Episode 1B: FACE TO FACE- Temporal Crew

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Hell arrives again!

A Mission Post by Commander Phoenix Lalor

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: unknown M-Class world

Timeline: Unspecified - at first

Christmas was done. The decorations put away. New Year’s celebrated in raucous fashion in the Grand ballroom, redecorated in to what was termed “PARIS EXPLODES” the Famed City of lights of the late 1920’s was the theme and the crew dressed accordingly. Now, they were done. They were back to their normal work. The Bridge crew were silent as the Elysium glided gracefully through the blackness of space, only the dim pin pricks of stars, gave light to the darkness. Alpha shift was done, as was Beta. Now it was Gamma shift, the quietest time of the ship’s day.

Their course was set. A quiet trip out past Dominion Space, to explore the more outer regions of the quadrant. A simple easy mission the Captain had said.

Then it all went to hell. Something hit the Elysium. Hit it hard. No warning, no sensor alert. It hit the Elysium so hard, the ship spun off course like a toy boat in a pond. Hull breach alerts screamed as the ship tumbled end on end, spinning so fast that people were tossed into bulkheads and pinned there. It seemed to go on for hours.

Then abruptly... it stopped. And the Elysium was floating, gravity was off, injured and dead littered the halls, and then the tone began.

“Impact imminent. All Hands, Abandon Ship. Impact imminent. All Hands, Abandon Ship”

On the bridge, the operations officer, bloodied from his wounds stared at the vision filling the viewscreen. A planet... and it was coming up fast. “Not again” the man muttered, but this time, he knew there would be no stopping the Elysium as it hit the atmosphere. He slapped his hand onto the console as the emergency systems kicked in and gravity was restored. Pushing himself upright he grabbed the nearest person and began yelling for people to evacuate!

=/\=Later=/\=

Escape pods hurtled towards the planet. Inside them, panicked crew, civilians, children, cadets, all unsure of what was going to happen.

The first pod down hit the dense mass of forest growth hard, it would be the rallying point for all. Its occupants, found themselves in the midst of a massive forest of trees, and damp undergrowth.

=/\=6 days later=/\=

It had, been chaos, The Captain now reflected as she stood, amidst her surviving crew. 6 days had passed since that horrible day. So many gone. So many lost. Again. Was it the ship that was cursed? Was it her? Some other member of the crew? Lost so many... Aurelia Holmes, River Waters, just to name a couple and that's just who they could currently know about. Several pods were still unaccounted for.

Around her, debris had being moved to make shelters, they were salvaging the medical bay, so their Medical Staff would have a place to treat the wounded and the dying. For now the makeshift Medical tent would do.

The survivors were in tents, in makeshift shelters from the pods, and what shuttles they had managed to salvage. She knew, that despair would soon set in. Engineering had salvaged what they could from the wreck of the Elysium, and even more stuff was coming in day after day. No chance of fixing this catastrophe this time. No chance.

Her left leg ached. The wound from the piece of metal that had speered it was well bound, and she used a branch as a cane.

There was no way of communicating with the rest of the galaxy. They had discovered that rather quickly. The Ion storm had struck on their 3rd day, and had fried the communications balloon they had tried to launch.

Phoenix was about to retreat to the Command tent when a voice called out. An ensign from Engineering ran up, panting, stopping a respectful distance from the Captain. “Yes ensign?”

“Sir... the computer is online... its... giving us a weird date.”

“Define ‘Weird’ Ensign.” she considered the salvaged unit from the Main Operations section.

“Sir.. according to the computer, based on the star alignments its 2374...”

Phoenix stared at him, and in silence followed him to the Engineering area, which was a tent with hull plating used as walls and doors, as fast as she could. Things just got worse! 2374

Alone Again.....Naturally

A Mission Post by Commander Gary Taylor

Mission: Episode 0: History Speaks

Location: Unknown world

Timeline: 2374

Gary stood outside the command tent. they had been here wherever here was for six days and it looked like they were going to be here a lot longer. The ship was a total loss. It would never roam among the stars again. Yet there were parts that were salvageable and were currently be pressed into use as makeshift shelters and Sickbay.

They were still taking stock of their weapons,batteries, solar panels (hopefully) every scrap of useful material was being taken into consideration and pressed into use of some kind. Teams had been assigned to deal with building shelters, taking inventory as well as getting an accurate crew count of the survivors.

Thankfully most of the senior staff had survived the crash. Phoenix and Liselle were both among the survivors as was Parrish and others but and it was a big but Lia was among the dead. Dear sweet Lia. His head still reeled from the knowledge he would never again see her smiling face or hear her voice giving him a hard time over something. They had finally made a commitment to each other and their love for each other was obvious. Now, it was gone,smashed to bits on this unnamed world. All their tomorrows snuffed out. First Catlin had been taken from him without warning and he had been to far away to do anything and now Lia had been snuffed out with as much thought as one gives to blowing out a candle. His two loves taken no snatched from him. Who or what had he so offended to let this happen?

Worse still, he hadn't let himself grieve. He kept it all within him. He couldn't he wouldn't break down others needed him. He had a job to do and that was help and support Phoenix. So his grief remained tightly coiled within him as he worked to help their crew and make sure no one else died senselessly.

So Gary Taylor, former First Officer of the USS Elysium realized with stunning clarity that he was and always would be alone again naturally.

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Our Most Sacred Promise

A Mission Post by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Chief Petty Officer Feyth Railli

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: At the crash site

Timeline: Day 1 - Minutes after the crash

For all the years that she would spend as a member of the Elysium colony, Liselle Qwyyn's earliest memory was of two words, spoken through fear, shock, and panic.

"I can't."

Feyth Railli reached out and grabbed the Trill's arms. She squeezed. Hard. "Yes. You can. And you will." The Bajoran tossed a glance over her shoulder at the burning wreckage of the Elysium, splayed out in and amongst the devastation of collapsed trees now cruelly bent and broken behind them. Everything was burning. People were screaming.

So many people screaming.

The screams would haunt her for years.

"This baby is coming. Now," Feyth insisted. "And I'm telling you there is something wrong. Really, really wrong. I need someone with medical training. You used to be a doctor --"

"That was before Liselle was even joined," Qwyyn cut in.

Feyth took a steadying breath. Her eyes pierced Qwyyn's own with the intensity of her pleading gaze. "Liselle. I'm bleeding. I'm bleeding a lot. I've had a child before, and I know that something is dangerously wrong. If you don't help me, I'm going to die, and this baby is going to die with me."

"You don't understand," Liselle persisted. For a moment, for the first time in a very long time, the darkness of her past came rushing up at her. The truth. The reason why she had abandoned her medical career so shortly after joining to the symbiont Qwyyn.

