Annobellum
Caroline swept through the front parlor and onto the veranda a soft rustle of skirts marked her passing. Her husband sat, silent. The letter lay loose in his hands.
"Jean, what news do you have?"
"Paul is coming home."
"Is it the end of this awful war."
"Yes. God be praised, at long last yes."
She gently touched his shoulder. "Any word...."
"No." He shook his head. "No word on either Richard or Jerold."
"Jean, can you soften your anger?"
He say back in the chair, the letter forgotten. "To see my sons alive, I would forgive anything Caroline. God as my witness, I would forgive anything."
----
Paul LaSaille finished hammering in the last nail. He laid the rifled musket in the hooks. "May it never again be rasied in anger."
Jean nodded. "Amen son to that."
"How fairs the farm Father. Have we damages that must be repaired?"
"No, by God's mercy we have been spared the worse of the ravages of war. The core of the stud is intact, and the majority of the good brood mares we have saved. Our buildings have not been greatly damaged."
"Pray tell Father, how did you save the horses?"
"By God's mercy the space we made beneath the barns to hold the runaway Negroes were large enough to hold our horses. Yes, we lost some. But they did not seek below the stalls for further animals."
Paul nodded. "What one gives freely, God returns."
"There is work to be done, and it falls to you and I to do it Paul. Have you given thought to marriage?"
"Yes. I have not had the time of yet to seek a wife suitable to our station. It shall be my concern to do so."
"What do you know of Jerold?"
"Little I fear. We were separated at Cold Harbor, and I have no word of his fate."
"Of Richard, I fear that like my brother James, we shall not hear of him again."
Let us pause in life's pleasures and count the many tears
While we all sup sorrow with the poor
There's a song that will linger forever in our ears
Oh, hard times come again no more
It's a song a sigh of the weary
Hard times hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more
Though we seek mirth and beauty and music bright and gay
They are frail forms a-waiting by our door
Though their voices are silent, their pleading seems to say
Oh, hard times come again no more
It's a sigh that is wafted across the lowly plains
It's a wail that is heard upon the shore
It's a dirge that is murmured across the lonely grave
Oh hard times come again no more
It's a song a sigh of the weary
Hard times hard times come again no more
Many days you have lingered around my cabin door
Oh hard times come again no more.*
Annobellum -- Garry Stahl, April 2005
An historical piece. A bit of flesh on an otherwise dry entry in the Epiphany Trek chronology. Like many families the LaSailles were divided by the issues of the American Civil War. Lexington itself was divided in sympathy and changed hands several times, but with minimal damages. Cities such as Atlanta were burned to the ground.
* Hard Times Come Again no More -- Stephen Foster. The song written in 1855 was popular after the war, for obvious reasons.
LaSaille Shorts
LaSaille Shorts
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
Card Night
"Read'm and weep Pauly." Ryan tossed the cards down on the wardroom table."
"Damn it LaSaille, do you know how to loose?"
"Sure I do." replied the flier with the Clark Gable grin. "I just forgot for tonight." His buddy, Patrick laughed.
Lt. Paul Gram shook his head. "That wipes me out."
2nd Lt. Morris looked disappointed. "Pauly, you can quit, we have to get our money back from this Navy card shark."
Gram shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have scratch Morris. How can I play?"
Lt. LaSaille pointed to the new .45 pistol that Lt. Gram wore on his belt. "What about that?"
"My gun?"
"Why not?"
Gram unhooked the holster from his belt. "If you're willing to play for GI issue, who am I to argue?" Gram placed the pistol on the table. Ryan handed him the cards.
Paul Gram shuffled the cards. "Ante up boys, deuces wild."
The cards softly hit the table as each player examined their hand. "Gimme two." "I'll hold." "Damn, three." The cards were again passed around the table.
Gram looked around the table. Hailey tossed his cards on the table. "Fold."
"Too easy Pat." LaSaille threw a fin into the pot. "I'm in."
"Me too." said Morris.
Gram pointed to the .45. "I'm good with that?"
"Sure," LaSaille replied. "You're all in."
"I stand."
Silence lengthened as Morris considered. "Raise." He tossed a fin and two bucks in the pot.
LaSaille considered. "Stand." and matched him.
Gram nodded.
Morris laid his cards out. "Two pair, aces high."
Gram smiled. "Looks like we got you LaSaille."
LaSaille shrugged and laid out his cards. "Full house, threes and fours."
Gram's face dropped and he laid out his cards. "Three of a kind." The two aces and a duce looked a little disappointing.
LaSaille gathered up the pot, including the gun. "Gentleman, it is now fifteen minutes later than we agreed to halt this game. Ensign Hailey and I have operations at 0500. We bid you goodnight." The fliers left leaving the two Marines sitting in the wardroom.
Ensign Hailey grinned. "Lt. Commander Carter is going to split."
"We are going to get split if we don't get in before curfew. Come on."
----
Lt Commander Jim Carter was finishing the morning briefing. "Weather is reported to be clear and cloud free for the remainder of the day. If you see otherwise report it at once. The latest intelligence puts the Jap forces at 150 miles and closing. If anything has changed you will get reports before takeoff. Lastly, these are Devastators, not the Dauntlesses. We have not had, to my mind, near enough training in these planes. Killing Japs is good, getting you all back on the carrier is better. OK, let's suit up and roll.
Lt Commander Carter was suiting up with his squadron when he spotted Lt. LaSaille with a big-assed holster in place of his issue .38.
"Lt. LaSaille." He inquired in his sweetest voice. "Where did you get that .45?"
LaSaille turned so the "USMC" was plainly visible on the holster. "One of the Marines was kind enough to part with it Sir."
"Kind enough... What manner of persuasion did you use Lieutenant?"
"Poker sir, and I won a hundred and fifty bucks from the Marines as well as the pistol."
Carter raised eyebrow. "A deal is a deal Lieutenant, carry on."
Card Night -- Garry Stahl, May 2005
That .45 had to come from somewhere. So here is where it comes from. I have been researching Ryan Clark LaSaile's past. Tentatively the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 is the ship he served on. The Marine holster is no longer in existence. Jerry did not take it to 'Nam and it did not survive the destruction of the house in 1971.
"Read'm and weep Pauly." Ryan tossed the cards down on the wardroom table."
"Damn it LaSaille, do you know how to loose?"
"Sure I do." replied the flier with the Clark Gable grin. "I just forgot for tonight." His buddy, Patrick laughed.
Lt. Paul Gram shook his head. "That wipes me out."
