Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Morianni Residence - SPC Jennah Winters-Dark - 1600) Jennah had spent the last couple of hours storming around the house, pouting, screaming and throwing a tantrum - all of which was quite unlike her. Her grandmother was getting absolutely fed up with it. Finally Kera stopped Jennah by just locking onto her telepathy. ::THAT IS ENOUGH, JENNAH!:: Kera blasted into Jennah's mind. ::You've made your point crystal clear to the entire neighborhood, if not the entire city.:: her grandmother finished, frowning down at her. ::You might not be Vanyssa's biological daughter, but you DO carry her name, and hence mine, so you will act the way you are supposed to.:: Her grandmother finished. Jennah's dark eyes were round as she stared at her grandmother in fear. "And that is enough of that too." Kera finished up, handing the baby to the Governess that she had just hired to look after the girls. "Why don't you want to come live with me?" She asked, hunkering down to Jennah's level and employing the Betazoid ability of misdirection. "I..I..I don't know. I want to be with Mum. " Jennah spoke, breaking into tears. "I like the Nimitz, I don't want to live on a planet!" She spoke, bawling. Suddenly warm arms were wrapped around her, and calming emotions were projected in her direction. ::Shhh, little one...it'll be ok.:: Her grandmother spoke, calming her with caresses. Then her grandmother pulled away. ::Your Mum is going camping with her people, would you like to go? Just you, not me and not the baby?:: Jennah's enthusiastic response was all that was needed. Kera got up and began to make the arrangements for Jennah to go play with her friends while her Mum was still on Betazed.... afterwards...there would be plenty of time for her to adjust. (reply any, none) (pb Melinda :-) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - SPC Schoolteacher Katie Troi - 19:27) Katie blinked when Simbel kissed her, and she backed off afterwards, shock going through her. "Wow." She spoke, feeling like a teenager. Not even her very brief fling with Nishi had felt like this. Sure it had been nice, but it hadn't hit her like this. "That was incredible." She spoke, then dived into the water to come up behind him and wrap her arms around him. :: Can you hear me? :: She asked, switching to telepathic speech and wondering. He seemed to communicate in pure thought and emotion, not words. (reply Simbel) Katie turned as she felt a shaft of pure emotion rock her and fell to her knees in the water, her head going under for a second as Simbel caught her. "Did you feel that?" She asked him, confused. (reply Simbel) Who was it? It couldn't've been Vanyssa, could it? Katie looked around for Vanyssa, but didn't see her anywhere. Whatever it was had stopped, so she shook her head and smiled up at Simbel. "How about heading back to shore and seeing what's available to eat?" She giggled as he hugged her. (reply Simbel, any) (pb melinda :-) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - ACONN Ensign(jg) Simbel Asuro - 19:27) "Wow." Simbel heard Katie say and he felt her body respond to him before she took a step back. "That was incredible." She responded, then she dove into the water. He felt her come up behind him to wrap her arms around him. :: Can you hear me? :: He heard her in his mind as his Betazed teachers taught him. He might be able to hear her in speech, but, he could only respond to her in pure thought and or emotion. He sent her the thought of one answering when one was talked to. "I hear you" He replied as he looked at her. He watched as she suddenly turned as they both shaft of pure emotion. As he was use to pure thought and therefore emotion, it did not rock him like it did Katie. He watched as she started falling to her knees in the water, her head going under as he reached down to bring her back up out. "Did you feel that?" She asked Looking at her, "I am a race that talks by pure thought and in such we inherently have times when we send emotional thoughts. Anger the most often unfortunately as with your sister." He paused for a second. "One good thing is that it was not aimed at any one person, just about one person." "How about heading back to shore and seeing what's available to eat?" She giggled. "That would be a good Idea, as I have not had anything to eat in a while." He said as he hugged her then they both ran/swam back. (Reply Katie, any) (posted by frank) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - ACOUNS Ensign Lorenzo Salahali - 1948) "Lets form up. Kestra, why don't you be Captain of the other team?" Vanyssa laughed with a smile. Which team am I on?"  