The New Year's Eve Party

"Are we going to have a New Year's Eve party, Jean-Luc?" purrs Bev softly as I try to complete my weekly Report for Starfleet.

"Beverly." I reply, "This ship is fast growing a reputation as the top party giver around. We have them for Christmas, New Year, birthdays or any excuse we can find."



"Then it no surpise that there is a waiting list of people ready to join." she answers.

"Bev" I struggle to say, "This ship should be exploring the universe, crossing new frontiers, boldly going where..."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." Beverly comments dismissively, then whispers, "I'll change into Six's dress after the party...just for your eyes."

I recall the dress the Cylon creature Six wore prompts me to reconsider.

"Go on then, Bev."

--------------

Some time later, Ten Forward is all decked out, with Vic Fontaine and his band ready to play. Seven of Nine approaches me.

"Locutus." she starts, "I fail to see why Starfleet celebrate New Year when calendar years had been abandoned some time ago in favour of stardates."

"It's tradition, Seven." I explain, "People like the old ways of ringing out the old and bringing in the new year. It would not be the same with stardates."

Seven gives me a puzzled look.

"On our Borg Cubes we mark events by giving us a longer break in our alcove, " she tells me, " The Alpha Borg Queen's Birthday is a major celebration."

I then hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Hey, when is the party starting?"



I groan. Ensign Britney and her friend T'Pol both come in matching leather outfits.

"Ensign!" I say, "You can't wear that. You have to maintain a sense of decorum within Starfleet."

"Don't be a party pooper, Captain." T'Pol adds, "It's New Years Eve. Brit and I just want to have a bit of fun."

I sigh. She's probably right.

"Very well." I concede.

The two girls shout "Yay!" and go off to the bar to get a powerful Fasakian Brandy before going to the dancefloor to dance together.

"You're very generous, Captain." Riker says as he walks up to me, "I would never have allowed Deanna to go out in something skimpy and revealing."

"Never have ALLOWED?" Deanna shouts to him as she digs her finger in his ribs.



Riker looks at Deanna's dress and his eyes almost pop out, as they would have done had he been a member of the Ptarian race.

"Er...Deanna" he starts, "Sorry...I meant....err..do...you think that is revealing?"

"Yes!" she replies, "But you have no say in it."

The pair walk off, shouting at each other. Eventually they kiss and make up while dancing.

-------------

As the night wears on, Vic Fontaine plays classics such as As Time Goes By. Midnight approaches.

"5-4-3-2-1...HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!"

Everybody kisses their loved one and sings Auld Lang Syne.

"Happy New Year, Jean-Luc"

"Happy New Year, Bev."

--------------

And Happy New Year to all Journal readers!

Back From Vacation

We all assemble in the Ready Room after our Christmas vacation. Each one looks worn out, even Data, as if he needs a recharge in his power cell. Seven of Nine looks like she hasn't been in her alcove to be regenerated in months.

I must admit, I feel dreadful as well.

"Well then, everybody." I say, "We're all back from our Christmas break. How did you all get on?"

This provokes a mass groan and heads collapse on the tables. Worf almost slides under the table.
"How did Alexander like WallyWorld, Mr Worf?"



"Oh, he was sick on all the rides." Jadzia interrupts, "His poor stomach couldn't take it."

"I'm sorry for Alexander." I reply.

"Oh, it wasn't him." Jadzia corrects me, "It was Worf. He just has no stomach to take funpark rides."

That explains Worf's greenish tint.

"How was Lwaxana Troi, Number One?" I ask.

This, predictably gives a glum look from Riker, but Deanna answers for him,



"Oh, we all had a super time." Deanna tells us, "My mother hosted everything very well, and Will did what he was told and didn't misbehave."

This comment appears as if they are talking about a five year old, and explains Eiker's glum reaction.

"How about you, Mr Data?" I ask. "What about you and Jennifer Baxter?"

The two both have a satisfied smile, and Data responds with "Is it all right if I keep that classified?"

Well two people had a Happy Christmas!

I start to ask Ro, but a get a "No comment." I ask Geordi the same abot his time off with Trisha Lewis and get the same reply.

This is like being a reporter on the Galactic Gazette!

"What about you two?" I ask Ensign Britney and T'Pol, "You must have had a fun time that you want to tell us?"

The problematic pair look at each other with a secret smile and then laugh.



