Casperia in its Prime

Posted on Thu Dec 12th, 2019 @ 10:38am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Colonel Azhul Naxea

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Shuttlebay 2 - Casperia Prime
Timeline: MD2 - 06h00 - Before senior staff meeting
3439 words - 6.9 OF Standard Post Measure

After making preparations to leave his quarters, and his plants on their own for the next few days S'hib had made his way to shuttle bay two, he was incredibly early, as usual.

His nerves getting the best of him as he moved around the inside of the shuttle, the slightly cramped type eight shuttle, Elysian II rattled with the clicks of his hooves and deep snorts, hoping that he'd brought enough supplies for Naxea and himself.

In truth, he felt entirely out of his depth, lost in his own miserable thoughts. "What if she gets sick of me within the first hour..." He mumbled to himself, backside sticking out of the shuttle as he looked through a small crate of spare clothing, his long flowing tail swaying aimlessly in the air.

"Then I transport back to the ship," Naxea said from behind, dressed in brown hiking boots, khaki shorts and a V-neck grey t-shirt, carrying a small black SFMC duffel bag on her right shoulder along with a black backpack. With her hair pulled back into a pony tail.

At the sound of her voice S’hib raised his head, his surprise and embarrassment, quickly replaced by a dull thud as his skull connected with the reinforced shuttle hull. “Well... at least you don’t plan on taking the shuttle back and leaving me.” S’hib laughed painfully, rubbing this head as he exited the craft.

Naxea smiled as she set her bag down in a personal storage compartment in the shuttle. "Thanks for the idea. I'll keep that in mind as well. I take it you know how to pilot this thing?"

"Pilot it?" S'hib replied in as serious a tone he could while feeling his head pulsate painfully. "I thought I was supposed to pull it?" He added, unable to hide the curl of his lips as he picked up his last bag, slinging it over his shoulder before grabbing his guitar and moving inside the shuttle.

Laughing, Naxea took a seat in the copilot seat. "Found a use for you yet," she teased.

“Oh it’s gonna be like that is it?” S’hib snorted, a smirk across his face as he climbed into the pilot seat, his awkward anatomy not quite melding with the design of the craft. “Haven't even left the ship and I’m already being bullied.” He added, feigning insult dramatically as the shuttles system came online.

"Oh, you have no idea, Mr. S'hib," Naxea commented.

S’hib glanced over at Naxea as the rear hatch closed, unable to hide his content at being in her company. “Shuttle Elysian II to traffic control, starting our departure sequence.” He said, finding himself unable to stop smiling as the shuttle slowly lifted up from the deck.

It wasn't long before the shuttle cleared through Casperia Prime's upper atmosphere, giving way to what seemed like a paradise of forests with a clear blue ocean not far away. "So, where is this place that you picked out to hike?" Naxea asked, continuing to take in the view outside of the landscape. It wasn't often she actually got a chance to enjoy a shuttle ride--most of the time she was in full Assault gear, training for landing in a hot LZ or doing an oribital HALO dive.

S’hib noticed Naxea’s curiosity at the landscape below, watching her leaning almost out of her seat to view the vast ocean and forests they would soon be hiking in. “It’s a little out the way, not near any of the usual tourist spots.” He answered while softly leaning the craft to one side, allowing her to see more of the world below.

“And with any luck we will be far away from any light pollution, so we will be able to see the rings far better than anyone else.” He added, glancing back at the controls.

"Ah, so exactly how long is this trip?" Naxea asked, grinning at the corner of her mouth.

"Well, I was hoping we could spend at least a couple of days together..." S'hib replied, falling quiet for a moment after realising what he'd said. "But I brought enough supplies in case we wanted to stay longer, see more of the planet." He added, feeling the skin on his face flush with heat.

Naxea raised an eyebrow and looked at S'hib. "Couple of days? Interesting," she replied. It was true she was growing accustomed to S'hib--she even liked him and was impressed by him and his willingness to train. Was she ready for a relationship though? Was that what S'hib wanted? Her mind raced at the possibilities and options. "I guess that should be ok," she smiled, hoping to set him at ease.