Lorenzo  asked, feeling the urge to stop any fights brewing. He sensed tension between Kestra and Vanyssa, but tried to stay out of it. Despite Vanyssa's probable...jealousy, was it? He didn't know, but decided it was  Kestra looked as if she really did not mind what Vanyssa had up her sleeve. Lorenzo relaxed. At least everyone was being civilised. ::No offence, but how could you put up with this?:: said Lorenzo Telepathically. (Reply Kestra) Lorenzo sighed. It seemed these two had been inseparable friends at one point. What had made them part ways? His chain of thought was broken by Kestra, probably eager to stop this conversation. "You can be on my team, if you want, counselor. Anyone else want to be on a team with me?" She asked waiting for any takers which seemed would be very few. "Sounds good." Lorenzo replied. He looked around. "Hey! Everybody! Play for this team and the drinks are on me!" he said. ~Hopefully that'll get some attention~ (Reply Kestra, any who are going to play volleyball) (Posted by Adam) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - OPS Ensign Kateb - 1950) Onyx was looking at both Kestra and Vanyssa, she couldn't believe that they were at it again. ~No one is grown up about relationship I guess! True that it takes a lot to trust.~ She thought smiling sadly. Then, has she went to her tent, picked up a towel to dry herself she heard Vanyssa say. "Lets form up teams for some good beach volleyball! I call Sash and Nishi on my team!" She cried, laughing out loud as she held the ball a bit possessively. "Kestra, why don't you be Captain of the other team?" Vanyssa laughed with a smile. Onyx through her towel inside her tent and walk up to Vanyssa. “Considering who you picked. I think I will go with Kestra.” (Reply from anyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed, Near Campground, CEO, Lt(sg) Zzt, 1950) Unlike most of the others, Zzt had not beamed down right to the camp site. Instead he had beamed down several miles away. Zzt loved the deep woods. It was almost like being home again. He had shed his clothing and walked like his people had done for millennium, naked. When you were covered from ear tips to paws in a thick coat of fur clothes really served no purpose. Zzt had brought nothing with him but a large sack. A sack now half full of nuts, berries and sweet wood bark that he had scrounged up in his trek through the rich wood land. Zzt breathed deeply of the crisp mountain air taking in the myriad scents in the air. Having no problem determining the direction of the camp site. The crews scent was heavy in the air. Even at this distance, Zzt could hear their voices carrying on the air. Zzt stopped as he picked up another scent on the air. ~Cubs. They brought their cubs with them.~ Zzt hadn't expected them to bring their cubs out into the open like this. Despite the seeming serenity of the deep woods there were still predatory animals about and to put ones cubs at undo risk seemed foolish to Zzt. Zzt realized that most predatory animals would probably flee from the scent of two legs in the area, but that was never a guarantee. Sometimes hunger, or illness would override the predators instincts. These were his clan mates now. Their cubs were like his own and he would not stand by when they might be at potential risk. Slinging his sack over his shoulder, Zzt moved to sweep the campsites perimeter to make sure there were indeed no large predatory animals stalking his clan mates young. (Reply Any) (Posted by Wes) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - CO - Captain Devan Sash- 1951) Sash stepped onto the volleyball court. It had been a while since he played, and he wasn't to sure about this. After all, he was 60 years old. Even if his body aged slowly, he still sometimes felt every year of his true age. He began warming up his body and stretching preparing for what would be a most interesting game. Kestra had several crew members come to her side. Mosty they were the new crew members. He wasn't sure if they were there to defend the Counselor or to play against their new captain, and check him out. Sash decided he was going to give them something to think about. With the teams set up the game began. Vanyssa's team got first service, and Sash motioned for her to take the lead and be the first server. The ball went over the net and came back quickly but lazily. With an evil grin Sash took a couple of steps, and leaped high in the air, spiking the ball down. The ball struck Ensign Tannasg in the head and bounced out. Tannasg fell to theground, stunned. Sash smiled pleasantly at Ensign Salahari, who was staring at him, and shrugged his shoulders. He didn't even look to see what look was returned to him. It was time to