Sand & Service, Part II
Posted on Fri Aug 14th, 2026 @ 4:13pm by Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus & Lieutenant Commander Ryan Keel & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone MD/DSAPM & Lieutenant Kah’lyn Chiara & Lieutenant Commander Xalanth & Lieutenant JG Sakkar & Josef Forstinger & Lieutenant JG Jezra Siv MD & Master Chief Petty Officer Vashti Rao
Edited on on Fri Aug 14th, 2026 @ 4:22pm
2,376 words; about a 12 minute read
Mission:
Maintenance and Recovery
Location: Amberwash Beach, Southern Continent, Barisa Prime
Timeline: MD 02: November 3, 2389, after Part I
continued from Part I
Kah’lyn was next to join the group; she’d chosen to wear a summery coloured bikini with a detachable skirt. She offered a warm smile to all present. “Being the newbie onboard, I don’t have a team, but if anyone is in need of an extra player, I’d love to join in.” She gave Xalanth, Leilani, T’para, Fulvia and their children Yazar, Travla, Lersi, Amrar, Antistia and Lwiari a warm smile; she was currently living with them for safety while Xalanth investigated some incidents. “You definitely have quite the family, Xalanth.”
Xalanth let out a slight chuckle. "We're actually rather small for a Dragonian family. My people believe a soul is split when it is created into nine pieces. i am lucky my path has led me to my four beautiful mates."
Kah’lyn smiled. “Nine pieces? Wow! I need to learn more about your people.”
"I can send over a basic guide to my mate's people," T'para added warmly.
“I’d appreciate that, thank you,” Kah’lyn responded warmly. “I’ll make sure to study it.”
Vashti offered an outstretched hand to the attractive new ship's counselor. "I'm Vashti Rao, Chief of the Boat. I don't think we've met yet."
“No, we haven’t,” Kah’lyn smiled as she shook Vashti’s hand. “I’m Kah’lyn Chiara, the new Chief Counsellor.”
"It's a pleasure," the Chief said. "So glad you could make it to our little tournament here on Barisa."
Tenzi then offered her hand. "I'm Tenzi--you can find me in engineering most of the time. Are you any good at volleyball?"
“It’s nice to meet you, Tenzi.” Kah’lyn smiled as she shook hands. “I haven’t played since my Academy years.”
"Nice to meet you too."
"At least you’ve played, Counselor; I just kicked a ball into a net and got my shins destroyed by my friends." Josef quipped from behind Tenzi, currently being busy avoiding getting sand everywhere and into his shoes. Without much success.
“I didn’t say I was any good though,” Kah’lyn grinned.
Rixi leaned to Yazar and Amrar, whispering, "I think you have the right idea. Mind if I join you?"
Xalanth's two oldest daughters chirped happily at Rixi.
She tipped the oversized sunglasses onto the brim of her wide sunhat before lifting the hat free and hanging it on the corner of the sign-up table. A moment later she untied the light gauze sarong wrapped around her waist. The sheer beach wrap rippled and fluttered in the unpredictable sea breeze before folding it neatly over the hat.
Beneath it, she wore a teal bikini, the top secured with white laces that crossed neatly at the front and tied behind her neck, the matching bottoms fastened with simple side ties. It suited her form quite well and appeared comfortable. She stretched her shoulders, dug her toes into the warm sand, and looked toward the water.
"Last one in's a stinky jumja stick!" she called to the girls as she bounded for the water.
Xalanth's girls took off after her, followed by T'para and Leilani, leaving the lizard only with Fulvia and his youngest Lwiari who still clung happily to her father's head. Xalanth smiled at his family and friends. These times made life worth living.
Kah’lyn grinned, watching everyone have fun; she was happy just to watch everyone’s interactions for now. That and she was feeling safer being in the presence of Xalanth and his family. Truth be told, she was enjoying being part of a large family; it was lonely being on her own sometimes.
