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Captain's Personal Log
SD2373.419

Cptn. Sioux D. Nanaimo
Commanding Officer
Outpost Cousteau
Vantar IV, Beta Quadrant

As I look back over the last several months here, it becomes difficult for
me to conceive that I once did not look forward to this assignment. I so
wanted to be out among the stars, exploring, discovering...
I used to think that a station assignment -- whether it was a space
station or a planetary outpost -- was static; boring. How wrong I was! Well,
perhaps there *are* some boring posts out there, but Cousteau is hardly one
of them.
The Vantar system has an interesting range of planets; Vantar IV -- site
of the Outpost -- is the only one habitable without use of all-environs suits
or the very least, breathing apparatus. But that's not to say that Vantar IV
isn't without its little challenges.
There are the electrical storms that have no apparent pattern to them;
they rarely strike below 100m but they certainly do mess up navigational and
sensory systems. Luckily they tend to be over relatively quickly. The two
Vantarian moons, Artemis and Aramis, share the same orbit and lay opposite
one another, creating tides of up to 30' difference -- making for great
surfing conditions, but killer undertows!
I like taking my evening walk or jog along the cliffs, overlooking the
ocean. I can see the terrforming shaping up in the distance; they have
already gotten a small crop out, and soon we may be fully self-sufficient in
covering the Outpost's own vegetarian needs. The science crew has been
experimenting with some plants and I'm almost afraid to read their most
recent reports, some days! :::chuckles::::
Then let's take a look at the crew and the other people who live and work
around the Outpost. The crew is completely varied, all kinds of species --
Betazoid, human, Hermat, Brikar, Andorian, you name it -- throw in some 150
Thallonian refugees; and the workers who have begun to arrive to work the
mines and the farms -- and we have quite the gumbo here. A little spice is
good, but the pot should never catch on fire! ::briefly thinks about her
conversation with The One, and sighs:::
One thing is for certain..... I have come to thoroughly enjoy the
challenges presented at this posting. Now that my XO, Cmdr. Surak, and the
Second Officer, LtCdr. Scott, have arrived, I can distribute some things to
them. Their records indicate strong officers with good command abilities...
it will be interesting to get to know them.

Computer, close and secure log.



Captain Sioux D. Nanaimo
COMMANDING OFFICER
OUTPOST COUSTEAU

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THE FORGOTTEN OFFER
(Personal Log Casey Elias)

Casey closed the door to the compartment that housed all of the scientific
data receivers (SDR's) and walked through the galley, grabbing a cold one as
he headed on out to the aft deck. The data coming in from the marker buoys
was phenomenal and he was elated with what he was seeing thus far. He wanted
to get Alicia's input on it but she had evidently taken a boat out earlier in
the day to do some research of her own. He wasprepared to make her an offer
to her that he hoped would be too hard to refuse. A kind of peace offering
for past injustices and the rocky start that they got off on. He was going to
give her the rights to the location and the data that he had collected so far
and the only thing that he would ask in return would be to be allowed to work
with her, as her assistant, on the project. He hoped that she would jump on
it. He had picked up a couple of theVantarian version of lobster and had a
good bottle of wine chilling. He then went over and pulled out a some of her
favorite music. He would set the table when they got back. Then a little
wine, some seafood, soothing background music, light conversation, and
finally the peace offering. How could that go wrong? She might even stop
calling him Major!

He had worked late into the night on the investigation of the explosion that
had occurred on Sunday at the landing pad but had thus far come up empty
handed on hard information. He had let Galex go earlier in the week and had
assigned a security officer full time to tracking the activities of The One.
About 5 am he climbed into his bed aboard the Calypso and crashed out.

He had a fitful sleep, tossing and turning, his mind refusing to shut down.
The investigation into the bombing had sown a seed of hesitancy into an ego
that thus far in his life been unaccustomed to doubt. Was he losing his edge?
The duties of a front line marine and a chief of security were worlds apart.
He had many years of experience in both and this was the first time that he
had been unable to solve a crime in an acceptable period of time.Well,
acceptable to him anyway. There was not a millimeters of doubt in his mind
that The One was behind the bombing and that Galex knew more than Casey could
legally squeeze out of him. If Vantar were declared a war zone or occupied
territory then he would have had the information or Vantar would have one
less Prophet and one less Ferengi. Either way the case would be solved and he
would be happy.
He woke feeling as tired as he had 8 hours earlier and made his way into the
SDR lab, soon engrossed in the data from the transmit buoys . He heard
Alicia's boat return and hurried to finish up the data transfers, in the hope
of catching her and offering dinner and his research.
He set the beverage on the cowling and jumped down onto the dock, making his
way over to were Alicia kept her boat. He noticed Alicia right away and his
planned speech and romantic dinner were immediately forgotten, replaced by a
bright green monster that he thought he had caged years ago.

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We Meet Again
(Doctor Alicia Winters/Major Casey Elias)

SD 9805.03

Major Casey Elias, the Chief of Security for the Outpost Cousteau, busily
worked in the Command Center. He had a lot of work to do with all the
incoming civilians, officers, and scientists. Each new occupant for the
outpost was another stack of "paperwork" for him to approve of or write. As
he started his shift today, he had no idea that one of the newest additions
to the Outpost Cousteau would turn his world upside down again.

Doctor Alicia Winters, formerly Doctor Alicia Elias, smiled as the doors to
her shuttle opened, and she stepped out onto the soil. She nervously fidgets
with the ring on her hand, which she has not taken off in 15 years. Alicia,
or Ally, had been thrilled when Captain Nanaimo responded that she was to be
the new Chief of Oceanography Operations on the Outpost Cousteau. She had
been looking forward to such a posting for a long time.
After 30 years of service in Starfleet, she had finally decided to retire,
at the rank of Lieutenant Commander, and use her skills in the private
sector. When she had received the information on the Outpost Cousteau, it
seemed like the ideal posting to begin the rest of her life. With luck she
would be able to put the past behind her and get a fresh start on a planet
with so many possibilities. Little did she know that her past could not be
easily put to rest, but instead she would have to face her past and him
again.

Major Elias hands off another PADD to a nearby Ensign. He taps his
communication's badge. "John would you take a stroll past Galex's, just to
see that things are under control?" After John answers in the affirmative
Elias nods to himself that all is going well.

Alicia walks past the Command Center window on her way to check out her
office and lab for her experiments and research. Her telepathic abilities
suppressed, so that she can concentrate on her physical senses without
distraction, she does not realize who she has just passed in a nearby room.
She continues to walk towards her office nonchalantly.

