Tom
ooo
It's an unseasonably mild Saturday in November, which is good since we're taking our family image outside today.
As Kate predicted, Miral wants to bring the cat along and isn't happy when we tell her no. To head off an argument, Kate comes up with a compromise: Miri can have her image taken with Molly and Tiger at the house.
"It can be our alternate Christmas card," she says.
I'm not sure Miri understands the word "alternate," but she likes the idea of the image. So, peace reigns as we meet the photographer at the pier. He's picked out a nice spot; A picnic table situated to give us a nice backdrop of the river, with New Jersey off in the distance. There's not much of a breeze, which eases Kate's worries about fussing with hair.
It's over quickly: He takes a few shots and gives us a look at the images, with an agreement that he'll send proofs to make a final choice. We like what we see; he agrees to shoot Miri's image at the house, and we're out of there in less than an hour.
"I like the idea of an alternate card," I tell Kate as we walk home. "I was thinking John and Liz." John Torres certainly knows that Kate and I are together, but there's no need to, oh, rub it in.
"I was thinking Icheb since most new ensigns don't get personal Christmas greetings from admirals," she says. "But it turns out there's no need."
"Oh? What's going on? I know you said he's starting grad school after the break, but …?"
"He's staying with the Wildmans right now. Sam said he had to move out of the dorm after graduation, but there was some mix-up in his housing assignment; he can't get in until after Christmas." She shrugs. "Maybe we should just send the card to Sam's house. I'm sure Naomi would enjoy seeing it."
ooo
After lunch, we decide to go ice skating and drop by the pottery shop to ask if T'mel can join us. Her folks, amused that a Vulcan child would enjoy ice skating, give their permission. Though they do insist that she dress warmly.
It was a nice afternoon. Took Kate and I both a few minutes to find our "ice legs," but the girls took to skating like a couple of pros. We topped it off with a stop at the coffee shop for hot drinks.
Later, after Miral is asleep, I slip into the holodeck to clean up some work. When I come out, Kate's in the family room. The lights are off, and she's silhouetted against the windows, just looking out at the water.
"Give up on your book?" I ask as I slip my arms around her. "Sort of," she says as she relaxes against me. "Just thinking."
I suspect she's thinking about her security issue. "Are you and your staff at risk with this security problem?" I begin, then follow with the question that most bothers me. "Do we have to worry about Miral … your mom, and Phee?"
She turns to face me. "No need to worry any more than usual," she says lightly.
"But why do I have the feeling that you won't sleep much again tonight?"
"Right now, that comes with the job," she says, as she gently runs a fingertip along my jaw. "Perhaps I could use a little distraction."
I know she's trying to avoid the subject, and as frustrating as it is, I understand why. On the other hand, we both could enjoy a little distraction. "Hmm," I tease as I pull her close and gently kiss her neck, making sure to lavish attention on that sensitive spot behind her ear.
She gasps a little and pushes against me. "I do like where you're going with that."
"No reason to stop, then?" I tease some more.
"Absolutely not," she murmurs before I capture her mouth …
ooo
Kathryn
ooo
Disinfecting the network has taken longer than expected; apparently, the Romulan virus left a few traces. Meanwhile, I spend part of my days fending off calls from the impatient brass in San Francisco.
The message is always the same: We're running at half speed as the network comes back up in sections. And we can't run the Romulan data until we integrate the data that's stacked up from recent Vulcan and Andorian patrols. To top it off, there are reports of Klingon-Romulan skirmishes in the Neutral Zone, so we may have additional data very soon.
Fortunately, we now have a priory listing with Personnel, meaning that we can get help in a hurry. Most of the staff from our last-go round was available, including Captain Simnashi, to my relief. I was very impressed by Nori's insights on the last analysis. If I had a spot that she wasn't overqualified for, I'd offer it to her.
Unfortunately, Harry isn't with us. He called from the Amphion the other day to report that he was en route to the Hobus Sector. Seems he's taken a two-year mission to map nebula in the area.
"They needed someone last-minute … Captain Argus said he wanted a lieutenant commander, but he really likes my experience. So maybe I'll get a promotion out of it."
After the third apology for not taking the job in my project, I put up my hands. "Harry, stop! No need to apologize. I understand wanting to be out there. And if you get a promotion, even better."
After he ended the call, Tom looked over at me. "A little avoidance tactic there?"
"Just a little. Maybe he really doesn't want to spend the holidays with his family?" I joked.
He chuckled, then gave me a serious look "Ever miss it?"
"The Hobus Sector?" I teased.
"Oh, hell no," he groaned "Do you miss being out there … discovering …?"
"I didn't for a while, but recently … Rather masochistic of me, all things considered, but yes, I miss it. You?"
He nodded. "I know I need to be here now. But yeah, I miss it. Maybe someday."
The words fell out of my mouth. "No maybe," I said as I took his hand. "We will."
ooo
Finally, we get to the Romulan data. I suspect everyone in the building is holding their breath as we run the comparisons. But it all runs without a hitch or a stray bit of virus.
My fellow admirals are still impatient, but I tell Scott and Reseil to take their time on the analysis. We may not get another shot at such detailed information.
ooo
"Well, I'll be damned," I say when they present the results.
"According to the scans, we may have misinterpreted the emissions in this area. They aren't as intense as we thought," Reseil says as she points to the sun's lower quadrant. "So it pushes the timeline back about three to six months."
"I know some folks who won't object," I say as I look over the scan. "Hmm … what's that?" I point to a bright object that seems to be headed toward the sun.
"Best guess is a probe," Nori says. "We saw a few of those in Lumina's scans. It doesn't surprise me; there's a lot of traffic out there. It would be nice if we could get scans from that position."
"It would, wouldn't it?" I ask offhandedly.
ooo
The news brings a few sighs of relief from the brass. "Early '87 to 89," Picard muses. "That gives us some breathing room, Admiral. Thank you."
I just nod. From what I hear, the evacuation plan isn't going well. I suppose six months' grace is a welcome gift, indeed.
"I take it we still don't know why we were graced with this data?" I ask Admiral Fujisaki, who shakes his head.
Well, I guess no news is good news … as long as the Romulans stay the hell away from my project.