Sakkar had taken the occasion to go for a jog along the beach. He was dressed for the task in comfortable, Starfleet-issue workout gear. His skin glistened with light perspiration. So much had happened in the short time since his arrival, and this was his first opportunity to actually enjoy the planet. As his artificial legs carried him along, his feet making divots in the wet, compacted sand near the surf, he rested in the comfort of uninterrupted logic. Perhaps he would find a quiet spot somewhere to meditate. Perhaps a hilltop overlooking the ocean.
Then he noticed the small group of people talking and laughing as he passed them, and recognized some of them as shipmates. He slowed to a walk and approached. "Good morning," he said with as much animation as he could for a Vulcan. He offered a polite nod and got a couple of polite nods in return.
"Good morning, sir," Emiliano said with a firm nod. "Joining us for some volleyball?"
Sakkar noticed the posted sign just as Emiliano said it. "Volleyball?" He had heard of the sport before, and was fairly certain he had seen it played. Although he had never played it himself, it was logical that the crew should forge closer bonds by doing "fun" activities together. "I am glad to join your game, if you will give me a moment to familiarize myself with the rules."
Vashti stepped forward and offered a welcoming nod to the Vulcan pilot. "Just let me know if you have any questions. We're going to get warmed up and knock the ball around a bit. Beach volleyball--at least for our purposes--will be played two-on-two."
"Yeah, I need to find myself a strong partner." Emiliano scratched the back of his head.
"Is Luci not coming?" Tenzi asked, peering over his sunglasses.
"She's going to try," Emiliano answered, pursing his lips in disappointment. "Commander Winters has her on the roster for repairs at 773."
After that mission, one would expect Jezra of all people to be taking it easy. In a way, she was; soaking up the sun absolutely counted. She wore a teal bikini, the bottom half covered by a pair of beige shorts, and a loose short-sleeved open shirt that was really more for the look than it was for meaningful coverage, showing off her tattoos. The isoboramine monitor on her shoulder received its own decoration, a simple skin-coloured hygienic wrap that she was easily able to replicate.
24th-century technology was still prone to malfunctions from sand.
Her sandals were in one hand as Jezra felt the sand shift between her toes. She heard chatter ahead and put her hand to her forehead to block out the sun to see. Ah, this is where the volleyball tournament was. She'd heard of it and was tentatively interested, but it was probably better to watch until she and Alex got her isoboramine levels stable again. Still, she could at least go see who else was present.
Osirin was dressed in teal colored swim trunks and a white V-neck A-shirt. Looking over at Jezra, he asked, "So how exactly does volleyball work? I am not familiar with it."
Jezra offered a shrug to the question. "That's a great question."
'Eh, you slap a ball over the net to the opposition team, they slap it back, and you both try and prevent it from hitting the sand,' Keel said as he knelt to his own coolbox. He'd observed everyone arriving, hanging back after a moment of shyness, but emboldened again. It occurred to him he hadn't seen his colleagues wearing so ... little. He'd admired Siv's tattoos, Rixi's cut of her bikini, and had shaken himself back together.
'I can't say I've brought as much as Xalanth and co, but everyone's welcome to help themselves. Drinks, snacks. Have at it.' He wiped a speck of sand off his shorts and got back to his feet, can in hand. 'Counsellor, you're a little newer than me, so you can have first dibs.’
“Thank you.” Kah’lyn smiled warmly as she picked out a can and a snack. “So, how long has it been since you arrived here?”
The Akadian quirked a brow. "Sound simple enough. I guess I can learn on the fly."
He peeled off his shirt and dropped it on the sand beside the cool box. Then he reached inside and pulled out a bottle of black liquid. He took a sip of the fizzy drink, wrinkled his nose, and spat it out on the sand.
'Not for you?' Keel asked with a chuckle. He turned to Kah'lyn. 'Less than a year - I think I was the last senior officer to join before yourself, Counsellor.' He flashed another smile, 'Glad to see someone come aboard who can carry the lion plushy, if you get me.'
