Go Climb A Rock

Posted on Wed Dec 9th, 2009 @ 1:17am by Ensign John Bradshaw & Lieutenant Commander Kaylis Kirana

1,726 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Balowlli System
Location: Deck 4/Holodeck 2
Timeline: Prior to "The Quiet Promotion"

Seeing how John had some free time he felt now was the best time to head for the Holodeck, and maybe do some rock climbing. He opened his dresser drawer, and pulled out his climbing suit that he grabbed from home before he left for the Academy. He threw on the cloths checking himself in the mirror making sure it still fit him in all the right places. Satisfied by his looks he headed for Holodeck 2.

Along the way he noticed the charming Lieutenant he met briefly in the transporter room. “Hello Lieutenant Montgomery,� He greeted her.

Shalie had been wondering around the ship. She was off duty and wasting time. She smiled a flirty smile as she recognized the Transporter Chief. "Hi John" She kept her pace as she moved closer. "So what are you up to?" She gave him a look up and down appreciatively.

“Well I’m going to go rock climbing on the Holodeck,� He replied. “If your not doing anything would you like to join me,� He asked. John looked at her with a pleasing smile.

"That sounds great and all...but I don't have the right stuff." Shalie said with slightly concern. "Oh well...the holodeck has safeties for a reason." She moved to enter the suite with John.

“Don’t worry bought the gear we can replicate some when we get in, and your right the safeties will protect you, but I’ll be there too so don’t worry,� He explained. As they walked up to the holodeck John tapped the console “Computer run program Bradshaw 23,� He commanded. “Program complete you may enter when ready,� The soft computer voice told them.

He looked at the attractive Orion seeing the excitement in her eye’s “You ready,� He asked

"Of course..." Shalie said with a wink. They walked inside and she was taken aback by the sheer size of what John had intended them to climb. "You had better be glad you are cute...that..." She pointed to the challenge in front of her. "...is kind of intimidating." She flashed him a smile as she moved though the holo program.

Seeing the look on her face he threw her a big smile “Well don’t worry I’ve climbed big mountain’s like this back home, We’ll just take it one step at a time,� He told her trying to give her a comforting reassurance. “Ok lets get you all rigged up,� He said as he picked up the harness, and slipped it around her waist snapping the belt together he delicately slipped the leg straps on next.

He then reached over, and grabbed the rope, and carabineers slinging the ropes over his shoulder then handing Shalie’s ropes to her “Sling them over your shoulders like this,� He told her. He handed her a few carabineers, and then the final item he grabbed there helmets. Seeing the look on her face when he handed her the helmet made him smile a little “Sorry even with the safety features on still got to be safe,� He said with a charming tone.

"Awww..." Shalie said playfully. "You are the first person that has actually worried about me." She winked as she easily shouldered the rope. She followed his lead as they set their first tie off and began ascending the cliff face. "So where is back home?" she said as she struggled slightly. With her reset shoulder she was actually able to handle the task.

“Aspen, Colorado,� He replied grabbing the rock face pulling himself up another step. “Breath taking landscapes, lots of wildlife, and some beautiful lakes,� He explained. “I know I haven’t been gone that long from home but I miss it already,� John said with a longing tone to his voice. “What about you, didn’t you say you lived on a freighter,� He asked as he looked back to check on her progress.

"Yep, not much to tell." Shalie said as she found her grip. "Spent my childhood working as an engineer on board the Utopia until I was old enough to escape that hell hole." She pulled herself up as she found a foot hold. "Been in Starfleet ever since...and I don't miss home."

“Wow sounds like you had some tough times back then,� He stated reaching for the ledge of the next cliff wall. Shalie couldn’t see the puzzling look on Johns face as he was pondering what had happen to her during her young adult life. He wasn’t sure if he should pry into details since the tone in her voice told him it wasn’t the happiest times of her life.

“How you doing back there,� He called out.

