=Aeran III=
Rick tried to focus on organizing the crew. While doing so,
he kept a hopeful eye out for Mai, hoping that she would
show up at their temporary base.
He had heard of a couple of reports of pods landing in a
few locations kilometers away from the base site. Rick
wanted to go to these landing sites himself, but he needed
to be here ... not just because he was a senior staff
officer, but because of Rachel.
As he wondered through the crew, he always kept an eye on
his daughter, who was running around with Martin. How often
do these two kids get a chance to play on actual dirt and
grass?
The crew kept an eye skyward, in case the Romulans would
send down some fighters to pick off the survivors on the
ground. Chances were slim since the Rommies seemed busy
with other things, but there was always a chance.
Rick saw Rachel running towards him.
"Look at what I have?" she said with a wide grin, holding
out a flower.
"That's a very lovely flower," Rick said as he lifted the
child. It looked to be a cross between a rose and a tulip.
Of course, Rick didn't know much about flowers, so he
couldn't really tell.
He held the flower by its stem and placed it underneath
her hairline behind her left ear. The flower stuck out next
to her left eye.
"There, a pretty flower for a pretty young lady," Rick said,
kissing her on her right cheek as she giggled.
"Who's that, daddy?" she asked, pointing toward someone
walking up to them with his or her uniform coat over their
upper body, covering their head. He or she looked as if they
were hiding.
"I don't know," Rick said as he lowered Rachel and motioned
for her to play with Martin.
Just as she ran off, the crewman, now in front of Rick, lifted
the coat to show his face.
"Tembar? Is that you?" Rick asked.
"Of course it's me," Tembar replied.
"What may I ask are you doing?" Rick was puzzled.
"Protecting myself from the sun. There's too much sun."
"It's not that bad," Rick said.
"I don't like the sun. Do you know how dangerous the sun's
rays are?"
The CEO shook his head.
"Really Tembar. I had no idea you were afraid of the sun."
"For good reason. The sun had been known to cause a number
of skin ailments and diseases. I tell you, people are insane
for standing out in it like there's nothing wrong."
Rick tried to hold back a laugh.
"How did you ever get through the academy ... the survival
training alone."
"I was given medical excuses. Besides, I'm a genius when it
comes to holographic cloaking technology. Starfleet's not
going to risk losing me for some silly outdoor games. I'm
much too valuable."
"And here we are, in the great outdoors," Rick said, waiving
his arms around. "The fresh air, the beautiful sun ...
"You can have your fresh air and sun. I prefer to be in my
labs surrounded by computers and technology. I'm going back
to the safety of my escape pod."
Tembar turned and walked away. Rick couldn't help but to
continue to laugh. Despite everything that has happened, he
was surprised that he could still laugh.
He then stopped laughing and his smile disappeared.
"Mai, sweetheart ... where are you?" he muttered, taking
another look around the base.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Chief Engineering Officer
U.S.S. Chimera (formally)
and
Lieutenant (j.g.) Tembar (npc by Rick)
Holographic Cloak Specialist
U.S.S. Chimera (formally)
Windows Live Hotmail now works up to 70% faster. Sign up today.