EXETERRPG: (1 - 1705, 1710) MS - 9D Manager Caity DuBois and DirAeroCmd Adm Dale Bracken

[Jaclyn Smith]

Mission: Auld Lang Syne

Day:01

Stardate: 2445.12.28



(Earth - Starfleet HQ - DirAeroCmd Adm Dale Bracken - 1705)



Dale sat down with a sigh at her desk, so many thoughts and worries on her
mind. SHe picked up a picture off her desk, with herself and Aimee, both in
uniform, flanking Ailynn, newly promoted to Commander. From what scuttlebut
she had heard, maybe for not much longer. She was so proud of both her
daughter and granddaughter, but she worried deeply about Ailynn. She’d
always been such a driven girl, thankfully though, it seemed that she had
begun to settle, and allow herself to be distracted from relentless work.



“Evers.” she called out, “get me a channel to the cabin where Ailynn is
staying please?”



Her aide nodded, and opened a channel, making the connections. “You know
she’s at the…”



“Yes I’m aware. I know what I’m doing. Good reminder though, thank you for
telling me. Get going home. Go play with your children.”



“Thank you Ma’am. I will.”



A few seconds later, the channel connected, and she waited for the call to
be answered.



(Risa– Suraya Bay, Cabin -9D Manager Caity DuBois and DirAeroCmd Adm Dale
Bracken - 1710)


Sitting on the comfy sofa, fire warming her, the chime of the com chanel
broke her concentration. Putting down the well worn copy of Tolkien's Lord
of the Rings, Caity pressed to answer the call and immediately, a confused
look flew onto her face.

Dale smiled warmly as the channel connected and an attractive looking
brunette appeared, perhaps looking slightly confused. “Good evening dear.
Miss DuBois I assume? I’ve heard a lot about you, may I call you Caity?”

"Well, I suppose… who are you exactly? If you're calling for Ailynn.."

Dale shook her head, and her innate sense of playfulness suddenly bubbled
to the surface. “I’m afraid not Caity, you see this is a bit more serious.”

"Oh…" Caity responded, "What did I do… to get called by a Starfleet
Admiral.."

“Standard security call for any Civilian who is dating a senior Fleet
Officer. I do apologise.” Dale smiled gently.

Caity’s eyes grew wide, "it is? I hadn’t realised…."

Not being able to keep her face straight any longer, Dale giggled. “I am so
sorry, Admirals don’t have much fun. It’s Dale, Ailynn is my granddaughter.
Seems that she’s told me more about you than you about me. I just wanted to
put a face to the name I hear so much about.”

"I swear I am going to have words with her when she gets back." Caity
replied, still a little nervous. Having never met anyone’s family before,
she made a mental note to choose her words carefully.

Dale smiled at the younger woman's outwardly flustered appearance. No doubt
Ailynn would get it in the neck later, Dale could see that underneath
Caity’s exterior lay a core of steel.

"Ma'am…" she began and then paused, looking at the woman on the screen,
"...she's talked about me?"

“She has, Dates you two have been on...things like that. Nothing that you
wouldn’t want her to have shared. Forgive me my teasing, and please, it’s
just Dale, too many call me Ma’am. You don’t work for me.” she winked.

"Okay… Dale. I have to ask… why now? Ailynn isn't here…"

“I know, its why I chose now actually. I wanted to meet the real you, and
maybe ask things that I wouldn’t if you were sat next to Ailynn.”

Caity’s eyes narrowed, "Like what exactly?" She could tell that the woman
was protective, but so was she.

“Did Ailynn tell you the dilemma she has at the moment?”

"Depends. Did she tell you?"

“Caity...I understand. It’s okay. I’m not asking you to break confidences,
and I’d think less of you if you did. Just wanted to hear your thoughts.”

"She is her own woman. If she makes the choice that takes her away from The
Exeter, then that's fine."

“I wasn’t always a boring Admiral sat at a desk. I was once a young and
more idealistic CSO, later I worked undercover SpecOps. I just wondered
your take on things, Ailynn’s decision will affect you after all.”

"That's true. But we are a team. Where she goes, I go. Although, with life
in the fleet as it is… if the choice were reversed, I wouldn’t expect her
to stay in one place."

Dale nodded, liking what she saw. “You’re being guarded, and protective. I
like that. I can see why she’s fallen for you.”

"She has now, has she?" Caity asked with a smile. "Feeling is mutual. She's
a worry wart though.."

“Ailynn is…” Dale sighed. “...well...you know her well enough by now. Just
don’t let her nature drive you crazy. Bracken girls can be high
maintenance.” She winked.

"That's one word for it." She grinned.

“Anything you want to ask me?” She ventured.

"Ailynn has told me some of her past. Not all. I know things were not good
for her at one point. That I can tell. I… did you look into me when you
heard my name?" Caity asked, crossing her arms across her chest.

Dale smiled. “I was tempted, not going to lie, there are rules in place to
stop that kind of thing, but you don’t get to where I have or where Ailynn
is without learning where the cracks are. However…” Dale shifted in her
seat. “I love my family, and I know you and her are a serious item now. I
wouldn’t and couldn’t do anything that would affect your relationship with
her, or indeed any possibility of one with me. So short answer no I didn’t.”

"I'll take that. I appreciate that."

“You are correct. Ailynn...some people, I think...aren’t suited for certain
ages. Ailynn struggled as a late teen, too old for childhood, too young for
adulthood, and under that the intellect that she possesses; that must
unnerve you? Certainly does me. So, she had issues. Any more is up to her.
Don’t worry, I suspect she’ll open up fully now you two have complete
privacy.”

"Sometimes it does. But we all have our skills. Me, I read people. I have
to. Comes with the job." Caity smiled softly.

Dale nodded and smiled, "good skill to have." She said. "Look, I'll not
take any more of your quiet time. I know how valuable it is. If there's
ever anything you need, don't hesitate yeah?."

"How's your pull with customs?" Caity asked laughing. "But I appreciate
that. Ailynn loves you so your opinion matters to me."

Dale smiled gently. "Thank you honey. I appreciate the sentiment. I'll see
what I can do." She winked. "Cracks in the system remember."

"Oh I know. I just hope that I help her some. She carries the weight of the
world on her shoulders."

"I've seen the strongest people torn apart by the stresses of the job.
She's lucky to have someone like you. I expect to meet you in person in
Tuscanny when your next our way yeah?"

"Would you take it as an affront if I said I was a little nervous? Ailynn
is one thing but I have heard Bracken women are a force to be reckoned
with."

"We have moments." Dale laughed. "But you're more than strong enough."

"I should get going. Ailynn will want feeding when she gets back." She
winked.

"Take care sweetie, love to everyone."

"I'll pass that on. Thankyou.

She winked, "Bracken out."

(Reply none)

(Posted by Jackie and Mark)
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