Unwanted Vacation [Raynor/Ilana]

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana looked down at her hands, folded on her lap.  While she couldn't make out that the words in the low rumble, she could guess that it wasn't meant for her ears.

She was surprised to hear his next, louder words though.  'Have fun, even if it kills us'?  That didn't make much sense to her.  Wasn't it a little counter productive, not to mention a bad idea?

"If it k-kills us?"

"Mmhm," Raynor nodded, smiling as he settled into the chair to nap the rest of the trip away. Which basically involved him stretching out his feet on the console, lacing his fingers behind his head. "Just a figure of speech, Lana. Nobody's dying on this trip unless they deserve it." With that, he was softly snoring within minutes.

[Later]

An insistently-beeping proximity alarm brought Raynor out of his sleep, his eyes snapping open, the vestiges of sleep instantly dispelled. One did not evolve into a race of predators by oversleeping. "Ah," he said, grinning, as one of the relay stations in the planetary atmosphere pinged their system. It was mostly an automated system, so Raynor just watched as the computer returned their visitor's credentials. Within minutes, the runabout was safely docked in one of the orbital parking facilities.

"Well," he said, shouldering his bag. "We're here."

Raynor Hughes wrote:

[Later]

An insistently-beeping proximity alarm brought Raynor out of his sleep, his eyes snapping open, the vestiges of sleep instantly dispelled.  One did not evolve into a race of predators by oversleeping.  "Ah," he said, grinning, as one of the relay stations in the planetary atmosphere pinged their system.  It was mostly an automated system, so Raynor just watched as the computer returned their visitor's credentials.  Within minutes, the runabout was safely docked in one of the orbital parking facilities.

"Well," he said, shouldering his bag.  "We're here."

Ilana had been quietly reading one of her many PADDs when the communications started coming through from the orbital control relays, signalling that they had arrived at their destination. She sighed heavily, switching of the PADD and stowing it away in her duffle, fully intending to squirrel herself away somewhere and continue reading it as soon as she got the chance.

She got to her feet, picking up her back and nodding to the Klingon. "Let's get this over with."

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana had been quietly reading one of her many PADDs when the communications started coming through from the orbital control relays, signalling that they had arrived at their destination.  She sighed heavily, switching of the PADD and stowing it away in her duffle, fully intending to squirrel herself away somewhere and continue reading it as soon as she got the chance.

She got to her feet, picking up her back and nodding to the Klingon.  "Let's get this over with."

[Planetside - Risa]

It certainly wasn't Raynor's first time to the pleasure world of Risa, so he knew to keep his weaponry on the ship, locked away. He noted that those rules certainly hadn't changed with the recent war, as one of the first areas the odd couple passed through once they got planetside was a weapons scanner. Having moved through the archway and into the reception area, Raynor and Ilana were handed a small, carved wooden sculpture by a smiling attendant, along with admonitions to have fun and leave cares behind and enjoy their time on Risa.

Massive bay windows opened up on the azure lagoon of Suraya Bay, with its perfectly-controlled temperature and sunlight allotment. Yes, Risa was a little too...plastic...for Raynor's tastes, but the lively people here more than made up for it.

Raynor Hughes wrote:

[Planetside - Risa]

It certainly wasn't Raynor's first time to the pleasure world of Risa, so he knew to keep his weaponry on the ship, locked away.  He noted that those rules certainly hadn't changed with the recent war, as one of the first areas the odd couple passed through once they got planetside was a weapons scanner.  Having moved through the archway and into the reception area, Raynor and Ilana were handed a small, carved wooden sculpture by a smiling attendant, along with admonitions to have fun and leave cares behind and enjoy their time on Risa.

Massive bay windows opened up on the azure lagoon of Suraya Bay, with its perfectly-controlled temperature and sunlight allotment.  Yes, Risa was a little too...plastic...for Raynor's tastes, but the lively people here more than made up for it.  

Ilana stepped through the weapons scanner without a problem, following Raynor through the handful of passages that lead out into the reception. Suddenly finding herself assaulted by the bright light and crowds of people, she ducked behind the large mass of Klingon with a squeak.

Peeking out around his side, the Cardassian swallowed hard, scanning the happy beach goers and fervently wishing that she could go back to the space station.

"D-d-do we h-have t-t-to?"

