On a Pontoon, Part 2

Posted on Wed Apr 30th, 2025 @ 10:07pm by Lieutenant JG Daisheliss "Lissa" Kerr & Captain Gary Taylor & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea & Lieutenant JG Damien Blackford

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: A lazy afternoon, after A Church Beyond the Heaven
3232 words - 6.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Naxea spotted a form floating on the surface, soon recognizing it was Rin. Grinning, she swam up underneath Rin, snatching her legs, pulling her down.

Rin, unaware of Naxea's presence, suddenly disappeared from the surface of the lake. Instinctively, she punched downward while kicking her legs, hoping to break away from of whatever had just dragged her under.

Naxea let go as one of Rin kicks struck her elbow with another nearly missing her head. Naxea surfaced, laughing. "Sorry Rin. You just made a tempting target."

Lissa forced back a laugh, unsure of Rin's reaction.

Rin looked at Naxea annoyed and a bit confused. "A tempting target for what?"

"For a little scare in good fun," she explained, smiling as she treaded water next to her.

"Oh. It's a joke?" Rin asked rhetorically, not seeing the amusement in it. She paddled away from the boat a bit, motioning for Naxea to follow. "Is there an issue between us? Between this and the passive aggressiveness on the boat I'm left confused."

"I wasn't being passive aggressive. I genuinely didn't think boating and swimming was your idea of fun," she replied as she swam up to Rin. 'If there was something between us, I wouldn't hesitate to let you know, Rin. Try to relax. We all need it."

"Ok, I'll accept that," Rin said. "Just think of it this way: Imagine you decided to join, say, a book club. And the first thing you hear is someone - someone who doesn't even really know you - say "Hi, Naxea. I didn't realize you liked to read." Not really what you'd like to hear, is it? Perhaps a bit backhanded? Are you sure you belong here? I'm working on the social thing. It's why I'm here, and that was pretty much the first thing that greeted me."

Rin didn't sound angry. A bit strained, perhaps, but not angry. She just wanted Naxea to understand.

"I didn't mean any offense. I just never took you for a group swimmer. I pictured you more a rock climber to be honest," Naxea stated. "I thought you were more of an introvert. "

"I'm absolutely an introvert," Rin agreed. "But introverts still socialize. And I'm trying new things." She frowned. "This one hasn't gone great, so far."

"Nonsense," Naxea grinned at her. "We've only just arrived at this spot. And I apologize for scaring you. I know we haven't always seen eye to eye but I would like us to hang out more if to just get to know one another better."

Rin nodded. "That would be nice. I'd like that. And, just to clear the air, I don't recall a time I've had any objection to you. I've always found you professional and capable."

"Thank you. I have found the same in you. Now let's go and rejoin the others," she offered with a nod of her head in the direction of the boat before take

Damien couldn't help but let out a short burst of laughter as he watched Naxea grab Rin. "Sorry." He said, holding his hand up in apology, before pushing himself to his feet, pulling his shirt off, folding it, and placing it down, before climbing up to the upper deck, and gracefully diving off, and into the water.

Lissa shed her shorts and climbed the ladder to the upper deck and took a running leap in the water drawing her knees up into her chest and wrapping her arms around them into what is commonly called a cannonball, landing in in the water with a large splash.

Lissa swam over to one of the floating noodles she had thrown in the lake and grabbed it to assist her in floating. She tossed the other one over toward Damien as he surfaced from his dive. She gave him a wide-eyed look, and glanced over toward Rin wondering if she'd be okay. Lissa didn't say anything, realizing the holodeck was actually small, and water carried sound pretty easily.

Damien quickly broke the surface of the water, and swam over to where the Lissa had tossed the pool noodle to him, quickly grabbing it, before using it to assist himself in swimming over to where she was. “Thanks.” He said, smiling softly at her, before following her gaze to where Rin and Naxea were having their conversation. He looked back at Lisa, shrugging softly. “No idea.” He muttered quietly, moving closer towards her, not wanting the others to hear.

