Commander Lael Rosek-Skyfire, Dr. Chythar Skyfire & Kadain Skyfire: Transfers Abound, Pt. 1
Lael Rosek-Skyfire
((Flashback))
(( Pagrati Lounge, Deck 10, USS Astraeus ))
(( Toward the end of celebrations ))
It was an emotional night, and with the awards presented, she exercised great restraint to keep herself from crying.
Rosek-Skyfire: oO Stupid pregnancy hormones. Oo
She was normally better at keeping her feelings under wraps and not wearing her heart on her sleeve. A mother who believed in tough love and a handful of bullies in her early years had seen that.
Never let them see you sweat.
She smiled and applauded as Divya’s promotion to Lieutenant Commander was announced. Though she hadn’t worked with the Barzan woman as long as some others on the crew, it was clear that Divya was very good at what she did. Lael was grateful for the woman’s quick thinking and tactical mind, which had kept an already volatile situation from escalating further.
Mei’konda: I’m graateful for this to be one of my last official acts as Captain, such as it were. And Lael. We must haave a little talk as well.
She was torn between wanting to stand tall and wanting to find the nearest hole to crawl into. While she wasn’t shy about being in the limelight, she much preferred for others to get recognition. Over the years, she’d learned that humility was necessary to do her job properly.
Mei’konda: Congraatulations again on your growing faamily, Lael. I don’t know that I could contiinue in deep space serviice with one child, nevermind four. But, there is a far overdue task we both must attend to.
The moment the box came out of his pocket, she felt the tears threatening again. Having received and been a part of giving out several of these over her career, she instantly knew what it held. As it opened, she saw a single gold pip and had to remind herself to breath.
Rosek-Skyfire: oO Blessed Lord, is this really happening?Oo
Mei’konda: For consistent dedicaation to your crew and ship in the line of duty. For honoraable behavior in the fiinest traditions of Starfleet and the Federation. For valor and a willingness to sacrifiice for those around you, I am honored to help you finally reach this milestone in your career. Lael Rosek-Skyfire, it is finally official. I am promoting you to the rank of full Commander, effectiive immediately.
An out of body experience. It was the only way she could describe what was happening as she grasped Mei’s warm, fur-covered hand and felt the press of a box in her other. She wanted to memorize every detail of this moment, including the pleased glint in her Captain and friend’s eyes as they locked with hers. They were both on to other things and Lord only knew when they would meet again.
After all, how many times did one get promoted to full Commander?
While she’d worked hard for it, she’d realized in the last couple of years that it wasn’t the rank she wanted. It was the responsibilities that came with it. She’d always had the power to help others, even as a Lieutenant Commander. But this new step would open even more doors and allow her to be a part of something new.
She was moving into a whole new world of possibilities, and she was more than eager to meet whatever came her way.
Mei’konda: Congraatulations, Commander. And everyone… thank you for all you’ve done.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::rasps:: Thank you, Commodore.
Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Divya digging into a cabinet and the Barzan woman pulled out a box.
Tam: Sir, if I may. This is from the crew.
Her eyes widened as Divya pulled a miniature Astraeus from the box. It was beautiful and she wished she’d thought of it herself. As it was, the cake was all she’d been able to muster.
Tam: Thank you for showing us the way.
Any efforts she’d made not to cry were quickly destroyed by those seven words. Years of memories zoomed by at light speed in her mind’s eye and caused a tightness to take up residence in her chest.
God, she was going to miss this place. And her crew.
(( Rosek-Skyfire Family Quarters, Deck 6, USS Astraeus ))
{{Time Index: A Few Days Later}}
Lael had hardly slept last night, too worried about the journey to their new home. No matter how many times she ran the itinerary and details through her mind, she couldn’t calm the maelstrom of emotions. Even Kadain’s usual buoyant bubbliness was nowhere to be found. He’d been replaced by a moody creature who cried whenever she tried to put him down. Unable to carry him about due to her “delicate condition” (she wasn’t delicate, nor was she an invalid, despite Chythar’s insistence on treating her like she might break at any moment), she’d been forced to sit with him on the couch all night until he fell asleep.
She huffed. Delicate condition. She was pregnant, not made of glass.
Kadain was presently curled up in her lap, her fingers running through his hair again and again, hoping to soothe the emotional toddler. Their empathic gifts meant they fed off of each other, no matter how hard Lael tried to lock away her own insecurities and anxiety.
Chythar came back into the living room, and knew how much Lael was frustrated by his overprotectiveness. He didn’t know where exactly to draw the line between protective and overprotective this go around, due to the fact she was carrying twins.
Her eyes went to the bowl of chocolate ice cream sitting on the coffee table, brought over earlier by Chythar, but untouched, as whenever she moved to retrieve it, Kadain would give a pitiful whine that forced her back to her previous position on the couch.
