Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Open to Anyone)

Posted by Lieutenant Xam Ra’Ti (Tactical Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Open to Anyone)

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (Open to Anyone)
Posted by… suppressed (15) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Sentinel was in orbit around one of the resort moons of Risa. A long-awaited shore leave was available to all members of the crew, and Xam was one of the first off the ship. He had already reserved a room at Three Lakes Lodge and Resort, one of the more off-the-beaten-path facilities that catered to some of the more ‘eclectic’ (read ‘shady’) visitors that came to the pleasure planet. Xam had stayed there a number of times, and always found it enjoyable.

He arrived at the desk and smiled at the receptionist. “Hey. Ra’Ti, reservation for one. I’d like a view of the third lake’s waterfall if I could get it.” The receptionist, a beautiful Risian woman of indeterminate age, smiled and said “Of course, sir. As one of our repeat customers, we strive to make your stay as nice as possible.” She gave him a slight grin as she looked back down at her computer display. “We do have a room with a waterfall view available, sir. But it would be an upgrade from your reservation. Is that acceptable?” Xam shrugged and said “Sure, why not? Not all the time I get to kick back for a week and relax. Might as well go all-out.” He paid the difference and she said “Excellent. You are all set, sir. If you need anything when you arrive at your room, simply call down. i will be more than happy to assist.” Xam grinned and said “You’ll be the first one I call.” and she blushed slightly as the Sentinel’s Tactical Officer turned and made his way to the fifteenth floor, lake side.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende was ready for a good rest. The whole crew needed it. Her XO and yeoman more than anyone after all the extra work they had taken on. When Rende mentioned it to both of them, separately, they balked and said they preferred to stay on the ship. She had to actually order them to take leave. She appreciated the dedication, but they needed to recharge whether they wanted to or not.

Rende walked into the Three Lakes and breathed in deeply. This was place was shady, and the kind of people Rende understood and could respect to various degrees.
She wasn’t likely to be bothered here, either. She’d been here many times, though it had been long enough no one would remember her. Memories flooded her of the last time she and Eldorin had been there. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Hello, Asam.” The woman nodded and looked up the reservation, “Ah yes, you requested the suite on the 20th floor, but it had to be closed for … renovations. But we have placed you in the suite on the fifteenth floor. Same layout and view. Will that be acceptable?” It wasn’t a big deal for Rende, probably for the best anyway. She could tell from the woman’s voice something unexpected had happened. “Yes that’s fine.
Thank you.” Rende took the key pass and then the lift to the floor.

Asam, CO

Xam had dropped his bag and looked around the room, smiling. It was a welcome change from the stale, recycled air of the ship. He unpacked and put away clothes and toiletries, splashed some cold water on his face, and then walked out into the room.

It was a single room with a large bed and a small couch with a table. A vid screen faced the foot of the bed, and two large French doors separated the room form the balcony overlooking the lake. Xam grinned and walked to the doors, swinging them open into the room and stepping out on the balcony. Walls separated the balcony form the neighboring rooms, but as he leaned on the rail and looked out over the spectacular view, he could see the balconies on either side of him.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

The woman at the desk had been right, it was exactly the same as the suite she had requested. Rende made sure the latch secured behind her and pulled a small device out of the side pocket of her bag and set it against the door and frame and activated it. She wasn’t expecting though let, but she had learned long ago to never take it for granted. Hence, Eldorin’s little door guard.

She made her way into the king sized bedroom, tossing her rucksack on the bed. She peeled herself out of the mandatory uniform and clunky but sensible boots. She slipped on a light weight Groshik cotton robe and soft plain saddles. The robe had been an extravagant gift from Eldorin before they had returned to Earth.

Rende was a hard woman: beautiful, fit, toned, smart, and deadly. She was a fighter that stayed to a personal code. However, she was still a woman. She looked to be in her mid maybe late 30s though she was really 403. She pulled the pins out of her hair. It was longer than she kept it when she was with the MACOs, shorter than when Tabris was a child.

