Via Pacifica: Pavonian Sector
A.N.S. Odyssey, 22:37 hours

It had been nearly a week since the coalition forces had liberated the planet of Laguna. With the weapon facilities there once more in the hands of the Star League, they continued their push and continued to drive back the weakened line of the Imperial forces. For the crew of the Odyssey, they were enjoying a brief respite back at Starbase Elysium and savoring the relative peace and quiet of being away from the battle line. On that particular evening, Qua'lia walked the corridors of the ship doing a routine security patrol. The risk of coming into any real danger while docked at this allied base was almost non-existent. The only annoyances that Odyssey security officers had to worry about here on the night watch were dealing with drunk crewmen stumbling in from shore-leave, or said crewmen making out in the hallways.

Qua'lia hummed a quiet tune to herself as she ambled down the hall, enjoying the peace and quiet from the nearly empty corridors of the ship. She knew several of her other Ranger friends were going to be finishing up an evening playing poker on Skyler's ship and Qua'lia couldn't help but wonder if she'd come across any of her crewmates wearing nothing but their morphers and their skivvies. Knowing Skyler, Qua'lia wouldn't put it past the smuggler to try and get everyone drunk, suggest strip poker, and then cheat to win.

The Pink Ranger headed back and began to finish the last route on her evening patrol when she heard a noise coming from one of the empty lounge rooms for the general crew. As she neared, she heard that it sounded like a male with a deep voice singing a song to himself in a muted muttering way. She didn't recognize the language or the melody but was surprised by what she found when she entered the lounge. Standing by the large wide viewports was Lt. Athorntif Julut with a hovering canvas and a paintbrush in his hand. The Caltarian warrior stood mumbling a song to himself in his native tongue while seemingly absorbed in his work. Granted, it was a bit of a surprise seeing the normally bellicose security officer tamely wielding a paintbrush instead of a heavy plasma rifle.

She approached carefully and cleared her throat, "Thor? What are you still doing here so late?"

Thor jumped and turned toward the Pink Ranger gripping his paintbrush like a weapon before breathing a sigh of relief, "Qua'lia… don't sneak up on me like that! You startled me!"

She put her hands on her hips and raised an eyebrow as she teased gently, "I startled you? Some security officer you are."

Thor grumbled and rolled his eyes, "Sorry. I guess I just lost track of time tonight."

She ambled over and peered at his work, "I didn't know you painted. What are you working on?"

Thor stepped aside and let her view the art he was making. By her estimation, the art was a little on the abstract side with swirling flares of reds, yellows, oranges, and wisps of black. It was strange, but also beautiful in a way that the shapes flowered out. Thor crossed his arms, "The art of war… or at least an impression of it."

"Art of war? I don't understand," Qua'lia said furrowing her brow as she studied the chaotic bloom of colors.

"Caltarian custom encourages us to paint pictures of battles we've fought and to use it as a record of our deeds and impressions."

"This sort of looks like a cloud of fire," Qua'lia noted and Thor nodded proudly.

"Yes. I've always found a certain natural beauty that comes from fiery explosions."

He paused and saw her give a perplexed look so he continued to explain, "I came from a warrior race, Qua'lia. Our people value things like courage, loyalty, passion, and ferocity. We try to reflect that in everything we do… or we did anyway."

He paused and a dark frown crossed his features, "Before Caltaria Prime joined the GSA, we had begun to change our culture after a devastating clan war ravaged the planet."

"But your people became more civilized," Qua'lia pointed out, "You all stopped killing each other. Isn't that a good thing?"

Thor shrugged, "Maybe… but in doing so, we began to lose a sense of who we were in other ways… about how proud and strong we were. I suppose I was always one of those who clung to the old ways growing up."

"Which is why you joined the GSA?" Qua'lia guessed, "To be a warrior and to fight?"

Thor nodded, "The only thing greater than testing yourself and overcoming a stronger opponent is to die a glorious death in battle."

Qua'lia stared at him incredulously, "I'm shocked your people truly glorify the destruction of enemies and suicidal disregard for yourselves in battle. Don't you find that horrifying?"

"You don't understand," Thor said to his fellow alien crewmate as he gestured to the picture, "There is a pride in facing dangers and uncertainties without showing fear. There is pride in not being afraid to fight for your people, to defend them, and if need be die while showing the same dignity."

Qua'lia frowned, "I came from a desert world that had been ravaged by past wars... but I don't find anything glorious about it. Where I came from, the important thing was to simply survive. That's why I took the first chance I could to leave and make something of myself."