Casey Elias looks out the window as the long auburn hair flows past it, with
an all too familiar face. He practically jumps out of his chair, rushing to
the door. He looks out the window. "Who the ... It can't be ... HEY YOU!"
He calls out.
Alicia continues to walk towards her office nonchalantly, not realizing that
she is the one Elias is shouting towards. ~~I have to set up the lab
rotation schedule, work out a ocean bound submergence vehicle for us to use
for our research, and set up base pair sequences on the biological life in
these oceans.~~ She mentally checks off some of the tasks that lie ahead for
her
and her teams.
Casey runs out into the hall, attempting to catch up with the woman. He can
see her from the back, and knows that it has to be her. Although why she
would be there is quite a mystery to him.
Alicia's auburn hair flows loosely down to her waist. Since she is not on
duty yet she lets it flow down her back. She is whistling the same tune that
she usually does when she is nervous.
Casey looks at the back of Doctor Winters, catching up to right behind her.
"Excuse me ... um ... Ma'am?"
Alicia stops quickly in her tracks when she hears the Major's voice. ~~No
it can't be ...~~ She opens up her telepathic abilities and immediately
feels the pulse quickening presence of the Major.
Major Elias steps up even closer. "Um ... Ma'am? May I help you with
something?"
Doctor Winters doesn't face Major Elias yes. She hopes that he hasn't
recognized her yet. "Thank you, but I am alright. Just heading to my office
thank you officer."
Alicia's voice is unmistakable to Casey. "Lis?" He says stunned and
confused. ~~Why would she be here of all places?~~
"I am sorry, but you must have mistaken me for someone else." Alicia turns
around, trying to act nonchalant. Ever since their divorce 5 years ago, Ally
had done her best to avoid Casey's path. It was over between them, and she
had no desire to torture herself further.
"No ... " Casey stares at Alicia, whom he has always called Lis as his own
personal nickname for her. "Unfortunately I am not mistaken." He smiles
some.
Alicia's voice drips in sarcasm. "Well Major Elias, how unpleasant it is to
see you as well."
"Aw, stow it sister!" Casey says a bit harshly, then walks closer to Alicia
and gives her a big bear hug.
For a moment, Alicia allows herself to take in his handsome features and
return his hug. Quickly though she comes back to her senses and pushes him
away. "Back off Major !!"
"Hey is that any way to treat me?" Casey answers back a bit hurt.
"After what you pulled you think that I should be nice to you? Dream on."
Alicia retorts, remembering all to well their last few encounters, including
the ruination of one of her experiments.
"I didn't pull anything." Casey fumes that she is still blaming him. "It
was your fault."
"Don't even try to pin it on me Major." Alicia's eyes narrow.
A chirp of the Major's communication's badge interrupts their "warm" hello
again talk. "Hang on a second." He taps his badge. "John, what happened?"
The two officers share a brief discussion about an illegal transport at
Galex's.
Alicia sighs with disgust. ~~Always duty, never paying attention to where
he is or who he is with.~~
Casey turns back to Alicia when he is done with his conversation with John.
"So what are you doing here? Visiting someone?"
"I am not visiting anyone Major." Alicia responds.
"What do you mean not visiting?" Casey looks confused at Alicia. "And drop
that Major crap babe. What are you doing on my post?"
"You're post ?!?!" Ally starts to laugh. "Oh Great Maker, your ego can't
get any bigger can it." She shakes her head. "This is my post too but
strictly on a private sector workout. I retired from Starfleet you know."
"What? You retired? Why here ?!"
"I'll retire where I want to, and after 30 years of being pushed around by
jarheads like you I decided to continue to do what I like best, but on my own
terms."
"Jarhead?" Casey laughs. "So still friends, eh?"
"Don't count on it Major." Alicia answers between gritted teeth. "I am
here because I am the new Chief of Oceanography Operations on this outpost.
Now good day." She starts to walk away from Major Elias so that she won't
have to endure further insults.
"Hey Lis , wait!!" Casey yells. "Let's start over."
Ally turns to face Elias. She takes in his features noting that he is just
as handsome as ever, even if he is still just as much of a pain in the butt.
Casey extends his hand to Ally. "You are looking good Doctor Winters, and I
had not heard that you retired." He smiles. "May I buy you a cup of
coffee?"
"I really should be getting to my office." Ally sighs when she sees the
twinkle in his eyes. ~~Oh how that twinkle changed my mind many of those
years.~~
"Please?" Casey asks again. "It can't hurt you to show a little
compassion."
Ally shakes her head, knowing that she will regret it later. "Just one cup
alright?"
Casey nods and ushers Ally back up to one of his security officers. "I'm
going out. Keep me posted on John's investigation."
The security officer promptly responds. "Aye sir."
"Of all the outposts that I picked. I figured that this one would be remote
enough." Alicia mutters as she stands with her bags.
"Lis you hurt me." Casey grins. "Drop your stuff in here, then we can get
a coffee at Galex's."
"Like that was ever possible. Your heart is stone. I was the only one who
got hurt when we were married." Alicia sets her bags down near the officer.
She turns to the guard. "Now don't touch anything in there. Anything is
even moved from its container and it will destroy the samples."
The guard nods at Alicia's instructions then looks at Casey with a look of
"Good Luck sir, you are going to need it."
As they walk back out of the Command Center and head towards Galex's, Casey
turns to Alicia. "What you said is not true, and you know it. You weren't
the only one hurt." He leads her down the corridor towards a turbolift.
Ally just stares at the closed doors while the turbolift hums to its
destination.
Casey tries to make small talk. "So ... Chief Oceanographer eh?" He steps
out of the turbolift, onto a very noisy deck.
Ally follows Casey. "Yes, and I am assuming that you are here on security
duty?"
"Actually I finally got my masters degree in Oceanography." Casey smiles
remembering how he thought that the Outpost Cousteau would be perfect for him
to earn his money in security and indulge his passion for the ocean.
Ally rolls her eyes. "You mean they actually gave you the degree?! Were
they nuts?"
"Come on, Lis, cut the sarcasm, okay? I'm a jarhead by profession, but you
know that I fell in love with the ocean the first trip that you took me on."
"Why should I stop now? It helped us to be able to live with each other for
how many years of marriage?"
"Did you ever stop to think that it's why we got a divorce?" Casey retorts
sarcastically.
"Maybe I wouldn't have been so sarcastic if you had been a little more
heartfelt yourself you jarheading juggler."
"Damn you are quick with the wit today." Casey walks along the Promenade
with Alicia. He doesn't look at her as he asks. "You ever marry again?"
Alicia shakes her head no and walks alongside Casey. "There have been
enough years since our divorce that my wit has been collecting. I haven't
had anyone that needed it."
"Oh really?" Casey stops at the entryway to Galex's. "I am just finishing
up my last marriage, number 3." He leads the way into Galex's.
Alicia tries to ignore the fact that Casey was able to marry again after
her. She hadn't been able to marry anyone else. Heck she hardly even went
out on a date but here and there. Her work was her life now even more than
before. "Most people have treated me with respect these past 5 years. I
haven't needed to put my guard up."
Casey nods. "Coffee?"
"Sure. Double strong light and sweet please."
Major Elias turns to the waiter. "Two coffees, double strong, light and
sweet." He looks over at Galex and wonders what he is so nervous about this
time.
Alicia watches the waiter, hoping that the coffees will arrive soon, so that
they can put this forced visit to rest.
"So Lis ... " Casey looks across the table at Alicia. "You are looking
good."
"Thank you, but would you please stop calling me Lis? Ally is just fine."
"Aww ... come on. You know I can't stand that name." Casey frowns almost
poutingly
"Things are different now. Lis was ... " Although Alicia much prefers to
be called Lis, she had never had anyone call her that until she met Casey.
It was always like his pet name for her. Now that they were no longer
married, she vowed to herself that no one, not even Casey, could call her
that. "Well you just can't call me that."
The waiter interrupts the moment by setting down each of their coffees in
front of them.
Casey refuses to let the topic stop there. ~~She can't tell me that I can't
call her my nickname.~~ He has never been fond of calling her Ally, and Lis
was his name for her. "Really? And what has changed?"
"You know what has changed Major." Ally emphasizes the word "Major" because
she knows that Casey always hated her calling him by his rank.
Casey cringes. "Look ... I'll make a deal with you. You cut the Major crap
and I'll stop call you Lis. Agreed?"
Alicia smirks. "We aren't married anymore I don't have to make deals or
sign peace treaties with you."
Casey slams his fist down on the table in exasperation. "Give me a break
here."
Alicia smiles sweetly. "Well I guess I can handle that deal Mister Elias."
Casey sighs. "My dad is Mister Elias. Just Casey, okay?"
"And to me you are Mister Elias. It is the best I can do, or would you
rather I go back to Major. Take or leave it."
Casey grins, he won't lose this battle, not with this woman. "Whatever
babe."
~~Oh he infuriates me so.~~ Alicia frowns and then glares. "I can always
start calling you SIR again." She threatens.
"Stop that!" Casey is about to give her a piece of his mind when John
chirps over his communication's badge. He has news of a dampening field.
Casey goes back to all duty as he handles the situation well.
John walks over to Ally and Casey. After some introductions and a few
awkward moments Ally moves to grab her second coffee off the tray from the
waiter. As she reaches for the coffee with her left hand, the light reflects
off her wedding ring.
Casey sees the glint of light coming from Ally's hand and watches it,
noticing the ring. He further introduces Ally to John, and she shakes her
hand with John, the wedding ring closer to Casey. ~~I thought she said that
she wasn't married. That ring looks like ... no she wouldn't still ... ~~
Casey looks up at Ally. ~~... Or would
she?~~
John and Casey talk for a few more moments before Casey sits back down,
sliding his seat closer to Ally. "Hey ... um ... let me see that ring."
Ally looks slightly confused not even thinking about the fact that she has
on Casey's wedding ring to her. "What?" She looks down at her hand and
quickly pulls it away from Casey.
"Ally ... the ring please." Casey asks again.
Reluctantly Ally lifts her hand back on top of the table. She tries to act
nonchalantly about it, like it doesn't matter to her. ~~I forgot that I had
that on. Shoot !!~~
Casey examines the ring and then looks up at Ally. "Ally this ring looks
very familiar."
Ally looks across as Casey. "So?"
"Well why?" Casey asks, knowing full well that it was the ring he gave her
on their wedding day. He had searched through oodles of jewelers back on
Earth until he found the perfect stone in the perfect setting. He could
never forget it.
"If you don't know then I am certainly not going to tell you." Ally tries
to jerk her hand away, hurt beyond words being able to express. ~~Ten years
of marriage and he doesn't even remember?~~ Inwardly she wants to just cry
and rip the ring from her hand. It only reaffirms her resolve that staying
away from
Casey is the best thing for her to do.
"Aww ... don't be like that." Casey can see that he has hurt her. He
shakes his head wondering why they always seem to do that to each other. "I
mean I'm flattered babe." He tries to brush it off.
"Don't be." Ally tries to get a grip on herself and fires back at him with
venom. "Why should I waste a good looking ring because you were a jerk of a
husband?" She stands up.
"Oh yeah, right!" Casey bursts out laughing, despite his inner voice
warning him not to.
"Don't flatter yourself jarhead." Ally turns to leave the table. "I knew
this was a bad idea. You'll never change." She heads away from the table as
quickly as she can before the tears can force their way out.
"Wait! Stop! I'm sorry Lis!" Casey tries to catch her, but the mod of
people in Galex's gets in his way. ~~Damn don't let her go like this.~~ He
pushes his way through and grabs a hold of Ally's arm. "Wait ... please.
I'm sorry."
Ally turns to look at him coldly. "Isn't it a little late for that
fly-boy?"
"Look Lis, I mean Ally." Casey corrects himself. "Don't leave yet."
"I have more important things to take care of Major, than to sit and be
insulted all afternoon. So if there is nothing further that you need of me
professionally our business has concluded." Ally turns on her heel and
quickly exits Galex's, runs into a turbolift for the command center, picks up
her belongings, heads for her quarters, and plops on her bed to finally let's
her emotions
loose. She tells herself that she will never allow him to get to her like
that again.

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Personal Log Alicia Winters
SD 9805.04 (After "We Meet Again" and Before "The Cargo")

"Computer begin personal file sequence." Alicia sets a PADD, with terminal
hookup on the desk in her quarters. "Transfer personal data files from file
Alicia Winters, and encode for security restrictions onto this terminal."
The computer quickly runs through the files dating back to when she first
started at Starfleet Academy. There is a ten year period that is excluded
because they are not listed as files under Alicia Winters. When the computer
finishes the transfer it speaks again. "Do you wish the remaining files for
Doctor Alicia Elias to also be transferred?"
Lis pauses for a few moments, then makes her decision. "Yes. Transfer all
personal files for Alicia Elias to this terminal as well, but I want extra
security measure Theta Alpha four to be encrypted onto them." She hopes that
those measures will be enough to keep out prying eyes. Those years of her
life include some of her finest achievements in research, and all of her
personal
thoughts and emotions of her ten year marriage to Casey Elias. Those
thoughts were private, and she didn't want anyone else to get a hold of them.
"Task completed. All files have been transferred."
"Good." Alicia sits back in her desk chair. "Computer begin personal log
entry encryption Pi Gamma Major 4." Alicia chuckles to herself. ~~He would
never believe me if I told him that was my authentication entry even before I
met him.~~

"Yesterday I arrived at my new posting. The Outpost Cousteau was more than
I had hoped for in the posting originally. I have taken a brief look at the
oceanography layouts, and I am just fascinated at all of the possibilities
there. The ocean even lays out ways for us to set new ground in natural
water level temperature manipulations and biological creature cataloging.
All this beauty and opportunity does come with a
hefty price though."
"Shortly after my arrival on the OPC, I found out that Casey has also been
posted here. Of all the places in the galaxy for him to choose, why would he
choose here." Although Lis knows this answers to that question she still
asks it. "I can only assume that he choose here because of the oceanographic
possibilities, but I don't want to believe that he has
grown that attached to the ocean. It would mean that I would have to accept
that perhaps he could change, and that is something that I doubted would ever
happen. Nonetheless Casey is here. My only consolation that he is still the
same as ever, is that he is posted here as the Chief of Security. That in
itself means that old habits die hard."
"Of course Casey noticed me as I arrived on the OPC. He tried to act as if
no time had passed, nothing had went wrong with our marriage, and that we
should be best of friends. I made sure to let him know right off the bat,
that he couldn't get away with those kinds of thoughts. How could he expect
me just to let him hug me, and act as if everything was alright when he tore
my life apart."
"I loved Casey more than anything in my life. I don't think that he ever
understood that. He was always so busy with work, so I busied myself with my
work more and more as well. It was too late to stop once we started this
pattern. Pretty soon Casey wanted into my work as well. I'm not sure
exactly why. Was it because he wanted to show me that he loved the ocean as
much as I, was it because he wanted to be doing
something so that we could be close again, or was it just because he didn't
want me to do anything that he wasn't involved in? All I know is that when
my research project was ruined because I let him take over a portion of it,
we were never the same."
"We tried to put things back together, but it seemed like we couldn't even
stand the sight of each other. All we did was argue and exchange sarcastic
comments any time the other was near. Oh if only I could have told him just
how much it tore me apart every time I lashed out at him. I knew things were
bad, but when he served me with the divorce papers, I fell apart."
"Whether he will ever know it or not, I have loved Casey long after our
wedding vows were declared over." Ally looks down at the ring still on her
hand. She strokes one of her fingers over the gem in the middle of the
setting. "The wedding ring he gave me that day has never left my hand. For
some reason I just can't take it off. Although I came very
close the day that I heard he had remarried. Till death do us part ... I
remember the words so well, and at least in spirit I had hoped that I would
keep that promise even though it doesn't seem possible. He has moved on with
his life, perhaps it is time that I find another to move on with mine."

"Computer close personal log and secure."