see what his new crewmen were made of. (reply anyone playing volleyball) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - OPS Ensign Kateb - 1952) Onyx saw the move of the captain and wasn't happy one bit, actually that move made her loose her sense of humor completely. She walk up to Ensign Salahari and ask because no one was aking not even the Captain. In her mind, it wasn't something to be done on leisure time. “Are you ok?” (Reply from Salahari) “Be careful!” She smile to him but gave a look to Sash. Onyx gave a look at Kestra saying no and help the officer get to his feet. “Let's get back to it then!” She had half a mind to leave this game but decided to go in front. It was still Vanyssa's team to serve. Onyx stood ready and it was Sash serving to do it again, just has he the ball cross over fast, Onyx jump and hit it with hard steep angle to make it hit the ground. The point counted. One to one now but Onyx remain silent. (Reply from anyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - CO- Captain Devan Sash- 1953) Sash didn't look back when he heard Kateb tell her team mate to be careful. He smiled to himself. The spike may not have made him the most popular personin the universe, but it was bringing those people together. Besides, a little healthy competition was fun. He turned around to see the stunned Tannasg stagger back to hisfeet. He stepped to the side of the court and sat down, shaking his head. NRPG: Forgive me for using your character a little here Maik, but since you're a little busy I thought I'd take a little liscense. RPG: The ball rolled back to Sash's feet and he tossed it back to Vanyssa. The serve went over. Kateb took a huge leap and hit the ball straight down to the ground. Sahs took a dive for it, but to no avail. The service changed sides. Now it was Kestra's team to serve. Sash was curious who would be the first to serve. (reply anyone on Kestra's team who wants to serve) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed, Near Campground, CEO, Lt(sg) Zzt, 1955) Zzt had tied his large bag up high in a nearby tree so that he could move freely without anything weighing him down. He had been carefully and cautiously moving along the perimeter of the campsite, being careful to remain upwind of the camp and anyone or anything that might be stalking the camp. As he moved he would catch glimpses of the camp from time to time. He could see that they were playing some strange game evolving a low net and a ball that they hit back and forth to each other. Zzt didn't know what it was they were playing, but it didn't look all that hard, or that much fun. Movement along the outskirts of the camp caught Zzt's attention. He looked to see a small cub carrying what appeared to be a younger smaller cub running away from the camp and into the woods. All the adults seemed to have their attention on the game and no one had noticed the cubs leaving the camp site. ~Where are the little ones going?~ Zzt moved off quickly heading to intercept the fleeing cubs. As he got closer he easily identified the cubs by their scent. The older one was Commander Winters daughter and the smaller one was Commander Nakamura's newborn cub. Zzt frowned. ~They should not be out here alone.~ Another scent was also on the air, one that made Zzt's blood suddenly run cold. ~A predator!~ Zzt started to run toward the cubs, who were still running away from the camp, unaware that they were being stalked. Zzt was closing the distance between him and the cubs quickly, but he didn't know if he would be in time. He heard one of the cubs scream in terror followed by a roar. The cubs were cornered, cut off from the camp. Zzt charged ahead, no longer trying to be quite. He roared loudly and charged through the under brush. He charged out between the cubs and a large feline predator nearly his equal in mass and size. It roared at Zzt, trying to chase him off from it's intended prey. Zzt growled, and returned the roar with one of his own, before charging the beast. The two met in a flurry of claws and fangs. Nearby the two cubs screamed and wailed. Fur flew and blood flowed as claws ripped and fangs tore. Zzt was no mere best though, he knew how to fight and how to hunt. No one survived long on his world if they didn't. Though the fight was intense, Zzt soon had the upper hand. Ignoring the pain from the wounds the beast had inflicted on him, Zzt grabbed the beast throat with one paw and it's groin with the other. With a might heave of his powerful legs, Zzt lifted the beast off the ground and over his head. Then with a roar he threw the beast against a tree, with a loud THUD! The beast whimpered and tried to crawl away. Zzt moved over picking up a