Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in Package Deliveries

Posted by Captain Zachariah Cobb (Commanding Officer) in Package Deliveries
(snip)

Santa was indeed happy to stay and eat, although he belatedly threw a glance towards Casela, to confirm if such a thing would be okay?

Casela nodded. The children would be very sad if they didn’t stay.

“Pimola”

“What do we have here, then?” was Zachariah’s response to Pimola’s gift, the metal contraptions resembling antique medical braces. Holding them out, he was curious how the child would react and made a note to discuss with Casela later whether they could perhaps offer some more…modern solutions to their medical needs.

Pimola was a 3 year old half Romulan as well. She wobbled, helped by another boy, her feet pigoned toed in to support her. Her muscles too weak to make her legs work quite right. She took the braces with eager hands and she tried to jump in excitement, but rather bobbed up and down. Jaren came over and picked her up and sat her down and began to fit the braces to her feet and legs.

“Terul”

“Ah, now this was a favourite of mine when I was a lad,” Cobb exclaimed, producing a large sketch pad and box of coloured pencils for Terul. “Although I am sure your artistic talents far surpass my own limited skills.”

Terul, full of energy that never stayed still, by passed the presents and hugged Santa fiercely and regaled him, talking fast and all over the place, all the things he would be drawing in the pad. Karra, finally taking pity on Santa, urged Terul to take his gifts and keep moving.

“Vetad”

The next gift was an old tricorder, although not one ever sanctioned by Starfleet.
“Klingon technology,” he remarked, handing the device over to Vetad, “may not always be the most advanced in the Federation, but for robustness and durability there’s none can beat it.”

Vetad took it carefully, looking at it in wonder. The 12 year old Orion boy, looking much more a man, was quietly thrilled with the device. “Thank you, very much.” He was very polite and nothing like the rest of his species. He wandered away, scanning anything and everything, learning the controls of the tricorder.

“Carlin”

Carlin’s gift earned a wide grin from the captain. “Ah, now these look like fun!” And indeed, the colourful bowling skittles and ball, the tennis racquets and the antique croquet set were a delight.

Carlin was 6, and had his arms absolutely full with the treasures he had received. With a big grin he thanked Santa and was off across the yard to set up as many of the games as he possibly could within the space; the other children joining him.

There was a sudden screech as everyone looked over at Pimola as she wobbled and then walked, a bit stiff legged around the yard, without help. The smile on her face and squeals of delight from her and the other children stilling the adults. It was a tight knit community and there was not a dry among the adults. Pimola continued to walk after her friends, chasing them as they allowed her to catch them. “Karra! I’m running!” She wasn’t, it was a fast paced flat footed walk, but for her it was the most amazing speed she’d ever achieved.

“Why, Miss Pimola, you could beat me in a race and no mistake,” Cobb called out in encouragement to the girl.

“Petall”

“Oh, we have ourselves an engineer” Santa roared with glee as he retrieved the next item. For a moment he seemed almost reluctant to part with it but then with a grin, he handed it to the child.

Petall, was 12 and a Tellarite girl. She took the kit with wide eyes. “Hey, Zanya, this looks like the bag Sparky had! Just like his!” She hugged Santa and then in an attempt to me more typically Tellarite, “You aren’t fat enough to be jolly!” She moved away, rather proud of herself for that one and began to pull everything out of the kit and examine it.

“I…well…” Zachariah sputtered, his hands falling defensively to his stomach. Then, with a shrug to Casela, he chuckled and added, “I suppose I should take that as a compliment?”

Casela grinned, “Before Sparky, Petall had never met another Tellarite. She’s trying, but her sweetness comes out instead.”

Zanya bent down and whispered to Santa, “Sparky was Bog’s cover.”

“Then that explains her appraisal of my own physique,” he roared with laughter. Still, the captain was heartened by the obvious good done here by certain members of his crew.

“Bella”

Another doll. Cobb lifted it as he might a live grenade, eager to hand it over before he could once again trigger a cry.