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana stepped through the weapons scanner without a problem, following Raynor through the handful of passages that lead out into the reception.  Suddenly finding herself assaulted by the bright light and crowds of people, she ducked behind the large mass of Klingon with a squeak.

Peeking out around his side, the Cardassian swallowed hard, scanning the happy beach goers and fervently wishing that she could go back to the space station.

"D-d-do we h-have t-t-to?"

"Well," Raynor said, playfully cocking an eyebrow, "yes, we would pretty much have to...considering that we came all this way." He shifted his duffel, tucking the little statue under the crook of his arm. Perhaps there would be time to use it, later. Well...there'd be time if he made the time. This was vacation, after all.

The pair walked up to a large display panel in the well-lit breezeway. Reaching over, Raynor touched up schematics. "Temperature is a steady twenty-four degrees Celsius. Sun shines...well, of course it does. It shines all the time here. Two of 'em, actually," he said, nodding toward the twin suns. "Ah. They have a botany expedition leaving tomorrow afternoon for the bio-luminescent gardens underground."

Raynor Hughes wrote:

"Well," Raynor said, playfully cocking an eyebrow, "yes, we would pretty much have to...considering that we came all this way."  He shifted his duffel, tucking the little statue under the crook of his arm.  Perhaps there would be time to use it, later.  Well...there'd be time if he made the time.  This was vacation, after all.

The pair walked up to a large display panel in the well-lit breezeway.  Reaching over, Raynor touched up schematics.  "Temperature is a steady twenty-four degrees Celsius.  Sun shines...well, of course it does.  It shines all the time here.  Two of 'em, actually," he said, nodding toward the twin suns.  "Ah.  They have a botany expedition leaving tomorrow afternoon for the bio-luminescent gardens underground."  

Ilana whimpered quietly as she realised that there really was no getting out of this now and trailed after the Klingon, looking at the little wooden statue she had been given. She frowned slightly at it, trying to figure out its usage. Already, she didn't approve that it had been carved from wood, but that might just have been her inner botanist talking.

Looking up, she saw that Raynor was already several paces ahead of her. She ran to catch up with him, having to hurry to keep up with his long stride.

"Wh-what is this for?" she asked, holding up the statue.

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana whimpered quietly as she realised that there really was no getting out of this now and trailed after the Klingon, looking at the little wooden statue she had been given.  She frowned slightly at it, trying to figure out its usage.  Already, she didn't approve that it had been carved from wood, but that might just have been her inner botanist talking.

Looking up, she saw that Raynor was already several paces ahead of her.  She ran to catch up with him, having to hurry to keep up with his long stride.

"Wh-what is this for?" she asked, holding up the statue.

Hearing nothing but silence in response, Raynor glanced over to find...nothing. Turning, he smiled softly as Ilana came rushing to catch up with him. He was about to bring up their options again when she asked about the statue. Raynor's eyebrows shot up a little. Was it possible that she didnt...? Well. Of course it was. She was quite...sheltered.

"This, dear doctor," Raynor said, palming the statue, "is a horga'hn. It is...a part of a Risian sexual ritual. If you wish to partake in and find a partner...or partners...for jamaharon." He shrugged. "Just something to keep in mind. Y'know...to keep your options open."

Raynor Hughes wrote:

Hearing nothing but silence in response, Raynor glanced over to find...nothing.  Turning, he smiled softly as Ilana came rushing to catch up with him.  He was about to bring up their options again when she asked about the statue.  Raynor's eyebrows shot up a little.  Was it possible that she didnt...?  Well.  Of course it was.  She was quite...sheltered.

"This, dear doctor," Raynor said, palming the statue, "is a horga'hn.  It is...a part of a Risian sexual ritual.  If you wish to partake in and find a partner...or partners...for jamaharon."  He shrugged.  "Just something to keep in mind.  Y'know...to keep your options open."

Ilana's reaction to the explanation of the statue was three-fold. First, she looked a little confused. Secondly, her green eyes became wide as the full realisation hit her and her mouth fell open in surprise.

The third section of her reaction was to drop the statue as if it had turned white-hot with a shriek that sounded to be a mix of shock, fear and disgust.

"Eeeeeeew! W-with strangers?!"

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana's reaction to the explanation of the statue was three-fold.  First, she looked a little confused.  Secondly, her green eyes became wide as the full realisation hit her and her mouth  fell open in surprise.

