Land Down Under
:'''''Note:''' The Arcadia website is currently undergoing reconstruction due to a previous database corruption. Content is in progress and will be available in [[User:Sasoriza|the webmaster]]'s time.''
Arcadia # 2787 | |
| original continuity | |
| |
| year | 316 CE (2379) |
| posted | January 4 2003 |
| previous | To the Islands |
| next | Ensign Pressure Cooker |
Soltak nodded and stood. He performed the 'Picard maneuver' (straightening his tunic), and then motioned for Ria to lead the way.
"Lead the way, Miss Stavros," Soltak said, clasping his hands in front of him afterwards.
Nodding, Ria said, "Thank you, Mr. Soltak." As the two of them made their way to the turbolift, she said, "So... how did you get so lucky to be assigned to the Arcadia?"
Soltak and Ria approached the turbolift. He let her in first. He pressed a command into the small panel by the door and the lift began to whirl downwards as they descended through the depths of the Arcadia.
"Captain Picard, and Captain Richardson on the Akira, carry a bit of sway with Starfleet Command. I was able to get this posting because I requested it." He smiled and looked at Ria. "And it appears to be a good choice," he said as the lift stopped.
As they exited the turbolift, Ria said, "Sounds like it. I wish I had friends in such high places." The two reached her quarters and went inside.
"It is not spectacular. I don't get whatever I wish," Soltak commented as he stood just inside the doorway. "I will... attempt to not look," he said in a serious Vulcan tone.
In a mock serious tone, Ria said, "You'd better not. I'm a security officer. I'll knock you on your butt." She couldn't suppress her laugh as she finished her threat.
"Indeed," Soltak remarked in the same Vulcan tone as he focused on the carpet and his uniform boots, which he realized he'd probably get very dirty if they went into the Outback. He could never understand why the humans referred to the interior of the continent as the 'back', when indeed it was not. Curious creatures, the humans. "I will wait here until you are finished," Soltak said, focusing on his shoes.
"Okay... I'll be just a second." Walking into her bedroom, Ria picked out a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt. Quickly changing out of her uniform, she put her new clothes on. Picking up a pair of boots of her own, she walked back out. Doing a twirl, she said, "What do you think?"
Soltak regarded her as she emerged. "Most... pleasing to the eye," he said, cracking a small smile. "Shall we depart?" he said, cautiously offering his arm.
Taking his arm in hers, Ria said, "Absolutely. And don't worry. I don't bite... at least not on the first date." She winked, just in case he didn't know if she was serious or not.
"I have been known to bite, as a matter of fact," Soltak said with a serious Vulcan monotone as he led her out of the room and down the hall. "So, where in Australia will we be going?" he asked.
"Hmmm... I was thinking a beach. I've heard they have some fabulous beaches there. With nice, secluded places you can go and hide from prying eyes."
Soltak nodded. "A most... convenient attribute for a beach," he commented somewhat nervously. It'd been four years since he'd actually been with a woman.
The pair entered the transporter room. Tala was absent, as Soltak had granted her leave. Ria walked onto the pad as he walked to the console. "How about somewhere near the Great Barrier Reef? Is Cairns appropriate? Or would you like to go to the Coral Sea Islands? They are... very secluded, if I remember correctly," Soltak said, consulting his memory of Earth.
"Oh... somewhere near the Barrier Reef. I've heard that is so beautiful."
Soltak nodded his approval. He typed a few commands into the console and jogged over to the pad, standing beside Ria. "Computer, energize," Soltak ordered. A moment later, he felt himself being overtaken by the familiar paralyzing effect of molecular transport. Their molecules were transported from the starbase to a portion of the beach along the Great Barrier Reef.
As they were reconstituted, Soltak made an observation. He resisted the urge to whip out his tricorder. "It appears to be approximately 17:30," he informed Ria as he looked around.
Ria took in a deep breath. "Ahh... I love the smell of ocean air." Looking around, it seemed as if they were the only people for miles... which would have suited her just fine.
"It appears we have found a 'secluded' section of the beach." Soltak paused and looked at her. "Is this site appropriate? I can have us beamed to another, if you should so wish." He gave into the urge and quietly removed his tricorder. The sound of the waves hitting the beach drowned out the small hum of the tricorder as he scanned their surroundings.
"No... this is perfect." Looking over, Ria saw him scanning the area. "You know... I doubt we are in danger of anything... except the possibility of sand in our shoes."
"Fascinating," Soltak said, fixated on the readings coming across on his screen. He heard Ria and forced himself to close the tricorder and stick it in his pocket. He turned to her. "This is a most... relaxing place," he said, grinning.
"I've always loved beaches. I was raised not far from one... on Betazed. It was so... tranquil. Lovely. I can never get enough of them."
"There are not many beaches on Vulcan," Soltak said. "It has been approximately 35 years, 3 months, 2 days since I have been on a beach," he said, looking around. "What shall we do? Do you wish to perhaps 'scuba dive' as it is called? I could have dinner beamed in," Soltak said. He probed to figure out what she wanted.
Looking at him as he said how long it had been since he last saw a beach, Ria grinned and said, "But who's counting, right?" She thought it over. "Dinner sounds fantastic. There is nothing like a candlelight dinner on a beach."
Soltak nodded and tapped his commbadge. "Soltak to Akira." He'd contact a cook he trusted.
"Akira here," the tactical officer, Lieutenant Renman, answered.
"Lieutenant, patch me through to the galley. Tell Andrea I require a table, two chairs, candles, as well as a dinner." Soltak paused. "Standby Akira." He turned to Ria. "What would you like?"
"Let me see... Surprise me. I love surprises."
Soltak, however, did not enjoy surprises. "Tell her to... surprise me," Soltak ordered.
"Affirmative. I've relayed your order. It'll be down momentarily. So, Soltak, you have us all interested up here. When did you get a woman?" the lieutenant said. "You'll have to bring her around so we can meet."
The lieutenant found himself cut off by Soltak. "There appears to be a communications problem, Akira. Soltak out," he said, abruptly closing the channel.
A moment later, a table, chairs, and food materialized on a nearby area of flat land. The area was remarkably well trimmed and maintained for such a secluded area. Perhaps someone else frequented the area.
"I do believe our dinner has arrived." Soltak smiled to Ria.
"I do believe so. Shall we?"
Soltak nodded and escorted Ria to the table. He pulled out her chair, and when she had seated herself, he scooted her into the table. He pulled out the small metal contraption given to him by a friend on the Akira as a going-away present. "It is referred to as a... lighter," he said, looking it over. "A most fascinating device that produces flame." He opened the lid cautiously, expecting the flame outright. "Activate," he ordered it. Nothing happened. Soltak poked and fiddled with it. He finally activated the lighter. "There," he said, lighting the candles. He extinquished the flame, closed the lighter, and pocketed it. He sat down in his chair, not bothering to look. He sat on something. Pausing, he stood and looked. "Those bastards," he said quietly.
"What? Who?"
Soltak calmly removed the rolled-up blanket from his chair and hid it on the ground nearby. "Nothing," he said, smiling to try and cover it up. He'd get them back. He then retrieved a bottle of champagne from a nearby bucket of ice and poured them both a glass. He unveiled their dinner a moment later.
Taking a sip, Ria smiled. "Delicious." She looked over to see what his mysterious friend had prepared for them.
Soltak reddened slightly. "It is a... blanket," he said, slightly embarrassed.
"I see. Is your friend on the Akira psychic?"
Soltak froze for a moment but covered it well, or so he thought. He smiled, preparing to eat. "Perhaps?"
▷ TBC ◁
