No Simple Answer

Posted on Mon Oct 26th, 2020 @ 9:54am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Fernando De La Rosa [Taylor]

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: After TBD
801 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

After leaving Heather and the Doc and knowing the transfer of the fetus into Heather had been successful, Fernando left and after
much mulling about ended up at the holodeck. He selected an outdoor program, a park with a gazebo and some children playing.
He headed for the gazebo and sat down, enjoying the tranquil setting even as his mind was a jumbled mess. In the distance he
could hear a band playing a happy, upbeat song and he felt anything but that and that made him feel guilty. He felt like he was cheating
Heather out of her happiness at being a mother.

Sighing, he leaned back on the bench and tried to get his thoughts in order 1) He was happy for Heather. 2) This was his evil mirror's child.
3) Could he love it and not be prejudiced against it? 4) Could he get over his guilt? True he hadn't abused or raped the woman who was
giving up the child it was his doppelganger who had done the foul deeds. He sat and reflected. He knew he could love the child, teach it
right from wrong. To have a strong moral code. To stand up for what was right. Not to be led, a sheep. The biggest hurdle was him and his
guilt for what his mirror had done. The unimaginable pain he had caused both physical and mental and the life he had shattered. Every time
he looked in the mirror he was reminded of his mirror's evil. How could he escape himself? That was the answer that eluded him.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He had no ready answer, no crystal ball he could look into for an answer. This
was trial and error time. Yet there was a chance he could inadvertently hurt Heather taking this path and that was something he wanted to avoid
at all costs. He let out a frustrated sigh. Why was this so hard? he asked himself and had no ready off the cuff answer. Certainly nothing that eased
his troubled conscience. As he sat and struggled for an answer a song came to him. A song that seemed made for this very moment. "Computer play Drift Away by Dobie Gray." An instant later the soothing notes of the song filled the park and at least for the moment he was lost in the melodic music filled the park as he drifted away, wishing for a simpler, less stressful time.

Day after day I'm more confused
Yet I look for the light through the pouring rain
You know that's a game that I hate to lose
And I'm feelin' the strain
Ain't it a shame

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Beginning to think that I'm wastin' time
I don't understand the things I do
The world outside looks so unkind
And I'm countin' on you
To carry me through

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Yeah, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

And when my mind is free
You know a melody can move me
And when I'm feelin' blue
The guitar's comin' through to soothe me

Thanks for the joy that you've given me
I want you to know I believe in your song
And rhythm and rhyme and harmony
You've helped me along
Makin' me strong

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Oh, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away
Hey, give me the beat boys and free my soul
I wanna get lost in your rock and roll and drift away

Na na na, won't you, won't you take me
Oh, take me

As the words began to fade , Fernando realized, what he should have known all the time. That he had a woman in Heather that loved him and that was worth more than any king's ransom. The answer was simple, there was no right or wrong way to proceed. Just do your best. Love the child and Heather for all they were worth and everything would work out for the best. He just had to trust in himself