Star Trek: Season 9

[Geekyfanboy]

Quinn and Took made their way around the party partaking in small talk here and there. Margon glance in Quinn's direction but Nathan quickly turned the other way. Nic noticed this and questioned Quinn's actions. "It's a long story that I will have to tell you at a later date." Quinn replied with a smile. They continued to socialize for the next few hours before heading back to Quinn's quarters. As soon as Nic entered he turned to Nathan. "So", Nic said, "Why did you turn away from Counselor Margon?" Quinn sighed, he had told Nic everything that had happened to him while in the mirror universe but didn't go into great detail as to what Doctor Margon had done to him, Nathan sat down and Nic sat beside him. Quinn then went into great detail as to what Doctor Margon has done to him, how he tortured him and how much pleasure Doctor Margon got watching Quinn in excruciating pain. By the time Nathan had finished telling him what had happened, Took wiped the tears out of his eyes. "I had no idea," he said softly. "But you do realize that this isn't the same Margon" Took continued. Quinn stood abruptly and paced back and forth. "Of course I know that, but doesn't make it any easier. These past few weeks I have avoided seeing him. This was the first time I was actually in a room with him, hearing his voice brought back that uncontrollable fear I had while laying on that cold slab of a table." Nathan felt a chill run through is body. Nic stood and walked over to Nathan. He looked up into his gray green eyes and ran his fingers through Nathan's hair. "You're safe now" Nic whispered, "Now lets get some rest." With those words Nic lead Nathan to the bedroom.

The next morning Nathan got up and entered the bathroom. He activated the sonic shower and stood there as the waves sonic energy hit his naked flesh. Moments later Nic entered "Mind if I join you?" he said with a smirk, Nathan laughed as he stepped aside making room for Nic. After the shower they had a quick breakfast, dressed and exited Quinn's quarters. Nathan looked up and down the hallway before bending down and giving Nic a kiss on the cheek." See you at 1300 for lunch" Nic said as he turned and headed in the opposite direction. Quinn smiled and headed to the turbolift.

[moyer777]

Joint post with JustX and moyer777


"So Doc, how do we do this?" Aeric asked as he sat facing the blue skinned ship's councilor. While part of him knew that Margon might be able to help him, the other part of him still clung on to holding on to the last fragments of family secrets that should have stayed buried.

The counselor handed Aeric a cup of tea.  Margon looked at him compassionately, smiled and then became serious, "What are you scared of Aeric? In the time that I have known you, your confidence and courage have masked the other part that all of us have. I've never seen you so insecure."

He stared down into his cup.  Aeric didn't like this at all, but found himself openly sharing, something he wasn't accustomed to.

"Insecure? That's a good word for it." Aeric mused. "I'm glad to know that Sairyn is alive. I didn't think it was possible, but I'm more than a little concerned about what will happen when Sevryll and Aria return. Sevryll remembers our past together. Things that should have stayed buried. She knows how we felt about each other. I've loved her though a thousand lifetimes and never once has it wavered. My greatest fear is that she will only remember loving me and that is far worse than her never knowing."

Margon sat quietly for a moment and considered his next statement.  "Aeric, many of us deal with these kind of emotions on a daily basis, we just don't have the means to suppress them like you do.  I myself underwent a procedure to block my memories from a personal tragedy years ago.  I can tell you this much, it made me feel empty.  Until I was forced to deal with it and bring it out in the open I couldn't shake it.  It was hurting the people around me.  I wasn't myself."

The counselor caught Aeric's eye and continued.

"What you are doing right now is good.  I truly believe that we will find a way to work through this.  It probably won't do any good to assume what will happen. You are going to need to quit working up scenarios in your head.  Let's not dwell on what could be. I know you are a planner.  For sanity's sake,  let's take it one day at a time."

Aeric couldn't believe that he had just spilled out one of his deepest secrets, but was impressed by the security he felt in sharing it with Margon.  He remembered reading the personnel file of the counselor's incident on his home world and thought of how it must have felt when he came face to face with his true reality.

"I'm all for taking things one day at a time. I'd like to work though all of this before they get home."

[Meds]

D'Callan pressed the small control panel on the outside of the Captains ready room.

"Come"

The door slid open and Joseph walked in.

"I'm sorry to bother you so early sir but i have a request"

Captain Quinn smiled at D'Callan and jester-ed him a seat at the chair in front of his desk.

"Congratulations on your promotion Joseph, you deserve it"

D'callan smiled back at Quinn.

"Sir it is you i thank. Your faith in recruiting me after what happened to me is something i will never forget"

Quinn gave a sly smile.

"So what can i do for you Lietenant Commander"

Joseph handed the captain his padd.

"Sir i need to go over to the station. They have what i need to complete my assignment and i would rather like to get this done and back to you as soon as possible"

Quinn concentrated on the padd and his face grew serious. He pressed a button on the padd and flicked it up. Handing it back to the chief of security he sat back in his chair.

