Water, Water, Everywhere.....
Posted on Thu May 4th, 2023 @ 5:06pm by Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik & Commander Sthilg & Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]
Mission:
Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Ice Planet
Timeline: Current MD 4
2967 words - 5.9 OF Standard Post Measure
Savar had wanted to explore some of the caves nearest the camp. Actually they were an extension of the caves that sheltered the shuttles and fighters. He had gotten Alicia to agree to accompany him. So, after leaving Connor and N'Vea with Heather and Fernando. They set off to see what they could find. They were armed and had their combadges, Lamps, bottled water and a first aid kit, just in case it was needed.
“It’s been a while since we did anything like this together Imzadi” Alicia smiled as she looked at Savar. “Hopefully it’ll be fun.”
"Any time we have together is special and time I look forward to Alicia. I too hope it will be fun as well as productive."
“Indeed” Alicia nodded. “Do you expect to find resources that we could use?”
Savar gave Alicia a sideways glance. "I am hoping we can find a water source of significant quantity and quality to be of benefit to the camp. Without involving hours trek as we now do."
Alicia nodded. “Let’s hope so, with these caves we can hope to find a water course within.”
"Indeed. You are quite correct Alicia. I hope we cand find a river, stream or perhaps a lake that will provide us with the water we need." Savar replied as the pair moved deeper into the cave system.
“Are you sure our comm badges will work as we get deeper down?” Alicia looked at her husband concernedly. “If anything happens we may end up on our own.”
"I understand your trepidation Alicia and if you do not wish to continue, you may turn back. As for our combadges, there is nothing in these caves to block or hinder them from working." He paused for a moment. "In addition, there is nothing we cannot handle working together."
Alicia smiled. “That is very true Imzadi, you are my strength, and I am yours. Together we can do anything.”
Savar stopped walking and turned to Alicia. " I have something I wish to say to you. You are my universe, my greatest strength and my undying love. Our children could not have a more loving or caring mother. I love you very much Alicia.”
Alicia smiled the biggest smile ever as she looked into Savar’s eyes. “I know you do Imzadi, I see it and I feel it every minute of every day. Your love for me is what keeps me strong, especially at times like these we’re all having to cope with right now. Don’t ever think I don’t notice, I love you and I’m not going anywhere without you at my side.”
Savar spoke no words, none needed to be spoken rather he let his actions speak for themselves. He reached a hand out and gently squeezed Alicia's hand and then in the solitude of the cave, in the ever present chilling cold, he leaned forward and kissed the love of his life. His arms coming up in a loose hug to hold her.
Alicia returned Savar’s kiss, hugging him as well. Their love was everything to her, and she needed him to know exactly what it meant. Though they’d shared their connection many times before she opened her mind completely and fully to allow Savar to feel all the love she had for him.”
Savar closed his eyes as Alicia opened her mind and let him the depth of her love for him. He let the images wash over him, bathing him, comforting him in the love Alicia had for him. His mind accepted and welcomed the images and he in turn allowed images conveying the depth of his love for her to be sent to Alicia.
Alicia too let the sheer wave of love she felt from Savar wash over her. “As much as I’m enjoying this Imzadi, we should be moving on. We will come back to this later, I promise!”
"Quite correct Alicia. Let us continue on. However this a promise I intend to hold you to." Savar replied in a tone Alicia would realize he was teasing her.
Alicia grinned a wry grin. “Ohh trust me, it’ll be a night you won’t forget!”
Savar arched an eyebrow at Alicia. "Indeed. Then I suggest we wait until we are back aboard the Elysium as the tents are not soundproof." He quipped at her.
Alicia grinned. “Who says we have to verbalise what we’re feeling, we can share it in our minds.” She gave him a playful wink before starting to walk. “I suggest we...”
Suddenly she vanished from sight, the ground below having given away to a slope that she had slid down all at once. From her point of view the tumble had seemed like a very long one, finally landing at the bottom with a plethora of cuts and bruises.
"ALICIA!" Savar called out as she tumbled from view. He saw she had landed some feet below him. "I'm coming." He told her as he picked his way down the slope to her. Reaching her he noticed shallow cuts and minor bruising on her face. "Are you alright Alicia? Aside from the obvious?"
Alicia nodded as she gently brushed herself off. “Just a little shaken, I wasn’t expecting that to happen.” She wiggled her jaw feeling somewhat sore and bruised. “I bet I look a right mess now!” She offered a wry smile. “While we’re down here we might as well explore.”
"You have never looked lovelier Alicia. I am greatly relieved that you are alright. Are you sure you are up to exploring? I do not wish you tire yourself needlessly. We can explore at another time."
