Shore Leave Interrupted
Posted on Sun Oct 25th, 2026 @ 7:51pm by Captain Remy Johansen & Lieutenant Kah’lyn Chiara
Edited on on Sun Oct 25th, 2026 @ 7:51pm
1,278 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Peril at the Unification Accords
Location: Barisa Prime
Timeline: MD 11, 14:30 (After a new face...)
It was a particular warm day at the Barisa Prime resort. Weather modification was rarely used on this part of the planet, it's position on an island just far enough east of one of the main continents that the ocean breeze and warm Barisa sun provided an enjoyable temperate climate for a majority of humanoid races looking for an outdoor beach scene.
Trees that somewhat resembled palm trees from Earth grew natively here, even growing a fruit called a litanut that was not all that different from a coconut. The fruit was too irregularly shaped to hold a beverage, but the locals for centuries would split the husk down the middle, using it like an irregularly shaped plate or shallow bowl. The pulp was seasoned and used as a dip for lettuce, furit, or in more recent years, chips and crackers.
Maris was indulging in such a treat infused with Betazoid flavors - it was a tourist destination after all, when she saw a familiar face.
"Darling, Kah'lyn, that isn't you, is it?" Maris' boisterous voice was just a little too loud to avoid interrupting the conversations of others at tables and lounge chairs sitting around the resort, but the place wasn't terribly crowded and she attracted only a few looks.
She was out of uniform, sporting short magenta shorts and an olive green halter top with shimmering magenta detailing, and some expensive looking jewelry.
"I hope that isn't work. There's too much fun to be had around here," Maris added devilishly as she took a seat across from Kah'lyn without waiting for an invitation. "How the spirits are you?"
Kah’lyn was enjoying the peace and quiet, not that she’d be so rude as to tell anyone to go away. Putting down the PaDD she was looking at she offered a smile. “I’m good, thank you Maris. You’re looking well. It’s been a while hasn’t it?”
"Too long, too long," Maris replied with such emphasis some might have regarded her as flip. "What are you up to these days?"
“I’ve just been assigned as Chief Counsellor aboard the USS Astrea” Kah’lyn smiled. “My first assignment as head of the department.”
"How fantastic, congratulations are in order," Maris exclaimed. "You know, I was just there - lovely people the ones I met. Oh, someone in Diplomacy, he was quite a doll, though I think his security officer didn't like me much."
"I got kicked off the ship, when they were sent to go looking for who might have assassinated our keynote speaker. I told them I wanted to come along, that I might be able to help, but they said I wasn't crew so," Maris shrugged as she let her voice trail off. "Who knew. I guess you just missed them."
Kah’lyn nodded. “They’re coming back, it’s just a case of waiting for them to return.” She smiled warmly. “Not being crew wouldn’t give you an automatic right to be onboard. Civilians are permitted but only as visitors, family members, or assigned a civilian position onboard.”
"I didn't ask to come aboard in the first place," Maris replied as if she were revealing a dark secret. "I was nearby when it happened. You know T'Varel and I used to be quite close."
“Really?” Kah’lyn gave Maris a curious smile. “Tell me about it? I haven’t really had a chance to catch up on recent happenings as yet.”
"Oh, I am sure I was just a fling to her," Maris said trying to brush the relationship, though there was clearly longing behind her words. "You know Vulcans."
"There was something in the air here though, tension especially the night before," Maris continued. "Too many minds the day of too make sense of anything. But she was a fool to think she could be such a public figure at something like this."
Kah’lyn nodded. “I take it you were taken in for questioning as you were the most recent person to spend time with her?”
Maris let out a hearty laugh, though there was something hollow about it, a pain she was hiding. "I wish, darling," she replied, a wry grin on her face. "I haven't spent any time alone with her in a few years. she cut that off, and I suppose it was too hard to stay friends. Sometimes life is like that you know. If you haven't found that out already, you will, I'm sure."
"Unless of course, you are one of those lucky ones who finds love right away and just knows it from the start," she added whisically. "I've never decided if I should be envious of those people or not. Tell me, are you seeing anyone these days?"
Kah’lyn shook her head. “No, unfortunately not.” She shrugged her shoulders. “Not that I’d mind finding myself someone, unless mr right finds me first.”
"Then why are you sitting here reading by yourself. You know I make an excellent wingwoman. You aren't the only one waiting to take on their next assignment you know," Maris suggested, now scanning the patio for any attractive candidates. "Tell me, what's your type so I know what to look for."
“It’s fine really” Kah’lyn waved off the offer. “I’ll find my own man in time.” She looked around then back at Maris. “So what’s your plan from here? Where are you heading?”
"Who said anything about a mate?" Maren looked Kah'lyn over with a devilish grin. "I was just thinking we could have a little fun. No sense in things being boring while you wait for your ship to come back. I'm still here a few more days before I'm reunited with my ship."
Kah’lyn smiled. “That’s not really my idea of fun Maris, but thank you for thinking of me all the same. Don’t let me spoil your fun though either.”
"Oh, well, what is your idea of fun, then?" Maris asked. "We could look into your future Captain, see what your ship is up to. You know we have connections."
“No, that’s fine Maris. I don’t need any extra information about my crewmates or Captain, but thank you nonetheless.” Kah’lyn smiled.
Maris responded with disappointed look - a rather over-dramatic one for effect, one that the younger officer and fellow Betazed could have easily read that was more about wanting to get Kah'lyn out for her own entertainment than Maris actually needing company for the day.
"Well alright then," Maris resolved, letting the defeat linger in her voice. "If you insist that you'd rather stay here and read while so much is happening around you. It seems I can't convince you otherwise."
Maris stood up, finally willing to give Kah'lyn the quiet that she seemed to be seeking. "If you change your mind, darling. You know how to find me, I'll be around."
“I’m sure you will Maris” Kah’lyn smiled. “Sorry if I ruined your fun.”
"Oh, don't worry about it," Maris smiled. "When you do get to your assignment, make sure to say hello to that Ryan Keel for me if I don't see him first."
Maris winked at the younger officer before flittering off to mingle with her next victim.
Lieutenant Kah'lyn Chiara
Chief Counselor
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Maris Thalen, a NRC of Remy Johansen
Operations
Shore Leave, Barisa Prime
RSS Feed