EXETERRPG: (1, 10:05) ACTEO, Lt. JG Cade Blackewll and ACSO Ensign Senior Grade Adala Michaels - 10:05

[Will Banowsky]

Mission: Auld Lang Syne
Day:01
Stardate: 2445.12.28

(Risa– Airspace over Suraya Bay, - ACTEO, Lt. JG Cade Blackewll and  ACSO
Ensign Senior Grade Adala Michaels - 10:05)

"Let's do this."

“Have you ever done this before?” Cade asked as he grabbed his helmet.

Adala laughed and shook her head before fastening her own helmet. “This is
a first for me. I needed to see if I get the same rush as I get from my
rock climbing.”

“Could be a long way to the bottom or fast, depending on how things go.”

“That’s what makes it so much fun. The unknown factor.”

“Could be dangerous. But then again, isn’t that your modus operandi?”


Adala thought ~Hell yes~

“Of course it is. If I am going to live I am going to live on the edge and
try to enjoy it along the way.”

“Looks like we’re over the jump zone. Do you want to go first?”

“Ladies first?” she laughed as she stood, back to the doorway, gave Cade a
mock salute and allowed herself to fall out of the doorway with a yell.

~I can’t wait to be on the ground.~ Cade thought to himself as he readied
himself by the door way. “Allons-y!” He said as he jumped from the rear
door of the shuttle and then let the currents take him as he flowed over
towards Adala.

“So why did I suggest this as an activity again?” He said to her over their
helmets comm system. “I feel like I’m gonna die.””

Adala bit back a laugh at his words in her helmet. “You’ll be fine…. Oh and
I am not sure why you suggested this? Pushing the envelope? Wanting to see
why I enjoy things like this?”

She grew silent as she took time to enjoy the view.

"I guess. This better not be like your scuba diving holo program where I
was almost eaten by a shark."

“That was a holographic shark. It wouldn’t have hurt you.”
She laughed as she remembered the look on his face.

Cade then spread his arms and legs allowing the wind to get underneath the
wing folds attached to his arms and legs and much like a flying squirrel
began to glide over to Adala.

"I guess I knew you were gonna do it and this way I can make sure you don't
get killed."

Adala glided along beside Cade, moving her arms and legs slightly so they
‘just touched’

“How are you going to keep me from getting killed if you’re up here with
me?” She glanced over at him and winked.

“Catch me if you can”

With a small shift of her arms and legs her body dove downwards, her cry of
exhilaration following.

“You forgot about simple physics Addie.” Cade said with a smile as he
positioned himself to follow her down.

“Only means I will land on you and squish you.” came her reply

“Simple gravitational acceleration. I’m heavier, with greater mass,
therefore I will have a greater rate of acceleration.” He then turned and
waved at her as he passed her.

She laughed as he passed, she shifted her body once more and deepened the
dive, following him.

“This is beautiful” she said as she took in the view once more. Her heart
beating hard in her ears. This is what she lived for.

“I mean I guess. But I think I’ll be much happier when my feet are on the
ground.”

She shook her head as she moved to his side once more, allowing their
fingers to touch as she glanced over at him.

“You know what sounds great right about now?”

“What’s that?” she asked

“Ice cream.”

Laughing at his response. “What flavor?”

“Oh, I dunno. Cookies and cream. Or a peppermint. Or rainbow sherbet, which
isn’t ice cream, but still delicious. Or, what about butter becan. Or I
could just get a Piña colada. Its cold, sweet, blended, and has alcohol.”

“I’ll take the Piña colada.”

He felt her fingers and thought about taking her hand, but he didn’t want
to mess up their free fall.

“That’s if I don’t throw up first.”

“I wouldn’t suggest that.” she laughed as she relaxed and enjoyed the rush,
the physical rush, the  pressure of the air flowing over her, the freedom
she felt.

“Relax and enjoy this.”

“I am relaxed. It’s my stomach thats not relaxed.” He said with a chuckle.
I think we’re 100 meters from the landing zone. Should reach the target
zone. Your HUD display should give you a path. Don’t want to miss the
target.”