"It must be an acquired taste," Osirin responded. No, definitely not for me. What is it?"
“The lion plushy?” Kah’lyn grinned, shrugging her shoulders. “Can’t say I’ve heard that one before.”
'Old Earth sports tradition. Rugby. Youngest or newest in the squad would have to carry a plushy around during their tours. There were several different ones: dragons, pumas, moose, but the most famous was a lion plushy. Saw it in a museum in London once. Still in one piece.' Keel shrugged, 'The Academy team had one too. A grizzly bear.'
“Fascinating,” Kah’lyn smiled. “Then I would indeed be carrying the lion plushy.”
"I was asking about the drink." Osirin said, "What is it?"
"As far as the rugby you mentioned, I was unaware that it involved stuffed animals."
'The drink?' Keel looked at the bottle. 'Eh, Denobulan truffle beer. Definitely an acquired taste, but it seems to fly off the shelves at the ship's lounge, so I've been told,' he replied with a smile. 'Not to my taste either.'
"Thank you," Osirin said, shielding his eyes from the bright sun. That is useful information. I now know to stay away from Denobulan truffle beer. However, that doesn't answer my other comment. "I was not aware that rugby was played with plushies. I thought it was played with a ball."
Keel's smile flickered, just a little. 'Oh, no, it's played with a ball,' he said with a laugh after a moment. 'It's a forfeit to carry the plushie around - just a little joke to lighten the mood, you know?' Taking a deep swig of his beer, he waggled his eyebrows at Kah'lyn. 'I'll find you one for your office.'
"Yeah," Osirin agreed. "Thanks for the clarification. I have been studying Terran culture, and what I recall is that it was played with a ball. Similar to another Terran game, called football, American football."
His eyes cut between the two Starfleet officers, a small smile forming at his lips. "Well, I will leave you two to it."
"Have a nice day."
“You too, and I’ll look forward to receiving that plushy” Kah’lyn grinned.
A new face. Jezra looked over Kah'lyn for a couple of seconds before offering a smile. "I don't believe we've met yet. Jezra Siv, CMO."
“It’s nice to meet you, Jezra.” Kah’lyn smiled. “I’m Kah’lyn Chiara, the new Counsellor. I apologise for not having dropped by sickbay as yet; I will be soon.”
"Quite alright," Jezra replied with a smile."
Alex noticed Jezra speaking with Kah'lyn and approached from where she had been gazing out over the water. Her face had a touch of reminiscence touching it as she reached them, but she quickly shook it off and addressed them. "Jezra! Glad you made it; some relaxation is just the thing for you." Her eyes found Kah'lyn, and she raised a brow. "New arrival?"
Kah’lyn nodded. “Kah’lyn Chiara, the new Chief Counsellor. It’s nice to meet you.”
"Alex Blackstone, Assistant Chief Medical. I suspect we will be working relatively close to one another." Alex extended a hand in greeting.
“I’ve no doubt we will.” Kah’lyn smiled warmly as she shook hands.
"I look forward to it; I should go find my daughter; she was going to join us." Alex took a step back and looked around at the faces surrounding them, then stepped off toward the designated area for transports.
“I’ll see you soon,” Kah’lyn called after Alex with a warm smile.
Lieutenant J.G. Jezra Siv
Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Sakkar
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Kah'lyn Chiara
Chief Counselor
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Xalanth
Chief Security Officer
USS Astrea
Lt. Commander Ryan Keel
Chief of Diplomatic Intelligence
USS Astrea
Sub-Lieutenant Osirin Acainus
Mission Advisor
USS Astrea
Josef Forstinger
Civillian
USS Astrea
Master Chief Petty Officer Vashti Rao
Chief of the Boat
USS Astrea
Crewman Emiliano Echevarria
Operations Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
Ensign Tenzi Sh'reyva
Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
Petty Officer 2nd Class Zal Rixi
Engineering Officer
USS Astrea
(NPC of JB Dorsainvil)
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