Fresh Air or lack of it

Posted on Tue May 2nd, 2023 @ 6:40am by Ensign Alexandra 'Lexi' O'Connery & Commander William Gerhard

Mission: Sojurn
Location: Planet surface
Timeline: Day 334
1663 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

Walking into the fancy underwater room was an experience that took Lexi’s breath away. From the moment she opened the door, she was greeted by a spacious and beautifully designed living space that had a large window that looked out across the ocean. The room was brightly lit by carefully placed lamps, which only served to highlight the room's high-end furnishings and accents despite it all being under the water. It just reminded her of all the rooms on the Caelestis that had remained forever untouched.

“This is amazing.” She whispered just savouring it all as realised that this was the first time she was breathing fresh air and getting to stretch her legs properly since her near death accident. It was healing in its own way to just be there actually be able to do it. “Remind you of the Caelestis Commander?” The ensign teased William just a little thinking about how uptight he had been.

William carried their bags in before taking the room in as well. The mention of the Caelestis brought back a few memories, but he remembered the alien room. After meeting with the ambassador, the captain had allowed more of the crew to rotate down for some much needed time off. William was finally glad to have landed on a planet that had a climate he was familiar with. He glanced towards the window that showed the ocean and the various creatures that inhabited it. "Still can't get used to the idea this place is under water," he said as he watched her gazing out the window.

“I thought you’d like something different when they asked if we wanted above or below water. Below water get so much more up your street.” Lexi said not glancing back as she took it all in still. It was just different to what she had seen in years and especially this year with just seeing the blackness of space. Seeing a view that was so alive and moving had to be soothing for the soul?. “Half the world is under water from what I can see.” She turned to grin at him noticing him watching.

He made his way over and stood beside her as she returned her gaze out the window. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close as they both watched the creatures around the window. "The ambassador mentioned the planet was 75% underwater actually," he said as he watched a particularly large and vibrantly colored fish swim past. He wondered to himself if "fish" was the right word to use. "I wasn't a big oceanographer back home. All the beaches up north were ice bound," he offered.

“I meant more the ice.” Lexi said grinning as she was rugged close and leant her head back against his shoulder. “But that is interesting to note. Have you thought on things that you would like to do whilst we are here?” She wondered watching the creature swimming back and forth. It was a welcome relief to see something different than the blackness that space offered. Every time she blinked there was something different to look at.

William thought about that for a moment. In truth he’d been busy ironing out the details with the ambassador and hadn’t had time to think about what he wanted to do himself. He’d heard there was an ice sculpting festival that had piqued his interest. He’d been around ice sculptors back home, and his uncle had tried to teach him the basics. “I heard there was an ice sculpting competition I think would be nice to see that,” he offered as he watched out the window.

Lexi smiled and lay her head against her shoulder for a moment before nodding. “That could be fun.” She agreed. She had never been to an ice sculpture competition before so it would be a novelty as well as getting a chance to see the man in his element.

“I’m curious to see what methods that they use here. I’m certain it will be different,” he said watching the aquatic life outside the window.

“So that is settled then but that is not for a few days. What would you like to do between and then? Could go check out the under water gardens today if you wanted? Or do something a little more strenuous in snorkelling in the volcanoes islands?” She wanted him to choose something as it was the first time they were getting a shore leave that was proper together without having to sneak around.

He thought about it for a moment. This was one of the first real opportunities for leisure time, but he was not one to normally engage in leisure activities. “Well, seeing as how I haven’t had time in the gym lately, strenuous activity sounds about right,” he said before he felt her looking up at him, “What?” He smiled at her with a wink.

She smiled back and gave him a shake of her head “Nothing at all. Why don’t you go find a gym around here? We can reunite later?” She offered wanting to give him some space if that was what he wanted to go to the gym. She knew the last month or so had been brutal for him trying to learn the executive Officer roles, keep the armoury in check as well as try and merge MACOs with that department. It was a lost of plates to keep spinning.

He shook his head before kissing the top of her head. "That's ok, I want to spend time with you here. After all, this is our first, and probably only, shore leave together as future husband and wife. Why waste the time apart," he asked.

The woman smiled and stroked her thumb along his cheek. "I cannot complain but we do not need to be always together if you need to do other things. I am quite happy with my own company and exploring here by myself." She assured him quickly but understood what he meant and how this was most likely there only shot of this type of shore leave in a very long time.

He gave her a squeeze around her waist before the moment was interrupted by the trill of his communicator. He sighed before releasing his grip around her and unzipping the pocket on the upper arm of his uniform and pulled the device out. He flipped it open and spoke, "Gerhard."

"Commander Gerhard... I have the ambassador on the communication relay wanting to discuss something with you." The voice of a crewman came through a moment explaining what was going on and why someone was contacting despite shoreleave. "He is on the frequency that they provided." Lexi frowned and backed off with a kiss to his chin. She watched him switch frequency and could not help but wince at what type of thing would have caused this plot twist on their day.

"I am sorry to disturb your rest and relaxation but there has been a bit of an issue with some of your crew. There was a fight that broke out in one of our cafes." The ambassador explained wishing he did not but it could not go on if this was only the start.

"When was this Ambassador," he asked as he furrowed his brow and looked at Lexi. He could feel his temper flaring slightly at the report of two of the crew brawling in a public area. While he had expected there may be some minor issues with the crew, he wasn't expecting something of this magnitude so soon.

"From the visual displays and the crew records that you provided it was two males with a female intervening. Jamesson, Voznyuk, and Cusack." Was the explanation whilst Lexi just winced more as she realised just how serious it was. She could almost feel the tension in her fiancee from where she stood.

"My apologies Ambassador. I can assure you this conduct is not normal for our people. You have my word that this will be dealt with and there will be no further instances of this nature," he said with a contrite voice. After the ambassador signed off, he changed the frequency of the communicator to the right channel. "Gerhard to Atlantis recall Commander Jamesson, Warrant Officer Voznyuk, and Staff Sergeant Cusack to the ship at once. Send a shuttle pod down to my location to transport me back to the ship, I want those three in my office within the hour," he said his voice firm before closing the communicator and looking back at Lexi.

Lexi looked at him and offered a smile and held out her hand for him. "Pretty sexy when you use that voice." She said lightly trying to cool his temper just a little in an attempt to calm him before he burst.

His eyes met hers and he felt himself relax slightly. The news had made his temper rise, but she always knew what to say to bring him down to the level. He took her hand in his with a sigh, "So much for spending some time together," he said before he kissed the top of her hand.

"It is fine... I will see you in a couple of hours. I will go out and explore." She explained not at all disappointed in how the day had changed. They still have responsibilities and things outside of them that needed to be dealt with.

With a slight smile, he nodded to her before giving her hand a small squeeze. "Try not to have all the fun without me," he said light heartedly. As he made his way towards the door of their room, his mind returned to what potential waited for him aboard the ship. The one thing that irritated William most of all, was why he had been told this news by the ambassador and not Voznyuk.