“Don’t worry I won’t miss it.” Her attention now on the job at hand.  ..
landing safely.

“Closest to the middle wins?”

“You’re on.” With a slight shift of her body she moved into position for
the final descent.

“So,” he said as he began to slow his descent while she moved forward. “Are
you staying on ship or at one of the resorts?”

As Adala was moving faster, Cade was hoping that a slower descent would
allow him to have a better shot at landing at the middle, and not losing
his breakfast.

Adala shifted her body slightly “I’m staying on Risa. What about you?” As
much as she enjoyed the ship this was vacation … wasn’t it? She thought.

“Ship. I uh never got around to booking a hut, or room, or bungalow, or
what have you. Plus I’m 6’5”, sometimes hotels don't have a bed long enough
and its awkward trying to sleep. Plus, my bed on the Exeter is super comfy.”

For a brief moment the vision of him laying on one of the ‘short’ beds at
the hotel made her smile. She kept her thoughts to herself though as she
turned her focus on her dive.

“Be careful, you’re going in hot and you’ll be at the landing zone in less
than a minute.”

“I’m ok.” she said as she shifted, one last time to slow her descent and
get into position for the landing.

Cade was still a little bit behind, going in as slow as possible. According
to his HUD display, he was going to land in a perfect bullseye in
approximately 30 seconds.

“Alright Addie, show me what you’re made of.”

Adala  watched her display and slowed, she’d land, a second or two behind
him and off center. She didn’t care, the fun part was coming to an end. The
dive itself. But Cade was right, feeling the planet beneath her feet would
be welcome too.

Within moments Cade landed in the center and began jumping like he had won
the superbowl. “Take that daredevil girl.”

Adala had just one second to shift and her body collided with his, causing
them both to fall to the ground. She landed on top of him. She laughed as
she pushed herself up to gaze down at him.

“Nice catch.”

“I’ll always be around to catch you Addie.” He said with a smile as he
propped her up. “Sorry that sounded awkward.”

Adala laughed and got to her feet.

Cade then took off his helmet and smiled. “That was fun, but I think I’m
gonna stay  on the ground for a bit.”

She removed her helmet and shook out her hair “That was a blast” It amazed
her how alive she felt after things like this dive. Each one made her
appreciate life and those who she kept close, and wanted closer, she
thought as her gaze fell on Cade.

“So...ummm...what now?”

Adala shook her head. “How about that ice cream?”

“I think there is a stand up a head.” Cade handed his helmet to the
attendant and then took of the glide suit. Underneath he was wearing an
unbuttoned hawaiin shirt, some board shorts, no shoes. It was evident by
his attire that Cade never missed a work out. “I hope they have waffle
cones.”

Adala slipped out of her own glide suit, her attire a pair of short shorts
and a tank top. She also had no shoes. “Who’s buying?” she asked as she
moved to his side. She gave him a once over and before he knew what was
happening she kissed him.

Catching her once again as the 5’2” jumped into the arms of the 6’5” Cade
to kiss him, he kissed her back. “Umm, that was unexpected.” He said with a
smile.

“Is that a complaint?” she asked as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“No just a surprise.” he said. “Though I’ve been wondering when and if
you’d get the hint.”

She pulled back to gaze into his eyes. “I’m not that dense.”

“I’ve liked you since we hung out on Deep Space Nine together. But I was
never sure if you liked me back, or you just needed someone to do crazy
things with and I didn’t want to risk our friendship.”

“You are exactly what I want, what I need. I may be crazy, do crazy things,
risk my life at the drop of a hat. But you  keep me grounded and make me
happy.”

It felt good to finally get her feelings, her thoughts out.

“Well then,maybe I need to rethink my lodging for the week, now that I have
a reason to stick around on the planet.”

Adala laughed. “I am sure they can find an extra long bed for you.”

“So how bout we get some ice cream and then maybe tonight, you and I go on
a proper date?”

“I like the sound of that.” the smile on her face, the thudding of her
heart in her chest now not from the thrill of anything but the new unknown
that was before her.

(reply none)
(posted by Will and Kathleen)
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