"Permission granted. I'm sorry you have to do this while everyone is on shore leave. Report back to me as soon as you are satisfied with your result"

Joseph nodded and stood up. "Sir" he turned and left the room. As the door slid back D'Callan tapped his com badge.

"D'Callan to Dunn. I'm leaving the ship for a while. I'm leaving you in charge of security."

Dunn responded with a simple "Yes Sir" and D'callan headed for the transporter room.

[Dangelus]

Lester had managed to stay at the ceremony longer than he expected probably because he remained at the bar most of the time. As well as an engineering prowess his fondness for ale was a talent he had inherited from his father. Sipping his way through the event had led to him being successfully discreet. Unfortunately the practice required you to have a glass at all times. Luckily for him it was synthahol ale or fatigue would have been the least of his worries. After a more than polite length of time he headed for the exit.

Pressing the button on the wall Lester engaged the manual lock to his quarters. Perhaps it was his imagination or fatigue but the doors seemed to take longer than usual to fully close. Unfastening the coat to his dress uniform, the Ensign sighed in mild relief.

Lester's quarters were very organized and keeping to regiment he took it upon himself to pack away his dress uniform immediately.

"Computer, how long do I have until my next duty shift?" Lester asked, tilting his head slightly as many crew do when speaking to the disembodied computer voice.

"6.4 hours" the computer responded almost immediately, adding "You are required to report to Sickbay at the start of your duty shift."

"Really? By whom?" Lester didn't really need an answer; he had a good idea already. "And please refrain from providing me with superfluous information computer." He said with a hint of annoyance.

"Doctor Peterson" said the computer "who also directed that you be given this information when you next accessed your computer".

Lester shook his head. He knew he had been avoiding the routine 'physical' that all transfers must complete when starting a new assignment. The appointment was flexible and was not to interfere with important duties; a fact that Lester had made the most of to avoid the examination. With repairs going well he doubted he could get out of it this time.

"Acknowledged. Please inform Sickbay" he exhaled.

"Logged." Chirped the computer.

[iceman]

Casey woke from a much needed rest; it would take him awhile to recover from the many weeks of lack of sleep that resulted from fixing the damage done to the crew by the Borg, but he still felt better then he had in weeks.

Myella was busy humming in their small kitchenette preparing warm Rockocinos for him and her as she replicated them both some breakfast before their shifts in sickbay.

Casey stepped out of the sonic shower , dressed and greeted his wife with a big kiss, she smiled back at him as she placed their breakfast on the table. Dr. Peterson ate quickly then said goodbye to his wife. He had a stack of unfinished paperwork to complete and a few crew physicals that needed to be completed before he could begin his much needed shoreleave.

The doctor picked up his data pad and headed out of his quarters to deck five to begin his shift in sickbay, he smiled briefly as he thought of being one step closer to his vacation.

[X]

The aroma of a freshly cooked breakfast hung in the air of the James quarters as Aeric cleared away the dishes. Pans still rested on the stove that was installed just for these occasions. For the first time in weeks, the room was quiet. Rory had taken the girls to a day out on the holodeck and left him to get the quarters in order.

Aeric had barely gotten the dishes away when the display on his desk chimed.

"Incoming encrypted communication," the soft voice of the computer said.

Aeric took a seat at his deck and looked at the monitor. "Open communications channel."

After he spoke the words, the standard Federation background faded to reveal the face of a beautiful woman with almost fire red hair that draped her face in elegant spirals.

"Hello Oona," Aeric said and offered a honest smile. "How are you doing my wife?"

Oona smiled back at him. "I am well my husband, but I have missed your company."

Aeric nodded slowly. It didn't take much to see that he was a poor husband. He had been married out of obligation, but he had promised himself that he would be a good husband. It was a promise that had been strained to the breaking point by distance and other complications. "Oona, I'm sorry for that. I have so much to do here, but I'm not intentionally trying to neglect you."

"I shutter to think how much worse this could be if your actions were intentional Aeric." Oona said with soft words that struck Aeric like daggers.

"How can I make things right between us?"

"Come home."

"You know that I can't just leave my responsibilities here." Aeric sighed and ran his hand through his hair.

"What of your responsibilities here? What about your responsibilities to your wife?" Oona asked calmly. "I knew that your past might cause us a few issues, but this isn't fair Aeric."

"I know Oona."

"Do you? I've waited patiently for over a decade for you to be ready to start a family with me, but what happened to those plans? You restore Aria. You adopt Elizabeth and treat Rory like another of your children. Can you explain how someone that wasn't ready for children is suddenly raising them ... with her of all people?" Oona said as she tried to hide the anger in her voice.

"It's not like that. We're not involved. She's not even here." Aeric said in an attempt to calm his wife.

Oona's brow raised at that. "Where is she?"

