Chapter 3: Decisions, decisions
Alexander was back on the ship roaming around to pass the time. He glumly roams into 10 forward and is observed and eventually stopped by Commander Riker.
"Alexander. You're not done with your trip are you?"
:Alexander: "No, I'm just taking a break."
"Good." Riker replied, "There's no place quite like Risa. I'll never forget my first night here."
Alexander's mood began to change and he increasingly became interested.
"What was it like?" he asked.
:Riker: "Well... you don't want to know."
:Alexander: "Was it a school trip?"
Riker began to reminisce.
"Not exactly. You see, I met this pilot on my first research mission. She said she knew this great spot on Risa where the breeze was just right. She just wanted to me to get there. So, I finished my project faster, and we headed down to Risa with the extra time." Riker began to get lost and dreamy in his memories, and then continued. "Man, she was right. That was a good spot for us."
Being lost in his thoughts, Riker sipped his drink and then continued, "When you find someone you like, you make sure you two go down there alone. Don't let an opportunity like that pass you by. She'll thank you for it."
"Thanks commander." Alexander replied, ending the conversation. As he was about to turn away, he felt a new resolve about him. He then asked Riker "...Where exactly is that spot Commander"
Riker looked right into Alexander's eyes, replying "You'll know it when you see it"
Later that night, Alexander was in his room. He was anxiously waiting to see if Tari would give him a call, saying that she was done helping her friend. He also thought about what Riker said about not letting Risa pass him by. He began to rehearse what he would say in order to get her alone just for one more night He paced the floor for several minutes and finally came up with the perfect thing to say.
He was certain she would agree to join him, so he then began looking in his closet for what to wear for their return trip to the surface. Suddenly his communications badge went off.
"Hey Alex"
"Tari!" Alexander exclaimed. "Hey! I was just about to call you"
:Tari: "Oh really? Do you know where I am"
:Alexander: "You're with your friend right"
:Tari: "Nope"
:Alexander: "You're in your quarters?"
:Tari: "wrong again. Just listen."
Alexander listened and then began hearing birds breeze and waves in the background.
:Tari: "Sounds familiar?"
:Alexander: "You're on Risa?"
:Tari: "Haha You should find out. See you later, warrior."
The communication ended. Alex dashed on some cologne, brushed his hair, and raced to the transporter room.