"I feel bad. I planned this. Should I do something?" Lissa asked softly.

Damien shook his head. "I wouldn't worry about it. I'm sure it's nothing." He assured her, offering what he hoped was a comforting smile.

Gary looked around and saw everyone else was in the water with only himself still on the boat. He turned the engine off, walked to the bow, dropped another smaller anchor so the boat wouldn't drift. Then going to the rear of the boat put the ladder down so the others could get back on board.

Lissa noticed Gary messing around on the boat, "What are you waiting for, come on in" Lissa called out. The boat isn't going anywhere," she teased playfully.

Gary raised his hand and waved back at her, "You're right it isn't now that I dropped another anchor and turned the engine off. Also lowered the ladder so you could all get back aboard." He answered before taking off his shirt and sunglasses and dropping them into a nearby chair. "Here I come!" He yelled as he dived smoothly into the water and surfacing close by.

Discussion with Naxea finished, Rin swam back toward the boat and the others floating around it.

"You mentioned 'tubing,'" she said to Gary. "What is tubing?"

"What? Oh tubing. It is where a person gets on an inner tube and then they are pulled through snow or in this case water. It can be quite enjoyable as well as exciting." Gary answered as he treaded water.

"You can take it nice and easy, or get thrashed around a bit," Lissa added, "Whatever you want. No pranks, promise."

Gary was treading water while Lissa talked to Rin. "There you are Rin, you have options. Which one are you going to pick?"

"Oh, lets go for the thrashing about a bit," Rin replied. She still didn't understand how pretending to drown someone was considered a prank. Now everyone seemed to think she was some curmudgeon on the subject, but there was nothing more to do about it. "We're already doing the 'nice and easy' floating here. Which I'm not unpleased with, just to be clear."

Gary nodded. "Alright if that's what you want, go ahead and get prepared for a ride you won't forget."

Damien grinned as he heard Gary explain the concept of tubing. It wasn't something that he himself was familiar with, but it definitely sounded interesting, and quite fun.

Naxea pulled herself out of the water and sat on the edge of the deck with her legs dangling in the water as she watched Rin get ready to go tubing. Whatever that was.

"It's hella fun, that's what it is," Lissa interjected as she treaded water and waited her turn on the later.

Gary climbed up the ladder, he saw Naxea sitting on the edge of the deck. "You aren't going to try tubing?" As he knelt beside her.

She looked up and smiled at Gary. "I didn't become a Lieutenant Colonel in the Marines by volunteering for something I know nothing about."

Gary nodded, "Ahhh, got it and of course you want to make Colonel and perhaps even higher. Smart, watch Rin and see what it's like and if you want to try it."

Naxea shrugged as she continued to smile. "Perhaps."

Gary met her smile. "A woman of few words. Amazing." He teased as he smiled back at her.

Naxea raised an eyebrow. "You should know that I prefer action over talking," She teased back.

Gary tilted his head as he considered Naxea's reply. "Hmmmm. Seems, I should know that, yet here you are sitting on the edge of the boat, watching time drift away." He bantered back a bright smile on his face.

"Not watching time drift away. Watching to see if Rin survives," she gestured in Rin's direction.

Gary's eyes flicked in Rin's direction and then back to Naxea. "if she does survive does that mean you are going next??

"We'll see," Naxea replied, glancing at Gary with a slight grin.

"Uh huh." Gary replied, smiling back at her.

Lissa had climbed up into the boat and situated herself at the driver's seat position again. She leaned against the panel and waited patiently with a smile on her face as she watched Rin get ready by climbing onto the intestine.

Rin awkwardly climbed into one of the more absurd vehicle of transportation she knew of, and certainly the most absurd she had ever tried herself. She wasn't even sure how one was supposed to sit in the thing, but she made the best of it.

This isn't so bad, she thought as the pontoon started up. Almost boring, and a little uncomfortable with all eyes on her from the back of the pontoon.

