Lt.JG Taelon & Sakon - Calling Around [JP]

[Alison Hardwick]

((Igre Family Home, Betazed))

It was deep into night, late enough that almost everyone was asleep. The house had been quiet some days of late, and loud others as Aurelio attempted to fill the gaps left by his mother’s absence.

But Aurelio tired himself out, eventually. And while Sakon was not so busy that he had to reserve his scientific studies for after his grandson was asleep, it did make matters simpler. The logical choice.

He’d just finished reading an article on the nutritional needs of ossivorous predators when the computer console chimed. That initially earned a raised eyebrow, one that rose even higher when Sakon saw just who had sent the communications request.

The eyebrow had returned to its proper place by the time Taelon appeared on the screen. Sakon’s expression was largely as neutral as ever, but a close observer might have noticed a certain light in his eyes.

Sakon: Taelon? You appear intact. Is Cyri well?

Taelon’s face was relieved, then confused, and then relieved again. Evidently he hadn’t expected Sakon.

Taelon: Uhm—yes, we’re both doing, um, well, considering the circumstances. Is Aitas there…?

That earned another raised eyebrow.

Sakon: She’s in the Delta Quadrant.

Taelon: Oh. Um, well, I hope you’re well, then, sir. I wanted to call to say I’m, um, alive.

Sakon nodded. There was shuffling noise from behind him and then a young boy burst into Taelon’s view. His blonde hair was nearly as mussed as the silver disc on his forehead.

Aurelio: Uncle Taelon!

Taelon immediately brightened, and was clearly a little relieved; he didn’t know Sakoin well, and small talk was not one of the El-Aurian’s strong points.

Taelon: Hello, Auri. It’s, um, been awhile.

Aurelio leaned in over Sakon’s shoulder to get a closer look, grinning all the while.

Aurelio: Did you tell mom you’re back yet? She’s a diplomat now! ::his smile faded a little.:: She was really worried about you. And your dad.

Sakon: She is with the Diplomatic Corps, specifically.

Taelon: In the Delta Quadrant? I—no, I don’t have her new comm codes, so I called here…did something happen in the Delta? I heard about a Borg attack…

Sakon’s expression looked even more restrained, if possible, while Aurelio’s smile vanished entirely.

Sakon: Frontier Day, yes. It was focused on Earth. But between that and your going missing, Aitas, ::he paused:: Aitas decided it would be best to take a more active role.

Taelon: I see. That’s…good, I hope? How have you two been?

Sakon: Busy. I’ve insisted that we join Aitas, but they sent her off within a month of her application. I am still putting all her affairs in order here.

Aurelio perked up a little there.

Aurelio: I set a new swimming record. Well, for the school at least. And I haven’t broken the replicator in…seven months.

Sakon: And twelve days.

Taelon’s smile returned, hesitant but warm. Behind him, Cyri stirred, having been asleep on one of their couches. She rolled over and waved a hand vaguely.

Taelon: That’s wonderful, Auri. You’ll be swimming circles around everyone in no time. Cyri says hello, by the way.

Aurelio: Hi Cyri!

Sakon didn’t smile, but he seemed a little more relaxed. As much as Vulcans relaxed.

Sakon: I would say you should visit, but we’ll also be heading out to the Delta Quadrant soon enough. Has your father changed his plans there?

Taelon: Not that I—I don’t think so. We didn’t really talk about his plans. He mostly wanted to know where, or when, I was, so - he just said he was headed to the Delta Quadrant.

Sakon looked slightly more green than unusual.

Sakon: Perhaps you should visit there as well. I’m sure Aitas would be glad to see you. I will send you her comm codes, but you’ll likely have to leave a message. We’ve only been able to speak with her directly once a month.

There was a small chime from the console.

Sakon: Your father would be relieved to see you.

Taelon: I—yes. Visiting would be nice, and … seeing the Delta would be good. I’ve never been, so—um - whenever I can get enough time away…

Sakon: I fear that I cannot recommend my daughter as an example on how to take vacations. But you seem in need of one.

