Originally posted on fanfiction.net - Link. -------------------------------------- Ensign's Holiday “Ensign Boimler’s personal log, supplemental,” Boimler dictated into his padd. “After a day-long trip on the Federation civilian transport Taebaek I’ve finally arrived on Vendu to take some impromptu leave time and enjoy a little bit of R and R. Well, more like I had to take some leave time in order to avoid the Wrath of Mariner after arranging for her to give Tendi a piloting lesson. We’re even now; she just hasn’t realized it yet. But just in case, I’ll give her a week to cool down and accept it before returning to the Cerritos. Hopefully by then she’ll have forgotten all about her threats to neuter me.” “I’ve managed to make arrangements to stay at a modest winter resort located in one of Vendu’s most popular mountain ranges,” Boimler went on. “While it’s no Risa or Casperia Prime, Vendu does have a certain charm and a rugged, natural beauty of its own. And since it would have taken too long for the Taebaek to get to Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet I really didn’t have much of a choice. Still, I’m looking forward to seeing the sights and experiencing all the recreational facilities Vendu has to offer. End log.” “Okay, that takes care of my morning log entry,” Boimler tucked his padd back into the travel bag sitting on the bed of his small yet comfortable guest room. “Now to head down to the lodge and rent some ski equipment. Might as well put all those skiing lessons I took in the Sierra Nevadas to use.” Boimler quickly donned a set of appropriate winter wear before heading down the resort’s wide, elegantly carved staircase. “Alright, I am ready and eager to hit the slopes! I wonder where the bunny hills are…” He trailed off spotting the resort’s crowded lounge and bar on the third floor. “Hmmm, might as well grab a hot cocoa before heading out. Though the weather is supposed to be pretty mild today for Vendu. The temperature outside right now is only about eighteen degrees below zero.” Boimler entered the lounge and casually made his way to the bar. “Hi. One hot dark cocoa, please. Three marshmallows.” “Hey, cutie,” A stunning female Boslic in a skin-tight thermal suit suddenly sided up to him. “Mind doing me a little favor?” “Oh. Well…I…um…” Boimler stuttered before the woman grabbed his head and gave him a full, passionate kiss. “Mmmppph!” “Mmmm, better than I expected,” The woman smiled patting his cheek before exiting the lounge. “Thanks for the pick-me-up.” “Gah?” A dazed Boimler grinned goofily. “Oh, no problem…” “Hey pal,” A native Vendu bartender snapped at him. “Time to pay the bill.” “Huh?” Boimler blinked snapping out of his daze. “But I didn’t even receive my drink yet.” “It’s not for you,” The bartender explained. “It’s for your lady friend. She said her dining companion would pay her bill before she left. That’s you.” “What?” Boimler yelped in surprise. “Wait, I’m not with her!” “Right,” The bartender gave him a look. “And I suppose you didn’t enjoy that long public kiss between the two of you a moment ago?” “Yes! I mean no! I mean,” Boimler sputtered. “I can explain!” “You’ll explain it to the local constabulary if you don’t pay up,” The bartender warned. “Followed by a few nights in a holding cell before being kicked off the planet.” “Fine, I’ll pay,” Boimler reluctantly gave in deciding any continual arguing was not worth the hassle. “That lady probably only had a few drinks. How big could her bill be?” The bartender showed him a padd. “IT’S HOW MUCH?!” “Eh, your lady friend has expensive tastes,” The bartender shrugged. “Gotta admit, you get what you pay for.” “But…but…” Boimler stuttered. “You rather I call Security?” The bartender growled. “No,” Boimler meekly signed the padd with his thumbprint. “Payment approved,” The bartender nodded. “Thanks for you patronage. Enjoy your stay.” “If only,” Boimler groaned slumping onto a barstool. “There goes just about every credit I had to my name. There’s not even enough left for a hot cocoa much less food for the next week. Hmmm, maybe I can