ILLUMINARRPG: (9- 1310)- Vice-Admiral Vanyssa Winters, Ensign Celiste Winters, Ensign Skashe Winters and Commander Ketal

[Charles Gatling]

Mission:  Soliloquy
Day: 9
Stardate: 24465.07.13

(USS Illuminar - Arboretum - Vice-Admiral Vanyssa Winters, Ensign Celiste
Winters, Ensign Skashe Winters and Commander Ketal   - 1300)

Vanyssa had taken the afternoon off. She had let her temporary first
officer monitor the orderly transition of people and material from one ship
to the other while they orbited Tellar. She had arranged a large blanket on
the grass, and a picnic lunch of her children's favorite things. Ketal was
due to join her, and both of her children were off shift finally.

Vanyssa recalled what her life as a newly commissioned Ensign had been like
aboard the Paladin, and then the Spectre and the Nimitz.  it had been
difficult,  a hard transition from Cadet Counselor to Ship's Counselor, and
then on to First Officer during the War. The death of David Dark, and the
killing of their two babies in the bombing of Betazed.

Vanyssa had vowed that her and Ketal's offspring would have safer, kinder
lives. She trusted Saleke's son with her children.  She had made sure that
both were assigned to the Illuminar.

Vanyssa looked up as the doors opened. She sent a quick probe to see if it
was her mate or her children appearing for this long awaited reunion.

Skashe smiled and waved at his mother as the door opened. He stopped inside
and snapped a salute. "Greetings admiral!", then dissolved into laughter,
the tips of his pointed ears getting a green tinge for a moment then
straightened back up. "On a more personal note, hello mom. Any fried
chicken in that basket?" He had walked up and gathered her in a big hug.

Vanyssa watched her son with an indulgent smile and nodded, “At ease,
Ensign.” Her voice held amusement and she held her son close. They were a
very demonstrative family. Her mind touched his as she held his hand. ::Of
course there is southern fried earth chicken for you, and catfish and
shrimp for Celiste. Oh, my Sky. I have missed you. What mischief are you
keeping your Sister out of?::

Vanyssa's smile widened as she felt the touch of Celiste, that she was on
her way, a few minutes late as always. “Your Father was on the Raptor still
but promised to be here.”  She opened the basket and the smells of several
galaxies began to waft out. Her children were a blend of betazoid, human
and vulcan, raised in safety on Betazed.

"What have I NOT had to keep her out of?" Skashe made a rude noise. "She's
at least as stubborn as you and maybe worse."

He turned as the door opened again and Commander Ketal stepped in, there
were no hijinks from Skashe this time, he snapped a salute and held it out
of respect. His father was more civvy than military and preferred it that
way but he had stepped up for the mission and Sky was well aware of how
much that … and his past had cost him. He held it for several seconds
beyond his father's nod then stepped forward and gave Ketal the Vulcan
salute.

"Live long and prosper, father." Skashe, Celiste and their mother were the
more demonstrative ones usually but sometimes Ketal threw a curve. He
stepped forward and gripped his son's arms.

"You as well my son." He pulled Skashe in until both hands were on his
son's shoulders. "Space is vast and fraught with danger, never let down
your guard."

Sky nodded. "We weren't on that shuttle but I understand father, I'll keep
my eyes open."

Vanyssa frowned slightly, but pat the spot next to her on the blanket as
Celiste blew into the Arboretum.  “Dad!” She cried out,  running across the
grass and enthusiastically hugged Ketal, trusting in her Father to catch
her. Vanyssa continued unpacking the food, all of it real, unreplicated. A
luxury.

::Your Father had to take over sensors, and reinstatement of his commission
was difficult.  Don't cling too hard, dear.::

Celiste kissed her Father's cheek, as impulsive as Her Mother was at her
age.

The smile was genuine if small, Ketal was still working on it. He held his
daughter close and strong for an instant as she kissed his cheek then
released her to her mother.

"I took care of the sensor logs, combined and downloaded them to the
planetary bank for dissemination to the fleet. That area is too close to
established travel routes not to be considered a danger."

He moved over and sat close to Vanyssa. Vanyssa put her hand on Ketal's
left knee and their minds merged for a moment in mutual support and love.
Celiste dropped next to Sky and took a handful of walnuts and popped them
into her mouth. Vanyssa handed Ketal a plate and a napkin before filling
her own plate with fried betazoid clams, filets of the sweet tropical
rainbow fish and candied flowers.

::So. Tell me all the news. Has Sky found a mate?::

Celiste snickered. She eyed her brother and decided to bail him out, “Nope.
But I have been working with Luma on trying to breed a rose from the Lenai
homeworld. Well, it won't be exactly the same, but based on holos and her
input we are close.”

Skashe rolled his eyes, having caught the edge of his mother's thought.
"I've dated a few times since I got on the ship but Vulcan ears intimidate
girls as much as they feel the challenge of getting close to one so I guess
you could say I confuse them. Add to that the fact that I'm just about as
opposite to one as you can get…", he shrugged, "... don't worry mom, the
right one will come along one day. I plan on providing you with grandkids
to spoil eventually."