"Sevryll and Aria left this universe with," Aeric bit his lip and took another breath. "Sairyn, my other daughter, the one that was presumed lost."

Oona schooled the emotion on her face. "Why? Is this a permanent departure?"

Aeric shook his head. "I don't know how long they will be gone. N'Vall was abducted and they are going to save him. I'm looking after M'Rynn until they return."

Oona sighed. "Aeric, I am trying not to be upset, but we both know how you feel. How am I expected to compete against those feelings when I am here and she's working so close to you?"

"There isn't a competition Oona. You are my wife and I would never dishonor our vows." Aeric said. "I love you, but I have not hidden my past from you."

"Perhaps you should have. It might have spared some of this pain. I love you Aeric, but it truly hurts that I only have a part of your heart. It hurts more that the one that holds most of that heart works side by side with you."

Aeric nodded. "Is there any way to make this right?"

"There are many ways, but they become far fewer when you are only willing to do so much to make it right." Oona smiled sadly and toyed with her hair. "I think that it is more than time for us to start our family Aeric. I want to see you. I want to spend time with my husband."

Aeric nodded slowly. "As hard as you might find it to believe me, I've missed you Oona. I look forward to seeing you again and I do love you."

Oona smiled slightly. "I know you do Aeric and it brings light to my life, but in your heart, I'm a candle flame and she is a nova. I want what she doesn't even know that she is missing."

Aeric sighed as the computer chimed again. "It's time for me to go."

Oona nodded. "My communication will not leave any records, but we should end it now. I am closer than you think dear husband. Perhaps I might make my presence known so that you can have help with the children. Even though I was not consulted on the adoption, Elizabeth is our child and it would be nice for her to know of her mother. You should treat her as soon as she can handle the adaptations. I love you Aeric."

Before he could say another word, the communication ended and Aeric sat there looking at the blank monitor. Complicated things were about to get far more complicated.

[MaxFazu]

*Joint post by MaxFazu and Bryancd*

Jack stepped from the stations umbilical onto the slightly lighter antigrav platting of the Arabella. To another crew member the change might not be noticeable. He however, had an aptitude for finding slight misalignments in just about any system. He could detect a hertz change in his sonic shower when key systems would power up. Of course carrying a forty pound case in either hand made detecting the change much easier. Jack wasted no time with his luggage and headed straight for his quarters. He nudged his door release with his elbow, and slid in. He then released his bags to the floor.

"Computer, recognize Jacob Maddock" Jack commanded the computer.

'please confirm" the computer chimed in.

"Maddock alpha epsilon 539 omega" Jack continued. "computer locate Lieutenant Commander K'arath"

The computer recalled. "welcome aboard. Lieutenant Commander K'arath is currently in main engineering"

Jack left the bags where they fell. He turned one hundred and eighty degrees and sprung back through the doorway. He knew exactly he was headed. Being an engineer, Jack had studied the Arrabella's schematics for weeks and she was becoming as familiar as the back of his hand.

This was the part Jack hated, the first impression. While starting his first post, he had reported to an Andorean sergeant named Toreth. He though back to more than a few scoldings he received when that blue face had turned a furious shade of indigo. He later learned, that within the first moments of their meeting Tureth had mislabeled him as lethargic. Even with a superb work record he wasn't able to crawl out from underneath the sergeants misconception.  Jack read K'arath's personnel files, and expected a fair deal from him. On the other hand, he was still a Klingon, and shouldn't be underestimated.

Jack shot through the engineering archway to find K'arath's back, as he worked at the main terminal.

"Lieutenant Commander K'arath" Jack stood like a board stuck in the sand, less one arm perpendiculary displaying the his electronic transfer orders.

"Ensign Jacob E Maddock reporting for duty sir"

K'arath turned around. The Ensign was very similar in height and build to the Klingon, however, his current posture made him look like he was being stretched by an event horizon. K'arath's face remained completely impassive as he took the offered pad from the Ensign and glanced down at it. He had already read the Maddock's personal data the night before, he just used the opportunity to make the man sweat a bit.

"Welcome aboard, Ensign Maddock," K'ararth said. "I have reviewed your personnel files and find you satisfactory for your duties. We have been under manned for some time and I need to know that you are up for the task. Tell me, Ensign, why did you seek a position on the Arabella and in my Engine Room?" he challenged, hoping the man would rise to the occasion.

"Sir. You have a heck of a ship here. Shes out here, working, fighting, helping people, doing the right thing!" Jack rose his hands with his palms face up "And if I can use these to help keep her running, keep her doing her job. Then I would be....     .... honored."  Jack waited a moment. Then realizing his error he snapped back to attention.

K'arath's eye's narrowed at the mention of the word "honor" and then a smile crept across his face. He barked a loud, short laugh.