She pushed the thoughts away. Stuffed those secrets away.

"Liselle!" Feyth snapped, bringing Qwyyn back to reality. "Look at me! Listen to me! This baby is going to live!" She focused her anger and her fear into every syllable of every word. "That is a fact. There is no other alternative. This baby will live. Do. You. Understand. Me."

Liselle nodded dumbly.

"Good." Satisfied, Feyth promptly collapsed.

Or would have, had Qwyyn not caught her and helped guide her down to the forest floor. In the distance she could hear screams. She willfully forced herself to focus on this moment instead; anything to help deny the reality of their crash. Liselle was no obstetrician, but she had been a surgeon, well-studied in xenobiology. It didn't take more than a preliminary examination before she was ready to provide her prognosis. She shook her head sadly. "It's bad, Feyth. It's really bad. If we were on the Elysium I would immediately recommend a C-section..."

"Then that's what we're going to do," Feyth told her curtly. "Get started."

Qwyyn scoffed. "Are you --? How? Even if we accept the risks of infection, and uncontrolled hemorrhaging, and...a million other complications, I don't even have the most basic tools to operate!"

Feyth reached down to her waist and pulled her phaser. She held it up. "Scalpel."

Qwyyn's eyes went wide. "You're not serious."

Tears filled Feyth's eyes. Despite her desperate need to maintain her courage, to see this through, she could not help trembling. Her voice cracked as she forced her next words. Her quivering lips spat them at Qwyyn. "Scalpel, Doctor!"

Liselle reluctantly took the weapon. She locked eyes with Feyth. An eternity passed. Speaking was impossible. But somehow she did. "I sweat to you that I will do everything in my power to minimize the pain."

Feyth looked away to one side. She wanted so badly to not cry.

She couldn't stop crying.

Qwyyn lowered the phaser's output, narrowed the beam, effectively transforming it into a plasma torch. She swallowed. Sniffled. "Ready?"

Feyth covered her face with small, shaking hands.

Little leaves blowing in the wind.

Qwyyn reached over her her patient's body to pull her uniform higher, lifting it up and away from her swollen belly. She set the nose of the phaser against her skin, exactly six centimeters above the belly button. She lowered her thumb to the firing trigger.

And then a miracle happened. A cadet tripped into the dirt next to them.

The young man pulled himself to his feet, and somehow, somehow this young man carried the greatest of all blessings: a medical kit.

Liselle dropped the phaser. "Thank God, Cadet! Bring that med kit over here! Hurry!"

He turned in surprise, only now noticing his fellow officers. He foolishly stood at attention. "Sorry, sir. I -- I was ordered to retrieve a kit and bring it to...to the Elysium."

"Mission accomplished, now let's have the med kit!"

"Sir, begging your pardon, but Commander Holmes is injured. This is for her."

Qwyyn's brow knit with concern. "Gods, no..." she breathed. Her heart sank. "Is she okay?"

The cadet shook his head. "No, sir. She's unconscious. There's a lot of blood. One of the nurses found me and told me to get a medical kit and bring it to her. She said if I didn't hurry then Commander Holmes wouldn't have a chance. So I took my tricorder and just started scanning and running and --"

Liselle set her jaw. "How bad was she, Cadet? I want a report."

All Starfleet officers had some degree of medical training. Cadets especially tended to keep themselves brushed up nicely for fear of being tested.

The Cadet swallowed. "Bad, sir. Multiple lacerations, grade 3 or 4. First degree burns to sixty percent of her body. Both arms are broken. She's suffered a concussion. She is not responsive to light stimu--"

Qwyyn held up a hand, ending his report. "Give me the medkit."

"Sir?"

She looked to Feyth, and then back at him. "We either run off into the woods and take a long shot on the Commander, or we stay here and do a sure thing and save this baby. I happen to know Lia, and I am confident that if she were able to voice her wishes, she would forgo her own treatment for the sake of saving a newborn." Qwyyn held out her hand. "Give me the medkit, son."

"Sir. I - I - "

"Cadet. I am ordering you, as your superior, to release that medkit into my custody."

His eyes found the dirt. "Yes, sir," he said. And he stepped forward and placed it at her feet. "I'll go find another one right away!"

"No."

He froze. "What?"

"I can't work on Feyth and keep up with readings at the same time." She pointed to the dirt next to her. "You're going to operate the medical tricorder and be my nurse. Understood?"

He cleared his throat. His answer was as uncertain as ever. "Understood."

Qwyyn knew that in this moment she was sentencing this young man to a lifetime of regret and nightmares. She buried the concern, buried it with her secrets and her profound sense of loss. She cracked the kit, and instantly set to work on preparing Feyth's first hypo. For the first time in a lifetime she felt like a doctor again. She turned to Feyth. "I'm going to need you to stay conscious."

"Okay," Feyth said with a nod.

"So let's talk. What was that word you kept whispering to yourself?" Qwyyn asked. In the moments when the phaser had been set against her flesh, Feyth had repeated one phrase over and over again. "Yan all up?"

Feyth smiled. "Yaanalla," she said. "It is one of the oldest Bajoran words. It represents our most sacred promise with the Prophets. If we keep our faith in the darkest of times, they will always be with us to guide us to the light. Yaanalla. Never lose hope."

Qwyyn gave her an assured nod. "Yaanalla."

"Yaanalla."

And the surgery began.

When the work was done, Liselle rose up from the dirt. The Bajoran had lost consciousness during the operation, the pain too much to bear. Qwyyn would have gladly injected more pain killers if she had a bio monitor handy to closely follow its effects on the child, but such a luxury was not afforded them in a forest that held the wreckage of the Elysium. Their home.

Qwyyn took a few steps towards the woods, away from the Elysium's dying body, and she looked down at the baby girl in her arms. And she smiled. "Welcome to the world," she said. She turned to the cadet. "Pack up the medkit and find Lia. On the double."

They shared a look. They both knew that it would be far too late now. Still, the cadet stood. "Yes, sir."

Liselle kept herself in doctor mode -- detached from her emotions. She wasn't ready to feel.

The lives she had saved today. The life she may very well have sentenced to death today.

She looked up at the sky.

You'll make it through this, Lia. I know you will.

She looked down at Feyth's baby.

And she saw what would become to be known as the Elysium colony's first born child.

"Yaanalla."

OFF

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew – Roommates

A Mission Post by Ensign Genevieve Harrigan & Ensign T'Saralonde & Kamal Harrigan

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: Personal Quarters, Genevieve "Jenn" Harrigan et. al.

