Family News

Posted on 07 Feb 2018 @ 8:44pm by Ensign Callin Mastrel
Edited on on 07 Feb 2018 @ 8:52pm

1,836 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Rigel II - Avondale Production Facility
Timeline: MD 102, 1200 Hours

[ON]

Callin’s quarters on the Avondale Production Facility was nothing more than a glorified closet. Ensigns didn’t qualify for their own room, especially not an ensign without an assignment yet, so he had to share the space with three other junior officers, all three of which were out working in the shipyards at the moment. Even with his temporary roommates away the quarters were crowded, by the bunk beds built against the bulkheads, the small table with two chairs in the center of the floor, and by Alaradanazi Mastrel.

If he forgot the fact that his mother was a farmer for a moment he could envision her commanding the attention of an entire Academy squad. Poised, regal even, she reminded her son of the queens he’d seen in a couple of human holo-novels, a woman used to leading, who almost expected people to bow before her. A crown would have been gaudy, what with her hair piled so high on top of her head, but he could see it…

~Really, Callin, your imagination has always run away with itself. Why I am no more a noblewoman than I am a Klingon.~ Alaradanazi’s mental voice was amused, playfully chiding him. There was a touch of pleasure though, from his unintended flattery.

“You always liked my stories before back home and-” Callin had been speaking aloud, but cut off when his mother raised an eyebrow at him. Clearing his throat, needlessly, of course, he continued, ~Sorry, Mother. I’ve grown rather used to talking over the last few years.~

~Such an admirable people, these humans. But I can’t help but feel sorry for them. To think, less than 1% of their entire population can read each other's minds!~ There wasn’t anywhere for her to sit, not comfortably, not in that dress, so she stood just next to the table, taking up more than her fair share of space. His roommates had been bemused when they’d met her on their way out, the way that she had dominated the lot of them even if these weren’t her quarters and only her second-time off-planet.

~They’ve plenty of other qualities that make up for it, I figure. Getting to live on Earth for the last four years, experiencing their ways… It’s been exhilarating!~ Callin paced a little bit or tried to. It took him three strides to walk past his bed then turn around before he encroached upon his mother’s turf. Returning to the way he had communicated for at least half of his life, the direct mind to mind sharing of thoughts that left no room for misinterpretation, he could understand her point though. It was comfortable. ~You have read my letters about it, right? About Earth~

Alaradanazi waved her hand in the air as if brushing off his thought, ~Of course I have. I read every letter and rewatched every subspace message at least five times.~ Callin stopped and flushed, turned to look at his mother a little warily. ~Over four years now living amongst these aliens, you have no idea how I’ve worried. I’ve missed you every day you have been gone, Quick Lizard.~

The nickname deepened his flush. Given to him by his friends when they were children, for the way he took to climbing the canyon walls just like the reptiles that lived in that part of the jungle, the word in Standard was a bit clumsy and even more embarrassing. At least his roommates weren’t here, and they wouldn’t have been able to hear that thought if they had been. ~I’ve missed you too, Mother. I’ve missed everyone! I just wish there had been time to go home for a while, after graduation, but I gotta get through these interviews, find out what ship I’ll be posted to. And then, who knows how long it’ll be before I get back.~

~I understand, son. We all do, everyone back home, although Uvelaslixti misses her little brother. She spent the first year you were gone insisting on taking her meals alone in her bedroom. Dramatic child!~ Both Callin and his mother laughed aloud at his sister’s expense, even as their conversation continued.

~But...Mother. You’re usually not so um…~

~Why hesitate? I know you’re thinking ‘affectionate’. Perhaps you’ve picked up the abominable human habit of skirting around the truth?~

Callin shrugged a little uneasily. It had been a hard lesson he’d learned on Earth that most people, everyone really except maybe Vulcans, needed to couch their truth in platitudes and comforting linguistic phrases, ~Well, yes, Mother. Has something changed? You look…~

This time when he trailed off it wasn’t for lack of thought. He gave his mother an appraising look, one he wouldn’t normally have done had they been around others. She looked as strong and as healthy as ever, possibly even more beautiful than he remembered but he supposed that could be because of the years apart. Still, with her vigor and with her uncharacteristic affection, something was going on.

