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

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

Posted by Captain Rende Asam (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - They Won’t Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Posted by… suppressed (58) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
When their lips finally parted, he slowly opened his eyes and said softly “Rende, I…” and then he stopped. His finger tips brushed her cheek and slowly his fingers slid across her temple, running through her hair. His eyes were wide, staring into hers, and the look was one of surprise… and something else much deeper. On the back of her head he grasped her hair firmly but gently pulled her mouth to his and he kissed her with a renewed sense of urgency; as if he thought she may slip away from him forever and this was the last kiss they would share.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She stretched out against him, relaxing into the hold of his arms. She watched his eyes, the notes carried on his voice made her heart race. She wasn’t an adept empath, but strong emotions registered. The deeper she was connected to someone the clearer she could identify the feelings she was hearing. However she was never quite confident of her interpretation.

His urgency was matched by a need of her own. Her arms stole around him, holding him close against her. She should stop this for his sake. No matter what they had hinted at, it wasn’t what they agreed to. It was far too late for her though. Her heart belonged to him now. He kissed her like he was losing her, and all the while she kissed him like she belonged to him.

Cpt. Asam, CO

The next four days were a wonderful, beautiful escape from their normal reality. But as they sat next to one another at the fire late the last night before they had to go back to the resort- and having only one night there before they had to return to the Sentinel- Xam stared into the fire. They had been very quiet for a while, neither one of them speaking. Xam sighed heavily and leaned back in his chair. “Well… at least we don’t have to pack all this up.” he said with a half-hearyed smile.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“You’re going to keep it all right? It would be a shame if you didn’t have this to come back to.” Rende looked over at him, stood up, walked over to him and took his hand, pulling him up. “Come on, let’s go to the hammock. We need to talk.” This wasn’t going to get better by being silent, by just hoping and avoiding it. Whatever they would or would not do, they had to decide.

“Anytime a woman or a Captain says ‘We need to talk.’, it makes me nervous.” he replied. He stood up and followed her.

She climbed the ladder and settled back into the hammock.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam climbed in, but instead of laying next to her, he sat cross-legged facing her. The normal mischievous grin was not there, but there was an odd playful resignation to him. “So… let’s chat, shall we?” he said with a small smile.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She sat up, crossed-legged, in front of him, in difference to the space he seemed to be creating. She was miserable. Even more so than when she arrived on Risa a week ago, and she didn’t think that was possible. “You sound like I just told you I have to kill your dog.” There was no humor in the statement. How to say what needed to be said. “I told you I was lonely and grieving. You asked what would happen when my husband came back. He’s not, I told you that, but I wasn’t mourning the loss of my marriage. Even after two centuries, this time of year is hard for me. I’ll never get over the loss of my son. And yes, I was lonely because I was wallowing in the grief the anniversary reminds me of. I missed El, but to be fair, not because of him, but because he understands the grief and he shares it.”

Xam remained silent, but looked directly at her, listening to every word and watching her eyes looking at him.

“I told you I didn’t want to use you, but I let you convince me to go with you anyway. What I had thought would be a single night has turned into…” she paused and looked around the site and then back to his eyes, “Well, I haven’t lived as much in the last century as I have in this last week. That’s because of you. You’re a damn fine officer, and an even more incredible man. I’m still your captain though.”

And there it was. Xam visibly deflated just a bit. He didn’t disagree… he couldn’t. She was his CO. He was her direct report. She was a Captain. He was just a Lieutenant. Of course she would make that choice. More people depended on her than just him. And just because they had a fling doesn’t mean that she would choose everyone else over him. So.. fling it was.

