Father and Son (Part 2)

Posted on 05/16/2020 @ 8:24pm by Captain Cian D'Anvers

Mission: S1E3: Visit to Starbase 375
Location: Ready Room, Deck 1, USS Crazy Horse
Timeline: Day 1 at 1105

Cian read through the files, one after the other; it took a masterful hold on his temper to get through it all. When he was done, he sat staring into the depths of his cup while he mulled it all over in his mind. It was not an easy decision by an means. Unrealized potential was just that, unrealized. These were individuals who had not chosen to serve but rather to see what they could wrest from life with minimal effort on their part.

Am I really going to do this? He's had 'Daddy' to fall back on and 'Daddy' is the one that's orchestrating this last chance for not only him but for his entire team. Does he even know what it means to do the work, whatever it takes, to give 110 percent?

He went through the steps to make a strong pot of tea, slowly, methodically, giving his mind a chance to mull it over. When it was done, he poured himself a cup and resumed his seat at the desk.

The citizen inspector arrives. It is bitter cold outside, the wind howls and claws its way down the dirt footpath between their homes. One by one the families come forth, women dressed in thin, sleeveless shifts, men shirtless. Barefoot, they line up in order of their designations. When it is his turn, he moves forward on feet so cold he can barely feel them to stand on the crude mark drawn in the dirt; the citizen inspector sweeps his gaze up and down the length of him. No questions are asked or expected. He is judged. He is marked.

Sighing, he opened a com channel to the Admiral. He waited until the Admiral appeared on screen, and dove in. "I have conditions," Cian said.

Admiral Cash looked at Cian through the screen like a deer in headlights. Both stunned and bewildered. There was a moment of silence. Mainly, because he could not believe for a split second that this was actually a possibility. "Yes, I'm listening." He said with trying to contain his astonishment.

"First, you will have no interference beyond this point. He succeeds or fails on his merits," Cian said. "No rescue. No stepping in. Agreed?"

Cash smiles. "Absolutely. as far as this issue goes, IF you agree to it, I wash my hands and walk away. No help at all beyond this point."

"Second, I will not go easy on them. If their records are any indication, they will no doubt visit the brig on this ship. And it will be part of their record. Agreed?"

Cash giggled slightly. "Hearing you say this Cian makes me happy. You know I'm a powerful man. If I wanted to make this a show, I very well could have. Trust me, IF I thought you would go easy on them and not treat them as ANY other members of your crew, I would not have even asked you. I'll even provide you this in writing if you so wish." Said the Admiral.

"If only for the dramatic effect," Cian said, "I think that's a good idea." He sighed quietly. "I believe in the Federation, its ideals and goals, and I would be a poor representative if I didn't give your son a chance to prove himself. So, he and his team are welcome aboard. On a short, short leash."

" I thought you just might. So I came prepared." There was a chirp on the Admiral's computer, then... "There you go. Thank you Cian. You are a good man. I owe you a favor. But, one request. They don't know about this. My son never requested me to step in. He just told me he would not mind a chance for redemption and his crew felt the same. All I did was monitor progress. They did all the work of proving worthy of a shot at redemption with no knowledge of this transfer. So, this whole thing will be a surprise to them as well. My request is....They won't know about this short leash. So, break that fact to them gently, IF you please?"

"That will depend on them," Cian said quietly. "Send them to me. I'll be waiting."

"Thank you, that's the best news I could hope to hear." He said beaming. "IF you should need anything from me, my com channel is always open. I will see what I can do." The Admiral said with a genuine sincere voice.

"Understood," Cian said. 'Thank you' wasn't a phrase he could bring himself to utter given the situation. He understood the mechanism, how parents in positions of power could yield to the temptation to meddle in their children's lives, prevent them from bearing the full consequences of their actions. He had lived under that regime for the first few years of his life and watched what it had done to his parents, the ones that didn't have the position and power to help their own.

And yet, for all of that, he would not, could not, be the one who stood in judgement of someone asking for one last chance to do right in the world. He needed to see them, assess their worth for himself, before he could feel more comfortable about the risk he was taking. Course, it could also be said that you didn't get to be a Starfleet Captain if you couldn't make these sorts of decisions.

He wondered, in the blink of an eye it took for all of this to pass through his head, whether the Admiral had chosen him because of his background. No matter. He would stand by his own decisions.

"When can I expect them," Cian asked. "We're due to leave shortly and we'll be out of reach for a bit."

"They can be there within 36 hours. Is that acceptable?" Asked the Admiral.

"Acceptable," Cian said. His mouth quirked upward every so slightly in a wry smile. "I'd tell you where we are but I'm sure you know as well."

"I think I can point them in the right direction. Cash out."

Cian sighed at the Starfleet logo on the screen. I cannot believe I'm actually doing this.

A Post by:

Commander Cian D'Anvers
Commanding Officer
USS Crazy Horse

and

Lt JG Xander Cash
Chief Engineering Officer

as

Admiral Cash
Deputy C&C
Starfleet