"Ha! We shall see, Ensign! I understand you have experience with positronic netwrok systems. Well, my ship has no AI but her gel pack neuro-net is a close second. I am assigning you to the lead the repair efforts on that front, it is the life blood of the ship. STATION!" he commanded.

"Ey Sir, thank you sir" Jack released. Then he eagerly moved down the the third starboard terminal, and logged in.  Jack was elated at his chance of working so closely with a system that mimicked his hobby.  He stopped at his terminal and took a brief look around. Yes this would do, this would do just fine! He silently complimented himself.

[ElfManDan]

Stepping out of the afterburner David and Fissual walked side by side back towards their quarters. Before rounding the corner David took one look back at Rose leaning on her roommates shoulder.

Lorna will take care of her, he thought as he passed out of sight. Rose watched him quietly deep in thought.

"Someone's got a crush." Lorna sang.

"What," Rose got defensive, "No, I don't..."

"He likes you." Lorna interrupted.

"Oh, you're not talking 'bout..." Rose blushed, "No, he's just being nice."

"Why do you do that? You can never except what's right in front of you."

"Cause it's not true, it's wishful thinking. My parents always told me never to dream and hope for things that might never be. It's a waste of time, better spent think of what is, and working for what will be."

"You're telling me you never had the girlie little dream of finding the perfect guy?"

"Well, yeah, when I was ten, but I grew up. Then I got..." She looked at her Borg hand grasped tightly round her metal cane, "What is now is that I'm not quite human anymore."

"Still brilliant," Lorna replied "and shallow."

"I'm not shallow."

"Close minded."

"Lorna, I'm in a moment of need."

"Sorry, I'm not going to speak against your parents. I know how much you respect them, but personally I don't think they ever planned you to be oblivious to the world around you."

"I'm not oblivious. I'm being realistic. Maybe I would have except the possibility before..." She paused, "I've changed. I know I can never have the happy life I was supposed too. The Borg took that from me. I've except that."

Lorna didn't know how to reply. Though she heard the words, she knew Rose was far from excepting what she spoke.

[Feathers]

Hands moving deftly over the controls, Galdar dropped the U.S.S. Ninnescah out of warp and came to a full stop. 'Stopping on a dime' was the expression one of his hew-mon friends had used to describe this manouver and it had stuck in his mind. Financial references tended to carry extra meaning with Ferengi.

He spun the runabout hard on its lateral axis, stopping once he was pointing back toward the Starbase. He grinned as the inertial dampeners groaned slightly. No-one else would have detected the change, but then no-one else could fly by ear quite as he could!

He'd spent the last half hour deliberately pushing the little craft to the acceptable limits of its performance envelope but despite all his efforts it had held together fine. Runabouts could take a lot more punishment if required, but without being under enemy fire he'd end up on a charge if he pushed it any harder.

He'd done enough to prove his point in any case and he hadn't expected to have a problem. If the stressed plasma injector that the maintenance team thought they'd detected had been real, he'd have known it by now. The ship was new and Lt. Commander Smith hadn't exactly stressed it in his delivery flight.

Engaging half impulse, Galdar started back toward the station. Playtime was over.

[Dangelus]

A Joint post by Iceman and Dangelus


The turbolift doors closed with a hiss.

"Sickbay" Lester ordered.

The lift hummed into action and after a short ride he was at his destination. It was his custom to be early, he thought it was proper, even when he wasn't looking forward to a situation. Stepping out into the corridor Lester felt tense. Exhaling as much emotion as he could, he calmly entered sickbay. Doctor Peterson was already there attending to a crewmember.

Doctor Peterson finished mending a crewmembers broken arm due to a an unwanted encounter with a snowbank due to a miscalculation on a bobsled turn. Casey smiled at the crewmember as he suggested that it might be advisable to tweak the safety protocols before his next attempt at bobsledding. The crewmember thanked the doctor for his great bedside manner and quickly exited sickbay for his duty shift.

Dr. Peterson turned around to see Ensign Lester Garriss standing in the doorway to sickbay. Casey smiled at the Young Ensign, " don't look so worried my boy, this is just a formality that must be done to satisfy the paperpushers at Starfleet Medical"

The Ensign looked a little out of sorts as this was not quite what he had expected from the Chief Medical Officer, as most of the medical personnel he had been exposed to were very formal and not quite as personable as Dr. Peterson. Casey's manner seemed to put Ensign Garriss at ease, and seemed to reduce his stress level greatly.

"Thank you Doctor. How would you like to proceed?" Lester asked.

Dr. Peterson motioned for the Ensign to a biobed.

"We will get this done with quickly, so you can go about your business" Casey stated as he tapped on his medical tricorder waving it over Ensign Garriss's body.The doctor took some blood samples and made a few medical notes before asking Ensign Garriss if their was anything missing from his medical files or anything that he wished to discuss with the doctor.