2nd Lt. Morris looked disappointed. "Pauly, you can quit, we have to get our money back from this Navy card shark."
Gram shrugged his shoulders. "I don't have scratch Morris. How can I play?"
Lt. LaSaille pointed to the new .45 pistol that Lt. Gram wore on his belt. "What about that?"
"My gun?"
"Why not?"
Gram unhooked the holster from his belt. "If you're willing to play for GI issue, who am I to argue?" Gram placed the pistol on the table. Ryan handed him the cards.
Paul Gram shuffled the cards. "Ante up boys, deuces wild."
The cards softly hit the table as each player examined their hand. "Gimme two." "I'll hold." "Damn, three." The cards were again passed around the table.
Gram looked around the table. Hailey tossed his cards on the table. "Fold."
"Too easy Pat." LaSaille threw a fin into the pot. "I'm in."
"Me too." said Morris.
Gram pointed to the .45. "I'm good with that?"
"Sure," LaSaille replied. "You're all in."
"I stand."
Silence lengthened as Morris considered. "Raise." He tossed a fin and two bucks in the pot.
LaSaille considered. "Stand." and matched him.
Gram nodded.
Morris laid his cards out. "Two pair, aces high."
Gram smiled. "Looks like we got you LaSaille."
LaSaille shrugged and laid out his cards. "Full house, threes and fours."
Gram's face dropped and he laid out his cards. "Three of a kind." The two aces and a duce looked a little disappointing.
LaSaille gathered up the pot, including the gun. "Gentleman, it is now fifteen minutes later than we agreed to halt this game. Ensign Hailey and I have operations at 0500. We bid you goodnight." The fliers left leaving the two Marines sitting in the wardroom.
Ensign Hailey grinned. "Lt. Commander Carter is going to split."
"We are going to get split if we don't get in before curfew. Come on."
----
Lt Commander Jim Carter was finishing the morning briefing. "Weather is reported to be clear and cloud free for the remainder of the day. If you see otherwise report it at once. The latest intelligence puts the Jap forces at 150 miles and closing. If anything has changed you will get reports before takeoff. Lastly, these are Devastators, not the Dauntlesses. We have not had, to my mind, near enough training in these planes. Killing Japs is good, getting you all back on the carrier is better. OK, let's suit up and roll.
Lt Commander Carter was suiting up with his squadron when he spotted Lt. LaSaille with a big-assed holster in place of his issue .38.
"Lt. LaSaille." He inquired in his sweetest voice. "Where did you get that .45?"
LaSaille turned so the "USMC" was plainly visible on the holster. "One of the Marines was kind enough to part with it Sir."
"Kind enough... What manner of persuasion did you use Lieutenant?"
"Poker sir, and I won a hundred and fifty bucks from the Marines as well as the pistol."
Carter raised eyebrow. "A deal is a deal Lieutenant, carry on."
Card Night -- Garry Stahl, May 2005
That .45 had to come from somewhere. So here is where it comes from. I have been researching Ryan Clark LaSaile's past. Tentatively the USS Bunker Hill CV-17 is the ship he served on. The Marine holster is no longer in existence. Jerry did not take it to 'Nam and it did not survive the destruction of the house in 1971.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
Defense
Gerry ran down the line of trucks until he came to the first one. He levered himself on the step. "Paul."
The trucker rolled his window down. "Yes Sir."
"OK, get rolling and don't stop for anyone short of Virgina"
"Yes Sir."
Gerry lowered his voice. "Paul, you have two hundred years of this stud's work behind you. Please don't lose it."
Paul offered his hand, Gerry shook it. "I'll do everything humanly possible Mr. LaSaille, and God willing a little bit more."
Gerry jumped down from the truck step. "ROLL OUT!"
He watched the trucks leave, with his heart in his throat. When the last of the trailers had turned out of sight he trotted back to the house. He could see the smoke from the big howitzers on the other side of the highway. The distant thudding of the artillery fire sounded dully over the hills.
The parlor was a buzz of activity. General Hearkens was directing communication with his forces. His aides and other officers shuffled in and out of the room. Gerry looked at the rifled musket over the mantle, it was the last time this manner of man had mudded the floors of his house.
The general looked up from his computer bank. "Did you get your horses out?"
"Yes. How far?"
"They are fifteen miles away."
"What are your plans?"
"If we don't hold they will over run Lexington. I plan to hold. What are your plans?"
"This is my home General. I'll be damned if any man drives me out of it."
The flashes continued over the hills long after dark. Gerry sat looking out the bedroom window with a rifle over his lap. Aleilan lay beside him.
**You want to do something.**
**Yes.**
**What would you do?**
**I don't have any intelligence on their positions.**
**You don't believe in this war.**
**No, I don't, but they are attacking my home, that makes them my problem.**
**Would you have us act?**
**Why get involved in the wars of men?**
**You are one of us, this is our home too.**
**Have everyone meet me out back by the dump.**
Gerry looked the computer screens over. The Vietnam era camo fatigues still fit. The vacuum sealing had done its job.
As he finished up the General came back in. "What the hell are you doing?"
"My friends and I are going for a walk."
"A WALK! Are you crazy man?"
"No, anything but." Gerry walked out of the room and house towards the ammo dumps. The General was right beside him."
"All I have to do is call the MPs, mister."
"I would advise against that, it would be a waste of good MPs."
"Who the Hell do you think you are?"
"Jerold Ryan LaSaille, owner of Bellicolone and veteran of more battles than you are."
"What kind of bleeping answer is that?"
"The truth."
The remaining farm hands had loaded the five Ane down with munitions from the dump. Gerry twisted a hand into Aleilan's mane and transmitted the first location to the group.
The general continued to seethe. "And you're going to attack the entire Western Alliance with a bunch of antelopes?!"
"Something like that."
<CRACK!>
Tefban looked down the hill at the camp. **So, what's the plan?**
**You lot say out of sight. Killing grunts isn't going to stop them. I plan to hit the officers.**
**So what are we doing?**
**Carrying the bombs for me.** Gerry loaded up with a good selection. **I'll be back.**
The guard looked the right size. Gerry stood up and belted him with the tree branch. The kid went down like a stuck ox. He quickly stripped him then dressed in the uniform himself. He called an Ane down to get the kid back to the farm. A quick moment of mental contact taught him what he needed to know.
Gerry trotted back up the hill twenty minutes later. Behind him the camp was coming apart at the seams. The fuel and ammo dumps rocked with explosions throwing flaming bits all over the camp. The headquarters and officer's quarters were mostly flattened and ablaze.
