The Continuing Adventures of the Gold and the Blue

Posted on Tue Nov 13th, 2018 @ 4:07pm by Lieutenant Commander Thex sh'Zoarhi & Commander Rita Paris

Mission: Escaped Pantheons
Location: USS Hera, Deck 11, Holodeck 3
Timeline: 2395

The blue eyes of the ship's engineer were staring at the alien words on the computer screen. She'd taken her computer apart and rebuilt it to make sure what she was reading was real. Even then the virus checks had found nothing wrong with the lines of digital code. They were real and her mind was struggling to comprehend what they were saying.

The bleeping of her door alarm snapped her out of her almost trance-like state. Suddenly her blue eyes snapped to the clock. She'd said she'd meet Rita for a trip to the holodeck five minutes ago. " *&*&*" She said the words not translating as she hurried to the door. Opening it her eyes fell on her friend to whom she flashed an apologetic smile. "Rita hey... sorry about that, I was distracted with something."

Standing in the hallway in a one-piece neoprene wetsuit bathing suit that should have been zipped up a lot higher, the comically curvaceous commander waved it off. "No worries. What are you working on that's got you distracted from going surfing?"

"Oh, it's not work that's gotten me distracted, it was what was in my mail," Thex said as she hurried off into her bedroom to change. "Can you remember when I mentioned my inability to find a date? Well, if everything goes well, I may have one." She yelled from her bedroom as she quickly stripped and dressed herself in a tight-fitting pale blue swimsuit with white trim.

Throughout the course of their association, it had been made painfully clear to Rita that Thex was not unlucky in love, more like cursed. As an Andorian, it took 4 of them to mate and reproduce, which explained their dwindling population. However, being in Starfleet and traveling aboard the Hera, it made even hooking up difficult for the petite engineer, as there were no other Andorians aboard who she'd consider dating material, and seldom did the mighty starship pull into a port where the blue folks were found in sufficient abundance for Thex to have any sort of selection. Electronic dating had its own pitfalls of which Thex had expounded upon, but now it sounded like she just might have hit paydirt for a change.

"So did you manage to find someone who's going to be where we end up next, who isn't repulsive and you are actually interested in meeting?" Rita called out from the living room of the quarters. Idly she glanced over the screen, but the characters were an alien language Rita didn't recognize, she she stopped her snooping.

"It's Aenar. " Thex said as she emerged from her room. "Her name is Tathaa and she's Nurse on the USS Forthright," She said grinning slightly. "Yeah, she's on one of the ships we left to help the Merosians. I don't know why, but I have a good feeling about this one, Rita. I've sent her my DNA profile and if it goes well we'll see how it goes."

"Okay, so clear this up for me- what's Aenar, and how is this a good thing if we are going in opposite directions?" The curvaceous commander didn't want to seem less than supportive of her best friend's attempts at a love life, but apparently she wasn't grasping a few key elements here, because it sounded like disappointment in the making. Which was the last thing she wanted for the lonely blue sprite.

"Aenar are an andorian subspecies. Pale white, blind, but they have great telepathic abilities. It's not that ideal that we're heading in the opposite direction, but hopefully, it will mean I can get an answer rather quickly. " The andorian explained as she emerged from the bedroom, then she and her human friend headed for the exit to her quarters.

"So is this a dating thing, a mating thing or just a friends with benefits thing?" Rita asked plainly. "No judgment, of course, just trying to get a grasp on the situation since I'm not very up on your complex love life, and I want to make sure you are going to be happy with all of this. You sound excited, so that's a good sign..."

"Hopefully a dating thing that leads to a mating thing." Thex said with a grin as she held up two crossed fingers. "If our DNA results are compatible, we'll see if we can get a date or two going. Then we'll need to find two others and then see where that goes." Thex said with a smirk on her face. "I know this must seem odd to you Rita, but to my people this is how we have to do things."

"Uh, Thex? I come from another universe where I fell in love with the last kolinahr, the last living master of absolute logic in the universe," the buxom human woman explained as she tapped the button for the turbolift. "I am literally one of the most emotional people on the ship, yet my husband is an alien from another world, whose biology doesn't even make mating possible without scientific intervention. When he touches me, I can hear his mind and share his thoughts. The fact that you need 4 Andorians to make a family isn't odd, it is your culture and your biology."

