Posted by Fleet Captain Ghubari Koraia (Captain) in Captain’s ready room

Posted by Lieutenant Julien Smith (Doctor) in Captain’s ready room

(snip)

(snip)

Koraia nodded. “I did, and it was much appreciated.” She gestured to the sofa. “Come, sit and let’s catch up before we get to business.”

Moving smoothly over to the sofa, she settled into one corner of it and angled her body to face his, crossing her legs at the knee in a way she used to find quite awkward, but now only registered briefly in her mind. “I have to admit I was surprised to learn you left the Genesis. I guess I assumed we’d both just die in our captain’s chairs,” she said with a knowing grin, though at the same time her tone was more reserved knowing whatever it was had to have been a very significant change.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

He watched her smooth movements and got convinced that something extraordinary had happened to her leg and his curiosity spiked, upon her question though she could see and feel right away though that she had gotten to the sore point directly.

He nodded with a sad look. “That was the plan.” he sighed deeply. “Long story short… boy meets girl, boy falls utterly in love with girl from an alien species and against all physiological odds they conceive a child. Boy wants to marry girl but since she’s from a non-monogamous tribal culture, she declines. Queue the lover’s drama, separation, reunification, and during one such a second child is conceived, although the differences between the parents in culture and core beliefs have already separated them.
Added to this happy mix is the fact that Zaharans and especially Zaharan children are physically bound to the energy of their planet and are not doing well when away from it for a prolonged time - even half human half Zahran children it seems. Add to that that by now, La’kia is the Ambassador of her species to the Federation and the Genesis is still a deep space large science vessel with the primary mission profile to do long-term deep space exploration.” he sighed again and looked at Ghubari, his left eye shiny.
“I had to make a choice. Stay a Captain or return to being a doctor and be with La’kia when my daughter Flavia was born, as the only doctor with experience in this very dangerous birth of a half human, half Zaharan child. Stay a Captain or be there for the critical first three months when Zahran babies are tied to the mother and take care of them and my son. I couldn’t risk it.” he said, shaking his head and she could feel the turmoil of emotions in him.

Ghubari simply nodded, feeling the depth of the emotions in him. While she couldn’t understand the exact situation he was in, she* did know what it was he was willing to give up and that was no small thing.

“I miss my ship and crew just as much as my children…” and La’kia his mind added silently “…but when you are a Captain you leave no crew member behind.” he said in a stronger voice and realised that La’kia and even A’naad and Flavia were crew for him, family, crew… however you wanted to call it. It was the same to him.

• Julien

“I understand,” Koraia said in a deeply thoughtful tone. “And for what it’s worth, I hope for however long it is, the Athena can be home for you as well. We’re our own family here, however large and sometimes dysfunctional it can be,” she added with a slight grin.

Fl. Captain Koraia, CO

Julien nodded his smile returning. “I hope so as well, although right now it can only be with you, Cmdr. Stark, Dr. S’Raal and Lt. Legen, the only ones who know who I really am. Oh and Lt. Rovan Moor. Funny story, he was my helmsman and ran into me in sickbay, and of course he immediately recognised me.” he rolled his eyes.

“But he will keep quiet, it seems he had his own covert mission between the Genesis and the Athena. But before we get down to business… what about you? I didn’t get a chance to congratulate you on your marriage and that leg of yours… it looks just like your own. Upgraded prothesis?” he asked.

• Julien