Gerry grabbed horn. **Next stop.**
----
Just before dawn Gerry walked back into the parlor wearing the wrong uniform and covered in mud. The General was shouting into phones as soldiers rushed around. He handed the phone off to an aide. "What the HELL have you been up to?!"
"A little native insurgency."
"A LITTLE!? The whole of the front for fifty miles is seething."
"I know a few tricks. Are they falling back."
"Yes. But..."
Gerry turned around and went back to the kitchen. The General followed him. Gerry started making some tea.
"How in Hell's name did one man cover a fifty mile front, and get in and out of those camps?"
"I have a few tricks."
"I wouldn't mind getting in on those tricks Mr. LaSaille."
"No."
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"Just that. I am not going to tell you how I did it."
"We are in a state of emergency Mr. LaSaille. I do have certain powers at my disposal."
"General, I don't give a rat's ass about you, the United States, or the Western Alliance. Those men threatened my home. They are now falling back on all fronts and a goodly percentage of their officer corp is dead. Yes, I targeted fuel, ammo, and the top brass. Before you threaten me General, I would keep that in mind."
Defense -- Garry Stahl, April, 2005
This would be during Green's War in the 2040s. Jerry was home for this one. I have discussed the situation in the Epiphany Trek Pedia. While Mr. LaSaille didn't save the Eastern US single handed, he was instrumental in turning them back at the gates of Lexington.
Yes I have used "Gerry" throughout. It was Jerry's habit to change his name through the 21st and 22nd centuries. Jerry, Gerry, and Mr. Ryan are all variations on a theme.
As to his comment about fighting more battles than the General, it is likely true. Jerry was in 'Nam for the Tet Offensive and in East Africa during the Eugenic Wars, and fought Kahn's forces and the chaos that followed that dark time. A story on that could be in the works.
Gerry ran down the line of trucks until he came to the first one. He levered himself on the step. "Paul."
The trucker rolled his window down. "Yes Sir."
"OK, get rolling and don't stop for anyone short of Virgina"
"Yes Sir."
Gerry lowered his voice. "Paul, you have two hundred years of this stud's work behind you. Please don't lose it."
Paul offered his hand, Gerry shook it. "I'll do everything humanly possible Mr. LaSaille, and God willing a little bit more."
Gerry jumped down from the truck step. "ROLL OUT!"
He watched the trucks leave, with his heart in his throat. When the last of the trailers had turned out of sight he trotted back to the house. He could see the smoke from the big howitzers on the other side of the highway. The distant thudding of the artillery fire sounded dully over the hills.
The parlor was a buzz of activity. General Hearkens was directing communication with his forces. His aides and other officers shuffled in and out of the room. Gerry looked at the rifled musket over the mantle, it was the last time this manner of man had mudded the floors of his house.
The general looked up from his computer bank. "Did you get your horses out?"
"Yes. How far?"
"They are fifteen miles away."
"What are your plans?"
"If we don't hold they will over run Lexington. I plan to hold. What are your plans?"
"This is my home General. I'll be damned if any man drives me out of it."
The flashes continued over the hills long after dark. Gerry sat looking out the bedroom window with a rifle over his lap. Aleilan lay beside him.
**You want to do something.**
**Yes.**
**What would you do?**
**I don't have any intelligence on their positions.**
**You don't believe in this war.**
**No, I don't, but they are attacking my home, that makes them my problem.**
**Would you have us act?**
**Why get involved in the wars of men?**
**You are one of us, this is our home too.**
**Have everyone meet me out back by the dump.**
Gerry looked the computer screens over. The Vietnam era camo fatigues still fit. The vacuum sealing had done its job.
As he finished up the General came back in. "What the hell are you doing?"
"My friends and I are going for a walk."
"A WALK! Are you crazy man?"
"No, anything but." Gerry walked out of the room and house towards the ammo dumps. The General was right beside him."
"All I have to do is call the MPs, mister."
"I would advise against that, it would be a waste of good MPs."
"Who the Hell do you think you are?"
"Jerold Ryan LaSaille, owner of Bellicolone and veteran of more battles than you are."
"What kind of bleeping answer is that?"
"The truth."
The remaining farm hands had loaded the five Ane down with munitions from the dump. Gerry twisted a hand into Aleilan's mane and transmitted the first location to the group.
The general continued to seethe. "And you're going to attack the entire Western Alliance with a bunch of antelopes?!"
"Something like that."
<CRACK!>
Tefban looked down the hill at the camp. **So, what's the plan?**
**You lot say out of sight. Killing grunts isn't going to stop them. I plan to hit the officers.**
**So what are we doing?**
**Carrying the bombs for me.** Gerry loaded up with a good selection. **I'll be back.**
The guard looked the right size. Gerry stood up and belted him with the tree branch. The kid went down like a stuck ox. He quickly stripped him then dressed in the uniform himself. He called an Ane down to get the kid back to the farm. A quick moment of mental contact taught him what he needed to know.
Gerry trotted back up the hill twenty minutes later. Behind him the camp was coming apart at the seams. The fuel and ammo dumps rocked with explosions throwing flaming bits all over the camp. The headquarters and officer's quarters were mostly flattened and ablaze.
Gerry grabbed horn. **Next stop.**
----
Just before dawn Gerry walked back into the parlor wearing the wrong uniform and covered in mud. The General was shouting into phones as soldiers rushed around. He handed the phone off to an aide. "What the HELL have you been up to?!"
"A little native insurgency."
"A LITTLE!? The whole of the front for fifty miles is seething."
"I know a few tricks. Are they falling back."
"Yes. But..."
Gerry turned around and went back to the kitchen. The General followed him. Gerry started making some tea.
"How in Hell's name did one man cover a fifty mile front, and get in and out of those camps?"
"I have a few tricks."
"I wouldn't mind getting in on those tricks Mr. LaSaille."
"No."
"What do you mean 'no'?"
"Just that. I am not going to tell you how I did it."
"We are in a state of emergency Mr. LaSaille. I do have certain powers at my disposal."
"General, I don't give a rat's ass about you, the United States, or the Western Alliance. Those men threatened my home. They are now falling back on all fronts and a goodly percentage of their officer corp is dead. Yes, I targeted fuel, ammo, and the top brass. Before you threaten me General, I would keep that in mind."
Defense -- Garry Stahl, April, 2005
This would be during Green's War in the 2040s. Jerry was home for this one. I have discussed the situation in the Epiphany Trek Pedia. While Mr. LaSaille didn't save the Eastern US single handed, he was instrumental in turning them back at the gates of Lexington.
