Posted by Lieutenant Jarred Alindor (Chief Engineer) in Vespa V - A Need to get Away

Posted by Ensign Kalani Kāne (Scientist) in Vespa V - A Need to get Away

Posted by Lieutenant Jarred Alindor (Chief Engineer) in Kalani’s Science Lab - A Need to get Away
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf5/saracen/notes/11340/ Original post
https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf5/saracen/notes/11924/ next in series

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0500 hours the next day

“Hey you,” Kalani called out seeing Jarred walk through the door. “I got coffee and donuts just for you,” she said picking up a mug and a white carton box as she approached him. “I got a jelly but then a smattering because I didn’t know what you liked.”

Ensign Kalani Kane science

Jarred had two duffel bags: one on the floor and a small one slung around his body as he looked up at her. “What did I do to deserve someone as sweet as you?” he asked as he gave her a quick kiss before picking up his cup of coffee, letting the warm aroma wash over him. “You do know the good stuff.” he said with a small wink as he felt himself grow more and more excited, even with a hint of nervousness. This was a big date, wasn’t coffee, or dinner… this was a full blown weekend. It was somewhat a big step and felt a nervous churning in his stomach.

“And I even brought cream and sugar for you,” Kalani said rocking on her heels.

“Thank you baby.” He said as he leaned in to give her a soft kiss on her cheek. “What did I do to deserve this? You know how to spoil me babe. I gonna have to try and repay all the thoughtfulness.” Jarred said while taking a deep breath into a very happy sigh.

Jarred’s last few months had been an emotional roller coaster, Coris return had shocked him to the core for some time. Yet despite what he felt should have been a start to their lives reunited the couple split

Jarred still wasn’t sure at times if he did the right thing but Kalani made him feel like he did. Still Cori was still a friend, they had been working to make her a new body, this among his work for Kalani and just being chief.

So, when Kalani brought up vacation, he had to admit he wanted it. It didn’t hurt at all she was the one asking.

“So, tell me more about where we are going.” he said as he took a sip of the coffee as he grabbed one of the donuts.

Alindor, CE

“Vespa V,” Kalani replied now actually looking at Jarred. His clothes were fine but his footwear might need to be improved a bit. Looking at his feet, Kalani made an educated guess. Walking over to a replicator she requested a size fourteen hiking boot. Once it appeared she brought it back to where Jarred was standing. “Okay you are going to need these,” she handed the shoes over to him. “See…we match,” she pointed down to her own feet. The shoes were not attractive but very functional with their thin leather sides and rubber soles. They also came far enough up her leg so that her ankles were well covered. “Change into these while I go get something for you ‘kay,” she said happily.

“While it’s cute you want us to match, I have a pair. You honestly think I wouldn’t bring some? I was gonna change on the surface. This isn’t my first rode. My dad used to drag my ass to the wild and make me survive. He always wanted me to be a marine.” He said as he opened his bag and showed the shoes in mention.

“Oh,” Kalani looked at him. Jarred was not fat by any means but he was an engineer. From common experience though that meant they were soft around the middle. Maybe that was the reason he washed out in the Marine Corp. Not wanting to touch on a subject that might make Jarred feel bad, Kalani quickly shifted gears from family talk to trip talk.

“Oh I would never let him get lost, but I just don’t want to put us in a situation to loose him.” Jarred said, knowing he would help find their cuddly little fox for her anytime. “So I can hook us up, get someone to take care of him and we can focus… on us.” he said as he smiled softly at her, wanting nothing more than to just enjoy the time with her.

The world seemed to disappear around her as she felt Jarred’s lips on her hand. This trip was never meant to focus on them. Well not at first but the minute he had said yes, the plan of discovering a new species for her vivarium disappeared. Kalani just wanted to spend some time away from the job and her tank building project. She couldn’t fault Jarred for helping her. She had asked for his help, yet Kalani wanted to spend one night not sitting on a dusty floor watching him work. “So this Lee is someone you trust,” she said hesitantly. Exhaling she nodded. Any other time and Kalani would have refused to leave the furry canid but she was excited by the thought of spending the next few days only worried about what she wanted.

