USS Illuminar

Mission: Soliloquy
Day: 1-2
Stardate: 2446.07.05-06
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Day 1 2446.07.05

(USS Raptor - Deck 27 – Rec Room - Marine – 2LT Charles Temerity - 1125)
(Deep Space 4 – Deck 2 - Commander's Office – CO, Captain Sekal - 1400)
(USS Raptor -- SFI Office -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1420)
(USS Raptor - SFI Office - Starfeelt Intelligence - Lt. Michael Weston - 1421)
(USS Raptor - Deck 2 - First Officer’s Quarters - FO Commander Sienna Verin and
2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur - 1423)
(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 1425)
(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - Strategic Operations - Commodore Tahlmari - 1600)
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Engineering Lab - CSRD - Lt. Bohb - 1800)
(USS Raptor -- Personal Quarters -- Deck 2 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1930)
(USS Raptor - Deck - Personal Quarters - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1945)
(USS Raptor -- Personal Quarters -- Deck 2 -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice and SFI Lt.
Michael Weston -- 2000)

Day 2 2446.07.06

(USS Raptor - Deck 16 - Main Engineering - CEO - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex and Cadet
Wednesday Adams - 1300)
(DS 4 - Promenade Level 3 - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1430)
(DS4 -Docking area -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1445)
(DS4 – Docking Area - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 1450)
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex and Cadet Wednesday Adams - 1458)
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1500)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1503)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1505)
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1506)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1508)
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1509)
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1510)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1512)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1515)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1516)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1517)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - FO Commander Sienna Verin - 1519)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1520)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1521)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1522)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1525)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1526)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur &
FO Commander Sienna Verin - 1527)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1530)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1534)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1541)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 1543)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1544)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 3O/CCMO- Commander Quinna Solice
- 1545)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - Th Rusty Gold Lounge - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander
T’Mur - 1546)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Gold Lounge - FO - Commander Sienna Verin
- 1548)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1550)
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO -- Commander Quinna Solice -- 1555)
(DS4- corridor - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi – 1556)
(DS4 -- Promenade -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1557)
(DS4 – Rusty Gold Tavern – - Marine – 2LT Charles Temerity - 1600)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - Gurvek's Karaoke Bar - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1610)
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - Gurvek’s Karaoke Bar - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander
T’Mur - 1621)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 27 – Rec Room - Marine – 2LT Charles Temerity - 1125)

Temerity strolled down the passageway of the Raptor heading toward the Marines recreation
room wearing a pair of blue jeans with a white shirt, black cowboy boots and a slate grey blazer
that had two lapel pins on it. The first pin was two flags with crossed staves, one was the UFP
flag and the other was the Marine Corps flag; and the second was a red disk surrounded by
brass star points and on the disk was an image of a man with a musket standing watch on a
boulder or ledge of some kind. The second pin was given to any veteran that had been
honorably discharged and was a holdover from the United States military of old.

While he was glad to be alive, he was once again having feelings of survivor’s guilt. Unlike with
the aftermath of Grayson, this was different somehow. Upon his return to the Raptor, he had
been summoned to the bridge and informed by Captain Sekal that Major Murphy had died
onboard the Raptor while defending the ship during the space battle. As if that were not
enough, the Captain also informed Temerity that as the Marine Detachment XO, he would now
be the detachment commander pro-tem until he was promoted, replaced, or both.

Shortly before leaving his quarters, he received a message from Major General Eunice Bloom
that informed him of personnel changes to the detachment once back aboard the Illuminar. The
Myrmidons were being reduced to a platoon sized element. He would be allowed to keep one
additional officer as a XO, and one Gunnery Sergeant as a detachment sergeant and platoon
sergeant along with three Staff Sergeants as squad leaders. Fortunately, Charles knew who he
wanted to keep.

As he entered the rec room, he was surprised to see the room packed, as it turned out, by
almost everyone ground side of the battle. Not many Starfleet officers, but several NCOs and
junior enlisted along with refugees and most Marines to include many that managed to escape
Sickbay. The bulkheads were covered in holo-portraits of everybody who had fallen during the
‘evacuation’, and everyone present was drinking laughing and telling stories. Someone placed
a pint of mead in his hand and slurred, “Charlie, my boy, it’s a wake and I’m glad your picture
ain’t on the wall.”

Charles didn’t know the person, so he just put his arm around their shoulders, took a long chug
of his drink and replied with, “So am I, my friend, so am I.”

 After a time, the celebration of life started winding down and everyone started singing Amazing
Grace followed by Auld Lang Syne. Over the years, Temerity learned to appreciate something
the second song says, “Should old acquaintances be forgot” he never truly understood if it was
a question or statement, but he decided that old acquaintances should not be forgotten.

(Reply: Any)

(Posted By: Charles Raschen)
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(Deep Space 4 – Deck 2 - Commander's Office – CO, Captain Sekal - 1400)

Sekal had been aboard for five hours now, two of them had been spent speaking with
Commodore Relg. The officers and crew had been given leave upon arrival due to their
exemplary efforts concerning protecting and evacuating the colonists after the xenolithe attack.

"Do you foresee a return of the colonists to Norkan Commodore?"

The man grunted as he shrugged his shoulders. The office was well decorated with items the
officer had gathered during his career including holo displays of exotic environments and local
art such as statuettes and carvings.

"It won't be soon. There will have to be a lot of cleanup in system first, a more active defense
system installed and infrastructure readied for their return. In the meantime the survivors will be
temporarily relocated. If we send them back now they will be sitting ducks to be eradicated by
the xenolithe." He gave the Vulcan a penetrating look. "I expected the Raptor to continue its
mission."

Sekal crossed his arms. "We have been recalled due to the attack. The presence of xenolithe in
the expanse has been confirmed and Luma persuaded the Nageri, Oos to accompany us to
sector 001 where he may convalesce. Command is hoping he will be able to answer their
questions concerning the xenolithe and they want to learn more about him as well."

"Study him you mean."

"An apt assessment. I have received assurances that he will be allowed to leave if he wishes
but they would rather he provide information and assistance against his former captors."

"From your report it would appear that he is not entirely trusting." Relg slid a glass of water to
the Vulcan who nodded his thanks and took a drink before speaking.

"Oos was in servitude for a number of years to a cruel and vicious culture, he has no reason to
trust our motivations yet and without Luma's assistance there is little chance we would be in a
position to call upon his knowledge. It will take time for us to allay his suspicions and be
considered allies."
"Understandable. I'd like to thank Luma personally for her intervention. Officer or civilian?"

"Civilian." The Vulcan's reply had been quick.

"Ah! Do you think she would consent to a meeting?"

Sekal's eyes narrowed. "I am certain she would be delighted however removing her from the
ship is not advised."

"May I ask why?"

"I'm afraid that is classified information Commodore."

Relg immediately got curious. "I suppose me paying her a visit aboard then is not advisable?"

"You would be correct."

"Ah well, too bad." Relgs eyes got wistful. "I wanted to take a tour of Starfleets new Inquiry
class."

Sekals eyebrows lifted. "You are welcome to take a tour but meeting Luma is not possible."

Relg smiled. "I'll take that tour tomorrow then after your medical team releases the last of the
refugees and I promise not to hunt Luma down."

An eyebrow lifted. "I have no concerns on the matter, whether Luma chooses to seek you out
however is another matter."

Relg chuckled as Sekal shrugged.

(Reply: Any)
(Posted by Charles Gatling)
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(USS Raptor -- SFI Office -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1420)

It was time, and Quinna was ready. Downtime. It was time for her and Michael to spend some
time together. It had been a whirlwind of 5 months. It will be nice to slow down and really
spend some time together. Since they were on the Raptor, it has been go, go, go. They did not
get a chance to pass each other in the corridors. She missed him.

Quinna found Michael sitting in his office.

“You know when one gets leave, it is greatly encouraged to take it.” Quinna crossed the room
and kissed Michael on the forehead.

(Reply Weston)

“What are you working on?” Quinna could see he was quite enthralled with what he was
working on. “Maybe I can help.”

(Reply Weston)
“How about some dinner tonight? I can whip something up. 2000, My Quarters?” Quinna
suggested.

(Reply Weston)

“Guess I will go take a nap, then. Don’t work too hard.”

(Reply Weston)

Quinna quietly left the office.

(reply Weston)
(Posted by Kris B)
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(USS Raptor - SFI Office - Starfeelt Intelligence - Lt. Michael Weston - 1421)

Michael’s association with Commodore Tahlmari had been fortuitous on many levels for the SFI
operative. Not only had he gained access to information about the Xenolithe that he would not
have had a chance to before, he was also given an opportunity to see other items, including
clues to this Tholian brief he’d been studying since the death of Alex Dyson.

In the days since the encounter with the Xenolithe and the Nageri, Oos, he had time to delve
into some of that information. Trying to look into its source. He sat back and rubbed his eyes.
This was his least favorite part of field work. Most people don’t know how much tedious
research went into an active operation. It was just all sex and violence. Those were just the best
parts.

His gaze drifted to the hill-image of Quinna and his hand moved to the comm panel for the
umpteenth time. But he, once again chose to let it go. Quinna and Stev had been busy, and he
needed to let her do her work. Even though the notice had come out for down time he knew
Quinna enough to know she would work until there was nothing left to do.

As he leaned forward again he heard the door to his office open. It had to be Quinna. She was
the only one given entrance without having to ask for permission. He looked up and smiled. Her
presence filled him with a warmth that was not easy to describe.

“You know when one gets leave, it is greatly encouraged to take it,” Quinna said as she kissed
him on the forehead.

Michael chuckled, “I was just thinking the same thing about you.”

“What are you working on?” Quinna asked. She moved behind him to try and peel over his
shoulder. “Maybe I can help.”

Instinctively he closed off the display. He wanted to protect Quinna, and to his knowledge he
was the only person still alive that knew of the brief. But he had already divulged to much to
Quinna. As long as nobody knew that she knew she might be safe. He also knew that was
naive. She was in danger just being associated with him. Maybe Verin was right.
He sighed, “The Commodore gave me a lead on this whole Tholian thing. I think it may have
promise. But I don’t want to bore you with the details. And it’s all very circumspect right now.”

He knew that wouldn’t be enough for Quinna. She’d been touched with the spy bug and always
had a desire to be more active with him in his work. To his surprise she let it go.

“How about some dinner tonight? I can whip something up. 2000, My Quarters?” Quinna
suggested.

Now Michael was intrigued, “You’re going to cook?” It wasn’t that she was a bad cook, but
cooking was one of Michel’s passions and he typically did the cooking. This was big. “Well that
should be interesting. I’d love to.”

Quinna started to step back, “Guess I will go take a nap, then. Don’t work too hard.”

Michael stood up and reached out for Quinna. “Not so fast, young lady.”

He pulled Quinna in for a stronger embrace and a kiss on the lips. “I’m looking forward to
tonight. I’ll see you then.”

Quinna turned and left the office. Michael watched her leave, still smiling and anticipating the
evening. It had been a while since they’d had a chance to be alone together since the incident
at DS9. Finally he sat back down and turned back to his research.

(reply none)
(Posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 2 - First Officer’s Quarters - FO Commander Sienna Verin and
2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur - 1423)

T’Mur had packed her meager belongings in a logically organized bag and looked around the
room. Her ribs still ached slightly. It had turned out that she had three broken ribs and one that
had impacted her right lung lobe. Quinna had healed everything with her usual diligence but
periodically certain turns caused a twinge of pain.

She looked around the apartment to find that Sienna was working at her typical pace. Kenna,
Sienna’s cat, leapt onto T’Mur’s shoulder and purred at her. Even she wanted to get back to the
Illuminar. During Sienna’s period of indisposition on Earth, T’Mur and Kenna had managed to
come to an… understanding with each other. Now they both wanted Sienna to move a little
quicker.

Sienna was bent over the bed, folding her clothes and putting them in a bag. T’Mur came up
behind her and with a swift motion smacked her mate's behind.

“It is difficult to believe that you are still packing, my love,” she said.