Yes I have used "Gerry" throughout. It was Jerry's habit to change his name through the 21st and 22nd centuries. Jerry, Gerry, and Mr. Ryan are all variations on a theme.
As to his comment about fighting more battles than the General, it is likely true. Jerry was in 'Nam for the Tet Offensive and in East Africa during the Eugenic Wars, and fought Kahn's forces and the chaos that followed that dark time. A story on that could be in the works.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
Birthday
"Ahem, start log, January 14, 2064. "Sol is a distant light. I am further from Earth than anything man-made has ever gotten. I passed the Voyagers, passed the Rangers. I'm even further from Earth than Alpha Centauri.
"Why? Why am I out here? There are easier ways to become a hermit, but I have to question that. Earth has gotten so small in the last century, small and very uncaring. Technology has made it near impossible to hide. Am I hiding? After all, I might have the first ship out the gate. I seriously doubt I have the last, or the fastest.
"I might have simply picked the most interesting way to die, if I can die. I question that. Bullets, blades and bombs, oh God they hurt, but I always get better. I at best should be an ancient cripple. More likely I should be moldering bones. I am 116 years old today, and I am every bit as fit and strong as the day I turned 18. I have no right to be fit or even alive, but here I am.
"Professor Smythe always said; "Never argue with facts. Facts will not casually brush aside if you disagree with them". The fact is I am alive, and I am fit. I may never know why.
"Today is my birthday. No one here to celebrate except Aleilan and Elizabeth, not that I have much to celebrate. After what the bastards did to Anne, I suppose they are the only friends I have in the universe. I have nothing left but them, and this ship. No doubt all I have worked my life to preserve is gone. Destroyed by that bastard and his pet bastards. It would be like Green to take it out on my horses...."
Jerry pushed away from the computer. "Damn."
**You're troubled.** Aleilan nuzzled the back of his neck.
**Vile thoughts. I thought I was beyond being hurt, but I left Bellicolone behind, and I left part of me in it.**
**It's taken care of Jerry.**
**How do you mean, it's taken dare of?**
**You signed everything over to the Ansisi, money, farm the works. They will take care of it. I know how you feel, love. Those are my feelings too.**
**I figured they would liquidate everything and hide.**
**No. I saw to that. You love Bellicolone. And the Creator willing when you can return to Earth, it will be waiting for you to return.**
Jerry spun his chair around and hugged her neck. He worked up to her head until they were nose to nose. **That's the best Birthday gift I could get.**
**And don't forget. Just because we are way out here doesn't mean we are out of touch.**
**The All can reach out here?**
She slurped his nose. **Look around you Jerry. What do you think I spend most of my time doing?**
**I have been self absorbed, haven't I.**
**A little.**
**A lot. That ends tonight. As much good company as you two girls are, I could use some mental stretching. I am getting out into the All tonight, and maybe I'll bake that cake after all.**
Birthday -- Garry Stahl, August 2005
I've had a bit of a dry spell, not totally dry as I have been working on larger stories, including one that is expanding on the "Briefing" short. This came up tonight, so I thought I would toss it out there. The timing is obvious, during Jerry LaSaille's journey from Earth to El Nanth. It is also one of the few times I have placed a CE date in the story to allow it to be nailed down.
"Ahem, start log, January 14, 2064. "Sol is a distant light. I am further from Earth than anything man-made has ever gotten. I passed the Voyagers, passed the Rangers. I'm even further from Earth than Alpha Centauri.
"Why? Why am I out here? There are easier ways to become a hermit, but I have to question that. Earth has gotten so small in the last century, small and very uncaring. Technology has made it near impossible to hide. Am I hiding? After all, I might have the first ship out the gate. I seriously doubt I have the last, or the fastest.
"I might have simply picked the most interesting way to die, if I can die. I question that. Bullets, blades and bombs, oh God they hurt, but I always get better. I at best should be an ancient cripple. More likely I should be moldering bones. I am 116 years old today, and I am every bit as fit and strong as the day I turned 18. I have no right to be fit or even alive, but here I am.
"Professor Smythe always said; "Never argue with facts. Facts will not casually brush aside if you disagree with them". The fact is I am alive, and I am fit. I may never know why.
"Today is my birthday. No one here to celebrate except Aleilan and Elizabeth, not that I have much to celebrate. After what the bastards did to Anne, I suppose they are the only friends I have in the universe. I have nothing left but them, and this ship. No doubt all I have worked my life to preserve is gone. Destroyed by that bastard and his pet bastards. It would be like Green to take it out on my horses...."
Jerry pushed away from the computer. "Damn."
**You're troubled.** Aleilan nuzzled the back of his neck.
**Vile thoughts. I thought I was beyond being hurt, but I left Bellicolone behind, and I left part of me in it.**
**It's taken care of Jerry.**
**How do you mean, it's taken dare of?**
**You signed everything over to the Ansisi, money, farm the works. They will take care of it. I know how you feel, love. Those are my feelings too.**
**I figured they would liquidate everything and hide.**
**No. I saw to that. You love Bellicolone. And the Creator willing when you can return to Earth, it will be waiting for you to return.**
Jerry spun his chair around and hugged her neck. He worked up to her head until they were nose to nose. **That's the best Birthday gift I could get.**
**And don't forget. Just because we are way out here doesn't mean we are out of touch.**
**The All can reach out here?**
She slurped his nose. **Look around you Jerry. What do you think I spend most of my time doing?**
**I have been self absorbed, haven't I.**
**A little.**
**A lot. That ends tonight. As much good company as you two girls are, I could use some mental stretching. I am getting out into the All tonight, and maybe I'll bake that cake after all.**
Birthday -- Garry Stahl, August 2005
I've had a bit of a dry spell, not totally dry as I have been working on larger stories, including one that is expanding on the "Briefing" short. This came up tonight, so I thought I would toss it out there. The timing is obvious, during Jerry LaSaille's journey from Earth to El Nanth. It is also one of the few times I have placed a CE date in the story to allow it to be nailed down.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
Imitating Art
Lt. Madison checked her board. "Commander Taggart, the aliens are closing fast."
Taggart looked cool and collected. "Steady as she goes Lt. Laredo."
"Yes, sir, holding steady."
Dr. Lazarus looked up from his sensors. "Commander, if all goes as we expect this will be an historic first meeting."
Taggart threw a grin in his direction. "Yes, but does anything ever go as we expect?"