She was rambling a bit, but everything she said was true. She was putting it off, for her sake more than his, but it had to be said. “I have to make those hard choices. Life or Death decisions and give people those orders. Whatever you decide, I don’t want you to think, if it ever comes down to it, that I want to give you an order like that, or I’m using it out of hurt feelings. If anything happens to you, by my order or happenstance, I’d stop breathing.” Her cheeks puffed out as she blew out a breath. “I didn’t expect to fall in love with you, Xam, but I did. But I’ll respect whatever you want to do.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Silence. Xam stared at her, mouth open. His brain was suddenly a flood of static. Love? was the only phrase that his mind could hear over the white noise. She loves me? he thought. For almost a full minute he just stared at her, trying to come to terms with what she had said. Finally, he smiled and leaned forward and KISSED her, pushing her back on her back and almost attacking her in his sudden contact. He held her lips on his for a long time and then said “Rende… I love you too.” and he kissed her again.

She wasn’t sure she heard him right. It wasn’t what she was expecting, that was certain. She knew there had been genuine affection forming between them, but he had made it clear early on, that he didn’t do commitments, of any length. But Rende knew she had to tell him, the truth, whatever his reaction might be. No what ifs or uncertainties. The only thing she could do was smile against his lips as he kissed her again. The moment was heaven; who cared about needing to breathe?

It was several minutes later when he pulled back and said “You win.” and he grinned. “The moon. I won the whole moon.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She gazed up at him confused. She won, but he won the whole moon? Was he being poetic? Then she remembered their deal from days earlier. She laughed. “The whole moon? Why are you serving in Star Fleet?” She had one hand around his back and the other in his hair, but she went still and very serious. “So does this mean you aren’t resigning or asking for a transfer?”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He grinned at her and said “No, love… I’m with you wherever you go from here on.” and he kissed her again. “But as to why I’m in Star Fleet?” and he shrugged. “It’s a better prison than my other options.” and he smiled bigger. “And the guards are a lot sexier, too.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She cursed, quite elegantly, in Klingon and some other little known language, but the tone carried it all, about the machinations of Star Fleet brass. “I suppose I can’t be too disgusted though. It did land you on my ship. I will also be sure to let Lt Anders know what you think of his physique.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“The only physique I’m interested in is yours.” he said with a grin. He then laid back a little, still looking at her. “So how are we gonna handle this? After all, like you said, you are the Captain.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

He!! if she knew, but she was the captain. Which meant she had to have answers. “Officially the brass says it’s a bad idea, but they all do it, and look the other way until it causes embarrassment. I for one never subscribed to the idea that relationships between officers and crew is a bad thing. Makes for some interesting dynamics though.” She reached over and traced his face while she spoke. “I don’t really care what the brass thinks. However, I do care about it affecting the morale of the crew. It can be taken negatively or positively. Of course everyone knows about my first officer and my yeoman, so I’m not too worried there.”

Xam nodded and said “Got it. No swatting your ass in the passageway.” and he wiggled his eyebrows at her.

She stared at him for a long time. “When we are on duty, we’re on duty. We’re professionals. We both continue to follow protocol, chain of command, and regulation. Well for the most part.” She grinned. They were neither poster children from Star Fleet. “And then discretion is our new favorite word. I’m not suggesting we aren’t seen together in public. I am not ashamed if people find out, but that our public behavior is mature and responsible.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

He sat back and looked at her. “Um… about that. I’ve been accused of a lot of things. But ‘mature and responsible’ isn’t on that rather extensive list.” and he laughed softly. “I mean after all; you are looking at the party guilty of gluing that fart noise device under the auxiliary science console.” That particular prank had caused a member of the science department to almost pass out when it was triggered right when Asam came on the bridge once. “But I’ll do my best.” He would, of course, not do anything that was out of bounds… but she knew he would go *right up to * that line from time to time.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

She laughed, “Xam, if you stopped doing that stuff, the morale of the entire crew would collapse. I only mean between us. In other words no private interludes in what we hope is an abandoned corridor.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Well… the torpedo bay is always available. You happen to know a guy who has the keys.” he said with a grin. “And nobody likes it in there because I tend to put people to work tagging casings when they come in.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Now see, that’s one of your most alluring traits. You always have the most inventive solutions.” She leaned in and kissed him, “I used to be a Tactical Officer. I don’t mind helping g tag casings.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Was that before or after muzzle-loading cannons?” he asked with a grin. Before she could answer, he leaned forward and kissed her, smiling the whole time. “Don’t worry. Older women are my weakness. And since I doubt I’ll meet anyone older, you have nothing to worry about.” and he kissed her again.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Hmmm I will just have to make sure you don’t run into any more of my species.” Her hand slid up his arm and into his hair. “To answer your question, it was during and after. I’ve got some black powder projectile weapons I can show you. We could retire on those alone.”