S’hib smiled back before beginning to aim the Elysian II further down, heading for a clearing near a large lake. The water was perfectly clear, allowing them to view deep into its depths, fish and small aquatic mammals swam under the serenely calm surface

“Hope you brought some good boots.” He quipped, Bringing the shuttle closer to the planets surface, trying to hide the mildly terrifying concern edging into the back of his mind.

"Oh? Why is that?" Naxea asked as she watched S'hib descend the shuttle.

"Well, I'm not carrying you..." S'hib replied, trying to keep a serious face as the shuttle grew near to the ground below, thrusters kicked up leaves and disturbed the surface of the lake as the Elysian II landed.

"Darn...I was hoping you'd at least be my pack mule," she joked as the shuttle settled on the ground and the engines shut off.

“YOUR pack mule huh?” S’hib replied with a smirk, shutting the rest of the shuttle's systems off. “Well, I suppose I could carry some of your things, wouldn’t want you getting tired from a little hike.” He teased, standing up slightly and walking to the back of the shuttle, crouched over awkwardly the entire time so as not to hit his head again.

Naxea opened the rear hatch and stepped out, taking in a deep breath of the fresh air as a gentle, warm breeze swept into the shuttle. "I can definitely get used to this."

“Maybe we should request shore leave be extended,” S’hib said sarcastically, glad to feel his lungs filling up with nonrecycled air. “Or we could just forget where we parked.” He added, the tip of his tongue stuck between his teeth as he grinned to himself.

"Good luck with that. The Captain would have Security teams down here after us," Naxea said. "We should set up our tents first and then we can start out hike."

"Sounds positively scandalous," S'hib laughed, already moving his bags and equipment out of the shuttle. "Though you are right, I could definitely get used to this again..." He added, looking up at the clear sky above, the faint blue shimmer of the rings reminding him of the spacedock around Earth.

Naxea began to busy herself with setting her tent up in a small clearing just inside the tree line near the beach, near S'hib's. Though she wouldn't admit it to anyone, she was rather nervous about spending so much time around S'hib. In a few minutes, her tent was set up and she tossed her sleeping bag and duffel bag into the tent before closing it.

"We can gather up some wood on the way back," S'hib said as he stood up and tried to ignore the slightly tilted frame of his tent. "We are a lot further north than everyone else so It might get a little chilly at night." He added with a smile, not aware Naxea was just as nervous as he was.

Naxea nodded before picking up her backpack, which she had packed rations, water and a first aid kit into and slung it onto her back. "Alright, lead the way. Um, by the way, did you fail tent pitching class at the Academy?," she asked, chuckling as she looked at his tent.

"It's up isn't it?" S'hib laughed, picking up his bag and slipping it onto his back. "You got everything." He added, flicking open the small compass attached to his waist, trying to ignore the fact he'd spent more time watching Naxea putting up her tent than he did working on his own.

Naxea continued to chuckle and shook her head. "Yep. I'm ready to go. Lead on," she said as she approached S'hib.

"Off we go then." S'hib said standing up straight, excited to get his hooves moving. "Should only take us an hour or so, but we're in no hurry." He added, giving his compass one last look before heading off between the trees, the untouched forest masking their destination with its dense leafy canopy.

"So how did you find out about this area?" Naxea asked, walking next to S'hib.

"Simple really, I just looked at where everyone else is on the planet... all the usual tourist destinations and such," S'hib replied, glancing over at Naxea, glad to be in her company. "Then I just... looked at where everyone is ignoring." He added, turning his head around, admiring the trees and plants around them. "All the beauty and wonders in this forest, and were the only two that are going to enjoy it..." He finished, sounding slightly melancholy about the fact despite still smiling.

Naxea nodded as she continued her hike alongside S'hib. She had to admit these down times were nice. No training, no fighting, just quiet serenity of nature. One that was broken as Naxea stopped in her tracks as she watched a squirrel-like creature hump another one like it at the edge of the path, causing her to blush somewhat. "Oh good grief you two, get a room," she chuckled.

“Hey, leave them alone, They're having fun...” S’hib snorted, turning and stopping to face Naxea, a big smirk across his face as he watched the Bajoran woman before him turn several shades of pink. “You know...” S’hib added glancing to the squirrels now chasing each other up and around a tree. “Probably best I don’t take you to the Eastern beach resorts on Sequella...” He added with a teasing look, before turning around on the spot and walking slowly off.

