[sb118-khitomer] Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva - Levodian Flu Emergency Phone Call (Part One)
BC Cooper
((OOC: To make things easier I’m using Coben Zerva’s first name for his tags, since Ezra and his father both share the same last name)).
((Security Suite, Deck 8. U. S. S. Khitomer, docked at DS-33))
Ezra was at his desk, busy writing his report of the last away mission on his PADD, when a call was routed through to him here. Placing the PADD down, he saw the call was from the Trill embassy in San Francisco on Earth. Ezra could only assume it was his mother that was calling him. What could be so important for her to call him from her workplace? Especially when she was always busy working.
Zevra: Hello mother, er Lieutenant Zerva. What can I do for you today? What is so urgent you had to call me from —
Coben: ::grim face:: Hello son.
Son? He couldn’t recall the last time his father, let alone his mother call him or his siblings son or daughter. Then again he can’t remember the last time he called his parents mom and dad, instead of mother and father. To say he was surprised his father was on the other end of the call was an understatement.
Zevra: What’s with the grim face? Is everything alright? Why are you calling from mother’s work place?
Coben: ::shakes his head:: I’m afraid I have some unfortunate bad news.
Zevra: What is it? Did something happen to mother at work? Please don’t keep me waiting.
Coben: ::sad face:: It’s your brother Karem. Unfortunately he’s been sent to a hospital in North Africa. One of the best hospitals or so I’m told.
Zevra: ::surprised look:: What!? Is he alright? What’s wrong?
Coben: Levodian Flu. He contracted it in Seattle when he was there for a work conference last month. From what I’m told it originated in the northwestern portion of the United States. Washington State, Oregon and even British Columbia is infected, as well as several other parts of southwestern Canada and other nearby states in the northwest
((OOC: For more information on the Levodian Flu follow this link - https://fednewsservice.com/2025/04/30/levodian-flu-outbreak-spreads-across-earth/ ))
Zevra: ::worried look:: Levodian Flu? That doesn’t sound too good.
Coben: I don’t know much, but from what I’ve heard it’s as bad it sounds. The most vulnerable are the children and the elderly.
Zevra: ::surprised gasp:: So it’s that bad?! Oh my. Is… is he going to be alright?
Coben: Honestly I’m not a hundred percent sure. I’m still waiting to hear back from his doctors. Your mother and siblings are with him right now. The reason I’m calling from your mother’s work place, has to do with my own work at the embassy. Some old paperwork related to your grandfather’s time in the Trill Senate. It’s actually some boring stuff. We’ve been trying to reach you for over the past couple of weeks, but we had no luck. He came down with this just after you left shore leave.
Zevra: ::sad look:: I’ve… been caught inside a nebula. Or rather the Khitomer has been. It’s a long story.
Coben: I trust everything is alright? What happened?
No not exactly. What could he tell him? One of his friends lost a hand? Another almost died in her suit? The acting Captain was angry, the SCE was, well the SCE among many other things that went down.
Zevra: ::shakes head:: I’ve already said too much. Just know everything here is fine. I wish I could tell you more. But I know you understand how that works. Especially being married to a Starfleet Secuity Officer.
The last thing he wanted to do was get into anymore trouble than he needed to with both Captain Shayne and Commender Hobart. His distain for what happened and the SCE not withstanding, he knew better than to try and toss them or anyone else under the bus and discuss matters consider classified. Even with his family.
Zerva & Coben: ::in unison with each other:: For the safety and security of the Federation and Starfleet, that matter is classified.
Zevra: ::laughs:: Is she that predictable?
Coben: ::straight faced, trying to sound like Kala:: You just don’t understand Ezra. My work is important. You’re not a Secuity Officer in the Trill Service slash Starfleet.
Zevra: ::laughs:: Your impression of her is pretty good! But you forget, I’m a Starfleet Security Officer now too.
It was nice to share a laugh with the father who used to pressure him to become a joined Trill. It felt good. But would it last?
Coben: Oh I didn’t forget ::stern serious look:: Now don’t tell your mother I said that. ::winks::
Zevra: ::makes a button up motion on his lips:: I promise for the safety and security of our family, I’ll keep that one just between us.
