Poseidon Reunion (Part 1)

Posted on Sun Jun 30th, 2024 @ 11:54pm by Lieutenant Charlotte E. "Charlie" Yeager & Lieutenant JG Eradaar Ezazzan

1,109 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: I-402
Timeline: Prior to 'Giving Chase'

With the Missouri now on course for the Mutara sector; Charlie had left the CONN in the hands of a junior officer and retired to her quarters to do some much-needed parenting. After everything they had been through over the past few days, Charlie was looking forward to spending an evening alone with her family.

However, in the middle of cooking food for the kids, Charlie received a message from the Missouri's counselor, Eradaar Ezazzan; who wished to discuss Charlie's short-lived venture aboard the USS Poseidon. Not one to decline a social interaction, Charlie had agreed, but only after she had put the kids down for the evening.

Eradaar carefully marked off another expected session on the list of crew to talk to after conferring earlier with Lieutenant Yeager. She had carefully cleaned her office and awaited the arrival of the Lieutenant. She had requested to discuss Charlies previous past on the USS Poseidon, a vessel she herself had served on. Perhaps through this commonality they could broach the broader subject of counseling.

It had taken longer than anticipated, as Charlie's two youngest kids were particularly clingy, and did not want their mother to leave them again. As such, Charlie had to reassure them that she would be back by their bedtime, and have even sent Eradaar a message saying that she would be late due to the kiddos.

Of course, the kids had wanted to come with, and while Susie Mae and Dusty were old enough; Charlie felt that Mickey and Sharon were still far too young to meet with a Gorn, and exposing kids that young to one would understandably traumatize them for life.

When Charlie had finally gotten Mickey and Sharon to promise her to be good for their older siblings, Charlie made her way down to Deck 5, where the counselor's office was located, and pressed the chime, waiting to be let in.

"Enter!" the Gorn said.

Eradaar stood near the entrance to greet Charlie when they entered. Her smile was oddly reassuring, despite the teeth, and she gestured for Charlie towards the couch in the office.

"Please, sit," she offered, nodding. "Would you like any refreshments? How are you today?"

"Well, when you're a mother of four children, ranging in age from 13 to 3, and also a Starfleet officer, things can naturally get hectic very quickly..." Charlie sighed. "I'll take a ginger ale if you're offering refreshments."

Eradaar nodded, procuring the desired refreshments from her replicator and sitting down with a drink of her own. After a sip, she focused back on Charlie.

"Tell me how the USS Missouri has been treating you," the Chief Counselor asked.

"Oh, she's been a right fine ship, counselor:" Charlie responded. "They said that she's better than an Intrepid in every way, and while I've never actually flown an Intrepid to compare, I think I must agree: Her controls are so much more responsive than anything else I've flown; and the speed, oh my god, the speed! This thing rips like a freaking bullet!"

The Eradaar gave a slight grin and smile, though she had learned to be able to display this emotion far more friendlier than a Gorn naturally would.

"It seems like this has been a very positive transition for you!" Eradaar said supportively. "Have there been any negative consequences or issues you've faced since your arrival?"

"Oh, just the usual challenges of being a single parent Starfleet officer:" Charlie said. "Though, 'single parent' is probably the wrong word to use: It's not like my husband is dead, per se, but we are separated across the fleet. I've been lobbying captains since my first born to assign us together, but nobody has done so. Even Commander Cooke, whom I was promised would be different by... Kogami, I believe her name was? Said that due to the current emergency, she is unable to fulfill my request."

Thinking a long moment, Eradaar pondered what Charlie had said. "Is this something you believe would help you or do you feel you've moved on from this request?"

"Of course I think it would help me. It's better off for my family if mom and dad aren't split across the fleet." Charlie said. "But, I usually drop the issue once the Captain finds a new way to inform me that it's not possible."

The Gorn gently nodded through Charlies explanation.

"My responsibility as a ships counselor is to ensure the crew have sufficient and adequate space to grow properly, among other things," Eradaar explained. "Part of that responsibility also includes being able to throw my weight around, metaphorically, when necessary. While it is not my intention to go beyond the command crew or the Captain, I am capable of submitting letters of reference and complaints as necessary to Starfleet."

She took a moment to think, tapping claw to her chin.

"Your situation is very similar to mine, however," Eradaar said as she sympathized. "My mate is also very far across Federation Space. While we do keep in touch, it is very difficult. However I've found that maintaining a daily routine of contact helps. Are your husband and yourself able to conduct any communications?"

"Well, good news on that front- Glenn may be a genius pilot, but he's never served aboard an Intel vessel often operating deep undercover." Charlie explained. "As such, we've been able to maintain fairly regular communication. We try and talk bi-weekly, but sometimes it might only be once a month. It really just depends on our schedules."

However, Charlie quickly raised a finger to indicate a caveat to her statement:

"The kiddos, on the other hand, I try and make sure they see their father regularly, and my eldest has really stepped up in helping make sure her younger siblings get to talk to daddy. I'm really quite proud of how much she's matured in recent years." She said.

Eradaar nodded thoughtfully as she listened to Charlie's explanation, taking note of the complexities of her family situation. She could sense the dedication Charlie had to both her duties as a Starfleet officer and as a mother, and she appreciated the resilience that Charlie's eldest daughter displayed in stepping up to help with her younger siblings.

"It's commendable how you and your family are managing despite the distance," Eradaar began, her tone warm and supportive. "Maintaining regular communication, even when it can't be as frequent as you'd like, is a strong foundation. It's also wonderful to hear about your eldest daughter's maturity and willingness to help. That kind of support within the family can make a significant difference."

To be continued...

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