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

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo (Counselor) 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… suppressed (6) 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

Standing near an exotic food store, she was waiting for Anasera to receive an order of cotton candy, when the hair on the back of her neck rose. That only happened when someone was staring intently at her. Curious who it could be, Zef began to look around. She’d made almost a complete circle when she spotted Alex. Two women accompanied, but she was honestly only interested in him. He looked tired and particularly stressed—her fault, no doubt. Not knowing what to do, Zef inclined her head just a bit, letting him know she saw him.

—Zef

The bottom of his stomach dropped out. Visibly, his jaw set in the way she knew from experience was him steeling himself to do something he didn’t want to do. As his companions approached, the Vulcan woman with him placed a hand on the arm on the other woman who looked so much like Alex that it was eerie and said something softly. As Alex approached and the women followed, the woman’s eyes - identical to Alex’s- fixed her with a gaze that was far from friendly.

Alex walked up but stopped a fair way from Zef. The pain he felt was invisible to anyone who didn’t know him. But to those that did…

Zef saw him coming over—there was nothing to do but wait to see what happened. She would have preferred their first words after last night took place in private, but it didn’t look like that was going to happen. The hard set of his jaw and the formal distance he kept between them was disappointing.

“Lieutenant Commander Zef Rollo. I would like to introduce you to my mother, Vash’tur Cochrane of Vulcan; and my sister, Lieutenant Commander Racheal Cochrane of Star Fleet Science Command. Mother, Rache… Lieutenant Commander Rollo, Ships Counselor an… and a fine member of the crew.” and he stepped to the side as Vash’tur stepped forward. Raising her hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting, she said “Peace and long life, Commander. My son speaks often of you. And quite highly. It is my pleasure.”

She raised her hand and returned the greeting. “Peace and long life to you.” Blue-grey eyes glanced quickly at Alex and then returned to the two women. “Your son honors me with his kind words.”

She turned and looked at Racheal whose blue eyes seemed to be judging the woman. “Commander.” she said flatly, but a soft clearing of the Vulcan woman’s throat and she set her jaw like Alex had and added. “A pleasure to meet you.” and she held out her hand.

Cochrane Family

Her gaze now settled on the LtCmdr who looked so much like Alex it was eerie. She could see the same angry set to the jaw and the flint in the blue eyes. The sister was absolutely on her brother’s side no matter what this situation was. “My pleasure, I’m sure.” They clasped hands and shook but let go immediately.

Manners dictated that Zef needed to introduce the striking couple who accompanied her. “Captain, Vash’tur, LtCmdr, this is a childhood friend of mine who just arrived today. Anasera and her new husband, Brom Ghelfi.” She stepped to the side a little to allow room for their greetings.

—Zef

Alex smiled the smile he used when dealing with dignitaries. Professional, capable, but unemotional. “Sir.” he said and shook the man’s hand. He looked at Anasera and inclined his head. “Madame. A pleasure. Welcome to the Delta Quadrant. I hope your trip from Baj was a pleasant one.” and he looked at Zef. “Commander, if you wish to take your… friends… on a tour of the Manhattan, I would happily show them around personally. Just let the Bridge know and we can set that up.” Vash’tur and Racheal made their required introductions quickly and politely. Alex looked at Brom and Anasera. “A pleasure. Enjo-… ahem… enjoy your stay.” and he looked at Zef, and his eyes had trouble containing the tide that threatened to break through.

But if Cochrane was anything, it was professional. “Commander, always a pleasure. Good day.” and he looked at his family who took the cue and moved past the Bajeen entourage and further into the shopping are and disappeared from view.

Cochrane(s)

Later That Evening…

Alex was in his quarters. His mother and sister had been with him all day, including the almost disastrous meeting with Zef and her sperm donor. Alex couldn’t hide his discomfort from the two women that knew him better than anyone else, and so the hours after they returned to the Manhattan had been spent talking about the situation with Zef.

Racheal had wanted to see if the Counselor bled pale as well. It took both Alex and Vash’tur combined to keep her from seeking her out. When they finally calmed her down, Alex and the two spoke at length… well, Alex and Racheal spoke… Vash’tur simply listened and intergected only when directly pressed. When they left Alex in his quarters, Racheal said “I’m going to the bar. And I promise I won’t knock a b÷×+h out if I see her… might the guy she’s hooking up with, though.” She kissed Vash’tur on the cheek and walked away to change. “Love you, Mom.” she said over her shoulder and left. “I love you as well, daughter.” and she waited till she was out of sight. She then turned and pressed the chime.

Alex answered the door and a surprised look came across his face. “Mother. Is everything okay?” Vash’tur brushed past him and said “Of course not. My son is in distress.” and she entered the room and took a seat. She fixed Alex with a look. “Explain to me the situation again. Be direct, my son. And spare no hurt. You are human… be human.”

Alex looked at her for a long time and then took a deep breath. He sat down next to her and took her hand.

“Zef and I became close. Very close. And we… well… I… fell in love. A month ago I told her. She said she needed time. Last night, we had planned a fantastic dinner. She said she loved me. I was excited. Then…” and he took a few deep breaths.

“Then she told me she had entered into some kind of fertility contract with an old friend. Her people have a ritual where, if a couple cannot have children, they contract with a surrogate. Zef agreed to do this. Without so much as a warning. She agreed to have a baby with another man without even talking to me. And to tell me that in the same breath as saying she loves me for the first time? I’m sorry… but that just makes no sense. “

Vash’tur cleared her throat. “So are you hurt she is having another’s child? Or are you hurt she didn’t consult with you first?” Alex looked at her and said “I’m not sure… both, perhaps.” Vash’tur nodded once. “A valid answer. Is she obligated to ask your permission?” Alex shook his head. “By what she has said of the ritual, no. But if she truly loved me, I believe she should have. Her decision effects me as well.” Vash’tur nodded once in agreement. “A logical conclusion. A pregnancy would effect you both, yes. And in that it was… an error… on her part to not inform you of her decision. Now my son. Remove your emotions from this. Look at the situation through the eyes of a Star Fleet Captain. Do you believe it is up to you to dictate your crew’s acquiescence to cultural norms?”

Alex looked at her in surprise, but then gave the question its due thought. “As a Captain, no. But I would require notification it had happened, in this instance, as the physical toll could effect their ability to perform their duties.” Vash’tur nodded approval. “Logical… and appropriate.” She stood up and looked down at Alex, putting a hand on his shoulder to keep him seated.

“You must do what you have done your entire career. Reconcile your duty to your crew with the needs of your heart. I know you love her… even still. And I know you hurt. And I am sorry, Alex. But love… love is not easy. And for you it has been much harder than you deserve. But in this… there is no easy way through. And no answer will bring you peace. Perhaps acknowledging that in advance will allow you to make… at least the least painful choice.” She reached out and touched his cheek.

“I do love you, my son. Vulcan I may be, but you are my son. And to see you suffer brings no small challenge to my restraint. But I trust you will do what you believe is best… for you and for her.” and she turned and walked out the door.

Alex watched her leave and then looked at the floor. For many minutes, he didn’t move. The he stood slowly, went to the cabinet and retrieved a bottle of scotch. He poured a glass half full and walked into the bedroom and started the shower.

A few minutes later, Vash’tur entered her quarters. As the door slid closed, she exhaled slowly. She then went to the desk and activated the comms, sending a text only message.

=/\= Lieutenant Commander Rollo. I will be having a private brunch at Sharl’s Bistro on the station at 1100 station time tomorrow.

I look forward to seeing you there. =/\=

Cochrane