Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in No Price Too High

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in No Price Too High

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in No Price Too High
Posted by… suppressed (9) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Rand sat in her old quarters staring at the computer console. She had conflicted feelings about what she was doing. She really didn’t think Roman would ever forgive her, but he was too stubborn to ask for help or even admit he needed it. Except in a letter, that except by accident, she wouldn’t have seen until it was too late. He had more than just her, and it was time that he realized and accepted that. She had already arranged to put the call through, and she waited for someone on the other end, people she’d never met, to answer.

Rand

The call was picked up by an older man with a full head of gray hair, tall from what she could tell, and still fit. He looked a lot like Jay, from those videos of Roman’s. “Lieutenant Farquharson! Your call was unexpected.” Said the man, but his voice was friendly. “Is everything okay?”

~ Mr Caliano

He was handsome, much like Jay had been. Though Rand knew Roman was much better looking. Mr Caliano seemed very kind, and that broke what little calm she had. She began to cry, which would only make them think the worst. She wasn’t supposed to meet his family this way. They might be his foster family, but it was the only family he had. Meeting them should have been a happy thing.

The retired Captain gave her a most sympathetic look. “What’s wrong?”

The young officer looked pale, and had obviously been crying. She clinched her nails into her palms and made herself talk. “I’m sorry Captain Caliano. I … I don’t know what to do. I found this letter … by accident … Roman,” she closed her eyes and strangled back a sob, “he umm, was saying good-bye. He wants… he’s planning to…” She hugged herself, looking tormented, she couldn’t say it. She couldn’t get the words out.

Rand

“Retired Captain.” Caliano corrected with a twinkle in his eye. “Henry to you, my dear.” He took in her appearance and his smile was replaced with a small, worried frown. “What’s wrong?” He had an accent similar to Roman’s.

Then the older man’s face fell completely, he looked utterly shocked. “Roman? Our Roman? I never would’ve thought… He was always such a strong spirited man.” He looked at Rand, “It’ll be alright. The Fleet has excellent care for its officers. He won’t go through with it.” It seemed Mr Caliano believed that wholeheartedly. “He’s got you there, after all.”

~ Mr Caliano

Rand shook her head. “He won’t talk to me. Not anymore. I never would have thought so, but things changed after the attack. He,” Rand sighed. Really things were bad after Kelmao, but he had gotten better been himself for awhile. “He won’t fight. The doctor on board is going to have him removed from duty if he doesn’t do something. Roman won’t ask for help, and he won’t accept it either. He’s losing everything, and he doesn’t care anymore.”

Rand

The old man sighed a long sigh. “Let me talk to that stubborn man. I’ll talk some sense into him.” He looked at Rand. “His family would disown him all over again if they knew he needed mental health support. It’s how they are. I am not surprised he’s reluctant to accept help.” Then he smiled and looked at Rand. “How about I come talk some sense into him in person?”

~ Mr Caliano

“His family are parasites,” she uttered with true venom. Then looked ashamed for the outburst. “The attack was all over the tabloids, and pictures of us. They wrote him. They never asked if he was okay or had anything warm to say to him. They told him he was disgracing the family by being seen with me, and it would stop immediately because he was going home to take his brother’s place.” Rand didn’t smile but looked hopeful. “I… I hoped you might. We’re scheduled for shore leave on Risa in three weeks.”

“We were worried for him. And you.” Mr Caliano shook his head. “His family isn’t worth bothering with. Replacing one son with another like it’s the twelfth century.” His tone held a fair amount of bitterness. Then he smiled. “Risa! It’ll be easy enough to get there. We won’t let you down, Rand.”

She sighed deeply, “I know he doesn’t write. I’ve tried to get him to. He keeps all your letters, in his violin case with a picture of Jay. I’m not supposed to know that either. He says it should have been him instead of your son because Jay had a family waiting for him.”

Rand

Mr Caliano looked deeply touched. “I had wondered why… Well, I suppose he was too stubborn.” He sighed, shaking his head. “I lost two sons that day. One to the attack, and one to the terrible aftereffects of an attack such as that. One day he’ll realize he too has a family waiting for him. I’ll never lose hope in that.”

She smiled then. “I told him that. I told him you wouldn’t keep writing if you didn’t feel so. I think… I think after awhile it was too hard to break his silence.”

He looked at Rand. “If you can save him and bring him back to me there will be no thanks great enough for you.”

~ Mr Caliano

She looked sad then. “I’m trying, but… he won’t listen to me… I told the doctor about the letter. I didn’t know what else to do.” She started crying again. “One day he’ll understand why I did it, but he’ll never forgive me. He’ll be furious I called you.” She rubbed her arms. “That’s not like him, but he isn’t Roman anymore.”

Rand

The old man smiled kindly. “You did the right thing, Rand. Even if he does lose his position, you did the right thing for him. It may feel like it now, but one day he will forgive you. He is not his parents. Once he is himself again.” Mr Caliano gave her a knowing look. “You’ll see. Risa, three weeks. We will be there.”

~ Mr Caliano

She nodded. Rand knew it was the right thing. Even if he never spoke to her again, she would know he was okay. “He will be happy to see you, even if he can’t say it.” She hoped she would get to meet him. “Thank you. I will arrange for rooms for you and send the information. Have a safe trip.”

Rand

Mr Caliano smiled again. “We will see you both in three weeks’ time then. I look forward to it. It’s been too many years since we’ve seen him. And I can’t wait to meet you, either.”

~ Mr Caliano

“Thank you, Mr. Caliano. We’ll see you in three weeks.” Rand cut the comms and then sat there for a long time.

Rand