The air was crisp and blowing from the North West; it gently lifted the loose top layers of the powdery white snow, creating ripples across the gentle ski slopes of the local mountain resort of ‘Lazy Pines’.  It was a picture perfect landscape; created by Mother Nature and a team of automated ploughs that worked tirelessly through the night, in order to bring the optimal skiing conditions to the resorts guests.

Chance Vought, had arrived the night before; so hadn’t had the chance to check the resort out yet; other than his room and the bar.  He’d seen a few buildings from the air, including the hotel he was now staying in. The whole place was done up in a Swiss style; though he suspected the owners had never been within fifty light years of Earth, let alone Switzerland itself.  Not that he cared right now; he was here to enjoy himself, as per orders.

Chance half smiled at the thought; it was a strained smile though, from a man who’d not had a whole lot to smile about.  He hadn’t exactly been back in action long as it was; thanks to a little altercation during Frontier Day.  He’d changed commands and joined Fourth Fleet, in an attempt to escape the memories and the faces of the dead.

She was still there in his dreams though; he could never escape her; that fourth year cadet who’d tried to kill him.  He’d watched her as she fell to her death with murderous intent in her blackened soulless eyes. Convincing the doctors and counsellors he was fit for duty, hadn’t been too hard.  In a way he was fit; fit enough to command a small starship and its crew.

He walked, bare foot over to the window and drew back the curtains, letting the first rays of light enter the bedroom.   Taking a long stretch, he surveyed the surrounding landscape, before looking back at the chronometer on the bedside table.  The red illuminated figures, informed him it was 06:07, and only three minutes since he’d last checked.

Vought made himself a coffee, or at least let the room’s small replicator do it, and went to take a shower whilst the drink cooled a little.  The shower had real running water, heated by the volcanic springs deep within the mountain.  It wasn’t often he got to have a shower like this, the Grus didn’t have the capacity to carry additional water like that, so on missions he, like the 69 others under his command, made do with Sonic ones.  Not that there was anything wrong with a Sonic, they did the job intended wonderfully; there was just nothing to beat the feel of cascading water.

It was probably for that reason that he spent a little longer in there, than intended.  But then this was a holiday, so sticking any rigid time scales was unnecessary.

**********

Half an hour later he was dressed in casual a pair of slacks and a burgundy turtle neck sweater as he walked into the hotels main restaurant.  A middle aged couple was sat over in one corner enjoying breakfast and a chat, but otherwise the place was still empty.

A young Andorian female approached him, with a menu in one hand.  Her red and black waitresses’ uniform looked reminiscent of the old Starfleet uniforms from the late 23^rd Century period.  Her name badge sat where the delta would be.

“Thank you Telina.” Chance said politely, as she handed him the breakfast menu; after he’d sat down.

“Would you like to order now, Sir.  Or should I come back in a few minutes?” Telina asked.

He was about to consider the options available, when a figure in a fleece lined, hooded jacket came in from one of the outside door.  The man stamped his booted feet on the mat, letting the thin layer of snow they’d accumulated during his walk, to fall off.

“Frank.” Change called out, waving a hand in the direction of the newcomer. “Over here.”

Doctor de Havilland pulled back the hood of his jacket and gave a signal of acknowledgement; before removing his gloves, banging them twice across his left thigh and then taking his jacket off, which he then hung up on the coat stand.

His boots left small pools of water on the wooden floor as he walked across to the table. “It’s cold outside!” He remarked flopping himself down into one of the empty chair.

“I would never have guessed.” Chance remarked, giving the waitress a subtle wink. She tried not to make the smile too obvious.  To her, this was like a wonderful spring day back home.  But she knew humans weren’t as adept at handling these sorts of temperatures. It was why the hotel also had a large hire shop attached; for those guest who hadn’t packed warm enough clothing to cope with the conditions.

Chance realised he’d kept the Andorian waiting and scanned his eyes down the menu. “Right I’ll have egg, bacon, sausage, beans, fried mushroom and fried bread.” He finally announced.  “All those things the good doctor here, so going to disprove of. Oh and coffee, black, please”

“Hey, I’m off duty. You can eat what you like.” de Havilland replied, accepting the menu.

“You’re a doctor, you’re never of duty.” Vaught remarked. “You’ve brought your medical bag with you.”

“You can never be too sure of when an emergency might come up.” Frank handed the menu back to the waitress.  “For his cheek, I’ll have the same, and my friend will be paying.”

Once the waitress had departed to sort out their order, the conversation continued.  “I don’t know why you’re complaining about the cold, this was your idea Frank.”

“No, my idea was just to send you.” Frank replied. “I thought you might prefer this to Khitomer.”

“Oh, that old running around and being shouted at by Klingons, business.” Chance remarked. “Who did the Commander send then?”

“Her XO.” The doctor replied.

Vaught just shook his head slowly, and moved the conversation on to what they’d be doing, during their 10 day stay at the resort,   The last time he’d put on a pair of skis, was when he was 14 and on a school trip, he just hoped he’d manage to stay upright a bit longer, this time around.