Then, ok, this is more like it as the pontoon picked up speed, and the tube skipped across the water, bouncing in the wake of the pontoon.

Faster now, with the pontoon making a sharp turn to the left. Physics dictated that she should lean right to keep the tube level, and so she did, but not fast enough. The tube hit the pontoon's wake again, and over it went, dumping Rin into the water while it continued to bounce away, liberated from its rider.

Rin surfaced and waited for the pontoon to return. "I forgot to ask: is the point to stay on the thing, or to eventually fall off the thing?" she asked. "If the latter, I totally did that on purpose."

Gary watched as Rin bounced along on the tube until the boat made a sharp turn to the left and Rin didn't correct fast enough and went tumbling into the water. Gary nodded at her explanation and replied, "Then you did it to perfection. Do you want to give it another go?"

"Sure! Unless...someone else wants to try?" Rin asked.

"If you're ready for another round, go ahead and climb back up," Lissa suggested. "We've got plenty of time for everyone to take a shot. And I am definitely driving to make you fly off!" Lissa laughed.. "Now that you've got the feel for it, let's see what you've got!"

Naxea couldn't help but smile at Rin. It was good to see the woman having fun.

Gary watched Rin as she got ready for another ride on the tube. He heard Lissa's promise to drive the boat in an effort to get Rin and anyone else to fall off the tube. "*this should be interesting* He thought to himself.

Rin took a long moment to better situate herself in the middle of the tube before indicating she was ready. As the pontoon took off, she was more aware of its tilt and adjusted her weight accordingly. This continued for a couple minutes, before the tube cut across the wake, bouncing high into the air and flipping over. One might think they even heard Rin say "Weeee!" as she got tossed off the tube and crashed back into the water.

"OK, I think it's someone else's turn," she said as the pontoon came back around for her.

"I think Naxea should go next." Gary announced with a broad smile and a wink at her. "Show us how the Marines handle tubing."

"You wanna drive?" Lissa asked, offering the helm to Gary with a gesture.

Gary nodded gratefully at Lissa's gesture. "I would love to. Thank you."

Naxea returned the grin before diving back into the water and swimming out to the tube. "Great job, Rin!" Naxea said, smiling as she passed the woman towards the tube.

Gary watched and waited as Naxea swam out to the tube and Rin swam back to the boat. "Let me know when you are ready Naxea." He shouted out to her.

Naxea climbed awkwardly onto the tube and took a few seconds to get settled before waving at Gary. "Ready!"

"I hope so." Gary whispered as he waved back to Naxea and slowly pushed the throttle up. The boat began to pick up speed as Gary wanted Naxea to enjoy at least some of the ride as the tube skimmed across the water. Then he increased the speed and gave a look back as the tube was beginning to bounce across the water with Naxea hanging on, "Time for some fun." He muttered as he turned the boat left and right with the tube and Naxea coming across the boats wake.

Damien grinned as he watched Rin take her turn, congratulating her when he came back to the boat, before turning to watch as Naxea took her turn. "Can I call dibs on the next turn?" He called out, his grin widening slightly as he did.

The ride had been enjoyable, at least until the boat began to go from side to side as she held onto the tube with all of her strength as the tube skipped across the water. As the tube hit the wake on the third time, causing the tube to flip as Naxea went flying, skimming across the water. She came back to the surface, unable to stop from laughing.

Gary brought the boat around. "Do you want to give it another try?" He asked looking down at the laughing Naxea.

She shook her head. "I think Blackford wants a try," she gestured at Damien before making her way back to the boat. "Besides, I still want to be able to hold Sle'anna without too much bruising," she joked as she pulled herself onto the deck of the boat.

Gary nodded, "Good point. Don't want your daughter thinking you were in a fight." He looked to Blackford. "Your up Damien."

"Nicely done," Lissa commented to Naxea as she climbed back in the boat. "Gary's taking no prisoners with his driving today," she added laughing.

