Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Diplomatic Attache) in Side Sim - Twins and Tragic Poetry (Day 1)

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Side Sim - Twins and Tragic Poetry (Day 1)

Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Diplomatic Attache) in Side Sim - Twins and Tragic Poetry (Day 1)
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

Early that morning the companel in their room started beeping. And it was one Revna had hoped would stay silent. S’Tek had given her time off before she had to board Manhattan. Revna was realistic enough to know that it wouldn’t actually be totally without ‘work’ but she could hope. The beeping was specific scale progression of notes that she’d assigned to indicate messages from the Ambassador, so they wouldn’t be missed. She got up from the table where she was actually eating breakfast at a normal time and pressed the button to bring up the message from S’Tek: “Arriving today. Vash’tur, Poet Laureate of Vulcan. Please extend my personal regards and apologies for not meeting her in person as I am off-station.”

The luxury shuttle Vesper blinked into existence in the Delta Quadrant. The pilot made an immediate course correction and said =/\= Event Horizon control, this is vessel Vesper. We have a reserved berth and are awaiting docking permission. =/\= There was a slight pause and then a voice came through the comms. =/\= Vesper, you are cleared for docking in Bay six. Welcome to the Delta Quadrant. =/\= Another course correction and the pilot looked at his fellow seated next to him. “Go let her know we have arrived and will dock in ten minutes.” The other man nodded and stood up, stepping through the cockpit door and making his way into the passenger section of the well-appointed vessel.

Revna, dressed in an elegant beige silk blouse, dark grey trousers, and a forest green ankle length vested duster, Nordic wolves embroidered on the shoulders and the Federation Diplomatic Corp patch attached at the right shoulder. Revna looked at the PaDD again. No ceremony, no quarters assigned, party of 2 but no name. She was curious but she was relaying a message that was all. Simple. Please let it be simple....

Twenty minutes later the hatch slid open and a human woman stepped out. She was in the uniform of a Star Fleet Science officer and had Lieutenant Commander pips on her collar. She stretched and looked around before reaching in and picking up a bag. “Leave it, Racheal. I can carry it. I do possess more physical strength than you.” The woman smiled and said “And logic dictates that I already have it, so why waste energy reversing a motion already complete?”

A striking Vulcan woman stepped out of the ship and onto the deck with an ethereal grace. She was tall, and was dressed in robes unlike most other Vulcans. Hers were brightly colored, but refined. A large gold necklace hung around her neck with a medallion on it. She looked at the woman next to her, eye to eye as they were the same height, and said flatly “You have the soul of a Vulcan, my dear child… but the sarcastic wit of your brother.” and her gaze shifted to look around for their ‘welcoming committee’.

Guess who?

Revna stepped forward as they disembarked the ship and came to a stop 3 feet away and raised her hand in a traditional greeting. Not so much for the formality but out of politeness. “Peace and Long life, Vash’tur.” Revna took notice of the younger woman with her and she seemed oddly familiar but Revna couldn’t place her.

“I am Revna McKenzie, attaché to Ambassador S’Tek. He sends his regards and apologizes for not meeting you in person as he is off-station.”
McKenzie, DA

Vash’tur bowed her head and then raised her hand and said “And Peace and Long Life to you, Revna McKenzie. Please tell S’tek that his presence is missed, but that I understand he is in much demand.” The Vulcan’s voice was as emotionless as any other Vulcan… but something about it was different. It was almost… warm.

“I thank you for not making a fuss. My daughter and I are simply here to see my son, C-” and a voice familiar to Revna came from behind her. “That would be me.”

Revna opened her mouth to assure Vash’tur the message would be relayed but was stopped by the sound of Cochrane’s voice, and she turned calmly making a subtle but polite step back to make room for the man and allow the small family unit a moment.

The woman next to Vash’tur face lit up and she smiled broadly. “ALEX!! It’s so good to see you!” The Captain of the Manhattan stepped around Revna and embraced the Lieutenant Commander, and then the familiarity was more than apparent. They looked almost identical… but very different. Same height and similar build, although Cochrane carried more muscle, Racheal Cochrane had the same hair and piercing blue eyes of her twin brother. Even their facial expressions were a match. But where Alex was decidedly more masculine, Racheal exuded a strong and resilient femininity.

Alex kissed her cheek and she was about to say something when she grabbed his chin and looked in his eyes and her brow furrowed. “Ok, we can talk later.” and she stepped back.

Revna grinned, TWINS. Like recognizes like. Not just siblings, but twins. She understood the look Rachael gave him, she’d been on the receiving end of that look from Runa many many times. But the relationship endeared Cochrane to Revna. Not that she hadn’t already decided that he was family and she would do whatever she could for him, but knowing he had a twin and understood that bond, well there were very few people who understood that.

Vash’tur, as was typical for Vulcans, remained stoic and silent at the display. When Alex turned to her, he smiled and said simply “Mother.” Vash’tur looked at him for a long moment and then did something decidedly Un-Vulcan… she opened her arms and hugged him firmly, which he returned in silence.

