Post: 264: A Day's Leave

Stardate:070629.1600
Author: Simon Biggs
Title: A Day's Leave: Part One
Scene Simon's quarters and holodeck
Time: The morning after "Welcome Back Home" (before the ceremony)

Simon said his farewells to Lieutenant Lily T'Ana. He wanted to try to relax a little after the chaos down on Bajor. First thing he'd done when he got back was to request a day's leave to wind down, because after all he'd seen, he had a mind to head to Seven.

He figured he'd end up drunk.

=-----the morning after-----=

"Gooooooooooooodddddd morning Independence! It's oh-six hundred- the 'oh' meaning 'Oh my GOD it's early'!"

Simon jumped out of his bed and slammed on the floor. This must have been the work of Zanh Liis, he recognized her voice instantly.

"This one's for you Biggles, rise and shine!"

A rock and roll song started playing loudly, and as the bass echoed in his ears he slapped around the bedside table for his badge, trying to try to shut it up. He realized a moment later that the transmission was actually coming over the com system in his quarters.

It was then that it came back to him. Lily T'Ana had mentioned long ago that there was one frequency of the ship's internal public address system that the crew used in the manner of an old-fashioned radio station. It helped to keep morale up. They called it Radio Independence and they would make song dedications for birthdays, share songs from just about any era with each other, etc.

"Computer, shut it off!"

Zanh seemed to enjoy playing these little pranks on the poor Ensign, such as early wake-up calls, especially on his days off. Even more 'especially' if she thought he might have a bit of a hangover. This had started when he was brand new on the ship, and became something of a tradition along with the nickname she'd given him.

Simon wanted to get Zanh back, but it was quite difficult because as chief of operations little got past her, and as acting captain, nothing did.

With the signal finally shut off, Simon tried to go back to sleep for a few hours more. He decided after tossing and turning a while to forget it, and went to the holodeck to relax for a bit.

He programmed the computer to offer a flying simulation. He seemed to like flying, especially gliding as it always calmed him down, concentrating on something nice.

He started his simulation at the ancient Gatwick Air Base on Earth since it had a wide selection of planes to choose from. From the old Wright brothers planes to the latest models. Simon wanted to have a nice long flight in a Lancaster bomber. He had programmed a few holo-pilots to choose from as well, because it did require two to fly it.

Simon started up the plane's engines and began to taxi down the roadway, headed for the runway. A couple of minutes later he was at the start of the runway and powered up the engines.

The plane started to move along and sped up, its nose horizontal to the horizon. He pulled the stick back and the nose lifted, then the plane was airborne. Simon decided to fly on a set course which took him along the English coast. He let his holographic co-pilot fly a little while and leaned back. He loved to listen to the roar of the engines.

A couple of hours later he landed the plane and left the holodeck because he had a ceremony to attend. After that, he planned to head back to Seven to meet up with Burns and his mates for a bit of fun. . .

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Ensign Simon Biggs
Security Officer
USS Independence