"So I am frequently reminded."

"I've never heard you describe anyone as engaging."

"I choose my words carefully."

"Oh, I know." She smiled. "That one slipped."

The turbolift reached Engineering. Its occupants departed with almost suspicious efficiency.

Engineering thrummed with organized chaos. Plasma relays lay dismantled across diagnostic benches while teams crawled through open access conduits replacing damaged power couplings. The lingering scent of overheated circuitry mixed with machine lubricant and fresh insulation.

Remal moved through the compartment with quiet purpose, accepting reports, asking concise questions, and approving repair priorities without wasting a single word.

Bonnie waited. Patience had never been difficult when mischief promised sufficient reward. Only after the chief engineer hurried away to oversee another repair team did she resume. "So...?"

Remal signed the final repair authorization. "No."

"I only wanted to know whether she kissed you."

He handed the PADD back to the engineer. "She did."

"Did she kiss you first?"

"No." He said simply, in an effort not to really answer.

"Oh... You kissed her first. ...Interesting."

Remal remained silent.

Bonnie laughed to herself. She blinked, "Well...?" She folded her arms. "At least you're honest." Stepping back she considered his posture and the speed at which he responded. "You've been replaying that kiss over in your head haven't you? So how was it?"

"It was efficient."

"Vulcans!" She proclaimed as an insult. "You enjoyed yourself and you know it."

"I never said that." His voice remained low.

"You didn't need to. I can hear it in your words."

Remal looked toward the corridor leading back to the turbolifts. "I've completed my inspection."

"I've noticed."

The return journey began. By now half the ship seemed aware that Commander Durnell had selected the Captain as the morning's entertainment. Crew members stepped aside respectfully while quietly pretending the conversation did not exist.

Bonnie remained relentless. "You know..."

Remal waited.

"I always imagined you dying gloriously on some battlefield."

He looked at her.

"I had never considered your greatest tactical victory would involve breakfast."

For the first time that morning, the corner of Remal's mouth lifted. Only slightly.

Bonnie stopped walking. She stared at him with theatrical astonishment. "There, see?" She pointed dramatically. "I knew it."

Remal resumed walking. "Your imagination runs wild."

"It absolutely does not."

"You have an active imagination."

"I have excellent observational skills."

"Both are factual."

She hurried to catch up. "I shall treasure this moment forever."

The bridge doors parted. "Captain on deck!" Every officer rose instinctively.

Remal crossed directly toward the center chair as status reports began arriving from every station in practiced sequence.

Bonnie drifted toward Operations before pausing beside her console. "Oh..." Her voice carried just enough to reach the entire bridge. "The Marshal sends her regards."

An uncomfortable silence settled over the bridge. Several officers discovered urgent reasons to study their displays with extraordinary concentration.

Remal accepted the tactical report without the slightest alteration in expression.

"If you've concluded with today's entertainment, Commander?"

Bonnie lowered herself into her chair with exaggerated professionalism. "For the moment."

Her fingers awakened the Operations console before she added, quietly enough that only the nearest stations could hear. "Someone still owes somebody three bottles of spring wine."

The bridge resumed its rhythm. Reports flowed. Orders followed. The coming battle waiting in the Badlands reclaimed everyone's attention.

Only Bonnie allowed herself one last private smile. Even bears, she reflected, responded well to honey. Perfect for the local stinging bees to have a field day.

TBC

 

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