Sienna looked up with a smile, still folding her silk clothing, taking her time. “I am an acquisitive
avaricious Betazoid who is in love with sensuality. I think one might be able to possibly say that
Sensual is my love language, as they used to say on Earth.”
T’Mur sat on the edge of the bed and tilted her head to the side slightly. Her face showed a look
of confusion and concern. “I have a question. What is the meaning of the phrase, ‘The
honeymoon is over.’ I heard it being said yesterday, and was curious of its meaning.”

Sienna stopped folding her personal clothing. The unreplicated bedding and the warm
furnishings of their quarters would be dealt with by the yeoman assigned to the Captain, and
shared by the other command staff. Sienna turned to her mate and frowned, swallowing the
anger that came up, “It’s an Earth saying. When a couple marries, the couple often engages in a
vacation, or shore leave..where the couple devotes themselves to deepening the bond. That is
a honeymoon. The honeymoon phase means that we are no longer in that period devoted to
deepening our bond, and have resumed ‘normal’ life.” She took another deep breath, the anger
real, “Whoever said it was inaccurate, and when it was said in my hearing - I pointed out that a
wedding has to occur for a honeymoon to happen. It was a snarky response, and was made to
relieve tension on the bridge at a terse moment. We should get married. There is a 24 hour
vegas chapel on the Starbase. At this point, I don’t want the fairytale. I just want you. We can
vid my twin and the family and Luma can infiltrate the Starbase’s communications array and we
can get legally, honorably, Earth-style married. But, darling, it doesn’t matter to me. You are my
mate, my love and she who I will spend my life with. A piece of legal-ness doesn’t change that,
or make it any more valid.”

Sienna looked at her bedding. She hated having other people touch things that she was going
to touch, a remnant of the time that she was a touch-clairvoyant thanks to Q. “I really should get
over it.” She mused, “And let the yeoman do her job. She’s very good at it.”

T’Mur looked up at her mate. She could feel a longing in her down their bond. She wanted
Sienna to have all of her fairytales fulfilled. It wasn’t logical, but it was true nonetheless. She
reached up and pulled her to sit beside her.

“What if I want the fairytale for you,” she said softly. “I don’t need a pointless ceremony. I want a
gathering of friends and family and a celebration. I want them because I know that you really do
want them. And I want them because, illogical or not, I want everyone to see how much we love
each other and that we’re willing to declare it in front of all of them.”

She put a hand on Sienna’s cheek and opened her mind in a wave of love. Leaning in the
Vulcan kissed her imzadi gently on the lips.

::We are now, always, one. I don’t want our honeymoon to ever be over.::

Sy tended to melt under her mate's thoughts, the moments of their minds meeting.

::I crossed time, space and dimensions to be yours.:: She agreed.

Suddenly she stood up and picked up a sheer top and began to fold it. “I do not wish others to
touch your things either. I will help you.”

A soft laugh as T'Mur began to fold Sy's clothing. Sy looked almost bemused as she stood there
catching her breath. "I know it seems silly to care that another touches it, but I do. And ours. Our
belongings. I suppose of we cleanse it, it won't retain the energy," or memories, she added
silently, "But I would rather not." Sienna was well known for her odd behaviors around the
transporter and her insistence on doing things the more difficult way.
"Are you displeased to leave the Raptor?" Sy asked curiously. "It doesn't feel right, or sound
right. When I stand upon the Bridge I can't feel the ship purring through the soles of my shoes
the way I could the Illuminar. "

T’Mur shook her head, “No my love. I am looking forward to going home. The Raptor has so
much in modern technology. But it is cold and uninviting. It… feels empty.” She paused for a
moment then added, “Besides, I miss your roses. I do not believe they would fit in here.”

Another cute laugh as they folded the last of the clothing and reached the beginning of the
bedding underneath, a riot of colors and textures, soft and warm and incredibly inviting. Sienna
took sleeping as seriously as any athlete took training. "Fold the throws and then the blankets.
We need to find a world where making good blankets is an art and buy -all- of them." A grin
towards T'Mur as Sy continued folding.

T’Mur gave a rare smile and said, “I will find it for our honeymoon destination.” She pulled Sy in
close and gave a more passionate kiss. “Perhaps we should fold the bedding… later.”

Sienna nodded, “Absolutely. I defer to your greater logic. Betazoids are well known as a logical
race after all.” She grinned and pulled her mate closer to her. “So.. indulge me in your logic, my
love.” Sy’s grin grew wider, “Educate me.”

(reply none)
(posted by Al and Mel)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 5 - Sickbay - ACMO - Dr. Kyllee Stev - 1425)

Kyllee had been left to take charge of the relocation of the last of the Romulan’s. Those who had
been healthy, Cargo Bay 2 had already been moved to Starbase 4. Then the minor injuries in
Cargo Bay 1. All that remained were those with extensive and life threatening injuries, who
gone through major surgeries.

He wanted to supervise the transfer of these patients personally. Most were stable but there
were still a few who were critical and a half dozen in stasis. He had chosen to stay behind as all
of the others went on their leave on Starbase 4. After all, what did he need person leave for.
He had nobody to share the time with.

~Enough wallowing.~ He tapped his comm badge. “Raptor sickbay to Starbase 4 sickbay. We
are ready to transfer critical patients now.”

=^=Roger that Stev.=^= The voice of Dr. Adrian Morrow, the CMO of the Starbase, came
though. =^=We are ready for you.,=^=

Kyllee nodded to tech that had stayed behind with him. “Energizing now. Stasis patients
coming first.”

There was the hum of the transporter and the patients in the statis pods disappeared. His
comm badge chirpped.

=^=Stasis patients recieved and in treatment. So far so good Stev.=^= Stev couldn’t help but
smile. =^=Ready for the rest.=^=
“Energizing now,” Stev replied, pointing to the tech.

The sickbay emptied of the critical patients and the voice of Morrow spoke. =^=Patients
recieved. You guys did a great job. Making my job here easy..=^=

Stev chuckled, “Thanks. We did what we could. I’ll be over shortly to check in with you and with
them.”

=^=Roger that. We’ll see you soon. Starbase 4 out.=^=

The comm line close and Kyllee looked at the small team that remained. Most of them were
staying on with the Raptor when the crew transferred back to the Illuminar.

“Okay people,” he said with as much authority as he could muster, “I want this sickbay in order
in the next half hour. Anyone still working after 1500 is buying drinks at the stations watering
hole.”

The sickbay burst into a frenzied activity, but this was a different kind. This time it was full of
jovial noise and excitement.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(DS 4 - Promenade Level 3 - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1430)

Michael moved through the shopping area of the station, looking at trinkets in some of the
establishments, as if he were considering buying them. However, he alert to his surroundings
and was quite aware that he was being watched.

Quinna had accepted her invitation to the girls outing, leaving him to follow up on a lead for his
investigation by himself. The familiarity of working on his own gave him a sense of ease and
comfort. He didn’t have to worry about anyone else. And the less Quinna knew about this the
better he felt.

He left the curio shop and moved along the fringe of the shops, until he could sense someone
closing in behind him. He forced himself to remain relaxed, not to alert his tail. But a minute
later a voice spoke up.

“This is an odd place to find Michael Weston,” the deep voice said. “I’d heard you were dead.”

Weston turned around to face a Cardassian dressed in civilian clothes. He nodded, “Gurvek.
Not dead, just burned and left to work on a starship.”

The cardassian chuckled, “Same thing. After all, look at me. A mear shadow of what I once
was.”
Weston nodded again. It was true that Gurvek had once been an active member of the
Cardassian Security Council. The equivalent of SFI in the reformed Cardassian government.
But word had come through the information pipe that he had been removed from that position
due to… political differences. Michael had assumed the “removed” had meant assassinated,
but apparently not.

Now it was the human’s turn to laugh, “Aren’t we two peas in a pod.”

“Indeed,” the cardassian agreed. “But I see that you have still been able to stay busy. I heard
about Altair. Poor Fiona.”

Weston shrugged, “I can’t say she didn’t earn what she got. However, I didn’t meet with you to
reminisce about the good old days, or lament losses. You contacted me. I’m here.”

“To the point?” Gurvek sounded surprised. “That’s a new behavior for you. You used to enjoy
the art of information retrieval. You’ve changed.”

Michael shook his head and lied, “Not as much as you might think. I’m just short on time.
Sooo…”

“I understand you’ve been looking for information about a certain document that has cost a few
lives.”

Michael nodded, “I have more than a passing interest, yes. What do you know.”

“Even in my lowly position of a karaoke bar proprietor I still…’hear’ things,” Gurvek said softly. “I
may even receive certain artifacts and “unofficial” documents to dispose of.”

Weston was surprised, “You have the file?”

“I can get it,” Gurvek said.

Weston hurumphed a little, “For a price.”

“Yes, for a price,” Gurvek admitted.

“You want off this station?” Michael asked knowing he would not be able to fulfill that request.

“Oh no, no, no,” Gurvek shook his head. “That would be a death sentence for me. The
Cardassian government would most assuredly seek me out.”

Michael wondered what Gurvek had done to achieve such ire from his own people. But this was
not the time to find out. “Then what?”
“I want you to help me with a problem,” Gurvek said, “here on the station. There is a small
contingent of strangers on the station. I’ve never really seen them. Only heard of them, and
seen movement in the shadows. They’ve brought something with them. A drug.”

“Since when are you concerned about something as trivial as drug smuggling?” Michael asked.

“This is no ordinary drug,” the cardassian said. “It makes the addict… succeptible to
suggestion. Highly addictive. It gives a sense of euphoria I’ve nevr seen before. People will do
anything to feel that way again. And the withdrawal symptoms are deadly. It’s like the drug
bonds to your DNA.”

“And again, what does this have to do with us?”

“Weston, don’t be a fool,” Gurvek said harshly. “Surely you can see a more strategic
implementation of the drug. In the right hands governments, worlds, can be toppled. It’s
insidious and quite clandestine. If we can stop it here, where it’s being tested then we could
prevent it spreading throughout the universe, and your precious Federation.”

“Yeah, yeah, I see it,” Michael said. “And for my help with this problem I get…”

The cardassian held up a data chip, “This is what you’ve been looking for.”

Weston eyed the Cardassian suspiciously, “What’s on it?”

“Don’t know, don’t want to know,” Gurvek replied. “The person who gave it to me died under
mysterious circumstances. Just touching it puts me in jeopardy. I definitely don’t want to look at
it.”

Michael reached out his hand and Gurvet pulled his back. “When you’re done I’ll be in my bar.
You can get it there.”

Michael shook his head, “I still can’t believe you run a karaoke bar. I thought you hated music.”

“I do,” Gurvek gave a wry smile. “I rarely hear any in my bar. It is, after all karaoke.”

Michael thought he should tell him that the crew of the Illuminar take their karaoke quite
seriously, but thought better of it. If the ladies had their chance he was certain they’d end up
there.

With a nod he left the Cardassian in his corner and headed out, wondering why the local
constabulary wasn’t dealing with this issue. Perhaps his first stop would be there.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
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(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Bridge - Strategic Operations - Commodore Tahlmari - 1600)

Tahl stepped off the turbolift onto the bridge of the Raptor. It had been a long time since he’d
been on the bridge of a starship, and being here now only reminded him of how much he
missed it

“You’re an old man now,” Bob, his imaginary friend, reminded him. “Too old to be wandering
through the universe with these youngsters.”

Tahl shrugged, “Sometimes a little experience can go a long way.”

He stifled the voice in his head as he looked at the Strat Ops station, then shut it down. Perhaps
he could convince command to allow him to stay on with the Raptor a while longer. But he knew
they wouldn’t go for him on the Illuminar. Or would they?

He moved over to the CO’s ready room door and pressed the door chime. When the door
opened he stepped inside.

(reply Sekal)

“Captain,” Tahl said with a respectful nod, “I’ve come to bid you adieu.”

(reply Sekal)

“We’ll, I hope I was able to provide a service,” Tahl said. “Being stuck in the black hole of
Strategic Ops research can be a bit… stifling. This was a refreshing change for me.”