large branch. "You not eat these cubs!" He growled, before hitting the beast with the branch a few times to sped it on it's retreat. Looking around he saw the others had arrived and stood staring at Zzt and the cubs. "Cubs run off. Not safe for cubs wonder alone. Zzt follow," He said, looking at the cubs and then their parents. (Reply Winters, Nishi, Any) (Posted by Wes) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - ACMO- Lt. Kestra Troi - 1958) Kestra watched with a bit of concern as Tannasg had sat down after the ball had hit him in the face. She knew that the captain had not really wanted to hurt him, it was just a part of the game. People get hit while playing this type of game, usually not getting more than stunned from it. After a short bit, Tannasg staggered to his feet only to move off the court to sit back down. Another crew member took his place and the game was back on. Vanyssa served once again and in the insueing back and forth hitting of the ball, Onyx was able to win the battle. She jumped up just a bit before the others did and spiked the ball back to the other side. She watched as Sash tried to get under it by diving but was a little late. Now it was her teams turn to try and gather a point. She took the ball as it was passed to her and she walked to the line where the server stood. She had never really been very good at this game, but, it seemed to be making people relax. She decided that she was going to try her hand at it once more. Chucking the ball up and down in her hands as she watched her and Vanyssa's team adjust to the new setup. Then she chucked the ball up a little higher and swung at it with all the force she could muster hoping it would go in the right direction. Just as she was about to hit the ball she realized that she had thrown the ball up so one side but it was already too late to stop as she was about to hit it. When she hit it, a bit late at that, the ball did not head to the other side of the Net, but, in a totally different direction. She put her hands to her face to hide the horror of what she had just done. She had managed to deliver a good deal of force to the ball and as it left her arm, it headed directly for the camp fire that was so neatly constructed. As it hit the fire, the fire scattered embers in every direction. Kestra turned away from the fire and started to laugh, but, was more from embarrassment than from it being funny. (Reply from any) (posted by Frank) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - OPS Ensign Kateb - 1959) It was still Vanyssa's team to serve. Onyx stood ready and it was Sash serving to do it again, just has he the ball cross over fast, Onyx jump and hit it with hard steep angle to make it hit the ground. The point counted. One to one now but Onyx remain silent. It permitted them to have the serve now. Onyx look around, and Kestra went with the ball behind the line to do the serve. Has for herself, Onyx was beside the net... waiting. Suddenly, she heard everyone gasp, has she turn to look she saw the ball going into a high curve and falling endlesly to the fire camp. Onyx ran toward it, picking up a branch she hit the ball before it explode. The flying ambers were extinguish quickly. When she went to pick the ball, it was too late, it was unusable. “I guess the game is over.” She through the ball toward Sash, starting to laugh. “I have diner to prepare now.” Then she heard a voice, it was Orkney. "I'm well a head of you... just caugh a couple of big fishs to eat also what I think is a lobster." (Reply from anyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - CO- Captain Devan Sash- 2000) Sash looked down at the ash covered ball in hand with dismay. Things had just started to get going. He looked from the ball to the others who were already starting to mill about and find other things to do. he thought about calling up to the ship to have them beam down another ball when he heard a scream which was soon followed by a roar. Sash turned his head to the woods and narrowed his eyes. There was another scream, this time coming from the camp. It was Elloise Ferenc. Then he noticed that their son was missing. Then he noticed Katie Troi who also appeared to be looking for someone. Sash turned and ran in the direction of the scream and roar. Nishi was hot on his heals with several other crew members behind. As he reached a clearing he heard the sounds of a struggle and two sets of roars. There was a craching and thudding as if someone were being thrown against trees. Then Sash came to a halt, watching something he wished that the children hadn't seen. There was a 10 foot monster, that Sashed recognized to be a completely naked Zzt. He was holding