Couldn't Drag Me Away

Posted on 30 Aug 2019 @ 2:09am by Lieutenant Commander True Keading & Captain Jonathan Reynolds

Mission: Mission 1 - In the pale moonlight ...
Location: Holodeck 2
Timeline: MD8 19:00
1856 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

True was glad she'd brought a jacket and that she'd warned Jon that it might be cold here. Of course being on the holodeck they could always increase the temperature but that wasn't any fun if they wanted an authentic experience. As they entered the sealife center, True led him up the steps to the second floor where there were all kinds of interactive displays on marine life, mostly fish at this level. "Salmon used to be such an important part of the ecostyem here. They were a large source of food for the Native Alaskans that lived here centuries ago plus they used every bit of the fish they possibly could. Oh, there's also a touching pool further down the corridor, you can put your hand in and touch a sea urchin or a starfish."

Jon was loving sensing how proud of her home towns history she was. "Well I wasn't expecting to do something like that. I've eaten sea urchin but never touched one. Okay I'm game if you are," he said. He wondered what they would feel like. "Which ones are the salmon?" he asked watching all the fish. He liked fish. They were somewhat relaxing he found to watch. Maybe he should get some in his ready room he mused. Everyone seemed to be getting pets after all.

True pointed to a tank to his left. "These are just immature ones. If larger of course then they'd have to get a much bigger tank. And of course I will do it with you," He seemed kind of mesmurized by the swimming around. True joined him there, tentatively slipping an arm around him.

"I like fish," he said slipping his own arm round her too. "And I like it when you do that." He kissed her fore head and laughed as he watched several chasing each other. "These are the ones that swim for miles upstream to reproduce aren't they? Usually to the place they were spawned. Isn't that amazing. It must be some sort of genetic memory perhaps?"

"Yes, through all kinds of obstacles. I guess, I've never studied them personally. I preferred fuzzier animals when I was a kid. Except of course I ate them which looking at them now makes me feel rather guilty," she chuckled. "At least on Andromeda most things are replicated." She let him remain a minute longer and then pulled him along, "Come on, there's so much to see. Wait until you see the halibut."

"Lead on." Jon said happily. "I used to go fishing with my dad and gramps. So I'm feeling a little guilty too," he confessed.

"So Alaska famous for fish and beautiful scenery," he said as they walked into the next area. There looked to be a lot of signs. "And intelligent and beautiful counselors …." he was about to finish that compliment but then spotted a sign …. "Seals, oh yes ….."he grabbed her hand excitably. "Can we …."

"You are going to love this part." She led him over the balcony, not even answering his question with words. The balcony overlooked an outdoor pool where the seals could swim to the surface and poke their heads above water. Down below one could see the clear glass and the seals swimming right up against the tank where people were standing as if teasing them. "Why do you like seals so much anyway?" She asked quietly, slipping his arm around her body again, a silent request to be held.

Jon tightened his arm round her and grinned. "Well look at them. They are just adorable. And you know …" he pulled his arm back for a brief moment and clapped his arms together,

"Arp arp arp. How can someone not like seals?" He placed his arm back around her shoulder and agreed, "Yes I do love this. What a great idea two different ways to interact with them in their habitat."

True gave him a strange look but smiled, holding back her laughter. "You are a weird man. But adorable. The sealions are next when you've had your fill of the seals. When I was a kid we would come visit them and there was one that they kept here all the time, they couldn't release him back into the wild. He used to chase scarves when we pressed them up against the tank and swirled them around."

"Come on then onwards to the sea lions. Good bye my friends," Jon said to the seals. "Have we any scarves?" he asked.

"No, but the holodeck can create one for you. Computer," True called out. "Create a white scarf approximately two meters long and twenty five centimeters wide." It shimmered into life in front of her and she picked it up. "Like this she showed him when the sealion came swimming past. True put it in front of the nose and swung it up so that the sealion followed the tail of the scarf as if it were a fish.

"Oh he likes that," he grinned. "And that colour suits you," he said softly.

The offhand compliment caught her off guard and she stopped what she was doing to look back at him staring at her. She blushed a little bit at the gaze. "White? It's just an easy color for him to see in his surroundings. Here, you try it."

