Commander Kolvash sat down on the aged, leather couch. It was unusually firm; it seemed to be quite old. It was cracked in a few places, but looked to be remarkably good, if the furniture was as old as Kolvash estimated. He was curious about this 'vodka'. "What is this vodka you speak of?"
"I was hoping you'd ask," Bolerov replied with a smile and a wink. He walked over to a small chest in front of the kitchen door and withdrew a glass bottle of clear liquid. After a quick duck in the kitchen, he came back with the bottle and two glasses. He began pouring. He then handed a glass to the commander. "This, my dear commander, is vodka." He raised his glass for a toast.
Commander Kolvash raised his glass to the captains. "I am indeed curious now." He commented, examining the glass intently. "What shall we drink to?"
"How about to a successful re-negotiations to allow crew members to visit each others ships?" He asked, chuckling.
Kolvash laughed as well. "I will drink to that!" They clanked glasses. Bolerov took a long drink from his glass. After watching him, Kolvash did the same. To his tongue, it was hardly discernable. "Interesting," he commented. Then, the vodka hit his throat. His eyes bulged for a moment and he took a breath through his mouth to ease the burn. Andrei smiled, glad to have achieved the desired result. "Not bad," the Romulan commander finally concluded with a smile.
Kolvash could tell the Federation captain was trying to get a reaction from him. He figured he'd let Bolerov have ot. This vodka had a little kick to it, but Tolvash had certainly tasted much better stuff. "The next time I come," he countered, "I'll bring some Bacaani ale."
Bolerov nodded. "Is that what we call romulan ale? It's kind of a syrupy, pale green liquid?"
"The same," Kolvash answered with a smile.
Bolerov had heard of this drink. It had been rumored to kill small animals. "I believe that is illegal within the Federation."
"Ah," Kolvash said with a wry smile. "then I guess our next 'meeting' will have to be aboard MY ship." The two laughed clanked glasses again.
"Then... I guess this means we can resume visitations?" Bolerov asked with a mildly sarcastic tone.
"I think that would be fine." Kolvash replied. "Only a few at a time, of course... and with escorts."
"Agreed. And, Kolvash, this time... no more uninvited guests." Andrei gave him a knowing smile.
Kolvash looked surprised. "Captain," he began pleadingly, "I told you I had nothing to do with those spies. It was my second in command's doing. He is being disciplined as we speak." He raised his glass high before taking another drink.
Bolerov's eyes narrowed a bit, but his smile never left. "Commander, commander...Cardek may have given the order to THEM... but you gave the order to HIM." He put his glass on the antique table.
Kolvash's face twisted as he showed signs of being upset. He stood up. "Now, look, Captain... if you're suggesting..." Bolerov folded his arms and cocked his head. Kolvash could tell the Federation captain wasn't buying the lie... and to continue this charade would only damage relations, so he sat back down and relaxed his expression. His eyes looked up at the intent gaze of Captain Bolerov. "Alright, alright," he relented, "I ordered it. It was foolish and I spent a entirely too much time having to explain myself to Ambassador Donatra. Do you blame me?"
Andrei let his arms down. He reached for his glass, a look of victory again in his eyes. "Not at all," he replied with a smile. "Just don't let it happen again." He raised his glass.
Kolvash raised his glass to Bolerov's. "I'll definately drink to that." The two shared another drink. The commander relaxed a bit. This Andrei Bolerov was cut from the same cloth as himself. He could really enjoy getting to know this Federation captain... which was quite a dramatic change in beliefs he held just a few months ago. "Tell me," he began after several seconds of contemplation, "I know your ship is currently waiting for the rest of her crew. How did you know about my two spies so quickly?"
Bolerov chuckled and motioned towards the door. "Biometric sensors... they run every three to five meters in the halls, rooms, storage... you name it. Whenever someone comes aboard, their biometric signs are logged and given access to certain parts of the ship. As unregistered lifeforms, the ship's automatic defense systems kicked in and limited their access to nowhere."
Kolvash shook his head and laughed. "Now that's impressive... a ship that defends itself. You don't mind if I have my science officers continue to scan your ship?" He already knew the answer. Apparently, Bolerov was quite confident about this vessel's ability to repel any attempt at information gathering.
"Be my guest, commander," the captain's smile became even more devious. "I hear the static field between the primary and secondary hulls is quite formidible to sensors."
"It is." Kolvash admitted defeatedly.