Jerry hit the pause button. **I don't know, it just isn't the same any more.** He got up from the pile of Ane he was sprawled among. **Five hours of Galaxy Quest is too many I think. It just doesn't thrill like it use to.**
The Ane pile shifted around a bit. Lassilan asked, **Why? You have indicated you are fan of this entertainment.**
Jerry got himself a glass of oom juice. **A show about people pretending to be in space. Here I am on a world that is not Earth, among a pile of very unhuman people, watching actors pretend to be space explorers. It's dihydrogen and antimatter, not beryllium spheres. My uplink is smaller and higher tech, than their comms. Aleilan and I have crossed 74 light years of space. Real adventure, and I was scared, not throwing quips to the crew. If I want mysterious alien artifacts I need only take the shuttle back to Builder Station. What else does one say? Fiction pales before the reality.**
Aleilan got up. **So are you giving up on Galaxy Quest?**
Jerry shook his head. **No, I'm a too dyed in the wool fan I guess. But right now I'm feeling jaded. On the bright side I am catching up on the movies I missed first run. I'm just twitchy. It's getting late. I should turn in. I have plenty to do tomorrow.**
**Would a few human faces help?** Aleilan nuzzled him under the chin.
Jerry petted her absently. **It's been what, four, five years since I've seen a human face? Do I even remember how to talk?**
**Judging by your singing earlier today, yes.**
**Where would we get human faces?**
**The Ansisi have asked to leave Earth. The post war conditions are disintegrating.**
**Damn. Even if I could get the antimatter plants working on my own, I don't know if the Savanna can make the haul. Never mind if I show my face I'm likely to get shot.**
**Jerry?**
**Yes.**
**The Express, remember?**
**Oh, yea, that long distance teleport thing. We would need to work on more than my little garden and the oom orchard.**
**Yes, that is why we would bring in a few at a time.**
**That's a relief. More than few would rapidly strain my ability to cope.**
**The more we bring, the more we have to cope. We must work quickly.**
**I don't know why you are bothering to ask me, it is your world. I have to admit I'm looking forward to seeing other Humans again.**
Imitating Art -- Garry Stahl, January, 2006
In Epiphany Trek Galaxy Quest replaces Star Trek as the gee wizz science fiction hit of the mid 20th century. For my money Galaxy Quest is a throughly enjoyable parody in which I clearly saw both my self and my friends. It also managed to be a good adventure tale on top of that.
Since Jerry is a frank self insertion character he was a pretty serious "Questy" back in the day. Of course the Savanna was packed with every form of entertainment he could lay his hands on, including his favorites.
For the true "Questy" the full run of the Galaxy Quest franchise.
Galaxy Quest (TOS) three year run The classic series.
Galaxy Quest: Reunion (motion picture) The crew of the Protector ride again.
Galaxy Quest II (TSS) (same cast but with Guy and Jane) 7 year run. Endless arguments over whether the soul of the show was lost even as it gained with new and better production values.
Galaxy Quest: the Spawn of Sarris (motion picture) The Son of Sarris returns to gain revenge for the death of his Father.
Galaxy Quest: The Legacy of Lazarus (motion picture) Dr. Lazarus was lost in the last film, or was he? The Crew of the Protector follow the clues he left behind.
Galaxy Quest: Return to Thermian (motion picture) Having retrieved the clone of Dr. Lazarus the Protector crew return to find Thermian under siege by aliens with strange powers.
Galaxy Quest: Star Station Andromeda (series with new cast) 7 years With the cast and concept getting long of tooth Hollyweird tries the same thing, but different and harder.
Galaxy Quest: The Last Outpost (motion picture) The brother of Dr. Lazarus seizes the Protector and takes them on a quixotic quest to the edge of known space.
Galaxy Quest: Beyond the Farthest Star (motion picture, original cast wrap picture) Old foes seek rapprochement when there is a disaster on their home world.
Galaxy Quest: Traveler (series with new cast) 7 years With the concept getting even longer of tooth Hollyweird tries again, but with more boobs, more explosions, and harder.
Galaxy Quest: Passage (motion picture) Aging members of the Protector crew aid the crew of the Traveler to over come a galactic madman.
Galaxy Quest: Mutiny! (motion picture) The Traveler is taken by renegade crew. Can Commander Wayjane save the day?
Protector Begins (Later Galaxy Quest: Protector) 3 years. With the Galaxy Quest franchise floundering on the rocks Hollyweird tries again with a prequel, dumber with more action and HARDER!!!
Galaxy Quest: Serpent's Tooth (motion picture) Commander Wayjane must face off against his own son turned against the Confederation.
All tongue firmly in cheek, of course.
Lt. Madison checked her board. "Commander Taggart, the aliens are closing fast."
Taggart looked cool and collected. "Steady as she goes Lt. Laredo."
"Yes, sir, holding steady."
Dr. Lazarus looked up from his sensors. "Commander, if all goes as we expect this will be an historic first meeting."
Taggart threw a grin in his direction. "Yes, but does anything ever go as we expect?"
Jerry hit the pause button. **I don't know, it just isn't the same any more.** He got up from the pile of Ane he was sprawled among. **Five hours of Galaxy Quest is too many I think. It just doesn't thrill like it use to.**
The Ane pile shifted around a bit. Lassilan asked, **Why? You have indicated you are fan of this entertainment.**
Jerry got himself a glass of oom juice. **A show about people pretending to be in space. Here I am on a world that is not Earth, among a pile of very unhuman people, watching actors pretend to be space explorers. It's dihydrogen and antimatter, not beryllium spheres. My uplink is smaller and higher tech, than their comms. Aleilan and I have crossed 74 light years of space. Real adventure, and I was scared, not throwing quips to the crew. If I want mysterious alien artifacts I need only take the shuttle back to Builder Station. What else does one say? Fiction pales before the reality.**
Aleilan got up. **So are you giving up on Galaxy Quest?**
Jerry shook his head. **No, I'm a too dyed in the wool fan I guess. But right now I'm feeling jaded. On the bright side I am catching up on the movies I missed first run. I'm just twitchy. It's getting late. I should turn in. I have plenty to do tomorrow.**
**Would a few human faces help?** Aleilan nuzzled him under the chin.
Jerry petted her absently. **It's been what, four, five years since I've seen a human face? Do I even remember how to talk?**
**Judging by your singing earlier today, yes.**
**Where would we get human faces?**
**The Ansisi have asked to leave Earth. The post war conditions are disintegrating.**
**Damn. Even if I could get the antimatter plants working on my own, I don't know if the Savanna can make the haul. Never mind if I show my face I'm likely to get shot.**
**Jerry?**
**Yes.**
**The Express, remember?**
**Oh, yea, that long distance teleport thing. We would need to work on more than my little garden and the oom orchard.**
**Yes, that is why we would bring in a few at a time.**
**That's a relief. More than few would rapidly strain my ability to cope.**
**The more we bring, the more we have to cope. We must work quickly.**
**I don't know why you are bothering to ask me, it is your world. I have to admit I'm looking forward to seeing other Humans again.**
Imitating Art -- Garry Stahl, January, 2006
In Epiphany Trek Galaxy Quest replaces Star Trek as the gee wizz science fiction hit of the mid 20th century. For my money Galaxy Quest is a throughly enjoyable parody in which I clearly saw both my self and my friends. It also managed to be a good adventure tale on top of that.