"Shall I tell him or you, Brit?" T'Pol asks.

"Go on, sistah." Britney urges her.

"Well, we went to the supernightclub Eternal, as we said before." T'Pol starts, "The music was way too quiet for us, though, it was only 110 decibels. We sneaked behind the amplifiers and doubled the volume. The two of us had a great time dancing together. Not many others were around."

"I'm not surprised." Deanna comments.

"Did you deliver your Report to the Borg Queen, Seven?" I ask her.

"Yes, Locutus." she answers, "However that bottle of Klingon Bloodwine you gave us was diverting. The Queen and I drank it between us and in ten minutes were were singing We Wish You A Merry Christmas."

We all laugh except Seven.

"What about you and Doctor Crusher?" Riker asks, "Did you enjoy the Bideaway Hotel?"

Bev and I both grin to ourselves and say jointly "No comment."

TWQ: What Did You Do At Christmas?

As we settle back after Christmas, TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks what you did...if you can remember!

How did you spend your Christmas Day this year? What did you do and who did you see?

My answers are:

After opening the pressies, my father and I visited the crematorium with some flowers, went to my best friend Kay and her mother for Christmas lunch. In the evening, the two of us settled back to watch my new DVD, the Alan Alda film Same Time Next Year.

Now it's over to you...

Christmas Greetings From...

It's Christmas.

Time to hear some special Yuletide messages....

Alexander...my father has given me permission to wish you a Happy Christmas.

Beverly Crusher....goodwill to all people....Jean-Luc...I've got some mistletoe here.

Boothby...oh yeah, Happy Christmas. Just stay off the grass and no crushing the flowers.

Data...to you all and especially Jenny, I wish you a most enjoyable Chrstmas.

William Riker.....Have a great time. If you see any donuts anywhere, will you let me know?

Guinan....peace to all the creatures in the universe.



Kathryn Janeway.....Happy Christmas to those in the USS Voyager. Am I wasting my time in sending this across the universe? Will anyone hear us?

Deanna Troi...Happy Christmas, Will and mother....stay stress free...but not TOO stress free otherwise I'll be out of a job!

Lwaxana Troi...oodles of love to you all at Christmas!

Jadzia Dax...special Christmas Wishes to you all, especially my Worfie.

James T Kirk....has anyone seen the woman I'm supposed to fall in love with this week? Anyway, Happy Christmas.

Jennifer Baxter..Have a special, Christmas, Data, my darling . Hugs and kisses from your Jenny.

Lieutenant Worf....make sure you do not partake in too much alcohol consumption, otherwise my Security Team will be forced to put you in the brig.



Lore.....have a thoroughly miserable time, humans.

Karena....A Christmas greeting to all women, and also to my Life Servant husband, Wesley.

Erika Hernandez...I send you all greetings from the USS Rhode Island and...notnow, Mark, I'm trying to send this message.

Mark Hatherway...Have a really cool Yule...c'mon, Erika, here's the mistletoe.

Nexa...have a great time...except Karena, of course.

Elizabeth Shelby....I wish good health and happiness to all, except those who are blocking my promotions to the top.

Geordi La Forge....have a fab time...from me and Trisha.

Luthor Sloan...watch what you do over Christmas, because Section 31 will be watching you.

Captain Beverly Howard...may all those on the Enterprise have a terrible year, especially that copy of me.

Ro Laren....special secret kisses to my love, Gul Vorak.

Gul Vorak....an encrypted message of Christmas love to Ro Laren.

Seven of Nine....Enjoy this human festivity.

Wesley...our first Christmas married, Karena!

Ensign Britney....kiss kiss to you all, and special hugs to my soulsistah T'Pol.



Mirror T'Pol....Have a great time everybody, especially my number one girl, Brit.

Borg Queen...enjoy yourself in a reasonable manner or be assimilated.

Alpha Borg Queen....this is all very fascinating. What does one do with this mistletoe?

Ambassador Spock....I wish you a logical Christmas.

Thomas Riker...I wish you a Maquis Christmas.

Annika Hansen....special greetings from Unimatrix Zero

Borg Queen Troi....I wish you doom and destruction, which I shall happily bestow, especially on the Enterprise.

Holographic Doctor...I would sing you a suitable operatic medley, but instead shall wish you compliments of the season.