Xam smiled and said “Oh… I have a pension lined out.”

“Okay, so you asked me how we would handle this. I told you what I think. Now it’s your turn.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam was quiet for a moment and then said “Well… neither one of is especially invested in what other people have to say. But then again, we can’t just flaunt it either. So how about we be discreet, but not hidden. No PDA on duty, no terms of endearment. Off duty, we just do our thing and let the chips fall where they may.” He thought a moment longer and then said “And we split time between our quarters. That way it keeps anyone from thinking I get special treatment because I am…” and he grinned wickedly, “… giving you special treatment.”

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“Oh, you’ll get special treatment, just not the kind that has any bearing on your on duty time. Except for making you need an extra pot of coffee or two.” She turned fully on her side, her feet tangling with his. “I can agree with all that. But there are other things than just regulations and service we should discuss.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam’s eyes narrowed slightly and he said “Um… okay. Such as? I mean, I wasn’t lying when I said I love you. But if you are gonna start planning a wedding or some sh!+, we are probably going to have to reevaluate our immediate future.” and then he grinned at her.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She shoved his shoulder gently and kissed him. “No, nothing like that.” She took a breath. “My species is empathic. I’m not very adept at it. Another sign of my misspent youth. But the longer we know each other, the more attached… involved we are, the better I will get at it. We also have a very limited form of telepathy.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Oh, okay.” Xam said as if she said the weather was nice. “I trust you, Rende.” he said. “I don’t think you’ll start digging around in my head without telling me. But is there anything else I should know?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Well our telepathy doesn’t work that way. We can’t read thoughts. We can, in extreme circumstances, project an image of ourselves I to the mind of people we are close to. I’ve always thought of it as a type of telepathic SOS system.”

She shook her head, “No, I don’t think there is anything immediately needing discussion. You know how long I’ve lived, and about my colorful history. Well enough that you won’t be completely caught off guard by anything that comes up.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam nodded and then his brow furrowed. He looked at her and said “Yeah… about that. You never really asked, and I never really talked about it… my life before Star Fleet. That may be a conversation we should have…”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende nodded, “Well we didn’t really talk about mine either. Just quiet innuendo that we both understood. So let’s have that conversation now. While we are still away from the ship. We still have a night and most of a day right here.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam grinned and said “Okay. Rock Paper Scissors to see who goes first?” he asked.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Sure, there seems to be a variation of that on every planet.” Rende held out her fist and in time with him, pumped it three times and went with paper.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam waited til her hand dropped and he leaned in and kissed her. “Fine. You win. Go ahead.” and he grinned and leaned back. “Regale me with all your dirty secrets. And no matter what, you can’t change my mind about you.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“I would hope not.” She rolled to her back, staring up through the transparent cover. “I was born stardate 1849102.3 in my homeworld of El-Auria. It is licated in the far side of the Beta quadrant, past Klingon space. My parents were very well off, I was taught by private tutors, and I was genuinely in need of nothing. Except things didn’t seem right to me. There was political and social strife on my planet that the government refused to see. Much to my parents displeasure I refused to listen and I joined the protests.”

“You see, not listening is considered a grave social sin amo g us. We call ourselves a race of listeners because that is how our empathy works. It means that we can “hear” the world like music. To us, every action and word vibrates with a specific resonance, and those most adept can further manipulate reality by finding and plucking the “right chord”. El-Aurian parents pride themselves on how well behaved their children are compared to other species. Because we always listen to what our parents say.”