Stepping aboard the turbolift, Rita waited for Thex to be aboard before calling out, "Deck Eleven. So, long and short, Ms. sh'Zoarhi, whatever it is that you have to do in order to find yourself somebody to love and settle down with and make little blue babies, I am all about."

The lift doors opened once more, this time onto the much more crowded and busy Deck 11. Which was where a gaggle of crewmen and junior officers were gathered to catch the turbolift, somewhat unprepared for the sight of the buxom bombshell blonde in the high and low-cut bright blue one-piece emerging with the blue-skinned engineer in the pale blue bikini. While both women were striking in uniform, out of uniform and on display like this they literally stopped traffic as the crew gawked just a bit.

With a genial grin, Paris draped her hands on her rounded hips and cocked her head slightly. "You're welcome to look all you like, folks, but how about you gangway to make a hole so the dynamic duo can get some surfing in today, maybe?"

This led to some embarrassed shuffling and chuckling as the crew stepped aside to let the attractive pair exit the lift and make their way down the corridor to the holodeck Thex had reserved for the day's entertainment.

Thex gave a slight grin as she moved her hips slightly causing a few of the crewman to walk into each other as they disappeared around the corridor. Stepping into the third holodeck, the andorian punched into a code before stepping inside. "Computer, activate program Thex thirty-four, " she said before the room was replaced with a warm tropical beach. A few alien trees and rocks scattered the fine sandy beach, which a few large waves smashed on the rocks.

"How do you like Iorilia, Rita? It's a beautiful place, friendly natives and excellent weather." Thex said as she picked up a surfboard sticking out of the sand.

"Works for me," the Starfleet siren sighed as she turned toward the sun and soaked it in. Starship life did not lend itself to getting a lot of sunshine like planetary duty stations, and Rita's west coast tan had long since faded. But the feeling of the sun on her face, the wind in her hair and the scent of the salty sea breeze were all intoxicants to the earthling who had made her home amongst the stars, yet ever yearned for the comforts of her homeworld.

"Yup, just us the sea and the sand." The sapphire engineer smirked as she attached the board to her ankle with a blue silver cord. "Don't worry, the locals won't bother us. There seven-foot species of octopodiformes that live six miles down in the ocean depths. To even contact the Federation, they had to fire a communications device onto the nearest federation colony."

"Oddly enough, I never worry about the locals on the holodeck. While it is an amazing simulation, it's just that. But one that never fails to amaze me." Selecting a shorter surfboard with more maneuverability, Rita slipped on the ankle strap then hefted the board out of the sand and began strolling into the surf. "So are you up for having a telepathic mate? It takes a little getting used to never having any secrets, you know. No deflections, no illusions and no surprises, ever. Not discouraging you, mind you, just pointing out a few of the things I had to get used to as a regular human gal who settled down with someone who knows their own mind backward and forward and can read mine like a pamphlet."

"I hadn't thought of that," Thex responded as she paused as she waited for her friend to ready herself. "I hope it is something that I could get used to. If this does work out, could I come to you for some advice?" She asked her friend.

Calf-deep in the surf, Rita paused to place her hand on her diminutive friend's shoulder. "Thex, we're friends. You will always be able to come to me for advice, to listen to your problems, to help you look for solutions or just for company. For as long as the universe allows it, I'll be here. So long as I am here, I'll be here for you- understand?" The smile that she offered was warm and genuine, and the sincerity was evident. "You're a good person, Thex sh'Zoarhi, and you deserve happiness. Whatever part you need for me to play in you achieving that happiness, I'm happy to help. That's what friends do, and that's what makes Starfleet great. We can all come from different cultures with different customs and physiologies and needs and desires and dreams- and we can work on accomplishing them together."