"Okay Damien, your next. Climb aboard the tube and let's see what you have." Gary told the security officer.

Damien let out a small laugh as he watched Naxea, then grinned at the XO. "So I see." He said to Naxea as he passed her, before climbing aboard the tube, taking a few seconds to ensure he was fully secured, or at least as secured as he was able to be, before calling over, "Ready when you are!"

Gary nodded and waved as he slowly began, letting Damien get a feel for the movement of the tube over the water (as if that was going to help him.) After a few minutes of going slow, Gary pushed the throttle forward and the boat shot ahead the tow line snapping taunt as the tube and Damien bounced wildly behind.

Damien grinned as he secured his grip, finding his footing as the boat slowly moved forward, before suddenly picking up speed. He just about managed to keep his grip on the tube, but found his feet slipping under him slightly. Still, he managed to keep himself stable and upright for a little while, until the boat finally hit a big enough wake, and he found his hands and feet slip out from him, sending him flying into the water. He quickly swam back up, breaking the water with a huge grin on his face, letting out a bark of laughter as he did.

"Well, that's one way to ride it!" Lissa was laughing through her words. "I didn't realize you were a daredevil."

"Not bad. Not bad at all." Gary admitted with a smile. "I think you all have done well." He added.

"You wanna go again, or are we wrapping it up for the day?" Lissa asked.

Damien grinned as he pulled himself back up onto the boat. “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” He said, winking as he flashed her a grin.

He looked around at the rest of the rest of the crew. “Depends what everyone else wants to do.” He said with a shrug. “I’m happy to call it a day if everybody else is.”

"I am happy with what everyone else wants to do." Gary chipped in.

"Our fearless XO is indecisive?" Naxea teased with a grin. "Say it isn't so. We are doomed," she chuckled.

Gary smiled broadly at Naxea's playful jab. He liked the Marine CO and her outgoing, personality. "Not at all Naxea. I am simply willing to go with what the majority wants, saves time."

"I'm happy to wrap it up. Gary can try to toss me off one of those things next time," Lissa suggested with a bit of a challenge in her voice.

"Sure, thing Lissa. Challenge accepted and you all can try to toss me next time as well." Gary added with a grin.

"Let's drive this thing back so we can enjoy the wind in our hair one more time," Lissa suggested. "Computer, delete the inner tube, ski rope, anchor and line." She looked at the others with a grin and shrugged as she climbed up onto the platform. No need for the extra work "Gary, you got this right?"

Gary nodded, "Yes, I definitely have this." As he moved to the bridge and started the engines and began a leisurely trip back to the dock.

Lissa stretched out on the upper deck and enjoyed the breeze and the feel of the warm sunshine as they headed back to the program's marina where the boat had been originally docked. If allotted holodeck time were a bit longer, and if she knew her crewmates a little better she could have easily taken a nap up there.

When Lissa felt the motor cut she forced herself to get up, and climbed down, her face now wearing a lazy expression. "Thanks for coming on my little adventure, guys. I've missed doing this."

"Thanks for inviting us, Lissa, this was great fun and let's do it again soon." Gary answered as he came out of the bridge to stand on the deck. The sun in his face, the wind in his hair. This had been a most enjoyable and rewarding experience. A combination of good fun with good people.


"It was nice to get some time away from everything, even just for awhile," Naxea agreed as she wrapped a towel around her.

Damien smiled, grabbing the towel he’d placed down along with his t-shirt, and wrapping it round himself. “Thanks for the invite Lissa.” He said, smiling over at her. “It was great fun. Glad to get away from everything for a little while. I’d most definitely be up for a repeat. If only to try and throw our fearless XO off a ship, without fear of repercussions.” He said, grinning over at Gary.

Gary shook his head laughing at Damien's statement. "No repercussions Damien, I promise."

"Program is here if you ever want to use it. Or, you know, give me a comm. I'm happy to come along," Lissa offered. "Computer, end program."

[off]