He took the scarf. It was pretty delicate. Jon locked eyes with the sealion who clearly now wanted to play this game and pressed it to the tank glass pulling it in directions it could follow. He found himself giggling. The sealion really liked this game. "I think we are going to have to move on, he looks like he could go all day," Jon grinned. He pulled the scarf away. "Sorry buddy," he winked at him and very gently placed it round Trues neck. She definitely suited white.

"You can borrow my program anytime and come play with him," True teased. "Or see the seals again." She had a brief thought that they'd missed the touch pool in all of his excitement about the seals, but they could do that another day. It was time to take him to the brewery.

"Can't not take up an offer like that," Jon agreed. "Where next?"

"Brewery. So you can run amok." She grinned at him. "I'm going to stand back and watch."

"Ahhh," he joked, "Your secretly hoping I'll get squiffy enough so you can see my seal impression again."

"In public, yes." True responded right back at him. "I've never been in here." She said honestly. "But it should be interesting, I mean most local breweries are decorated in an Alaskan style." She put her arm in his as they approached. "If you want we can add some more colorful locals too."

Jon looked at her curious. "Oh yes lets do that." He walked them out the building. "Am I about to experience culture shock?" he asked her letting her lead the way.

"Maybe a little. They're kind of set in their ways. Don't mention what you do for a career," True said grinning at him. This was going to be fun. They walked into the bar, the smell of beer, fisherman who hadn't bathed and the ocean assaulted her nostrils. She'd been prepared for it though. "Sorry about this," she chuckled.

"Well we want authentic," Jon winked at her leading the way to the bar. "Set in their ways, sounds like a Yorkshire man to me."

"Get yourself whatever you'd like and I'll find us a table," True did something that even surprised her, she kissed Jon on the cheek before moving off. She seated herself at a table with a view of the ocean and glanced around. She found someone looking at her and politely asked how fishing had been to which the elderly man responded enthusiastically with a long drawn out tale that was probably way more exciting than it had actually been .

Jon smiled at the kiss and turned his attention to the barman once she had gone to get a table. "Hey mate. I'll try," he looked at what was on tap. "A rockfish red - Pint. And do you do tea? For the lady?" he asked.

The man behind the bar seemed to be sizing Jon up and then grunted, passing over his pint and a few minutes later a mug of steaming hot tea

Jon returned clutching a colourful looking glass donning his ales name and a bright picture of the fish. "Apparently it brings in the fish," he said with a smile at the tagline, "Hello," he said to the elderly gentleman.

True was laughing when Jon approached the table. "That's very entertaining Mr. Drake."

Drake looked at the newcomer with a smirk. "This must be the boyfriend then?" True had just picked up the mug and placed it to her lips and so she only nodded in respond. "Hmmm," Drake said turning around completely and ignoring the pair of them.

True grinned at him. "Thanks. I wasn't expecting anything. See, flirty towards women they don't know, and suspicious of men. The usual."

"Well there seems to be more men here than the women. Just an observation from what I have seen of the programme …. and your're gorgeous so you can't blame him for trying," Jon smiled. "So I'm the boyfriend then?"

She coughed and set her tea down. "I suppose you are, it was the easiest explanation to just say yes." But she was smiling with a slight blush to her fair face. "So . . . ."

Jon placed his hand over hers. "I'm okay with that, the boyfriend thing," he said softly. Flushing himself he sipped the ale. "This is good. I'm going to need the replicator information for it."

"I figured you would be," True replied, just as softly. "And sure, I can get it from the bartender before we leave. What are we doing after this? The sun will start going down soon. Stargazing on the beach?"

"You game?" Jon asked his eyes twinkling. "We could have a little bonfire, set up on that lovely beach. Maybe some marshmallows. Get a flask of something warm for you and me another bottle of this."

"Sure." True replied. "I'll replicate us some waterproof tarps and some blankets. What happens if we fall asleep on the beach?"

"I guess we get wet when the tide comes in?" Jon teased. "…. It'll be fine True. I need to get back for Eddie anyway so have an computer alarm piped into my comm. badge to remind me if it gets really late. Still though …. it was rather nice that first time …. I wouldn't be complaining if you fall asleep on me."

"I wouldn't fall asleep below the tideline," she chuckled. "And I'm not worried." She gave him a small smile. "I'm ready whenever you are."

Jon sipped the rest of his pint. That had gone down very smoothly. "After you milady,"

OFF:

●● Lieutenant True Keading
Chief Counselor
USS Andromeda


●●● Commander Jonathan Reynolds
Commanding Officer
USS Andromeda