(reply Sekal)

“If I can ever be of service to you again,” Tahl offered, “it would be my pleasure. And just so you
know, that young Lt. Weston… he’s a man after my own heart. I predict great things for him in
the future.”

(reply Sekal)

Tahl took a step towards the captain and said, “Anyway, good luck to you in the future. I’m pretty
sure this is only the beginning for the Xenolithe. We’ll see them again, and so I will see you
again. Until that time.”

(reply Sekal)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck 14 - Engineering Lab - CSRD - Lt. Bohb - 1800)

Bohb’s hulking form looked over his work table. His thick fingers moved in a nimble manner than
one might have assumed was possible. The procedure required a delicate touch, but what he
was doing was so off the books that he wasn’t comfortable involving anyone else.

One of the things he had to appreciate about the Raptor was their fabrication facility. He
wouldn’t have been able to complete his little project so quickly on the Illuminar. It would have
gotten done but he was months away. Now, after a couple of weeks, his work was just about
complete.

Flipping the device over he tapped the face plate on. With a turn of his micro-driver the device
powered up with a satisfying hum and a small led light by the control. He picked the device up to
get one last look then dropped it in a black velvet bag.

He tapped his comm badge, “Bohb to Sekal. Sir, do you have a few minutes?”

(reply Sekal)

(USS Raptor - Deck 1 - Captain’s Ready Room - CSRD - Lt. Bohb - 1810)

Bohb stepped into the office when the door opened and stepped over to the desk. He put the
velvet bag on the desk.

“Captain,” he said with a smile. He enjoyed working for the the son of Saleke. “I wanted to show
you what I’ve been working on and perhaps get your input, and permission for further testing.”

(reply Sekal)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor -- Personal Quarters -- Deck 2 -- CMO/3XO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1930)

Quinna had required her proper designated quarters on the Raptor. There was a spacious
setup and Quinna was able to set up a nice kitchen. After picking up some fresh ingredients
from what can be considered the Station Walmart supercenter, Quinna started prepping dinner.
Quinna sliced up onions and mushrooms. In a saute pan, she added butter and a teaspoon of
olive oil. After smashing some garlic, Quinna threw in the onion garlic, and mushrooms into the
pan. The aroma brought a smile to her face as she browned the mushrooms.

Quinna stepped away for a second to open a bottle of Pinot Noir. She poured herself a glass as
she turned back to the cooking surface. She poured some out of the bottle and into the pan. A
satisfying sizzle erupted. When the Mushroom and onion mix was at the perfect level of
caramelization, Quinna removed them from the pan. She then pulled out beef that she had cut
into thin strips. She liked a thin stripped to a thicker cube cut. She seasoned the meat with
salt, pepper, and a little garlic salt. While the meat was browning, Quinna set a pot of water on
the boil. Quinna pulled a basket of fresh egg noodles out of the cabinet. When she is on earth,
she normally makes them herself, but she was able to get them already made from the station.

When the meat was browned, she pulled the meat from the pan and added some wine to the
bottom of the pan to deglaze it. She added more wine to the pan and let it boil down to
concentrate the flavor. She added heavy cream, and some extra beef stock to the pan and then
added a cornstarch slurry to thicken the liquid in the pan. Quinna replaced the meat along with
the mushrooms and onions into the pan with her sauce. She set the pan on simmer. Looking at
the water, she noted that the pasta was ready to put in as soon as Michael arrived.

Now all she needed to do was set the table and wait for Michael to arrive.

(Reply any)
(Played by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck - Personal Quarters - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1945)

Michael looked in the mirror and made a face at what looked back. It was not the first time had
hwondered what had happened to the old Michael Weston, devil may care, live life on the edge.
The new Michael Weston had things like a sense of responsibility and a connection to certain
people. He new that their association with him drew possible consequencs, especially Quinna.
And it was clear that the word had gone out through the universe that Michael Weston had a
special person in his life. That had shown up on several occasions, that people seemed to
know about Quinna.

Maybe Verin was right. Maybe she had a right to hate him for willingly putting Quinna into
danger simply through their relationship. It had never been his intention to be a permanent
fixture in anybody’s life, let alone a highly respected Starfleet officer and doctor. But it
happened. He’d grown attached. A seriously dangerous proposition to be sure.

Suddenly Elsie dropped onto his shoulder. The genetically cloned cat, that had been a gift
intended for Little Leeza Pel, became his as a tribute to the girl who had stolen everyone’s
heart. The truth be told, nobody really expect Leeza to survive. She had been implanted with a
Trill symbiont as a child. That process should have killed her to begin with. Then to find out that
the symbiont was from her physical father? The Trill counsel wanted to destroy the
abomination. So Leeza, much like himself, had become a refugee on the Illuminar. They had
been kindred spirits in so many ways.

But she didn’t die. She was taken from them by… the Bajoran prophets?... Dieter Gregory? His
friend had gone on “an adventure” with the “Prophets of the Wormhole” and had taken Leeza
and Quinna’s newborn daughter with him. ~It was for the best?~ The last message from Dieter
showed a growing, preteen girl in both Leeza and Iris. He couldn’t pretend to understand the
temporal paradox.

He named the cat Elsie, which literally stood for Leeza’s Cat, as a tribute. The cat leaned down
and purred into his ears. The cat was, indeed, very intelligent, and very intuitive. She knew
when he needed some comfort and provided it to him.

The idea that he had a friend was as foreign as the feeling that he missed the man. Thrown in
that was the anger at the man for leaving the way he did, and what he took with him. There was
also the anger of what his actions cost Quinna.

It had taken some time but both of them had worked to through their pains, separately and
together. But this was their first romantic occasion in a while and Michael was looking forward to
things finally getting back to a semblance of normal.

He pulled the cat from his shoulder and held her up to his face. Her eyes narrowed and it
peered at him as though she were trying to read his mind. Instinctively his mind out up well
practiced barriers to telepaths. It was an occupational hazard for a human in his business.

“Not tonight Elsie,” he said gently, dropping the cat to the floor. “Tonight is a Quinna night. And
SHE is cooking for ME.”

He was quite excited by the prospect. She actually cooked quite well, he just enjoyed it more.
But it was nice to have someone care enough to actually create a meal for you.
He looked in the mirror one more time and ran his fingers through his hair, letting fall to its
natural position. Winking at himself he said, “Go get ‘em tiger.” Then he turned and left the
room.

Elsie made her way over to the replicator. With deliberate movements she tapped in some
commands on the consile and a bowl of her favorite supplement appeared. She purred as she
began to eat.

(USS Raptor - Deck 2 - 3rd Officer’s Quarters - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1950)

Michael stood outside the door to Quinna’s quarters for a moment. Crewmen passed him by.
Most had no idea who he was. Right now he wasn’t Lt. Weston, SFI Operative. He was wearing
beige slacks and a green, short sleeved t-shirt that held onto his muscular upper body.

Finally he reached out and touched the door chime.

(reply Quinna)
(Posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor -- Personal Quarters -- Deck 2 -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice and SFI Lt.
Michael Weston -- 2000)

Quinna finished cleaning up some of the items she used when cooking and placed them in a
storage box, which will be shipped back to Illuminar.

Suddenly the chime rang. “Come,” Quinna said after the chime. Quinna smiled, “So we are
back to ringing the chime again.”

“We’ll,” Michael smiled sheepishly, “I’m thinking it’s been a while since we’ve had a date night,
so I wanted to maintain as many date-like qualities as possible.”

Quinna dropped the noodles and then went over to Michael to kiss him. Michael engulfed her in
his arms and returned her kiss. Suddenly the smell of her cooking reached his nose.

“Mmmm…,” he said, pulling his head back but still holding onto her, “not sure what smells better,
you or your cooking.”

He knew better than to offer her help cooking. He wouldn’t receive that well either, and she
obviously had things well in hand.

“Why don’t you have a seat? Dinner is ready.” Quinna had pulled the pasta from the water.
Best part of a fresh pasta was the fact it only needed minutes to cook. She plated the food and
made sure her side of Broccoli au gratin would not fall off the plate. She placed the plates on
the table and sat next to Michael.

“I have missed you,” Quinna commented.

Micheal put his hand over hers, in a rare moment of seriousness, and said, “Me too. I just
wanted to give you your space. But I’ve always been here for you.”
Instead of eating, Quinna would watch Michael smiling at him. Michael took a fork full of pasta
and rolled it through the sauce. As he lifted the fork to his mouth he could smell the garlic. The
flavor brought an even bigger smile to his face as he closed his eyes to thoroughly enjoy the
flavor.

“Where did you get fresh garlic, out here?” He asked.

He had a small garden in his quarters on the Illuminar so he always had access to fresh herbs
for cooking. Replicated food did not have that ineffable quality that fresh herbs and spices had.

“The station has a nice little market with non-replicated food. It seems fresh cooking is back in
style, even out here in space.”

He noted that she was watching him then stopped and narrowed his eyes at her. “Why do feel
like Red Riding Hood?”

“What do you mean?” Quinna asked knowing exactly what he meant. “Are you afraid I am
going to eat you later, or not?” Quinna gave a sly smile and took a bite of her fook.

“Perhaps,” Michael replied. “You have some sharp eyes.”

“I just missed you. All of a sudden I felt the need to just look at you. I am enjoying it.” Quinna
said. “Do you want me to stop?”

“If you’re not careful, we may not make it through this meal,” he warned as he leaned over to
kiss her cheek. “Look away, love, look away.” He held his arms out as if in surrender.

He took a teasing bite of the broccoli and then picked up the bottle of wine. With an approving
nod, he poured a glass for himself and then for Quinna. It was not full so he assumed that she
had already sampled it. Then he took a sip and let its flavor pair with the sauce from the broccoli
and the pasta.

He looked over at Quinna with a wicked smile. “I wonder how this wine pairs with you?”

He took another sip and leaned over, kissing Quinna lips. He was not disappointed. “A perfect
match.”

“Hmmm,” Quinna moaned and pulled back, “I am glad you approve.”

“0h, I approve,” Michael said suggestively. “I approve.”

“So, how is your Tholian assignment coming?” Quinna asked. What can I do to help?

Michal stopped momentarily and sighed. He knew this was coming and there was no way of
deflecting it. Quinna has always had this urge to get involved with his investigations.
Unfortunately, she did have a keen analytical mind and was often helpful. But this was different.
This was not an official investigation. And the danger was not as obvious. Unless you knew
what he knew.

“It’s hard to say,” he admitted. “The good news is DS4 is about as far from Tholian space as
possible so intel is like ticks on a hound out here. Just how reliable it may be remains to be
seen. I may have a contact willing to talk to me.” He looked at Quinna carefully. “To me. I’m
sorry Quinna, you know how dangerous I think this thing is. I already think you’re compromised.
However, I may need you soon enough. And I do mean for this investigation.”

“Say no more.” Quinna said, “I understand. I will not speak of it again.” She felt that now was
not the time to ask why he felt she was compromised. Truth was, Quinna felt like she needed to
try to keep Michael’s interest. Even though they had their assigned duties, Quinna felt there
was a distance. She just returned to her food. “I do however have a classic movie if you are
interested in watching. ‘An Affair to Remember.’ What do you say?”

Weston looked up with a surprised eyebrow, “Indeed? A message? I am interested. I’m not
familiar with this one. Any hints?”

“Oh it's a classic, Boy meets girl, they spend quality time together, they go their separate ways.
And then….they plan to meet again.” Quinna looked at Michael. “We can scrap the movie if
you want. Got any better ideas?”

Michael stood up and pulled Quinna to her feet. “I have ideas all right.” He turned her so that
his forward pressure caused her to sit on the table. “Boy meets girl?” He leaned in a kissed her
gently. “Then they plan to meet again?” His kiss turned more passionate as he leaned her back.

“I think I know this plot.”

(Reply none)
(Posted by Kris B and Al M.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Day 2
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(USS Raptor - Deck 16 - Main Engineering - CEO - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex and Cadet
Wednesday Adams - 1300)

Tegian had returned to his office after the Raptor docked at the DS4 to do some paperwork.
Well, electronic work, but for some reason, people still called it paperwork. He had finally
caught up with his reports and decided that he wanted to take his people out to one of DS4’s
drinking establishments. He figured someone had been here before and had a suggestion.
He walked out of his office and called out. “Folks, drinks and food on my tab on DS4 in two
hours. Where should we go?” The reply was a disappointment. There weren’t many heads
that appeared.