Timeline: 2380

“That which does not kill us, makes us stronger.” -- Friedrich Nietzsche

"That which does not kill us, is just getting warmed up." -- Genevieve Harrigan

ON:

"Chief Harrigan."

Jenn gave a curt nod as she passed a colonist who had addressed her, as she made her way back home.

If Jenn were the reflective sort, she might ponder the sequence of events since "The Event" six years ago, that had placed her as head of the Colony's Security Corps. It hadn't been the future she had envisioned. Six years ago, before the Event, Jenn had expected to have the rank of Lieutenant, possibly even Lieutenant Commander six years into her career and, depending on how optimistic she was feeling at the moment, to be anything from a Chief Operations Officer on a larger starship to possibly an XO on a smaller one,

Instead, six years ago, she had been involved in a discussion/debate with her roommate, when all hell broke loose. The corridors of the ship had been pure chaos as she and others around her moved toward the escape pods. In the middle of one of the corridors had been a toddler, standing with her eyes closed, screaming and crying. Without thinking, Jenn had scooped the toddler up in her arms and continued moving, not slowing down.

After that, things were a blur. Working at survival, setting up a camp, being organized into work parties, sleeping when you...it all merged together At first, Jenn had been part of the group that was scavenging materials for the camp. She soon found herself part of the work group setting up security measures for the refugees against the ravages from the planet. Jenn displayed a talent for knowing what types of barriers would work against the hostile creatures of the planet, as well as determining the most strategic places to put the colony's limited defensive resources.

Jenn had demonstrated a knack for defusing situations with people as well. Even with a colony consisting of Star Fleet members used to living with discipline, there were problems, particularly when people panicked. Jenn had handled a couple of those situations as well.

So six years after the event, Jenn found herself head of the colony's security corps, and being addressed by her fellow colonist's as "Chief" in the same tone one might hear the title "Marshall" used in an Ancient West holonovel. It was quite a lot to reflect on.

Except Jenn was no longer the type to reflect. Her mind was constantly at work, projecting the probabilities of the sort of trouble her and the colony's security corps were expected to protect their fellow colonists from, whether it was a stray predator from without or a troubled individual from within. Reflection was about the past, and Jenn didn't have time to do anything but move forward.

Well, she did sometimes reflect on one thing, she thought to herself, as she entered her domicile. She sometimes wondered how she was still roommates with Ensign T'Saralonde after six years.

Before the Event, Jenn had finagled the Quartermaster's Office to bunk her with T'Saralonde. The redheaded Operations officer had hoped to pair her mathematical skills with the Vulcan's cosmological expertise into a few projects that would, among other things, look pretty damn good on a young officer who had ambitions. But Jenn had expected that her and T'Saralonde would both be Lieutenant JGs and have their own quarters in a year's time.

Instead, the two had shared a group shelter with other refugees from the start. And when there were enough shelters where family units could start moving in, it just made sense for Jenn and T'Saralonde to move in together.

Not that Jenn and T'Saralonde were a family unit in any sense of the phrase. Before the Event, the two had been roommates, academic collaborators and maybe fledgling friends. When survivors of the Elysium were organized into work groups, T'Saralonde had been assigned to the Science Corps. It was while a group of Science Corps members were out looking for a particular specimen that T'Saralonde picked up on the approach of one of the planet's nastier predators, and was able to keep her group undetected.

To the best of Jenn's knowledge (at the time), the only survival training T'Saralonde had was what was taught at the Academy. Well, that, and whatever the Vulcan bat mitzvah was called. Six months after the Event, T'Saralonde was the colony's lead Gatherer, having gone all 'Avatar' (as one of her fellow colonists had called it), She seemed to instinctively know where certain plants could be found, even when they were supposedly out of season. She knew migration paths of game animals and the predators that trailed them, how to avoid both, and what might be worth while to 'collect' in their wake. And chances were, if T'Saralonde brought in an interesting knew specimen, it would be something for the Science and Medical Corps to look into.

At the same time Jenn was rising up in the ranks of the colony's fledgling Security Corps, her Vulcan roommate was gaining responsibility among the colony's "Gatherers," as well as becoming the "go-to" person to find, and return with, whatever fungi, plant, moss or insect the colony's Medical and Science Corps decided they needed 'right here and now,' regardless of the potential danger that retrieving said object might represent.

And since T'Saraonde represented the knowledge that Jenn needed to do her job, the two spent a lot of time together. So it naturally made sense for the two to share quarters when they become available.

Jenn's musings were interrupted by the other reason Jenn and T'Saralonde had moved in together. A dark haired eight year old came running out of one the rooms, wrapping her arms around Jenn's waist. "Mama Jenn! You need to see what Mama Sara brought home."

A rare smile appeared on Jenn's face as she stroked the little's girl hair. "I think she should have brought a pair of scissors home. You need a trim, Kamal."

Kamal just laughed and answered, "You and Mama Sara don't trim your hair."

Which was true, Jenn mentally acknowledged, though she still gave Kamal a light pop on the backside and chided her for 'sassing.' Kamal just laughed louder. Truth was, although many of the colonists who had traditionally worn their hair long had shorn it in deference to the planet's climate, neither her nor T'Saralonde had. The Vulcan hadn't because...well, Jenn wasn't quite sure why the Vulcan hadn't. T'Saralonde's hair was part of her image, and the Vulcan was remaining true to herself. Or something like that.

Jenn hadn't cut her hair because she hadn't cut it when she went to the Academy, she hadn't cut it when she graduated and reported to the Elysium, and this planet could go screw itself if it thought Jenn was going to cut her hair for it.

Jenn smiled as Kamal dragged her into the unit's common room, where something that resembled a cross between an orchid, a fern and a lily was waiting for them. Jenn couldn't help but watch in wonder as the little girl she had saved six years ago, who had somehow managed to worm her way into hers and T'Saralonde's life afterwords, begin rattling off everything she knew about the plant and how she was going to take it to 'show and tell' tomorrow. Jenn nodded as the little girl's description went off on a tangent about an illustrated copy of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" that had survived the Event and was subsequently donated to the colony's school.

The one-sided discourse was interrupted by T'Saralonde informing them that dinner was ready to be served. Jenn allowed herself to be led to the dining table, her conscious mind relaxing for the moment, while her subconscious continued its plotting and mapping, working to ensure that everyone she cared for continued to be safe.

OFF

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Where His Heart Lies

A Mission Post by Commander Liselle Qwyyn & Commander Gary Taylor

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: Village Medical Center

Timeline: 20 Years after the crash

Doctor Liselle Qwyyn stopped in front of the mirror, taking a moment to run her slender fingers through her hair. So much grey now. And the wrinkles. Gods, the wrinkles! At nearly sixty she was among the few colonists showing their true age. How ironic, the people meant for all intents and purposes to live forever would be the first to die of old age.