Bella was two and was still recovering from the ordeal of the trickster anomaly. She hugged the doll fiercly and it let out a soft lavendar scent, calming, and would help her sleep at night.

“Karrith”

A journal and several writing pens came next, followed by a curious stack of cards. Resembling miniature digital displays, each one bore a different item, key to creating a story - a character, a place, a motivation, a challenge. They could be shuffled and drawn at random to, each time, assist in the creation of a new and unique tale.

Karrith, Sulme’s big brother, glanced at the gift with a big grin, “Thank you!” and ran off to sit with his sister and began to shuffle the deck, creating stories to tell her.

“Ahelli”

Another loud roar of laughter as Santa Cobb examined the next gift. “What do I have here, eh?” he chuckled to Ahelli, handing over the large, stuffed targ. “I don’t know whether you should cuddle it or challenge it to a duel.”

Ahelli giggled, “You’re silly. It’s stuffed, it’s for cuddling!” She ran off with the prize to show the other children.

“Graga”

A book of fairytales for Graga, this one reminding Cobb of a gift he once received from his own mother, several lifetimes ago.

Graga, a young Ferengi, took the book and smiled. “Rule of Aquisition 74 Knowledge equals profit!” He ran off to sit down and read.

“Is that right?” Cobb replied to the retreating child, before adding quietly to Casela, “I shall have to try that one out with Mr Lazol.”

“Apiraa Sh’rharhok”

And finally, shorts and a Hawaiian shirt, looking not entirely dissimilar to one worn by Cobb himself on occasion.
“And who is the snappy dresser, eh?” he held the clothes out to Apiraa with a nod of complete approval.

Apiraa laughed, “Me! It gets too hot here for me! Thank you!” Apiraa was Andorian and their metabolism was made for much colder climates, so the summer was often a miserable time for her.

“Oh, I know the feeling, lad,” the captain replied, tugging gently at the furred collar of his suit.

Zanya, Santa’s Helper

The sack finally empty, Cobb ran a hand through his beard and then got to his feet, unable to shake the suspicion that some children had been missed.

• Santa Cobb

“Vedi, Mecona, Julin” Three children, two Cardassian and one Bajoran child approached Santa. Zanya the holiday elf led them and Santa back to Santa’s carriage for a very special gift. “Come on you three, Santa has a super special present for you this year. She led them, along with Santa and Karra into Santa’s carriage.

Cobb was as curious as the children as to the nature of this unexpected surprise, but as he followed them back to the shuttle, he maintained the Santa character with regular chuckles and the occasional “Ho ho ho.”

The privacy screen blocked the cockpit from the children. Zanya activated a view screen where Judge Arroz appeared. “Hello Children. I hope you remember me.” Vedi was very suspicious. He gathered Mecona and Julin to him. One arm around each taking a half step back pulling them with him. Karra and Zanya both seeing this knelt down next to them. “Vedi, you know I wouldn’t let anything scary happen,” Karra soothed him. Judge Arroz looked sympathetic but Julin and Mecona nodded and waved. Vedi wasn’t sure. “I have a very special message for you, that I’d like you to watch.”

On the screen appeared Tabris Asam:
“Vedi, Mecona, Julin, if you’re hearing this message then I want you all to know that in the brief window that I was here to get to know and adopt Neltus that I realized how much of a family he has with you three. Vedi you are the wise brother who cares for your siblings and that you two are basically inseparable. I also know from our conversations that you have a wonderfully caring soul and know that, even at such a young age, that sometimes hard decisions need to be made. I understand you were ready to make the hardest decision of your life. Mecona, Julin, I know that you idolize both Vedi and Neltus, they’re your big brothers and you want to stay with them because that’s what family does, and you want to grow up with them, even if sometimes they can be annoying. Kids I want you all to know that with deep consideration I approached Judge Arroz and House Mother Karra with an idea. That it would be wrong to split up siblings, and that it would be inappropriate for any of those siblings to have to be split apart. I asked them if I could adopt you three as well. Not just because you see Neltus as a brother, but because I love each of you in your own way. Vedi, I love you because you’re a sweet compassionate boy who cares deeply for what’s right even if it’s hard to do. You make sure that your siblings are cared for even if it is at your own detriment. Mecona, I love you because while I’m here you’ve been a constant companion when you could, curious and inquisitive, asking all sorts of questions because the world is a new place and you trust me to teach it to you. Julin I love you because you’re just a little ball of energy that would shoot through the ceiling if you weren’t held down by gravity! You let me play with you and your giggle brightens my day when I make your robot talk or toss you in the air. If you’re hearing this, then that means that their answer was yes, but it’s up to each of you to decide if you think I’ll be able to be a father to each and every one of you.”