The third section of her reaction was to drop the statue as if it had turned white-hot with a shriek that sounded to be a mix of shock, fear and disgust.

"Eeeeeeew!  W-with strangers?!"

Shaking his head slightly, Raynor knelt down to pick up the discarded idol. He tucked it under his arm with his own, rather than hand it back to the Cardassian. Raynor wanted to see her loosen up and have a good time, but she wasn't quite the one to have casual sex. He'd slip it back into her room, though, just in case she changed her mind later. Risa had that effect, sometimes.

"Yes, Lana, with strangers," he said, motioning her outside with him. "Or with friends, or any combination thereof. Don't worry, everyone here had to pass a standard Federation Medical exam...so you won't catch the Rigelian Fire-Trot or...eh. You know." And she probably did...she was a doctor, after all.

Raynor Hughes wrote:

Shaking his head slightly, Raynor knelt down to pick up the discarded idol.  He tucked it under his arm with his own, rather than hand it back to the Cardassian.  Raynor wanted to see her loosen up and have a good time, but she wasn't quite the one to have casual sex.  He'd slip it back into her room, though, just in case she changed her mind later.  Risa had that effect, sometimes.

"Yes, Lana, with strangers," he said, motioning her outside with him.  "Or with friends, or any combination thereof.  Don't worry, everyone here had to pass a standard Federation Medical exam...so you won't catch the Rigelian Fire-Trot or...eh.  You know."  And she probably did...she was a doctor, after all.  

Ilana pulled a face at the thought of randomly having sex with strangers just for the fun of it. She for reproduction and as an act of love with a specific partner, she could understand, but just... casually? With people you weren't even close friends with? That didn't make sense to her.

She shuddered at the thought of letting someone other than Raynor even lay a hand on her. She disliked people touching her.

"Welcome to Risa!"

The voice was the embodiment of sunshine, rainbows and bubbles as one of the resort workers practically jumped out at them, looping wreaths of colourful flowers around both her and Raynor's necks.

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana pulled a face at the thought of randomly having sex with strangers just for the fun of it.  She for reproduction and as an act of love with a specific partner, she could understand, but just... casually?  With people you weren't even close friends with?  That didn't make sense to her.

She shuddered at the thought of letting someone other than Raynor even lay a hand on her.  She disliked people touching her.  

"Welcome to Risa!"

The voice was the embodiment of sunshine, rainbows and bubbles as one of the resort workers practically jumped out at them, looping wreaths of colourful flowers around both her and Raynor's necks.

Her face pretty much spelled out what Ilana's thoughts on such casual encounters were. Raynor mentally shrugged. Different people had different ideas about what was acceptable, and she'd had a...very...different cultural upbringing than he had, along with a very different worldview. He also made a note not to mention the last time he'd been here...along with the Orion and Andorian girls he'd met.

A sweetly-toned voice sang out as they stepped outside, looping flowers around their neck. He noted the diaphanous robe the man wore, along with the close-cut swim trunks. "Ah, one thing to note, Lana," he said, nodding in thanks to the young man, "is that what he was wearing was practically conservative for the beaches. You'll see less, the closer you get to the water."

Raynor Hughes wrote:

Her face pretty much spelled out what Ilana's thoughts on such casual encounters were.  Raynor mentally shrugged.  Different people had different ideas about what was acceptable, and she'd had a...very...different cultural upbringing than he had, along with a very different worldview.  He also made a note not to mention the last time he'd been here...along with the Orion and Andorian girls he'd met.  

A sweetly-toned voice sang out as they stepped outside, looping flowers around their neck.  He noted the diaphanous robe the man wore, along with the close-cut swim trunks.  "Ah, one thing to note, Lana," he said, nodding in thanks to the young man, "is that what he was wearing was practically conservative for the beaches.  You'll see less, the closer you get to the water."

Eyes wide as she looked at what the man was wearing, Ilana looked up at Raynor with a look of faint horror. She was not going to be able to dress in such a fashion, that much she knew. The skirt she was wearing, already a fairly conservative length since it was cut to just below the knee, was as revealing as the Cardassian was willing to go.

Trying to put those thoughts out of her head, she looked down at the loop of dead plant matter around her neck, her expression faintly suspicious.

"Is th-this also an invitation to sexual intercourse?"