Tabris

Her son. Their dear beloved son. They had thought Earth was a refuge, but it had taken him from them. She ached at his loss every day. She ached for El too. He was alive and well, but she hated they were fighting, and there was very little she could do about it. She should really finish that letter. She walked out the balcony doors and folded her arms over the railing. She leaned out breathing deeply of the moist air and green plants and rich soil around the resort.

Asam, CO

“What, you couldn’t get enough of me on the ship?” a sarcastic but familiar voice said from her right. There, leaning against the railing of the adjacent balcony, was her Tactical officer and all-around problem child Xam Ra’Ti. He grinned at her, his white mustache blowing in the soft breeze. There was no way that a newly minted Lieutenant should be able to garner a room at this place… but then again, Ra’Ti did have a history. One that Asam knew of slightly. Her years of living had surely taught her that a file is only as complete as the person filling it out wanted it to be. And while Xam’s record had some definite ‘color’ to it… there was probably a whole lot more to her Tactical Officer than was in the file. Especially considering his presence at the Three Lakes Lodge. “I commend you on your choice of hotel, Captain. Not many know about this place.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

Rende shook her head with a grin. ” Oh this place and I have a long history, Xam.” The stress on the word long indicated much more than simply familiarity, but history. Rende knew enough to know there was more to her tactical officer than his file showed. Her own inquires outside of Star fleet filled in a bit more, but not enough to be invasive. She wasn’t S31 after all. It was why she had specifically requested his transfer to Sentinel. Of course, she was sure Xam could deduce as much about her as she did of him. He had been around enough, and her presence there, in a suite no less, spoke volumes. Not to mention most people didn’t stay there alone.”And here I thought o one would find me here. Good to know someone knows the idea of a good time.”

Asam, CO

Xam smiled and turned to look at the lake, the hundreds of meters high waterfall on the far side. “Oh… a good time I am familiar with, Skipper.” and he turned and looked at her. “The question is how much of good time are you gonna let me have?” and he laughed. “So in your ‘history’ with this place… you ever find the time to jump the waterfall? Or were you… otherwise occupied?” he asked with a wicked grin. He knew as well as she that this wasn’t the typical place for a single individual to stay. And those that did come alone didn’t tend to stay that way too long.

Rende laughed heartily and stared at the waterfall. “Depends on which visit. I have jumped, been otherwise occupied, and done both.” She grinned wickedly, “What you do on your leave time is none of my concern. Enjoy.”

He looked back across the lake and said “I was planning on heading down to the lakeside bar in a few for a drink or ten.” and he looked back at her. “Wanna come? They make a wicked Thelosian Snobwball.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Now there’s one I haven’t tried. You sure you wanna drink with your Captain, Lt? It could certainly ensure you stay alone for the duration of your leave.”

Asam, CO

Xam looked at her for a long moment and then grinned and said “Maybe it will… maybe it won’t. Ya never know, Cap. Meet you in the hall in five.” and he disappeared from sight.

It was just under five minutes later when Xam- now wearing khaki-colored linen pants, a light blue linen shirt ,and a pair of sandals- appeared in the hallway. He made sure he had his key card and shut the door, making sure it locked behind him.

Xam

Rende shook her head and took a moment to stare across the lake for another long moment. Then she turned and closed the door, securing it with another of Eldorin’s little surprises. She was wearing a teal single shoulder ruched top with soft gray gypsie pants, along with her sandals. She closed the door behind her ensuring the lock and personal alarm. The key card disappeared into a hidden pocket.

She gave Xam a curious once over, “You look like you would fit right in on a Caribbean beach.”

Asam, CO

Xam smiled as he looked her unabashedly up and down before saying “And you look like you’d be perfectly at home lounging on the deck of a sea-going yacht. My kinda environment.” and he offered her his arm.

“Given the right waters and the right captain, I would agree with you.” She slipped her hand onto his arm. It struck her as a very old world gesture. One that seemed universal across species, or perhaps one that was just willingly acquired.