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"THE CARGO"
(Major Casey Elias/Doctor Alicia Winters/Lt. Morgan Silver)


The afternoon was warm as Casey headed down to the loading dock to meet
with Lieutenant Silver, the head of the Operations department on the OPC.
Normally he would leave the processing of inbound cargo to one of the other
security officers, however, he thought that a little professional courtesy
for Mr. Silver was in order. He would be able to cut through some of the red
tape that normally accompanied this type of thing.
Morgan Silver was already there, standing on the loading dock and in a
discussion with one of the workers. Casey walked up and they shook hands,
exchanging pleasantries.
Casey took the PADD proffered by Morgan containing the detailed shipment
listing.
"Most of it's mundane ...." Morgan begins his prepared speech.
"But ..?" Casey looked up from the PADD without finishing to read it.
"Rolls of silk, tailored clothing, some various wines, that sort of
thing..." Morgan started to list off the articles he was bringing into the
outpost.
Elias scanned the PADD, nodding his head. "Okay."
They walked over to the secured area where Morgan's shipment would be kept
for the time being. "There are several things of note." He pauses before
beginning again, watching very carefully for Elias' reaction. "To start with
... 25 cases Romulan Ale."
Casey nodded as Morgan continued "And?"
"About 75 assorted hand held weapons, four small Jet Ski equivalents, a
boat for leisure activities, and a bunch of other items but all legal...."
Casey raised and eyebrow and looked at the PADD. "75 hand held
weapons?" He questions.
"Yeah 75." Morgan responded casually as Elias made a note.
"Oh ... Personal use?" Elias questions further.
"Well 21 are actually hand held energy weapons. The rest are various
edged weapons."
Alicia walks along the corridors of the docks ~~I hope that my laboratory
requests have arrived. I can't start the experiments without them.~~
Casey further scanned the items listed on the PADD. "Jet Ski's eh?" He
noted Morgan's reason for the weapons, as Morgan noticed Alicia Winters enter
the cargo docking area.
As Alicia steps out onto the docking area, she looks up and sees Elias
standing there with Morgan. After the confrontation they both had when she
arrived, Ally isn't too eager to begin another one. ~~Maybe I should just
come back later when he isn't on duty. I don't think that I am ready to face
him again so soon. It is just so hard to see him.~~
Morgan gives her the once over and whistles lightly before snapping his
gaze back to respond to Casey's last remark. "Yeah they cost a pretty penny
to."
Elias continues quickly reviewing the PADD. "Yeah, I bet. What's the
rest of the stuff there."
Morgan watches the doctor carefully as he smiles slowly, completely
forgetting Casey's last question. "Huh?"
Casey looks in the direction that Morgan is staring and sees Alicia
walking up. "Hey ya Lis. What brings you down here?"
Cringing at his use of the nickname she quickly retorts. "Major I thought
we had an understanding about that."
Casey glances over at Morgan who is still lightly whistling at Ally
then focuses his attention back on her. "Oh, yeah, sorry Ally."
As Ally walks closer to the two men she quickly picks up on Silver's
interest. She decides to play on it.
Casey begins an introduction for the two. "Umm, I want to introduce you to
someone."
However, Morgan steps forward and, smiling, he bows low taking her hand
and kissing it lightly. "A very good day to you."
Ally smiles at the warm greeting. "And to you good sir."
Casey glares at Lis, but she continues to ignore his gaze as Morgan
straightens up and cocks his head slightly. "Doctor Winters I believe?"
Elias knows that he is being goaded by Lis, so he steps back and crosses
his arms, watching the two of them.
"Why yes. I am surprised that you know who I am."
"Don't be. I'm sorry I couldn't be here when you arrived" Morgan
smiles as he holds onto Ally's hand a bit longer than a normal handshake.
"Forgive me, I'm Morgan Silver Chief of Operations for the Outpost."
Deciding to set the record straight, and see if he can turn the tables a
bit, Elias adds his own comment to the introductions. "Uhh, Sliver, she used
to go by another name." He looks at Lis and winks. "Elias I believe ..."
Lis finally turns and glares at Elias. "But that name no longer has
any meaning to me now does it." She corrects.
Casey's follow up comment of "Whatever babe." earns him a quick jab to the
ribs from Lis.
Lis turns and faces the Lieutenant. "Nice to meet you Morgan."
Smiling lightly Morgan and picking up on Lis' cue he ignores Elias.
"And very nice to meet you."
Alicia hands her PADD over to the Major. "Why don't you make yourself
useful there Sir."
Casey reluctantly takes the PADD from her. ~~She's trying to piss me
off.~~
Alicia hears the Major's thoughts and holds back an inward giggle
because even though she consciously doesn't want to hurt him, she knows that
she is succeeding in getting his attention.
Ignoring the PADD that she just handed to him Casey attempts to pick up his
conversation with Morgan where they left off. "So, Morgan, what else are you
bringing in?"
Morgan, his attention still on the beautiful doctor, waves a hand at
Elias so that he can get back to more interesting topics with Alicia. "This
is pretty much it. Nothing illegal and all the weapons are registered. I
understand if you would like to impound them until you complete your review."

"Umm ... yeah, impound, right. I will have one of the Security
Officers seal the creates and get you a receipt."
At this point Morgan all but forgets about the Major, smiling lightly
as he turns to the doctor. "Yes that will be fine. Doctor? I heard your an
Oceanographer? Is this true?"
Alicia seems impressed with his knowledge of her, wondering if he gives all
new arrivals the same scrutiny. "Yes it is." Smiling at Morgan she
continues. "I am one of the best you will find on this Outpost."
Morgan laughs lightly as he looks her in the eye. "I have no doubt of
that"
Glancing up at her last remark, Casey butts in. "One of! Remember
that. The best you will find is right here, eh Doc?" He points to himself.
Turning back to Elias, Ally responds to his interruption. "Not in your
wildest dreams Amateur."
Ally's last remark hit its intended mark on Elias' heart. He angrily
replies, "What? Cuz you got your Ph.D. before me? On of us had to actually
WORK!"
In a voice that she has not used for several years, Alicia replies in
kind. "And 30 years as a Starfleet Marine Biologist and Oceanographer wasn't
working!!! You are out of your mind if you think that you are the only one
who worked back then."
Morgan grins at the exchange as he uses the chance to study Alicia a
bit more.
~~Why do I do this every time with her? The last thing I want to do is
to fight~~Casey tries to blunt the bite of the exchange hoping a small
retreat will help. "Well ... sure but... Never mind. You're right Li, er,
Ally." He then notices Silvers open interest of Alicia, and his normally
well controlled
anger begins to rise to the surface. ~~What the hell.~~
Overhearing Casey's thoughts Morgan shoots back, not knowing that Casey
is not a telepath. ~~WATCH your language !!~~
Ally tries to calm herself as Morgan continues on out loud
"If you insist on thinking so loudly and not shielding your thoughts
have the courtesy of at least keeping them civil please."
Casey just looks at Morgan, disbelief clouding his face. "Huh? Not
another mind reader?"
Alicia is now visibly upset with Morgan, glaring at him as he attempts to
explain his outburst.
"You really must forgive my bad manners, but such language offends me."

"Mister Silver you know that scanning like that is an invasion of
privacy." Alicia retorts.
"Not when people scream it into your face it's not." Morgan defends
himself.
"Good grief!" Elias responds exasperated. "Look Morgan, your point is
taken. Now drop it, capish?"
Alicia sighs and looks back and forth between them
"I do apologize....."
Alicia tries to steer the conversation back to her shipments. "Major
are my supplies here? If not I shall return when they are."
Not willing to leave it as is Morgan tries another tact. "Perhaps I can
make it up and buy you two a... Oh, that's right Galex's is closed......"
"No problem Mr. Silver about the thoughts Mister Silver. I will try to
"shield" my thoughts, however I'm supposed to do that." Elias says
sarcastically before turning to Alicia. "Ally, I've not actually looked for
them"
"Then could you get it done please."
Attempting to head off the looming argument between the ex-couple,
Morgan plows onward. "No, the breach of etiquette is mine. I spent a bit of
time on Betazed and sometimes forget not everyone is telepathic. I am
sorry."
"I don't have all day to waste with you." Alicia continues on, almost as
if not hearing Morgan.
"Hey, I'm not your errand boy."
"Then get out of my way, and I will get them myself."
"Oh, by all means, knock yourself out!" Casey fumes as Alicia stomps
past, realizing that he did not respond to Morgan's last apology "No, problem
Morgan. I need to learn to be a bit more sensitive to others ..." Inclining
his head towards Alicia he finishes. "At least that what
she used to tell me."
Alicia stops and turns to Silver when she hears Casey's comment. "And I
would love that drink."
Casey is momentarily taken back at Ally's forwardness with Morgan, but
he quickly recovers his composure. "Umm.. Yeah, good idea, me too."
Alicia ignores Casey's last comment and continues on. "If the local
establishment isn't available then perhaps you could stop by my place
instead." She then turns to Elias. "And you aren't invited Major."
~~Shes doing this on purpose~~
Sensing his opening, Morgan arches an eyebrow quickly responds to the
invitation "I think that would do nicely. I happen to have a bottle of the
Blue."
Not willing to give her the satisfaction of knowing his disappointment
at how things are turning out, Casey puts on his "whatever" face and raises
his hands in the air. "Hey, no problem babe, got other things to be doing."

Alicia turns back to Morgan to finish the arrangements "Good. Tonight
at 9?"
Morgan bows. "That sounds very nice indeed."
~~ Great! I just watched my wife make a date.~~ Quickly he corrects
himself. ~~Ex-wife, old boy, slipping?~~
"I will see you at Nine then." Alicia responds, as she heads over to
the supply crates.
Casey gives it one last shot, hoping that Alicia is just playing him for
her attention. "Um.. Ally, I thought we could have dinner tonight. You
know, catch up on old times? I mean, you can have a quick drink with old
Morgan here, and then I'll pick ya up?"
Alicia smiles, turns, and starts to walk towards the supplies brushing
against Elias. "I believe I already have plans." She makes her way over to
her supplies and steps up to some large black cases, bending over to see the
contents.
Morgan just blinks and then smiles, enjoying the show. ~~Wow she must
work out.~~
Casey sees Alicia backside in full view and sighs. ~~Oh my gawd.~~
Alicia starts counting the items in it, bending over the cases and
leaning in while Casey starts to fume a bit more openly. "Hey, Silver, don't
you have something else to go over?"
Shaking his head slightly no Morgan continues to watch the doctor "No
major I believe that's about all." Morgan glances more at Ally's figure.
~~Nice ... Instruments.~~
Alicia stands up and walks over to the next larger crate. It is a bit
taller so she has to stand on her tip toes, then lean into the crate and her
feet come off the ground:: ~~I am not short, but this crate had to be made
for giants.~~
Morgan shakes his head as he let's out a low whistle and looks over at
the major "And you gave that up? Perhaps we should play cards sometime...."

Elias manages to refrain from hammering Morgan and settles for a
grumbled "Hey, pal, you might wanna watch it!"
Quick as ever Morgan responds to Elias, ignoring the implied threat.
"Oh, with out a doubt I do, but perhaps we should return to our check."
Elias grumbles as Morgan continues "Hey she's an intelligent beautiful
woman ... you married her ... you can't blame a guy can ya?"
Elias looks at Morgan. "On the contrary there compadre, I CAN blame a
guy"
Meanwhile Alicia hits her head on the crate lid as she stands back up
quickly, hearing a bark. "Oh my goodness. "
Elias hears the bark too and calls over to Alicia, wondering if she
knows what it is.
"They didn't leave you out on this dock did they?" Alicia starts searching
and calling aloud. "KC (pronounced Casey) .... Here KC ..."
Hearing his name called, Elias starts getting the picture as Alicia
continues to call out.
Morgan gets it too and stands off to one side, smiling and chuckling.
"Look Silver, I once put a guy in the hospital for talking just about the way
you are right now about Lis, so lets change the subject..."
Morgan agrees when just then the barking turns into a slight howl as if
the dog is singing with her.
Alicia runs over to the cage and opens the door. "Oh Casey !! How
could they leave you out here." A fairly large Siberian Husky runs out of it
almost knocking Ally over and starts licking her face "Casey, now stop that."