Resuming their walk into the surf, Rita turned the tone lighter again. "As for dealing with a telepathic mate, the key really is that you're going to learn to be completely honest, because nothing else works. I can't tell Sonak nothing is wrong, because he knows better. I can't surprise him unless it is spur of the moment, or5 he'll have heard it in my head. I can't refuse to discuss something because if I am thinking it he knows it. So, just be prepared to be very, very honest with her... the rest should work out. Because a little bonus about honesty?" Rita laid her board down to lay on her tummy as the water became deep enough. "They always know exactly how you feel about them... but they let you know too. I never have to wonder what he sees in me, because I can see myself through his eyes, and I know exactly how unique and brilliant and wonderful he thinks I am. That could be you too, and I'll tellya, pal of mine... it's a pretty amazing feeling."

"Sounds amazing." Thex said as the waves began to pick up. The blue girl skillfully slid onto her board and began to paddle out towards the big waves off the coast. The idea of having someone who would know what you were thinking with a look was something she would love to experience.

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Several hours later, the andorian had unclipped her surfboard and was lying down on a blanket on the warm sands, her cerulean skin turned a shade more sapphire. "Well Rita, I don't know about you, but I would love a drink right now." She said, trying to catch her breath.

"I forgot what hard work surfing is. I think my bruises are gonna have bruises. But, you were right- that was a perfect way to spend a goodly chunk of our day off." Being chief engineer and first officer, neither woman was ever truly off duty. But they did dutifully schedule themselves for time off, and sometimes, as was the case today, they were rewarded by no interruptions.

Lying on her back squinting up at the late afternoon sun, Rita called out. "Computer? Could I please have a cabana boy deliver us two synthehol mojitos in tiki drink containers?" There was a chirrup from seemingly nowhere, and a cabana boy appeared to offer the recreating officers some cold refreshing cocktails, minty and tangy. "Thank you computer," Paris purred as she sat up to retrieve her libation from the holographic server.

Thex smiled as she sat up on her elbows before she took the drink from her friend and took a long sip allowing the drink to pour down her throat. The minty yet tangy flavour was refreshing after the surfing. "You certainly know how to pick a good drink Rita." The andorian stated.

"Years of alcoholism. If you were lonely and you hated your job, you drank most nights. That's what happens... well, I assume it still happens- in all of those crappy postings like Planitia Utopia. You do your shift, go drink your dinner and hang out in bars. or you are the quiet drunk who just brings home a box of wine to share with your cat," Rita expounded. "I was grateful for the USS Farragut assignment, even though it was a crap on fire posting. It got me off the ground and into the fleet, which really cut back on my drinking."

"I didn't know that about you, Rita." Thex replied, wondering if drinking had been that common back then. Maybe that was the reason that Synthehol had been created. "One of my classmates is shift manager at the refit yard at Planitia Utopia. She loves it though, given she's a fan of high orbit skydiving."

"I'm sure there are people that love it, don't get me wrong," Rita acquiesced. "But me and most of the ensigns and JGs who were stuck in a landbound post close to Terra Firma were all dreaming of getting out there, going on a five year mission, being part of the exploration of the galaxy. Instead we were stuck making sure shuttlecraft and worker bees didn't run into each other because they weren't paying attention. So that was why we drank so much. Back then there was no synthehol- this stuff is amazing. I can catch a buzz and not poison my spouse in the process. I shudder to imagine how many brain cells I killed in that red uniform those first two years out of the Academy."

"We all did some stupid things at the academy. Never try fighting a Vulcan hand to hand specialist the day before the exams for one." Thex responded with a smirk forming on her blue face.

Rolling over onto her tummy to prop herself up on her elbows, Rita's eyes alit with mischief. "Ohhh, you can't start a story like that and not tell the whole thing. What possessed you to take on a master of Pon-Ifla, and how did you push it too far? Because it isn't usually the Vulcan in the story that brings things to a regrettable conclusion..."

"Well back at the academy I was on the martial arts team. A few of us formed let's just say an off the board event, random draw with let's just say none of the safety rules Starfleet put into play. I make it through to the second round and end up going against the best Vulcan Pon-Ifla combatant I've seen. We end up fighting and after five minutes she gets a lucky punch in, breaks my nose, knocks me out and left me with a bandaged nose for the next few days." Thex responded, shifting slightly on the sands as she remembered her youth.