He reached into a big container and pulled out a thigh and breast, the
breading was firm under his fingers and gave a satisfying crunch as he bit
into the moist chicken.

Vanyssa smiled indulgently at her only son and then turned to Celiste.
“Jennah is studying the records of the Illuminari And the Lenai with
Michaella Kirien and Riven Mias, trying to prove, or disprove that
Betazed…”  Vanyssa paused for a moment as she felt Luma's presence draw
closer. “Was settled as a colony of the generation ships.” She offered the
fruit bowl to Ketal, before taking a large helping for herself. Celiste dug
In the basket, looking for the soft betazed cheese she prefered, knowing
Sky didn't, she tossed a cube his direction.

“Has Jennah and The Ambassadors found any correlation?” Celiste asked
curiously. “I know the belief of Luma is that the Illuminari were the
progenitors of the Betazed people, and it is why she needs a Betazoid
mind-partner.”

Vanyssa looked up in concern as the power levels fluctuated, dimming and
brightening the lights several times in quick succession.

::The Captain,:: Celiste's tone was very respectful,  ::Mentioned that Luma
was going to be moved from the Raptor back here. She didn't much like some
aspects of the ship, and was looking forward to being back aboard.::
Telepathy was very useful when eating. It allowed the  family to make the
most of the time together.

“Ah. I suppose that makes sense. There were issues integrating her into the
Mystique originally,  but we never Received authorization to move her.”
Vanyssa took a moment and reflected the love and contentment she had for
her children.

Sky swallowed the delicious bite. "The Raptor's main computer was designed
to acclimate to her pretty well considering it's a near sentient positronic
matrix but it was never going to integrate to her fully without a complete
merge of her into the system and knowing that we were coming back here that
was never the plan. The Illuminar's bio-neural gel pack computer suits her
better for now and I doubt she would give up her roses willingly."

He took another bite of dark meat as the others ate before continuing. "A
positronic matrix computer core would be perfect for her but would also be
permanent, once the sentient ship began to exist I doubt she would ever
want to leave. I believe it would increase her control astronomically."

Vanyssa eyed her intelligent son and was yet again thankful that he had
inherited his Father's intellect and not her impulsivity. “From the
communiques I have received from Luma, I believe she is happy now. Her
decided unhappiness after my… accident,” Vanyssa reached for Ketal's hand
and squeezed it, “I was unsure that we made the correct decision in
bringing her back to Starfleet.”

“Oh, she loves being part of the crew!” Celiste spoke, “And the
revivification of so many lines of roses has diplomatic value, if nothing
else. I am hoping that once we finish the design of her snow rose that we
can work on some other projects. Commander Verin is a botanist as well and
she has some awesome ideas about crop yields.”

Vanyssa felt Luma's joy peripherally at Being home and her smile widened.
“You both seem happy with the path of your careers. I was unsure about
rejoining the Fleet, but the changes made by Starfleet command have been
positive.” Vanyssa did people, not politics. “Are you happy? I can see
about a transfer if you wish.” Vanyssa was not above pulling a few strings
to keep her children safe.  Celiste jerked slightly, then shook her
orangey-red hair, “No, Mom. I am happy here. The ship is beginning to feel
like home.”

"A transfer?" Skashe's voice was shocked. "Why? Maybe Celiste doesn’t like
it here but I'm fine. I enjoy the exploration of it all. I wouldn't think
of wanting to leave."

Celiste gave her brother a look, “I like it just fine, but it’s difficult
being just a Ensign, a botanist and in the shadow of a much more gifted
scientist.”   Celiste was a soft scientist, unlike her brother the
astrophysicist.

Vanyssa kept her eyes on her children. They didn’t have a lot of time
before the Captain was planning to leave Tellar and she would need to be
ferried back to Mars by Raptor prior to it beginning its assignment.
Vanyssa decided to change the topic, “We only have about another hour
before we need to go back to the Raptor.” She paused and switched modes,
::I miss you two so much.:: Celiste dropped the piece of cheese she had
been nibbling on and hugged her Mother.

Ketal finished his salad with a variety of incorporated animal proteins and
cleaned his hands and face before diving in, having seen the looks of their
offspring. "Your mother will be receiving a command ship within the next
several weeks in which to make these kinds of excursions."

"Great!" Skashe took another bite of potatoes, he was filling up. "If you
need a CSO Admiral, look me up." Then gave a laugh. "Just kidding, I've run
the department a time or two and would rather get a few years more of
experience before going that route."

Vanyssa grinned, “Nepotism has it's place, but I do not think you are quite
ready. Thankfully there is no need for a forced maturity as there was a few
years ago. I would rather you two were happy and safe than thrust into
situations you are not ready for.”  She laid Her head against Ketal's
shoulder. ::I am extraordinarily proud of both of you.::

(Reply: None)

(Posted by Charles, Ketal and Skashe
And Melinda, Vanyssa Winters and Celiste)

Charles Gatling
Commanding Officer
USS Illuminar
NCC 61240


"The light shines brightest amidst the deepest darkness."
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