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It was exactly 10 days after shore leave had begun and the crew of the Cerritos was having a ball. Captain Freeman was in a cabin in the woods enjoying a quite cup of coffee in a forest sitting on the porch of an old fashioned (early 2010s) cabin in the woods. She had just gotten of her padd with Mariner and the two were sharing some of their stories of encounters with the local wildlife. Captain Freeman was getting another transmission but this one was from Jack Ransom and he was calling from a beach. Captain Freeman was telling Ransom about some of the quality time she was spending with Mariner and some of the solo adventures she had in the wilderness. Ransom replied, "Wow usual you and Mariner are always at odds or you're throwing her in the brig. Now you two are drinking together and she's introducing you to her new girlfriend. She never did that with Jen." Captain Freeman asked what he meant with him explaining he heard from Boimler about Mariner and Jen dating then breaking up but forgot to tell the captain. Captain Freeman replied, "I can't believe it. Mariner may be an occasional liar but she didn't trash talk the ship though I suppose I'm as guilty. But no way in hell someone is gonna dump my daughter without momma bear ripping her a new one. Put Jen on holodeck cleanup duty for the next year when we get back. So how are T'Ana and Shaxx doing?" Ransom was a bit scared but calmed down and explained that Shaxx and T'Ana were at a couple's resort on Vacanza Beta and enjoying some much-needed relaxing time.
On a snowy mountain on Vacanza Beta in a log cabin Rutherford was enjoying a nap in a comfy recliner with Barnes curled up beside him like a cat. As Rutherford was enjoying his nap, he was awoken by the alert from his padd and as he answered he was overjoyed by the sight of the overly cheery and chipper Orion best friend, Tendi. Tendi let out an excited squeal as she greeted Rutherford and also awakened Barnes who was also happy by the sight of Tendi. Tendi greeted Rutherford, "Rutherford it's so great to see you again. Wait why is Barnes with you? Oh, it doesn't matter I have great news, I'm coming back to the Cerritos thanks to an amazing discovery." Rutherford guessed, "Wait did you discover this crazy crystal that could be a new fuel source that could be an alternative to dilithium crystals? Then you showed this to your sister and you bargained for your return to the Cerritos for this discovery." Tendi excitedly replied yes with Barnes commenting that those must be very close friends if Rutherford could guess that exactly. Sishki then surprisingly hugged Tendi from behind and introduced herself and said that it was an honor to meet the legendary Rutherford and guessed that Barnes was his girlfriend. After some awkward stammering Barnes explained that she and Rutherford had begun dating during the shore leave. Tendi explained that she also started dating Sishki while she was working for her sister. The two couples then began sharing details about they first got together as Tendi shared news about her discovery.
After Tendi finished her call with Rutherford she then called T'Lyn to tell her about discovery but she was about to make another discovery. Tendi called T'Lyn on her padd and was surprised to see Boimler with her and, they were dressed in vacation shirts (highly unusual behavior by Vulcan standards). After Tendi explained her discovery, she asked T'Lyn what she has been up to since they separated. T'Lyn explained, "Well after the incident with Nick Locarno the Cerritos was given two weeks of shore leave on Vacanza Beta. I believe it was a reward for stopping the rogue Mr. Locarno and his rather convoluted independent fleet. I have been studying the various marine life of this planet which is mainly flora and fauna from other planets. However, it is a rather fascinating study to see animal and plant life from other worlds interact. Bradward has also been a rather capable partner in my study of these lifeforms and I have grown to enjoy his company. He also introduced me to some rather intriguing cinema from earth and his tales of his adventures are rather fascinating." Tendi then introduced Sishki as her new girlfriend to T'Lyn and Boimler. Boimler replied, "Wow Tendi, you've only been gone like a few weeks and you found a new fuel source. Plus, you got a new girlfriend and were able to talk your way back to the Cerritos maybe that whole Mistress of the Winter Constellations wasn't just hype about your badass syndicate skills on Orion." Sishki then followed with, "I have to admit a Vulcan friends with a human seems kinda wild though I haven't met a Vulcan before. I have to admit T'Lyn you do see kinda cool like Tendi said." T'Lyn replied, "Thank you D'Vana for your compliment. While I admit I was hesitant of this shore leave I am beginning to understand the appeal especially given some of the independent studies me and Bradward have conducted." Tendi was thinking in the back of her mind as T'Lyn and Boimler explained their findings, "Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Are T'Lyn and Boimler hooking up? Oh man imagine the double dates." As the two finished talking about the findings Tendi explained that she needed to call Mariner and give her the good news.
As Mariner was napping with her new girlfriend in her arms, she was slightly awoken by her padd and when she heard Tendi's excited shriek she was fully awake. Tendi explained how she would be returning to the Cerritos and the discovery she made. Mariner excitedly replied, "Yeah Tendi. I knew you would find some way to come back I mean you didn't get your badass nickname for not being able to kick ass. I mean finding a new fuel source that is so amazing." Serena then tapped Mariner on her shoulder and mentally asked her if she was gonna introduce her yet. Shiski then did the same thing to Tendi but, whispered instead as she couldn't telepathically communicate with Tendi. Mariner and Tendi then introduced their respective girlfriends with the two couples explaining how they met. Mariner asked Sishki, "So, you and Tendi knew each other as kids and had a crush on her from way back then. So you two were building up careers in science careers instead of going into pirating, that is so amazing. Though you could have left out your first night together." Tendi also told Sishki she didn't have to tell that part of their story with Sishki replying, "Well they wanted the whole story and we learned a lot about each other that night. You found out where I'm ticklish and I found your special spot." Tendi blushed and Serena explained, "Funny on our first night together Mariner found my spot the first time and I found her's the second time around." Apparently, Mariner and Tendi had similar taste in girlfriends, rough enough to handle themselves and at times inappropriate. Tendi was happy that Mariner found a new girlfriend then proceeded to tell Mariner about T'Lyn, Boimler, Rutherford, and Barnes. Mariner was surprised by the discovery of Boimler and Rutherford hooking up but, she was happy that her friends found the same happiness she found.
As the clouds began to part on Vacanza Beta the sun was shining a bit brighter and in a distant galaxy an Orion ship was in the middle of an important experiment that would be very critical. Tendi was examining the crystal and placed it the engine then, as if by a miracle, the crystal was successfully acting as a fuel source thus proving Tendi's discovery was a success. Meanwhile on Vacanza Beta, Boimler and Rutherford, with their new girlfriends, were catching up at a Quark's and talking about some of the experiences they had on their shore leave. Mariner and Serena were gearing up for another beach day with Serena asking Mariner if things were always this silly in her life. Mariner replied, "Sometimes but life in Starfleet is a pretty fun adventure especially with my friends. I've only told you about my adventures on the Cerritos wait till you hear about my adventures before then." As a new day began the Warp Core Five were going to be in for a wild ride in their adventures to come.