Ilana Telak wrote:

Eyes wide as she looked at what the man was wearing, Ilana looked up at Raynor with a look of faint horror.  She was not going to be able to dress in such a fashion, that much she knew.  The skirt she was wearing, already a fairly conservative length since it was cut to just below the knee, was as revealing as the Cardassian was willing to go.

Trying to put those thoughts out of her head, she looked down at the loop of dead plant matter around her neck, her expression faintly suspicious.

"Is th-this also an invitation to sexual intercourse?"

A gentle breeze moved across the bay, causing the waters to look like a scintillating sheet of diamonds, and rustling Raynor's long hair. He was wearing it completely loose. Such were the perks of being off-duty. "Um. They certainly can be. In fact, in many cultures, yes...that's exactly what they are. However," he said, plucking at the lei, "I don't think that this is what is meant by these. They're just...y'know. Decoration."

He glanced back up to the Cardassian, his face still softened by a faint smile. "Alright. Let's get to our rooms, and then we can hit the bay beach. There's a place along the shore that we can find lunch." Raynor looked up to the suns - perfect golden spheres in the sky - and hoped that Ilana's physiology would find the warmth agreeable. At least *some* part of her will enjoy this, then, he thought, leading her to the hotel.

Raynor Hughes wrote:

A gentle breeze moved across the bay, causing the waters to look like a scintillating sheet of diamonds, and rustling Raynor's long hair.  He was wearing it completely loose.  Such were the perks of being off-duty.  "Um.  They certainly can be.  In fact, in many cultures, yes...that's exactly what they are.  However," he said, plucking at the lei, "I don't think that this is what is meant by these.  They're just...y'know.  Decoration."

He glanced back up to the Cardassian, his face still softened by a faint smile.  "Alright.  Let's get to our rooms, and then we can hit the bay beach.  There's a place along the shore that we can find lunch."  Raynor looked up to the suns - perfect golden spheres in the sky - and hoped that Ilana's physiology would find the warmth agreeable.  At least *some* part of her will enjoy this, then, he thought, leading her to the hotel.

Making another face, Ilana carefully pulled the flowers from around her neck and set them on a nearby table. She didn't want to give anyone any excuse to approach her like that. Shifting the strap of her duffle on her shoulder, she nodded to Raynor. Maybe the beach wouldn't be too bad. How bad could it be?

She followed him like a kitten further into the hotel, finding her room and dropping off her bag. She felt lost now, not knowing what to do next. She had always known what to do while on duty. This shore leave was leaving her unsure of herself.

Ilana Telak wrote:

Making another face, Ilana carefully pulled the flowers from around her neck and set them on a nearby table.  She didn't want to give anyone any excuse to approach her like that.  Shifting the strap of her duffle on her shoulder, she nodded to Raynor.  Maybe the beach wouldn't be too bad.  How bad could it be?

She followed him like a kitten further into the hotel, finding her room and dropping off her bag.  She felt lost now, not knowing what to do next.  She had always known what to do while on duty.  This shore leave was leaving her unsure of herself.

[Hotel]

Perhaps a half hour or so later, Raynor opened the door that connected their two suite rooms together. He never even thought about knocking, though he supposed he probably should have. What was left, though, that either one had not seen of the other? Ah, well. Done was done. He was dressed a bit more casually, with dark green shorts and a black tank top, his long brown hair swept back in a tail.

"Settled in?" Raynor asked, looking around. "Have you decided what you want to do first?"

Raynor Hughes wrote:

[Hotel]

Perhaps a half hour or so later, Raynor opened the door that connected their two suite rooms together.  He never even thought about knocking, though he supposed he probably should have.  What was left, though, that either one had not seen of the other?  Ah, well.  Done was done.  He was dressed a bit more casually, with dark green shorts and a black tank top, his long brown hair swept back in a tail.  

"Settled in?" Raynor asked, looking around.  "Have you decided what you want to do first?"

Ilana had finally decided on something to do by the time Raynor had come back through. In fact, she had made herself quite comfortable. She was on the chaise longue in her suite, but sitting with her legs draped over the high back, her torso lying along the seat of it. For some strange reason, she had always found that position to be a comfortable one to study in, and she was currently studying.

Looking up from the PADD she was contentedly perusing, she smiled at the Klingon. "I am quite c-comfortable here, th-thank you."