Elias and Morgan make their way over to the reunion. ~~What a beautiful
dog.~~
"Casey? You named your dog Casey?"
Alicia ignores Elias and continues to lavish her attention on the dog,
giggling "What has Momma told you about knocking her over."
Elias was floored. ~~Why would she name her dog after me?~~
Alicia can no longer hold it in and starts to laugh out loud putting
her face next to the dogs "Of course. And he is just so much cuter too!"
Elias continues. "CASEY? Tell me your joking?"
Meanwhile Morgan has the dock workers start loading some cargo lifters
setting
aside his weapon cases as Alicia stands up and snaps her fingers "Casey
sit." The dog sits obediently and looks at Ally waiting for her next command.
"See and he listens so much better too."
"Lis, you named your dog Casey? Come on! Hey...Oh, I see ... you missed
me so much!" Elias smiles and walks over to Morgan as a thought comes to
him.
Alicia hits her communicator. "Doctor Winters to Lab 3. Our supplies
are here, send two technicians down for them right away."
Elias nudges Morgan as the Lab acknowledges her order. "Yeah ... She's
still mad about me." Smirking at the transparent attempt Morgan remains
quiet waiting to see what happens next.
Alicia looks up "Actually it was more like I could put him in a cage and
send him
out in the rain." This quickly deflates Elias as Alicia goes in for the
kill. "You should feel sorry for this dog."
Knowing he will regret it, Elias replies anyway "Sorry? Why?"
"The tortures he has had to endure because of you." Alicia and Morgan
get a good laugh out of her last remark as Elias squats down in front of the
dog and looks at it. Without warning Casey, the gorgeous white and gray
husky sneezes in Elias' face. Ally starts to laugh
uncontrollably, blurting out "It worked !! I wondered if we ever saw you
again if he would do to you what he did to your picture when he was a puppy."
Elias wipes off his face, holding back a grin as Morgan coughing slightly
and turns away to hide a smile. Looking at the dog, Elias whispers. "You
too Casey?" to which the dog growls in reply.
The lab technicians come in and Alicia points to the crates that she
wishes to be taken to the labs. The dog growls.
Morgan watches the last of his cargo loaded into the impound area and turns
to Elias, nodding towards his weapon cases. "Umm, the receipts?"
Alicia walks back toward Morgan, the dog coming over to her side. Elias
completes the forms and hands Morgan the receipt for the weapons.

"Don't forget Morgan. 9 o' clock." Alicia smiles at Morgan while
Casey (K. C. ) follows at her side. She stops in front of Elias. "Good day
Major. I have a few more shipments that will be arriving this week. Please
see that K. C.'s cage gets to my quarters, will you?"
Morgan eyes the doctor and her wonderful dog as he smiles "Beautiful
animal"
"Any more critters coming in Lis? I mean, Ally?" She waits a moment and
then replies casually. "Just the Major and the Minor. My birds."
Elias is again struck by her ability to annoy him. "The major and the ...
good grief!
What do they do when the see me? Sit?"
"Probably nothing ... but they might make a mess on you. You see your
pictures were used as the bottom for the cage paper. I couldn't find any
other use for them after KC chewed them."
Elias was unprepared for her and tried hard not to let her words show that
they had hit their intended mark. "Oh, very nice. You are getting bitter in
your ol .... over the years I see. "
Alicia glares at Elias and chides herself ~~Why must you fight with
him every time you see him? You should be happy that he is even still
alive.~~
Morgan pockets the receipt and breaks into the happy discussion "If that is
all major?"
Elias sighed and turned to Morgan, apologizing for the delay and
assuring him that he should have his shipment turned over to him in a day or
so. Morgan bids goodday to Elias as he offers his arm to Alicia "May I escort
you to your quarters?" to which she accepts.
Elias looks at the two. "Well, then, see you both later. And, have a great
day. You too Casey old boy." He leans down and pats the still growling dog.
With out removing his eyes from the doctor he responds. "Yes, have a good
day Major." As the two of them walk out Alicia looks back to see if Casey is
looking, she slaps her leg lightly for KC to follow alongside.
Elias steps out into the bright sunlight and puts on his sunglasses as he
heads for the "Calypso" and hits his communicator, his face the picture of
calm while his anger at Lis overwhelms him. "Security Desk... Ensign, there
is a shipment that is in impound for Lt. Silver. He's in no rush, so drop it
down the list in priority... " He stops and looks out on the bay, slowly
letting his
internal turmoil subside, trying to understand why Lis still was able to
affect him like this "Belay that last order. Please ensure that Lieutenant
Silver's shipment is out of the impound cage by 08:00 tomorrow. Elias out"
Casey steps aboard the 20 meter boat and makes his way below.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

A Drink, Dinner, and Some Cheesecake
(Alicia Winters/Morgan Silver)

SD 9805.06 (Evening of The Cargo story)

Alicia walks about her quarters, trying to get ready. She puts the
finishing touches on a meal for the Morgan and herself. ~~I can't believe
that I invited him over for drinks right in front of Casey.~~ She walks over
to the replicator for some ice. "I am surprised that Casey didn't tear him
apart right there."
Ally walks back to the kitchen. "Although that just proves that he doesn't
care. Even when we were dating Casey was the most jealous man I knew."

Checking his appearance for the last time Morgan Silver leaves his quarter's
and begins walking down the hall towards Alicia's. Smiling to himself he
nods to a couple of ensigns that pass him. Already thinking ahead to future
dates he ponders some things to himself. ~~I wonder if Galex's is open
yet.~~
Walking up to Alicia's door he quietly checks his appearance one last time
and glances at the bottle of Romulan Ale he brought with him. Reaching out
he gently presses the bell on the door panel.

Alicia looks at her chronometer. "Right on time." She smiles. ~~Casey
never could be on time for a date.~~ She walks up to the door, removing the
apron from her waist. "Enter."
~~I wonder if she'll ...~~ Morgan's thoughts are interrupted by the door
opening. Looking in through the door, he pauses before entering stunned at
the figure Alicia cuts.
Alicia stands there in a navy blue velvet dress, that accents her figure.
"Well Good Evening." Stepping into the room Morgan glances around.
"Good Evening Morgan." Alicia smiles and steps aside for him to walk in.
She looks at the bottle of Ale. "Is that to share?"
Smiling he steps a little closer and hands it to her with a small bow.
"Just a little something I thought you might like."
Alicia opens the cork and take a small sniff. "Romulan Ale." She says
surprised. "You are certainly a man of means to be able to get this on the
Outpost."
Smiling lightly. "Not a man of means just one who is determined that even
the finer things in life should be enjoyed here."
"How refreshing." Alicia leads Morgan Silver over to the dinner table.
~~Oh man this guys actually outwitted the Major. Casey would be ticked to
find this on the OPC. Unless it was in his private stash that is.~~ She
laughs.
Morgan is laughing lightly. "It was that and a freighter captain owed me a
favor for saving his life." Moving over to Ally, he gently pulls out her
chair. "Please allow me."
"Why thank you." Alicia sits down in her chair as Morgan slides it in. She
takes two of the glasses on the table and begins to pour some of the Romulan
Ale into each.
Smiling Morgan takes his seat across from her and looks into her eyes.
"Thank you very much for having me for dinner. I was only expecting to share
a drink with you."
"You are quite welcome." Alicia hands Morgan his glass of Ale. Then, she
begins to serve him some food.
Morgan makes sure to lightly caress Ally's hand with his as he takes the
glass and sets it next to his plate.
Alicia takes her hand back a bit. She blushes a bit and smiles at Morgan,
while placing some food on his plate for him.
"Thank you very much. I have developed a small taste for the smaller things
in life."
"The smaller things?" Alicia serves him the vegetables. "I do hope that
you like steamed ocean vegetables. I have learned to live off them during my
time spent under the water."
"Yes the smaller things... Like this ale and silk clothes, but they aren't
really what matters even though they are nice." Nodding at Alicia's comment
on the vegetable he answers. "They smell divine."
"How long have you bee on the Outpost?" Alicia asks while cutting a few
portions of meat for Morgan.
Thinking back to his arrival which seems like ages ago. "It's been seven or
eight months I suppose. Seems like forever."
"On such a beautiful planet, I would think that time would fly by." Alicia
takes a bite of her meal then sips from her Ale. "There are so many
possibilities here."
Smiling Morgan looks into Ally's eyes. "Perhaps I just hadn't found the
right person to spend it with." Slowly he takes a small bite of the
vegetables. Swallowing the well prepared food he takes a small sip of his
ale.
Alicia's eyes lightly widen then return. ~~Smooth, he is very smooth.~~
"How is it you find yourself here Alicia?" Morgan questions.
"I have spent most of my life either in the oceans or studying them, and
this position seemed like the perfect place to be."
"I have to admit the sun setting across the ocean is very beautiful here."
Slowly Morgan takes another bite of his food.
Alicia dabs her napkin on the corners of her mouth. "After 30 years in the
service, I wanted a nice place to move to but where I could still work on
what I love."
Pleased at the thought of her being here for a while Morgan takes a sip of
his ale."I assume that's the ocean that you mean?" He watches for her
reaction. "What do you hope to do here?"
Alicia doesn't miss his reference to who or what she really loves on the
Outpost. "Continue my field work. If we are lucky my crew and I will be to
come up with some new breakthrough in the field of oceanography and
aqua-biological sciences." She sighs. "At least that was what I was hoping
for, before I got here. There might be some problems though
with outside interference."
Arching an eyebrow Morgan takes another bite of his food, savoring the taste
before asking, "Are you having trouble already?"
"Not yet, but I have a feeling that it is just waiting around the corner."
Alicia takes another sip from the ale. "Some people think that a degree or
book knowledge are wiser than years and years of field experience." She sits
back in her chair. "I won't let anyone pull that one on me
again."
Taking another bite of his meal, Morgan thinks a little before answering.
"Well book knowledge is useful, but nothing replaces experience."
Alicia smiles happily. "I am glad that you agree Morgan. That is
refreshing."
Laughing lightly Morgan smiles and tries to look deeper into Ally's eyes to
see what lies beneath the surface. "I think that degrees are over rated and
experience will always be the best teacher."
Alicia laughs then reaches out her left hand to take a hold of his glass to
refill it. The lighting catches the ring on her hand, which she still has
not taken off. "So true."
Not missing the obvious, but rather just dismissing it, Morgan smiles and
takes another slow bite chewing thoughtfully. "Do you have any children?"
"No. There wasn't enough time for us to spend together let alone enough for
children."
Nodding, Morgan takes the final bite of his food and chews it slowly
watching her movements.
Ally stands and walks over towards her kitchen. "I hope that you saved room
for dessert Morgan." She calls out from the kitchen, the clanking of plates
and silverware can be heard.
~~And just what dessert does she have in mind? I know what I would like.~~
Standing he quickly gathers the dirty plates and takes them into the kitchen
for her.
Ally starts to walk out of the kitchen as he walks in, but she bumps into
him, and she has to try and save the cheesecake from being splattered all
over both of them. She laughs as she can't help some of it from being
smeared across their faces, when she raises the cheesecake high in the air to
avoid being squished between them.
Deftly Morgan reaches out and lays his hand over hers steadying it. "Sorry
just trying to help." Suddenly he's very aware of her body next to his and
blushes. Stepping slowly away he makes room for her.
Ally takes a step back and places the cheesecake on the counter. "I'm
sorry, I wasn't watching where I was going." She reaches for a towel to
clean Morgan up.
Laughing lightly he closes his hand softly over hers on the towel and slowly
helps her get a spot she missed while looking her in the eye. "No not at all
I was at fault. Please forgive me for ruining your desert."
Ally takes a glob of it from his cheek with her finger and places it up to
Morgan's lips. "It's alright, as long as it still tastes good."
Losing himself in her eyes he slowly takes the tip of her finger into his
mouth gently sucking it clean. He slowly smiles. "It tastes wonderful. You
are a wonderful and beautiful cook."
Ally blushes and steps back, breathing a bit heavily remembering a similar
time that she and Casey had spent when they were married. She moves back to
the counter and picks up the rest of the dessert. "Thank you Morgan." She
doesn't look directly at him, knowing that she couldn't hide her thoughts of
Casey at that moment. "Why don't we go back to the
table so I can serve this up right."
Sighing lightly, Morgan bows. "By all means." Stepping carefully out of
her way he deposits the empty dishes in the kitchen.
Ally sets the dessert on the table, placing the new plates in front of each
of their chairs. She cuts the cheesecake into several smaller and larger
slivers. Taking one of the larger slivers from the cake plate, she lifts it
up and places it on Morgan's dessert plate. "Is that a good start?" She
looks over at Morgan who is now coming out of the kitchen.
Moving back to the table Morgan smiles. "Yes I think it's a very good
start. I love cheesecake." Pulling Ally's chair out for her again, he
helps her to sit.
"Then I made a good choice for dessert." Ally sits down with a small piece
in front of her. "This is one of my family's favorite recipes."
Nodding, Morgan takes his place at the far side of the table. "Family is
very important."
"One of the most important values."
After taking a small bite of the cheesecake Morgan smiles, while savoring
the perfection of it. "This is incredible ..." He takes another bite.
"Brilliant, beautiful and you're a fabulous cook." Looking her in the eyes
he smiles faintly wondering at what could be.
Alicia blushes. "You are too kind Mister Silver." She says in her best
southern belle drawl.
Matching her accent with a French one he smiles. "Ahhh ma cherie ... I do
state just that which is apparent to all."
Alicia giggles. "You are such a cad."
Laughing lightly he winks, "That's not necessarily bad is it?"
*WOOF* *WOOF* KC, Alicia's Alaskan husky calls from the other room.
Ally stands. "Excuse me. KC wants his dinner as well. He is quite
punctual when it comes to his meals."
Chuckling softly to himself, Morgan takes another bite of the marvelous
cheesecake. "By all means."
Alicia steps away from the table and takes a bowl of food out into the
living room where KC is laying on his bed. His leash is attached loosely to
the wall. She sets the food in front of him and pets him. "Eat up boy.
You've had a rough day."
Pushing his empty plate away, Morgan stands filling their drinks. He takes
the glasses into his hands and walks slowly towards the other room. Stopping
at the door, he watches her silently for a moment.
Ally smiles up at Morgan. "He just loves the attention."
"At your hands, who wouldn't." Morgan smiles over at her. "He's a very
beautiful animal."
"Thank you." Ally blushes, not used to the attention and stands up then
bends over to brush off her knees. "I bought him shortly after ... I bought
him about 4 and a half years ago."
Watching her closely he smiles. "After your divorce?"
Ally sighs, walking back towards Morgan. "Yes. I bought him a few months
after my divorce."
Nodding, Morgan slowly holds out Ally's drink to her. "I take it, that was
a very rough time for you?"
Ally motions to the couch to sit down on. "I was married for a long time.
Ten years is a long time to me."
Morgan waits for Ally to sit on the couch before he does. He sits a
comfortable distance to her. "Ten years can be a very long time... or it can
fly faster than thoughts."
"It was both." Ally shifts nervously in her seat. "Do you mind if we don't
talk about my marriage?"
Smiling lightly he nods. "I'm sorry to have brought it up. By all means a
change of subject ... What is it about the ocean that fascinates you so?"
"It's beautiful mysteries." Ally smiles. "There are so many things about
it that just fascinate me."
Smiling at the thought of the time he's spent in various oceans, Morgan
nods. "I know I was always drawn to it's power."
Ally nods and takes a few larger sips of the Ale.
"I love to swim in the ocean it gives me a feeling of complete freedom, but
at other times it's like it just plays with you."
"You never what the ocean is thinking or what it will do next." Ally echoes
Morgan's line of thinking.
Morgan sips his ale again and nods. "And it never shows you it's true power
it just hints at it occasionally."
"Exactly. Are you sure that you aren't a scientist?" Ally questions.
Smiling wider, Morgan leans a little closer. "I don't consider myself a
scientist. They always seemed too concerned with knowing the why behind
everything. Instead of just enjoying the beauty in it."
Ally sits back playfully. "I am insulted." She laughs. "I assure that I
know how to enjoy the beauty of the ocean. It is one of my only loves."
Nodding he smiles. "Perhaps, but is the only reason you enjoy it is because
of it's beauty?"

