The three Lintillas approach Jon and one of them says, "You mentioned something about a surfing beach? We think the whole group of us could stand some rest and recreation. Shall we make a party of it? We have four hours until the reception with this Captain Picard."

Talja says, "Sounds like a plan! I have a file of replicator patterns for swimsuits." The three Lintillas begin chatting excitedly about swimsuits with her and head off to their assigned quarters to change.

Tony comes up to Jon and says, "I'll replicate a picnic—all the classics for a beach party. You can replicate the surfboards. They'e got a great selection of styles available in the computer! There's a great surfing beach up by Franklin's Point called Malibu."

Half an hour later, the group arrives at the beach. The sight that greets them drives home the exquisite skill that went into the development of the Sphere. Fine sand like table sugar gleams next to an ocean of purest azure under a cornflower blur sky with drifting fluffy white clouds. The grass surrounding the beach is a soft mat of emerald green, dotted with tiny yellow flowers. To the northwest the tall crag of Franklin's Point is surrounded by gliding seabirds. To the west is another white sand beach, secluded from the one they're on. The surf is moderate, with metre-tall curls.

Tony arrives with a large hamper and a small hibachi slung over his shoulders. "Hi. guys, I brought the eats!" he calls out.

"Das ist gut!" replies Talja. She is accompanied by the Lintillas in three different coloured swimsuits. She herself wears a voluminous beach robe and carries a large beach umbrella, while the Lintillas carry a surfboard each, plus one for Talja.

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 2):

Jon looks at the Lintillas in the bathing suits and approves. He looks at waves with a practiced eye and approves even more. The waves here are a bit smaller than back home in Tofino, but that's perfect for the beginners. And the water is definitely warmer. [OOC: Jon would have researched this beach already, and if there are any hazards to be aware of.]

"Who here has never surfed before?" Jon asks joyfully. "I can give a quick on-shore lesson for any beginners, and then we can hit the waves. Surfing's not hard, but it does take some practice and coordination."

"Tony!" Jon says, looking over to where Tony is setting up the hibachi. "Are you going to surf, or prep the food?"

One of the Lintillas (Jon's not sure which one, since they're in swimsuits with their hair down) pipes up "Our clone mother, Rula Lintilla, surfed. We haven't done so ourselves, but we are imprinted with her memory engrams including what is called 'muscle memory'."

Talja says, "I've only surfed on the holodeck."

Tony says, "Th' only surfing we do back home is flivver surfing on the roofs of souped up cars. Never saw the point, myself. Too dangerous. Looks like water's a lot less painful than asphalt when ya hit it, though, so I'm up for it. Once I get the food set up."

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 4):

"OK, I'll go over the basics for Tony's sake," Jon says. "And Lintilla, maybe that will help ... awaken—is that the right word?—your memories!"

Jon takes 10 or 15 minutes to explain the basics of surfing, and does some on land demos. He explains how to paddle a board, sit and stand up, punch through waves, and catch a wave. He also goes over some of the safety aspects (always know where your board is, keep it on its leash, and never let your board get between you and the waves unless you want a black eye or a bloody nose).

By the time he's finished, Jon is so distracted by the sight of the Lintillas practising standing on the board while still on land that he completely forgets about the only true beginner, Tony. Since the Lintillas are doing a great job (after all, they have sort of done this before) he says "You're all doing great! Let's get off the beach and into the water!"

In reply to Lt (jg) Jonathan Clare (msg # 5):


OOC:  sorry for lack of posting lately.  Lot going on with my job right now.  I will fill you in once I know all the details.  Will try to post twice a week until settled down.

In reply to Lt Zedrick Sloane (msg # 6):

OOC:  Okay after reading this thread not sure my character is right now.

[OOC: Zed has been invited to the beach party, so if you're so inclined, he's can be there.]

After the quick lesson,Tony unpacks the food. He has a variety of sausages and hot dogs, buns and toppings like chilled sauerkraut, hot chili, pickles, cheese and peppers, along with the usual condiments. He sets some of the hot dogs to grill on the hibachi and sets out a number of bottles of beer and soft drinks on ice. "I figured, might as well do it up right."

Talja snags a bottle of German lager and takes a sip. "Danke, Tonio," she says and slips off her beach robe. She's wearing a modest one piece black bathing suit, but the effect is stunning. Talja usually wears her uniforms quite loose, in fact a size larger than she needs, so that she normally looks a little dumpy. Now, in swimwear, she shows off a tightly muscled athlete's body, her pale skin setting off her dark hair. Her sharply sculpted muscles flow lithely under her skin as she picks up a short surfboard and runs toward the water.


This message was last edited by the GM at 15:14, Tue 20 Feb 2018.

In reply to Relic GM (msg # 8):

Jon grabs his surfboard and, following Talja and the Lintillas, dashes into the water. "See ya in the water, Tony!" he calls, not minding at all that he is leaving Tony behind. Jon is feeling a little self-conscious, being surrounded by four beautiful, athletic ladies (he's by no means unattractive, but is a bit on the scrawny side). He is, however, an excellent surfer and hopes his skills in the waves will impress.

Jon paddles his board quickly towards the breaking waves.  About halfway there he looks back to see how the others are doing.

Jon, the Lintillas and Talja head for the water, while Tony tends to the food. Once everything is cooking, Tony decides to take a quick dip before serving up the picnic. He grabs a short board and, under the watchful eyes of one of the Lintillas and Talja, paddles out to catch a wave. When he does, he is able to get to his feet on the board and seems to be doing well... at first. This particular wave is higher than most, and Tony loses his balance.

"Watch out, Tony!" calls out Talja as he suddenly goes head over heels. He hits the water hard and his board strikes him in the shoulder, driving him under. He surfaces, face down and unmoving.

"Mein Gott!" yells Talja and dives into the water. She dives under him and comes up supporting his body so his face is out of the water. He's dead weight in her arms, but she manages to get him to shore. The Lintilla helps Talja move Tony out of the waves onto dry sand. Tony is turning cyanotic, so Talja begins mouth-to-mouth respiration. After several tense moments, during which she manages to gasp out to Lintilla, "Medkit! Tri-ox compound!" Lintilla administers a hypospray and Tony resumes breathing on his own. Talja turns him on his side when he starts to retch and he vomits up salt water and the remains of a hot dog he'd been nibbling on while cooking. Talja grabs her combadge and orders an immediate beamout. She and Tony disappear in a sparkle as Jon and the other two Lintillas arrive, leaving Jon alone with the three redheads.