Lester made a curious expression. "Doctor, you have been asking me to attend this examination for a week now. Forgive me but I was expecting it be somewhat more thorough than this." he stated

The Doctor Looked at the Ensign, then Replied, "This is usually true, if I find any anomalies in your tests  or lab results, which I haven't at this point. It is also why I have asked you if you have anything you wish to discuss medically and find out if anything is missing from your medical records.

"At this point, your medical records seem complete with no gaps. Is This true Ensign? or would you like to Add Something? You are by no means finished Ensign, this is just the preliminaries, Nurse Christine will finish your tests and inform me of the the results. If their is any anomalies in your tests my office will inform you."

"I have found that by doing the initial workups myself often tends to put crewmembers and officers like yourself at ease and more willing to discuss their medical issues if they have a doctor who is somewhat personable." Don't You agree Lester, "

Lester paused in thought before replying. What was Peterson fishing for? "I agree with your diagnosis Doctor. I have no physical ailments that I am aware of as my records will confirm."

He knew the doctor would have accessed his psychological profile. With a profile like his, medical protocol meant his records would be flagged for review by the ship's counselor. With this in mind he thought it best not to challenge the doctor further.

[Meds]

JOINT POST BY JEN AND HAWKEYEMEDS

"They're in here!"

"RESISTANCE IS FUTILE"

"Get down!"

A phaser blast burst through the tumblers behind the bar—a woman and two children ducked down to avoid the spray of glass.

"I'm sending them your way!" Shouted a man to the team of security officers situated at the entrance.

As the man began to grapple with another drone, the woman gathered the children and moved cautiously toward the corridor. The towering human was Dennis, the hologram that Joseph worked with to rid the ship of intruders. His image flickered as the drone plunged its snake like tendrils into his neck.

One of the children dashed back to help the hologram."Come back!" shouted the woman.

Dennis vanished just as the small boy came to his aid. Now he was the drone's target. It grabbed the boy and injected tubules into the child's yielding flesh as the Trill woman attempted to pull the toddler free. An instant later, she was thrown into a wall by a vicious backhand from the drone.

"Computer, pause program." D'Callan examined the frozen scene, before winding his way through the darkened room filled with terrified patrons and cybernetic monsters. Glass crunched under his feet as he moved to the bar and crouched next to the prone figure of Doctor Ryla Drett. Before her, the Vulcan boy struggled against the nanite assault on his small body. Joseph passed his hand through the red beam, emanating from the drone's ocular implant, and narrowed his eyes. The Chief Of Security then turned his gaze toward the smoke filled entry, where he could just make out the outline of the individual he was investigating.

"Computer, resume program at half speed."

The chaos around him began to move in slow motion. D'Callan watched as the small-framed woman staggered to her feet and stepped forward to confront the drone.  The smoke in the room was becoming thicker as a small fire spread within the room. Joseph once again turned to look at the entrance. One of his men was lining up on the Borg that Ryla rose to challenge.

"Computer, pause program. Resume playback. Quarter speed."

Joseph left the holo-image of Doctor Drett and walked along side the beam that slowly stretched to meet the small of her back. He followed the pulse all the way to its source: Ensign Tallon Bowers. Joseph positioned himself behind the security officer to witness the tragedy from his perspective. The low light and smoke obscured his view until the moment the beam struck Ryla. Then the room brightened with the light of additional phasers as they fiercely sought other drones. It was only then Joseph could see the Trill from that vantage point.

"Computer, pause program. Now highlight holo-image six, section thirteen and fourteen. Save image and add to report."

Joseph picked his way through the crowd to stand near the young doctor. "Computer. Resume program. Same speed."

Her body lurched and slumped, face first, to the floor.

"Pause," said Joseph. He grimaced as he stared down at her. After a moment he walked back to Ensign Bowers and examined the kneeling security officer.

"Computer, highlight holo-image seven, section fifteen and sixteen.
Save image and add to report."

The highlighted viewpoints of Bowers would be his saving grace. Yet, D'Callan knew how devastated the security officer was. The findings would not matter to him...the deed was done.

"Computer resume program. Standard speed." From the entry, Joseph watched as the drone disappeared. A shout rang out behind him. Startled, he turned back to look at Bowers, who's face had turned white with shock.

"Computer, end and save program. 'D'Callan investigation Two A'."

The surrounding vision dissolved into the black and yellow grid of the holodeck. Joseph pressed his thumb and forefinger to his temple then took a deep breath.  After a few minutes of thought Joseph left the space station holosuite and decided to head to one of the smaller restaurants on the station plaza.

[Feathers]

A joint post by Feathers and Hawkeyemeds

Galdar sat in the corner of the lounge facing a large bowl of grubs. There were some compensations to Starbase life and a steady supply of 'decent' food was one of them. Admittedly, it took some negotiation to arrange a supply line as long a the one he used but while he may not be a typical Ferengi, he was still a member of that species and carried a certain amount of the innate ability that such membership implied.