A double beep and then a deep male voice echoes over the communication's
system. "Major Elias to Doctor Winters."
Ally sighs and reaches for her communication's badge. "Winters here. What
is it Major?"
"The rest of your samples and pets have arrived. You asked to be informed."
Winking at Ally, Morgan smiles and takes a sip of his ale.
"Thank you Major. Winters out." Alicia stands. "I hope you don't think me
rude, but I should take care of the samples." She tries to explain. "They
are some live specimens that I sent for. I need to find out if they made the
trip well."
Standing up very close to her, Morgan looks deep into her eyes. "I had a
wonderful time dear Alicia. Perhaps we can do this again. When things are
more sorted out." Leaving no question as to what he's referring to by his
voice.
Alicia smiles. "Perhaps Morgan." She extends her hand. "I am glad to have
met you."
With a twinkle in his eyes, Morgan slowly bows, kissing her hand with a
light caress of his lips. He then stands back up and smiles. "And I am
eternally grateful to have met someone who can appreciate the beauty in the
ocean. Have a very good night Alicia. I'll see you around."
Alicia nods as they both walk out of her quarters. "Good night Morgan."
She secures the door and heads for the cargo area, not bothering to change.
Smiling he watches her walk away, he then turns. With a light whistle and a
spring in his step he walks away.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

This log takes place simultaneiously and continuing off of the Major's
last personal log called "The Forgotten Offer".

Enjoy,
**Alicia**

An Ocean Trip
(Alicia/Morgan/Casey)

SD 9805.14

The day is warm, but not too hot. The sun's rays beat down on Doctor Alicia
Winters almost bare back, as she loads some of her research gear into her
boat. She stands and shades her eyes against the sun while looking out
towards the ocean's horizon. "A beautiful day." She mutters and smiles.

Having the day off, Morgan decides to take a swim in the ocean. Grabbing
his sunglasses he heads for the beach. Arriving there he begins walking
across the beach docks when he spies Alicia loading some gear onto a boat.

Alicia lets the warm sand run through her toes. She adjusts the strap on
her one piece modest bathing suit and leans over to pick up another piece of
equipment.

Adjusting his imported sunglasses, he smiles and heads over to see if she
needs a hand or two. Walking up he admires her shape before asking, "Nice
day isn't it?"
Startled, Alicia almost drops one of her sonar buoys. She turns to face
Morgan. "Oh hello Morgan. You scared me half to death."
Morgan laughs and smiles. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you like that.
Would you like some help?"
"That would be very nice of you Morgan." Alicia points to a rather heavy
piece of diagnostic equipment.
Eyeing what appears to be the heaviest piece, he nods. "No Problem."
Ally watches as his muscles ripple under his short sleeved shirt. "What
brings you to the beach today?"
Moving closer he picks the equipment up and turns towards her. "I was
thinking of going for a swim. The day's just too nice." He carefully
maneuvers it into the boat. Setting it down, he stands and looks out at the
ocean. "Waves aren't too bad to day."
"The sun is so bright, and the water calm, that I should be able to see
straight to the ocean floor in many areas." Alicia states happily.
Nodding in agreement, Morgan moves to get another piece. "How far out you
going?"
"Probably a couple miles or so." Alicia points to the next piece of
equipment. "I don't suppose you would like to join me?" She looks to see if
he likes the idea. "I packed a picnic lunch and Case ..." She bites her lip
and shakes her head. "I always pack too much. So I am sure that there will
be enough for you if you'd like."
Morgan picks up the next carton and moves back to the boat. He doesn't miss
the reference to Major Elias that slips out of Ally's mouth instinctively.
"I was going to ask if you'd mind if I caught a ride out. So, thank you I'd
love to join you." After placing another piece of equipment in the boat,
Morgan goes back for another.
"Good. I'd love the company." Alicia smiles, picking up one of the cases
of test tubes. "That is as long as you don't mind that I do a little work
while we are out there."
Smiling, Morgan picks up another case and loads it onto the boat. "Not at
all. That is if you can handle my not knowing anything about oceanography."
Alicia laughs as Morgan brings the last piece of equipment to the boat. She
steps into it off the dock. "Nobody's perfect Morgan."
Morgan smiles while standing near the lines to cast off. "Well there is
always room to improve."
"At least you are willing to change." Alicia mutters sarcastically. "Throw
off. Let's get going." She says more loudly.
Casting off the lines, he moves up next to her. "I'm sorry. What was that
first part? I didn't hear you."
"It wasn't anything important." Alicia revs the engines and eases forward
the throttle. The boat takes off gently and smoothly across the water.
Feeling the boat sliding effortlessly across the water he sighs happily.
Alicia gauges the acceleration rate and once they are clear of the swimming
area she accelerates to a higher speed.
Morgan watches Ally stand strong at the front of the boat. ~~That is one
beautiful woman.~~ He thinks to himself.
Alicia sets the onboard simple computer for their destination and turns
around to face Morgan. "So how is it that you are stationed on a planet with
so much ocean, and you don't know anything about them?"
Leaning against a seat, Morgan smiles. "Hey I know a little, but mostly I
just enjoy them. As for how I got to be in this quaint little place I made a
small error in judgement."
"And what would that have been?" Alicia asks as she unpacks her monitor and
scanner.
Morgan can't help but to laugh at the memory of receiving his orders for the
Cousteau. "I didn't give the right person enough scotch." He laughs a bit
more. "A family member thought it would be better for me to serve here than
on a ship on patrol."
Alicia laughs. "And do you still regret that error?" She questions while
hooking together some of her diagnostical lab equipment.
Smiling, Morgan admires her form as she's working. "Well it doesn't seem so
bad right now."
"Yeah because I am doing all the work you cad." Ally throws a piece of
twine at him that was wrapped around one of the crates.
Shrugging, he laughs. "Can't let those little things in life get to you
though, but what could I do for you?" He catches the twine and slowly starts
wrapping it up.
Ally holds her hands up for him not to try and help. "There is nothing
that you could do since you aren't familiar with the equipment. Thanks for
the offer though."
Laughing, Morgan moves a little closer and crouch's down. "What does all
this do?"
"It helps to ..." She is interrupted by the ship's computer as it starts a
series of beeps growing stronger in intensity and pattern. Alicia rushes to
the front of the boat, bringing it to a gradual stop. She looks at the
computer's readings and reaches into the water, to look at the top of the
buoy marker. "Damn."
Morgan stands, moving next to Ally at the side of the boat. "What's wrong?"
"Casey has already been here." Alicia drops the marker back in the water.
"This is a marker stating that he is already running research here."
Smiling, Morgan catches himself before he says something stupid. "Is there
somewhere else you can run the experiment?"
Alicia sits down in her seat near the steering wheel. She frustratedly
babbles. "I knew that I should have come out here two days ago. I just
didn't have the time, and my equipment was not all in order." She slams the
palm of her hand on the edge of the boat. "I just can't believe that man.
Always in the way of completing my research."
Morgan tries to be sympathetic to Ally's obviously disturbed attitude.
"Have you had this problem before?"
"Just his interference in things." Ally stands and throttles ahead to
another area. "At least there are a couple other areas for me to run the
research, and he had better stay out of my way this time."
"What kind of experiments are you doing?" Morgan questions, curious as to
what is driving Ally so dedicatedly.
"I have a few that I was going to run." Ally slows the boat down when the
computer beeps that they are nearing a shallower part of the ocean. "First I
need to set up a base for comparison. I have to find out what are the normal
rates and pattern of the aquatic life in each area." She lowers a marker
over the side of
the boat and activates the sonar buoy on the bottom of it. "It takes a long
time for each area, but then you can show what type natural and man made
changes will affect and are affecting the aquatic life, both plant and
animal."
Morgan nods, understanding what Ally means. "So you can see where the fish
like to swim, and how humanoids are ruining they're party."
Ally laughs. "Something like that. It helps us to find out what things
they are resistant to. In finding that out we are sometimes able to
replicate that resistance and use it to our advantage."
Grinning, Morgan moves over to look in the water. "Like making medicines
and anti toxins?"
Ally nods. "Some aquatic forms of life are instrumental in healing and
curing many diseases. I am still searching for a certain DNA sequence to
show up in the aquatic life somewhere."
Smiling, Morgan starts to crack up and tries to lighten the mood a little.
"Looking for a land shark huh?"
"No." Alicia smiles and moves to her sensor terminal to see the depth and
current of the area. "This DNA sequence would help me to find a cure for
something that I have been working on since I began in oceanography."
Dropping his grin, Morgan looks serious for a moment. "What are you looking
for a cure for?"
"Just something personal." Ally sets the scanners to record data in a 360
degree circular pattern. "Do you still want to go swimming? I could use a
diving partner."
Shrugging nonchalantly, Morgan moves over closer. "Hmm How deep is the
water?"
"A little nervous friend?" Ally laughs as she steps into her diving suit.
Morgan helps Ally into her suit, smiling the whole time. "Hardly I was
simply curious I would be happy to dive with you." Still smiling he steps
away and starts to put on a spare set of gear.
"Good." Ally positions her mask over her face, and she activates the
communication's system between the two. She waits for Morgan to put on his
mask before she continues the conversation. "There should be some very good
coral samples down about 20-30 feet. The scanners show them crystal clear."
Nodding at Ally, he finishes zipping up his gear and walks over to her.
"After you dear ..."
Ally shakes her head. "Scaredy cat." Quickly she dives in head first, her
case of vials around her neck and shoulder. She looks at her portable
sensor unit and starts swimming downward.
Moving to the edge of the boat, Morgan gets a bang stick and follows her
into the water.
The water's visibility is amazingly clear. As they get closer to the coral,
the colors refract through the water. "Isn't it just beautiful, and so
strange to have this shallow of an area in the middle of an ocean."
Slowly following her down he keeps his eyes out for any hostile marine life.
Looking at her moving slowly through the water he smiles a little. "It's
incredible down here. That's for sure."
Ally arrives right above the coral. She looks over at Morgan. "Could you
hold this please? I want to get some samples."
Drifting closer to her, Morgan holds his hands out. "Sure."
Ally hands the portable sensor unit over to Morgan, and opens her kit
containing several vials. The first two vials she fills with the ocean water
above the coral and two more with ocean water underneath the edge of the
coral. Next Ally takes out a small scraping tool. She carefully scrapes
several pieces of coral, putting each into a separate vial.
Holding the sensor unit carefully he watches her work. He can't believe how
meticulously she is handling each sample and vial. ~~So dedicated.~~
A shadow passes overhead as a large dolphin-like creature swims by with its
mate.
Watching the pair of creatures swim by, Morgan smiles. "It's amazing just
how much life is below the surface."
Ally looks up at the happy aquatic couple. "Yes it is amazing. There are
so many species to catalog on this planet."
"It's going to take a very long time."
Ally checks the temperature of the water so that she knows what to set the
storage tank, where she will keep these samples in, for. "Well I have all of
my life left to do it in." She smiles at Morgan. "That should do it. Let's
head back to the surface."
Chuckling lightly, Morgan smiles back. "Alright, after you dear."
Ally starts to swim back to the surface. She passes a school of red tinted
fish on the way up.
Moving slowly he lets his body start to drift back towards the surface
watching her supple body in the flickering light.
As Ally's head breaks the surface, she reaches out for the boat. She uses
the small rope type ladder to climb back into the boat.
Floating right below her he admires the view before surfacing.
Opening the storage crate, Ally sets one section's temperature to what she
took from the area of coral. She places her samples in there carefully.
Pulling himself out of the water, Morgan climbs into the boat.
Turning, Ally watches as Morgan climbs back into the boat. She hands over
the picnic basket, while removing her mask. "Hungry?"
Taking the basket, Morgan pulls his own mask off and kicks off his flippers.
"Sure."
"I hope you like fried chicken. I was able to get a deal on it down at the
marketplace."
Grinning, Morgan tosses her a towel that was on the back of the seat.
"Sounds wonderful." Quickly he removes his diving gear and suit.
"Thanks Morgan." Ally climbs out of her diving suit. She uses the towel to
dry off the beads of sweat that had formed under the suit and to dry her hair
more.
Moving behind Ally, Morgan takes the towel. Slowly running it across her
body he dries her more. Finishing with a smile he moves away and lays the
towels out to dry. He then sits down with the open picnic basket and dishes
out the portions for both of them.