The insects on the planet had proven to be deadly to the joined Trill. Anis Ro and Makia Litt had both died from what amounted to little more than a mosquito bite. In the months that followed all of the joined Trill had been forced to dress in head to toe in protective clothing until, finally, the medical team had made a breakthrough, developing an effective inoculation. It's only downside was that it counteracted the anti-aging effects enjoyed by the rest of Elysium village. But she took it the drugs, all of the joined Trill did. A shorter life spent outside of a bee keeper suit was infinitely preferable to an eternity in one.

She picked up her medkit and began her walk to Gary Taylor. The man was due a check-up, and she knew that the best way -- if not the only way -- to make that happen was a surprise visit.

Gary was returning from his weekly pilgrimage to Lia's grave when he spied Qwyyn heading for his treehouse. He sighed to himself. He had a very good idea what she wanted, to give him a damn medical exam! where was the sense in that?! He silently fumed. No one, well almost no one grew old anymore. However he had to give her credit for dedication and perseverance as she really took her position as doctor to heart not mention.it tested his creativity. He slowed his stride as he began to run through a list of both possible and plausible excuses to wiggle out of it.

He stopped and watched, maybe with luck she wouldn't see him. One could only hope.

Qwyyn rapped against the door, the effort of the action bringing familiar pain to her forearm. On instinct she took out her tricorder and 'set it to wide scan.' "Oh, Gary," she said, her tone mocking disappointment. "My eyes might be failing me but her's are working just fine," she said, hefting the tricorder. "Now get your young butt up here so I can prod it with my medieval instruments."

Gary sighed audibly * Damn tricorder! Haven't those batteries died yet?* He thought sourly and resumed his walk to his house as he neared he spoke,"Why bless my soul if it isn't Doctor Liselle Qwyyn. What pray tell brings you to visit my door?"

Little did he know, he had hit on the truth of the matter quite well. Qwyyn flipped the dead tricorder closed, and with a smile she tucked it away. This particular bluff had worked wonders on plenty of doctor dodgers. Now, to the matter at hand. "Computer. Why am I here?" she asked. And then Qwyyn switched over to her best impression of the Elysium's old computer, talking from one corner of her mouth. "Well, Liselle Qwyyn -- and may I just say you look absolutely lovely today -- you're here because President Taylor needs to let you run a very quick and very painless physical that even the children don't complain about." And then back to her own voice now. "Oh, that makes sense. Thank you, computer!"

Despite his reluctance to have a physical, Gary felt the corners of his mouth pull upward in a smile. Liselle could always do that.... make him smile. He drew closer to her, he winced at the phrase President Taylor, he still wasn't use to it after all this time. He tilted his head and he swore he could hear Lia laughing. " Nice impression of the computer." He quipped. He then stopped an appraised her with a look. "You do look lovely." He agreed "And since your here, come in and take a load off and we can talk about me needing to let you give me a physical....a totally unnecessary and unneeded physical I might add. Further, if you don't want any complaints go and give the children physicals."

Qwyyn's smile pulled wrinkles across her face. "Who am I kidding? Compared to me, you all look like children." She gestured to his front door. "I would be absolutely delighted to join you," she said. "And if you would be willing to brew some of that marvelous tea of yours, well I can't imagine I'd be able to say no to a cup."

Gary's smile slowly melted away like an ice cream vanishing on a hot summer day. He reached a hand out and lightly caressed her cheek, feeling the soft skin beneath his calloused fingers. 'I'm sorry Liselle." He replied quietly as he opened the door, "Ladies first." He announced standing to one side to allow her to enter. "Pull up a chair and I'll go fix us some tea." He stated while he disappeared into the other room.

She pulled a nearby chair over to his bed. Placing the medkit onto the sheets, she popped its weathered hatches and creaked it open.

Her old friends. When the hypos had finally clogged the last of their nanoscopic pores, and the tricorder diodes had succumbed to one too many rain storms, and the auto-sutures had fallen out of their absolutely precise alignment, Qwyyn had been forced to fall back on tools of old. At first she hated them. But now...now she could fully appreciate how sometimes older things just worked better. The sentiment brought her a great deal of comfort.

Gary was gone for a few minutes before returned with two glasses of amber colored liquid. "You asked for it. You got it. Taylor's Old Fashion Tea. Just what the doctor needs." He commented as he handed her a glass. He looked at the medkit and it's contents. "Ah, the tried and true friends of the family doctor." He observed. "It just goes to show that just because something is old, you don't throw it away. It still has value and worth."

She inclined her head to him. "Now I remember why I enjoy coming here so much," she said. She took a sip of the tea, and immediately her eyes closed as she savored its complex blend of herbs. "Worth the walk every time."

He smiled grateful for her words. "You know you're always welcome here Liselle." He said honestly as he took a sip of the tea and had to admit to himself, it was pretty good as tea went. He took another sip and looked at her, "So, how are things with you?" He asked as he slipped into the other chair.

"Oh no you don't, Mister. I've seen this trick from you before," she said. She tossed a few quick waves at him. "Off with the shirt. We can catch up while I examine you."

"Trick? Whatever are you talking about?" His tone and looked innocent but his eyes twinkled with mischief. "Can't an old friend inquire what's new?" As his hands remained at his side. Not yet moving to comply with her request.

"I'm so sorry. I - I can barely hear you over the sound of that thing," she said, gesturing to his shirt. She rose up slowly from her chair and went to her medkit to fish out her stethoscope. Once it had been a curio mounted in a corner of the Elyisum's sickbay as a reminder of the past. Now, it was her most prized diagnostic tool. "At some point today, I'm pressing this metal against your skin," she said holding up the flat disc at the end of the stethoscope. "You cooperate, and I warm it up first. One time offer, Taylor."

"If you can hear it, why do you need the stethoscope?" He bantered as he looked at it and then back at Liselle. "Is that a fact?" He questioned "And what's with using my last name? In addition, I'm curious to see just how your going to warm it up." His hands still at his side.

She couldn't help but laugh then, shaking her head at him as she did. Gods, but she loved to be in this man's company. Ever since Phoenix... there were very few people that she could truly connect to, that could make her feel like she was made up of something more than her job. Dare she even consider: made her feel young, attractive again. "Take off the shirt, and I'll show you."

He tilted his head at her, "Gosh, I love it when you talk sexy. Gets me every time" He teased and at last his hands came up and pulled the shirt over his head and he tossed it on the bed. "Okay,I'm waiting. Show me."

She gasped then. "Gary," she breathed, shock in her voice. "Why, I do believe I have just seen the most incredible sight in all of my lifetimes. I - I think I might faint." She placed the back of her hand against her forehead and mocked a dramatic swoon.