Shalie grunted as she pulled herself up to the next hold. "Doing fine...my shoulder is getting a little tired, but I will be fine." she could tell that he has questions, and for some reason she was open to telling him. "You know you and just ask."

John paused a moment in mid step turned his head downward to look at her with that now more puzzling look How did she know “Well I didn’t want to open an old wound, and some people are private about there past,� He told her as he turned around to continue the climb.

“So since I guess I opened the book why don’t you read it to me,� putting a delicate tone to the term.

Shalie would have given him a questioning look if she had been able to see him. "Well, John I am not sure what you would like to no...keep in mind I don't find myself that interesting." She had a flirty tone in her voice. "Just ask what you want to know."

“Well it seems to me by the tone in your voice your childhood wasn’t all happy times, so what happened that made you leave so rapidly,� He asked. As he grasped the ledge and pulled himself up planting his backside down.

“Looking good, that’s it just a few more steps, and your there,� He cheered as he extended his hand out for her to grab so he could help her up on the ledge.

Shalie smiled up at John as she took his hand and pulled herself up with his help. She took a seat next to John. "Well..." She started looking him up and down. "My father used to hit me." She kind of rolled her eyes up a bit. "He didn't like Orions much." She gave a half hearted smile. "To think of it...the only person on the ship that liked me was Ben...and he left me to fend for myself....So when I was old enough, I found a way out."

As he listened to her he pulled out two water bottles, and handed one to her “Water,� He asked. “Wow Shalie I’m sorry to hear that, some people are just bigots, and are set in there ways its hard for them to come around,� He said with a sympathetic tone. “ I can’t believe even after so many hundreds of years there are people out there who still act racist,� John commented.

Putting his bottle back in the bag he heard a screech, and looked out to see an eagle soaring thru the air. “Did you know that back in the twentieth century those were becoming extinct,� He asked as he looked over at her.

Shalie shook her head. "No reason to be sorry, everything in our past makes who we are in the present." she watched the magnificent bird as its large wing span easily moved it though the air. " I don't even know what it is called...other then at the academy...I never spent time on Earth. " She liked John and as they sat there she figured out why. He was a kind soul, very reasonable and trustworthy. Why she blurted out what she did next she wouldn't know. "Why couldn't I have met you earlier...I am being transferred tomorrow."

John swung his head around so fast it gave him a small jolt of pain “ WHAT,� rubbing his now throbbing neck. “ Why are you leaving,� He asked.

Shalie laughed at his confusion. "Trust me it isn't my choice." Shalie looked at him. "I pissed off the wrong person because I valued a friendship...and now said wrong...but powerful person...is punishing me." She had a smile on her face as she spoke. She playfully elbowed John. "Hey don't worry about it...I'm not."

John’s neck started to feel better but his emotions were now a little lost he tried not to show how he felt. Here he was finding a new friend, and getting to know her, but now she’s telling him she’s leaving. “Well Shalie I want to be honest with you I have had very few friends in my life, and I know we barely knew each other, but I was considering you as my friend,� He said with a sorrowful tone.

“ I hope you’ll stay in touch, and take care of yourself,� As he put his arms around her giving her a warm goodbye.

Shalie returned the hug. "Don't worry I won't have much to do in exile." She pulled back and began to unfasten her climbing gear. "I can guarantee I will keep you on your toes." She added with a little wink.

John threw her a big smile as he too removed his gear setting down next to hers. “Well you better or I just might go chasing you around the galaxy if you don’t,� He told her with a sarcastic tone. He held his arm gesturing for her to latch on before they departed the holodeck. “Well what do you say we have a farewell drink, computer end program,� He asked as he awaited the program to end.

"That sounds like a great idea..." Shalie said with a smile as they moved towards the door.

Good Bye My Friend


Kaylis Kirana
Chief Operations Officer
USS Archimedes


John Bradshaw
Transporter Chief
USS Archimedes

 

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