Slipstream Saga : Waking Dreams

Shaka stepped out of her quarters and sighed. She had been indulging herself in her work, as usual.

*Seven straight hours.* She thought. *I think.*

"Computer, time "" Shaka asked.

<The time is twenty-one hours and thirteen minutes> The computer responded.

"Damn," Shaka said aloud. "Is anyone on the holodeck ?"

<All holodecks are currently occupied.>

Shaka stamped her foot in frustration. The stomping sound made her jump slightly; her concentration was a lot lower than it should've been and she was having trouble tuning things out.

"Grozit." She said to herself, more than happy that the computer didn't translate that particular Andorian expletive. With nothing left to do, she decided to go to bed, turning back to head inside her quarters once more.

She had the same dream she had every night before... she couldn't figure out what it meant. In her dream, she was a cabbie in old Earth, New York City. It was the same nightmare she had when she fell asleep during her Earth history classes in New Zealand. Now, however, things were different. A gang had bought her a new cab, but in return she had to drive them from heist to heist. She was sitting outside a bank when there were some exploding noises-- projectile weapons of the era, and the mobsters jumped into the car.

"Take us home. And cross the bridge." The leader said.

Shaka punched the gas; the vehicle took off like a shot. "Cross the bridge ? That's a longer route !"

"Listen, toots, just because it's a longer route don't mean nothin. It's faster to take the bridge."

Shaka sighed and swerved around a corner, taking the bridge. She was doubtful at first, but she crossed the bridge at no time. Eventually, she was at the mobsters hangout.

"Here you are..." She said, stunned that the trip was so short. "...that'll be fifteen-fifty."

"No problem." He said. "Let me just get my wallet."

The man pulled out a gun and shot Shaka.

Shaka sat up in bed with a start. "Why does it always have to end like that ?"

Ten Forward

"Andorian dreams are a lot like human dreams, actually." Sierra explained. "Most of the time, they mean something... it just takes a little time to figure it out. What's your schedule been like lately ?"

"I get up, go to work, go back to my quarters... that's pretty much it." Shaka replied.

"How has work been lately ?"

"A little slow, actually. With the Barien war and everything, I've had less time to work on the slipstream drive. More often than not, I've been lending a pair of hands to engineering."

"Huh. What do you do when you get home ?"

"I go to my terminal and look to see if there have been any developments in slipstream drive technology." Shaka said.

"Which, of course, you usually don't find because we're so far from home."

"Exactly... unless it's a *major* breakthrough I don't get any messages. Scientific data isn't broadcast this far."

"Even though you are a pioneer in your field." Sierra added.

"Exactly." Shaka agreed.

Sierra noted this and jotted it into a Padd for a possible follow-up later. "Anyway, though, after you check your messages..."

"I read old journals. Pages and pages on slipstream theories... they're working on a new class of slipstream drive."

"Will it be different from what you're doing here ?" Sierra asked, leaning in slightly.

"I'm not sure, unfortunately. Some of the concepts look like they're taking a step backwards, but there are others so complex I've spent hours on the holodeck running sims to figure them out." Shaka said. "I recognise some of it from the time I spent with the Catatonians, but a lot of it is techno-babble to me."

"When we get back home, you'll have all the time you want to study them." Sierra replied, taking a sip from her cup.

"I'll have to go back to the Academy." Shaka replied. "After this trip, a refresher in slipstream theory wouldn't hurt in the least."

"Sounds like a plan. In the meantime, though, I think you should take a step back to collect your thoughts. I just happen to have the security logs from your floor....." Sierra grinned, "... you spend a lot of time in your quarters, I see. And while that is your right, I recommend that you make use of the holodeck and indulge a hobby or sport to work out your energy."

<Lieutenant Shaka, the time is 0855 hours> The computer announced.

"Gotta run." Shaka said. "Duty in five minutes. Thanks so much for the talk, though." She smiled.

"Any time," Sierra smiled back.