After a enjoyable day out on the ocean , Ally and Morgan head back in
towards the beach dock.
Ally pulls back on the throttle to start slowing the boat. She cuts power
to the engines and starts to glide in.
Standing next to her, Morgan looks over and smiles. "Thanks for letting me
come with you."
"You're welcome Morgan. I have thoroughly enjoyed your company today."
Ally smiles at Morgan as the boat pulls up along the dock. "Why don't you
grab the ropes and pull us in to shore to off-load these things."
Morgan answers her with, "And I very much enjoyed yours," before moving to
the bow, jumping onto the pier and tying the boat off as close to shore as
possible.
"I'll hand things to you. It will be easier than climbing in and out of the
boat."
"Alright. that sounds good." Morgan moves over to where he can reach to the
boat.
They start to off-load each piece of equipment, with Ally handing them out
to Morgan who walks them a few feet to shore. When at last all the items are
off the boat it is Ally's turn to get out. The boat railing and deck are a
bit slippery from the water that has splashed over onto them.
Holding out his hand to her he prepares to help her out.
"Thank ..." Ally uses Morgan as leverage to get out and instead she slips
and they fall on top of each other into the shallow water, near the beach.
"Hey slippery fingers." Ally teases as she stands, splashes water towards
him, and heads for the beach.
"Slippery?" Morgan laughs. Running towards the sand, he tackles Ally back
into the water.

Major Casey Elias is walking from the docking area of his watercraft to the
beach dock area. He stops when he sees Lis and Morgan ahead of him.

Ally laughs as she hits the water, and tries to climb the rest of the way to
the beach, wiggling away from Morgan's grasp.
Standing, Morgan quickly starts splashing her while laughing.
Ally turns towards Morgan and tackles him, stuffing sand down his shirt.
"That will teach you to hold on to me better." She laughs more now on top of
him precariously.
"GLackkk ... Hey ..." Rolling Ally on to her back in the sand with a yell,
he starts to tickle her. "Wanna play with sand huhhh...."

Casey's eyes narrow and his temper flares. ~~What a ridiculous exhibition.
Does she know what she looks like?~~

Ally laughs uncontrollable. "NO ... Not There ..." She laughs more.
"MORGAN !!" She screams inbetween trying to catch her breath.
Gasping for air Morgan stops his relentless assault and looks down into her
eyes. "Where would you prefer me to tickle?"
Casey steps up in front of the two of them and looks down at them, his
shadow casting over them. "Don't you think that you two could save your
lovemaking for a more private setting."
Morgan shakes his head exasperated that his fun is being interrupted.
~~Captain Crayon to the rescue.~~ Pulling away he silently holds his hand
out to Alicia.
Alicia practically jumps at the sound of Casey's voice. She accepts
Morgan's help up. "It isn't what you think." She responds. "Morgan was
helping me ... and we ..."
Smirking Morgan watches the exchange between the two of them.
The green-eyed monster in Casey flares, and he lashes out at Alicia. "Lis,
I can see what you were doing. There are names for that ... go get a room
..."
Feeling an anger start to build deep in him, Morgan quietly says. "Please
refrain from insults Major."
From the look on her face you would swear that Ally was about to breathe
fire when she stepped forward and laid a slap that was so hard that it's
impact could be heard several meters away.
Wincing at the slap, Morgan shuts his mouth, seeing that Ally has a handle
on the matter. ~~Ohhh man I gotta teach her to close that hand... I bet
she's got a brutal hook.~~
Casey rubs his cheek a little, but his face remains stone cold. "If you two
can't keep your exhibitions in private I will slap you with a report of
indecent exposure."
Alicia stands her ground. "The only thing indecent here is your Jackass
attitude Major." She growls. "And if you can't seem to stand the sight of
me then I suggest that in the future you refrain from coming near me." She
says angrily and hurt that Casey, the man who vowed to spend the rest of his
life with her, would
say that to her. "Or you just might find that the next time I strike you,
you won't be getting up."
Morgan smirks. ~~Remind me to never really make this woman mad.~~ Even as
he watches Ally lash out at Elias, he can empathically and telepathically
feel her thoughts and emotions to the contrary.
Casey verbally strikes back. "And I suggest that you keep your affairs out
of the public eye, or I will make sure you get booted off this planet so fast
that your head will spin."
Coughing lightly, Morgan turns to head back to the dock, but when he hears
the Major's last statement, he stops and turns around. "I think now would be
a really good time to end this conversation before you both say something
rash."
"You stay out of this Silver." Casey yells. "You have no idea what you are
getting into."
"No Major I don't think you have any idea what you are getting into."
Morgan looks at Ally for a moment before continuing. "I don't know what you
think is going on, and I don't really care, but there's no reason to yell and
be rude."
Alicia and Casey stand there staring at the other, both ready to go at it
fisticuffs style.
Casey looks down slightly at Alicia. "Be careful Lis before you ruin your
reputation." He says through gritted teeth, and walks away from both of
them.
Ally fumes, and turns yelling after Casey. "Pig !!"
Sighing lightly, Morgan looks over at Alicia.
Ally turns away from Morgan, as the tears fight their way to come to the
surface.
Morgan moves closer to Ally, and he takes her into his arms. He tentatively
reaches out to her with his mind. ~~It hurts doesn't it?~~
Ally nods. ~~More than anyone will ever know.~~
Rocking slowly, Morgan tries to comfort her. ~~Love always does.~~ Smiling
lightly, he looks into her eyes. ~~Hey it could be worse.~~
~~I don't see how.~~ Ally turns to look at Morgan. "I need to get back to
my quarters. Do you mind walking me there?" She says out loud.
"I would be happy to." Morgan taps his communication's badge. "Silver to
transport services."
"Transport services here." A male voice responds.
"There are some pieces of equipment and supplies near the beach dock in
sector 24. Please send someone immediately to get it and transport it to the
Oceanography laboratories, and be very careful there are several scientific
samples."
"Acknowledged sir."
"Shall we?" Morgan offers his arm to Ally.
Alicia takes Morgan's arm and walks away from the beach with him.

Casey walks slowly but surely away from the two. He turns in time to see
Morgan Silver warps his arms around Alicia. He frowns and turns away again.
"What did you just do ... ?" He lets out an exasperated sigh. ~~Not exactly
the way to score brownie points Elias. I wanted to get closer to her, not
alienate her. Can things get worse?~~

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

REVIEWING THE PAST
(Casey Elias)
SD 9805.18 (Afternoon)

Casey put the pot of water on the element and set it to high.. He added some
spices and a cup of wine and would add the lobster after it came to a boil.
He had some time to kill and leaned against the counter, anticipating that
evenings dinner with Lis.

It had been over 5 years since they had last sat down together and shared a
meal in a civil manner. After they had divorced Casey had put lightyears of
distance between them by joining 2nd AD FWD, an elite Marine division
consistently utilized by the UFP High Command as part of their rapid
response force. He spent 3 years with them before finally getting his fill of
the perversions that "civilizations" inflicted upon each other and
themselves.
After his promotion to a full bird, he took an assignment at UFP HQ as the
deputy commander for the security detail and honor guard assigned to the UFP
president and his cabinet. It was a high profile job and he was on the fast
track to his next promotion. The job came with all the accouterments afforded
to such an assignment including a plush office just down the corridor from
the President and a personal secretary, who turned out to be thedaughter of
Senior Admiral Townsend, Chief Logistics Officer for the Corps.