Had he cared to, he would have noticed that the lounge was full both with station personnel and crew from a number of the docked and orbiting vessels. He didn't notice. His stomach was more important.

"Any chance of a seat, mate?" a voice to his left asked.

Looking up, Galdar saw a Lieutenant Commander in operations yellow with a smile on his face and one eyebrow raised.

"Feel free, I'll waive the one slip charge this time". He had found that most species generally liked financial references when dealing with him. It seemed to put them at their ease.

"Thanks".

The man dropped into the seat with an easy grace and lifted his drink to his mouth with the appearence of deep satisfaction.

"Ahhh, I needed that." He smiled easily and looked questioningly across the table.

"Galdar, Sir. Ensign Galdar, Sir. I'm a shuttle pilot on the starbase."

The man waved a hand.

"Go easy on the rank and priviledge Galdar. I'm not on duty here." He paused, "D'Callan, Chief of Security, U.S.S. Arabella"

Galdar nodded and, formalities over, went back to contemplating his grubs. With a slight lick of the lips the lifted a handful to his mouth. He was going to enjoy this.

After a while, he looked up again and found his table mate watching him idly while waiting for another drink. Strangely, he didn't seem that bothered by the consumption going on in front of him, something that regularly caused Galdar problems with others. Realising he was now being observed in his turn, D'Callan chose to break the silence.

"Good are they?"

"Mmmm. I'd let you have a taste but I doubt you would enjoy the result and I don't see much profit in the exchange. Sir.", he grinned and carried on eating.

"A Ferengi in Starfleet I can believe, but one who shared with others would be slightly too much to expect". D'Callan grinned in his turn as his drink arrived.

As Galdar cleared the bowl, he remembered something that had nagged at him earlier.

"The Arabella. That's the damaged Intrepid in dock isn't it? What happened?" he asked.

"Borg" said D'Callan. "and an asteroid field. We had quite a merry time of things for a while."

Galdar's eye's widened. So the rumours were more or less true after all. That was a surprise, but a welcome one. It wasn't often that the starbase rumour mill operated so well.

"I imagine that there was a bit of fancy flying going on in that encounter then Sir?", he asked, his eyes starting to light up at the thought.

D'Callan looked at him more closely.

"Tell you what mate. Get me another one of these beers and a packet of nibbles that don't wriggle and you can tell me how much of a good pilot you are."

[KC]

Joint post by Institches, Jen and KC


"So...are you and the Lieutenant Commander an item?"

Ryla glanced up at the jade-skinned woman. "He's...a new friend."

"Is that Trill Code for 'we're dating'?"

Ryla knew Cyra, but she had never spoken to her before that moment and wasn't quite sure how to react to her sarcastic question.

"Trill code?"

"You know, like a 'secret code'," Cyra winked.

The doctor glanced to Mackie and then to glass of synthahol in her hands.  She slowly lifted it to her mouth and took a long sip as she stared at the Orion. Ryla returned the container to the table and smiled at the woman,  "No....  I've never been a fan of doublespeak. Deliberate ambiguity is something I try to avoid."

"So he's not taken? Excellent."

Ryla tried not to glower, "As far as I know."

"Oh, don't worry. I'm just messing with ya," said Cyra with a friendly smile. After a moment the bright smile grew dim,  "Do you remember me?"

Ryla stared at her for a protracted moment. "Unfortunately, I didn't forget anything from that night, but it's mostly an emotional blur. I know you were there," replied Ryla after an awkward pause.

Cyra nodded. "Well, anyway, I was just curious about you and your new 'friend'. I've had plenty of guy friends, myself. Of course, some were more beneficial than others, if you know what I mean."

"Um...right... 'Friends with benefits'." Ryla took another sip of her beverage. "That's great." She tried to chuckle but it sounded uncomfortable.

Cyra grinned and lifted an eyebrow. "You doing okay there, sugar? Is it me or the synthahol that's a little too strong for you?"

"...what? No...I'm fine. Really."  She laughed again, this time the chuckle was a bit more believable.  "You're too young to have had 'plenty of guy friends'.

"Twenty-three is too young? Honey, boys and I have been chasing each other ever since I was fifteen! I've had plenty of time to make some very interesting friends who also happened to be very good kissers."

"Twenty-three is young. Try adding three-hundred and seven years to that and factor in all the relationships one would have during those centuries." She fell quiet as the thought of what she lost punctured her mind once more. Ryla took another swallow of her drink. Aside from the three of them, the Afterburner was now completely empty. She had barley noticed the passage of time. I guess that means I'm getting over my fear of the Afterburner...or Mackie is still acting as a crutch.

Mackie felt her attention shift and projected a clean laundry smell. "I'd love to hear about whatever memory is making you smell so... female."