"You don't think that might be a little selfish?" Thor questioned, causing Qua'lia to glare at him in mild annoyance from the accusation.

"No more than you wanting to be immortalized with a glorious death. There are other things worth living for, you know."

Thor scratched his head, "Now I'm the one who's not quite understanding."

"I wouldn't expect you to," Qua'lia sighed as she turned to leave the lounge, "Good night Thor."

Once she had departed, Thor shook his head to himself and went back to painting... though with a little less music this time.

The next morning, Captain Dominic Raines gave a contented sigh as he reclined on a deck chair overlooking the white sandy beach. He had packed away his normal duty uniform and was now dressed down to some navy blue swim trunks and a white linen beach shirt. At his First Officer's insistence, he had decided to take a few days off and head down from the starbase to the planet of Pavonis below. Naturally, Dr. Amira Farbanti had come along to spend a few quiet days on her homeworld and Raines didn't mind spending a little more time with her either. She had volunteered to show him around and acedt as a tour guide before they wound up on a beachfront resort just outside the capital city. The planet had a tropical climate with lots of oceans and a few lush jungle continents but the biggest tourist draw and the native's pride were their pristine beaches.

As Raines sat reading a book, he took a moment to enjoy the peace along with the sunlight, the warm balmy air, and the gentle pounding of the surf nearby. At one end of the resort by the pool, he could hear some faint pleasant music being played by a few local performers. Though he wasn't familiar with the instruments, the sounds reminded him of something similar to an Indian tabla drum and a sitar. He flipped a page and stopped when he saw a feminine shadow from behind. He glanced over and saw Dr. Amira Farbanti sit down beside him on one of the resort's deck chairs. She wore her hair loose along with an equally loose turquoise coverup. The light diaphanous fabric of the tunic gave some hints of the swimsuit she was wearing underneath but Raines politely averted his gaze and gave a dignified nod, "Amira. Good morning."

"Good morning to you too Dominic," she said calmly looking out toward the blue green ocean with her usual serene demeanor, "I didn't think you'd be up so early. I came to find you but your room was empty."

"I just thought I'd get a little light reading in," he said gesturing to his book, "And the weather was so nice... I couldn't help it."

"You've been enjoying the visit to my planet?" she asked.

Raines chuckled and put down the book, "Very much. To be honest, I can't imagine why any Pavonian would want to leave all this."

Amira nodded and gave a small smile, "It's strange isn't it? Strange to imagine that there's still a war going on out there and yet everything here is just so... normal."

"And I intend to keep it that way... for every other peaceful planet in the Via Pacifica too," Raines added.

Amira gave him a grateful nod and looked to the ocean, "Dominic, if the war with the U'shan were to end tomorrow, you haven't given any thought to what you would do afterward, have you?"

He shrugged, "I guess not. Probably return to Alliance space and carry on my duties as an official starship captain. I mean... up to this point, I've completely dedicated myself to my career, to the GSA, and to my crew."

"And they're all very fortunate because of it," Amira complimented him with a wistful smile echoing his words, "Having been part of the crew for a little while I can't imagine why any sailor would want to leave their service to the Odyssey."

Raines picked up on the tone of her voice and offered quietly, "Of course... if you'd like, maybe you could stay on the crew for a while. I could return the gesture by taking you on a visit to my homeworld."

"A chance to visit Terra and see the capital of the great Alliance?"

Raines offered a small grin, "You could learn quite a bit from all the cultures and technology there. That's the kind of thing you really enjoy, right?"

"Yes," she admitted as she took his hand and coaxed him to his feet, "But right now I think I'd enjoy going for a swim and a quiet brunch afterward. Would you care to join me?"

"I'd like that," he nodded as they both paused a moment to share a smile while the sounds of the waves called to them. As a warm gentle breeze washed by, Raines stepped forward and reached out to brush aside a strand of Amira's long dark hair. She tugged his other hand to urge him closer while tilting her head slightly upward. He took her by the waist and began to lean forward but just as he was about to kiss her, they both heard the small portable wrist mounted comm device go off. Amira cleared her throat and turned away, adjusting her garments to cover up again while Dominic gave a frustrated sigh and tried to answer his comm with a level tone, "This is Raines."

Hawa replied in a very apologetic voice as she stood on the bridge, "Captain? I'm really sorry to disturb your shore leave, but we just got new battle orders from Alliance command. It was addressed to you and marked urgent. I thought you should be notified."