another creature over his head, holding on by the neck and crotch. The sight made Sash wince in empathy. Zzt threw the beast against a tree and then proceeded to beat it with a branch. The creature managed to limp away, bleeding and injured, but lucky to be alive still. When Zzt turned around Sash could see the injuries he had incurred in the fight. Blood was oozing from a gash across his chest. Zzt looked at the growing crowd. "Cubs run off. Not safe for cubs wonder alone. Zzt follow," He said, looking at the kids and then their parents. Several adults rushed over to the wailing children. Sash went over to his Chief engineer. "Are you all right?" (reply Zzt) Then Sash stammered a little over a sensitive way to make his next comment. "Why don't you ... find your uniform and ummm... put it on, and then you can join us the camp." (reply Zzt) "By the way,"Sash said, as he walked away, "nice save." (reply Zzt, anyone else there) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - SC- Lt. Cmdr. Nakamura- 2000) "Well, I guess that's the end of that" he commented as they stood there admiring the remains of the volleyball. Growls and cried rang out through, shattering the peace of the lazy evening, they were sounds that told something deep inside Nishi, that he should flee, wild savage sounds. Maybe it was the security chief in him, maybe not, Nishi's eyes scanned the beach, a quick roll call, the crew were scattered through the camp site, relaxing in their own ways, something caught his attention, Klin wading out into the water, the last time he had seen him, he had been playing with Vanyssa's daughter, who he couldn't see anywhere. Somewhere under the violent and savage cries of whatever was out there in the trees, he thought he heard screaming. He was sprinting before he realized that he was going to move, heading for the trees and the noises. If he had have been thinking, maybe he would have armed himself, a stick, or knife, but he wasn't thinking. Sticks and branches tore at him as he ran through the trees, he could hear others running with him. Nishi and the captain burst into a small clearing to find Zzt with some kind of lion in his hands, he lifted the beast and hurled it across the clearing, where it hit a tree. Nishi's eyes fell on the children, Vanyssa's daughter, and in her arms his own son, Nishi's heart nearly stopped when realized how close his son had come to being killed. Zzt scooped up a tree branch and advanced on the creature, and Nishi knew what was about to happen, quickly he bend down and put his arms around the two children, turning their backs to the scene "Don't watch" he said as he did - The sounds the followed were bad enough. "It's alright" he said as sincerely as he could to the frightened child, she didn't seem hurt, nor did Ryuichi. "It's over now." [Reply: Jennah] When the crowd had settled a little, Nishi took the approached Zzt, "Are you alright?" he asked noticing the gashes and fur matted with blood. [Reply: Zzt] Nishi would have clasped the giant beast by the shoulders, but had to settle for his arms "Thank you" [Reply: Zzt] As the group made it's way back to the campsite, Nishi dug his Comm. badge from his pocket. "Nakamura to the Nimitz" =^=Nimitz here, what can we do for you, sir?=^= came the voice of whomever had been given bridge duty while the rest of the crew were on shore leave. "I want a continuos scan of this campsite, let myself and the senior officers know if anything comes near, understood?" =^= Yes, sir =^= (Reply; any) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - CO- Captain Devan Sash- 2200) After the excitement with Zzt, it took a while to get the children settled down. Zzt became an instant hero to all the parents. He thought that Elloise was going to give the big fella a kiss, but she couldn't reach that high, so she just hugged him. The Gerratlian looked quite uncomfortable around all the attention. By the time they all got back to camp food had been prepared and they all ate. The children that had arrived played, more closely watched, until it was too dark. Sash enjoyed the sound of children laughing and playing. It had been too long. He had avoided children for a long time after the death of his own family. It was just too hard. But hearing them now, he realized how much he missed it. He grew quiet and receeded to the back of the group to go into his watchful mode. He observed how they interacted, the friendships that had already existed, and the new ones just beginning. He couldn't help smile as Salahari sat quite close to Katie Troi. Vanyssa fussed and fawned over her own children. Nishi Nakamura and Elloise didn't let their son go very far from them, still obviously