He stared at her for several seconds before he started laughing, It was rich and vibrant. "Oh my." He countered playfully, "If I wore glasses they'd be fogged up after that performance. Truly award winning."

She mocked a theatrical bow. And then she closed the distance between them, placing her hands beneath his chin, feeling for his lymph nodes. She looked up into his eyes as her fingertips kneaded delicately against his throat. Those grey eyes. Still so much pain. All traces of humor left her as she studied him. "How are you?" she asked, her voice a whisper, as though the two of them might be spied upon.

He was quiet as Liselle examined him. Her fingers treading lightly against throat, his eyes meeting hers as she asked the million dollar question. "I asked you first before you conned me into letting you exam me." He answered softly though still in good humor. "You tell me,then I'll tell you. Fair is fair."

She considered being coy with him. She considered joking with him. For the briefest of moments she even considered lying to him. But she knew she could bare her soul to him, to share and to free herself from all of the negativity that had dug its way into her mind. Her eyes left his and instead focused on her hands. "I'm lonely, Gary," she said. "I have plenty of friends here, of course. And I interact with nearly everyone in the colony. But this...this gods be damned miracle water that has saved all of you has thrown me into a prison. I'm aging my way out of social groups. The men don't flirt with me anymore, and the women don't gossip with me. I act like it doesn't bother me. But..."

Gary heard and more importantly felt the pain in Liselle's voice and the words she spoke. "Liselle, everyone like and respects you." He countered but he knew she was right.She was slowly getting older while the rest of them remained looking the same. He took her hands in his, "Liselle, you never have to be lonely, never. You can come here anytime, hell all the time." He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, "To me, your as pretty as you ever were." He said honestly. Liselle was probably the only person he could bare his soul to but he was concerned about her. "What can I do?" He asked.

She broke professional decorum, exceedingly rare for her during an examination, and she placed a hand on his cheek. "There's only thing I want from you." She thought of a cowboy hat he had once gifted her -- Gods...twenty years ago now? How in love she had been then. She smiled at the ancient memory, and she asked her original question once more. "How are you?"

He met her gaze directly, shrugging his shoulders as he did. "I know about being lonely. Because or maybe in spite of my position everyone knows and speaks to me, tells me how they feel., what they want to see done. Got a complaint? I've heard them all. However the reality of it is, it's an arm length conversation. They ask but don't inquire. It's polite,painless conversation." He stopped and looked in her expressive brown eyes, "I don't know if that answered your question or not."

She nodded. A sad smile found its way to her lips. As plain as day, she could see the torch he still carried -- would never stop carrying -- for Aurelia Holmes. If only she could go back in time and explain to a younger Liselle how deep this man's love for that woman truly was -- maybe then she would never have fooled herself for so long, and she could have just allowed herself to reap the full benefits of being his friend. Her eyes were drawn to his heart then, to his torso, cruelly mutilated by scars that even the fountain of youth would not undo. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around him and leaned into his bare chest. She laughed to herself. "My breast," she whispered against him. "I was going to warm the stethoscope on my left breast. Chickened out. But it was going to be really sexy. Probably. Well, in an old lady sort of way."

He was surprised only for an instant as his arms came up and settled at her waist, still trim after all these years. Liselle's figure was still lithe and attractive. He held her gently as she leaned into him and then whispered to him. He was silent as she made the comment of being an old lady. He shook his head lightly. "No, your wrong Liselle, you aren't old,not to me, you'll never be old to me." His grip tighten at her waist as he whispered to her, his voice full of emotion. "To me, you'll always be Sheriff Liselle Quane, the toughest, prettiest Sheriff to ever wear a six shooter."

He smiled at her, "In fact, I've got something for you. I was going to give it to you on your birthday but I think now is a better time. Wait right here." He said as he lifted her up and sat her back down on the chair and headed toward a small alcove that had a curtain drawn across it.

Sitting there, watching him as he disappeared, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Yet again he had managed to charm his way out of a check-up. Gods, but he had earned it. A near meditative calm had washed over her since she had arrived, deepening profoundly in these last few minutes. Already she found herself dreading the inevitable moment when she would leave his home and the reality of village life would come crashing back down on her. She pushed that future away. With her hands resting on her lap, her eyes straining to see what he was up to, she allowed herself to have this moment. "You didn't have to go out of your way," she called to him.

He came back holding a small box. "Yes, I did Liselle because I never want you to forget how important you are to me. Along with how much I value you." He replied solemnly. He handed her the box," I found this when I had gone back to the ship. I was looking for something of ....Lia's I could bring back and I found the rapier I had given her." His voice becoming thick with emotion. "I hung it on the wall."

She gave him a coy look. "Tea bags," she guessed. "This whole time, that secret Taylor brew of yours is just something you snagged from the kitchen. Well, I for one appreciate you coming clean." She cracked the box and gasped. It dropped into her lap as she covered her mouth with both hands. She stared down at her old Sheriff's badge, a relic to remind her of one of their earliest holodeck adventures together.

At first she thought it odd that it seemed to be calling out to her with faint metallic pinging sounds. And then she realized she had been crying, her tears striking the newly re-polished surface.

Liselle was quiet. Maybe for a few seconds. Maybe for a few minutes. She looked up at him, shirtless and all. "You gave this to me on that Starbase. Just before our last mission. We were at that restaurant. With the fancy drinks."

When I told you that I was going to stop caring about you so much because I couldn't have you to myself, she thought to herself.

He knelt in front of her, "Oh please don't cry Liselle, I didn't mean to upset you. I, I did it to show you how much you mean to me." He stammered. He grew quiet and an awkward silence filled the room for a few seconds until he coughed to break the silence."Um, I'm not very good at expressing myself but I thought this was a good way. To show how outstanding a person you are. Your thoughtfulness and consideration shine through everyday and are a source of constant inspiration to me." He reached a hand out and gently draped it across hers. "It's a small token but I hope it shows you just how important you are to me." He paused and wiped a tear from her cheek. "Liselle, I'd be lost without you here." He admitted.

"You know, it's funny," she said. "Because I've also decided to get myself an early birthday gift." She thought of a Qwyyn and Taylor twenty years younger, of the two of them together in a small Starbase restaurant on Christmas; of regrets and of mistletoe. Leaning forward, she pressed her lips gently to his for the briefest of moments. "Just correcting a regret I've carried for a long time now," she said.

He said nothing just leaned forward slightly so his lips met hers. Felt the softness of them as they met his in a kiss. He held the kiss, cherished every unspoken sentiment it contained and conveyed. Felt an onrushing swell of emotion as it threaten to drown him. "I'm very glad you did Liselle. Very glad indeed." He returned softly.

