The Colludian sun was about halfway up the sky when the ferry docked in Port Aster. Sophia and Kirok, held hands as they exited the ferry and looked around. Port Aster, looking like a white pearl made of white stone. The buildings were built right into the cliff faces, making it look like Colludian architecture was blending into the natural landscape. The rows of the buildings were built in tiers, going down to the sea, each tier was connected by multiple white stone spiral staircases and stone bridges that spanned over small ravines.
“Baby, this city looks so spectacular,” Sophia said excitedly as she was walking ahead of her husband. “I’ve never seen anything like this. It is so beautiful.”
Kirok walked up behind her, gently wrapping his strong, muscular arms around her, embracing her gently. He kissed her cheek softly, then followed her gaze, taking in the breathtaking beauty of Port Aster.
“Yes, it looks like the Colludians have managed to do what humans never could do when we build new colonies on alien planets,” Kirok said. “They managed to master the ability to combine their architecture into the natural environment, without causing harm to the environment. Soyara, our Chief Science Officer, would love this place.”
Sophia turned around in the protective arms of her husband. She looked into his eyes and kissed him tenderly. After she broke the kiss, they both chuckled together, as if they knew what the other was thinking.
“Yes, she would probably never want to leave,” Sophia said warmly, putting her cheek against his chest. “We should take holopictures. Did you get a holocamera?”
“Yes,” he replied.
Kirok, one step ahead of her, pulled it out of a small pack he wore on his waist, similar to the ancient fanny packs that humans wore back in the late twentyth century. He pulled the camera out as Sophia took several steps ahead. Kirok aimed the holocamera to include her and the background of Port Aster’s beauty. The camera clicked, indicating a picture was captured. He smiled at her as he caught up to her.
“I’m torn between which is more beautiful…the city of Port Aster or you,” he said teasingly.
Sophia, playing along, gave him a mock glare and playfully punched him in the arm.
“For that mister, you are buying brunch and it better be a good one,” she said, her face changing from mock glare to loving, gently rubbing her profound belly. “I’m eating for two now.”
Kirok kissed her forehead softly. He gently put a hand on top of her hand, which was on her belly. She took his hand and put it in her belly, so he could feel the baby kicking.
“Our baby sure is a kicker,” Kirok said happily. “Have you talked to the doctor about what the baby’s gender is?”
She shook her head.
“No. I want to be surprised,” she answered, looking into his eyes with a pleading look. “I hope you can understand.”
Kirok gazed back into her beautiful eyes, a smile growing on his face.
“Of course, my love,” he replied. “I fully trust your decisions.”
As they stood still, embracing each other, several Colludians walked gracefully past them, heading into the city or leaving it to take the ferry. Kirok and Sophia wore matching outfits. Their short sleeved shirts were in a tropical design and light blue in color, with dark navy blue shorts.
The locals looked tall and slim. The outfits they wore seemed to change colors based on the angle of the sunlight. A small group of locals greeted Kirok and Sophia, their voices were soft and musical. The locals greeted them by holding out their arms, with their palms outward to them. The locals bowed their heads to the visitors. Kirok and Sophia noticed that their skin color seemed to appear to have a pearly look with a deep blue to sandy beige color to it.
One Colludian, a young looking female, looked at Sophia and Kirok with glowing, large eyes.
“Greetings Captains Kirok Skyrunner and Sophia Rodriguez, from the Federation starship USS Phoenix. I am Tira, your liaison during your stay on Colludia. You are not the first Starfleet couple I have greeted here on Colludia Two.”
Sophia and Kirok looked at each other, slightly confused, then looked back at Tira. Tira smiled back at them.
“I’m very familiar with all of the visitors we get here,” Tira said softly.
Sophia and Kirok looked more relaxed.
“That does make sense now. We are looking to explore, but my wife is hungry. What restaurant do you recommend we try,” Kirok asked.
“There is a beautiful local restaurant right over there,” Tira said, pointing to a friendly, tropical themed restaurant. “I would suggest the sample platter. It will give you a wide selection of our foods. Please, if you need any assistance, don’t hesitate to ask me. Please enjoy your visit to Colludia Two.”
“Thank you for the recommendation,” Sophia said to Tira.
“Yes, thank you so much,” Kirok said.
“My pleasure,” Tira replied, in her soft, musical tone of voice.