One response was the “Rusty Gold Tavern”, but the owner of the voice replied that he couldn’t
go, he already had plans. Tegian was starting to get depressed after the half dozen people in
the room started to turn him down.
Wednesday pulled her head out of the panel she’d been working on, grease stains on her cheek
and a smile, almost. “Well I’ve never been on a Deep Space Station before, Lieutenant, I’m in.”
Tegian smiled outwards, but inwards he cringed when no one else spoke up. “I’ll see you then,
Cadet.”

(posted byn Al Keith)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS 4 - Promenade Level 3 - SFI - Lt. Michael Weston - 1430)
Michael moved through the shopping area of the station, looking at trinkets in some of the
establishments, as if he were considering buying them. However, he alert to his surroundings
and was quite aware that he was being watched.

Quinna had accepted her invitation to the girls outing, leaving him to follow up on a lead for his
investigation by himself. The familiarity of working on his own gave him a sense of ease and
comfort. He didn’t have to worry about anyone else. And the less Quinna knew about this the
better he felt.

He left the curio shop and moved along the fringe of the shops, until he could sense someone
closing in behind him. He forced himself to remain relaxed, not to alert his tail. But a minute
later a voice spoke up.

“This is an odd place to find Michael Weston,” the deep voice said. “I’d heard you were dead.”

Weston turned around to face a Cardassian dressed in civilian clothes. He nodded, “Gurvek.
Not dead, just burned and left to work on a starship.”

The cardassian chuckled, “Same thing. After all, look at me. A mear shadow of what I once
was.”

Weston nodded again. It was true that Gurvek had once been an active member of the
Cardassian Security Council. The equivalent of SFI in the reformed Cardassian government.
But word had come through the information pipe that he had been removed from that position
due to… political differences. Michael had assumed the “removed” had meant assassinated,
but apparently not.

Now it was the human’s turn to laugh, “Aren’t we two peas in a pod.”

“Indeed,” the cardassian agreed. “But I see that you have still been able to stay busy. I heard
about Altair. Poor Fiona.”

Weston shrugged, “I can’t say she didn’t earn what she got. However, I didn’t meet with you to
reminisce about the good old days, or lament losses. You contacted me. I’m here.”

“To the point?” Gurvek sounded surprised. “That’s a new behavior for you. You used to enjoy
the art of information retrieval. You’ve changed.”

Michael shook his head and lied, “Not as much as you might think. I’m just short on time.
Sooo…”

“I understand you’ve been looking for information about a certain document that has cost a few
lives.”

Michael nodded, “I have more than a passing interest, yes. What do you know.”

“Even in my lowly position of a karaoke bar proprietor I still…’hear’ things,” Gurvek said softly. “I
may even receive certain artifacts and “unofficial” documents to dispose of.”

Weston was surprised, “You have the file?”
“I can get it,” Gurvek said.

Weston hurumphed a little, “For a price.”

“Yes, for a price,” Gurvek admitted.

“You want off this station?” Michael asked knowing he would not be able to fulfill that request.

“Oh no, no, no,” Gurvek shook his head. “That would be a death sentence for me. The
Cardassian government would most assuredly seek me out.”

Michael wondered what Gurvek had done to achieve such ire from his own people. But this was
not the time to find out. “Then what?”

“I want you to help me with a problem,” Gurvek said, “here on the station. There is a small
contingent of strangers on the station. I’ve never really seen them. Only heard of them, and
seen movement in the shadows. They’ve brought something with them. A drug.”

“Since when are you concerned about something as trivial as drug smuggling?” Michael asked.

“This is no ordinary drug,” the cardassian said. “It makes the addict… succeptible to
suggestion. Highly addictive. It gives a sense of euphoria I’ve nevr seen before. People will do
anything to feel that way again. And the withdrawal symptoms are deadly. It’s like the drug
bonds to your DNA.”

“And again, what does this have to do with us?”

“Weston, don’t be a fool,” Gurvek said harshly. “Surely you can see a more strategic
implementation of the drug. In the right hands governments, worlds, can be toppled. It’s
insidious and quite clandestine. If we can stop it here, where it’s being tested then we could
prevent it spreading throughout the universe, and your precious Federation.”

“Yeah, yeah, I see it,” Michael said. “And for my help with this problem I get…”

The cardassian held up a data chip, “This is what you’ve been looking for.”

Weston eyed the Cardassian suspiciously, “What’s on it?”

“Don’t know, don’t want to know,” Gurvek replied. “The person who gave it to me died under
mysterious circumstances. Just touching it puts me in jeopardy. I definitely don’t want to look at
it.”

Michael reached out his hand and Gurvet pulled his back. “When you’re done I’ll be in my bar.
You can get it there.”

Michael shook his head, “I still can’t believe you run a karaoke bar. I thought you hated music.”

“I do,” Gurvek gave a wry smile. “I rarely hear any in my bar. It is, after all karaoke.”
Michael thought he should tell him that the crew of the Illuminar take their karaoke quite
seriously, but thought better of it. If the ladies had their chance he was certain they’d end up
there.

With a nod he left the Cardassian in his corner and headed out, wondering why the local
constabulary wasn’t dealing with this issue. Perhaps his first stop would be there.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -Docking area -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1445)

Quinna made her way to DS4. She needed to spend a little time with her friends as she had
been isolating herself during her mental and physical recovery. She made a point to invite Alaya
Hammons to the Ladies' night on the station but Quinna was not sure if they were friends
anymore. Quinna was to blame for the pain the woman was going through. It was made clear
to her that her friends wanted to be around her, so Quinna forgone the usual recovery and just
decided that she had to act okay and so far, out of sight out of mind with her past. She noticed
a familiar face at the docking port.

“Ensign Piripi?” Quinna called out.

(Reply Piripi)

“Where are you off it?” Quinna asked.

(Reply Piripi)

“You know I think I could use a new friend. Why don’t you join some of us ladies for a ladies'
night? I think we all want to get to know you better.

(Reply Piripi)
(posted by Kris)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 – Docking Area - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi - 1450)

Pihi was walking fast, she was looking forward to some drinks in the Hard Deck, the ever
popular bar for pilots on most stations. It was usually away from the main haunts where the
regular fleet types would go to relax.

She heard a voice call her name. “Ensign Piripi?”

Turning around, she spied the ship’s doctor coming up to her. She had met the woman once
after they had left the Norkan Colony for a post-flight checkup. She’s had taken some exposure
from the enemy fire when her rear shield had failed. Nothing major, but enough that she had
been told to go to the medical facility.

“Hello Doctor,” she replied cautiously.

“Where are you off to?” Qinna asked.
“I was going to get a drink,” she replied. “

“You know I think I could use a new friend. Why don’t you join some of us ladies for a ladies'
night? I think we all want to get to know you better.” the doctor replied.

Pihi looked the woman over. She was being honest, at least based on what she was seeing.
“Sure, why not,” she said. The Hard Deck would be there later. The Hard Deck is always there.

(posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - Lieutenant Jg Tegian Pex and Cadet Wednesday Adams - 1458)

Tegian entered the Tavern and looked around. He was disappointed that he hadn’t been able to
find more of the Engineering Department to join him, but grateful that Cadet Adams was willing
to accompany him. Still, he was nervous. He didn’t wish to have this appear as anything more
than colleagues celebrating after a mission. He was her direct superior.

He found a table that had more than two seats and sat. He pulled up the menu and decided to
start with a beer and some onion rings and then see what Miss Adams wanted and go from
there.

Wednesday sat down across from Tegian and looked at her menu. The food was a little
different. She peered at the choices wondering if the food was all replicated or natural and
organic. They were, after all, on a space station, so most items had to be shipped in. But
wouldn’t the station have a hydroponics bay? It seemed like a logical thing to have. Not to
mention the fact that she was a vegan. And the fact that it was still at least two hours until her
normal meal time.

Tegian stood when Wednesday approached the table. “Hello Cadet. Thanks for joining me.”
He sat after she did.

But she didn’t want Lt. Pex to eat alone. Perhaps a salad? “Do you think the vegetables in the
garden salad are really from a garden?”

Tegian considered the question. “I believe I saw a hydroponics section on the station manifest,
but that doesn’t guarantee that this establishment uses anything they produce. Would you like
me to ask?” Tegian starts to get up.

“I did order some onion rings, if that’s okay.”

Wednesday gave him a smile, “Oh, get whatever you like. Wiccans are generally vegans, but I
don’t hold that expectation to anyone else. Your body, your temple, as my mother always told
me.”

Tegian gave her a puzzled look. “Onion rings aren’t considered vegan?” confused. “I thought
onions were a human vegetable. Or do they cook them with some meat?”

Wednesday shrugged, “It depends on how they’re prepared. A lot of the time they’re fried in
animal fat or the batter has a dairy base to it.“

“The menu said beer batter, but I suppose that might not be all. My apologies.”
Wednesday looked up from the menu and caught sight of a small group at a table across the
room. She recognized Dr. Solice, but not the others.

“Who is that with Dr. Solice?” she asked.

Tegian looked over and saw Dr. Solice with Ariel and someone he didn’t recognize.

“I see Lieutenant Trei with the Doctor, but I don’t recognize the other woman,” replies Tegian,
still standing. “While I’m checking on the ingredients of your salad, did you want anything to
drink?”

Wednesday looked at the drink menu and suddenly squealed, “Oh my goddess, they have Altair
water. I haven’t had that in sooo long. I wonder if they would make lemonade with it. Have
you ever had Altair water?”

Tegian shook his head. “I don’t know what Altair water is, Cadet Adams. But, I will make the
request when I ask about your salad.”

He approached the bar and talked to the bartender, returning with a large stein of beer and
another with fizzing, yellow water with a straw and a large lemon wedge stuck on it.

He placed that stein in front of Wednesday. “Yes, they did have Altair water and she was willing
to make you lemonade with it. “She offered sugar to sweeten it, but I wasn’t sure what kind of
sugar was vegan, so I told her I’d be back.”

Wednesday couldn’t help but giggle. “Generally sugar is a natural product and not made with
animal products so I guess there’s no such thing as vegan sugar. But it’s just as well, I like my
lemonade simple. Too much sugar kinda makes me… excitable.”

Tegian shrugged. “I didn’t want to make any assumptions, Cadet.” He raised an eyebrow at the
mention of excitable. “Do tell…”

“Let’s just say that sugar can make me do things I wouldn’t normally do,” she admitted and
smiled.

Tegian chuckles. “I bet that’s some story. Or perhaps stories.”

She looked at the large mug in front of her. “This might give me a bit of trouble. I’m not much of
a drinker.”

“Well, I’m not likely to drink my entire beer, either. She,” Tegian motions with his head towards
the bartender, “didn’t give me an option of a smaller container.”

Tegian continued. “Your salad is indeed made from all vegetables grown in the hydroponics lab,
so I took the initiative and ordered you one. I also asked for her to bring out only vegan salad
dressings. She was going to check on your options and let us know.”

“Thanks,” Wednesday said. “That’s nice of you. To be honest I’m not used to people being nice
to me.”
Tegian frowned. “Then my apologies. I try to always be nice to you and others. We should
always treat others and we’d like to be treated. And I would have hoped that others in
Engineering would also treat you the same way. You’re part of the team. And, while I meant
this to be a bigger team event, since it hasn’t turned out that way, I want you to know that I’ve
been very impressed with your work and your work ethic.”

Wednesday could feel her cheeks redden a little, “Thanks. It’s never you, Lieutenant. Between
you and Bohb… Lt. Bohb, I’ve never felt like I belonged anywhere outside our Wiccan colony.
For a brief time, on the Illuminar I felt like I actually had friends with some of the other cadets.
But they all moved on to their next assignments, and the new batch…well, they have their
preconceived notions of wiccans, and most are scared of me. I think they believe I’m going to
turn them all into some kind of salamander.” She leaned in a little and whispered, “You know
that we don’t actually possess magic powers.”

