(Flashback) Meeting A Legend (Part 1)

Posted on Sun Feb 11th, 2024 @ 11:23pm by Commander Patricia Cooke & Lieutenant Akira Kogami

989 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: From the Inside
Location: Cooke Family home, Chicagoland
Timeline: Christmas Eve 2386

Patricia paced back in forth in her family's living room. She had gone home for winter break, but when she had told Akira of her plans, the other young woman had seemed bummed that Patricia wasn't staying at the Academy over the holiday season, and Akira felt she had no place back in Japan. So, Patricia had invited Akira to Chicago to share a meal with her family on Christmas Eve. Patricia knew that her family would be cooking extra, as they had invited her grandmother and step grandfather over for Christmas Eve dinner, so it wasn't too much to invite another person over.

Patricia was wearing her Academy uniform, as it was inevitable that she would be questioned as to why she dropped out of high school earlier that year, and she wanted to be wearing the reason why.

"So, when are we expecting your Academy buddy over?" Patricia's sister Marion asked, rousing her from her thoughts.

"Any time now, really." Patricia shrugged. "And remember, she thinks I'm 18, and I intend to keep it that way."

No sooner were the words out of her mouth than the doorbell sounded, alerting the two of them to their guest's arrival.

"Pat, Mary; would one of you get the door?" Patricia and Marion's mother, Shirley, called from the kitchen.

"I'll get it!" Patricia responded, running to the door and swinging it open to find Akira standing on the front porch.

"Hey, Akira!" She greeted. "I take it you had no trouble with the transporters?"

"Well, I was a little concerned about being beamed directly to a private residence, as opposed to a public space..." Akira remarked, before shrugging off. "...but hey, looks like I got the right address, so I guess it all works out at the end of the day?"

"Well, why don't you come on in?" Patricia said, stepping aside. "It is quite cold out here:"

"No need to ask me twice," Akira muttered as she stepped inside. "Ojyama Shimasu. (Pardon the intrusion.)"

"It's no trouble, really." Patricia giggled nervously, running a hand through her hair.

As Patricia was about to close the door, she looked up and saw a hovercar turning into the driveway.

"Grandma's here!" She called out.

Patricia stepped onto the porch, closing the door behind her. It was rather chilly to be standing outside in just her cadet uniform, but it would all be worth it in a few seconds. As her grandmother emerged from the driver's seat, Patricia stood to attention and delivered a salute, as was customary to do so to a superior officer, even if they were retired.

"Major:" She called out.

"At ease, cadet." Francine said before she realized the words that had just left her mouth. "Wait a minute; you? A cadet?"

"That's right!" Patricia grinned, running and hugging her grandmother. "How are you, grandma?"

"Outstanding, but it'll get better." Francine replied. "Shall we step inside? It's quite cold out here."

"Absolutely, come in, come in." Patricia beckoned for Francine and her second husband, Todd, to follow her inside.

As Patricia stepped through, followed shortly thereafter by Francine and Todd, much of the family's attention seemed to gravitate towards greeting Francine and Todd. As Patricia made her way over to Akira, she noticed that Francine was wearing her bomber jacket with the mission patches of her previous assignments sewn onto it. One particular patch stood out as having considerably less wear than the rest; a patch for an old Excelsior class starship: The USS Missouri; NCC-1810. It had been 8 years since the Missouri had been decommissioned, and if Patricia's father was to be believed, construction of the next Missouri was continuing on schedule.

"Hey, Akira; you should be prepared to give a salute in the near future." Patricia advised Akira in a low voice.

Akira furrowed a brow. "Is this how Americans traditionally greet their family members?"

"You see the woman wearing the bomber jacket?" Patricia said, pointing out Francine. "She's a Major in the Starfleet Marine Corps... Or, at least she was: She resigned her commission a decade ago, but you should still at least salute her, as she technically outranks us both still."

At that moment, Francine looked over at Patricia and noticed Akira.

"Who's your friend, Pat?" She asked.

"Geh, where are my manners?" Akira apologized. "Cadet, 1st Year Akira Kogami, Ma'am; I'm bunked with Patty... er, Cadet Cooke- back in San Francisco."

"I see." Francine nodded. "Well, it's good to see that the kid's making friends in Starfleet."

Patricia then saw Francine look to Patricia's father to ask the inevitable question.

"Uh, grandma; can I speak with you in private really quick?" Patricia piped up.

"Of course, Pat." Francine smiled, turning back to her son. "Excuse us for one second..."

Patricia then led Francine into the kitchen and closed the door behind them.

"Look, I know what you're going to ask..." Patricia began.

"Why you dropped out of high school?" Francine said. "You had good grades, Pat; you could have at least waited until you were 18."

"I know, I know..." Patricia sighed. "But, that girl out there, Kogami: She thinks I'm 18, and I'd like to keep it that way."

"You didn't tell her you lied to the recruiter?" Francine asked. "You know, Harry's set a bad example for you..."

"Of course I'm not going to tell her I lied about my age! She might be my roommate, but I still don't know if she's going to turn me in."

Francine sighed.

"Alright, so what do you want me to do then?" She asked.

"Waiting to talk about me dropping out until she's not around would be a good start."

Right as Patty was about to respond, the doorbell sounded once more, alerting them to the arrival of yet another guest.

To be continued...

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