Vedi looked at the screen, blinking, he looked at Ms Karra, not sure what to make of it. Judge Arroz reappeared. “Ms. Karra and I have discussed it and if you three want, Tabris Asam will be your father and all four of you, Neltus, Vedi, Mecona, and Julin will be brothers and sister from now on. No one will be able to separate you, and Mr. Asam will always be your father. You simply need to say yes or no.”

Julin jumped up and down, “Abis! Abis my daddy!” Karra shook her head with a smile, “Julin, Julin, sweetie, do you want Tabris to be your daddy? Yes or no?” Sometimes small children had to be given instructions. “YETHSSSSSSS!” And then Julin was gone running out of the shuttle screaming Abis! As he ran into the house. Karra looked at Mecona, “What about you Mecona, would you like that too?” Mecona looked at Karra, then at Zanya, but then looked at Vedi, holding his hand tightly. “Please Vedi?”

Vedi looked around, a little in shock, “Hold up, what? No… no Neltus put him up to this.” He looked down at Mecona and could hear Julin laughing and already making up stories with his robot to tell Tabris….no he wasn’t Tabris, he was Dad. “I get to stay with my brothers and sister?” Zanya nodded and Karra hugged him. Vedi was always the big brother and strong for them all. But he was crying when he looked back at the judge. “Yes, please. We’d all like that very much.” Judge Arroz smiled. “Well then I think Santa has something for you before you go back. Merry Christmas.” The screen went black.

Vedi stood there for a few minutes in shock and not sure of what had just happened. Santa, the man playing him anyway, handed him an envelope and then one to Mecona. He silently slipped out to find Julin. Vedi stared at the envelope and then slowly opened it. Inside was the same letter and court document that Neltus had gotten:

To: Vedi
From: Judge Kentaira Arroz
In the case of Tabris Asam vs Pied Piper Orphanage, Delotha, House Mother Karra, the Federation courts have taken into account all evidence provided. After extensive background checks, interviews, and observation, the court has found that Tabris Asam is fit to adopt a child. Furthermore, I, Kentaira Arroz, Family Court Judge, Federation Courts Sector 293, find in favor of Tabris Asam adopting Vedi. Here by this stardate 239612.10 do proclaim that Vedi is now the legal and real son of Tabris Asam and will here by carry the name of Vedi Asam.
Signed,
Judge Kentaira Arroz

He read it, then read it again, and again. Mecona tugged on his hand, “Bedi what’s it say?” Vedi read it to her. Her little face just lit up. “You have a daddy!” She said as she waved her envelope in his face frantically. “Read mine read mine!!” Vedi sat down on the floor of the shuttle, Mecona in his lap while he opened the letter and read it to her, identical in wording except her name instead of his. She smacked her head into his chin several times in her excitement. Eventually Karta and Zanya left the shuttle, leaving Vedi to his thoughts, to go help the little ones pack their things.