"Do I really want to know?" Naxea asked with a grin, shaking her head as she and S'hib continued down the trail.

"I'm an open book, you can know whatever you want..." S'hib mused, running his hand over the bright green moss that covered a large felled tree, the moist smell of wood filling his lungs. "Besides, that was kind of the point of coming here." He added, grinning at her as he stopped and leaned against the trunk of the tree. "To get to know each other." S'hib finished, slightly raising his brow in challenge.

Naxea slowed her pace a bit as she mulled over S'hib's words. She looked for words to say and moments turned into several minutes before she became aware of the deafening silence between them. "I know...I do want to get to know you better, S'hib but I haven't let anyone get close in a very long time."

S'hib deadpan stared at Naxea for a moment, looked to his left, and then to his right before lifting his arm up and pretending to reach forward as though his hooves had become one with the earth. "We're, not close at all... Can't even touch you." He said, somehow keeping his composure as he stretched out a little further.

Naxea grinned, appreciative of S'hib's attempt to keep things cheerful at least. "Don't quit your day job," she jested as she continued along the trail. "However you do make a better tree than a Security officer."

“Hey...” S’hib whined, pretending to be wounded by her words. “Whats that suppose to mean.” He snorted, moving to catch up with her.

"It means you suck as a Security Officer...maybe being a Marine would be more fitting," Naxea grinned.

“I do not!” S’hib protested, slightly tripping on a log as he tried to catch up and defend himself.

Naxea laughed this time as she turned to S'hib. "I'm just teasing you. You're a better officer than many of the other Security officers. At least you willingly train and try to better yourself."

S’hib composed himself, making sure he didn't trip over anything else. “I'm really not...” He said honestly, looking at her softly as he approached. “You on the other hand... Would look pretty good in yellow.” He teased back, his hands clutching the straps to his rucksack as he stopped a few feet from her.

Naxea raised an eyebrow. "What? And simply stand around and try to look pretty in that forsaken yellow? No thanks."

“Oh come on... You already are, you wouldn’t even need to try.” He replied, a slightly smug grin growing on his lips as he tilted his head to the side and admired her.

Naxea smiled, feeling a warmth coming to her cheeks. "Don't make me hurt you," she replied. "Come on."

“Don’t threaten me with a good time.” S’hib said softly, leaning slightly towards her as he did so.

Naxea rolled her eyes and chuckled as she continued down the trail. "But seriously, you are far too hard on yourself S'hib."

“I don't mean to be,” S’hib said softly, her statement hitting him in the gut far worse than any had she actually hit him. “Just... a habit I guess.” He added, walking along behind her. “Hey, maybe... that's why you want me to join the marines...” He snorted, trying to lighten the mood again. “You wouldn't have to do any extra work as I'd be my own drill instructor.”

Naxea grinned at the statement. "Partly true. I tend to push myself and train constantly because unlike many aboard the Elysium, I know how dangerous and tough the universe can be and the harder I push myself the better I can do my job as a Marine. But that dedication hasn't come without its price and I don't want to see you pay the same price.

"You aren't making a very good case Naxea... for example, you turned out pretty good." He said with a deep throaty snort, tilting his head to gauge her reaction again.

Naxea only looked at him for a moment before turning looking back at the trail before them. "You're a Security Officer, S'hib, not a Marine and yet you train with us every chance you get. While I approve, I just think you should try to enjoy life more. Also, stand up for yourself more and don't let people like that idiot exchange officer get you down."

"My department has been... A little dysfunctional lately..." S'hib sighed, a hand moving over the back of his head, nervously petting his own mane. "With everything that happened, and... just, everyone is miserable..." He explained, looking off into the distance as the trail became noticeably more inclined. "Your... marines though, are the closest thing I can recognize as a herd... or a family." He continued, moving alongside Naxea.

"And I am trying to enjoy life... It's, why I brought you here." He exclaimed excitedly, trying to bounce the subject away from the suddenly depressing tones. "So I could enjoy it with you." He added, looking further up the trail with eagerness in his eyes.