"Thank you Commander. I'll see to it. Please have Tiah stand by for transport. We'll report to the ship as soon as possible."

"Aye aye, sir. Odyssey out," Hawa answered ending the transmission.

Raines sighed in disappointment and looked to Amira apologetically, "I'm sorry Amira. It was nice while it lasted, but it seems duty calls. I just wish High Command had better timing."

She offered an understanding nod and smiled, "Another time perhaps... but it was nice while it lasted. Best we head back to the ship."

Meanwhile across the reaches of space, Commander Nessus headed to his quarters of the U'shan transport vessel that was carrying him and a company of Dragoon troops to their next combat zone. The cyborg closed his door of his spartan room and activated the communication device set up for officers there. It projected a holographic image of Xerxes who stood in place, regarding him calmly. "Lord Xerxes. You called for me?"

"Yes Nessus. I understand you will be reaching your next assignment very soon?" the Exarch asked.

"We should be arriving in the star system within a matter of hours," Nessus answered, "Beyond that, I'm awaiting your orders."

Xerxes's expression darkened, "Good. I will need you and your troops to deploy on the planet of Cydonia and help reinforce the assault that's taking place there."

Nessus tilted his head curiously, "You're launching a counteroffensive? In our current position?"

"Yes Commander. The Star League may have succeeded in driving us back near our borders, but their line has grown thin from such a rapid advance," Xerxes explained, "Our goal will be strike and unbalance their frontline to throw them into disarray."

"What makes you certain the Star League will take the bait?"

The Exarch graced him with a sinister smile, "We'll exploit their compassion. The planet of Cydonia is not as strategically significant to them, but has a large civilian population there. I'm expecting that the League will scramble to evacuate them."

"You believe they'd cede the planet to save the people?"

Xerxes laughed, "I'm counting on it Commander. We may have been overwhelmed at Laguna, but this action will give us one very important thing. Time."

On his end of the communicator, Xerxes looked out the window to the nearly completed Typhon Cannon, "It won't be long before the cannon is ready and we can draw the very heart of the Star League here to be slaughtered."

Nessus nodded, "Let the enemy believe they are winning. And what of Kharon? I heard he interfered with us at Laguna. What if he tries to meddle here?"

Xexes folded his hands behind his back and ended the transmission, "You have your own score to settle with him. That, I shall leave to you."

Later that day, the Odyssey Rangers gathered in the senior officers' conference room adjacent to the bridge. When they arrived, they found Captain Raines waiting at the head of the table looking over some dataslates. He was back in uniform looking polished and prepared once more for action. He looked up from his work and acknowledged the team as they all saluted and took seats at the table. Aaron sat down and studied his commander for a moment, "Welcome back Captain. I hope everything went well on your shore leave."

"You look like you got a little sun too," Sage added cheerfully while noting his tan, "That's good!"

"Thank you Ensign," Raines sighed patiently, "Shore leave was fine... though a little shorter than I would have preferred."

"I'm guessing that's why we were all called here?" Qua'lia asked curiously as she sat up straight and alert.

Raines nodded and pulled up a display showing a new planet. It was orange and red in color and looked to have a very rocky terrain. "This is the mining planet of Cydonia, located just at the edge of the frontline. As of yesterday, the U'shan Empire had struck and besieged the world in a surprise attack."

"What? Why would they do that?" Keith asked in surprise while looking at the map, "They're on the defensive right now."

Geordi paused and the Blue Ranger studied the map before speaking up, "Sure, but look at that bulge in the front lines. Our allies are stretched thin and look to be out of position."

"You're right Ensign Corrina," Raines remarked while pensively crossing his arms, "Either the the Imperials are trying to break the line or they are running some kind of misdirection plan. Whatever that is, we can't be sure yet."

Rin pounded her fist, "All right... so do we just go in and kick some ass now?"

"I'm afraid it won't be that simple Crewman Niall," Raines said, "Our objective will be to delay the enemy and to help evacuate the civilian populace still remaining on the planet. Our focus will be on escaping with as many people as we can carry on the Odyssey, the Albion, and the Acropolis."

"So we may wind up giving them the planet in the end?" Keith asked.

"The Star League is battling the Empire on other fronts and can't spare any more ships. Our orders from the admirals of the Alliance is prioritizing the safety of the civilians first. Is that understood?"

Everyone nodded causing Raines to turn off the display, "Good. We'll make ready to jump to Cydonia at best possible speed. Until then, I want you all ready and prepared for further instructions. Let's get back to work."