Tira walked off, seeing other visitors. Kirok took Sophia’s hand and led her towards the restaurant. As they walked, they were looking around, noticing a couple, a human male and a Caitian. Kirok and Sophia walked into the restaurant and sat down at a table across from the bar.
Just as Kirok and Sophia were settling into their seats, the restaurant entrance chimed softly. Victor and S’rrel entered the restaurant. Victor scanned the crowded room with a slight frown, while S’rrel’s sensitive nose twitched, taking in the myriad exotic scents from the kitchen.
The restaurant was indeed bustling with activity, and no empty tables were visible. Victor’s gaze eventually settled on Kirok and Sophia’s table, where two empty chairs remained.
“Excuse me,” Victor said as he approached their table, his voice polite but direct. “My companion and I are looking for a place to sit, and I couldn’t help but notice you have some empty chairs at your table. Would you mind if we joined you?”
S’rrel stepped forward slightly, his blue eyes warm and friendly. “We don’t wish to intrude, but as you can see, the establishment is rather full at the moment.”
Kirok and Sophia glanced at each other, then looked at Victor and S’rrel. Sophia festered to them to sit.
“We would be honored to have you join our table,” Sophia sat. “Starfleet is one big happy family.”
Kirok stood and offered a handshake to Victor and S’rrel.
“Please join us,” Kirok offered.
“Victor,” he replied, taking one of the empty seats. “And this handsome fellow is S’rrel. Thank you for your hospitality.”
S’rrel settled into the remaining chair, his tail curling neatly around the chair leg. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.
“I am Captain Kirok Skyrunner, the commanding officer of the USS Phoenix, formerly the commanding officer of the USS Carlsbad,” Kirok said. “This is my wife, Captain Sophia Rodriguez, formerly the commanding officer of the USS Thunderdragon, and currently my Executive Officer on the Phoenix. We are on shore leave, since the Fourth Fleet has been ordered on down time.”
“Asheville and the Malinche,” Victor replied as a Colludian server approached their table, bearing menus that shimmered slightly in the restaurant’s soft light. “We’re on shore leave as well.”
“We were going to order the sample platter,” Sophia said. “It was recommended to us.”
“An excellent choice,” S’rrel purred, his eyes scanning the menu with interest. “Caitians appreciate diverse culinary experiences.”
As they placed their order, the four officers began sharing stories of their respective voyages, the initial awkwardness quickly fading as they discovered common experiences within Starfleet. The restaurant’s tropical atmosphere and the panoramic view of Port Aster’s tiered architecture created a perfect backdrop for what was becoming an enjoyable meal with new colleagues.
As a Colludian server placed a large, intricately arranged platter in the center of their table, Victor leaned back slightly, his analytical gaze moving from the food to his new dining companions.
“So, the Phoenix,” Victor began, his tone casual yet inquisitive. “What brings you to Colludia II? I imagine it’s not just for the architecture and the food, though both are exceptional so far.”
“We just completed two extremely tiring missions,” Sophia said. “I had to rescue five of my crew members from an alternate reality. Those five, one was my husband here.” Sophia paused as her eyes started to tear up. “They ended up dying before we got home. We ended up going to a Borg infested reality instead of coming home.”
Sophia uses her napkin to wipe her tears away. Kirok gently comforted her.
“We were saved by a Q entity and given a second chance at life. We decided to take this shore leave opportunity to unwind,” Kirok stated.
“A logical reason,” Victor nodded, taking a piece of grilled fish that smelled faintly of citrus. “S’rrel and I are here for more… reconnection reasons. After a grueling six-month separation from our last posting, we needed a place to reconnect with nature and each other. Colludia II’s tidal patterns and marine life are particularly fascinating from a xenobiological standpoint.”
S’rrel’s ears twitched in agreement as he sampled a leafy green vegetable. “The energy here is… calming. It’s a good place to center oneself after long periods in the void. But enough about work. How long are you both staying?”
“We are taking the full thirty days,” Sophia spoke. “We need it.”
Victor’s eyes met S’rrel’s for a brief moment before he replied, “We’re here for the full thirty-day shore leave. We got special arrangements to reconnect after being separated after our last assignment, so we have plenty of time to explore everything Colludia II has to offer.”
“I have read what the planet has to offer and that is one main reason why we came here,” Kirok said.
As they continued their meal, the conversation flowed easily, with Victor’s scientific curiosity complementing S’rrel’s more instinctual observations about the local culture and environment. The two couples found themselves sharing not just a table, but the beginning of what promised to be a memorable shore leave experience.