Exiting the shuttle, Kalani carried a large backpack that seemed to be almost half her body length. “Okay I need you to prioritize what is in those,” she pointed to the duffel bags, “and get it to fit in here but you can’t take out anything that is in the bag.” Kalani let out a small laugh realizing how bossy she sounded. “Think of it like a puzzle Koa. How well can you pack?”

“You mean like that one?” He asked jerking behind him, there was a bag just like hers he had already had brought here. He knew she thought he was some green horn spacer never setting foot on a planet. He had been testing to see just how much she expected him to know.

“You are full of surprises,” Kalani said setting the bag down. She had to admit that maybe she didn’t really know anything about Jarred Alindor. Sure they spent a lot of time together in the past month but most of it was crazy idle chit-chat about favorite pizza toppings or who was the worst at whistling. She had the last one in the bag but all their conversations had been light and easy after the wallop she gave Jarred the first night they met. Aside from the company, maybe this weekend excursion would bring them closer. “And the duffle bag,” she crossed her arms ready for his reply with a haf smirk.

“These just had my shoes and nothing else, had to keep you on your toes.”

“Good god I am dating a wooooooo,” Kalani instantly started to backpedal announcing publically what she felt. Sure she and Jarred had the conversation about where they stood in each others eyes but Kalani had given a more evasive answer. Now she was shouting it like a high school cheerleader hopped up on adrenaline at the annual homecoming game. “Mmmman you get this on board and I will make sure we are clear for take off.” Hurriedly entering the shuttle, Kalani turned bright red.

She hoped her cover saved a bit of face but she doubted it. The truth was she didn’t care who heard but saying the first time or hearing it the first time always felt awkward. Maybe she would get all the nervous girly twitters out this weekend with him when they were alone. Honey can you get me, Baby can you open this, Hey hero can you help me, Jarred why don’t you come over here and, she immediately stopped her daydream of pet names realizing her mind was about six months ahead of her body and their relationship.

“As to where we are going, Vespa V is a jungle world in a tropical climate,” she abruptly changed topics tucking a lock of hair behind her ear. “There are waterfalls and exotic plants everywhere. It is a biologist’s dream. We are gonna hike in, find a place to set up camp, and just enjoy going off the grid. Sounds fun right,” Kalani said as if Jarred’s only response could be heck yes. “My only issue is Ralph. should we bring him? I kinda want your real opinion and not some lip service.”

Ensign Kalani Kane, science

“Well does he obey easily? I don’t want to loose the poor guy as he goes and wanders. I would be heartbroken if he vanished. He is my bro.”

Alindor, CE

Kalani looked at Jarred as if he had just grown two antenna and spouting rhetoric about taking him to her leader. “Um, there would be no losing Ralph. You do know that right. If he did stumble off you and I would not be leaving the planet until we found him or spent so long in the jungle we reverted to Neanderthals.”

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Three hours later on Vespa V...........

Kalani held a hand over her eyes shielding them as she watched the shuttle rise into the sky. Her tummy held nervous twitters and flip-flopped so much she wanted to press a hand to it. She and Jarred were going to be alone and isolated for the next 72 hours with no distractions or interruptions. Biting her lip, Kalani turned back to see Jarred with his pack secured on his back and checking hers to make sure it was ready for the hike. “Jarred....Jarred…I,” she cracked her knuckles stumbling over her words. Seeing him like this, not in a uniform but civvies, only made the realization of this weekend excursion more real. “I’m not sure this was a good idea. We barely know,” she felt her words catch in her throat.

“He will be fine, Lee is great… he is capable and always shows up to his shift. He’s fine, and he loves meat so he will treat Ralph like a small king.”

“What if Ralph decides to chew Ensign Lee’s couch? What if Lee forgets that Ralph likes to sleep under blankets and sits on him. Ralph is only two pounds. Or,” she looked up at Jarred gearing up her imaginary mom list of what if’s that could befall her child.