A mysterious smile soon appeared on the Trill's face, "There was this dashing young Starfleet Capatain I...I mean "Ameel" once knew. His type was a rarity in our sector. He was always ripping his uniform tunics. I think that was all apart of 'the act'. The ladies loved that about him. And, at the time, so did she. He was...'fun', for lack of a better term."

Cyra's eyes glistened and her smile grew wide. "Ooooh... I like this story. Interesting characters, romance, manly egos--it's almost perfect. Go on...continue. How long were you two an item?"

"One day. One very nice day. Then he was off on his next mission and his next exotic female. I've heard stories..."

"One day? That's nothing! I had a boyfriend for a whole four hours before he went off to his next conquest. He was... how can I put this... he was very good at pretending to be sensitive." Cyra began to laugh, as she had many times before when recounting this particular story and its absurdity. "I'm serious, he was quoting Emily Dickinson and Edgar Allen Poe at every turn, he would wonder why the world was so hateful, and he got 'crying on cue' down pat. But a lot of girls go for that kind of thing, and I was no exception. It was a really good show, I have to admit, but I didn't necessarily like the outcome. So I gave him a little something to remember me by."

Mackie looked puzzled. "What?"

"Let me guess," said Ryla with a smirk, "it wasn't a handshake." Mackie blushed and the three women's laughter filled the empty lounge. It felt good to laugh again.

"I can remember being married a few times. Well...Drett and the previous hosts were, but I can recall everything." Her words were wry and a little wistful in tone. "Drett seemed to prefer the same type of hosts and spouses: very safe, dependable, and boring." She glanced at Cyra, "Boring is not my style."

"I know. I can tell." Cyra winked. "Listen, I get it. I'm not saying you should leap into anybody's arms right away. But have some fun while you're waiting it out. It's not as if you have to live like you're inside a convent." Cyra followed this with her very exaggerated impression of a Catholic nun, pressing her palms together and focusing her eyes upwards. Perhaps a bit of thanks was in order--she had come very close to mentioning that having fun would not kill Ryla.

Mackie and Ryla laughed again, "I'll keep that in mind," said the Trill with a hint of sarcasm.

She looked out at the stars filling the large aft viewport and watched as a ship approached the starbase. "If you don't mind my asking, Cyra... How did you end up on the Arabella? I mean, what made you decide to take this job?"

"Well," Cyra began, "I was looking for a job that would allow me to travel, it didn't really matter what. But my dad has connections in Starfleet, heard about an opening in the lounge, and long story short, the Arabella's got herself a lounge hostess. Ta da." Cyra struck a pose as if she just finished performing an renowned vaudeville routine for a split second, and then returned to her normal composure.

"This place wouldn't be the same without you," said Ryla.

"Nope... The jokes would be too clean," Mackie's words smelled like currant jelly lightly scented with Cyra's own scent.

"And there wouldn't be as many males hanging around," added the Trill.

Mackie looked thoughtful. "Orion pheromones are legendary. But you're half-human: that's an interesting mix. Do you find that you use your scent to attract males?" inquired the Fertillian.

Cyra was a bit taken aback by Mackie's question. It was not the first time it had come up, but it was also a question that she had avoided often. However, there were a few situations when she felt compelled to answer honestly. The fact that Mackie had knowledge of these things made this one of those compelling times.

"Well... um... that's an interesting question. To be honest, I'm not quite sure if that distinct... attribute applies in my case. At least, not that I can control, anyway." Cyra knew that her answer was not exactly the most articulate, but it seemed more polite than telling the Fertillian to mind her own business.

"It's not difficult to figure out. Most non-Orion females end up with a headache as a side-effect—though Vulcans and Fertillians are immune." Mackie turned to Ryla, "Do you have a headache?"

"No."

"Well, there's your answer...maybe...of course it could be because of all the 'help' I've been giving you, Ryla. But then again I stopped about four hours ago." A faint smell of peanut butter became apparent.

Ryla straighten. "Really?"

Mackie shrugged. "Yep."

The three continued trading stories until the morning shift entered the lounge. Ryla yawned, "I think I should turn in now. I enjoyed the visit.

Cyra grinned, but she could feel her body being affected by her lack of sleep. She hoped to remain awake at least for the next few minutes to bid the two women a proper farewell. "I had fun too. If you ever want to have some drinks and talk, you can usually find me here. I'll usually be up on the stage or mingling among the common folk."

Mackie nodded and stood to leave. "Oh, you won't find anyone common here, Cyra. Take my word for it."

[X]

Joint Post by Jen and Just X

Aeric James stood motionless as he looked out the viewport into what appeared to be empty space. He could feel her out there. He could feel the pulse of her starship. To physical senses, and the technology of the Federation, there was nothing unusual occurring.

Hello Oona, Aeric projected into the void--his thoughts laced with the traces of sentiment he was able to feel for her. I didn't expect you so soon.

I've missed you Aeric, her thoughts echoed through the connection that he created. Her own feelings were nectarous by comparison. I also have a solution to our problem.