Vic Fontaine...I can sing an excellent White Christmas if you like....what? Just a message? Oh, have a good time then.

Well I think that's it. All that remains is for me to...



"Hold on, Mon Capitano. You're leaving me out again."

"Not now, Q"

"I want to be included. Don't you know your readers love me?"

"I can't think why. Very well, Q. Make it brief."

"Of course. Well on this most happy occasion, I feel honoured to be able to give this special Yuletide greeting to all those in the universe. After all that have gone before it seems that the best is last. You may remember that earlier, I said...."

"Q!!!"

"Oh very well, Jean-Luc. May you all have a most wonderful Christmas and a prosperous New Year"

He's gone. What a relief.

And after that, I extend my Christmas good wishes to you all, and the hope for a peaceful and Happy New Year.

Christmas Destinations (Part Two)

Now that I've had my cup of Earl Grey, I can resume my talk with the Senior Staff about what they will be doing over the Christmas vacation. We all reassemble in my Ready Room.

"What about you. Ro?" I ask, "Will you be visiting anyone on Bajor during the holidays?"

At this question, the young Bajoran becomes very shy, as if she is reluctant to say anything.



"Err...well..." she stutters, "I'm not sure. I might do, I'm not sure."

It's all very secretive. Prising anything out of Ro Laren is a very tough thing to do.

"Ro's got a boyfriend!" sings Ensign Britney over and over again. Ro goes red-faced, like a young schoolgirl. Has Britney hit upon the answer?

"Well, what about you, Ensign Britney?" Riker asks, "You've been teasing Ro. What about you?"



"Hey, I've got nothing to hide." answers the trouble-prone Ensign, "My soulsistah T'Pol and I will be heading to the new supernightclub Eternal on the planet Salavan. The are having a multi-night-all-you-can-eat and and dance spectacular. Days of non-stop jiving."

I raise my eyebrow, but not really surprised. It's just the sort of thing they would do.

"How about you, Geordi?" Deanna asks, "What will you be doing for Christmas?"

"Not much." he answers, "My girl Trisha and I are going skiing on the ice planet Chiili. I've always wanted to try it for real. It's not the same in the holodeck."

"Just remember that there are no safety protocols in place." I warn, "We want you back in one piece, not pieces."

We turn to Seven of Nine.

"What about you, Seven?" Bev asks, "How will you be enjoying Christmas?"



"Enjoyment is irrelevant!" says Seven, "We are the Borg, resistan..."

"Put a sock in it, Seven." Riker says, "You know the Borg Queen enjoyed her visit at the Party, and even her superior, the leader of the Borg race did, so loosen a few implants and have a good time."

"I will consider this." she says "When I visit the Borg Queen on Cube 01. I shall give her my report as to the current events."

"Then take her this Klingon bloodwine." I say, "I know it will go down well on the Cube."

She takes it.

"Well that was fun, finding out what you are doing."

"Hold on, Captain." Riker says, "You haven't mentioned what you and Doctor Crusher will be doing."

Bev and I start to go red, like Ro did earlier.

"Well, of course." starts Bev, "We will be visiting Wesley and Karena on Wondwowman, as they are staying with Queen Diana."

"That confirmation for the Bideaway Hotel must have been a mistake that I saw come in on the computer." Data states, "I shall cancel that."

"Don't do that!" Bev and I both say, "We'll sort it out."

I'll have Data's rewired for that!

Another voice pops up from behind.

"Hey! What about me?"



Q!

"You never ask what I'm doing, Mon Kapitano!" he exclaims, "Consider my feelings hurt."

I sigh.

"Very well, Q" I ask, "What ARE you doing this Christmas?"

"Oh, it's so BORING in the Continuum." he moans, "As there is no concept of time or space, everyday is the same. Here, pull this Christmas cracker."

He gives me a cracker to pull. He wins, and as the explosion goes off, all the clothes of the Senior Staff vanish.

"Now I've had a good Christmas, Jean-Luc." Q says as she vanishes, "Have a super time!"

----------------

And to all Journal readers......Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas Destinations (Part One)

"Hello everybody." I say, "I know you are all starting to pack for your various locations over the Christmas vacation, but I thought we'd all have a chat."

A slight groan comes from those senior staff in the Ready Room. They know I am always curious to know where there are going.

