Goodbye

Posted on Wednesday, 2 December 2020 - 7:35am by Lieutenant Alex Kingsley & Commander Soral

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: Earth, Vulcan Embassy
Timeline: 2393 (Prior to No Way Rose Pt II)

Soral stood with Alex and the kids and Laura. He had them meet at the Embassy where they would catch a special shuttle. He knew there would be hell to pay when Alex saw it but for now he wanted everyone to say their goodbyes in peace.

Unexpectedly Soval threw his arms around Alex. Severine stood off to the side feeling quite happy that her brother had formed that connection. He was finally starting to see Alex as a mother.

Nobody was more surprised than Alex when the boy suddenly hugged her, and it was evident he had definitely inherited his father’s strength. She did the natural thing, hugging him back. “Take good care of your sister, and keep your grandmother out of trouble,” she whispered.

“I heard that,” Laura protested with a good natured smile.

"Why do have to go," he asked her.

“Because families aren’t allowed on our ship and you have so much to see and do and learn on Vulcan,” Alex told him as she knelt down so they were eye level. “And your governess will get very lonely without anyone to govern. But we will come see you both as soon as we can, always.”

He grinned. "I took care of her."

Severine walked up. "Yes, a Lema frog in her breakfast. I've never see a Vulcan scream that loud." She hugged Alex.

A frog. In her breakfast. No wonder the woman had screamed. She wondered what her husband thought of this development, yet had no time to ask before Severine hugged her. She had to admit, she had missed her step daughter and she knew, deep down Soral had too. Yet their ship, the missions they undertook, it was no life for a child. Especially children old enough to understand most of what was happening around them.

"I'll miss you both," she whispered to them. "Be good. And no more frogs."

Her last comment was directed at Soval as she stood and turned to face her mother. "And you -"

Laura threw her arms around her daughter, her grip just as tight as the children. "Stay safe," she instructed, her tone brokering no argument. "I'll take care of them, I promise."

"Love you mum," Alex whispered back, stepping back to join Soral.

Soral said goodbye to the kids and hugged Laura. "I have undertaken some safety precautions for your return."

"Because we're Romulan." Soval said.

He turned to the boy. "Indeed. Earth is not safe."

"Why do they hate us?"

That question broke Soral's heart. He knelt down. "It is not all people. Just a few that are misguided. They blame all Romulans for the mistakes of a few. You will be safe."

The boy gave a nod. He motioned for the to follow. "Follow me." They walked over to the lift and he waited until everyone entered. He pressed the sub basement button and the lift jolted to a stop.

"Diplomatic codes required," The computerized voice filtered through.

Soral entered the code and the lift resumed. Severine, he noted, held his hand. "It will be alright."

Standing behind Soral and his children, Alex caught her mother’s curious look but simply shrugged. She had no more idea where they were going than her mother, or why it required diplomatic codes. And for now she suspected the children needed the reassurance of their father.

They arrived down into the sub basement. Soval stepped back and took Alex's hand. He looked up and smiled up at her.

Squeezing his hand she offered him an encouraging smile. She knew this was difficult for him, to say goodbye and entrust others with protecting his children. Yet he was also troubled by what was happening here, on Earth, and what that might mean.

They exited the lift when the doors whooshed open and Soral lead them to a set of tritanum doors. He entered his palm print and the doors parted to reveal an empty bay.

Laura stepped out into the cavernous space. “Well this is interesting...” she offered.

Just as they finished speaking the air around them shimmered and there in the bay a sleek, dark ship shimmered into existence. Soral watched as the back end ramp slid down and two large Vulcans exited.

"It is like a bird." Severine said stepping forward.

"Indeed. A Raptor Class V'Shar ship. New."

“V’Shar?” Alex repeated incredulously. “Isn’t this a little too much?” whispered to him.

"Not in the least. I take no chance with safety." He pulled something out of his pocket and knelt down by Severine. "This is for you."

Severine tore open the box and gave squeak of glee, the mother of all emotional displays. Soral lifted the necklace and put it around her neck. "This is the IDIC, the very symbol of Vulcan logic and intertwined is the symbol of the Quot Milat, the warrior nuns. Every Vulcan is both warrior and philosopher and you do not have to pick between the two. To remind you that in the diversity that lays within you thee is strength and the true principals of both peoples."

Severine threw her arms around her father and he hugged her back. "Be safe." She hugged him again and kissed Alex on the cheek.