“Babe, he’ll be fine… trust me.” he said softly, reaching for her hand he brought it to his lips as he kissed it softly as he reassured her.

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2 hours after hiking on Vespa V....

Romantic experience this was not. Kalani was hot, sweaty, and sticky. The hike was more of a battle to get to the location she had selected against hills, vines, and thick foliage that needed to be hacked back with the long machete they brought with them. Leaving Ralph on the ship was a good call. Jarred had been right even if it took Kalani almost five hours to realize this. Her mind flitted back to the what ifs concerning Ralph but thier lively conversation about what is and what isn’t a beach had made Kalani laugh and relax far faster than she thought possible. Checking the tricorder Kalani put a hand on Jarred’s shoulder to let him know she was coming up behind him so he would stop swinging the machete.

“The spot is three yards ahead of us,” she said in almost a giddy tone. Ducking under his arm, she pushed ahead of him excited to see the area for real. Moving the large fronds back she was not disappointed. The sound of a waterfall filled the air as she stepped out of the jungle and onto a flat stretch of muddy sand around a large lagoon. The water was a crystal clear blue that amplified the white of the water falling into it. The small sandy shore of the lagoon would be perfect to set up their camp for the next few days.

“You know if you wanted me to sweat there was better ways… not that I guess I mind.” Jarred said, wiping his brow before he took off his shirt placing it across his shoulder. Jarred himself had a strong build, his father’s influence kept him one to always stay in shape even if he wasn’t in the marines. It helped with moving large cargo at times or going in Jeffrey tubes as well.

Kalani tried not to stare but it was next to impossible. The soft middle section she thought was going to be exposed when Jarred had removed his shirt was non-existent. Instead, the area was nothing but rock hard muscle and six-pack abs. Jarred had told her several times over the past couple weeks that he hit the gym every morning. He had even invited her to meet him there. Kalani thought had always opted out to enjoy the extra hour of sleep each morning and met him in the mess hall for breakfast. At this moment, however, she was now rethinking her need for sleep. Clearing her throat, Kalani pulled her eyes off Jarred and focused on the landscaping instead of oogling her camping companion.

“Well, what do you think,” she said unshouldering her backpack and letting it fall to her feet. “Can’t get a view like this even with a $400 credit a night room on Risa. Room service might be a bit slow but we can deal with it right?” Jarred had mentioned his father had taken him camping but until now, Kalani never thought to ask if Jarred actually liked camping. Maybe his father just made him go like parents did with their kids. If so, Kalani was going to have a lot of making up to do to one Mr. Jarred Alindor.

Ensign Kalani Kane, science

“It’s amazing. Thank you.” he said softly as he came over to her and kissed her cheek as he put down his back pack.

“What was that for,” Kalani asked him giving Alindor a funny look. “I should be thanking you and not the other way around. I don’t mind doing this alone but it is better with company.”

“Should we set up or do we wanna go further?”

Alindor, CE

“I say let’s camp right here. Based on the flow of the stream and the embankments, I think this sandy area is safe to put up the tent. It will keep us close enough to the water so we won’t need to shlep huge jugs to camp. Maybe you can set it up while I unpack the rest of our gear?” As a chief engineer, Jarred Alindor was duty bound to put the tent up.

As Jarred unrolled the tightly packed tent he found in his back pack, Kalani began to pull numerous items out of her setting them in the sand. First, it was the twenty-four food packets that contained their breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. The next items from her bag were pure luxury: a tin coffee pot, a small air cooling /air heating unit, a music player, and PaDD whose use was only for digital entertainment. “You know we can go for a swim if you like after you get that tent up. Do you need a hand,” she asked still rooting through her bag and not looking at Jarred as she spoke to him. This was because if Kalani did turn around, she would probably just sit and stare at him as he worked. The image of him without his shirt still danced about her head bringing a soft smile to her lips.

Ensign Kalani Alindor, science