Posted by Lieutenant Verity Aphelion (Chief Science Officer) in Who Knows What the Future Holds
As Verity held the PaDD that contained her discharge orders, which Captain Glen had reluctantly authorized, in one hand as she placed the Starfleet-issued duffle bag she’d arrived on the Merrimack with near the shuttle that was to transport her home.
After spending only a few months on the ship it had felt like home. However now she was off to Sol to care for her aging grandfather because she had received word that her grandmother had passed. Since she was raised by her grandparents after her mother, their only child, and her father died when she was an infant, she now found herself the sole caregiver for Louis Aphelion the IV. He’d had a serious stroke years ago caused by a blockage in his brain. Stubborn grandfather never wanted to go to the doctor and never wanted to keep up with his health. As a result, it cost him. For if he’d gone one time during any of the last months before he had the stroke, they would have seen the blockage and advanced medical technology could have removed it.
Grandmother had done so much for him afterward and he depended on her for his day-to-day needs. Verity felt sad because she wasn’t sure if he even fully knew she was gone. She bent over, picked up the duffle, stepped onto the shuttle, and sat in one of the far back seats. As the shuttle backed out of the shuttle bay and began to glide away from the ship, she pressed her face and one hand against the glass. She stayed that way until the Merrimack was out of sight.

V. Aphelion, CSO

As the Merrimack came into view from her shuttle seat, Verity felt relief. Hopefully she wouldn’t have to leave again because there were no more Louis Aphelions who were closely related to her to care for and pull her away from her Starfleet duties. She had been looking forward to seeing her grandfather again and even caring for him, unfortunately Verity had not gotten the chance. By the time she arrived at her grandfather’s San Franciso home, he had already passed away.
“Oh, V”, said Miranda, her grandfather’s long time housekeeper, “You are a couple of days too late.” The bed where he’d been confined during his last hours was neatly made. She couldn’t even tell the room had ever been converted into a hospice ward for her grandfather. Her eyes went to the massive bookshelf across from the entrance way that was full of books. Her grandfather was fond of those ancient bound stacks of paper. In fact he was an avid collector and had amassed quite a few of them. “Rest in peace Granddad Louie.” Verity said out loud but in a low whisper. The housekeeper placed a tender hand on her shoulder, then gave her a sad smile. Over the next few weeks, after Louis was laid to rest, Verity sorted out his estate since she’d been named as the executor. She donated various research and valuables to charities and organizations as well as made contact with distant relatives. She even donated the majority of his books except for her grandfather’s favorites which included Brave New World, The Count of Monte Cristo, War and Peace, Dracula, and her personal favorite Little Women.
After her grandfather’s affairs were in order, she said goodbye to Miranda and paid her the severance pay Louis had delegated to her. When everything was done, she made her next call to Captain Glen and told him she was ready to return to work.

As the tiny shuttle docked in the shuttle bay the landing was smooth. The trip had been anything but. There was constant turbulence, so much that Verity was forced to assess the situation. “Is everything okay?” She asked the shuttle pilot. The man turned and looked at her with a wide grin, “Yep. Everything is A-OK.” As Verity stared at him, he felt compelled to continue speaking, “Sorry about the rough trip. We hit some remnants of a solar storm. It’s clearing up though. I’ll have you on the Merrimack in no time.”
Verity nodded but she could help but think, Can you at least try not kill me on my first day back to work?

Now that she was safely back on the Merrimack she thanked the pilot as she hoisted her Starfleet duffle on her shoulder. It was heavier than when she left because she packed the five books in it.
After she exited the shuttle, she headed straight for the Captain’s office. When she arrived she rang the chime and waited to be invited in so she could give him an update on her brief departure.

V. Aphelion