“No, we started out to explore that’s what we’re going to do.” Alicia smiled. “I’ll pop into medical when we get back and have dad look me over.”
"As you wish Alicia. Please make sure you do. I will go with you in case your father has questions for me." Savar stated solemnly.
Alicia nodded. “Okay, So which way do you think? It looks pretty expansive down here. There’s probably an underground pool down here somewhere.”
Savar didn't answer, he seemed to be listening to something. Then he spoke, "This way Alicia." As he headed in the direction of what he had heard.
Alicia took hold of Savar’s hand to help her along, and to keep up with him as he moved a lot faster than she did. His Vulcan stamina gave him one up on her.
Savar slowed his pace to allow Alicia to keep up with him. He did not wish to tire her out needlessly. They had gone several hundred meters when he stopped. "Listen." He instructed her.
Alicia paused to listen. “Water! I hear running water!!” She smiled. “Let’s Cross fingers and hope it’s drinkable.”
"Indeed, it is water Alicia. I share your hope that it is drinkable for that would be most beneficial to the crew."
Making their way to where the sound was coming from Alicia paused at the edge of a large pool of water. “Amazing! It looks like it’s being filtered down through the rocks, we’d better take a sample for testing and mark our location so we know where to find it afterwards.”
Savar looked at the sight before them. It was a large pool, closer to a lake and it had a small waterfall feeding into the lake. "Agreed Alicia and as for marking our location I agree but first...." He pull out his phaser and setting it on low moved to a large rock close to the lake and pointed his phaser at it, moving it across the face for a few moments then he was done. "Now, all will know this place." As he waved Alicia over so she could see what he had done. On the face of the rock was a name her name it read...Lake Alicia.
“Ohh Savar just when I think I’ve seen it all, you always find a way to surprise me!” She gave him a big hug. “Thank you.”
Savar looked at the tranquil waters and back at Alicia. "It reminds me of your care and compassion, your calming nature and how fortunate I am to have you as my wife."
Alicia smiled as she looked up into Savar’s eyes. “You romantic you! I’ll never get bored of how wonderful you are.”
Savar looked into the face of the woman he loved with every fiber of his being. "I hope you never get bored or tired of me Alicia. That I can constantly please, surprise and on occasion excite you."
“How could I ever get bored of you Imzadi?” Alicia smiled warmly. “You always please me, constantly surprise me, and excite me every time you touch me.”
" You honor me Alicia. I hope I can continue to honor you as you do me my wife and greatest love. Shall we continue to explore and see what else we can discover?" Savar asked.
“Most definitely” Alicia smiled and nodded. She was feeling somewhat stiff and sore now thanks to her fall, but she wasn’t going to give up looking. Their search was important for the welfare of the crew.
"We will go slow Alicia. I do not wish to tire you as I am sure you are starting to feel the effects of your fall." Savar observed.
“You’re not wrong there” Alicia nodded. “I’m a bit stiff and sore now, I can see dad’s face now when we arrive in medical.” She grinned a wry grin.
Savar nodded and looked to her, "See his face? He has the face of a Gorn Alicia. It is not the most expressive of faces. What are you expecting to see?"
“That look that says what have you done now?” Alicia grinned. “He’s going to think I’m accident prone. Let’s go a little further, see how far this goes.”
"Ah. I see. If he thinks that, I will correct him Alicia. Have no fear, I have your backside." As the humans say." Savar replied as he got ready to continue their search.
“Ohhh I like it when you have my backside Imzadi, that and everything else!” Alicia grinned. “Let’s go, the sooner we get this done, the sooner we can get the crew on it.”
Savar turned his head to glance at Alicia's shapely backside. "Yes, a most attractive backside. I confess I too like when I have it."
Alicia couldn’t help but playfully wiggle her backside at him. “It’s all yours later I promise!”
"I look forward to 'later' with eager anticipation Alicia and a promise I indeed to hold you to." Savar said completely dead pan but Alicia will hear his gentle teasing.
Alicia grinned before giving Savar a more serious look. “Savar I’m worried about this crew, the small minority that is, if what I heard about Miraj is true she almost died. Someone actually tried to murder her! That’s... horrifying!”
He stopped and walked the few feet separating them. "It is troublesome Alicia, which is even more of a reason to be aware of your surroundings and whenever possible go with someone else or in groups."
“You really think we’re all in danger of violence?” Alicia sighed. “This place is a curse, the sooner the ship is ready to leave this place the better.”
I believe if it happened to Ensign Derani, it could happen to any of us. This incident has pushed some of the crew to the brink and over if the attack on Miraj is any evidence."
Alicia nodded. “Then I’ll keep my senses alert for any signs of trouble.” She smiled as she paused to take a breather. “Why don’t you carry on I’ll wait here for you to return.”