A solution? Aeric questioned as his hand reached and touched the window. Perhaps you can share it with me, because I have yet to reach one.

We will talk when you arrive on my ship. I assume that you can spare a few hours for your wife.

Of course, Oona. I have a few meetings to take care of, but then I'll be ready for you to transport me.

Oona smiled to herself as she felt Aeric withdraw from her mind. She moved slowly from the central command center of her ship, and made her way towards the the stairs leading to the living facility. Externally the spherical vessel was only ten meters in diameter, but her people had mastered dimensional displacement technologies and the inside of her craft was ten times that in size.

It felt more like home than a warp capable ship. A smaller external mass allowed for greater speeds and required less power. Thanks to the assistance of her husband, her people's cloaking technologies had been enhanced with phase capabilities. It was like traveling in your own personal pocket in space. Being a smaller craft, Oona's ship had very few weapons systems. Defense was handled via stealth features.

Her recent thoughts of Aeric were colored with melancholy. Her husband continued to invent reasons why he could not to return to her world, and so she determined that her only option was to bring their home to him, and remind him of the love that she alone could provide. Oona had waited long enough for him to grow past the hurt he felt. He once told her that she had healed that wound by marrying him...and she had once believed him.

Oona entered the floor containing the open gardens. Her family warned her that Aeric had only wed her to ensure his freedom, but she knew better. She could sense his affections. Perhaps they were not as strong as what she felt for him, but they were there and if given a chance they would grow in time.

Time. Time was the only ingredient their relationship lacked, and it seemed to come into play often in Aeric's life. Time was never fair. Oona hated time and it seemed it hated she and her husband.

With the proper amount of time, she was certain she could fan the flames of affection that he disallowed. Perhaps it would finally consumed his heart and he would forget about his past and think about his future. His future with her. She needed to remind him of the real reason they married, and hold him to the promises he made her. The promises of a life together and a family.

[Jen]

"Where are you going, pink skin?!" The officer ignored the insult, and continued pushing through the crowded bar—moving away from the shouting Andorian. He found a spot near the Daboo table and claimed an unoccupied chair. The angry men had followed, and now surrounded him. He continued to ignore them until the leader slammed his fist onto the surface of his table. "It's easy to be brave from a safe distance...isn't it? Now that we're here to answer your challenge, you're suddenly gutless!" 

The officer finished the mug of ale he still gripped in his hand and slowly rose from his chair. The fuming freighter pilot stripped off his heavy coat and tossed it aside. His associates stepped forward to hold the security officer. "NO. I can handle this," said the pilot as he waved them away.

"Are you sure?" the Starfleet officer sneered.
A terrible thwack could be heard over the din of the bar as the pilot answered with a left hook that caught the man on the mouth.  The 'pink skin' stumbled backwards, but remained on his feet. Bar patrons scattered as the area around the two men, suddenly became aware of the disagreement. The pilot raised his fists to cover his body as he waited for a counter attack.  He watched as the dazed Ensign spat a mouthful of blood onto the deck and wiped the red spittle from his lips with the sleeve of his jacket.  He lifted narrowed, fanatical eyes at the pilot before flashing a crimson toothed grin at him. The officer suddenly inverted the table and rushed his attacker, catching him around the waist and throwing him to the deck of the Starbase lounge.  A tempest of fists battered the Andorian pilot, before he was able to wrestle the officer off of him. He then overpowered the human and held him in a choke-hold until the man lost consciousness. When the ensign stopped struggling, the pilot quickly released the insensible officer and left the bar—passing Starbase security on his way out. It wasn't his intent to kill the 'pink skin', just to teach him a lesson...today was Talon Bower's lucky day.

Ensign Bowers awoke in the Starbase's central brig with a brutal migraine. He wasn't sure if it was the hangover or the blue fist that had caused it...maybe both. The light in his small cell stabbed at his eyes. Talon raised a bruised hand to cover his face then sat up in bed. That minor exertion caused his head to pound with greater intensity. He moaned as the blood pulsed forcefully in his temples.

"Are you always this stupid or are you making a special effort today?" asked the brig warden. "Who in his right mind picks a fight with drunk Andorians?"

Talon stood up and walked to the force field, "I'm guessing you've reported this to my superior officer?"

"It's regulation," replied the surly Bajoran.

"It just keeps getting better and better," groaned the Ensign. He was already under investigation back on the Arabella and now Lieutenant Commander D'Callan would have to give up part of his shore leave, to bail him out for conduct unbefitting an officer. That was becoming the norm it seemed. Part of Talon wished the Andorian had killed him. Who was he kidding? That's why he picked the fight in the first place.  "Looks like I'll have to do it myself."

"What was that?" asked the brig warden.

"Nothing, chief...just the ramblings of a dead man."

The Bajoran chuckled as Talon returned to his bed and tried to sleep off his headache.