~If you can find the time for shore leave in, oh, about ten months, you’d be very welcome at home,~ Alaradanazi demurred, and wrapped her hands around the silky, opalescent fabric over her stomach.

Callin’s eyes went wide. She never acted vulnerable like this! Ever so gently he reached out his mind to her’s, to feel what she felt, think what she thought.The surprises continued as she allowed him in, welcomed him even when it was considered rather rude for a child to enter their parent’s thoughts unbidden, at least where they were from on Betazed.

That was when it all came together for him. Callin didn’t sense just his mother’s mind, but another one as well, faint, flickering, but still entirely present. With a cry of joy Callin closed the distance and almost threw himself at his mother for a hug. She freed her hands from her belly and wrapped her arms around her son tightly.
~You’re not going to be the youngest much longer, dear Callin,~ Alaradanazi said, her psychic tone wistful and her eyes shining with tears. ~Your father wanted to tell you, tried to insist he be the one when he got to see you during your graduation, but I put that to rest. That was why I couldn’t leave Betazed, not right away, and if I had to miss your ceremony that I would be cursed if I wasn’t the one to tell you that you have a little brother or sister on the way.~

Callin was at a loss for words, both spoken and otherwise. He tightened his grip on his mother, let his tears fall unheeded onto her shoulder, and shared with her all the joy, understanding, and even a touch of worry he was feeling.

~Oh, come now child,~ she thought after a moment, pleased by the depths of Callin’s love for his family, but needing to regain some of her composure and authority. At last, she released him, held her son by the shoulders, and held him back at arm’s length. ~I’ve had enough weeping from both your father, your brother and your uncle since we found out.~

“Yes ma’am,” Callin said, half in jest, and brought himself under control with a quick wipe of his eyes. He stood there uncertain of the way she was looking at him, having withdrawn his mind even as she pushed him back from their embrace.

~Hmph. Well, now you know. If you could be there, for your sibling’s birth, it would mean so much to everyone. For me. Oh, Callin, I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for your ceremony at the Academy. Wild jungle cats wouldn’t have kept me away. But, this…~

~I understand, Mother,~ Callin thought. Then he had another realization. His mother was proud of him, that’s what that look meant. She didn’t share her thoughts and feelings all too often with the male members of her family and he’d learned that Betazoid body language was every bit as important as their thoughts to one another when it came to conveying a message. ~And thank you, so much. I promise I’ll do whatever I can to make it back home in time.~

The two of them stared at each other for a moment longer, then she let go of his shoulders. He knew she was embarrassed by all this sharing by the way her eyes went to the pile of laundry one of his roommates had left as a heap on their bed earlier, the over-done display of disapproval in the twist of his mother’s lips. Callin felt the urge to go clean it up immediately but held his ground. He was a grown man now, a Starfleet officer, and he didn’t have to go running when his mother frowned at him.

~In any case, I need to check in with the transport captain, Quick Lizard,~ Alaradanazi changed the topic and gathered the folds of her dress as she indicated she was ready to go. ~I hope I’ll have another few days here before he heads back to Betazed, and I’d love it if you could arrange a checkup for me with one of those legendary Starfleet doctors. No pressure, of course, .~

Callin dutifully kissed his mother on the cheek and escorted her the few short paces to the door that led out of the tiny quarters. He stood in the open doorway, leaned against it, and watched as she paraded her way down the corridor. ~I love you, Mother.~

~I love you too, Callin. Even if your room smells like week-old socks.~

With a sigh, Callin watched her 'round the corner and vanish out of sight, then headed back to his room. He had a little bit of time before his next interview and had planned on grabbing a quick lunch, but all the excitement had banished his hunger for now.

Black eyes turned towards the pile of dirty clothes with displeasure, but he couldn’t keep the smile off his lips after the news he’d been given, even if he knew he was going to wind up doing someone else’s laundry and finding something to burn to cover up the smell in these tiny quarters. Either that or he was going to find out what doctor might be around he could do a favor for in exchange for a checkup.

[OFF]

Ensign Callin Mastrel
Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

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