She clutched the sheriff's badge in her hand so tightly that it brought pain to her fingers. She opened her eyes. "I should go," she said. She didn't want to feel, didn't want to give herself permission to embarrass herself further. She relished the thought of taking that long walk home alone, to be with her own mind and replay the bitter sweetness of finally having this moment with him.

Gary nodded slowly, he had expected that answer and he had nothing to say in way of a reply. Then like being hit with a lightening bolt, he had an epiphany. A moment of absolute clarity. While he and Liselle may not have been lovers in the usual sense, they shared something much deeper and profound, more lasting than a casual roll in the hay. They were friends. Good, close friends who could and did tell each other everything. Both of them secure in the trust they had placed in each other would never be broken. That had no price and couldn't be bought in any store, it came from the heart and he knew beyond the shadow of doubt that Liselle Qwyyn had the finest heart of anyone he had ever met or would ever meet.

He squeezed her hands gently, "If you must." He heard himself say when in realty he wanted her to stay and then they could help each other with the drink they called loneliness.

"Miran has the hospital all to herself. I promised her I wouldn't be long..." Qwyyn bit her lip as she gathered her supplies back into her medkit. She knew she could keep it together until she stepped outside his door. She was certain she could.

"Of course." Gary answered numbly,well aware of what Liselle was doing, where he really wanted to scream and protest her decision but he knew such an outburst wouldn't do any good and would only add to the emotional upheaval they were both undergoing right now. He gathered himself, "Don't want to leave her alone too long." He agreed diplomatically and giving her the out she desperately needed.

She swallowed. Nodded.

Get out, Liselle -- she told herself. Get out.

"See you around, Taylor," she said. She took one last look at him, burning away those precious seconds she had left before the tears would come, and she turned and walked from his home.

"Of course Doctor. See you around." He replied in a resigned voice as she left. He felt that somehow in someway let Liselle down and that bothered him a great deal. In addition it seemed old ghosts had come back to roost.

As soon as the door to his hut closed behind her, she felt the hot sting of tears on her cheeks. It was a small mercy that she had somehow held out as long as she had. Though she suspected her emotions had been plain on her face, in truth, she was grateful he hadn't drawn attention to it. She would have been crushed by the embarrassment. Looking down at the silver badge in her hand, she ran a thumb across its shinning surface. "Feels like it was just yesterday."

She started off toward the hospital, but soon found herself slowing to a stop. Instead, Liselle made her way back in the other direction, toward Lia's grave. Unsure of when she would be back this way again, she decided to take the opportunity to pay her respects once more. Having spent so much time with Gary, having allowed herself to once again be that younger version of herself, even if just for those brief moments, she knew she owed Lia an explanation. Perhaps an apology. Long overdue.

Because after all this time, the crushing reality of it all felt so much more real today.

Lia was gone. And she had taken Gary's heart with her.

OFF

All Our Tomorrows....

A Mission Post by Commander Gary Taylor

Mission: Episode 0: History Speaks

Location: Gary's Treehouse

Timeline: 20 Years after the crash

(OOC: Takes place after the JP Just a Routine Checkup}

IC:

Gary stood in his house, his mind a muddled mess and that was like him. He usually was very clear headed, had a plan of action and carried it out but now, after Liselle's latest visit he found himself questioning, second guessing himself. He left the treehouse and just started walking with no particular destination in mind. Yet after awhile he found himself where he somehow knew he would end up.... at Lia's grave. He looked at the tombstone with the Federation delta he had painsakeingly etched into stone above the name Aurelia Holmes with the following inscription, "Forever in my heart always on my mind." He knelt beside the grave and silently prayed. He wasn't an overly religious man but right here and right now. It felt right and proper.

He prayed to whomever was listening that one day he would again rejoin Lia and they could once again resume their journey among the stars. When he had finished, he began to talk to her as was his want. "Well, we have a wedding coming up between Murphy and Ari. You remember them don't you? They constantly tease and pick at each other but you can tell underneath it they really love each other." He sighed and gathered himself. "Miran is a doctor or as much as one without attending medical school. Liselle has done and outstanding job teaching her." He took another steadying breath. He raised his head and looked up as tears welled in his eyes. "Liselle came by to give me a physical. I feel so bad for her. The water here that prevents us from aging is ineffective for her and the other joined Trills because of the medication they have to take to prevent dying from insect bites. So she is slowly aging and feels alone. I tried to comfort her, cheer her up. I found the sheriff's badge I had given her for Christmas twenty years ago, you remember me telling you about? Anyways I cleaned it up so it was bright and shiny just like new to show her how much she meant to me. how important she was but I don't think I truly succeeded."

He shook his head, "Why did you have to go and get yourself killed?" His voice full of frustration, "You left me, all alone. All the plans we made, the things we were going to go. The places we were going to travel to. The worlds we were going to explore. Me, learning more about sword play. I found your rapier by the way, it's hanging on the wall of my treehouse." He continued to talk, "You were going to learn more about the Old West. I was going to learn Japanese, among other things." He gave a bitter laugh. "All our tomorrows gone in a blink of an eye. We never even got a chance! How fair is that?" He roared but there was no answer forthcoming."People here look to me for leadership and answers and I just want to scream at them and chuck it and let someone else have the responsibility and headaches. I wonder if they know, I don't know the answers. I just try to to the best I can." His body shook as the tears he had fought so hard to keep from falling streamed down his face. "I wish you were here Lia, here to talk to. To kick me in the ass when I need it. Tell me if I was doing something right or wrong. To laugh with me or even cry with. To share life's little pleasures and even it's setbacks." The tears stopped and he placed a hand on the tombstone. "I'm not really angry at you. I could never be. Forgive me yelling at you. It's just..... I miss you so damn much and I hope you continue to wait for me beyond the stars." He stood and looked down. "I love you Lia, now and for all the days to come. I hope you know that. I'll, I'll" He took a shuddering breath "be back to talk somemore. You rest easy." He finished and turned and walked away, knowing all his dreams, aspirations, desires, goals, plans,ambitions and notions lay buried in the ground a few feet away and that tomorrow was just an illusion for dreamers and he had no more dreams left.

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Snug as a bug

A Mission Post by Ensign Genevieve Harrigan & Ensign T'Saralonde & Kamal Harrigan

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: Communal Shelter

Timeline: Two months after the Event

Genevieve "Jenn" Harrigan had been asleep, oblivious to the world, when she was awakened by someone crawling under her blanket.

Jenn sighed as the someone, a two year old by the name of Kamal Ashtekar, snuggled inbetween her and T'Saralonde. Once she was comfortable, Kamal instantly fell asleep.