Against his better judgment (and Starfleet policy) he quickly struck us a
personal relationship with Pamala, his secretary, and fully immersed himself
into the lifestyle that he was surrounded by. Cocktail parties, dinner
cruises, ambassador receptions, on and on. Within a month Pam announced that
she was pregnant and so he decided to do the honorable thing and get married
right away. It was a month after that before he realized that he had
beensuckered into the marriage as she was not, in fact, pregnant. Things got
ugly at work and even worse at home. He stuck it out for as long as he could
and, against Pam's wishes, was finally granted a divorce, thinking that would
put an end to his problems and he could get on with his career, having his
sights set on the recently vacated CinC Ops post and his pending promotion to
Rear Admiral. This was a slight mistake on his part.

Townsend took exception to Casey's divorcing of his daughter. One day while
attending a reception at the Presidio for the new Andorian Ambassador to the
UFP the Admiral got his revenge. Casey was exchanging pleasantries with one
of the guests when two Starfleet Security Officers came up to him and placed
him under arrest. It seems that new information had surfaced that charged
Elias with gross misconduct for a mission that he led on Lofton's Planetwhile
assigned to the 2nd. He was restrained at the site and transported from the
reception to a holding cell. This left Admiral Townsend, who had been
responsible for the having the charges brought against him, the opportunity
to lead the guests in whispered rumors and slander of Casey's professional
fitness for command.

Casey was relieved of duty and placed under house arrest until the charges
could be fully investigated, a process that took almost a full month before
he was exonerated. But the damage to his reputation could never be undone and
that was what Pamala's father had intended. The fact was that the mission on
Lofton's Planet was one that, had all of the facts been truly known, should
have earned him a medal for managing to get his team extracted with aminimum
of causalities. The operation had been doomed from the start and Casey
himself had been severely wounded, almost losing his right leg.
Upon his release from house arrest Casey was notified of his reassignment to
a desk job located somewhere in the bowels of Starfleet, another gift that
Tonsend had managed
to accomplish. Tossing the PADD aside Elias marched over to Townsend's office
to confront him, a move that he would later regret. Within two minutes Casey
had had enough of Townsend's gloating and he nailed the Admiral with a right
cross that broke Townsend's jaw and cost Casey two paygrades and any chance
of ever making Rear Admiral.

Despite the best efforts of Casey's friends in some high places, he was
court-martialed and busted back to Major. The best that his friends could do
was to warn him that further charges might pending and urged him to "get out
of Dodge" or risk a dishonorable discharge. He began to prepare for the
latter in case nothing turned up in the way of assignments and placed an
order for the Calypso to be built, pulling out the prints and wish list that
Lisand he had worked on for years, hoping to one day build for the two of
them.

Townsend had a long reach and it was not too long before Elias realized that
possible assignments for him were virtually none existent within the Marine
Corps and so he broadened his search into possible Security openings with
Starfleet Command, a big step backward to when he had first joined the
Marines. He found the posted opening for Chief Security Officer for OPC and
gave it a shot, hoping to get a confirmation back before Admiral
Townsendcould find out and somehow get it blocked. Surprisingly he was
notified within 48 hours of his application that his transfer had been
accepted by the Commanding Officer at OPC and, once accepted, he wasted no
time on getting the Calypso completed and shipped.

Elias arrived at OPC a man who had been humbled but finally freed of the gut
wrenching roller coaster that had passed for a life for the past five years.
Captain Nanaimo obviously read his service record but seemed willing to let
his past remain in his past and only briefly discussed his previous
assignments with him, never asking for his side of the details of his
demotion and the events leading up to his assignment to OPC.

He realized that the water was boiling and checked the time. He then ensured
that the wine was chilled, put the lobsters in, and went to change into his
dinner clothes, hoping that after tonight Lis and he would at least again be
on speaking terms. Hoping for friendship or more than that was not on his
agenda. Casey had been transformed into a man dedicated to living in the
moment and letting the future worry about itself.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

What About His Secretary?
(Alicia)

SD 9805.14 (Takes place right after "An Ocean Trip")

The door to Alicia Winters' quarters closes behind Morgan Silver. As
he heads to Galex's establishment, a war of anger and fire rages in Alicia's
quarters.
"How dare he?!?" Alicia fumes and stomps towards her bedroom. "Of all
the things that he could try and accuse me of, being loose is hardly
appropriate." She walks to her bathroom to wash the sand off of her.
"If he wants to call anyone loose or fancy free, he should point the
finger at himself. Mister 'I-married-my-secretary' Elias." Ally quickly
rinses her face off and then rings out the rag for another wash down. "God
only knows how that whole affair came across. I heard that she was pregnant
before they were married."
Alicia walks to the replicator. "And I am the loose one because Morgan
and I were harmlessly playing in the sand." She huffs. "HAH!!"
After getting a mug of mint tea from the replicator she walks over to
her terminal. "We'll see who puts who on report. If he pulls this garbage
with me again, I will have him up for harassment."
Ally dictates a memo. Just as she is finishing it, she simply stares
at the screen. "This isn't right." She sighs. "It feels like our divorce
war all over again." She reaches forward and erases the memo. "I can't go
through that kind of pain again."
K C, Alicia's Siberian Husky, whimpers over to Alicia. He rubs his
nose against the underside of her hand, and looks up at her with sympathetic
eyes.
"Oh Casey." Even though she never will admit it, Ally knows that she
named her dog K.C. because of Casey. She reaches down and hugs the dog.
"You are always there for me aren't you buddy?" She walks over to the
cupboard to get him some lunch.
As Ally sets his bowl on the floor, she ruffles the fur on top of KC's
head. "Maybe we should think about moving again Casey?"
KC continues to eat his lunch, but Ally would later swear that KC shook
his head no.
"I don't know Casey. If I can just avoid him, or find a way to stay
civil we could stay, but I can't handle this constant barrage between us."
Ally sighs. "Two more weeks, I'll give it. Then I will make my decision."
Alicia pets KC a little more and heads to the bedroom.

[Return to Archives | Return to Listing ]

Research Mission 1
(Alicia/Casey/Morgan)

SD 9805.17

After a turbulent encounter between Alicia Winters, Casey Elias, and Morgan
Silver, fate just can't seem to get enough of throwing these three together.
Captain Nanaimo ordered the three to participate in the continuing of Major
Elias' research on the ocean's hot spots. Each of them received their orders
to report to the Calypso, the Major's vessel, to launch.

Doctor Alicia Winters exits her quarters with her carry on bag for the
mission. "I can't believe that we are going to be stuck on that ship of his
for this mission." She mutters as she turns yet another corridor, heading
for the docks. "After what he said a few days ago, I don't even want to see
the Major. Working with him is even worse of a prospect.
Worse yet this is his research mission so I have to, by all rights of
professionalism, defer to him." She shakes her head and starts walking
across the beach. ~~This is not going to be a good day.~~

Morgan Silver leaves the Command Center, and his operations post, and heads
towards the beach area. He doesn't want to keep the rest of the team
waiting, and he certainly doesn't want to leave the Major and the Doctor
alone long enough to already start an argument. Now that he has realized a
few things about Alicia, he needs to find out if what he suspects is
reciprocated.

Major Casey Elias prepares the Calypso for launch. Although working on this
research mission was what he had hoped to do with Lis, this wasn't exactly
the way he had planned on doing it. Casey stands and sees Lis walking along
the beach. ~~She has a right to her own life, even without me.~~ He sighs.
~~I don't have much of a choice since I
screwed things up so bad the last time I saw her with Morgan.~~ He shakes
his head and goes below deck to replace some of the research gear. When he
returns above deck, he re-reads the PADD with the mission orders on it.
Alicia walks up to the Calypso and drops her bag to the dock, noting that
the rest of her requested materials are already here. "Is there any reason
why we should take the Calypso." She says exasperated to be on his territory
instead of her own.
"We have to take the Calypso. The data receivers are built-in aboard the
ship." Casey's suntanned skin glistens in the light of the sun from the
sweat droplets. "Look we are here to do a job right?"
Morgan Silver walks up to the dock were Casey and Alicia are. He is dressed
casually in shorts and a short sleeved shirt. He adjusts his sunglasses and
smirks. "Hello Ladies." He says trying to lighten what he can already see
is an argument in progress.
"Ladies?" Casey steps up closer to Morgan. "Ladies?"
"Sorry Casey. You are right there is only one lady present." Morgan smiles
and turns towards Alicia.
"This is necessary for the research to be done Major, so let's get to it."
Alicia bends over the edge of the dock to grab a large case and a smaller
leather case. She telepathically sends a warning to Morgan of not to push
Casey. ~~Careful Morgan he will feed you to the sharks.~~
Almost as if Casey was reading Ally's thoughts he speaks to Morgan with a
firm tone. "You may be swimming back Lieutenant."
"Yeah well I was thinking about doing that anyways." Morgan replies,
enjoying the view that Ally is perhaps unknowingly giving him.
Casey shakes his head and turns to offer his assistance to Ally. "Lis, let
me help you with that."
Ally tosses the smaller case right at the Major to catch. "And I thought we
were being professionals Major. Call me Doctor if you will." She smiles,
ever so happy to play the game.
~~Ah crap!!~~ Casey says with a 'oof' sound coming from his chest. He
steps aboard the Calypso and sets the box down on deck. "Look Morgan ... Lis
... Let's try to work together, okay?"
Ally tries to lift the larger case. She could usually handle it, but being
bent over the dock is making it much more difficult to take care of. She
starts to get the case to move towards the side of the dock.
Casey watches Morgan, waiting for him to pick up the other case for Lis.
Smiling, Morgan takes Alicia's other case and brushes past Elias. "Hey no
problems here. I'm just along for the ride."
"Thank you Morgan." Ally takes Morgan's offered hand onto the boat once he
had put the case down.
"No problem Alicia. I am always glad to help you."
Casey mutters sarcastically. "Great, a chaperone." He slips back into the
boat. "There are plenty of refreshments and such below. I will show you
there the receivers are as well. That way we can get this work done quickly.
This way please." He leads the way down part of the stairs.
"I have no problem in getting the job done as quickly and efficiently as
possible. That is as long as everyone else here can manage not to screw
things up this time." Ally gives Casey a toothy smile and follows him down
the stairs.
~~Man she will never forgive!!~~ Casey thinks to himself, rather annoyed
that Lis would insinuate the past again.
Morgan follows Casey to the fridge. He takes a peek inside of it. "Who
knows, perhaps we'll even survive this after all. You know what they say
about three hour tours."
Ally looks around the Calypso. She admires the features it has. ~~This
looks so much like ...~~ She lets her voice trail off as Casey shows her
into the research area of the vessel.
Casey steps down towards the receivers. "Here's the data that I have
already collected from the buoys."
Ally is amazed that Casey has gone through so much trouble in equipping the
boat.
"Lis, you will notice that this is exactly as we had planned it." Casey
looks for a sign of recognition from her, that he has created the vessel they
had dreamed of.
Ally's head snaps towards Casey. "This is a nice research vessel, and that
is Ally."
Morgan cuts in. "Nice boat Major. How long have you had her?"
Casey starts to head for the stairs, motioning for Morgan to follow. "Well
Morgan, I just got it before I was posted to the OPC."
Ally walks up to the data receivers and begins to read the data streams.
~~Can't she just relax without work for a moment?~~ Morgan shakes his head
at Ally who is already engrossed in her work. "Sorry Major my thoughts were
elsewhere for a minute. You were saying?"
"Yes I was saying that I just got her when I was posted to the OPC." Casey
repeats himself.
Ally looks over the fine tuning of the receivers processors. "You even got
the temperature/barometric sensors on these?" She says impressed.
"Yeah Lis, like you taught me. Remember the time ... er, never mind."
Casey looks up at the latch. "Knock yourself out. I'll go start the
engines. Make yourselves comfortable."
Ally smiles, excited at looking at all the data, then she frowns remembering
how much they had both wanted this kind of vessel to work on the research
together when they were married. She sits down next to the receiver
terminal.
Casey shakes his head as he leaves Morgan and Lis in the research area. He
heads topside and mutters to himself. "Damn women." He nods fires up the
engines, nods at the dock hands to cast off, and heads out at a slow impulse.
Morgan gets halfway up to the above deck and calls out to Casey. "Mind if I
join you?"
Casey calls down to Morgan. "Come on up. It's a great view."