It was there in the shuttle that Neltus finally found Vedi. Neltus, recognized now that the sudden feeling like he would cry was not his own but Vedi’s. That his empathy was telling him that Vedi was happy and overwhelmed. He stepped into the shuttle cautiously not sure he should be there. “Vedi? What’s wrong? I mean I know, I’m sad too. I’m really going to miss you. But Tabris promised he’d bring me to visit and that I could write whenever I want. And the new video comm is awesome! I just got off of it with Tabris in real time, like I was talking with him face to face! I’m sure Ms Karra will let us talk.” Vedi didn’t say anything though. Just stared at Neltus. Trying to find a way to cheer Vedi up, He rubbed his arm nervously while tapping his foot on the shuttle’s deck plating as he tried to relate to his best friend, no, his brother “So I’m sorry I went to my room to read it, I just didn’t want to like… be embarrassed in front of everyone. What did you get? What did ‘Santa’ bring you?” Vedi held out the paper, his hand shaking a little. Neltus took the paper and read it, he read it again and looked at Vedi, a HUGE smile spreading across his face and then falling. “What…what about Mecona and Julin? What’s going to happen to them?” Vedi started to laugh, the shock and excitement catching up to him. “They are going with us. They got letters too. Tabris…I guess I mean, Dad sent us this wonderful message! I wish you could see it.” Alfred, careful not to reveal himself, heard the request and started a playback on the screen for Vedi and Neltus was able to watch it too. The boys had tears running down their cheeks as they hugged, “We’re going to stay being a family.” Neltus said quietly, Vedi just nodding as the reality really sank in.
Casela/Zanya

As Casela had busied herself with helping the children prepare for their departure, Cobb had taken the chance to slip quietly away, a sudden need for solitude washing over him. Firsthand he had seen the difference that could be made in the lives of these orphans. The difference that had been made, by Casela, by his crew, even in some small way by himself. And without warning, he found himself laden with regret, that he had never shown the same care for his own flesh and blood. For his son.

The boy would be 18 this year and on the cusp of becoming a man. Had there been others in his life to guide him, as his own father had not? Or had he, like Zachariah before him, been marked by the scourge of abandonment, the societal shame of absent parentage and the pain caused by such a chasm being torn into one’s heart.

But as always his loss was usurped by terror - the fear, not of leaving, but of choosing to stay only to fail all the same. Surely no father at all was preferable to life with a beast? Did it reside anywhere within Cobb, the strength to be a good parent? Or would his son, like his wife and every tragic soul who tried to come after, have been damaged by every moment spent shackled to the abomination that was Zachariah Cobb.

• Captain Zachariah Cobb

Casela gave him a moment and then approached him. “Santa, there is one more child. She’s been helping the little ones, but we shouldn’t forget her.”

Santa and Zanya returned, having left Vedi and Neltus to contemplate their gifts. There was one child left: Alyssa. This one Zanya had taken a long time to consider. Alyssa wrote beautiful stories. Filled with suspense, beauty, darkness, struggle, and believable characters that conveyed the harshness and the beauty of life. Her characters were believable and her worlds vivid and detailed. Zanya had collected the stories over the years, and Karra had submitted them to Intergalactic Publishing and they had made Alyssa an offer. A proof copy of the book was included. Alyssa was the last child she’d found in the mine, the child whom given her the stick doll wrapped in a tattered scrap of cloth, that still sat on the shelf in her office.

“Alyssa” A human girl, very serious, only 14 years old, but looking and carrying herself as so much more than her age. She walked up to Santa, but before he could delve into his bag she laid a gentle hand on his arm, but her gaze was riveted on Zanya. Her voice was cold and snapped like a whip, but barely a whisper and it cracked with heartache and abandonment. No one other than herself, Santa, and Zanya would hear her. She glared at Zanya, a persona that the girl knew was false, and said to Santa, “You can’t give me what I want.”

“For Casela to love me enough to keep me. I’ve known for years that ‘Zanya’ was just a cover. I’m sick of her pretending with me!” and she turns and leaves the yard, disappearing into the village.
Casela/Zanya

Cobb’s eyes followed the fleeing child, before unleashing a curious glare on Casela. Was there more to this trip than she had been willing to reveal? Would the Leviathan be welcoming another child into its midst? Or had Casela, like Cobb himself, already accepted the shackles of solitude, the denial of a primal longing to care for another, as fitting punishment for her former deeds?

Shifting a few paces away from the others, Zachariah beckoned for Synthi-er to join him. Then once within earshot, he whispered, “Do you intend to go after her? Or should this fake Santa chase her down instead?”

• Santa Cobb