Since Jerry is a frank self insertion character he was a pretty serious "Questy" back in the day. Of course the Savanna was packed with every form of entertainment he could lay his hands on, including his favorites.
For the true "Questy" the full run of the Galaxy Quest franchise.
Galaxy Quest (TOS) three year run The classic series.
Galaxy Quest: Reunion (motion picture) The crew of the Protector ride again.
Galaxy Quest II (TSS) (same cast but with Guy and Jane) 7 year run. Endless arguments over whether the soul of the show was lost even as it gained with new and better production values.
Galaxy Quest: the Spawn of Sarris (motion picture) The Son of Sarris returns to gain revenge for the death of his Father.
Galaxy Quest: The Legacy of Lazarus (motion picture) Dr. Lazarus was lost in the last film, or was he? The Crew of the Protector follow the clues he left behind.
Galaxy Quest: Return to Thermian (motion picture) Having retrieved the clone of Dr. Lazarus the Protector crew return to find Thermian under siege by aliens with strange powers.
Galaxy Quest: Star Station Andromeda (series with new cast) 7 years With the cast and concept getting long of tooth Hollyweird tries the same thing, but different and harder.
Galaxy Quest: The Last Outpost (motion picture) The brother of Dr. Lazarus seizes the Protector and takes them on a quixotic quest to the edge of known space.
Galaxy Quest: Beyond the Farthest Star (motion picture, original cast wrap picture) Old foes seek rapprochement when there is a disaster on their home world.
Galaxy Quest: Traveler (series with new cast) 7 years With the concept getting even longer of tooth Hollyweird tries again, but with more boobs, more explosions, and harder.
Galaxy Quest: Passage (motion picture) Aging members of the Protector crew aid the crew of the Traveler to over come a galactic madman.
Galaxy Quest: Mutiny! (motion picture) The Traveler is taken by renegade crew. Can Commander Wayjane save the day?
Protector Begins (Later Galaxy Quest: Protector) 3 years. With the Galaxy Quest franchise floundering on the rocks Hollyweird tries again with a prequel, dumber with more action and HARDER!!!
Galaxy Quest: Serpent's Tooth (motion picture) Commander Wayjane must face off against his own son turned against the Confederation.
All tongue firmly in cheek, of course.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
Settlement
The wind sighed softly through the structures around them. Towers a half mile high stood dotted among lower buildings, everything glass and crystal.
Aflin M'bongalonga spoke at last. "So Jerry, what do you call this place?"
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. "I've just called it the crystal city. I only come here to loot the place for useful items."
"Why didn't you settle here?"
"In an empty city? I'm no believer in ghosts but this place is spooky. It doesn't look like a ruin. It looks like it should be full of people, but it's not. Even on my looting trips I catch myself looking behind me suddenly."
Aflin craned his neck at one of the taller towers. "But you want to settle the refugees here."
Jerry waved in the direction of one of the buildings. "Come on, I'll show you why."
The building was a midget among the giants. It was a mere two stories tall. All the unburied windows were clean. The door had been dug out of the dirt. Jerry walked down into the hole and in the door. Aflin followed him. The lights came up as they did.
Aflin looked around with big eyes. "The LIGHTS work!"
"And everything else too. The first couple of years I was here I cleaned this building up from boredom. Once I got a third of the glass clean, the lights came on. Sanitation works, there is even running water, hot and cold. We can dig the first story out, finish cleaning the glass, get some more furniture in here and we have a nice welcome center. Heck the first refugees can live here while they clean another building. There are some apartments units that are small enough to get reasonably clean. The guys that built this place were damn good engineers. It's ready made technology. Leverage for city folk that have never lived rough."
Aflin looked about. "Crystal City eh?"
"That works." Jerry wiped his finger through the dust on a table.
"What about farms?"
"That we are going to have to teach. However, those that wish to eat will learn. Come on. Lets get going."
He and Aflin walked back into the harsh sun.
"You have to wonder what this place looked like at it's height." Said Aflin.
"Ask the All, someone will have memories." Jerry punched the button to open the shuttle craft.
"Yea, I suppose they would." Aflin mounted the shuttle ramp. It's gotten pretty bad on old Earth. The people we bring here are going to see roughing it as a blessing."
"At least there is a here to rough it in. Heinlein always said that the beauty of space travel is you could get away from wars. I suppose he was righter than he would ever know."
Settlement -- Garry Stahl, May 2006
Well the refugees had to start coming in at some time. This would be some time after "Imitating Art" and before "Breakthrough" by several years.
The wind sighed softly through the structures around them. Towers a half mile high stood dotted among lower buildings, everything glass and crystal.
Aflin M'bongalonga spoke at last. "So Jerry, what do you call this place?"
Jerry shrugged his shoulders. "I've just called it the crystal city. I only come here to loot the place for useful items."
"Why didn't you settle here?"
"In an empty city? I'm no believer in ghosts but this place is spooky. It doesn't look like a ruin. It looks like it should be full of people, but it's not. Even on my looting trips I catch myself looking behind me suddenly."
Aflin craned his neck at one of the taller towers. "But you want to settle the refugees here."
Jerry waved in the direction of one of the buildings. "Come on, I'll show you why."
The building was a midget among the giants. It was a mere two stories tall. All the unburied windows were clean. The door had been dug out of the dirt. Jerry walked down into the hole and in the door. Aflin followed him. The lights came up as they did.
Aflin looked around with big eyes. "The LIGHTS work!"