Tegian chuckles. “Cadet, please forgive my ignorance, but I thought that you being Wiccan was
just your religion. I was unaware that it brought connotations of magical powers of any sort.
And I’ve seen nothing to suggest that you have any such capabilities. You’re a very bright,
engaging and capable engineer and I value you for that. Your other traits just make you
interesting and unique. They don’t frighten me. Does the fact that I have a symbiont inside of
me frighten you?”

Wednesday smiled, a warm caring smile, “Absolutely not. I find your people fascinating. It takes
a bit to frighten me. But most people hear rumors and they pass it along. Wiccans have,
historically, been connected to witches, for some reason. It doesn’t really bother me. But it
does make me the target of suspicion when things get… awkward.”

She leaned forward, “The truth is that wiccans are different. From childhood we are taught to
pay attention to details. So we see things that others don’t. It makes us seem clairvoyant. And
we do have a connection with nature. My mother, for example, is an amazing botanist. She can
grow plants near dead ground. She was instrumental in terraforming our colony moon. People
might consider her abilities to be supernatural. But the reality is that she is just a phenomenal
scientist.”

She shrugged her shoulders, “I suppose that it’s already been so that people see something
amazing as magical. One would have hoped that we would have evolved past that. But
perhaps it’s something hardwired into… especially humans.”

Tegian shrugs. “My own people revere the symbionts as almost magical. It’s just that they have
lived so many lives that they have a lot of experience. Pex would tell you that her life is no more
amazing than one just beginning.”

The food arrived and Wednesday picked up a carrot stick with her fingers. She examined it with
her eyes then closed her eyes for a moment. She spoke softly to herself in a language that was
not translated by the UT. She opened her eyes and bit the carrot. Her eyes closed again, only
this time in pleasure.

“Oh my goddess, I love freshly grown vegetables,” she said with a voice that was near
orgasmic.
Tegian smiled. “I’m glad that you’re enjoying yourself, Cadet. I had hoped that others would
enjoy us, but I won’t complain that I’ve gotten to know you better.” Tegian dug into his onion
rings, enjoying the treat.

She took another bite of her plate and nodded, “Yeah, I’ve kinda noticed that they’re a serious
bunch. Angus… Ensign McGuyver, has a wicked sense of humor but nobody seems to get it
but me. I guess because his humor is kind of dark and self-deprecating.”

She looked up and noticed the door opening. As if on command, Angus McGuyver strode into
the lounge, followed by three cadets. They made their way through room over to the table. He
stopped short and nodded to Pex, and smiled at Wednesday.

“Lieutenant,” he said, “Wednesday. Sorry I wasn't there for the initial invite. I was neck deep
into weapons relays. When I got back ta main engineerin’ Cadet Uvaaki told me where you
were. I had tae remind them that if a superior officer offers tae buy you drinks, you should never
turn him down.”

With that he nodded to the server and ordered the same stein of beer that Pex had. “Put it on
the LTs tab luv.”

There was a chuckle from the cadets who pulled up chairs. One cadet pulled another table
over, realizing there wasn’t enough room. They all ordered drinks and food and the server
disappeared. When the drinks arrived he lifted his mug.

“Slangivar!” He called out and drank down half the stein.

Tegian raises his stein and takes a hearty drink without beginning to drain it. He winks at
Wednesday as he does.

(reply none, any)
(posted by Al Muir, and Keith B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1500)

Ariel sat at a table near the bar. She ordered a cheeseburger with fries and a glass of iced tea.
The bar was pretty empty except for staff and a few patrons. The waitress brought over her iced
tea first in a unusual manner. The waitress seemed to move from side to side like a bee
hovering over a flower. Ariel dismissed this for now as odd behavior but the behavior continued
when the cheeseburger and fried was served. She will discuss this when Quinna, T'Mur, and
Sienna join her. The waitress and the bartender were working as a unit which wasn't odd in
itself but they also moved as a unit. She will have to investigate this behavior. The bar had an
unusual honeycomb design. This was truly odd behavior. She waited for the others to join her
and took a sip of her iced tea.

(Reply Quinna, T'Mur, Sienna)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1503)

In the tavern, Quinna sat at the table that Ariel was sitting at alone. “Hey, Ariel. Waiting long?
(Reply Trei)

“Do you know Ensigh Piripi?” Quinna asked Ariel. Quinna then turned to Piripi, “Piripi, this is Lt.
Ariel Trei.”

(Reply Trei and Piripi, any)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1504)

Quinna and Pirpi joined her at the table. Quinna asked her if she was waiting long. It hasn't
been too long. She asked if Ariel has met ENS Pirpi and she didn't think so. The bee behavior
was still going on around the bar. It will be interesting to see what Quinna and ENS Pirpi
thought about the strange behavior..

"Nice to meet you ENS Pirpi. Order a sandwich and drinks for you two. Observe the behavior
at the bar and tell me what you think of it."

(Reply Quinna, Pirpi, Any)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1505)

In the tavern, Quinna sat at the table that Ariel was sitting at alone. “Hey, Ariel. Waiting long?

“Do you know Ensign Piripi?” Quinna asked Ariel. Quinna then turned to Piripi, “Piripi, this is Lt.
Ariel Trei.”

"Nice to meet you ENS Pirpi. Order a sandwich and drinks for you two. Observe the behavior
at the bar and tell me what you think of it,” the woman said.

Pihi looked at the Lieutenant. She had Klingon features, but wasn’t a full Klingon based on what
she was seeing. The VISOR really made it easy to see what was not obvious to others.

“A sandwich?” Pihi said, “Not much of a warrior's meal. I doubt they have huhu grubs, but
Racht is an acceptable substitute.”

Standing up, “I’ll be right back.”

Moments later she returned to the table, three glasses in one hand, a bottle in the other. The
bottle had a large bulb at the base, with two different color liquids - one yellow, the other blue.
There were two necks that twirled up to end in a single finish. Pihi quickly poured three drinks
into the small glasses. The liquid in the glass was a fluorescent green.

Passing the glasses to Quinna and Trei, she smiled, her chin tattoo quite prominent. “This is a
Stardrifter,” she said as she held her glass up. “Kia ora!” she said as she downed the drink at
once.

Slamming the glass down, she looked to see what Trei and Quinna did, pouring herself another
drink as she waited.
(Reply Solice, Trei)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1506)

She saw Piripi look her over as if to judge her trustwortyness. Ariel apparently satisfied her as
she left the table and brought back some kind of liquor she called stardrifter. Ariel has never
heard of this but if she can handle blood wine she can handle anything. She heard Piripi offer
some kind of cheers in her language. Ariel took the glass of green liquid and downed it just as
Pippa did. It had some bite to it but it will take quite a few of those to affect her. She slammed
the glass down as well. If it a drinking contest Pipa wants she was game to take her on.

"May I call you Pihi. You may call me Ariel. This stardrifter has some bite but it take many
more to affect me. While Pippa was gone I tried to get a feel for the strange behavior. It may
appear that they are behaving with a hive mind but I didn't sense that. I felt no hive mind
actions. It was as if each person is acting as individual bees. What do you think?"

(Reply Quinna, Pippa, Any)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1508)

"May I call you Pihi. You may call me Ariel. This stardrifter has some bite but it take many
more to affect me. While Pihi was gone I tried to get a feel for the strange behavior. It may
appear that they are behaving with a hive mind but I didn't sense that. I felt no hive mind
actions. It was as if each person is acting as individual bees. What do you think?" the woman
said.

“I go by Kestral,” Pihi said as she downed a second shot, pouring herself a third. “Easier to say,”
the pilot downed a third shot and slammed her glass down.

“Doctor, does the stardrifter not agree with you?” she asked.

(Reply Quinna)

Turning her attention back to Ariel, “I’m not a scientist, nor do I wish to question why people do
what they do. Too many fights start that way,” she smiled. “I know, I’ve started a few, seems
even today women need to prove themselves, doubly so for those who do not conform to what
the norm is.”

(Reply Trei)

"So if this is a scientific mission, let me know and I’ll take my leave. I’m sure there is a Hard
Deck on the station somewhere.”

(Reply Solice, Trei
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1509)
She saw Pippa down her second shot and poured a third. It appeared to be drinking contest
after all. That suited Ariel. She needed to relax and this will help the cause. As far as a
scientific mission, Ariel didn't think it was but could see how Pippa saw it that way. She downed
her second shot and slammed the glass down.

"It is what you want it to be. I say we observe the strange behavior while we have a ladies trip
on the station. What do you suggest we do next Pippa?"

(Reply Pippa, Any)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 - Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO/3O Commander Quinna Solice -- 1510)

Quinna sat at the table when Pihi brought her first drink. Ariel mentioned how the wait staff was
acting peculiar, but Quinna did not focus on exactly what was going on. She was happy to have
some time off. But by the same token, she felt guilty. What right did she have to take off? She
was not allowed any bereavement leave.

Quinna downed the first shot of the drink, and she already felt its effect. “Whoa”

Quinna became more enthralled in the qualm between Ariel and Ensign Piripi.

“I go by Kestral,” Pihi said as she downed a second shot, pouring herself a third. “Easier to say,”
the pilot downed a third shot and slammed her glass down.

“Doctor, does the stardrifter not agree with you?” she asked.

“I have been on a hiatus from drinking for the last few months.” Quinna admitted, “It has hit me
a bit.

Turning her attention back to Ariel, “I’m not a scientist, nor do I wish to question why people do
what they do. Too many fights start that way,” she smiled. “I know, I’ve started a few, seems
even today women need to prove themselves, doubly so for those who do not conform to what
the norm is.”

"So if this is a scientific mission, let me know and I’ll take my leave. I’m sure there is a Hard
Deck on the station somewhere.”

"It is what you want it to be. I say we observe the strange behavior while we have a ladies' trip
on the station. What do you suggest we do next Pippa?"

“Can I intervene here?” Quinna started. “Pace yourselves, I do not want to be thrown out of
this place.”

(Reply Trei, Piripi)

Quinna lifted her full shot with just the second drink. “Sorry, I am the lightweight again. If I am
going to be drinking these, I need a pizza.” Quinna stood up to go see about making an order.
“You two play nice and no more shots without me.”

(Reply Trei, Piripi)
Quinna leaned over Ariel, “Sweetie, try to relax and enjoy yourself. You work so hard.” Though
Quinna became a little more observant of her surroundings.

(Reply Trei)

(Replies Trei and Piripi)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1512)

Both T’Mur and Sienna had been surprised to see an invite for the both of them to a “Lady’s
Night.” It confused the Vulcan as they were to assemble around 1430 hours and that is not, as
she understood human passage of time, night. Would it have been more logical to consider it a
Girl’s Outing?

However, other than that they had no other obligations for the day. They had planned to spend it
together, and they would do so, although they would not be alone. However, it had been
recommended that T’Mur learn to be more sociable, so she had convince Sienna that their
attendance would be… “fun.”

As they walked through the tavern T’Mur caught sight of Ariel Trei. Quinna was seated with her,
as well as the new helmsman, Ensign Pihi. She led Sy toward the table. Her sharp ears picked
up of the dialogue before they actually reached the table.

“Sweetie, try to relax and enjoy yourself,” Quinna said. “You work so hard.”

“Good afternoon… ladies,” T’Mur said, greeting the group. “Quinna,” she had noted that her
friend seemed a little out of balance. “I would have to agree that you have all worked hard over
the past week and are in need of relaxation.”

(reply Trei, Solace, Pihi, Verin)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1515)

“Sorry, I am the lightweight again. If I am going to be drinking these, I need a pizza. You two
play nice and no more shots without me.”

“Extra pineapple, and no promises on the shots,” Pihi replies, grinning.

Two more officers approached the table.

“Good afternoon …. Ladies,” the Vulcan commander said. “Quinna, I would have to agree that
you have all worked hard over the past week and are in need of relaxation.”