Savar could see the tiredness on Alicia's features and hear it in her voice though she tried to hide it. Shaking his head he spoke, "No, you are tired. We will return to the camp. We have explored quite a bit already and have discovered a source of water near the camp."
Alicia nodded. “Okay, I guess I do a lousy job of hiding how I feel around you huh?” She smiled.
Savar nodded, "My love, you never have to hide anything from me especially how you feel. Now, let us return to camp and get you some hot chocolate or some warm soup."
“That sounds lovely!” Alicia nodded. “I’ll have to drop in to the med tent and get myself sorted out as well, hopefully it won’t take long.”
"I am pleased you agree Alicia. I will go with you to the medical tent." Savar answered with a short nod.
Alicia nodded as she stood up and took Savar’s arm, “I guess we just have to clamber back out of here now.”
Savar placed his hand over hers as Alicia took his arm. "I am afraid so Alicia. We will go slow as to not tire you further."
Alicia nodded. Reaching the climb out she looked up the slope she’d slid down in the first place. “I’m not sure I can climb back up there Imzadi, if I fall again I’m not going to be so lucky as to come away with just these injuries. I’d rather not break my arm for a third time, or anything else for that matter!”
"Climb onto my back Alicia, I will take us both up the slope." Savar replied decisively.
“Certainly not! It’s too dangerous!” Alicia gave her husband a worried look. “You go first, I’ll try following you up. If I get stuck you can pull me up.”
"No. Absolutely not." Savar replied steadfastly. "We will go together." He said as he pulled the drawstrings from his jacket's hood and from around the waist. Tying them into one long rope. "Please do the same Alicia."
Alicia nodded and did as she was asked, nodding when she was ready. “Let’s get the hell out of here!”
Savar took Alicia's makeshift rope and tied it to his, making sure the knot was tight and then tied the end around his wrist. "A sentiment I can agree with Alicia. Let us go.'
Alicia nodded. It took some doing given how fragile the collapsed surface was under their feet but they eventually made it to the top. “Am I glad to be out of there! Let’s head for Medical, the sooner I’m sorted, the sooner we can go home.”
"I quite agree Alicia. Once done in medical and your father giving me the evil eye. We can retire to our tent and enjoy some hot chocolate and soup for you and just soup for me." Savar replied as the pair made their way back to camp.
Alicia grinned as Savar mentioned Sthilg giving him the evil eye. “You didn’t hurt me Savar, I slipped. I’m sure my father will understand.” She grinned as they entered the medical tent, looking around for Sthilg she gave him a wave.
"I am not so sure." Savar replied, his tone even. "You are his daughter. I am only the son in law."
Sthilg was easy to find the lizard had his head on the table a large bowl full of coffee at his side and appeared to be half asleep as his body slowly breathed in and out. Rising his head when he heard the sound his eyes shot up and he jumped to his feet any sense of tiredness leaving his body. " What happened?" he yelled his emotions slipping slightly before returning to his normal doctoral tone.
“Just a minor fall” Alicia offered her father a smile. “We were hunting for a water source, which I’m glad to say we found!” She looked at Savar, then back at Sthilg. “The ground gave way beneath me and I fell down a slope. No loss of consciousness, just a whole load of cuts, scrapes, bruises, and aching muscles!” She gave a wry smile.
Sthilg nooded as he gave her a scan. " Nothing to ssseriousss, but i'd like to fix up the ssscarpesss and cutsss. Can you get her on one of the biobeds?" he asked Savar.
"Certainly." Savar simply as he extended a hand to Alicia to get her on a biobed so the doctor could treat her cuts and bruises. As he did, he opened his mind to her to again express his sorrow over her being injured because of his desire to find a water source.
Alicia smiled as she let her feelings flow back to Savar, letting him know she didn’t hold him accountable for her fall. It was simply an accident. “We found quite a substantial water source, fresh flowing too. It’ll just be getting people down there without any further injuries.”
" Well right now hold ssstill while your dad sssee'sss to thessse cutsss." The gorn said with a smile as he started applying the disinfectant spray before using the regenerator to seal them.
Alicia sat patiently waiting for her father to finish. “Thank you Father, I promise to take more care next time!”
" I'll hold you to that." He said warmly as he finished off the last of the cuts. " Now doctorsss order. Sssaver make assure she get'sss plenty of warmth and ressst. I'll watch the grandkidsss tonight." The gorn added reassuringly.
Savar nodded, " I shall see that Alicia follows your orders and rests as well as stays warm. We will leave here and go directly to our tent and Alicia will get in bed." He promised.
{OFF}