The trip to the lake side was quick, and soon they were seated in side by side overstuffed lounge chairs facing the lake. A gentle breeze blew off the water, cooling the air around them. On the small table between them sat two large glasses, each with a piece of tropical fruit garnishing the rims and whisps of white vapor drifting off the top. As they reclined, Xam turned and picked up his drink and looked at Asam. “To a restful and relaxing vacation… Rende.” and he smiled at her.

Xam

Her eyes twinkled. He was a charmer when he wanted to be. Had she expected less? She supposed not. She lifted her drink and tipped it slightly towards him, “One with plenty of fun and no work.” She tipped the glass against her lips, letting the white Vapor pour and billow around as she sipped. She nodded appreciatively.

Asam, CO

“Thought you might like that.” Xam said as he raised his own glass and took a drink. He looked out over the lake and smiled. “You know, if I had had my way back in the day… I always thought about retiring here.” He pointed up at the far side of the lake, up past the dizzying height of the sheer cliffs and the mist from the tumbling cascade of water. “Up there. Past the edge of the cliffs and up the river about three kilometers. Thats where the forest starts. And I found a clearing that butts up against some small cliffs. I bought the land; but then I had my ‘career change’. I wonder if I’ll ever be able to build on it.” he asked, more to himself than anyone else, and then took a drink. He looked back at Rende and said “And careful… these will sneak up on you if you aren’t careful.”

Xam

“I hope it does. It’s been a really long time since anything or anyone snuck up on me.” She took another sip, but slightly smaller. “You should look into building while you are here. It’s not like you have to be here while the work is done. Then do it in small increments. Or if working with your hands is something you enjoy, you could work a little every time you come on shore leave. Nothing is impossible. If it is something you want, then you should do it.”

Asam, CO

Xam took a drink, a wicked smile crossing his face. “Now now.... talk like that might lead us into strange and uncharted waters.” and he chuckled. He turned to her, about to say something else, when a shadow fell across them. Actually… shadows.

Rende looked up and though her body didn’t move there was a subtle change to her. While their attention was on Xam she reached slowly into her pocket and palmed a small controller into her lap. She could work the controls in her sleep.

“Well well well… look who we have here, boys?” a deep voice said. The speaker was a half-Klingon, half-human male with broad shoulders and nasty looking scar running across his throat and a sadistic grin on his face. Behind him stood two Naussicans and an Orion. Xam looked up and squinted. “Is that… is that Gredlin the Red I see standing here? Huh, how about that? I heard you were dead.” The towering figure gritted his teeth and leaned down. “Thats because you cut my fu<&ing throat, you backstabbing targ dump!” he yelled, spittle flying from his mouth and onto Xam’s cheek. Xam took a breath and reached up, flicking the liquid off his cheek and wiping his finger on the chair arm. “Well, obviously I didn’t mean it, Gred ‘ol boy… I left your head still attached, right?” Gredlin roared in anger and his fist rose and then smashed into the Xam’s chair, sending bits flying in all directions.

Rende didn’t even flinch. After a moment she picked a small wood chip out of her hair and flicked it toward the wreckage of the chair. The Naussicans were her biggest worry. Their teeth and tusks were vicious and only topped by their over powered and likely to explode disrupters and feriousness. The Orion was big, the half Klingon too, but size wasn’t everything.

But Xam wasn’t in his chair. Faster than anyone could see, he was now on his feet and standing about ten feet away, grinning. He cast a glance at Rende and made a subtle motion with his hand. Get away it said. Gredlin caught the look and cast a glance at Asam. “This your woman, Rat-tee?” he said, purposefully butchering Xam’s name into something he thought was insulting. “Maybe once I’m done with you, I can show her how we treat a mutineer’s toy. Hmmm?” Xam’s eyes narrowed and his entire demeanor changed in a moment. No longer was he the grinning, sarcastic scoundrel. Now he seemed to be something far more… predatory. Gredlin was licking his grinning lips at Asam, but the Naussicans and the Orion caught the shift. The Orion said “Uh, Cap’n? I don’t think that’s such a good idea…”

