Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Holodeck 2 - A Musical Introduction

Posted by Civilian Sair Songz (Counselor) in Holodeck 2 - A Musical Introduction

Posted by Fleet Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Holodeck 2 - A Musical Introduction
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Not an afterlife. Here, now. The belief is that just before you hit the ground, time stops and your love grasps your hands, lifts you up, and you remain frozen in that moment for eternity.” He led her down a narrow path of gray stone and dirt, a steep drop-off to their left. “Oddly enough, there have been some scientific anomalies in the area as well. And there actually *is * a spot at the base of the mountain that generates a chrontional disturbance, albeit on a quantum level. No one has been able to explain it or even define its parameters.”

Cochrane, CO

All legends, stories, myths, you name it, had a small basis in reality and truth. A tiny spark that morphed into something greater and more extraordinary. She understood that and yet her very logical mind had to work a bit harder to buy into the idea of rejoining a love one even if there was an added scientific mystery involved.

Sair stepped carefully as the path wound downwards. “I try not to scoff at the unexplained. I’ve seen too much to do so. But I think I’m more disturbed by how more skeptical I am these days. I used to want to find all the romanticism in life. I know I’m a bit jaded, but when you tell me a story like that there is a part of me that wants be excited at the possibility for those people,” she said with a chuckle. “The therapist part of me if giving me side-eye.”

~Sair Songz, CNS

Cochrane smiled slightly and said “Tell the therapist part of you that they need to lighten up. Some things in the galaxy are supposed to be mysterious. It’s what keeps us exploring and learning.”

Cochrane, CO

She blew out a breath and grinned. “You say that, and I know that, but honestly I think I’ve forgotten. It wasn’t until that night of our dinner when we were up on that bridge watching the stars and that black hole that I felt anything close to mystery. Certainly not a good one feeling.” Sair chuckled and shook her head. “You say I need to lighten up. I’m trying. Koro helps. He is so much joy for me, but I would love every now and again to have a bit of joy that isn’t intensely wrapped up with the sorrow. I know we need both, but”-she cast her gaze sideways at him-“I think we can both agree, the balance has been tipped a little too far to one side. I’m not expecting it to balance out, but maybe it could be nudged a little closer to the middle. Especially right now with everything going on.”

~Sair Songz, CNS

Cochrane shrugged and stepped past her. Up ahead the sound of the waterfall could be heard. “Ok. So enjoy this. Right here, right now… none of that is here. Seperate yourself from the reality of your life and just be in the present. In our lines of work, we do not get respite… except those we carve out for ourselves. This?” and he gestured around them. “This isn’t a holosimulation of a mountain retreat. This… this is self-care. So let yourself care for you.” He moved ahead a little and said “It will start getting slippery. Watch your step.”

Cochrane, CO

Her grin shifted to a smirk as she followed him along the path. “I suppose the self-care piece of the puzzle has been a bit lacking. Between work, Koro and my mother, time has felt like a commodity I can’t spare. But you’re right, right now, this is where we are and I can enjoy myself.”

“Do you use this program often?” Sair asked.

~Sair Songz, CNS

“A few times a week. Usually early in the morning. I try not to tie up the holodeck so the crew has access.” Alex said over his shoulder. As they came around a bend, a truly wonderful vista greeted them.

“I can understand that. I’m glad you have a ritual for yourself.”

They were on a sheer cliff face with the drop off to their left, the path being cut into it long before. It stretched ahead of them for almost a hundred and fifty meters, gently and gracefully arcing to their left, where it disappeared behind a waterfall that cascaded some five hundred meters down to the valley floor. A gentle wind blew some of the fine mist towards them, and the air was fresh and clean.

Alex looked back at her and said “One of my favorite spots in all of the galaxy…”

Cochrane, CO

Her breath caught in her throat. “Oh, wow,” Sair said, meeting his gaze. “I can see why it’s so special to you. This is…” She shook her head and looked over the vista. “It’s awe inspiring.” Sair smiled. “Are we actually going to walk behind the waterfall? Because, I’m getting inspiration for another piece we can improvise, and that just might make the whole piece.”

~Sair Songz, CNS