"The Marines are a family," Naxea agreed. "They're my family and that's what makes us such formidable fighters. We don't fight for the captain, the Federation, or Starfleet. We fight for each other because when the shit hits the fan, that's all we have." Naxea noticed the trail beginning to incline, causing her to grin as she recalled the mountain trail she had her Marines run when the Elysium was at Earth Spacedock recently. "And enjoy life with me? Who'd figured you for a romantic?" she grinned at him.

"Well, I had roses for breakfast..." He quipped, turning his back to her with a grin, a small green leaf sticking out of his lips.

Naxea rolled her eyes and shook her head slightly. "But seriously, there are surely better suited women aboard the ship than me."

“And I'm sure you could have spent shore leave with someone better than me...” S’hib shot back, nudging against her playfully.

"Very true. I was tempted to spend it with Gunnery Sergeant Rhodes. I just happen to like older men," she grinned and winked.

“Maybe we should bring him next time then.” S’hib hummed while hiding a cheeky smile, looking up at the trees clearing ahead, the view of the horizon becoming visible as they neared the peak of the surrounding area.

"Maybe," Naxea said before noticing that they were coming to the top of the cliff. "Is this where the trail ends?"

"Somewhat," S'hib trailed as he looked to his right, noticing a large formation of flat rocks. "It's this way I think..." He added, climbing up over a small ridge before offering his hand back down to Naxea.

"You think?" Naxea asked as she grasped S'hib's hand with a grin. "You better not get us lost."

"In my defense... I've never been here before." S'hib snorted teasingly, pulling her up with him before carrying on up the pale stone cliffside, admiring the view of the vast forest below.

"Please tell me you passed land navigation at the Academy," Naxea joked before pausing to take in the view of the forest below and the beach and ocean a little farther out. "Nice view."

S’hib stopped with Naxea, laughing at her first comment before admiring the side of her face as she looked off into the distance “I couldn’t agree more...” He said softly, admiring her smile and the pleasant wonder in her eyes.

"Keep trying to make me blush and you're going over this cliff," Naxea warned with a grin as she glanced sideways at him.

“It would be worth it,” S’hib said as he slowly turned and carried on, smiling to himself as his eyes examined the terrain and the vantage point he was hoping was nearby.

Naxea turned and followed S'hib further up the trail. "Where are we off to now?" she asked curiously.

"You'll see," S'hib said as he continued on, hopeful that the scans from the Elysium were correct. "In fact, you'll be able to see everything..." He added, climbing quickly up a steep rocky incline, his hooves echoing as he marched to the top and turned around, a strong wind rustling through his mane.

Naxea shrugged as she followed S'hib and came to the top of the steep ridge. "Impressive view," she commented, taking in the sight. It felt odd to her to be on a known pleasure planet and not see anyone else in sight--odd, but nice. "So is the plan to take a break before heading back to camp?"

"Pretty much, plus you get to pick where we go next." S'hib smiled, taking the bag off his back. "It'll be midday in a few hours so we have plenty of time." He said before sitting down and stretching his long legs out, the morning sunbathing bareback with growing warmth.

"Sounds good to me," she commented as she took her pack off and sat down.

No sooner when she sat down, her communicator chirped. "Avalon to Major Azhul."

"Can't even get one day," Naxea muttered, knowing that any interruption couldn't be good news.

"Do they not know what shore leave means?" S'hib quipped, looking through his bag for some food.

She tapped her badge, activating it. "Azhul here."

"Captain Lalor has scheduled a Senior Staff meeting within the hour and your attendance is required," Avalon stated.

"Great," she sighed, standing up and grabbing her backpack. "Duty calls, unfortunately," she said to S'hib. She hated leaving him here. "I'll keep you updated but I somehow doubt I'll be able to continue our trip. But thank you, it was nice and thoughtful.

"I'll book a holodeck next time..." S'hib sighed painfully, hiding his sadness with a smile.

"Avalon, transport me directly to my quarters," Naxea ordered.

"Acknowledged. Stand by for transport." A moment later, Naxea dematerialized in a swirl of blue light.

S'hib watched her disappear, trying to savor her features a moment more. "I was the king... but not king of anything..." He hummed to himself before looking off at the landscape around him, sandwich in hand and alone once more.

OFF:

Lieutenant JG S'hib
Security Officer

Major Azhul Naxea
Marine Commanding Officer