<div dir="auto"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Mission: Auld Lang Syne</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Day:01</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Stardate: 2445.12.28</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:12pt 0pt 12pt 0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Risa– Suraya Bay Resort, Volleyball Court- CSO Lt Erin Cortez & Lexington CO, Captain Jimmy Hart - 1202)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Of all the volleyball courts in all the universe and you had to be walking in the one."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt;padding:0pt 0pt 12pt 0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Well technically I was here first.” He said with a laugh.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:12pt;font-family:"times new roman";color:rgb(29,34,40);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Smiling, Erin bit her lip a little and grinned, "Without wishing to sound ungrateful for this rather nice turn of events, what are you doing here?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Umm, its kind of a surprise.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Oh… a surprise?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I found out a week ago that I’m taking over the Lexington as her first CO. Then they said they wanted me to attend a conference of my choosing. When I saw Trip was coming here, I signed up. A little birdie told me the whole crew would be here, so I thought I’d surprise you and tell you the good news in person.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin smiled widely, "You… wow. That's amazing, Jimmy. Congratulations." She walked to his side, took his hand and smiled up at him. "Why do I sense there's more to this?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Umm yeah, about that.” He said as he put his hand behind his head. “I’ve got a lot more freedom with the Lexington, both in where I can go and…” he paused. “Who can come with.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">looking at him, Erin could see a question on his mind, something he was trying to ask. "Jimmy, spit it out. Just say what you are trying to say. Although if you are trying to poach any of my staff…." She replied, winking at him.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap"><br></span><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Erin, would you…., I mean, I know you love the Exeter and all, but I was wondering, if you’d come aboard the Lexington as Chief Science Officer. Trip says you’re doing well with the change, and selfishly it would mean we could spend more time together. Give this a real go.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Erin looked at him. ~oh…. Oh I was not expecting that.~ she thought to herself as she took a breath. "Oh… You're asking me?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"If you want to move to a duty station where we could see each other every day. Yes."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I… that's a surprise. Do I need to answer right now?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Take your time. I'm asking you to leave your life. To take a chance on something that may not last. But I think my confidence is evident in bringing you on."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I wouldn't be dealing with you I take it?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"You'd deal mainly with the FO."  </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"It's… something to think about. " She replied honestly. Part of her was thinking about whether she could do it, leave her life, walk away and take that leap.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Jimmy paused. "Forget. This won't work."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"What… this offer?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"I can't date an officer on my crew. Just thinking about it. I just…forget.  It only works if you come on as a Civilian consultant. I..I can't ask that of you."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Jimmy, can I be honest?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Always.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">She looked at him and smiled, "You offering this to me… it's a big decision either way. I won't lie and say I'm not considering it. The Exeter is my home. I have built a life there."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I know, and it’s great. I love that your life doesn’t revolve around me. Is independent of me. You have your own life and dreams.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"However.. you are a part of that life. We've not been dating that long. Part of me wants to run away into the sunset with you. But part of me is saying is it too soon?"</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“I mean yeah. I just hadn’t thought it through. I mean, being closer, would be a better way of seeing if it could work you know. But yeah. Its so rushed, I hadn’;’t thought it through.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Listen, I'm not saying no. I'm not saying yes either. I'm asking for time to consider it. Also, selfishly, part of me is also wanting some time with you. Just us."</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Well, Tommy is on Mars.” He said with a smile. “Look I’ve got some work I need to do here, but I’ll let you know when I’m free.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Definitely." Erin smiled. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">“Got to run, but, dinner maybe?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">"Dinner would be good. Don't work too hard though." She replied and kissed him softly on the cheek. "Now, go do your work, Captain. " She winked.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Jimmy nodded and went on his way.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">Watching him walk off, Erin smiled. ~all work and no play… well maybe later.~ she grinned and headed towards the beach.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"> </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Reply none)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height:1.9871999999999999;background-color:#ffffff;margin-top:0pt;margin-bottom:0pt"><span style="font-size:11pt;font-family:arial;color:rgb(34,34,34);background-color:transparent;font-variant-numeric:normal;font-variant-east-asian:normal;vertical-align:baseline;white-space:pre-wrap">(Posted by Jackie and Will)</span></p></div>