Ally starts to pull up the computer data. "Let's see if we can create some
models from these entries." She works quickly at trying to formulate the
data into some kind of pattern.

"It is beautiful here." Morgan moves the rest of the way up the ladder and
leans against a chair out of arm's reach of the Major. "So how did you come
to be on our quaint little rock Major?" He says moving closer to the Major.
"Yes it is." Casey stands on the flying bridge, as the Calypso slowly
leaves the lagoon. "Ever handle a 20 meter water craft before?" He
questions not answering Morgan's last question.
"Once or twice back home but I'm not really comfortable with it." Morgan
states frankly, but not trying to insult the Major in any way. "Mostly it
was small, high-speed stuff."

With Morgan and Casey gone topside, Ally looks around the boat while her
fingers fly across the terminal entry pad. ~~This really is an amazing
ship.~~ She leaves the terminal on stand by for a minute and walks over to
the inbetween level of the watercraft. She peeks her head into the forward
room area. ~~He even kept the sleeping area true
to our design.~~ She frowns as she realizes that it was probably to
accommodate his wife that she had heard about.
Ally closes the door to the sleeping area and steps back into the research
level. She walks back over to the data that she must decode and catalog.
"Hmm some things are still a bit incomplete, but this is quite a start for
such a short time on the planet." She says proudly of Casey's work. She
turns on the secondary sonar monitor to record the geographic nature of the
ocean floor
leading up to the hot spot areas in case it has any bearing on their
formation.

"Care to give it a go Morgan? I find it enjoyable." Casey points to the
tracking screen. "We are leaving the lagoon now. Go ahead." He indicates
for Morgan to take the controls.
Morgan nods as he moves over. "I'll give it a try."
Casey smiles at Morgan, who has taken the helm controls swiftly. "Great!
That buoy about 5 clicks is the first target, bearing 98 degrees."
Morgan takes the rest of the controls and checks the gauges. Checking the
heading, he brings it 2 degrees over to 98. "So how long have you studied
oceanography?"
Casey watches Morgan handle the boat. He knows that if he and Lis are going
to dive for samples, he has to trust Morgan to handle the boat for them. "Oh
about ten years or so. List first got me interested." He sighs before
continuing. "You know Morgan, I think we got off to a bad start."
Morgan nods. "She's very nice ... Your craft I mean. It's a nice boat."
"Ahh yes, the boat. Look I know that Lis is a big girl, and I'm not her
keeper. She dumped me five years ago and ... " Casey's voice drifts off.
Morgan turns on the auto pilot and leans back against a seat before looking
over at Casey and sighing. "Mind if I call you Casey, Major?"
"Please do Morgan." Casey leans against the cowling.
Morgan takes a moment to let his gaze wander across the ocean.
"What's on your mind Morgan?" Casey questions.
"I agree we have gotten to a bad start. Perhaps we can get together
sometime for a drink and start over."
"Sure thing Morgan. I would enjoy that."

"Interesting." Ally snaps a holoimage of something on the ocean floor. "I
will have to look at that later." She taps her communication's badge.
"Major have you checked the oceanography of this area yet?"
Casey sighs and his his communication's badge in return. "Drop the Major
will ya? Yes I have checked the oceanography, but not in great detail. Do
you see something of interest?"
Ally decides to hold back her curiosities and thoughts on the object for
now. "Nothing really. Just curious as to the extent of your mapping." She
closes the link and forwards the map to her data PADD for further study
later.

Casey hears a light pinging sound that is increasing with intensity.
Morgan quickly returns to the controls. "We are almost there. Getting
ready to kill the engines."
Casey walks over and silences the pinging. "Alright, kill the engines now."
Morgan throttles back and the vessel slows to a stop.
"Lis and I will need to dive down for samples and research. Do you think
that you can handle everything up here?"
"Sure Casey. One question though."
Casey stops with one foot on the ladder and looks over at Morgan.
"Why do you keep calling Alicia Lis?" Morgan asks because he knows that
Ally has always seemed so against the nickname.
Casey smiles. "I have always called her Lis. You could call it my pet name
for her, and trust me until now she always loved to hear me call her that."
Morgan smiles, a knowing smile and Casey walks down the ladder to the lower
deck. He takes a seat near the rail and waits for the people who know what
they're doing to work they're magic.

Seeing this vessel has brought back some of the memories that Ally has of
their thoughts of being together on it when they were married. As she
remembers back to one particular time, she can almost feel the cool wind
blowing through her hair a San Franciscan beach on Earth. They had only been
married for three years, but they were so happy, and they had so many plans.
"Come back here Lis. You slippery little thing." Casey Elias called out
from the water. "I won't let you get away that easily."
Lis Elias is laughing so hard that she almost falls down in the sand along
the shore. Finally after tripping on some old drift wood she falls to the
sandy ground.
Casey practically jumps on top of Lis, flipping her over to face him,
straddling her waist, and holding her wrists down with his hands. "Mrs.
Elias you really shouldn't play so hard to get."
Lis tries to catch her breath, but she can only laugh at the mock serious
look on his face. "And you, Mister Elias, really shouldn't try to look so
serious with me because I know that your heart is just full of warm jelly, my
love."
"You think so don't you?" Casey laughs, working very hard to keep his
squirming wife from escaping.
"I know so." Lis smiles and reaches up to kiss Casey.
Casey rolls them both over, with his arms wrapped tightly around Lis. "How
could I refuse such a beautiful and loving woman anything?" He leans forward
and kisses her passionately as his hands caress her back.
When they break from the kiss, the walk hand in hand along the beach looking
at the water crafts along the dock. Ally sees a particular one that strikes
her fancy. Casey sees the lights shine in his wife's eyes. "Someday you
know that we will get that boat that we have talked about."
"Will we Casey?" Lis strokes her fingers across his cheek, then rests her
head in his shoulder. With all the time that they have already spent apart
she wonders if that dream will every come true. Their lives are so demanding
on each of them.
"You know we will, and then we will just cruise the ocean's of our choice,
doing our research, and spending our lives together." Casey strokes Lis'
hair with his hand. "I just have a few more years to go, and then no one
will be able to tell us where we have to be at."
Lis sighs. "You have to go out on maneuvers again don't you? That is why
you brought me out here today?" She looks up sad with questions in her eyes.
Casey nods sadly. "Yes. I will only be gone for 4 months this time, but
they have assured me that I will get a posting Earthside when this one is
done with."
"Alright Casey. I will miss you." Lis looks away, slight tears in her
eyes.
Casey takes Lis' face in his hands and kisses her gently on the lips.
"Let's go home. The evening isn't over yet." He smiles, sweeps her up in
his arms and they head back to their ocean side home.

"Lis?" Casey steps into the main research cabin, a bit concerned that
Alicia didn't answer him the first two times he called her.
Alicia's thoughts are jerked back to the present, but she is still foggily
back in the past. "Yes Casey?" She slips in calling him his first name, not
fully coherent yet. Quickly, Casey reaches our and grabs her. He can see
that she looks a bit disorientated. "Are you alright?"
Ally steps back. "I am fine. You have some excellent equipment here." She
says trying to change the subject.
"Umm ... well, sure I do. I used the list that you had." Casey just looks
at Lis, wishing that he could figure her out. "Care to take a dive and get
some hard data on those smokers?"
"Sure. Do you think that Morgan can handle the boat?" Alicia questions.
"Yes, he seems to be able to handle himself well in any situation from what
I have seen of his record."
"Good. Did you put the extra safeties on the diving suits? Those smokers
are highly toxic."
"Yes I put the extra safeties on 4 of them. They are the QL and QZ
safeties, the very latest in protection."
"Good. I don't feel like adding any more difficulties to my health ... I
mean life." Alicia smiles at Casey. "Lead the way to the suits please."
Casey watches Lis. "Sure ... right." He heads to the equipment lockers and
points to the two different type suits. "Here, I think the QZ suit will fit
you the best."
Ally takes the suit from Casey's hand. "Thank you." She starts to step
into it, easing it along her legs and starting to have a difficult time at
the waist. ~~I now remember why I hate getting into these very form fitting
suits.~~
Casey finishes getting into his diving suit with ease, since he has already
had the chance to wear it a few times. It has conformed better with his
body. "The rest of the equipment is up on deck. Ready babe?"
Alicia is a bit stuck in trying to get the suit on. "Actually this is a
little bit too snug. Could you give me a hand?"
Casey moves over and slides his hands into Lis' diving suit. He reaches
down towards the waist to help ease the suit over Lis' clothes.
"Easy Major. The suit only please." Alicia snips, but gets a shiver as he
slides the suit up over her waist and past her bust. Although she has gone
on a couple dates since her marriage to Casey, she has never gotten intimate
with anyone else. She just wouldn't allow herself to.
When Casey steps back to let Lis finish fastening the suit, he could swear
that he sees her blushing. He walks up the steps and after gathering the
other equipment at the boat's edge, he hands Lis her face mask. "Make sure
you seal it tight, we aren't sure just how toxic those chemicals are. I
don't want them to burn your skin."
Ally nods, not annoyed but touched that he would still care for her health
and safety. She seals her mask and activates the communication's system.
"All set."
Casey nods. "All set."
The two dive down into the smoker's domain, and do not reappear for another
two hours while they gather sample after sample, scan, record, and run
diagnostics on the data. When they reach the surface again, both are sore
and a little weary.

Down in the changing area, they both strip out of their suits.
Ally removes her flippers. "That was good work down there Major. You were
very efficient."
Casey smiles. "Why thank you Doctor. That means a lot coming from you."
Ally smiles back as she unfastens her suit.
Casey quickly walks over to her, already out of his suit. He stands in
front of her and helps her unfasten it. "If you don't mind I should probably
help you get back out of this suit since we had such a hard time getting you
into it."
Ally blushes, but her eyes don't leave Casey's as he works at getting the
suit down past her bust. "Thank you again."
Casey holds the suit at the bottom so Lis can step out of it. "No problem.
This was one of my favorite parts of research with you Lis." He stands in
front of her and wipes away a wet strand of hair from her face.
Ally steps back and starts to put her equipment away. "When do you think
that we should take the next dive Major?"
Although Lis still called him Major, Casey can hear a difference in the tone
of her voice. It isn't so much angered as it is pleasant. "It will probably
take us a few days to go over all the data." He steps towards his locker and
places the equipment back in it. "I have a proposition about the rest of the
research if you are willing to discuss
it."
"What kind of proposition?" Ally turns towards Casey with a questioning
look in her eyes.
"I think that it is one that will help us to both get what we want out of
this project." Casey stares down slightly at Lis, wishing that he could
reach over and hold her. "Would you please join me for dinner tomorrow? We
can discuss it then."
Ally eyes him curiously. "Dinner? Where at?"
"I happen to have a proverbial feast at my quarters right now that I would
hate to go to waste." Casey can see her hesitation. "Please say yes."
"Alright, I will listen to this proposition at dinner." Ally smiles. "A
girl has to eat."
"Great. Be at my place about 7 tomorrow. Formal attire though, if you have
it. This is a fancy dinner."
Ally laughs. "Well since I know you are a fabulous cook, then I will agree
to wear the formal attire. Let me guess ... dinner is lobster ala Casey?"
Casey smiles. "You'll have to wait and see.