Family Drama

Posted on Sunday, 18 July 2021 - 10:20am by Ensign Oriana Skye Sety & Lieutenant JG Hayashi Hamura & Captain Barret Stillwater
Edited on on Friday, 23 July 2021 - 5:12pm

Mission: Operation: Lazarus
Location: USS Standing Bear | CO's Ready Room
Timeline: 2394 MD 04

ON:

Admiral Robert Sky drummed his fingers on the table waiting to connect. He wasn’t a real screen kind of guy so he’d initialized the Holo aspect of coms. It wasn’t often used but it have a solid form and his holo was able to pick things up and read data pads as if here were there. It was handy when it came to dealing with CO meetings. This was not one of those times. This was personal.

After years of … well he wouldn’t go there. He just wouldn’t. He waited. If Stillwater didn’t answer soon Sky would only continue to get redder.

Captain Stillwater walked into the room as the Admiral's holo form had taken shape. What the hell was proper protocol these days with this holo crap thought Stillwater. These holographic communiques were revitalized tech used sparingly in past centuries, brought back during the Dominion War, but Stillwater's starships back then were too dated for the tech.

The Standing Bear had the potential for them, but it was not standard equipment. Perhaps, I should get Ops and Engineering on that for my replacement he pondered as he walked over to the replica and ordered himself a hot tea. "What can I do for you, Bob?" Barret Stillwater said as he waited for the mug of tea to materialize.

"I'd offer you something, but" Stillwater shrugged. He took his mug of tea and proceeded to head over to have a seat. "My apologies. You'll have to settle for this. The Standing Bear hasn't enabled these holographic courier communiques yet."

"I was told you were a sassy one. I don't like sass. Now, you're assistant Kitana, that's who I'm...oh wait she goes by Oriana now. You're going to get rid of her. Send her off your ship."

"Sassy?" Stillwater had been called many things, but this was a first. "I think you have mistaken my pie-eyed optimism looking at retirement on the horizon for sass, Admiral," Stillwater corrected. He didn't want the reputation of being sassy.

He grumbled something before focusing back on the Admiral. "I see Starfleet Intelligence is operating as good as a Malon garbage show these days. She's not going anywhere unless she requests it or someone of your caliber brass asses their way into making it happen. I'm the one leaving."

Sky's eyes narrowed. "You know I could rescind your retirement papers."

"You could make an attempt, but you would lose the war," replied Stillwater. "I know a few Admirals, some that are a bit higher on the pecking order than yourself."

Sky studied Stillwater.

Because Stillwater has requested the repair updates Oriana had known that he was expecting her. She'd called him about 15 minutes ago to tell him they were ready and that she was on her way after stopping off to see Soral. She had been expected. What hadn't been expected was the holo that greeted her when she walked in. A man who in all this time changed very little. She gasped and the holo rounded.

"Well, if it isn't he troublemaker herself."

Oriana's reaction was immediate. The anger was so raw that her hands shook. After all this time, it wasn't enough that they'd ruined her childhood and made her feel like a burden and that she had been a mistake. It wasn't enough that she'd been lonely all her life but now they were trying to ruin everything that she'd built for herself.

Stillwater scoffed in amusement. "I haven't seen a reaction that visually telling since a Tribble was near a Klingon. I don't believe she likes you very much, Admiral?"

Oriana said nothing but the hollow focused on Oriana. "So...the traitor walks in. After all your mother and I did for you. You left and do you know how long it took to get people to stop looking at us funny. Everyone assumed we did something wrong."

Oriana's face turned bright red. "You did! You treated me like I was a burden you never wanted so I left."

"It's all about PERCEPTION!" He bellowed.

Oriana surprised herself. There was no fear only anger. "Yet they still made you an admiral. I guess Starfleet has really fallen low."


"Now see here you..."

before he could finish Oriana marched to Stillwater’s desk and turned cutting him off. "You will NOT address me. Stay out of my life, stay out of communication. I don't want to see anyone from the family. You can all go to hell." She slammed her hand down cutting off the holo watching it fizz out of existence with some satisfaction.

"Thank you," Stillwater said with a mildly amused chuckle. "He was a bit of an annoyance. Though it sounds like more so for you than me. Help yourself to something to drink" suggested Stillwater.

Before she decided whether she wanted something or not, the Captain added "bottom left drawer. I have a few bottles and some glasses in the middle left drawer."

Still shaking she took out the glasses and bottle and poured both of them a drink. Sitting down into the chair across from Stillwater she downed the whole glass and then dropped her head in her hands. "I knew he'd try to call. I spent so many years trying to start my life over but somehow my family still found me. Let me guess...my assignment is done here?"

"Is he your father?" inquired Stillwater. "Biologically speaking that is," he added. Family was often what you made it. He looked concerned for the woman but reassured her as best he could. "You're assigned here until you request transfer. My replacement will need you. That Admiral barely has an iota of influence compared to the connections I have made."

She looked up at him. "Yes, he is my father. I left my family when I was about 15 and I was determined to build a life. With them, my father, my brothers, my mother I always felt as if I was a burden, as if I didn't belong."

"Talarn would recite a simple and ridiculous Earth saying at a time like this. Something about you can pick your nose but you can't pick your family," Stillwater paraphrased. "To an extent that's true. He is your father biologically, but I feel families look different and he doesn't need to be family to you if you want nothing to do with him."

She laughed a little. "Ewwww nose picking." She smiled. "But I get it. No I don't know if I want anything to do with my family yet. Part of me always wanted their acceptance and the day I discovered I would never have it... was a difficult day."

"I can make it happen that he will not contact you any further" offered the Captain.

She weighed that a moment. "Can I let you know in a day or so?"

"Yes," replied Stillwater. "Just make your wish before this Gini retires again."

She stood and walked up to Stillwater. She then hugged him. "Thank you."

Not going to kill you to hug her he lectured himself. He returned the tightness as firm. "You're welcome, Oriana."

She pulled back. "I'm sorry I know you're not the huggy type."

"I'm not with my crew, but this is my last mission. We can make an exception today."

She smiled. "Thanks."

"Hmmm I wouldn't have pegged you for a hugger Cappy. Should I be worried Kitten?"

Oriana jumped back. She blushed. "Hamura Hayashi!"

"WOW trip down memory lane with that. You briefly sounded like my mother when I messed up. Not the sexiest comparison."

"Play nice," he said to them. "Alright, one pain in the ass Admiral handled. If You'll excuse me I have some things to finish up."

"I just came to drop this report." Hamura placed it on Stillwater's desk. "As far as playing nice...where's the fun in that."

"OH my Gods!" Oriana turned bright red and hurried out.

Hamura grinned winking at the Captain. "In the words of a man I admire very much, Later Mon Capitan."

"Goodbye, Ensign." Stillwater was definitely looking forward to Prairie.

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