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana had finally decided on something to do by the time Raynor had come back through.  In fact, she had made herself quite comfortable.  She was on the chaise longue in her suite, but sitting with her legs draped over the high back, her torso lying along the seat of it.  For some strange reason, she had always found that position to be a comfortable one to study in, and she was currently studying.

Looking up from the PADD she was contentedly perusing, she smiled at the Klingon.  "I am quite c-comfortable here, th-thank you."

"Ah, ah," Raynor said, shaking his head as he leaned over the lounge, looking for all the world like a total eclipse in her light. "I can see that you're quite comfortable, and there'll be plenty of time for reading. However," he said, sitting on the arm of her couch, "it's time for some lunch, first off."

Smiling from ear to ear, he stood up and held out a large hand for her to take. As far as after lunch...well. He had some ideas, especially for a place to take her. Ilana Telak was going to enjoy this trip, if it was the last thing he did.

Raynor Hughes wrote:

"Ah, ah," Raynor said, shaking his head as he leaned over the lounge, looking for all the world like a total eclipse in her light.  "I can see that you're quite comfortable, and there'll be plenty of time for reading.  However," he said, sitting on the arm of her couch, "it's time for some lunch, first off."

Smiling from ear to ear, he stood up and held out a large hand for her to take.  As far as after lunch...well.  He had some ideas, especially for a place to take her.  Ilana Telak was going to enjoy this trip, if it was the last thing he did.

"H-hey!" Ilana protested as Raynor leaned over her, huffing and kicking out with her legs. She knew that even if she made contact with his chest as she intended, it wouldn't hurt. She was far too feeble and he was far too well muscled for it to hurt, but the attempt had been made.

She rolled off the couch, PADD in hand, and got to her feet, putting her hands on her hips as she pouted at him. "You can g-go and enjoy yourself with the..." The Cardassian paused and frowned slightly as she tried to remember the human phrase. "The 'beach bunnies'. I am content to stay here."

Ilana Telak wrote:

"H-hey!" Ilana protested as Raynor leaned over her, huffing and kicking out with her legs.  She knew that even if she made contact with his chest as she intended, it wouldn't hurt.  She was far too feeble and he was far too well muscled for it to hurt, but the attempt had been made.

She rolled off the couch, PADD in hand, and got to her feet, putting her hands on her hips as she pouted at him.  "You can g-go and enjoy yourself with the..." The Cardassian paused and frowned slightly as she tried to remember the human phrase.  "The 'beach bunnies'.  I am content to stay here."

Crossing his arms, Raynor cocked a grin. Beach bunnies? What in the world was she going on about, anyway? Well, whatever the phrase meant, he could certainly glean its meaning. "Perhaps I will, but not right now. The week is young, after all." Reaching out, he held his palm open for the padd, waggling his fingers expectantly. "C'mon, Lana. I'm not taking you to frolic naked on the beach. I have an idea, and I think you'll like it. Trust me?"

Raynor Hughes wrote:

Crossing his arms, Raynor cocked a grin.  Beach bunnies?  What in the world was she going on about, anyway?  Well, whatever the phrase meant, he could certainly glean its meaning.  "Perhaps I will, but not right now.  The week is young, after all."  Reaching out, he held his palm open for the padd, waggling his fingers expectantly.  "C'mon, Lana.  I'm not taking you to frolic naked on the beach.  I have an idea, and I think you'll like it.  Trust me?"

Ilana narrowed her eyes in slight suspicion at the Klingon. His ideas of having fun and her ideas of having fun tended to be rather different. Case in point, the time he had taken her to climb boulders on the holodeck after forcibly dragging her out of her sickbay.

She set the PADD aside, not trusting Raynor not to hide it from her for the rest of their stay on Risa, but shrugged one shoulder.

"I trust you. Wh-whether I trust your judgement on entertainment options had y-yet to be seen."

Ilana Telak wrote:

Ilana narrowed her eyes in slight suspicion at the Klingon.  His ideas of having fun and her ideas of having fun tended to be rather different.  Case in point, the time he had taken her to climb boulders on the holodeck after forcibly dragging her out of her sickbay.

She set the PADD aside, not trusting Raynor not to hide it from her for the rest of their stay on Risa, but shrugged one shoulder.

"I trust you.  Wh-whether I trust your judgement on entertainment options had y-yet to be seen."