Cochrane finally released her and turned to Revna. His eyes were shimmering, but not a tear fell and his voice was even. “Mrs. McKenzie, may I present my mother and my sister. Vash’tur Cochrane of Vulcan and Lieutenant Commander Racheal Cochrane of Star Fleet Science Command. Mother, Rache… Mrs. Revna McKenzie. She will be joining the Manhattan when we depart… and her honeymoon is over.” and he gave her a small smile.

Cochrane, CO

Revna bowed slightly to Vash’tur, “I am honored.” She held out her hand to Racheal, “It’s an honor and a pleasure to meet you both.” She turned to Cochrane with subtle smile on her face, “I believe, Captain, that you and I will have many twin stories to swap.” She was genuinely happy for him. She understood what it was like to be away from your twin. There was no one that quite understood you like your twin, and, well, when you start life at the very beginning together, their lack of presence is deeply felt.
McKenzie, DA

Cochrane smiled at Revna, but there was something decidedly off about it. “Indeed. Now go. You are on your honeymoon. I’ll tell the Ambassador to leave you alone.” and he nodded once and said “And thank you.”

Alex looked at the two women and smiled warmly. He said “Come. I’ll let you get settled and then I’ll show you the ship. Then we can discuss plans for your visit. We have so much to catch up on.” Vash’tur nodded and took his arm graciously and Racheal fell in beside them.

“So I thought we were going to meet this wonderful woman of yours, Alex.” Racheal said and immediately knew she had misstepped. Her brother’s face almost shattered as he tried not to react. Vash’tu didn’t react visibly at all… but the hand on his arm squeezed slightly. “Oh… no. Not now. She had… another engagement that took priority, I’m afraid.” Racheal looked at him from the side of her eye and said “Oh, okay. Well, we’ll be here a while. Hey! Did the Manny get the new Type Ten sensors? We cranked up the output matrix and can hit 5.5 L-Y on high rez, and almost 20 on low. Since you’re docked, maybe we can get you upgraded.” she said and then spent the remainder of their walk to the ship dominating the time with various topics. Alex responded every so often, and once gave his sister a look that said ‘Thanks’. Vash’tur remained silent, but the grip on Alex’s arm never lessened.

They boarded the Manhattan and Alex showed them to their quarters. “Your bags will be here in a moment. Freshen up, relax. I have some Captain things to take care of, but I will be back in about 30 minutes to take you on a tour.” and they said their parting words and he turned and headed towards his quarters.

He walked in and then let out the breath he had been holding. He went to the replicator and got a glass of water, downed it, and got another and sat down on the couch and put his head back.

He was more miserable today than he had been last night. He hadn’t slept at all. There were bits of Zef all around him. Little things she had left. A brush. A shirt. A PaDD with a book she was reading on it. All through his life were pieces of Zef. The shirt of his she sometimes slept in. “Slept…” he muttered to himself. “Past tense.” Now she was going to have a baby… carry another man’s child… sleep with another just to get pregnant. “And what? It just happens the first time? Of course not!! She just asked me to let her have an affair with her best friend’s husband so she can get pregnant?! No, actually. That’s not right. She just told me she was and thats it. Asking would have at least been respectful. And told me she loves me in almost the same breath. What an absolute crock of s^#@.”

All of these words just floated out into the air.

He was gutted.

Thirty minutes later, he was outside the VIP quarters. His mother and sister stood in the passageway and smiled as he approached. With a smile born of practice, he said “Now then, ladies of my heart… shall we?” and stepped between them and offered each an arm. Racheal laughed and Vash’tur simply arched an eyebrow, but each took an arm.

Cochrane led them all over the ship, introduced them to some of the skeleton crew that remained on board, and basically let them see his world. A few hours later, and after answering many many questions from Racheal, they were done. Alex, for the moment, had set aside his pain and was simply enjoying time with his family. Racheal then spoke up. “Okay little brother… we get it. Your ship is amazing and yes I am completely jealous. But I’ve decided… I’m just going to take over and you can be the Head of Party Planning.” Alex laughed and then looked at her. “Awww… but you have to be a Captain first, Sissy.” and watched her eyes grow big and he readied himself as the punch to the arm came in. “OW! Thats assaulting a superior officer, I’ll have you know!” and she pursed her lips and began throwing punch after punch while Alex just said “Ow. Ow. Ow.” until Vash’tur said “Enough, you two. You are in uniform, after all.” and Racheal stopped and glared at Alex… and then they both laughed. Vash’tur looked on as if the whole thing was commonplace… which for her it was.

Alex said “Hey, I have an idea. Let’s go to the station and pick up some things for dinner and eat in my quarters? I’ll give Chef Harv some much needed time off and we can just talk. After I show you the station, of course.” Vash’tur inclined her head an Racheal smiled and said “Oh Captain my Captain! Lead on.”

They left the ship and went to the station’s shopping area. They were halfway through when they rounded the corner…

And there was Zef. Zef and two others, in fact.

Alex