smuggle some free condiments up to my room and mix them with melted snow into some kind of weak electrolyte drink…” “Excuse me, sir,” A perky female Gallamite tapped him on the shoulder. “Congratulations! This is your lucky day!” “Oh no. Not again,” Boimler held up his hands. “I’m not falling for the same trick twice.” “Huh?” The woman blinked, confused. “I may be trusting, but I’m not that dumb,” Boimler indicated her transparent skull. “Especially with someone with more brains that beauty.” “What? Why I never!” The woman gasped and slapped him across the face. “Ow!” Boimler yelped. “Boy, you sure got a way with women, pal,” The bartender chuckled. “Forget it! A rude, insolent man like you obviously doesn’t deserve to win a prize from the local Vendu Merchant’s Association for sitting in one of today’s randomly selected lucky seats!” The woman turned and walked away in a huff. “Especially an invitation to a free, all-you-can-eat buffet.” “A what?!” Boimler yelped and chased after her. “Wait! There’s been a mistake! This is just a misunderstanding…ooopfff!” “Hey!” A tall, imposing male humanoid snapped as Boimler accidentally stepped on his foot. “Watch where you are going, you little Bulgallian sludge rat!” “Oops!” Boimler gulped holding up his hands. “Excuse me! I’m so, so sorry…” “Liar!” The man shouted waving a fist. “How dare you insult me you despicable Melanoid slimeworm! I will not tolerate such lies!” “Huh? I’m not lying…” Boimler blinked before noticing the man’s webbed fingers. “Oh, you’re a Zaldan! That explains it…” “I will not abide being in the presence of a liar!” The man snapped shoving Boimler away. “Begone!” “Ahhh!” Boimler yelped stumbling backward through the lounge. CRASH! “Ow,” Boimler coughed lying amongst a fallen tray that had once been filled with what looked like a mix of beach sand and ground glass covered in maple syrup. “Ohhh, note to self: never be courteous to a Zaldan.” “Ah! My lunch! My pants!” An angry voice above him cried at the tray of spilled food. “You clumsy little oaf! You ruined my sturrd!” “Sorry,” Boimler winced getting to his feet. “It was an accident…wait a second,” He blinked recalling his recent courteous faux pas and confidently reversed his stance. “I’m not sorry at all! You bumped into me! It was all your fault! Why I oughta…!” “You oughta what?” A massive, muscular male Pandrilite the size of a shuttlecraft loomed over him. “…o-o-oughta pay to replace your meal and your clothes,” Boimler gulped meekly. “That is as soon as I find a way to earn some local currency…” “Oh, you’ll pay for this alright,” The Pandrilite growled lifting Boimler up by his collar. “Starting right now!” “No! Wait! I’m sure we can talk and resolve this peacefully…aaaccck!” Boimler yelled as the Pandrilite opened a nearby window and threw him out it. “Aaahhhhhh!” POOOOOOF! “Ow,” Boimler whimpered having fortunately landed in a large, soft snowbank. He slowly dug himself out of it. “Ohhh, my bones…” POOF! POOF! POOF! “And the hits just keep coming,” Boimler groaned as several snowballs hit him in the head. “What is this, Dump on Boimler Day?” “Oops! Sorry mister!” A pair of young, juvenile Ursinoids ran past him. “Come back here you little twerps!” A pair of burly, red-faced Miradorn twins ran after them with melting snow dripping down their faces. “Run! Run!” The young, bear-like Ursinoids scampered by before finding themselves trapped within an alcove along one of the outer walls of the resort. “Uh oh.” “Now we got you,” The pair of Miradorn sneered at them. “You little furballs are going to pay for pelting us with snow!” “We’re sorry,” The young Ursinoids whimpered. “It was an accident. We weren’t trying to hit you. We were trying to hit each other.” “Oh really?” The Miradorn twins grinned while punching fists into their palms. “How about we show you what real hitting feels like!” “Hey, leave them alone!” Boimler stumbled over and stepped in front of the Ursinoids. “They’re kids. They were just having a little fun.” “Get lost, human,” One Miradorn snapped. “I’ll show these little runts what I find fun. I’ll