Posted by Lieutenant Commander Mikel Petrov (Chief Engineer) in Petrov’s quarters
Mikel had went to his room and as he removed the new Lt. Cmd pips he rolled them in his fingers while looking down at them. He reluctantly moved over to his view screen in the room and pinned them back on.

“Computer link to Earth. Preset call 001.” He ordered.

The computer said nothing as he had programmed it to silent for some functions. The screen displayed outbound call in progress and then on the screen appeared his mother. She looked beautiful as always but much older.

“Hello mother.” He said as a smile came to his face. His mother was his brick wall against his father and he always felt safe with her and talking to her. As if all his old failures never existed or if they did then they were actually successes that only she and he could understand.

Petrov CE

His mother literaly beamed a smile over to him.

“My pershinka. Why do you not call your mother more often?” She scolded and adored him in the same breath.

“Sorry Mother. It seems the galaxy is a busy place but of course I should more often.” He replied.

“How are you son. You look like you need to eat more.” She said leaning into the view screen as if that gave her a closer look.

He smiled. His mother always thought he needed to eat more.

“Mother I am calling to give you the news that I have been promoted to the senior rank of Lt. Commander.” He announced.

“Oh honey that is marvelous. I am sure this is the most important rank.” She said.

“Not quite Mother but it is a senior rank and not easily accomplished. It seems that saving the ship multiple times has finally been rewarded.” He remarked.

When speaking to his parents he lacked the antagonistic and arrogant attitude usually displayed.

“Is Father there?” He said almost hoping the answer was no.

“Yes. Let me get him.” His mother said and disappeared off screen.

Petrov CE