The comm codes came through on Taelon’s side, and with them a brief note from, of all people, Irselis.

Taelon looked down at the screen for a moment, his eyebrows rising and then knitting together.

Taelon: I got them…and, um, Irselis’s note…

He clearly wasn’t sure what it meant, eyes darting to Sakon as if the Vulcan would know.

Sakon shot Aurelio a look and the boy stepped away, presumably out of earshot.

Sakon: I will not inquire as to what you have been up to, but Aitas said you should have been sent all the parts for your father’s gift. If any were damaged I can ask Berit; he may be able to find some replacements.

Taelon: Oh! I see. I haven’t, um, gotten them yet, but I’m sure once we reach the starbase they’ll have them? It’s, um, the Iana station.

Sakon: Ah, of course. You should have some time; it is still a six week trip to the Delta Quadrant.

Six weeks! A long time indeed, especially on established lanes and populated areas. His own journey from Cestus to Earth had taken nearly two months, but that had been a wandering, hitchhiking maze of a route, not a straight shot.

Taelon: That’s longer than I thought…where in the quadrant are you going?

Sakon: Aitas is assigned to Amity Outpost, in the Barossa Sector.

There was a muffled noise from offscreen and Aurelio promptly slid back into view.

Aurelio: There’s a bunch of Hirogen out there! And the nebula is pink. Mom sent pictures.

Taelon: Hirogen…? ::He tilted his head, old memories from the Academy quick to resurface.:: Ah, the hunters. I hope they’re not too much of an issue…

He met Aurelio’s eyes for a second and smiled again.

Taelon: A pink nebula isn’t too unusual, but - do you know why it’s pink?

Aurelio rested his chin on Sakon’s shoulder.

Aurelio: It’s purple too. But there’s a…benamite asteroid field there. I think that’s why? The Second House found it.

Taelon: That certainly would assist in the color of the emissions, but typically pink arises from other sources. Have your classes covered those?

Sakon turned his head slightly but didn’t say anything.

Aurelio: No. I looked it up though. Something about hydrogen?

He lifted his head and looked over at his grandfather, but Sakon remained still.

Taelon: Correct! ::Unlike Sakon, the El-Aurian was visibly pleased.:: I’m sure you’ll get to study it up close when you get there. And, um, see what the Delta might hold.

Aurelio stood back up as Sakon returned his attention to the screen.

Sakon: I’m sure there will be no shortage of things to study out there. I hope you can visit as well. ::he glanced toward Aurelio:: but I shouldn’t keep you. And Aurelio should return to bed.

Taelon: Ah—yes, of course. I’ll have to find the time off…hopefully in the next few months? After our last—I mean, I’m sure we’ll have some extended shore leave options, given how this last incident, um, went.

Aurelio: We’re both really relieved you’re alright. ::he patted Sakon on the shoulder:: That’s what woke me up.

Sakon gave a brief sigh.

Sakon: I look forward to speaking with you in person.

Then he closed the channel.

Taelon sat there looking at the closed comms call menu for a moment, mostly in surprise. Cyri made a noise behind him.

Cyri: Vulcans don’t dither on the goodbyes, do they?

Taelon: I, um, I guess not.

She huffed and rolled over, blanket wrapped around her shoulders. In an unintentional mirror of Aurelio and Sakon’s pose, she put a hand on her father’s shoulder.

Cyri: Go to bed. ::She headed for her own room, undoing her braid as she went.:: And that’s not a suggestion! Sleep!

Taelon certainly wasn’t going to protest. His mind was already trying to overthink the call’s abrupt end, and the best solution for that was to sleep the worry away.

Lt. JG Taelon
Science Officer
USS Gorkon
O239303T10

&

Aurelio Sakon Igre & Sakon

As written by

Second Secretary Aitas
Federation Diplomatic Corps
Amity Outpost
O239307A10