Raynor watched as Ilana moved her padd somewhere else, instead of handing it to him. Smart girl, he thought, as he likely would have hidden the damn thing. He wanted her to have a good time on this trip, and see a larger world outside of her lab and office and quarters, but he also knew that such journeys were best started with baby steps. "Don't worry, Lana. I'm not taking you to an Orion performance art," he grinned, thinking of the last one of those he'd been to.

He made a quick detour back into his room section, coming out with twin knapsacks. "There are full-protein bars in there," the Klingon said, nodding to them. "And plenty of water. No need to even stop for lunch...though, we are going out for dinner. Now...c'mon. Let me show you something."

Raynor Hughes wrote:

Raynor watched as Ilana moved her padd somewhere else, instead of handing it to him.  Smart girl, he thought, as he likely would have hidden the damn thing.  He wanted her to have a good time on this trip, and see a larger world outside of her lab and office and quarters, but he also knew that such journeys were best started with baby steps.  "Don't worry, Lana.  I'm not taking you to an Orion performance art," he grinned, thinking of the last one of those he'd been to.  

He made a quick detour back into his room section, coming out with twin knapsacks.  "There are full-protein bars in there," the Klingon said, nodding to them.  "And plenty of water.  No need to even stop for lunch...though, we are going out for dinner.  Now...c'mon.  Let me show you something."

The Klingon's sudden disappearance back into this own rooms came as something of a surprise to Ilana, even more so when he reappeared carrying two backpacks. She took the one that he held out to her, giving a quiet 'neurk' sound as she felt its full weight. It would be nothing to Raynor, but it was significantly heavy to the feather-weight Cardassian.

Shouldering the pack, she tilted her head to one side as she looked at her best friend. "Where are we going?"

Ilana Telak wrote:

The Klingon's sudden disappearance back into this own rooms came as something of a surprise to Ilana, even more so when he reappeared carrying two backpacks.  She took the one that he held out to her, giving a quiet 'neurk' sound as she felt its full weight.  It would be nothing to Raynor, but it was significantly heavy to the feather-weight Cardassian.

Shouldering the pack, she tilted her head to one side as she looked at her best friend.  "Where are we going?"

"We're going," Raynor replied, eyeing the way Ilana struggled with her pack, "on a trip. The destination...will be made clear when we get there." He motioned for her to turn around, taking all the water bottles out but one, leaving the only weight to be that, plus her food bar and a rain jacket. Not that it ever rained on Risa unless it was planned, but...he wasn't sure if where they were going was outside the weather control or not.

The weight now distributed more to his liking, Raynor shouldered his pack and grinned. "You're just going to have to trust me, dear doctor." With that, he slipped out of the room, turning to see if she was following.

Raynor Hughes wrote:

"We're going," Raynor replied, eyeing the way Ilana struggled with her pack, "on a trip.  The destination...will be made clear when we get there."  He motioned for her to turn around, taking all the water bottles out but one, leaving the only weight to be that, plus her food bar and a rain jacket.  Not that it ever rained on Risa unless it was planned, but...he wasn't sure if where they were going was outside the weather control or not.

The weight now distributed more to his liking, Raynor shouldered his pack and grinned.  "You're just going to have to trust me, dear doctor."  With that, he slipped out of the room, turning to see if she was following.

Feeling some of the weight being taken out of her pack, Ilana looked over her shoulder to see Raynor taking out some of the bottles. She frowned, about to protest that she wasn't a weakling who couldn't carry her own equipment, but quietened again when she realised the sense in his actions. He had significantly more strength than she did and it was already going to be hard enough to keep up with his pace.

With a heavy sigh and a longing glance back at her abandoned PADD, she trailed after the Klingon, wondering where on this planet he could be taking her.

[Later]

The trail underfoot was faint in places, letting Raynor know that he was on the right track. This wasn't some over-used tourist trap locale that he was taking Ilana to. No, this was a special place, somewhere that he'd never known about, and it certainly wasn't advertised in any of the guidebooks. There were no sex tourists or fat, loud Ferengi where they were going. He glanced up to the sky, noting the lowering position of the sun. His timing would have to be fairly close to the mark, or all they were going to get out of this trip was a good leg-stretch.

"Here," he said, holding a branch aside so Ilana could pass. "It won't be long now, Lana. I promise." Raynor reached into her pack as she passed, pulling out a bottle of water. "Drink?"