"And everything else too. The first couple of years I was here I cleaned this building up from boredom. Once I got a third of the glass clean, the lights came on. Sanitation works, there is even running water, hot and cold. We can dig the first story out, finish cleaning the glass, get some more furniture in here and we have a nice welcome center. Heck the first refugees can live here while they clean another building. There are some apartments units that are small enough to get reasonably clean. The guys that built this place were damn good engineers. It's ready made technology. Leverage for city folk that have never lived rough."
Aflin looked about. "Crystal City eh?"
"That works." Jerry wiped his finger through the dust on a table.
"What about farms?"
"That we are going to have to teach. However, those that wish to eat will learn. Come on. Lets get going."
He and Aflin walked back into the harsh sun.
"You have to wonder what this place looked like at it's height." Said Aflin.
"Ask the All, someone will have memories." Jerry punched the button to open the shuttle craft.
"Yea, I suppose they would." Aflin mounted the shuttle ramp. It's gotten pretty bad on old Earth. The people we bring here are going to see roughing it as a blessing."
"At least there is a here to rough it in. Heinlein always said that the beauty of space travel is you could get away from wars. I suppose he was righter than he would ever know."
Settlement -- Garry Stahl, May 2006
Well the refugees had to start coming in at some time. This would be some time after "Imitating Art" and before "Breakthrough" by several years.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
First Day
Jerry glanced at his terminal once more on the instructions of "how to stow you kit". He continued to follow them with economic movements. Meanwhile...
"Man I can't believe it, I have been trying for two years to get this position, and here I am at Starfleet Academy, the bestest place in the whole universe, now I am finally here, it took me two years of hard work to get out of Billings, Montana, not that Billings isn't a great place to be mind you, but it is Montana, so I am use to wide open spaces, but not like the wide open space of space, yea man that is the ticket, and I finally got the ticket to here, Starfleet Academy where the spaces are wide and the science is cutting edge like so sharp you will bleed! What did you say your name was again?"
"Jerold LaSaille, Jerold Ryan LaSaille."
"Can I all you Jerry?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
My name is Simon, Simon Tullard, but I answer readily to Sam, man Jerry can you believe we are finally here this is just awesome, totally awesome, to be at The Academy, the very one and onliest Starfleet Academy. Four years of the best training in the universe right here in old San Fransisco, can't wait to get some time in town, I've never been here before, but I understand the town is wonderful, but not has good as The Academy no sir Bob it isn't, nothing could be as good as finally getting into Starfleet because that is indeed the place to be, everything that is happening is happening right here in Starfleet and now we are going to be a part of that, new worlds new civilizations, riding out in the latest and best of the ships in the Federation, out on the cutting edge peeling back the unknown, you couldn't ask for better than that, and it all starts right here at Starfleet Academy...."
Jerry folded the last uniform, and closed his locker. It was going to be a long four years.
First Day -- Garry Stahl, August 2005
As we see Jerry LaSaille as a Captain in the 2260s it follows that at some point he had to start at Starfleet Academy. "Diversified" room assignments have their pitfalls.
Jerry glanced at his terminal once more on the instructions of "how to stow you kit". He continued to follow them with economic movements. Meanwhile...
"Man I can't believe it, I have been trying for two years to get this position, and here I am at Starfleet Academy, the bestest place in the whole universe, now I am finally here, it took me two years of hard work to get out of Billings, Montana, not that Billings isn't a great place to be mind you, but it is Montana, so I am use to wide open spaces, but not like the wide open space of space, yea man that is the ticket, and I finally got the ticket to here, Starfleet Academy where the spaces are wide and the science is cutting edge like so sharp you will bleed! What did you say your name was again?"
"Jerold LaSaille, Jerold Ryan LaSaille."
"Can I all you Jerry?"
"Doesn't matter to me."
My name is Simon, Simon Tullard, but I answer readily to Sam, man Jerry can you believe we are finally here this is just awesome, totally awesome, to be at The Academy, the very one and onliest Starfleet Academy. Four years of the best training in the universe right here in old San Fransisco, can't wait to get some time in town, I've never been here before, but I understand the town is wonderful, but not has good as The Academy no sir Bob it isn't, nothing could be as good as finally getting into Starfleet because that is indeed the place to be, everything that is happening is happening right here in Starfleet and now we are going to be a part of that, new worlds new civilizations, riding out in the latest and best of the ships in the Federation, out on the cutting edge peeling back the unknown, you couldn't ask for better than that, and it all starts right here at Starfleet Academy...."
Jerry folded the last uniform, and closed his locker. It was going to be a long four years.
First Day -- Garry Stahl, August 2005
As we see Jerry LaSaille as a Captain in the 2260s it follows that at some point he had to start at Starfleet Academy. "Diversified" room assignments have their pitfalls.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
I'm not posting the long ones here. BB code is a bitch and I have to reformat everything.
-- The Innkeeper
Re: LaSaille Shorts
The Center Seat
The space between the stars. A spacer spreads a lot of time out here. The space between here and there, wherever here and there might be. Boring holes in the subspace barrier between the real and unreal. Cheating Einstein.
It was another one of those endless nights. This one more endless than most. Damn, I miss the touch of Aleilan. Yes dear I know you are always there. But Humans like Ane are creatures of touch. And I long for your touch. Even your rubbery cold nose.
I looked out the window of the lounge. The tea in my hands had long grown cold. Damn this night was long, lonely and frankly desperate. It was ten hours since we quit that place of dying, and I haven't stopped shaking. The only problem is I'm not allowed to shake. I'm the Skipper now. I have too many crew injured, and far too many dead, including Capitan Marshall. With the Commander missing a leg and pumped full of drugs that leaves me the man in the Center Seat.
Dammit Joe, you leave a big set of boots to fill. Everyone is looking at me like I have answers. Joe, how many times did you find yourself in exactly this spot? We are all looking at you waiting for the commands we expect will pull our collective rears out of the fire yet again. Joe Marshal, you were damn good at it. Even this old man geeked for it. I'm going to miss you something terrible. One more grave along my road.
I can feel the shimmy in the ship that says that all is not well. Anyone that has been on this ship more than month knows it too. I'm the Skipper, I must if necessary hold her together with my thews of iron. Like Atlas holding up the sky. Pity I left them back home.
I'm suppose to be Mr Experience. The guy that has seen that and done everything. I have never done this before. They are right. The Center Seat is different. A ship, her crew, the power in your hands is humbling. the lives in your hands is scary. Only the Republic is not well. Save for one turbolift the strong back is inaccessible. A maze of welded plates, force fields, and screw braces. I wonder how many of the crew are aware how close she is to breaking in two? Too many I think. Starfleet people are aware, it is what they do. I wonder how many are as scared as I am? A goodly number there as well I'm willing to bet.