“Quit picking on the pizza runner,” Pihi said, standing up. “And do you always like to insult
people?” she asked, “There are no ladies here,” the pilot added as she waved her shot glass
around to Trei, Quinna and herself. Smiling, she downed the shot and slammed the glass on the
table. “Oops, sorry Doctor,” she said as she poured another shot into her glass. “I forgot you
wanted us to wait.:

(Reply Solice, Trei, Verin,m T’Mur)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1516)

Suddenly Piripi Pihi stood up and looked at T’Mur saying “Quit picking on the pizza runner. And
do you always like to insult people? There are no ladies here.” She waved her shot glass
around to the others and finally herself.

She drank a shot from her glass and then refilled it. “Oops, sorry Doctor, I forgot you wanted us
to wait.”

T’Mur’s eyebrows furrow as she looked at the odd behavior of the pilot. She looked over at
Sienna hoping that she might be able to give her any support on what had just occurred. She
looked around the table and then, finally, back to Pihi.

She took a deep breath and finally said, “I apologize if my words gave you any offense, Ensign
Pihi. I did not realize that I was “picking on” anyone, least of all the… pizza runner? Whoever
that is. I thought a pizza was a food, and was not capable of running. Perhaps I misunderstand
the concept of pizza running.”

Then she looked at the woman more intently, “And no, id do not enjoy insulting people. I did not
realize that identifying you as woman was an insult. I was unaware that you had a different
gender identification. Was anyone else here insulted? Perhaps, if you feel that way, Ensign, I
should just leave this party, although we were invited.”

She turned her body, in preparation for leaving.

(reply Pihi, Solice, Trei, Verin)
(posted byn Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1517)

She agreed with Quinna that she needed to relax. It was a hard battle with the xenolithe. She
is still recovering from that. Pizza sounded great. She usually ordered it with pepperoni but
was willing the try pineapple as well. She tried Hawaiian pizza before and it was interesting with
pineapple and ham with the cheese. She found it to be good but preferred pepperoni and
cheese. She downed the third shot and slammed the glass down. Kestra commented that
there were no ladies here waving her shot glass in the direction of her and Quinna. Quinna
would be offended by that statement but Ariel sort of resembled the remark in recent actions.
She is a woman but has been in combat mode and has done things a lady would not do. In this
setting she would like to think she is acting like a lady so that might be considered an insult. For
now she went with the flow.

"I would like some pizza. Pepperoni would be my topping of choice but Pineapple sounds good
too."
(Reply Kestra, Quinna, T'Mur Any)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1518)

The Vulcan commander said “I apologize if my words gave you any offense, Ensign Pihi. I did
not realize that I was “picking on” anyone, least of all the… pizza runner? Whoever that is. I
thought a pizza was a food, and was not capable of running. Perhaps I misunderstand the
concept of pizza running.”

Pihi shook her head, “Vulcan’s” she said under her breath.

“The good doctor was running to order a pizza. Hence Pizza Runner,” the woman said, “and as
for the term lady, it traditionally refers to a woman of superior social position or of noble birth.
Since I am neither, the term is not applicable.”

“And no, id do not enjoy insulting people. I did not realize that identifying you as woman was an
insult. I was unaware that you had a different gender identification. Was anyone else here
insulted? Perhaps, if you feel that way, Ensign, I should just leave this party, although we were
invited.” T’Mur added.

Pihi downed her shot of Star Drifter and took the bottle. “No, Commander, you stay. I was
heading off to the Hard Deck when the doctor dragged me along. It seems that this is not my,
how do you say, cup of tea, and I’ll take my leave of you ladies.”

With that Pihi started to head out of the Tavern with the bottle. “Kia ora, Doctor,” she said with a
smile.

(Reply Solice, Trei, T'Mur, Verin)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - FO Commander Sienna Verin - 1519)

Sienna had been standing nervously beside T'Mur. She liked these social gatherings, and she
was looking forward to getting to know the new pilot. Who was apparently extremely prickly.
Perhaps it was that an Ensign didn't feel that she could socialize with the command team.

Staying quiet for several moments allowed Sienna to watch the Ensign. Rude, prickly, a tad bit
arrogant. But she allowed her vulcan mate to fight her own battles.

::Sometimes humans feel the need to be arrogant jackasses, pushing people away so that they
will not be hurt. I'm sure Luma is going to adore our new pilot.:: Sienna brushed her fingers
along T'Murs and took a seat.

"You would be wrong, Ensign, that there are no ladies here. If you want to talk family and birth,
we can, but this is Starfleet. My mate meant no insult."

The Ensign got up and left, stopping to talk to Quinna for a moment. Sy took the opportunity and
scooted over enough that T'Mur and she could share the seat, their legs overlapping, and T half
in Sy's lap. Sienna wrapped her arms around T'Mur, and leaned her head on the other woman's
shoulder.
::She'd be shocked to know that you are the Princess of Vulcan and I your intended in the mirror
universe - starfleet's princess. Ariel's dad is part of the klingon council now if I remember
correctly.:: SIena commented her dark betazoid eyes watching the ensign.

“I hope you are hungry. I have a pepperoni pizza, pineapple pizza, and my personal favorite, a
hamburger mushroom pizza ordered and on the way. Now I am not sure what happened when I
was away but it ends now.” Quinna had a smile on her face. “It is time for some fun and
relaxation.”

A soft laugh came from Sienna. She held up the cloth bag her flute was in. "I brought my flute. I
heard that there is a kareoke bar aboard. I wouldn't mind singing. It's been far too long since
I've sung publically." She shrugged, "As for the pizza, any of the above is good. Is the Ensign
going to return?" Sy nodded to Ariel as Quinna mentioned that anyone who spoke about duty
was going to buy the next round.

Luckily she had the ship's all-access starfleet visa, accepted everywhere in the Galaxy, "I will
cover at least 2 rounds, and the food. The Captain passed me the card." Sienna eyed the bar
and mused aloud, "I wonder if they have any vulcan wines. Something sparkling would be
lovely." Sienna was allergic to all earth alcohol, a product of her upbringing. "You might not want
to talk duty, but man, I want to be back on the Illuminar, and now. The Raptor doesn't 'feel' right."
She shrugged lightly and leaned over to kiss T'Mur's lips.

::Do you desire anything from the bar?:: She asked her mate, holding the kiss. Telepathy did
indeed have it's uses.

(reply any at the girls night)
(posted by Mel)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1520)

Quinna had left the table as T’Mur came up. She nodded to the woman but went to pace her
order. She hoped that the table was going to be big enough. She walked back to the table as
Kestral was leaving.

“Kia ora, Doctor,” Kestrel said.

“And just where are you going?” Quinna asked.

(Reply Piripi)

Quinna shook her head, “You are not going anywhere, I ordered you a pizza with pineapple.
You need to eat it.” Quinna smiled at the woman.

(Reply Piripi)

“I am going back to the table. I would like it if you came back with me,” Quinna asked. She
really wanted to get to know the new helms officer. Quinna was not about to force anyone. She
turned and headed back to the table.
As Quinna took her seat she looked at everyone. “I hope you are hungry. I have a pepperoni
pizza, pineapple pizza, and my personal favorite, a hamburger mushroom pizza ordered and on
the way. Now I am not sure what happened when I was away but it ends now.” Quinna had a
smile on her face. “It is time for some fun and relaxation.”

(Reply Trei, Piripi, Verin, T’Mur)

“I also suggest that anyone mentions anything about duty, they have to buy the next round.”
Quinna was starting to cut loose and have fun herself.

(Reply Trei, Piripi, Verin, T’Mur)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern - SPA - LT Ariel Trei - 1521)

Quinna relayed the pizzas she ordered. The pepperoni one and the hamburger mushroom one
sounded awesome. It was news to her that there was a karaoke bar on the station. She was
totally up for that. She didn't want to profess her position on the Klingon Counsel until she had
to. This was supposed to be a relaxing situation and she intended to relax. If Kestral wished to
not participate that was up to her.

"The hamburger mushroom sounds awesome and you know I am up for Karaoke. Lets discuss
what songs we would loke to sing."

(Reply Any at the table)
(Posted by Edward)
 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1522)

“And just where are you going?” Quinna asked

“I figured I would leave you ‘ladies’ to your people watching adventures while I found some other
pilots to drink with,” Pihi replied.

Quinna shook her head, “You are not going anywhere, I ordered you a pizza with pineapple.
You need to eat it.” Pihi noted the genuine smile that the doctor flashed. “I am going back to the
table. I would like it if you came back with me.”

“Who can say no to pineapple pizza?” Pihi replied.

 “I hope you are hungry. I have a pepperoni pizza, pineapple pizza, and my personal favorite, a
hamburger mushroom pizza ordered and on the way. Now I am not sure what happened when I
was away but it ends now. It is time for some fun and relaxation.”

Pihi didn’t know what to make of the doctor or the rest of these officers. She’s encountered too
much subtle, and sometimes not so subtle disapproval at her choices. Her VISOR, her family
tattoo, so prominent on her chin. Pihi didn’t make friends easily and most of her associates were
pilots who had seen her fly and often been beaten in combat.

As she approached the table, she heard the first officer speak.
"I brought my flute. I heard that there is a kareoke bar aboard. I wouldn't mind singing. It's been
far too long since I've sung publically. As for the pizza, any of the above is good. Is the Ensign
going to return?"

Pulling out the chair she recently vacated, “The Kestral has returned,” she said placing the
bottle back on the table.

"I will cover at least 2 rounds, and the food. The Captain passed me the card. I wonder if they
have any vulcan wines. Something sparkling would be lovely."

“This bottle is looking mighty sore,” Pihi said, lifting up the half empty bottle of Star Drifter,
before refilling the three glasses on the table with the green liquid. “Yes indeed, it taking a
beating.”

"You might not want to talk duty, but man, I want to be back on the Illuminar, and now. The
Raptor doesn't 'feel' right."
Pihi took a slice of pizza and began to eat it. She didn’t know what to say about the differences
between the ships. She’d have to see if there were any simulations, she could run about the
Illuminar, but nothing beat taking it out and putting it through its paces. Most Captain’s were not
so eager to turn a ship over to a young pilot, so simulations were the closest she could come.

Trei spoke, "The hamburger mushroom sounds awesome and you know I am up for Karaoke.
Let's discuss what songs we would like to sing."

Pihi wondered what these people would sing. She might learn more about them by their choice
of music.

(Reply Solice, Trei, T’Mur, Verin
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1525)

Activity seemed to be more enjoyable at the table.

"I brought my flute. I heard that there is a karaoke bar aboard. I wouldn't mind singing. It's been
far too long since I've sung publically. As for the pizza, any of the above is good. Is the Ensign
going to return?"

Pulling out the chair she recently vacated, “The Kestral has returned,” she said placing the
bottle back on the table. Quinna felt better that they were now together. Kestrel was new to the
ship family and Quinna wanted to make sure she felt welcomed. It had been a long time since
she felt part of the family herself.

"I will cover at least 2 rounds, and the food. The Captain passed me the card. I wonder if they
have any vulcan wines. Something sparkling would be lovely." Sienna offered.
“Well, I wish I would have known about the company card before I paid for the food. I say let's
order some porterhouse steaks and lobsters then.” Quinna looked at her full shot and took it all
in. Perhaps the kissing doctor would return.
“This bottle is looking mighty sore,” Pihi said, lifting up the half-empty bottle of Star Drifter,
before refilling the three glasses on the table with the green liquid. “Yes indeed, it taking a
beating.”

"You might not want to talk duty, but man, I want to be back on the Illuminar, and now. The
Raptor doesn't 'feel' right."
Quinna pointed at Sienna, “Next round on you.”
The Pizza arrived and it was nice and hot. Quinna sat back and enjoyed the sight of everyone
enjoying themselves. She had yet to get herself a slice of pizza.

Trei spoke, "The hamburger mushroom sounds awesome and you know I am up for Karaoke.
Let's discuss what songs we would like to sing."

“Karaoke? I’m out. I don’t sing.” Quinna said. “Ok, maybe when I am beyond the kissing stage
of my drunk state. I am not getting there tonight.” Quinna stated, “Or ever again.” She added.

(Reply Piripi, Trei, T’Mur, Verin)

“Personally, I think Ariel should sing some Klingon Opera,” Quinna suggested.

