Fathers
Posted on Tue Oct 29th, 2024 @ 2:43pm by Lieutenant JG Xalanth & Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas & Civilian Meressa Keena
1,281 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission: Side Plots
I was moonlit in the arboretum as Kas moved stealthily. He had picked up the scent of his quarry; there were only a few people in the arb at this time, making this hunt possible. He left the path following subtle tracks as he ducked under a railing, his quarry was clever. However, he could still read the signs in the light of the moon. The scent was getting stronger as he slowed his pace to make as little sound as possible. He smiled as he spotted a foreign shape in the brush and pounced. Grabbing a small humanoid by the ankles, the little girl let out a roar and swung at the large Hybrid hitting his thighs. ‘She has her mother's temper,’ Kas thought as Keena continued to struggle.
Kas let out a laugh as he turned the child right sight up and drew her into a hug, “you're getting better at hiding ’Little Star’.
“I didn’t hear you coming Papa.” Keena smiled.
“Stealth is an important skill,” Kas smiled at his daughter. He looked at sign post on a tree. “I'm not sure how we should be here. We need to be more careful about the signs in the future.”
Xalanth had been busy. After the bingo incident, he'd been making sure the listed wouldn't be doing it again. By finding all contraband they may have snuck on board and all the places they'd think the security xo would be too stupid to look for it. So far he'd had a good haul mostly of actual alcohol they wanted to dodge duty tax with.
Hearing the familiar sound of a young girl laughing he stood up from the bush he'd been working at and walked over. " Hello there nice evening isn't it." he said politely to the hybrid.
"Yes it's lovely Lieutenant I don't believe we've met, I'm Commander Razka Kas and this is my daughter Keena." Kas smiled.
As the Hybrid spoke the child ducked under her arm and swung herself onto his back into a 'piggyback' position.
" Lieutiant Xalanth. Nice to meet you Kas and Keena." Xalanth said with the best smile his reptilian face could muster.
Kas opened his to speak when he heard what sounded like a bird call, Keena tapped him on the shoulder and he let her drop to her feet. The child ran into a bush and watched curiously as she made a similar bird sound. He looked at the Lieutenant and put a finger to his lips as he continued to observe his daughter.
Xalanth smiled as he watched the small girl. She reminded him of his own daughters whom he loved more than anything in the universe.
As the two men watched a couple of children and up the path, a Bajoran child made sound again and Keena jumped up and threw her arm around her friend.
The other human girl was a little older and laughed at two friends. She noticed the men and smiled.
"Hello Mr Razka, I'm watching Vala. Her mother's on the night shift and couldn't sleep so we're walking the decks. I am taking her to get hot coca in Ten-Forward, can Keena join us."
"Your Ensigh's Glau's daughter?"
"Yes Sir," the girl smiled. "Audem, they call me Aut."
"Of course, just call me if I need to take back." Kas smiled. "Have fun 'Little Star."
"Sorry Lieutenant, 'family duties," Kas said.
"Family comes first. Take care both of you." Xalanth said with a smile.
Kas smiled watching his daughter go off with her friends it was good to see she was bounding with others on this vessel they called home. When they had first got here she could barely stand to let him out of her sight. Kas looked to the man and smiled
"Do you have children Lieutenant?"
" Seven of them. All girls. " Xalanth said with a smile on his face. Anyone could tell he deeply cared for his daughters.
"Seven?" The Hybrid grined. "Your household must be an interesting place."
Kas looked towards the exit to see Keena leave with her friends and smiled. "I was raised among the Quth'Mar, on our vessels every child is cared for by every adult. It took me a minute to teach Keena that she couldn't just run around a Federation vessel like he did on her grandmother's ship."
"My own people raised are young the same way at least on the family level. I'm happy my mates treat all of my girls the same. " The lizard replied before seeing the look of confusion began explaining. " My people believe when we are born are soul is split into nine and to complete yourself you have to find the other parts of your soul. I'm glad the universe has let me find four of them."
"Interesting, I heard of such beliefs." Kas stared into the garden for a moment. He'd always liked the concept of one’s mate being part of one's soul. Is that it's true then part of his soul had returned to the Cosmos.
"There are hundreds of species among my people so relationships tend to be complex. Not too many outside of our people understand." Kas smiled. "Is your family onboard?"
" Sadly no." Xlanth said with a sigh. " I hope i can get them here though my third and her daughter will take some time."
"If you need logistic help getting your family here, I will aid you and yours in any way I can."
" I appreciate the help, but I'm sure someone on fleet command is doing their best to keep my family apart." Xlanth replied letting out a frustrated sigh as he did so.
“I was referring to my people, the Quath’Mar have a lot of vessels in Federation space. My clan would facilitate transportation of your kin.” Kas smiled at his fellow officer.
" Thank you for the offer, but my mates are all in Starfleet. " Xalanth replied with a warm smile. " I hope the transfer orders for them all can get sorted out ASAP."
I understand my people spend a good deal.Separated from family." Kas smiled, "we spend our lifetimes voyaging among the stars. my daughter was nearly four when I first met her, I'd had never seen myself as a father... Now that I am, that child's become my entire world."
" I know that feeling. " The red lizard replied. " For a long time, i thought i was living dead. Then one day i come home and my first and second are carrying my daughters."
"My mate returned to the stars a few years ago," Kas said softly. "So it's the two of us, I didn't have the best examples regarding family and parenting.So I'm hoping to befriend the parents on the ship."
" Well, I think you made one," Xalanth replied reassuringly. " I'm sorry to hear about your mate."
"Keena looks so much like her mother, Especially when she's angry." Kas smiled. "People have always assumed her temper comes from her Klingon heritage, but her mother could put a raging Nausicaan down with her glare."
" She sounds like a wonderful woman. I too am glad my daughters take after their mothers. They have their intelligence, wit and caring. " Xlanth added.
"Would you like to have a drink with?" Kas asked.
" Not right now I'm on duty." Xalanth replied with a smile. "Which speaking off i'd better get back to contraband hunting. I'll see you around Kas."
"Yes, my friend." Kas smiled. "Please stop by my quarter for a drink sometime."
Lieutenant Commander Razka Kas
Chief Flight Control Officer
Meressa Keena
Civilian Family Member
Lieutenant (JG) Xalanth
Assistant Chief Tactical Officer
USS Astrea
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