As for Rita, she laughed musically. You were in a Fight Club at the Academy? That’s hilarious. I mean, not for your broken nose, but the fact that there even was a fight club. I guess the Academy has become more progressive in this century? I was all debate team and student council and the cross-country running team and tri-D chess club and the lot. For a gal who loved the beach I spent most of my four years indoors being overworked, overstressed and overextended trying to make that cadet record look good.” There was a pause, while the old-school officer mused. “I wonder if this dimension’s Rita was as thinly stretched as I was? Probably so, I’d imagine…”

"I'm sure she worked hard and passed just like you did," the andorian said reassuringly smiling at her friends laugh.

“Worked hard, yes, passed like I did… that I would have to ask people who are long since dead, I suspect. But given the overachiever gene inherent in the Paris girls, she was probably just as hard pressed to get out on time as I was,” Rita finished with a sigh. Then there was silence for a moment, and when Rita Paris spoke, it was a quiet and subdued tone.

“You ever think about settling down, Thex? Giving up this whole space explorer lifestyle, settle down in a cozy little igloo somewhere and make sure there is a next generation who you could teach and raise to be better than we were?”

"And leave the Hera in the hands of someone else? The girl would be broken down in a week." The andorian replied, trying to hold back her own laughter. "Well… sometimes I think about it, but I really don't know how. My own childhood was hell and I don't really know anything else."

“You never talk about your childhood. So what was the deal?” Whatever it was, Rita was certain that it was different than her own childhood. She had considered discussing her own thoughts on the matter, but apparently Thex was in the mood to share, so why not take advantage of the opportunity to learn a bit more about the big-hearted little blue babe.

"Well, you know the basics. My family were part of a psychotic religious cult that spread through Andor like a plague. There extremely xenophobic, blaming the current problem on the Federation even though the DNA problem had started before humans even got into space. They didn't have us for love, they had us to breed more soldiers. My childhood was a mix of beatings, harsh training and psychological abuse." Thex replied lying back on the sand.

"Their indoctrination didn't work. It's hard to work on a girl who knows how to get around the security features on the computers. I'd have never gotten out if Vash hadn't pulled me over the wall when I tried to escape."

For a moment, Rita was speechless. Apparently Thex thought she had been more forthright about her upbringing, but most of this was news to the throwback officer. Reaching over, she ran her hand along her friend’s blue arm. “I’m sorry that was your childhood, Thex. People who abuse children are some of the worst kinds of monsters. How old were you when you escaped?”

"Fifteen when that jellyfish helped pull me over the wall. I'd tried before but failed." Thex responded calmly. "I joined Starfleet as soon as I got to Earth."

"Can't say as I blame you there," Rita conceded. "Buy why was Vash there? He isn't native to Andor, is he?"

"I don't really know. I've asked him a few times, but he never gives a straight answer. Everything from chasing a ghost, diplomatic meetings to hearing a girl cry for help." Thex replied.

"Hm. Diplomats generally don't kidnap kids from their home planet. Tends to be bad for negotiations," Rita observed, then backpedalled a bit. "I know, he was rescuing you, helping you help yourself, just... I wonder at his motivations, you know? Why does a telepathic jellyfish need a 15 year old Andorian girl? Obviously not for fell purposes, but I wonder about his actual purpose."

"So do I, but he's not saying. He seems to have good reasons so that's good enough for me. He does work for Starfleet Intelligence, after all. Maybe not telling the truth comes with the job." Thex speculated. "Want another drink?"

“May as well,” Rita agreed, letting the subject drop. If Thex wasn’t interested in knowing how she came to escape the cult she was raised in, that was her call. The ancient astronaut had enough on her own plate, and had no reason to pry into the matter so long as it didn’t seem to be adversely affecting her friend. Instead, she continued contemplating what had been on her mind recently, and as she often did, kept her own counsel. “or we could take advantage of this obscenely large block of time you booked and see if maybe we can catch a few more waves?”

"Sounds good. Race you there and back again?" Thex said prising herself up onto her legs.

“The girl from the frozen planet is going to challenge the California surfer girl to a surfing race? Ain’t you the bold one!” Rita laughed, rolling over to lever herself back upright. “All right, but the loser buys one more round of mojitos…”

" I'll have a large one Rita." Thex said with a laugh as she grabbed her surfboard and ran to the sea. This was the life.