(Reply Piripi, Trei, T’Mur, Verin)

“Tell me Kestral, Do sing?” Quinna asked. Wondering about her take on the subject.

(Reply Piripi, Trei, T’Mur, Verin)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1526)

She took a slice of the hamburger mushroom and started munching on it. The thought of
Klingon Opera has crossed her mind before but she liked 1970's and 80's teran more. She was
willing to try some opera though for she never really tried it before. Maybe if she was feeling
loose enough it might happen. She didn't want to talk with food in her mouth for it was
unladylike to do so. She waited until she could talk properly before commenting.

"I never tried Klingon Opera before. I prefer 1970's and 80's Teran era music but it could
happen."

(Reply Any at table)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur &
FO Commander Sienna Verin - 1527)

Piripi’s explanation of the term “pizza runner” was adequate, although T’Mur had not observed
Quinna actually running to get the pizza. But her reaction to the term lady was even more
perplexing. It appeared that she was upset by a connotation that the Vulcan was unaware of.
Would a simple clarification not sufficed.

She had turned her mind to Sienna to understand what had happened.
::Sometimes humans feel the need to be arrogant jackasses, pushing people away so that they
will not be hurt. I'm sure Luma is going to adore our new pilot.:: Sienna brushed her fingers
along T'Murs and took a seat.

"You would be wrong, Ensign, that there are no ladies here. If you want to talk family and birth,
we can, but this is Starfleet. My mate meant no insult."

“No, Commander, you stay. I was heading off to the Hard Deck when the doctor dragged me
along. It seems that this is not my, how do you say, cup of tea, and I’ll take my leave of you
ladies.”

:She'd be shocked to know that you are the Princess of Vulcan and I your intended in the mirror
universe - starfleet's princess. Ariel's dad is part of the klingon council now if I remember
correctly.::

T’Mur settled in to Sienna’s embrace, still feeling a bit uneasy about the whole scene. It
seemed so… needless. Then she had a realization. ::I understood that the ensign was drinking
alcohol. Did she order tea and get the incorrect item and that is why she is unhappy?::

Sienna shook her head slightly, ::No, my Love. She’s… well I’m no counselor. I could summon
Alaya and ask her to take a look. But my guess is that she’s nervous, and lashing out so she
doesn’t get hurt. Tempest will massage that ego into something more manageable. I shouldn’t
interfere. Tempest should be the one to request counseling for her as the head of the
department.:: Sienna ran her palm over T’Mur’s leg.

Quinna returned from her “pizza run” with Piripi in tow, announcing her order to be complete and
on its way. “Now I am not sure what happened when I was away but it ends now.”

T’Mur shrugged, “I am uncertain what happened as well. I simply greeted the group.”

Quinna looked unconvinced but added that mention duties was forbidden at this time, which
seemed a logical decision. Sienna displayed her flute bag and noting that there was a karaoke
bar on the station and they should attend. T’Mur had predicted such an action and had made
arrangements of her own for later.

Sy leaned in and kissed T’Mur. ::Do you desire anything from the bar?::

Even in the kiss the vulcan raised an eyebrow and sent a wave of playful pleasure down their
link. ::I do not believe I’d find what I desire on the bar’s menu.::

They separated and said, “It is a little early for me to drink alcohol, however, I would find an
Altair Water to be refreshing.”

Sienna hopped up and headed to the bar. She smiled at the cardassian woman, “I am allergic
to terran derived alcohols. I’d like a sparkling white vulcan wine, and my mate wishes an
altairian water. Could I get a bowl of cut, mixed fruit, preferably not replicated as well?” Sienna
held over the card that allowed her to access the ship’s line of federation credits. “I’m the first
officer of the Raptor, and will be covering the tabs of all my officers.”

Sy took back her card and headed back to the table. “She’ll be bringing our drinks over, and
some fruit. Ohhh. Pepperoni!” She made grabby hands for the pepperoni keeping an eye on
T’Mur. When Sy saw her mate take pizza, Sy made a soft sound. ::Cheese is made from milk,
made from cows, and I don’t know if it’s replicated. And the ham on it is bacon which comes
from cows.:: T’Mur had met both cows and pigs as well as chickens, ducks, geese, turkey, the
ranch’s horses and goats. They didn’t have sheep, but there were always barn kittens on her
family ranch.

The pizza arrived and Piripi was the first to dig into the food that appeared to have a yellow fruit
on it. It smelled sweet to the vulcan, and decided that perhaps this was a good opportunity to
repair any ill feelings from the earlier issue. She reached out and took a slice of pizza. She
looked at it with suspicion, noting that it did, indeed, have animal flesh on it with the pineapple.
But she had committed herself to the morsel.

She took a small bite, analyzing each flavor. The sweetness of the pineapple juxtaposed with
the saltiness from the … bacon? Albeit, she recognized it as a form of meat that appeared to be
a healthier option. Overall it was quite tasty. She took a second bite but decided she had done
her best to be polite and left the remaining slice on the plate.

The conversation turned to what the likely musical choices and preferences were with the
group. When Klingon opera was mentioned she almost moaned.

::Please love, no Klingon opera.::

Sienna snickered, having finished her first slice of the pepperoni in about four bites. ::Not for
me. You know what I like to sing. I brought my flute however, because I knew we can’t just sing
here, even in an establishment created for it.::

Sienna looked over at the Ensign, “Kestral is it? Would you mind telling us about yourself?
My….” Sy glanced at Quinna and wrinkled her nose, “Never mind. I think that comment falls
under duty, but you flew as well as my twin did.” She put warmth and the nurturing care that the
Captain couldn’t show into her tone. Sienna nodded as the waiter brought the bowl of fruit over,
handing it to Sienna. This man looked romulan and when Sy’s hand brushed his, there was a
harsh buzz, like angry bees or hornets, and she felt an electric shock, like being stung. Sy
looked up with wide, dark eyes, scrutinizing the waiter, before smiling. “I guess it was just some
static. Sorry!”

T’Mur picked up on the change of her mate's mood and looked with concern. She then followed
the trail of the server as he wound his way around the tables in what appeared to be an erratic
pattern. He stopped when he arrived at a dark figure standing by a wall. There was a short
exchange and the server moved on, but he appeared to be a little more focused. It was odd,
but not completely suspicious, unless you're a chief of security of a starship. When the server
disappeared into the service area T’Mur turned her attention back to her mate, putting her palm
gently on her inner thigh.

(reply Kestral)

She picked up a strawberry and took a bite of the juicy treat, then leaned over to kiss Sienna.

Sienna had been watching, then running her hand hard over T’Mur’s thigh, trying to get that
buzzing sting to fade. She was overly sensitive still, she knew that. But that server, something
about him was wrong and Sienna wasn’t sure what it was. After the kiss ended, Sy beamed into
her mate’s face.
“We could go find that wedding chapel. Sekal’s on the ship still, he’d be willing to wed us. I
hear there is a trill that impersonates Elvis even. There are the gaudy lights of Las Vegas, and
even a real gambling machine, called a slot machine. It’s from 2000s era of Earth’s history and
a great relic. It takes pennies.” She sounded like she wanted to go give it a spin, even if they
didn’t get wed here. Sy wasn’t exactly frustrated, but she was tired of the commentary.

T’Mur’s eyebrow raised, “Elvis?… Ah yes, Elvis Aaron Presley. The reported “King of Rock and
Roll.”” She could sense her mate’s excitement at the prospect of the event. “It sounds
intriguing. I have a question. Pennies?”

Sienna imagined a penny, the copper coin from the united states. “You’ll have to spin it at least
once. You are, after all, the best of luck that could befall me. I’d like to head to the
communications booth and record that song I’ve been working on for Trip.” She shrugged and
took a piece of fruit for herself before going for a third slice of the pepperoni pizza.

(reply Piripi, Solice, Trei, any)
(posted by Al and Mel)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1530)

“Kestral is it? Would you mind telling us about yourself? My….Never mind. I think that comment
falls under duty, but you flew as well as my twin did.”

Kestral shrugged, “I am Pihi Piripi, from what you know as New Zealand on Earth. I Ngāti
Túwheretoa, descended from Ngātoro-i-rangi. I was born without an optic nerve, a freak genetic
mutation, thus the VISOR. I have been flying since I was 7 or 8. I was given the name Kestral by
the pilots in my class because I am small and deadly, like the Kestral. Does that answer your
question, Commander?”

Pihi ignored the conversations while she enjoyed her food and looked around the bar.

"Personally, I think Ariel should sing some Klingon Opera,” the doctor said as Pihi refocused her
attention to the table.

“Tell me Kestral, do you sing?” Quinna asked.

Whether it was the alcohol or the downtime, Pihi jumped up and moved a bit away from the
table. Standing with her legs spread shoulder wide, knee’s slightly bent and her back straight
up. She looked at the table, making an exaggerated face before calling out.

“NuqneH!” she called, raising her fist in the air.

“NuqheH!”

She starts to stamp her feet while moving her arms around while making faces at the table.

“Hu’tegh vIghro’ jlmeji!”

Moving forward to the table, she stomps her feet again as she repeated. “Hu’teqh vIghro’ jImeji!”
She continued the rhymic moves and chanted.

“baQa’!”

“baQa’!”

Pounding her chest, than thrusting her fist into the air, “qarDaSQe’!”

“qarDaSQe’!”

She approached the table again, crossing her arms before opening and pointing at the table.

“yIghoS!”

“yIghoS!”

She finishes, standing up and staring at the table. Moments later, she sits back down and takes
a bit of her pizza, “Like that?”

(Reply Solice, Trei, T’Mur, Verin, others in the bar)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1534)

T’Mur watched the performance by the pilot in the middle of the tavern. She followed the pattern
and the movements and was curious if the meaning of it all. She was going to require a larger
sample of the language to decipher what the words actually said. But it seemed to be very
aggressive.

When the woman sat down, took a bite of her pizza and looked at the others saying, “Like that?”

The others looked stunned. T’Mur, however, was more curious than shocked. “I’m uncertain
that was exactly what was expected… Kestral. But it was fascinating. I’m intrigued by the
language and the meaning of the movements. Was it a war chant? Was that Klingon?”

(reply Piripi)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1540)

She finishes, standing up and staring at the table. Moments later, she sits back down and takes
a bit of her pizza, “Like that?”

The second officer spoke up “I’m uncertain that was exactly what was expected… Kestral. But it
was fascinating. I’m intrigued by the language and the meaning of the movements. Was it a war
chant? Was that Klingon?”

Trei slammed her glass on the table, "jup ma'oy' SuvwI'lI' vIneH. May the warrior spirit guide
you"
Pihi finshed chewing her pizza. “Thank you. It was in the tradition of the Haka of my people,
but was in Klingon, a dialect of it at least. Taught to my great-great grandfather after the Klingon
war of 2257.” She took a sip of water and continued.

“Roughly translated it is: We stand ready to face the enemy. Prepare! Victory is ours! We
welcome you.”

“While the mandate is not to talk about work, I am new here. What can you tell me about life on
the ship?” Pihi said before she took another bite of pizza.

(Reply Solice, Trei, T’Mur, Verin)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- SPA LT Ariel Trei - 1541)

Kestral asked what life was like on the Illuminar. Ariel was happy to tell her about it but she
really didn't get out much. Perhaps she can help Kestral improve her athleticism .. She kept up
with her gymnastics and cheerleading skills in the gym. She like to go to the Prancing Pony.
She needed to develop a hobby but didn't really know what that could be. She can talk to
Temas in exploring her Betazoid abilities. That will come in time. Right now she needed an
answer for Ketstral.

"I keep up with my gymnastic and cheerleading skills in the gym. I like to go to the Prancing
Pony to eat and socialize. I am interested in flying a shuttle. That can be useful in certain
situations."

(Reply Kestral, Any)
(Posted by Edward)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice - 1543)

Quinna sat quietly with the group. She had taken more of a passive stance to the evening.
When Piripi had returned to the table from singing, Quinna was all smiles. She told her new
friend that she was amazing. Ariel then had a few words and then Quinna watched the
conversation between the two. It was like watching a tennis match. Back and forth and Back
and forth.

