Posted by Lieutenant Commander Serena Stone (Executive Officer) in Holosuite HIke

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (Counsellor) in Holosuite HIke

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Serena Stone (Executive Officer) in Holosuite HIke
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
They’d talked about it for a while. Over a few sessions at least. Today seemed like a good day to pull the trigger.

Serena stood just inside the arch of Holosuite 2, fiddling with the main panel to work out the details she wanted. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail that spilled down just past her shoulders. A pair of rugged black hiking boots replaced the more casual duty boots of her uniform. The top of her uniform was peeled open to breathe more, revealing a burgundy tank top beneath.

Stepping back out into the corridor, she crossed her arms and leaned against the bulkhead opposite of the doors, waiting for the chief of neurosciences to arrive.

Lt. Cmdr. Stone, Executive Officer

Janna showed up a minute later in her standard issue gym shorts and t-shirt, with a light rain jacket and hiking boots. Her chin length blond curls were pulled back off her face with a blue headband and she gave Serena a grin as she approached. “I hope I’m not late. I got caught up in patient files, but luckily had my gear with me so I didn’t have to go back to my quarters to change.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

“Nah,” Serena replied, shaking her head with a wry smile. She gave Janna’s attire an appraising glance before sighing lightly. “I would’ve dressed differently, but I’m on call. Can’t really ditch the uniform until later, just in case something kicks off and I have to rush back to the bridge.”

Janna gave a half-shrug. “No judgement for me. I jsut figured I’d change so hopefully I don’t smell like sweat for my first patient after this break.”

She turned toward the double doors, gesturing for Janna to follow.

As they stepped through the archway, a wave of fresh air greeted them—rich with the scent of dust, petrichor, and the subtle perfumes of trees, flowers, and loamy earth. Hill country air. It was a stark contrast to the canned and endlessly recycled atmosphere of the ship. There was even a hint of wood smoke in the breeze. The warmth of late spring embraced them, a gentle wind fluttering by to temper the balmy air. Puffy clouds drifted lazily across a bright blue sky.

Janna stood for a moment just breathing in the evocative smells and let herself just exist within it all for a moment.

They emerged onto a concrete path in the middle of an idyllic colony, surrounded by manicured lawns and well-tended streets meant for ground traffic, though there was little of it. Most people were on foot, strolling through the town. Old quick-fab buildings rose up around them—relics from the colony’s early days—while newer structures spread out in a variety of styles. Some looked like classic brick-and-mortar, others were smooth and sleek, resembling poured concrete. A few were made from wood, while others appeared to have been printed and formed on-site.

The sudden roar of thrusters overhead drew their attention. A pair of winged fighters zipped over the valley, cutting through the sky with precision. The town itself lay nestled on a hill at the head of a vast valley, rolling hills leading to a distant, snow-capped mountain range. A river wound its way down from those mountains, threading through the valley and passing just beside the town, its gentle murmur filling the air.

“Welcome to Hanola,” Serena said, though her words felt distant, her gaze sweeping over the familiar landscape. A deep, sudden wave of homesickness crashed over her, and for a moment, her vision blurred with unshed tears.

Lt. Cmdr. Stone, Executive Officer

She stepped up beside the taller woman and rested a hand on her shoulder. Janna said nothing at first but let Serena have this moment. The aching nostalgia was so acute for Janna, though she was pretty good at hiding her perceptual abilities. Her poker face had bene well established long before this latest development. “It’s lovely. When were you here last?”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

The redhead normally had a good poker face too, honed through countless interviews and tense situations. But those skills seemed to elude her now. Janna’s question drove another spike of nostalgia into her, but it also brought her back to the present. “It’s been a long time. I haven’t really been home since I shipped out for boot.” She wiped the corner of her right eye and cleared her throat, steadying her voice. “I do send my folks a wave, or call when I can. I would’ve gone back after my Academy cruise, but Earth is so far. The travel time alone would’ve been rough. I dunno… Maybe if I’d been stationed at Deep Space Nine or Starbase 310 or something, I could’ve gotten home more.”

She wasn’t entirely sure that was true, though. Bittersweet memories of home danced in her mind—the good… and the bad.

Lt. Cmdr. Stone, Executive Officer

Janna’s hand remained on her friend’s shoulder. “It’s hard to be away from the places and people that helped form us, especially if there are positive memories associated with it all. It’s okay to miss them, Serena. You’re allowed to. We chose a life that is sometimes incomprehensible to those outside of it.”

She dropped her hand. “I don’t know about your family, but my mothers both understand my decision to serve and loathe it at the same time. Especially after my accident in the Academy. I don’t tell them much about what happens to us out here because I don’t think they can handle the reality of it.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Serena nodded. “My folks get it. Dad’s an engineer. Mom’s a scientist. And I chose the way of the gun,” she said. A small flickered across her face at that. “I know they worry about me a lot. But it’s … I just feel so guilty for not getting back here. Boots on the ground. Long distance calls aren’t enough.” I’ve been a terrible daughter. I need to go home next time I’m close enough to make the trip. Or maybe cash in some Leave.

But to what end?

Lt. Cmdr. Stone, Executive Officer

“You certainly have more than your share earned. You should go,” Janna said softly, elbowing Serena gently.

“Now, let’s go for this hike. Show me this special place?” She was eager to not only get some movement in, but Janna often found shared activity could make certain discussions easier.

~Janna Kingston, CNS

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t expect this… to hit so hard.” She sighed and continued on the path. Behind them the entrance vanished. Turning to get her bearings, it appeared as though they’d just left one of the other buildings, a two story tall tan brick building. It had tall pane glass windows covered in vertical blinds. Part way up the building was a metal lettered sign that read ‘Community Center.’

“No apologies necessary. These things sneak up on us,” Janna said as she took her surroundings with keen observation.

Turning back to the way they were headed, Serena picked up the pace. “It’s … a ways along the valley. I don’t remember it being so far. But what do you expect out of the memories of a kid.” Serena shaded her eyes and cast her gaze about. “Come on. We can pick up a lift at my house.” My house. It felt both natural and strange to say. It hadn’t been her home in decades. … But there was no doubt it was still home and she could return at any time. That ache returned, but with a different note now. She wanted nothing more than to hug both of her parents so tight her arms might break. For now, seeing the old sights would have to do.

Lt. Cmdr. Stone, Executive Officer

“Lead on,” Janna said as she fell in step with Serena.

“I haven’t been home in awhile either, a fact of which both my mothers have given me heck for. I could have, before I originally shipped out for the Exploratory Fleet, but… I didn’t want to just then. Now there are all these changes and it’s so complicated.” Janna snorted and shook her head.

~Janna Kingston, CNS