Leaving for Home

Posted on Sun May 2nd, 2021 @ 7:17am by Commodore Keiben Haistro

1,261 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 3 - Fear Is Fear Itself
Location: Deck 3 - Crew Quarters
Timeline: Mission Day 1 @ 12:30 Hours

ON

Neshia looked at her injured husband, who had heroically saved her from being killed.

"Kotan, lets go home, I am afraid of losing our child and... I really don't think we should stay. Lets tell the Captain. Please, lets go home." her eyes filled with tears as she snuggled carefully against him.

Kotan propped himself upon the bed, still recovering from the wounds the creature had inflicted upon him but thanks to the ministrations of that holographic Doctor he was well on his way to mending, but the gash across his chest was still painful and prevented him from wearing anything over it in case it started to rub.

He heard his wife's words, and in truth he was starting to feel along similar lines. Was this really the right place to be bringing up a child, could he keep his rank with Starfleet and still find a more accepting environment to raise a child and be with his family. All very valid questions. One thing however would over ride it all... his love for his wife and unborn child.

"Neshia, I love you and if you want to go then we will... I can try and keep my commission with Starfleet but if they cannot find us something that lends itself to family life then I will resign and we can go home, help Cardassia rebuild."

Neshia nodded, "I would like that, be able to work on recovering our people's home. I don't want to have you give up your commission in Starfleet, but maybe after you recover, they can find you an assignment on Cardassia? Maybe two birds, one rock? I will see if the Captain and the XO can come here so we can talk with them. What do you think?"

Kotan just nodded, unable to fight any longer. He felt nauseas every time he moved, likely a side effect of the pain relief the Doctor had put him on mixed with the healing wound on his chest. As he laid his head back on the pillow he couldn't help but consider his wife's words even more right. To see the golden sun of home again, the familiar sights and sounds and a safe place to raise their child. Perhaps this would be for the best.

Neshia looking with concern at her husband, sent a message requesting that the Captain and XO come to her quarters.

Tam upon receiving the message, was mystified and also worried, could something be wrong? She headed for the Yojar's quarters rather quickly. Did something happen?"

Keiben had been on route back from sickbay, visiting Peter when the call ad come. Thankfully he had very little distance to hobble to reach the new destination and rounding the final corner he spotted Tam a few steps ahead.
"You as well Commander... What's this about?"

"I am not certain, but I think we'll find out soon enough." pressing the chime at the Yojar quarters."

The door immediately opened, and Neshia smiled but the smile faded away. "Thanks for coming so quickly. First off everything is okay, but Kotan is unable to come to the ready room and we wanted to talk to you." Neshia moving out of the way for the two command staff to come inside. "Come and talk with Kotan." leading the way to where her husband was.

Keiben saw his Officer, the injury to his chest another angry reminder of his weakness and inability to fight the machine that had used him like a puppet. Two Officers had lost a hand because of him, another had severe scarring and wounds that may never heal properly... and then there was Yelena.
"Kotan... Why are you not in sickbay?"

"The Doc needed the beds for Commander Horn and Ensign Olowe" he said with a smile that was trying to convey that although weak and sore he was and would be healed in time.

"OK" Keiben knew better than to fight sensing that Kotan wanted to be in familiar surroundings and Neshia would not have been able to settle with him elsewhere.
"What can we do for you both?"

Tam felt guilty about Kotan's scarring she hadn't been able to stop the monster that attacked. "I am sorry for what happened."

Neshia looked at the first officer, "You did your best to stop it. I saw you." Then she looked at Haistro "We, that is I want to go home and Kotan he needs a place to heal, so.. we are requesting a transfer or things made to where we can raise our child and heal and maybe help our planet to heal as well."

He couldn't say he was surprised or shocked by the request, he had been having similar thoughts over the last few days but had found his resolve again and knew this was the place for him, and besides missions like that came along one in a million so they had reached their quota for a while. As for Kotan and Neshia. He didn't know the two very well if at all really but he had come to realise that the pair were deeply in love, caring individuals that were more than dedicated to their chosen professions but even more so patriotic. It made sense that they both went home to help with the rebuilding effort.

"I will make the transfer happen". Keiben interjected, "I know there are Starfleet teams on Cardassia still helping. I know someone who could get me in touch with the right people. Give me a few days".

Neshia nodded, "I am agreeable to doing that. Thank you, Captain. I am most grateful for that."

"No need to be grateful... given what you both have been through and what you have on the way I can fully understand and appreciate your stance on this... I will be sorry to see you both go!"
And that was a genuine statement. Both Kotan and Neshia had started to make a place for themselves here which he felt had been cut short. He would have dearly loved to have seen them both grow and develop over time, too see the kind of parents they would have become and the kind of Officer Kotan would have been. But if he had been given this chance before his wife and daughter had passed away then he would have likely taken it in a heart beat.

"I too, will be sad to see you go, but I can understand why you wish it." Tam giving a nod. If she was in similar situation she probably would have wished the same as well. "Both of you do take care of each other."

Neshia nodded, doing her best to not cry. She didn't to make the baby feel out of sorts in her womb. It wasn't comfortable.

"I hate to run out on you but I have other appointments!" Keiben said silently and surreptitiously taking Tam's elbow conveying that he was struggling to stay stood up and needed to get back to his quarters before he collapsed... maybe he should have been using the cane Mel had replicated for him but he still wanted to maintain the illusion that all was well.

Tam taking the hint. "Best wishes for the both of you. And you get to feeling better, both of you."

Neshia walked them both to the door. "Thank you for all you have done."

Tam nodded, moving both she and Keiben out of the quarters and into the hallway. Once the door closed Tam said. "Lets get you to your quarters."

END

 

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