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

<snip>

============================
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.”

“Even so, I am glad I am here hon.” he said as he took a look around, this looked like a good spot but he wasn’t sure where she wanted to take him “Should we set up or do we wanna go further?” he asked her.

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.

“Sure, I’d be happy to.” he said as he grabbed the bag which held their camping gear and began unpacking. While it certainly wasn’t a deluxe tent it had some nice aminetngies he could tell. It was it seemed more mid line, luxuries for the outdoors man yet still roughing it feel. He always enjoyed tents like these, just enough comforts of a base or a starship to not feel completely out of it, but hard enough and dirty enough you never forgot you were outside.

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

Final swings of the hammer put the posts down as she spoke, turning back he smiled at her. “I got it.” he said, the sweating just lightly beating off him as he checked to make certain everything seemed secure. “I think this can do, as for swimming… I mean I didn’t bring a suit.” he said as he looked over at her, it was almost an unspoken idea spoken between romantic couples, they wanted to see the goods before they fully commit. When one wasn’t jumping into bed instantly, seeing as little on someone’s body was still a perk.

“We can just go in underwear, if that is okay with you.” he suggested, not wanting to loose that chance to see a little more of her dark luscious skin.

Aliondor, CE