Ra’Ti

Rende raised her brows. She looked at the two Nausicans and smirked, “Grr’k hock njeb.” They looked at her perplexed for a half second before there was a high powered whistling sound and loud thanks as two darts embedded in their necks. “Now before you two move, I suggest that you take a good long look at your chests.” Where two targeting lasers were focused. “The darts were a warning.” She rose slowly to her feet and sauntered over to Xam. “It would be amusing to see you try. I would very much enjoy inflicti g the dishonor I gave sub-General Ilhek” who had died a very horrible death during the Earrh-Romulan war, “upon you.” Oh of course they wouldn’t believe it, and then was giving info away, but oh well. In her other hand appeared a projectile fire arm. Rende was an excellent shot.

Asam, CO

Xam didn’t flinch and his demeanor stayed the same. “Gredlin doesn’t bother with things like honor, sweets.” Xam said, he eyes wholly focused on the half-Klingon. “He is allllll about the cash. Ain’t that right? Oh, don’t bother to answer. See, we knew you were here, Gred. And a few months ago, we decided that you were too much of a loose end. I mean, I got the cargo and you got squat.... except that nifty necklace, of course.” Gredlin growled and started to take a step forward, but Xam’s arm jerked and suddenly there was a rather wicked looking disruptor in his hand and aimed at Gredlin. He made a task tsk tsk sound. “Now now… you know yiu aren’t fast enough. And you know I’d as soon kill you as look at you. But…” and he cast a glance at Asam, “… I have a new lease on life, and part of that is not committing acts of wanton murder on a whim. Now, don’t take that as me saying I won’t kill you. I absolutely will. Your man Durh can attest to that.” The Orion took a breath. “Didn’t think you’d recognize me, Captain.” he said somewhat softly. Xam said “I remember all of my crew… especially when they try to get me killed.” The Orion gulped. “But… I’m willing to let that debt slide if you take care of this problem here, Durh. Clean slate. All you have to do is get Gredlin here out of my face and make sure I never have to smell him again. What do you say?” The Orion looked at Xam, then Gredlin’s back, then the two Naussicans. He slowly reached into his belt and drew his disruptor. “Deal.” he said, and before Gredlin could protest, a single bolt of sickly yellow energy shot from the barrel of Durh’s pistol and hit Gredlin square in the back, and the massive pirate dropped to the ground… dead.

That kind of honor wasn’t the type Rende was thinking about. Her aim was much lower than his head or heart. The hammer on the classic looking pistol clicked back as Gredlin tried to reach for his own weapon. In truth Rende looked bored. She saw the agreement on Durh’s face and once Gred was dead and the disruptor holsters, the red laser sights disappeared.

Xam looked at Durh and said “Nicely done. Are we square?”, his pistol still leveled at where Gredlin had been standing. The Orion slowly holstered his weapon and said “Aye, Captain. I’m good if you are.” Xam’s smile snapp3d back into place and he said “Perfect! Now if you don’t mind, I think Inowe my date a nice meal after… well… all this.” The disruptor disappered and he looked at Rende. “I’m thinking seafood. What about you?” and he, for the second time, offered her his arm.

Ra’Ti

“Seafood sounds lovely. No one has seafood quite like Risa.” She slipped her hand onto his arm, released the hammer of the gun and it disappeared. She paused and turned to look at the Naussicans. “Oh Durh, you’ll need help with them,” and they collapsed as the sedative hit them all at once. “Buggers take forever to go down.”

Asam

Xam led Rende past the bar and said “Sorry about the mess. Charge it to his room.” and he jerked a thumb at Durh. He then walked Rende down to the lake and along the water. “You know, all these people that say ‘Your past can no longer hurt you.’ obviously never had to deal with psychotic half Klingons and mutineers.” Their direction put them on a wide stone path that meandered along the lake shore.

Xam