Jenn didn't find it that easy to go back to sleep, though. For a moment, she was tempted to wake T'Saralonde and ask the Vulcan to do that thing that would help her mind relax. But the fact that the Vulcan was sound asleep, coupled with the fact that Jenn didn't want to rely on anything too much to survive on this planet, stopped her from doing so.

Jenn didn't want to just survive. She needed to adapt. But she didn't want to completely adapt to this planet. Completely adapting meant she would never leave. Yes, Jenn knew that the attempts to send emergency transmissions had been thwarted again and again by the planet's ion storms. But there had to be a way off this planet. Others might have accepted their fate, resigned to live out their days on this planet until the Federation or somebody else rediscovered them. But Jenn wasn't planning on accepting that fate. Not just yet.

Others of the Elysium crew seemed to be adapting very quickly. For example, when it became common knowledge that the crew of the Elysium was stranded on the planet indefinitely, more than a few crew members felt compelled to quickly find romantic partners among their fellow castaways. Jenn softly snorted as she thought about how, with winter setting in, and the replicators still working at providing blankets and other supplies, she had gotten more than one amorous offer to 'share body heat' under one of the still limited supply of blankets. T'Saralonde's platonic offer to share a blanket was one she happily accepted.

T'Saralonde was one of those who had adapted quicker than most. She had been part of the refugees' Science effort, working on the survey and taxonomy team, The Vulcan had saved that team from one of the planet's nastier predators, and now went out on her own. T'Saralonde had even found a colorful local plant that was reminiscent of Earth's amaranth, which the Science and Medical team felt could be cultivated as a grain crop for the fledgling colony.

Jenn didn't want to be here long enough to grow whatever the local version of wheat was. There had to be a way off this planet that someone hadn't figured out yet.

Kamal murmured something as she shifted to get more comfortable, never waking up. Kamal had been the little girl who Jenn had scooped up while abandoning ship. They never found out why she had been where she had been,, but she had been one of the many children orphaned by the Event. Kamal compensated for her loss by bonding with Jenn and T'Saralonde. This included sneaking away from the orphanage section of the communal shelter at night to sleep with Jenn and T'Saralonde. Jenn had tried to put a stop at this first, but eventually gave in.

Jenn felt as if she was having to give in on a lot of fronts. She had been part of the Engineering group at first, helping set up more permanent structures for the stranded crew to live and work in. During that time, she had come up with a sonic barrier that dissuaded the planet's predators and nastier scavengers from coming around the refugee camp. Jenn seemed to have a natural talent for designing security measure against the planet's more lethal fauna, and found herself shuffled over to the castaway's security force.

So Jenn was adapting. She didn't like it, but it was necessary, and so she did what was necessary. Just like everyone else.

With that disgruntled thought in mind, Jenn drifted back to sleep.

OFF

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Vanilla Bean Needs a Miracle

A Mission Post by Senior Chief Petty Officer Ken Waters & Liselle Lalor & Feyth Yaanalla

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: Ken Water's Treehouse

Timeline: Current

The last of eight plates placed in tight formation around the large table, Ken Waters returned to the kitchen to start bringing dinner out for his guests, certain to arrive at any moment now.

On queue to that very thought, the door to his treehouse banged open and loud chattering fluttered into his empty home.

"How many, Lizzy?" he called out. He set down a two-handled pot of stew as the table's center piece, painfully shaking his hand with the heat of its contact.

Liselle Lalor kicked her boots free and hopped into the room, landing dramatically in the dinning area. "Dear Father, may I present to you our most esteemed and distinguished dinning companion for the evening," she announced. She flourished a magnificent bow in the direction of the door. "The one. The only. Feyth Yaanalla! Please, no pictures at this time."

Ken gave his daughter a sour look that quickly broke into a chuckle. "You're an idiot," he told her through his laughter. "Hi, Feyth! Good to see you."

"Hi, Uncle Wa'tas."

Liselle furrowed her brow at her friend. "Waters, girl. Waters."

"Actually, the proper Bajoran pronunciation -- "

"Holy crap, boring," Liselle interrupted in exasperation. Desperate for a tangent, she turned her attention back to her father and waved her hands over the table. "Eight plates?"

Ken spread his arms in defeat. "You told me that you were going to be bringing a ton of people. At least four. One for your brother, one contingency."

She waved him off. "Oh, that's not happening. Just us."

Ken sighed and began collecting place settings. "How's your mother, Feyth?"

"Dad," Liselle said before her friend could speak. "Yaanalla. Not Feyth. Yaa-nall-la"

"Actually," Ken said, raising his chin as he walked into the kitchen, "It is proper Bajoran custom to -"

"The hell is with you people!" Liselle cut in over yet another of their corrections.

"Hey! Not cool," he said.

She plodded over to the table, dropping into her chair as she sang out a short melody of high-pitched chirps.

"Liselle Lalor!" Ken said, turning to her abruptly. "You watch your mouth in this house!"

His daughter blinked. "I - I thought you didn't speak Erisian!"

"Honey, I upset your mother more than enough time to get a handle on that phrase. Tell me that didn't come from Miran."

Liselle pointedly looked off to one side.

"Nice. Well, I think I'll have a talk with her about that one." He stuffed the unused plates back up into his cupboard and came back to sit at the table. He made a point of looking at the empty chair to his daughter's right. "Where's Liam?"

Liselle shrugged. "I don't know. Probably making out with a textbook or something."

Yaanalla snorted a laugh at that. Ken tossed her a look. "Alright, you monsters. Close your foul mouths and eat something. Put some meat on those bones of yours for a change."

As the three of them began their meal the conversation continued much as it had began, most notably in the instances where Liselle spat out a joke that crossed a line with her father, and he in turn would struggle not to laugh as he scolded her. This set the pace for their supper until Yaanalla signaled a shift in topic by subtlety elbowing her cousin.

Liselle nodded, and without further ceremony turned to her father. "Did you talk to Aunt Feyth about Yaanalla becoming a Hunter with me?"

Ken sighed. "Yes, I did," he said. He looked over at the young Bajoran girl. "I'm sorry. She's not having it."

"Of course not," Yaanalla said sourly. "Too dangerous. Always too dangerous."

Liselle was quick to jump in. "Dad, come on, that's bullshit and you know it. You've got to change her mind!"

He shook his head sadly. "Sorry, kiddo. Trust me, I've known Railli a long time. A very long time. She is not budging on this one."

"Then maybe Aunt Liselle?" she suggested.

"Maybe..." Ken said, though he wasn't hopeful.

Yaanalla sighed. "Then what can I do, Uncle Wa'tas?"

