EXETERRPG: ((12 - 1100) FltSrgGnl VAdm Aimee Bracken and DirAeroCmd VAdm Dale Bracken

[Mark Howard]

Mission: Gone in a Flash

Day: 12

Stardate: 2446.01.12

(Sol III, SFMHQ - Rose Gardens, adjacent SFHQ - FltSrgGnl VAdm Aimee
Bracken and DirAeroCmd VAdm Dale Bracken - 1100)



Aimee sat on the grass, caring not the stains on her right thigh as her
legs curled underneath her. Her attention was fully on a rose bloom, in
this most private of places. Few came here, the occasional student, who,
should they ask a question of Aimee, she would always answer it, at length,
and depth, she recalled her most favourite taught lessons in this place.



A gentle footstep behind her belied her companion, a footstep that she
didn’t need to turn around to greet.



“You’re getting old mum.” She smiled. “Your left knee shows signs of
cartilage damage.”



Dale smiled. “Too many old injuries to count sweetie. I could still have
iced you. You need to be careful. Besides, I knew you’d be here, this is
the spot where you told me you were pregnant with her.” Dale’s memory
supplied a hint of assorted linked information.



Aimee nodded. “You always were the field agent. I found that out on Dureth
Station, staged your death and everything, by hologram...at my hand no
less, that was ballsy.”



Dale looked at the bloom. “I’m not one for flowers, they seem pointless,
but this is the only one of these I’ve ever seen, and it’s only occurred to
me that this is the only place I see you sit in this garden.



Aimee nodded. “This...is the only rose of this breed in existence. The only
cutting was grafted on the date of Ailynn’s birth all those years ago, and
planted, cared for and allowed to thrive. It’s unusual, the colouring, the
soil chemistry is all over the place, it thrives with other plants that it
shouldn’t, and jealously crowds its roots. Bloody sharp thorns too. Funny
really.”



Dale said nothing but regarded her daughter.



“I’ve been a terrible mum haven’t I.” Aimee said, the words cut Dale deep
as the admission was let out.



“Hey, we all make shocking decisions honey. I wasn’t a poster child for
mumsiness.” She referred to when she sent the young Aimee home to stay with
Leola, Dale’s own mum way back when.



“All Ailynn’s issues though, her confidence, her addictions, her utter
loneliness, that was all my doing.”



Once more Dale nodded. “Ailynn’s addictions would have happened anyway, it
was a byproduct of her own psyche, not your doing.” Dale rested her hand on
her daughters shoulder. “You’ve been hard on her though…”



Aimee nodded. “I feel so bad...I was just worried that…”



Dale smiled, “...that you had to let your baby bird fly...and soar?”



A tear had formed, Aimee blinked them away then turned to Dale. “I want my
baby back home safe, I’m so scared mum….”



Dale nodded. “I know. Me too.” She paused, then spoke “Of course, if you
have any prayers or thoughts, it should be for anyone getting in her way
right?”



Aimee laughed gently, knowing the true depth of her daughters will. “Oh
lordy, you’re not wrong.”



(Reply None)

(Posted by Mark)
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