“Finally, several large groups of us decided we could not stay and we left.” She shook her head, “Leaving did nothing to change it, we should have stayed and fought for change. But we were young and thought removing our presence would punish them.”

“The transport we were on was attacked by a roaving band of pirates. That is the beginning of how I became The Star Siren. One of the most notorious mercenaries in history.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam took a breath. “Ok. So let me ask.you this. I mean, I’ve heard the stories, the folk tales. How the Siren once destroyed an entire Klingon fleet to protect a pre-warp world from being taken over. I also heard the stories about double-crossing an employer when offered a higher payout that resulted in the employer’s family being wiped out. So which one was your Siren? Merc with a heart of gold? Bloodthirsty killer only after the prize?” and he really looked at her. “Both?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Both stories are true if you look at just the the events. We started out wanting to do right where at home things were wrong. Though we had to eat. We had parts for our ship to buy. Sometimes we took jobs just for the pay. We tried to be discerning. But the young think they know everything.” She looked at him, “and that employer, he and his family were the targets. We didn’t kill them, we collected the bounty. They were wanted alive and that is how we delivered them. They tried to stage a couple at the prison, and died in the fight.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam held up his hands. “Hey. I am the last one in this hammock who has any kind of moral highground to judge. And even if I did, I wouldn’t.” There was a level of sincere honesty to his words that Rende could feel, even in their burgeoning connection. “I am not without my own past, and I’ll never hold yours against you. Deal?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

She smiled at him, kissed him, and sighed a sound that was pure relaxation. “I never thought you would, Xam. I judge myself. There are things I should regret, but instead I could only learn from them. I won’t judge you either. I mean I took jobs that offered a bounty only if the person was dead. I did what needed to be done.” Okay so need was subjective, but still. “So, Deal, we won’t judge each other. Any other particular stories you want to know about? You said you studied our tactics. That’s a rather pretty feather in my cap, you know.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at her for a long time and then said “We’ll have plenty of time to share war stories, I’m sure.” he said. “I want to know about something else. Something… personal.” He smiled at her. “Tell me about the first non- El Aurian you ever had feelings for.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende looked at him a moment, “That would be Ruytal Ezvayn. He was the son of a military family on Þynav. His parents had hired us as a protection detail. There had been threats against his life. He was more than capable of defending himself, but unlike most, he was cooperative and willing to listen and work with us. There was no posturing or need to prove himself. He was tasked with negotiating a cease fire. He was perceptive and open minded. Able to see the needs and fears of others. It made him very good at working towards compromise. He was also not someone you wanted planning tactics against you for that very same reason. He is the one who showed me the proper way to benefit from Þynavian Eziaku.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam could feel the affection in her voice. “How long ago was that?” he asked. Her age was of zero concern for him. He knew her as she was, and that was who he had fallen in love with. He was just… curious… if after he was gone (regardless of how long they were together), if she would remember him; and for how long.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende was quiet a moment as she figured the time, “Three hundred and seventeen years.” As of sensing what he wanted to know. “We were with him six months.” It was a blank of an eye in her life time really. A blink in anyone’s, but he was special. Of course Rende remembered all their campaigns and the people they worked and served with. “I was very attracted to him. I cared for him deeply, and had a great affection for him, but I was never in love with him.” Her eyes and fingers traced his face with a deep ache and love that was obvious. “I will never forget you Xam. Even if you walked away now.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam moved closer to her and put an arm around her, staring at her. “I couldn’t even if I wanted to… and I don’t want to.” he said as he leaned in and ever-so-gently kissed her on the lips. It was tender, soft, and filled with a sense of adoration and love. He didn’t press himself to her, but he subtlety encouraged her to lay back slowly until they laid flat in the hammock. He drew his lips back from hers and looked at her; his mouth curved in a soft smile as his hair fell long and framed both of their faces. “I love you.” he whispered; and then his lips met hers again.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Warmth spread across her and electricity gently rippled up her spine and across her body. Her arms gently went around his shoulders as she stared up at him. No trace of the very competent soldier to be seen. Just a woman who was very much in love with him. What he didn’t give her voice time to say, she conveyed through the gentle contact of their lips and the way she kept him in her arms with her.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Several long moments later he pulled back and sighed. “Alright. If you and I are really going to do this, let’s get cards on the table. What kind of stuff from your past can end up biting us in the ass?” he asked, visions of a dead Klingon on the lounge deck of the resort popping up in his head. “Personally, as a pair, serving together… anything. Lay it out and I’ll lay mine out. Then we can figure out if there is anything we need to deal with now, what we need to think about for later, and what we can kick to the side.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Not much. I’ve been out of that life since a decade before the first warp 5 ship launched. I’ve kept out of it too since I joined the Federation Marines back then. Klingons have long memories. Some like me, but there are a few Houses that hold grudges. The Federation is not at peace with them, so should we come across them, and they remember, it will be a personal insult not just a political issue.” She wasn’t too worried about that. They didn’t patrol along the Klingon border. “Orions. They are aware of El-Aurians and how long we live. I had several altercations with them over the centuries. I still have an active price on my head. Risa knows, still has a picture of me as a persona-non-grata. I’m surprised the inspector didn’t have something to say about it.” She thought a moment, “Other than that, nothing really. Most people who would are long dead. Of course my Star Fleet Career hasn’t won me any favors. The biggest risk is the brass suddenly deciding I’m a risk because I’m ancient.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam pursed his lips together and sat in thought for a long few moments. He looked at her and said “Don’t judge. And I’m not the same person anymore… okay?”