shaken up. After a short time he realized how little honor he was giving to his family by keeping himself apart from the others. He thought about a time of sharing and this was as good a time as any. The captain pulled himself into official mode and walked back into the light. Conversations slowly died down as they all realized their captain was looking for their attention. He looked around the circle at each person there. His gaze paused momentarily over Kestra and again over Vanyssa. Then he began to speak. "I'm glad we all had this time together, even if it was filled with its ups and downs." He smiled at Zzt. "It does every commander good to see their crew coming together. I was just thinking about my fmaily ant thought we could do a little sharing. So this is what I suggest: I would like everyone to share some life altering moment of theirs, so I would like you to recall a sad event in your life, and then the happiest event in your life." He gave everyone a warning look, "No cheating now by saying that learning I was your captain as being the happiest event." There were a few chuckles at that. "Since this is my idea, it's only fair that I go first." He took a deep breath and steeled himself for the outpouring of emotion he was trying to fight back. "Many of you don't really know much about me. For instance, did you know I was once married, with a family." Sash paused to look at the children, and fight back the urge to cry at the memory of their loss. "My saddest moment was when my family was taken from me. The war between the Angosian government and the military that had been relocated to a moon penal colony had escalated. Our colony had managed to stay out of the war. My wife had taken our two children to the market. The market was attacked by government troops. My wife and both my children died in the attack." Sash stopped speaking. He could see that the faces of his crew looing at him were in shock. Then he managed a smile. "And my happiest event, was the day I met my wife. It was a beautiful day, after the signing of the armistace of the war that created my kind. She was so beautiful, the sun shining behind her, lighting her up like an angel. She was wearing a beautifulwhite dress to the ceremony. Suddenly she tripped on something and went head first into a fountain. All I remember was the peals of laughter that came from her at the moment she realized that her dress was nearly invisible." He looked around the crowd. "Who couldn't love that kind of humility." Sash's eyes glistened as he faught back his emotions. Suddenly his whole body shuddered and he was backin control. He smiled again and then sat down. "Ok, who's next?" (reply anyone, come on be brave) (posted by Al Muir) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - OPS Ensign Kateb - 2205) Onyx sat against a tree overlooking the water, she was hearing everything that was going on behind her. She listened to his story, revealling a part of himself. It did touch her but when he said "Ok, who's next?" that is when she thought. ~Happy moments... I don't have happy moments, they were all destroyed so completely... they are ashes blown by the wind. Not even this moment makes me feel happy, peaceful yes... calm yes, at rest... yes... happy never have been in a long time at the exception of the momentary relief to be alive. I don't have a family, at the exception of grandparents which I more or less get in touch. My adopted father, gone, murdered. No friend, that one is leaving soon.~ Onyx look at the sky, there was a few birds flying, she decided to make the one that didn't heard and kept looking at the water. Orkney went ahead. “My saddess moment is when I have learned that I couldn't be join with a symbiot, I was about 10 yrs old. I couldn't be like my mother and there's nothing like it. It's like other doors, possibilities open up to you, experiences that in someone's life will never live. On equal ground, is Lt. Kestra Troi leaving, she was a good friend with also Ensign Kateb showing a lot of strengh.” Onyx felt like a big neon sign pointed right at her. ~Strengh?!