Every minute takes us closer to Starbase 24. That sick little shimmy is starting to develop a pattern. That can't be good. I better get down to engineering and see if Andy has any tricks left in his bag. I don't think any of us are going to sleep between now and Starbase 24.
I don't know how much longer we can hold her together. We did it one more time, a spit wad here a bit of wire there and prayers to the gods of space. We'd toss in a chicken sacrifice if we had one. Tune the warp drive with a hammer. The intermix channel is wrapped in carbon epoxy. Engineering by the seat of the pants. So much for the complaint that no one does any "real" engineering anymore. The whole surviving engineering crew looks scared. They know we are out of tricks. The boys in the black gang deserve medals everyone one of them. This ship is still sailing. That's a miracle by any standard.
The door to my cabin slid open and the lights came up as I entered. Expected, what I didn't expect was Lt. Serra nude on my bed. Fetching to be sure, but this was unexpected. Yea, I stood a moment and looked at her. What was it about fighting and surviving close scrapes that makes you randy as all hell? The sight of a young and lovely woman nude on my bed was not helping the issue. The light was starting to wake her up. I gently touched her shoulder as I sat beside her. "Mai I take it you have a reason for this?"
She sat up and wrapped her arms around me. "I...I'm scared...and I figured you would need someone too."
Damn, I'm not stronger than other men. "You know I really shouldn't. I think they call it taking advantage of rank."
"I'm offering. You seem so alone here. So unapproachable. We thought you were dead, twice. I found that hurt a lot. I would have never been able to say what I feel."
"What do you feel Mai?"
"You...I don't know, I hesitate to say love. I like you very much. You're the kind of man I find hard to resist. Right here right now I don't want to resist."
"I'm a difficult man to keep Mia. Starfleet rips people apart all the time."
"Then give me a night. I'll give you one." She looked at me shyly. "I can tell you want one. Hold me so we know that it's not in vain. What will come will come. I want someone to hold tonight. I didn't figure you for a man of stone, you might want someone to hold too."
"No, I'm not a man of stone." I got up and started striping. "Lock door." I am not stronger than other men.
The Center Seat -- Garry Stahl, December 2010
A bit that fails into the tail end of To the Valiant. It started with the first sentence. I wrote what came on the screen after that.
The space between the stars. A spacer spreads a lot of time out here. The space between here and there, wherever here and there might be. Boring holes in the subspace barrier between the real and unreal. Cheating Einstein.
It was another one of those endless nights. This one more endless than most. Damn, I miss the touch of Aleilan. Yes dear I know you are always there. But Humans like Ane are creatures of touch. And I long for your touch. Even your rubbery cold nose.
I looked out the window of the lounge. The tea in my hands had long grown cold. Damn this night was long, lonely and frankly desperate. It was ten hours since we quit that place of dying, and I haven't stopped shaking. The only problem is I'm not allowed to shake. I'm the Skipper now. I have too many crew injured, and far too many dead, including Capitan Marshall. With the Commander missing a leg and pumped full of drugs that leaves me the man in the Center Seat.
Dammit Joe, you leave a big set of boots to fill. Everyone is looking at me like I have answers. Joe, how many times did you find yourself in exactly this spot? We are all looking at you waiting for the commands we expect will pull our collective rears out of the fire yet again. Joe Marshal, you were damn good at it. Even this old man geeked for it. I'm going to miss you something terrible. One more grave along my road.
I can feel the shimmy in the ship that says that all is not well. Anyone that has been on this ship more than month knows it too. I'm the Skipper, I must if necessary hold her together with my thews of iron. Like Atlas holding up the sky. Pity I left them back home.
I'm suppose to be Mr Experience. The guy that has seen that and done everything. I have never done this before. They are right. The Center Seat is different. A ship, her crew, the power in your hands is humbling. the lives in your hands is scary. Only the Republic is not well. Save for one turbolift the strong back is inaccessible. A maze of welded plates, force fields, and screw braces. I wonder how many of the crew are aware how close she is to breaking in two? Too many I think. Starfleet people are aware, it is what they do. I wonder how many are as scared as I am? A goodly number there as well I'm willing to bet.
Every minute takes us closer to Starbase 24. That sick little shimmy is starting to develop a pattern. That can't be good. I better get down to engineering and see if Andy has any tricks left in his bag. I don't think any of us are going to sleep between now and Starbase 24.
I don't know how much longer we can hold her together. We did it one more time, a spit wad here a bit of wire there and prayers to the gods of space. We'd toss in a chicken sacrifice if we had one. Tune the warp drive with a hammer. The intermix channel is wrapped in carbon epoxy. Engineering by the seat of the pants. So much for the complaint that no one does any "real" engineering anymore. The whole surviving engineering crew looks scared. They know we are out of tricks. The boys in the black gang deserve medals everyone one of them. This ship is still sailing. That's a miracle by any standard.
The door to my cabin slid open and the lights came up as I entered. Expected, what I didn't expect was Lt. Serra nude on my bed. Fetching to be sure, but this was unexpected. Yea, I stood a moment and looked at her. What was it about fighting and surviving close scrapes that makes you randy as all hell? The sight of a young and lovely woman nude on my bed was not helping the issue. The light was starting to wake her up. I gently touched her shoulder as I sat beside her. "Mai I take it you have a reason for this?"
She sat up and wrapped her arms around me. "I...I'm scared...and I figured you would need someone too."
Damn, I'm not stronger than other men. "You know I really shouldn't. I think they call it taking advantage of rank."
"I'm offering. You seem so alone here. So unapproachable. We thought you were dead, twice. I found that hurt a lot. I would have never been able to say what I feel."
"What do you feel Mai?"
"You...I don't know, I hesitate to say love. I like you very much. You're the kind of man I find hard to resist. Right here right now I don't want to resist."
"I'm a difficult man to keep Mia. Starfleet rips people apart all the time."
"Then give me a night. I'll give you one." She looked at me shyly. "I can tell you want one. Hold me so we know that it's not in vain. What will come will come. I want someone to hold tonight. I didn't figure you for a man of stone, you might want someone to hold too."
"No, I'm not a man of stone." I got up and started striping. "Lock door." I am not stronger than other men.
The Center Seat -- Garry Stahl, December 2010
A bit that fails into the tail end of To the Valiant. It started with the first sentence. I wrote what came on the screen after that.
-- The Innkeeper