"Well." I say, "It's fun knowing what we will all be doing. After all, we will go in different directions, visiting families and friends."

"What would happen if some aliens invaded while we were away, Captain." Geordi asks, "It seems like the whole Federation is on holiday."

"Oh,there will be a skeleton staff looking after the whole of Starfleet." I reply, "The Skeletas from the planet Skeleta have volunteered."



"Hence there Skeleton staff." Riker comments drily.

"Err...yes." I say, "Now let's start with you, Deanna. Where will you be going?"

"Not very far, Captain." she answers, "Will and I were all set to go the romantic waterfall on the planet of Elixa, but my mother called me, and said that she wanted to visit, so we are staying at my Earth home in San Francisco while I cook lunch for Will and her."

I can sense Riker's irritation. The waterfalls of Elixa are a lot better than spending Christmas with Lwaxana Troi!

"What about you, Jadzia?" I inquire, "Will you be doing anything interesting this Christmas?"



"Worfie....I mean Lieutenant Worf and I will be taking his son Alexander to WallyWorld, the planet for children, where he can meet Malcolm Muskrat and all the characters that the famous Uncle Wally created." she answers.

"Alexander to too old to go there!" snorts Worf, "He should be going to Klingon warrior training on the homeworld over Christmas."

"Don't be such a sourpuss, Worfie." Jadzia, "I know you always told me that you were a huge fan of Malcolm Muskrat."

Worf goes red...as much as Klingons do.

"You said you would never mention that!" he whispers."

"Never mind, Mr Worf." I tell him, "That's a secret that will stay in this room. Now how about you, Mr Data. What will you be doing?"



"I had planned to go to the cybernetic lectures," answers Data, "But my girlfriend Jennifer Baxter has threatened to use my 'off' switch if I consider it."

"Too right!" Jennifer says, interrupting him, "I want to spend a romantic Christmas with Data, not go listening to sleepy scientists talk about robotic theories. The two of us will be spending time in a icy log cabin on the planet Thermos, where there are warm heating inside."

"It sounds super." I say, "Shall we continue this discussion in a while, after we've packed a bit more?"

To be continued....

TWQ: Christmas Likes & Dislikes

As this is the last weekend before Christmas, TWQ (The Weekend Question) asks what you like and dislike about the whole thing.

What likes and dislikes do you have about the whole Christmas occasion? List as many as you wish.

My answers are:

Likes:

* Christmas Eve evening is a favourite time, as all the preparation is over and I can wait for the big day.

* Getting up on the day itself, knowing it's a different one from all others in the year....something I've always thought from childhood.

Dislikes:

* The fact that some shops open their Christmas section as early as August, and some towns put their lights up in September.

* Shopping in December on pavements that are too full to hold the people. Little wonder that so many shop online.

* The fact that few people seem to know what Christmas actually means, and see it as just a time to get the presents.

Now it's over to you....

But before I go....

Happy Christmas to you all!

Extra! Extra!


Here's what I would like to do. I want to create a story that branches out in a variety of different, unexpected ways. I don't know how realistic it is, but that's what I'm aiming for. Hopefully, at least one thread of the story can make a decent number of hops before it dies out.If you are one of the carriers of this story virus (i.e. you have been tagged and choose to contribute to it), you will have one responsibility, in addition to contributing your own piece of the story: you will have to tag at least one person that continues your story thread. So, say you tag five people. If four people decide to not participate, it's okay, as long as the fifth one does. And if all five participate, well that's five interesting threads the story spins off into.Not a requirement, but something your readers would appreciate: to help people trace your own particular thread of the narrative, it will be helpful if you include links to the chapters preceding yours. Splotchy

The Apple

The bus was more crowded than usual. It was bitterly cold outside, and I hadn't prepared for it. I noticed that a fair number of the riders were dressed curiously. As I glanced around, I stretched my feet and kicked up against a large, heavy cardboard box laying under the seat in front of me. Splotchy

I couldn't believe my eyes. Surrepticiously, I tried to establish, without giving it away, if anyone else had seen what I had. For ten years I had been looking for that box. What looked like an ordinary cardboard box to most contained something most precious. Only by the small golden "P" was I able to identify what I was looking at. (Freida Bee)

How the box got here, or how I happened to be on this bus with it now--these questions were immaterial. I just had to get that box. The bus slowed to a stop, so I steadied myself. Just as I was about to make a grab for the box, however, it moved. Someone else was picking it up to take it away! I had to stop her! (Dguzman)