skin ‘em alive!” “Good idea,” His twin nodded. “We could use some new pairs of fur boots.” “Don’t even think about it,” Boimler determinedly stood his ground. “I’m a Starfleet officer. These kids are now under official Starfleet protection.” “Back off, Starfleet,” The Miradorn twins sneered. “You have no authority here.” “I’m warning you. Make one more move towards these kids and I’ll have no choice but to…YAAAHHHHHH!” Boimler shrieked and began to flail about. “What the?” The pair of Miradon stepped back in surprise. “Huh?” The young Ursinoids blinked as Boimler’s hands and feet became blurs. “YAH! OOOH! AHHH! AHHH! AHHH!” Boimler cried whirling around like madman. “He’s crazy! Let’s get out of here,” The Miradorn twins backed away and moved off. “Gahhh!” Boimler gasped coming to a stop. “Ow! I think I pulled a hamstring…ooopfff!” “Wow! That was amazing!” The pair of young Ursinoids cheered hugging Boimler’s legs. “Thanks mister! You scared those mean men away!” “I did?” Boimler blinked. “Gee, I was just trying to get rid of all the snow that found its way under my clothes and onto my bare arms. And my legs. And my back. And my underwear. Oooo, my nether regions are freezing…” “ROOOAAARRR!” “Uh oh,” Boimler blanched as a furious, towering female Ursinoid with large paws and very sharp fangs barreled towards him. “Mother…” “YOU MONSTEROUS LITTLE BULLY!” The female Ursinoid roared. “GET AWAY FROM MY BABIES!” “Eeep!” Boimler whimpered bracing himself for the onslaught. “Mom, no!” The young Ursinoids stepped in front of him. “Stop! This man’s not hurting us! He’s nice!” “Oh my babies! My babies!” The female Ursinoid cried sweeping the kids up in her arms. “I was so worried! You’re safe! You’re safe!” “We’re fine, mom,” One of the young Ursinoids patted her arm. “Sorry for leaving the ice fishing area without telling you.” “And this human is not a bully,” The other young Ursinoid indicated Boimler. “He’s the one who saved us from the mean men who were bullies.” “He did?” The female Ursinoid stared at Boimler surprise. “Oh, thank you! Thank you!” “Uh, it was no trouble ma’am…gaaahhh!” Boimler gasped as the woman wrapped him up in a bear hug. “Thank you! Thank you!” The female Ursinoid whirled Boimler around like a rag doll. “Can’t…breathe!” Boimler gasped. “Need…air! I can taste…my…liver!” “Uh, mom? I think you better let him go now,” One of the young Ursinoids tugged at her leg. “Humans aren’t supposed to turn that color.” “I’ll say,” The other young Ursinoid nodded. “Even Andorians aren’t that blue.” “Oops! Sorry,” The female Ursinoid immediately dropped Boimler in an unceremonious heap. “Come along you two. There are lots of fish to clean if you expect to have any lunch.” “Okay,” The young Ursinoids dutifully followed after their mother. “Bye Mister Starfleet officer! Thanks again!” “Ohhh, my bones…” Boimler moaned while sprawled out in the snow. “Oooh, maybe I should have gone to Wrigley’s Pleasure Planet…” “Hey, are you okay?” “Huh?” Boimler blinked to see an attractive blonde human female looking down at him in concern. “Oh wow. You’re an angel…” “Actually, I’m a Starfleet officer,” The woman quipped kneeling next to him. “And I’m officially on leave right now, but thanks for the compliment. Barbara Brinson, at your service.” “Hi. I’m Brad Boimler,” Boimler smiled weakly. “I’m a Starfleet officer too. Also on leave.” “Really? Huh, small galaxy,” Barbara said helping him to his feet. “I saw how you stood up for those Ursinoid kids. That was so sweet. Goofy, but sweet.” “Uh, thanks,” Boimler coughed. “It takes a pretty confident guy to stand up to a pair of Miradorn like that. Much less an angry Ursinoid in full mama-bear mode,” Barbara gave Boimler a friendly smile. “Looks like you could use a little warming up. Want to visit the resort’s sauna and hot tub with me?” “Um, yeah. Sure. I’ve love to. Thanks,” Boimler smiled as he and Barbara headed back into the resort. Hmmm, maybe my time on Vendu won’t be so bad after all… -------------------------------------- Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek: Lower Decks.