Fun in the Sun "
By: Miranda, Lounge Manager, [RNPC]
Rosie , Miranda's Mother , [NPC]

Stardate: 58207.28 1400

Miranda piloted the shuttle on approach into QulTuq station. She had been cleared and assigned a docking port on the main docking ring. Miranda, who believed in traveling light had only the clothes on her back, which amounted to a white Risian robe and the smile on her sun tanned face.

Her trip to Risa had been exactly what she needed. She started the vacation with her Mother Rosie, who now sat next to her in the co-pilot's chair. Miranda could not remember seeing her mother much after their arrival.

"It was sure nice of Count Mirabella to let us use his shuttle," said Rosie.

"Yes, he is a dear, dear man," replied Miranda, still smiling. "He is somewhat of chauvinist though."

Rosie chuckled, "That is the way his culture is," said Rosie.

"Indeed," said Miranda, "He was a bit shocked when I told him I could fly a shuttle."

Rosie laughed and then attempted to imitate Miranda's voice "My Dear Count, I am one hundred years old. I have flown my share of shuttles." Rosie laughed again. "The poor man nearly had a heart seizure."

Miranda and Rosie shared a laugh together for a few moments. "You know," said Miranda, "he is a very nice man. We should not be making fun of him. It is not his fault that his life has been so sheltered."

"I think he is a fine man," said Rosie, "but he was still amusing." She paused a moment to watch Miranda guide the shuttle into the station. "By the way, the local Risian woman were sure glad that he whisked you off to his private villa. They were starting to get jealous of all the attention you were getting on that public beach."

"You stop it Mother," protested Miranda, "you and I both know that the local Risian's are not afflicted with the need to become jealous of one another. They are not like humans in that regard."

Rosie held up her hands in mock defeat, "Yes , yes, but none the less you did monopolize the top prospects on that beach. Next time you should try sharing." Rosie laughed again, "Wearing a bathing suit would probably help too."

Miranda smiled at her mother, "They just get in the way," said Miranda. "Since when did you become such a prude?"

"I have been living with Humans too long," said Rosie. She looked out the window as Miranda docked the shuttle. "You were very happy on Risa. Why do you insist on coming back to this warship?"

"I have too much unfinished work to do here," exclaimed Miranda. "I need to get Silvio and Patia safely married off, I have to get that stick out of Commander Wright's..."

"Miranda!" interrupted Rosie, "Don't be vulgar."

"Oh, sorry Mother...the commander is a nice guy, I just need to get him to loosen up and let go of his dead wife, and the Doctor, I have not even started working on her yet, and then there's the captain..."

"Ok!" said Rosie. "You have always had this need to mettle in other people's business."

Miranda winked at her mother and then kissed her on her forehead. "This is where I get off Mother. Thank you for celebrating my 100 years with me."

"It was my pleasure Daughter," said Rosie. "Please be careful. Don't get yourself killed in this stupid war."

"I'll be ok." said Miranda as she opened the air lock.

"What do I do with the Count's shuttle when I get back to the star base?" asked Rosie as she took the pilot's chair.

Miranda shrugged. "Sell it. It doesn't matter. The count gave it to me as a gift. It's all yours now." Miranda gave her mother a wave and exited the shuttle. Walking through the docking tunnel she emerged into the docking ring and turned around to watch though an observation portal as her mother departed the station in the shuttle. A single tear rolled down her cheek, she missed her mother already.