~ She turn her head slightly has he kept going. “You didn't loose your cool when those doubles were on board the ship, I don't know what the marines thought of you, but you certainly have a cold head on your shoulders.” Onyx got up. “Try to spend 6 months on a klingon warship will do that, I broke a few noses and arms along the way.” She said calmly looking at Orkney and everyone. “I don't have happy moments, my mother died shortly after I was born. My father, he died fifteen yrs later, I barely knew him either, he had sent me to earth to live with my grandparents. Then, I was adopted by Klingon High Councillor G’Rhor, I was more honored then happy, and more we were talking, more I started to open up and let some joy into my life, and at that very moment, he was later murder. Happy moments, I don't have one to remember, they were all destroyed.” Then she stop for a second, there was one, a tiny one. “Well, maybe one, graduation at the academy, we had a party that brought litterally the house down, it lasted 24 hrs and they are still talking about it. I had a blast, with friends that I never saw again since.” Onyx look at everyone. “This moment, here with you brought a little peace, calm and rest into my mind. I don't want to bring down anyone, actually, I wanted to stay silent and not brake the mood that everyone is in.” Despite she didn't want to cry, she knew that a couple of tears were falling. “Now, you will excuse me, I will go get some sleep.” Orkney walk up to her, he felt awfull to have put her into the spot light. She took a step but he was in front of her. “I didn't know all that, I'm sorry.... just know this that you have a friend you can talk to.” He put his hands on her shoulder to make her look at him, he gave her a little smile. “I think that I will not be the only one who will try to make you happy now. You are a catch.” Onyx couldn't help but laugh, that was just too ironic. She dry up her tears. “I'm a catch?! Me... who just said that I can brake arms and noses. I wonder who will agree with you Richard Orkney.” (Reply from anyone) (Posted by Laurence Durand) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - SPC Schoolteacher Katie Troi & FO Commander Vanyssa Winters - 2205) Katie listened to what was happening around her, then she chimed in. "I think my happiest moment was when Vanyssa invited me back aboard a star ship. My leaving Starfleet security ties in with all that - my worst moment was when I was kidnapped, attacked and nearly killed during that away mission. In my nightmares I can still see that mad vulcan holding the knife so close to my face as he chiseled away my skin to hear me scream." She shuddered. "And so I left the fleet, left Starfleet and did something completely different with my life. But I was bored, and it wasn't until Vanyssa brought me aboard.... and the subsequent invasions where I was of some use to my crewmates...where I didn't freeze in the middle of the battle...that proved I wasn't ruined." She looked down at her hands as she began to cry. She felt arms around her and looked back into Asoru's face. Vanyssa went next, after a suitably silent period. "I think my saddest moment was when David was hurt. His death didn't hurt as much as having to break the bond with him when we were on Earth. And my happiest...." Her voice trailed off as she looked out at the stars. "I think the happiest was either our wedding, or ...or... or when we took the 6 months shore leave on Earth.....and came back to have Jennah's adoption, and then giving birth to Kat..." Vanyssa smiled and leaned her head against Sash's shoulder. "And of course to be with friends, after so much loss. The loss of Victoria and her daughters, and David....." Vanyssa sniffled as she held up her mug to the fire. "This is to absent friends who have left us...may they rest in peace and may we have the strength to continue without them..." (reply any) (pb melinda :-) Stardate:2406.05.15 (Betazed - Campground - SC- Lt. Cmdr. Nakamura - 22:06) "I'm no good at this kind of thing" said Nishi nervously, while trying to find something to say. "They say that every experience teaches us something, that being said, I think there are some lessons I would rather not have learned. The recent experiences in the mirror universe, loosing friends, there have been a lot of things I've been through in the years since I joined starfleet. But, I think the single most difficult thing I've ever faced - not worst, I should say, just frightening, was meeting my son for the first time." Nishi glanced at Eloise Ryuichi, she was bouncing him on her knee. "I guess it didn't turn out so badly" he said with a smile. "As for the best, there have been moments of relief, surviving an away mission, exhausted and bruised, and seeing the Nimitz again, through the shuttle window - but now days, it seems that only just surviving away missions, in par for the course. I think I'm starting to appreciate some of the quieter moments, um.. there was a night about a week ago; Eloise and I were sitting back, Ryuichi was asleep between us, we weren't talking, we were just watching the stars float past our window. They are some of the happiest moments of my life." Nishi took a sip of his drink, and sat back "as I said, I'm no good at this kind of thing." [Reply: Any] [Posted: A]