She sighed. She wanted that ice cream badly enough that she didn’t care if Kadain getting his own resulted in an intense sugar rush that crashed him out later.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::murmurs:: Do you want some ice cream, mia batalantino (my little fighter)?
The toddler looked up at her wide-eyed, his lip quivering, his eyes red and brimming with moisture from crying. He nodded.
K. Skyfire: ::softly:: Chocolate? With marshmallows and sprinkles?
Oh, sugar crash was an understatement.
But she didn’t have the heart to refuse him.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::nods and calls out to Chythar:: Mia amato (my love)? Can you get Kadain some chocolate ice cream with marshmallows and sprinkles?
C. Skyfire: Yes, love.
After Chythar’s answer, from the room beyond, she heard her teenage daughter’s voice.
M. Skyfire: Can I have some, too?
She rolled her eyes and shook her head. She couldn’t have anything for herself without having to get some for everyone.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::calls out:: Ask your father.
Chythar facepalmed for a moment, and was silent until he heard Maddy bounding up behind him as he was getting a couple bowls of the tasty concoction.
C. Skyfire: Sure. Just keep it away from the pets.
Lael leaned her head back, her eyes threatening to close and stay closed. Oh, but if only she had time for a nap. Unfortunately, with their first ride along the journey to Amity Outpost due to arrive at any moment, that wasn’t an option.
When she’d learned that her family would be stationed in the Delta Quadrant, she’d nearly resigned her commission. Her father was God only knew where, again on the run from the Al-Leyan Traditionalists.
A scowl formed on her lips. She didn’t know what he was thinking. It was so out of character for him. He couldn’t even go back to the Exile Colony here in the Expanse without risking their lives on top of it. He’d refused to provide details of who he was with or where he was going. Probably for the best.
For the first time since meeting her father several years ago, she was battling rage and disbelief. At least before, she could villainize him as someone who didn’t care about her or Kellan (her twin brother). Now–well, she knew better. This was the same man who had risked his life to save hers. How could a man like that throw caution to the wind and just disappear on them?
She was pulled from her thoughts by Kadain finally loosening his hold on her and reaching greedily for the ice cream Chythar brought. However, thoughts of her father had killed any appetite she had for the sugary treat.
The sound of the door chime echoed in their now-empty quarters and she sighed.
Rosek-Skyfire: That will be Matty.
Upon hearing of their transfer, her nephew had requested one as well with the professor in charge of the Cadet Exchange Program. She’d tried to protest, but it was already done.
As the door opened, she was surprised when three others entered behind him.
Rosek-Skyfire: Mom? Kellan? Layton? What are you all doing here?
A. Rosek: ::smiles:: Well, I couldn’t let my daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren ride to the Delta Quadrant in crowded public transport, could I?
Lael opened her mouth to protest, but Adelynn raised a hand to stall it.
A. Rosek: Before you say anything, I updated my personal craft with an engine that will get us there in a timely manner. Can’t have my children reporting in late for their new assignment.
Chythar blinked at the entry of his in-laws, and didn’t know what to say. Kadain was making a mess of his snack. With a sigh, he spoke softly to the munchkin.
C. Skyfire: Eat it, Kadain, or I’ll take it away.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::narrows her eyes:: Your children? Mom, what–?
K. Rosek: ::grins:: That’s right, sis. You’re looking at one of the Delta Quadrant’s newest provisional medical Ensign.
Her eyes widened and she stuttered, not sure what to say. Kellan had been knocking Starfleet for as long as she’d known him.
Rosek-Skyfire: Kell, are you messing with me?
Layton, Kellan’s husband grinned, and clapped him on the shoulder.
K. Rosek: ::shakes his head:: Nope. ::grins:: It’s your fault, you know. You HAD to go showing me how wrong I was about Starfleet. The admissions rep took one look at my credentials and referred me for a provisional program. I start in six weeks aboard the Nightingale.
Her eyebrows arched.
Rosek-Skyfire: The Nightingale is stationed in the Expanse.
K. Rosek: ::shrugs:: I guess they got reassigned.
She wasn’t even sure how to process the bombshell her family had just dropped on her. She’d spent weeks stressing about the distance and how much she depended on her mother to take the kids for brief periods to give her and Chythar a break.
Tears threatened and she couldn’t even be sure if it was the exhaustion or the hormones.
A. Rosek: ::practically sings:: And. I’ve left Micah in charge of our Alpha and Beta Quadrant clients. I’ll be joining you all to expand our business ventures into the Delta Quadrant.
Rosek-Skyfire: ::shakes her head and murmurs:: You four are ridiculous.
The statement had been blurted without much thought, a mix of feelings making her even less eloquent than usual.
===
Head HCO
Amity Outpost
I238110RH0
&
PNPC Lieutenant Commander Chythar Skyfire, MD
Medical Researcher
Amity Outpost
O239002CS00
&
PNPC Kadain Skyfire
Civilian
Amity Outpost
O239002CS0