"Ack!" I expclaimed. "Unhand my box, Madam!" But my woeful cry was to no avail as the woman with my box had already turned her back to me, and was quickly walking down the aisle towards the door. Oh, cruel fate! The woman with my box was escaping! I hastily grabbed my valise and nudged my way past the other passengers to get to the front of the bus. (Zaius)

The woman was already out the door by the time I reached the front of the bus. I aimed for the door myself only to see it close right in front of my face. I turned towards the bus driver and gave him my best sheepish, innocent looking shrug. He replied with an impatient grunt but pulled the lever anyway and I was out the door in a flash.

“Excuse me ma’am,” I said as I grabbed the woman by her shoulder. “I’m sorry but I believe that you have my box there.”

“Your what?” she replied in a shocked gasp. “No, this is my box. See, it has this P on it, that stands for Persephone. That’s me.”

“I really must insist,” I insisted. “If you would just open the box and look inside, I’m sure that the contents will show you that it’s mine.”

“I’ll do no such thing. You’ve got a lot of nerve, mister.”

Just then, I looked up as the bus began to pull out into traffic. There, looking out of the back window was a small boy armed with an impish grin and proudly holding a cardboard box with a golden “P” on the side. Jon, Intergalactic Gladiator

The real box was still inside the bus! I chased after the bus, hoping I could reach it in time when it got to the next stop.

I pushed past all the pedestrians who were going the opposite way. I could see the bus slowing down as it was coming to a halt. Passengers started filing out, but the small boy was still inside.

I reached the bus just as the doors were closing. I forced them open and entered the bus. The boy was still grinning at me.

"I want that box!" I shouted to him, and all the passengers looked at me in amazement. Jean-Luc Picard

At this point, I should infect five people, but instead if any of you wish to continue this story, please do so and let me know.

No Christmas This Year

"Who is coming aboard, Captain?" Data asks me, as we stand in the Transporter Room.

"It's someone newly promoted, an Admiral Simon Crooge." I reply. I've never met him.

The transporter flashes and an odd looking man appears.



"Err..Admiral Crooge?" I ask, not sure if this is the man.

"Yes, yes." replies, "My Admiral's outfit has been sent to the cleaners, and I've had to come in this casual outfit. Please excuse me."

"That's allright." I tell him, "Happy Christmas."

The Admiral looks alarmed, as if I have just done something unforgiveable.

"Humbug!" he snorts, "Christmas is for those making a pretty penny out of us all. I have recommended to the Federation President that Christmas be cancelled this year."

Riker listens and says, "You can't do that, Admiral!"

"Oh, can't I, Commander?" Crooge tells him defiantly, "Just you wait and see. I'm sending a directive that Christmas will not be celebrated on any starship or Federation planet. Instead, the day will be declared December Holiday. Happy December Holiday to you."

We all walk through the corridors, with Deanna and Bev joining as as we walk. Suddenly, we see an off-duty couple kissing with a mistletoe.




"How sweet." Deanna says, "It really brings Chrstmas to the ship."


"Humbug!" Admiral Crooge shouts, and walks over to the couple, breaking them up, and telling that mistletoe will not be used from now on and Christmas is cancelled. The girl runs off in tears.


"This directive could upset a lot of people, Admiral." I warn him.


"Nonsense, Picard." he replies, "They still get December Holiday. What more do they want?"


We get to the Bridge, where Data tells us the there is an urgent message from Starfleet Headquarters from the Federation President. It is for Admiral Crooge."


The face of our President comes on the screen. He is not happy.


"What the devil do you think you're playing at, Crooge?" he shouts, "You can't go around cancelling Christmas. All the Federation planets celebrate it."


"Err...I don't happen to like it, sir." Crooge says in a grovelling tone.


"Well you can come to Starfleet Headquarters and work all day here" the President answers, "You'll be the only one here, as I, and all the others will be away for Christmas."


"Err...yes sir." Crooge mumbles.


"And Crooge..." the President adds, "Happy Christmas."


We lead the Admiral back to the transporter room. On the way, we meet Ensign Britney, who is eating a bag of sweets."


"Do you want a sweet, Admiral?" she asks.


"What are they?"


"Humbugs."