Coben: ::smiles:: In all seriousness Ezra, I… that is we, your mother, siblings and I, we’re all proud of you and your service.
oO Say what now? Did he say what I thought he said? Did I hear that right? Oo
Zevra: ::surprised look:: What? R… really?
Coben: We may not always show it, but yes we’re happy to know you’re out there making a difference.
Zevra: T-Thank you. That means a lot. ::beaming:: It really does. Especially after the last mission.
Oh wow, his father giving him a compliment. It was a nice feeling. Even if it was in perhaps some way brought about because of his bothers illness.
Coben: You’re welcome Ezra. Now where is that cute little puppy I’ve heard so much about?
Zevra: You caught me at work. Foxy Lady is in my quarters right now. She’s a year old already! I can hardly believe it. I’ll send you some pictures and a video recording I’ve got from her playing fetch. I’m working on getting her to sit and shake her paw in my hand.
Coben: ::smiles:: I’d like that. Good luck on teaching her. I know it’s not easy. ::whispering:: You didn’t hear this from me…
Zevra: ::whispers back:: Why are we whispering? There isn’t anyone here in my office. And mums the word.
Coben: ::whispering:: Your mother has been tossing out the idea of possible, maybe of thinking of getting a pet.
Zevra: ::gasp! Beet:: For real?
Coben: ::nods:: It seems your Foxy is rubbing off on her. Mind you it was an off hand comment from her. Maybe once she meets Foxy in person she’ll change her mind.
That would be a first from her. Especially since she had objected to it ever since he was a child.
Zevra: One can only hope.
Coben: Your mother mentioned you had a nice time at dinner last shore leave with her and? Is’Kah was it? Did I get her name correct?
Zevra: ::half cringing:: That’s mostly right. I mean, it well as expected and the dinner was nice. And we went to a club where some of my shipmates had a surprise birthday party for me.
oO No need to tell him about the hotel after. Oo
Coben: Sounds like fun. Your mother regularly talks about Is’Kah
Zevra: You’d think according to mother, that Is’Kah was already a member of the family. ::laughs:: It was a nice time on my birthday, but there is someone else…
He hesitated, worried what his father might say.
Coben: ::raised eye:: Oh? Someone other than Is’Kah?
Zevra: Yeah, a fellow shipmate. We’ve spent some time together this shore leave.
Coben: Does she have a name?
Zevra: Yes, ::beet:: but you can’t tell mother. Not yet. I’ll do that.
That last thing didn’t want, was for his mother to hear about the person he had grown attached to in the past couple of months from someone other than him. He would tell his mother, but on his own terms. The thought of getting closer to Lera brought a smile on the inside. Lera as someone he was caring about more every day he spent with her.
Coben: ::mirroring Ezra from a few minutes ago:: Mums the word.
Zevra: Her name is Lera. And know how Mother is. She’s pretty much made up her mind on Is’Kah, but I’m hoping she’s open to at least meeting Lera, well maybe after she promises not to be, well mother.
Coben: I’m sure she’ll be on her best behavior.
Zevra: ::rolling eyes:: I’m so sure.
::laughs:: I don’t want to scare Lera away.
That was the last thing he wanted to do. He had been worried about Is’Kah meeting his mother. Now he was worried once again. He hoped things would turn out just as good when the two would meet. Ezra made a point to tell Lera more about his family before she meet them. Assuming of course she was up for that.
Coben: I’m sure your mother wouldn’t do it on purpose. ::shakes his head:: Okay you got me there.
::checks the time:: It’s been enjoyable talking with you Ezra. But I have to go. I’ve still got a stack of papers waiting for me. Tell your friend Lera I look forward to meeting her one day.
Zevra: I will and I understand. I’ve still got a report of my own to write up. I’ll let you go. What was the name of the hospital again?
That report would have to wait. At least for now.
Coben: Mansoura in Egypt. I’ve got the direct number to Karem’s room. I’ll send it over now.
Zevra: That would be great. Thanks Da… father.
Coben: Take care son. ::call ends::
Ezra sighed after the call ended. That was one of the better conversations he’d had in some time with his father. Now if only things would go better with his mother. He decided it was best he headed to his quarters before calling to check on the rest of his family. He wasn’t sure what would waiting for him when he called.
No TAGS/TBC (in part 2!)
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Lieutenant (JG) Ezra Zerva
Security Officer
USS Khitomer (NCC-62400)
A240101EZ2