Piripa asked about life on the ship. Ariel was freely offering her insights on what to do. Quinna
smiled but when Ariel stopped things grew quiet at the table. Quinn took a drink of water. “It is
home.” Quinna started. She looked up at everyone. “The Illuminar is home. Well, it is for me.
People have formed families.” Quinna said as she looked at T’Mur and Sienna and thought
about the family bond they had with Captain Sekal. “People make lasting impressions on your
life that you can miss quickly,” And Quinna thought about Dieter. “We are a ship that functions
well, as friends, and family, and if you are feeling alone,” Which Quinna has been feeling a lot
lately but did not express those feelings among her friends in words or thoughts, “then someone
will be around the corner.” She smiled. “Ok so am I sappy enough for the night?”

(Reply T’Mur, Piripi, Verin, Any others around that want to join in)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander T’Mur -
1544)

T’Mur looked at Quinna inquisitively. She reached out and touched her friend then rubbed her
fingers together. She looked perplexed.

“I must have misinterpreted the word sappy,” T’mur said as if lost in thought. “I would have
expected you to be a little more sticky if you were sappy.”

(reply Quinna)

She watched as the pizza slowly disappeared, and she took another bite from her fruit dish. A
sight caught her eye. It was shadowy figure in the back of the lounge. He was talking with the
bartender. And exchange happened and the figure handed the bartender something. It was an
exchange that might have gone unnoticed by most.

A nudge from Sienna brought her mind back to the party. She was getting anxious to get the
karaoke bar.

“Perhaps it would good to start moving this party to the karaoke bar?” T’Mur suggested,
standing up.

(reply any)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Tavern - 3O/CCMO- Commander Quinna Solice
- 1545)

“I must have misinterpreted the word sappy,” T’Mur said as if lost in thought. “I would have
expected you to be a little more sticky if you were sappy.”

Quinna stifled a giggle. “T’Mur, I am more of a metaphorical sticky than an actually sticky.”
Quinna answered, “How ever I can get some sap and pour it on me if you really want me sticky.”

Quinna could not resist. She looked around the bar and was secretly noticing the movements
that Ariel had been speaking about earlier.

“Perhaps it would good to start moving this party to the karaoke bar?” T’Mur suggested,
standing up.

Quinna nodded, “Sure thing.” Quinna started. Something caught her eye, “Why don’t you all go
ahead and I will catch up with you soon.”

(Reply Any)

“I just have something I need to do real quick.” Quinna added.

(Reply any)
(Posted by Kris B.)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - Th Rusty Gold Lounge - 2O/CSec/Tac Lt. Commander
T’Mur - 1546)

“T’Mur, I am more of a metaphorical sticky than an actually sticky,” Quinna said. “However I can
get some sap and pour it on me if you really want me sticky.”

T’Mur shook her head, “I do not believe that is necessary, Quinna. “It’s not that I desire you to
be sticky. But I comprehend your statement was figurative rather than literal. But I appreciate
your offer, it is not required.”

Quinna then agreed it was time to leave but remained behind as the others left. That left T’Mur
curious are to what she was up to. Pihi also opted to not join them. She thought that odd. Often
junior officers are chomping at the bit to spend time with the senior command crew, if for no
other reason, to have those officers know their name. Perhaps she had no desire to curry such
favor. Perhaps their entertainment was too mundane and she would rather drink heavily than
interact with others. Was this something that she should be concerned about? They were, after
all, on shore leave.

Sienna’s insistence to leave took the Vulcan’s attention and the remaining trio headed out the
door.

(reply none)
(posted by Al Muir)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - The Rusty Gold Lounge - FO - Commander Sienna Verin
- 1548)

Sienna was giggling over T'Mur and Quinna's bantering. This was how it had been on Mars,
before Weston came to the Illuminar and endangered Quinna, earning Sienna's rancor. But Sy
had to admit that while she still wanted to push Weston out of the nearest airlock and she wasn't
sure that she could ever trust the man - he was a spook after all - still she had to admit that
Weton cared about Quinna. Reaching over she grabbed a slice of the pepperoni pizza.
Kestral asked about the Illuminar, and Sy's grin widened. "She's a beautiful ship. I helped build
her and did the space trials for her before the Captain took command officially. There were
several reasons at the time, although it was unusual for a Lieutenant to be given such a
position." She took another bite of the pizza, "Plus the Illuminar was designed for the pleasure of
one of our crew members. One thing you'll notice very quickly is that the Illuminar has an overly
large arboretum...and roses everywhere. There are roses, or their equivalents, at every turbolift.
Ensign Winters in science has charge of them, since I can't care for them as well as I like. Miss
Winters is," Sy took another bite, "Is acceptable for such duties." Sy waved her free hand a
moment with a laugh. "The ship has a few secrets that will be revealed once shore leave is
over." Sy grinned as T'Mur grabbed her attention, mentioning that they were headed to the
karaoke bar.

Kestral had no interest in hanging with the rest of the command team, which shocked Sy. Junior
officers tended to want to get to know the officers who their careers depended on. Sy didn't
know much about the indigenous tribes of Earth, her upbringing in Texas and San Francisco
didn't lend towards that. She would need to do some research, especially after the
klingon-esque dance that Sy was positive had to do with war. Not for the first time, she
wondered what Kestral and Tempest meeting was going to be like. It would be fine, otherwise
Luma would be pleased to make use of the time out shuttle. A frown, as Sy realized that she
hadn't put the order in for that particular shuttle to be returned.

::Luma?:: Sy put a bit of projection behind her mental 'voice' to reach the spirit of the ship.

::Our Sienna! There will be music!:: Luma replied brightly.

::Indeed, do you want an open sound link or for Temas to join us so you can listen directly?::

::Our Temas is not occupied, Luma will send our Temas to our Sienna.::

::T'Mur has a surprise for me, and I believe she plans to sing it tonight.::

The squeal of utter delight from Luma resounded through Sienna to T'Mur and Sy grinned as
T'Mur walked with her towards the karaoke bar. Ariel Trei had scampered off ahead, always
pleased to add to the musical entertainments of the ship. And Sienna admitted, Trei had been in
competition with all of them since the Academy, which was klingon nature, if not betazoid.

Sy brushed her fngers along T'Mur's arm as they strolled along, leaving Quinna and Kestral. For
the moment the two were alone and Sienna tugged on T'Mur's hand and pulled her to the side,
staring deep into her vulcan mate's eyes.

::You are brighter than the stars, and eclipse the sun. You are the light that guides me, my love,
she who is my mate. You are the reason I wake up, even when I don't wish to. You complete
me.::

(reply temas, iyw, T'Mur, Trei, Kestral, Quinna, any)
(posted by Mel)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi -- 1550)

Pihi watched as the commander stood up, “Perhaps it would good to start moving this party to
the karaoke bar?”

The doctor responded, “Sure thing.” The woman paused, “Why don’t you all go ahead and I will
catch up with you soon.”

Pihi looked at the remains of the pizza. At least the food helped her alcohol consumption.
Standing up, she grabbed the bottle. “Thanks all, but I don’t do karaoke,” she said. “Thanks for
the pizza, and the drink,” she raised the bottle.

Taking her leave, she ran to catch up with Quinna, “So Doc, where are you going?”

(Reply Solice, Trei, T’Mur, Verin)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Rusty Gold Tavern -- CMO -- Commander Quinna Solice -- 1555)


Quinna started to move in the opposite direction of the group but was quickly stopped by Ensign
Piripi. Quinna jumped as she did not expect the helms officer to stop her.
.
“So Doc, where are you going?”

Quinna took a deep breath and smiled. She worked on lowering that heart rate again, “I thought
I saw someone from my past.”

(Reply Piripi)

Suddenly an arm grabbed Quinna and spun her around. There a man planted his lips on her
and he pulled her tight. He then squeezed her in the tightest bear hug. “Oh, Q-Cup. I thought it
was you.”

“Ah…, um Brainly, It has been a moment or two,” Quinna replied but stammered. And took a
step back to regain her composure. His reaction was definitely unexpected.

“Yeah, it has.”

Quinna then turned remembering she was not alone. “Piripi, this is Bradley Mendez. He was
the smarted student in my classes in med school.” Quinna turned to Bradley, “And this is my
friend, Kestral Piripi.”

“A pleasure,” Bradley offered a hand in greeting.

(Reply Piripi)

Bradley turned back to Quinna, “Say Q-Cup, are you going to be on DS4 long? I would like to
have dinner and catch up. I have to talk to you.”

“I would like that, but tonight, I am out with friends,” Quinna said as Bradley looked at Piripi.

(Reply Piripi)

“Well, what about tomorrow?” Bradley said.

“Perfect,” Quinna said.

Bradley turned and headed away.

(Reply Piripi)

“He seemed off,” Quinna commented.

(Reply Piripi)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4- corridor - Pihi “Kestral” Piripi – 1556)

“I thought I saw someone from my past,” Quinna said.

Pihi processed the changes in the doctor. She was not quite telling the truth, but it wasn’t an
outright lie either.
“Oh,” Pihi said. “Then I’ll leave you to your secret rendezvous and head down to the Hard
Deck,” the pilot replied.

An arm grappled the doctor, and before Pihi could react, there was a man kissing her and
wrapping her in a bear hug.

“Oh, Q-Cup. I thought it was you.”

Q-Cup, Pihi thought. She’d need to get that story out of the doctor. Or maybe this fellow.

“Ah…, um Brainly, It has been a moment or two,”

"Yeah, it has.”

“Piripi, this is Bradley Mendez. He was the smarted student in my classes in med school. And
this is my friend, Kestral Piripi.”

Piri looked at the man again, sizing him up. She didn’t know the doctor that well. At all really,
other than her

“A pleasure,” the man said extending his hand.

Pihi took the offered hand. “A pleasure to meet you Doctor Mendez,” she replied.

“Say Q-Cup, are you going to be on DS4 long? I would like to have dinner and catch up. I have
to talk to you,” Mendez said.

“I would like that, but tonight, I am out with friends,” Quinna replied.

Pihi nodded, “She’s showing me the sites,” the pilot said.

“Well, what about tomorrow?” Bradley said.

“Perfect,” Quinna said.

"It’s a date,” the woman added.

Bradley turned and headed away.

Pihi watched as the man left them.

“He seemed off,” Quinna commented.

“He was not telling the whole truth,” Pihi said.

“So Doctor, where are we going now?”

(Reply Solice)
(Posted by Pippa)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
(DS4 -- Promenade -- CMO Commander Quinna Solice -- 1557)

“He seemed off,” Quinna commented.

“He was not telling the whole truth,” Pihi said.

Quinna turned at looked back in the direction that Bradley went, but he was already out of sight.
Quinna turned back. Too many ghosts from her past showed up in the past year. Bradley and
Quinna were never a thing. She could not figure out why he embraced her and planted a very
passionate kiss on her. She was going to find out though.

“So Doctor, where are we going now?”

“Well, my friend, Back to the others.” Quinna looked around and found a computer terminal.

(Reply Piripi IYW)

Using the manual interface, Quinna pulled up the map to find the Karaoke Bar. “Come on, let's
go.”

The two walked slowly to the karaoke bar. Something caught Quinna’s peripheral vision. She
turned but what she thought she saw was not there. She did have that creepy feeling that they
were being followed.

(Deep Space 4 - Promenade Level - Gurvek’s Karaoke Bar -CMO Commander Quinna Solice -
1625)

The two entered the Karaoke bar. To Quinna, it seemed a bit retro, but the atmosphere was
appropriate. She saw Ariel go up on stage. But she heard Sienna at a table. There she was
able to find where she needed to be.

Sy called out, "Ariel! Go girl!"

Quinna approached. She saw an empty seat at the table that was in the corner. Quinna
wedged herself in there. “Hope I did not miss much.”

(Reply Verin, T’Mur, Piripi)

“Leave it to our Ariel to be first on stage.” Quinna smiled looking at the Betazed Klingon. “She
really does enjoy life,” Quinna added.

(Reply Verin, T’Mur, Piripi)
(Posted by Kris B)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
End Compile