Rende shook her head, “I would never judge.”

He took a deep breath and the said “I have a warrant from the Romulans for…” and he took another large breath and said “… for murder. That is a death warrant. I am technically wanted by the Andorians and Deltan authorities for smuggling; but that’s on hold since Star Fleet got me. The Klingons actually like me, but only because I ran weapons for them. The Gorn have a bounty on my head that, last I checked, was big enough I was tempted to turn myself in. About a dozen or so system or planet specific warrants, all on hold like the Andorian and Deltan ones. And last but not least, your buddies the Orion Syndicate want my ass really bad.” He looked at her and said “My ship, the Ebon Rain? I stole it from them. And they really want it back. Pretty sure that if they get their hands on me, they will start cutting bits off really quick.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Her eyes turned dangerous. “They will never get the chance.” It was an absolute certainty. Then she took a breath, “Xam, I have many outstanding warrants as well. The only difference is, most people think I’m dead. From murder to smuggling to kidnapping to theft to war crimes and everything in between. There are dozens of planets and systems and empires between then and now that would love to find me in their hands. I just outlived them.” She rolled closer and kissed him. It held a wealth of feeling and understanding and support. “You don’t have to explain to me. Like I said, sometimes I was a mercenary with a heart and other times do anything for a payday.” She gave him a serious look, “I will however never let you forget it if I have to break your @$$ out of prison,” then she grinned.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at her with fake shock. “You think they could actually get me in prison? It’s like you don’t even know me.” and he shook his head and then grinned. “Besides, to get me there in the first place they’d have to catch me. And so far, only one person seems to have done that.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Oh no, I don’t think they can catch you, which is why if they ever did, I’d never let you live it down.” She grinned, but it was warm and loving, “I wouldn’t let them live at all.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam looked at her intently for a few moments and then said “You really wouldn’t… would you?” with no small amount of wonder in his eyes.

Ra’Ti, Tactical

“No, I would not.” She sighed, “I am not a nice person when it suits me Xam. Hard actions don’t phase me. I’ve lost a lot, it’s just the consequence of being so old, but I don’t deal with losing what is important to me by unnatural means. And being a bit arrogant for a moment. I’m d@mn good at it, or I wouldn’t still be alive after all the conflicts I’ve been in.” She sighed heavily, “I would be particularly vindictive of anyone who thought of harming you.”