Ken set his spoon down and leaned back into his chair. "Learn to love being a Gatherer. Maybe think about moving to another job? Or, you could become a Hunter anyway, against her wishes. You're old enough to make your own decisions."

"I - I couldn't do that. It would crush her."

He nodded. "I know."

With supper finished, the girls went for a walk through the woods, leaving Ken to clean up after them.

The night air was pleasant. Cool, but not cold. Yaanalla kicked a rock a few feet down the dirt path ahead of them. "I can't break her heart, Liselle. I can't."

Her friend sighed. "I know. But there has got to be something we can do. Somebody that can get through to her."

"Short of the president himself talking to her? I don't think so."

Liselle stopped. "That's it."

Yaanalla stopped a few feet ahead and turned. "Oh, no. No, no. You can't ask President Taylor to talk to my mom about something like this. He's much too busy."

Liselle walked to her friend and grabbed her arms. "Are you kidding me! That's what Presidents do! We learned about it in Instructor Salannis' Federation History class. Remember? Presidents would constantly visit people's homes to help them fix things like this!"

"Really?"

"Yeah. All the time."

Yaanalla thought on it for a moment. She shook her head. "No. It doesn't feel right."

"Fine," Liselle sighed, her disappointment plain.

"And you're not going to say anything to President Taylor about this on your own, right?"

She nodded. "Right."

"Right?"

"Right! Yes, right. I said okay."

"You swear? On your mother's grave?"

Liselle raised her right hand. "I swear on my mother's grave: I will not ask President Taylor to talk to your mother about allowing you to become a Hunter -- the coolest job that ever existed in the world. Satisfied?"

"Yes," she said with a firm nod. "Well. I better get home. Mom will be worried."

Liselle rolled her eyes at the observation. "Shocking."

"Bye, Lizzy."

Before the Bajoran had even disappeared behind the trees Liselle shook her head, muttering to herself. "Swear on a grave? What a bunch of superstitious bullshit."

The next morning she set out early, beginning the long walk to President Taylor's home, ready to make her plea.

OFF

Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew - Princess Lalor's Plea

A Mission Post by Liselle Lalor & Commander Gary Taylor

Mission: Episode 1: Face to Face B - Temporal Crew

Location: Gary's Treehouse

Timeline: Current

Liselle Aurelia Lalor slung the bow she carried over her shoulder as she came upon the gathering of trees that housed the dwelling of Colony President Gary Taylor. Now with two hunting bows slung over either shoulder, the drawstrings criss-crossing over her chest, the young hunter grabbed a nearby rope and began pulling herself up, hand over hand to the treetops. She could have taken the very carefully placed stairs, or even climbed the wooden planks nailed into a nearby tree that served as a makeshift ladder; but this way was more invigorating, more fun.

Once she was suitably high enough, the young woman began rocking her weight from side to side, until she was eventually able to build herself into a slow swing. When she was satisfied that her feet were above the rope bridge she wanted, she released her grip and dropped safely down. Liselle rose up to her full height and walked in light steps to President Taylor's treehouse. With a calloused hand she reached up and slapped her palm against his door several times.

Gary heard the sharp slap against his door. He had been at the table studying some new plans to bring water via an aqua duct to their planting fields. It was good in theory but with the monsoon like storms they got he wasn't sure how practical it was. Rising, he went to the door and upon opening it found him staring face to face at Liselle Lalor. "Liselle." He said warmly, "This is a pleasant and unexpected surprise. What brings you to my door?" He eyed the bows slung across her back. "Been hunting or getting ready to?" He inquired of the young woman.

The young woman gave him a coy smile -- her mother's smile. "Nataah -- Nathaana -- Naana -- whatever that girl's name is that skips her duties at this time every month is skipping her duties again this month," she said with an unsympathetic shake of her head. She unslung the larger bow from her shoulder and held it out to him. "Food is low, so we can't afford to have me sitting around doing nothing, too. Besides, the whole 'no hunter goes alone' thing is your rule in the first place."

He gave a smile in return, "It's okay, I know who you are referring to and I'll take care of it." He took the bow without hesitation. "Of course not though I'm sure we could find something for you to do." He teased gently. "I'm aware it's my rule Liselle and it's a good rule. Don't want anyone off by themselves. An accident could happen to any of us. Safety in numbers young lady." He cocked his head at her, "Are you sure you want an old fossil like myself to be seen hunting with you?" He bantered.

"Dude, you don't look a day over twenty-five," she said, leaning into the flattery. "My dad? Now there's someone who should have crashed here like fifty years earlier."

Gary chuckled at Liselle's comment about both himself and her father. "Oh, you are a charmer." He observed "And flattery will get you everywhere. Tell me Liselle of the forest, where do you want to hunt today?"

The young woman lowered her head, her voice equally as inconspicuous. "Beyond the south river?" she asked hopefully.

Gary didn't say anything for a moment letting the silence drag out. Beyond the south river, were the most fertile hunting grounds and some of the most dangerous. "Beyond the south river." He repeated, "My you are bold and adventurous. You think your up to it?"

"Well, that's why I'm letting you come along. If anything happens, I know you'll be there to save me," she said. She wasn't sure if she had him, but she suspected she just might. It was time to go in for the kill. Tapping into all of her eighteen years of wisdom and experience, she softened her features into her best puppy dog face. Lower lip pouted, her eyes as wide as saucers. A boy her age would have no chance. "Please, Mr. Taylor. Pllleeeeaaassssseeeeee."

Gary stared at her boldness. "Oh? Your letting me come along? My you are generous." He teased as he watched her face transform into one of wide eyed innocence, complete with puppy dog face and pouted lips. He knew he was being played but he enjoyed the byplay. He decided two could play at this game. Shaking his head, he replied with a straight face, "See? You almost had me but then you had to go and call me Mister Taylor. Let it slip right through your fingers."

She threw up her hands, casting her eyes to the heavens. "Ah! So close!" she cried dramatically. She looked back down at him, deciding to try for another tactic. "Say, didn't you used to be my mom's best servant before on your ship? And she was like a queen or something on her homeworld, so that would basically make me a princess, and since I inherited you from her..." She bit her lip as she tried to keep her smile from showing.

Gary crossed his arms in front of him as Liselle tried another tactic or more precisely more BS. He shook his head at her, "I was your mother's first officer not servant and she was a princess and no you didn't inherit me. I'm not a piece of furniture." He groused even as a smile played at his lips. "You have everything we'll need? It's a good trek."

Her face lit up, brightened to a sparkling shine by pure joy. Before she could stop herself from shedding any sense of her hunter pride, she threw her arms around him, crushing President Taylor to her. "Thank you, Mr. Taylor. Thank