“Safe trip,” Alex said quietly, kissing Severine’s forehead.

The female V'Shar agent stepped forward and lead Severine inside the ship. Soral then looked at his son. "My son," he said kneeling. "I know that you still have your reservations. Know that ..."

"You never came for us." He said.

"Had I known you existed I would. Your mother and I did not agree on many things and there was injury on both sides but she left me with a gift, that of you and your sister. I know it will take time but I will prove myself to you."

The boy said nothing and then. "V'Shar are warriors."

He gave a nod. "Indeed." He motioned for the other agent. "This is Tovalis. He will tell you about the V'Shar."

Soval gave a nod. He hugged Alex and then skipped off.

Soral stepped up to Laura. "Thank you for all that you are doing." He kissed both her hands. "Thank you for my wife."

“No thanks are necessary but if you insist on doing so, just take good care of my girl,” Laura told him.

“ I always will. She is my life force." He hugged her. His lip twitching. "I believe that the Ambassador is skulking."

Said Ambassador stepped out of the shadows. "Vulcans do not skulk." He looked at Laura. "I merely came to say goodbye."

Soral stepped over to Alex holding her hand. "I believe your mother has a suitor," he whispered.

Alex’s eyes widened, “What?!” she whispered.

The Ambassador bowed. "Lady Laura it is pleasant to see you."

Laura blushed, “the pleasure is mine.” When Alex none too subtly cleared her throat, she seemed to go a brighter shade of scarlet. “Ambassador, I know you are acquainted with Soral but have you met my daughter?”

He bowed again. "Lady Alexandra, I am honoured to meet you. Both your husband and your mother speak highly of you."

“You shouldn’t believe everything you hear, Ambassador,” Alex retorted lightly. “And it is my honour to meet you. I understand you have been a great help in arranging clearance for my mother’s move to Vulcan.”

"I may have helped a little. I was and am glad to help Lady Laura when I can." He turned. "That reminds me." He pulled out a PaDD. "Your work clearances. The center will he honoured to have you there." He picked up her hand and kissed it.

“So soon! That’s wonderful!” Laura beamed, throwing her arms around him before remembering who he was and how inappropriate she was being. Stepping back she cleared her throat, tugging on her jacket. “What I meant to say was ...Thank you.”

Alex bit down on her lip to stifle a laugh as she tried to look everywhere but at her mother.

"I was glad to help." He inclined his head his cheeks taking on a greenish hue in their blush.

"Sir we must leave."

Soral turned to see one of the pilots. "Indeed. Run fully cloak all the way to Vulcan." He said. "Are we sure it's undetectable?"

"Indeed."

Soral turned to his wife not doubting that she would have a thousand questions after. "It's time for the shuttle to leave." He stepped away letting the two woman say a private goodbye while he spoke with the pilot.

"Try not to create too many diplomatic incidents while you are on Vulcan," Alex teased as she hugged her mother again. It would be all too easy to unload all of her worries, to just tell her everything she had somehow seen from Haru's dream but she restrained herself. She knew - for all of her attempts to hide it - that the death of her father tormented her mother beyond measure. A special sadness she could never rid herself of. And so Alex indulged it, hating to see that sadness whenever it creeped out of its hiding place.

"How many is too many?" Her mother retorted with a mischievous laugh which seemed to light up the room. Shaking her head she kissed her daughter on the cheek before they walked arm in arm towards the ramp. "I will be on my best behaviour, I promise."

"That doesn't really reassure me," Alex grinned.

"I know," Laura laughed, patting her hand. "You said you were leaving in the morning?"

"Yes, with Commander Stillwater and probably one or two others. I'm not entirely sure where or why, but you'll be able to reach Soral if any of you need anything," Alex assured her. "I know Severine is rather fond of calling Soral. Hopefully her spending some time face to face will assure her that he is alright."

"Time will tell," Laura nodded thoughtfully. "They are both so alike, yet different. It happens with a lot of twins, but I am sure they will do just fine. They just need time to adjust to the idea of having a father, having a new home, new school... new everything. It is a lot to deal with but they will be okay. And the Governess..."

With a final hug, Laura pulled away and headed up the ramp.

"Where did Soval find the frog?" Alex called after her, a sudden suspicion coming to her mind.

"You know," Laura glanced over her shoulder, her grin wider than a Cheshire cat, "I have absolutely no idea..."

And with that she disappeared from sight, her laughter trailing in her wake.

OFF