Then she shrugged, “Not that you need protecting.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Xam regarded her in silence for a long time before, in a mere instant, his lips were on hers. For the next few hours there were no words save for one repeated sentiment…

“I love you, Rende.” was interspersed in the sounds of their union.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Each statement was answered by her own, “I love you, Xam.” There was an intensity and care to those hours that had only been hinted at before. It was in the quietest part of the night before their world began to move again. Rende was laid across him, unwilling to break any contact with him. “I think I’m going to have a hammock installed in my quarters.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“You do that and I will most definitely be derelict in my duties.” Xam said with a soft chuckle. “And so will you. We’d never leave.” he exhaled slowly and then said “You know… for a quick fling with no strings… we are kinda tying each other up pretty solidly.” and he looked at her and winked.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende thought if she was going to be forced into retirement for dereliction of duty, Xam was worth it. It was oh so very tempting to walk away from Star Fleet too. That would never happen. Star Fleet didn’t want her out there making a living all on her own, where they couldn’t give her orders.

“Hmmm, but we are both such expert knottologists. It’s been exhilarating. I don’t know about you, but I intend to continue.” She winked at him and stared into his eyes, “I am absolutely certain we haven’t even scratched the surface of our combined knowledge yet.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Oh, but I do look forward to more practical application practice.” he said with a grin. He laid back and stared up at the sky. He was silent for a long time before he chuckled and said “So what are you going to say when we are on the bridge and you are standing in front of the viewer talking to the brass and one of them asks you why your Tactical Officer is behind you staring at your ass?”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Her hand slid around to rest at the nape of his neck, “I was hoping you would be. Practice is very important.” She kissed him and then settled down beside him, watching the night animals and stars move around them.

She made an amused dismissive sound, “Ask them if they’re jealous. I’ve caught more than a few them staring at my ass over the years,” she laughed.

Cpt. Asam, CO

“I’ll f&<king shoot them if they do it again.” Xam said flatly, and he turned his head so he was looking at her. “That ass is mine now, and I don’t share.” and he grinned. “I’m also very possessive of my toys.” and he leaned in and kissed her for a long, long time.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

He really would, and that was fine with her. They would probably be on the run if he did that, but that sounded more like an adventure to her. Laughter danced over his lips as he kissed her. It soon faded, lost in the wordless communication between them.

After a long while, she looked up at him, “That sounds good to me. We are alike that way, we don’t share. And I am not so independent to deny you the fun of making sure everyone is aware of that fact.” She was teasing, but there was a depth of meaning and commitment in the words.

Cpt. Asam, CO

“And what fun that will be…” he said with a grin. He then rolled over on his back and stared up at the sky. “You know, I never imagined a future like this for myself. It’s hard to believe that less than two years ago I was looking at a life in a penal colony. And now I am here…” and he laughed. “That is a wager I would have definitely lost.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Rende chuckled, “Life is so much more exciting when we stop imagining and anticipating. Then things get to surprise us. The universe gets to stay beautiful and mysterious.” She rolled so she was half draped across him. “But I’ll do my best to make that lost wager worth it.” She laughed softly.

Cpt. Asam, CO

Bump

“Oh, I think you may have already done that.” he replied softly. “Now I just have to make sure that I do something foolish. And I will say… my record for not doing that is pretty abysmal.” and he laughed.

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

Lifting her head, Rende gave him an amused expression. “And what type of foolish thing do you think you might do? We’ve done plenty of foolish things this week and they’ve turned out quite well. I’m willing.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

“Oh, you know… the usual.” Xam said with a smile. “Grabbing your butt on the bridge. Pushing you up against the wall of the lift when the Security Chief walks in. Picking you up and setting you on the tactical station to make out with you and accidentally firing a salvo of torpedoes at a station or something. You know… the usual.”

Ra’Ti, Chief Tactical Officer

“Oh now won’t we cause all kinds of gossip. We’ll have to make sure it’s worthy of us.” Rende laughed, “Some how I don’t think you will accidently fire a torpedo. But if you are truly worried we can add a safety lock to your station.”

Cpt. Asam, CO

Bump