Family Inquiry

Posted on Mon Dec 7th, 2020 @ 7:10am by Lieutenant JG T'Kek [Naxea]

Mission: Season 4: Episode 3: Guided by Starlight
Location: T'Kek's Quarters
Timeline: Current
714 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

The sound of terran music titled Fortunate Son played throughout his quarters as T'Kek lounged on the sofa, his mind busy dissecting the ancient Terran song. So, it appears to be a song about a person from a lower income family being sent off to fight in a war while well of families do not, he concluded. One thing he learned was that Terrans would make songs about everything--he recalled one terrible month where he had decided to study songs by a musician by the name of Taylor Swift. Never again, he thought with a shudder.

Another sound caught his attention as he looked at his desk terminal. I wonder who is contacting me, he sat up, pushing himself off of the sofa. "Computer, end music," he ordered as he made his way to the desk before sitting down. The screen on his terminal had the Federation Logo in the background as the words: Incoming Communication flashed on the screen. "Computer, accept the incoming communication."

With a chirp the terminal screen switched to the face of a older male Vulcan, his face marked with wrinkles upon a stoic face dressed in a Starfleet Admiral's uniform. "Father," T'Kek greeted. "To what do I owe this call?" T'Kek and his father often had a strained relationship due to his strong emotions. It was on more than one occasion that his father had let T'Kek know of his shame of him.

"T'Kek," his father greeted in return. "I see that you appear to be in good health."

"I am a medical officer, father. It is in my best interest to remain healthy," T'Kek replied, trying his best to keep the annoyance out of his voice as he waited to see the reason for his father contacting him.

As if reading his mind, T'Kek's father continued. "I contacted you because the ship your sister was assigned to, the USS Roanoke has been severely damaged when their vessel suffered a feedback in their warp drive. At last report, the Roanoke is adrift and the crew is abandoning the ship. Several ships are en route to provide assistance. Casualty list appears to be high."

T'Kek was silent as he processed the information. He was always close with his sister as she also dealt with emotions as he did as well as being influential in his decision to join Starfleet. Though she had taken the Security path. "Is there any word on my sister?" he asked finally.

"No. I am sure..." his father began.

T'Kek's emotions boiled to the surface, realizing his father didn't have any information. "Do you even care?" he blurted out. "The both of us were nothing but a burden and shame to you," he spoke sternly. "Do you not think that we did not notice how you hid us away every time you met with anyone outside of the family, especially other Vulcans? Do you care if she is truly alive or..." he broke off in an attempt to control his anger.

"Your emotional response is unacceptable, if however predictable," his father continued. "And of course I care for your sister deeply, and you as well. I do remain hopeful that she is alive. Your mother is captaining one of the responding rescue vessels as I predicted she would."

"Of course she would," T'Kek replied. His mother was one of the most caring and passionate people he'd known and was currently the commanding officer of the medical vessel USS Elizabeth Blackwell.

"T'Kek, as soon as I find out more details, I will contact you again," his father stated. "Know that I think of you and your sister often. I must return to my duties. Good day, T'Kek."

With that, the terminal screen went blank, leaving T'Kek silent in thought. He had hope for his sister as she was strong and a survivor. Taking a look at the chronometer, it was now 2345 Hours. He stood and grabbed his uniform jacket off of his bed and donned it. Stepping out into the corridor on his way to report into Sickbay for Gamma Shift, his mind lingered on his sister, wondering what had happened to cause the feedback in the warp drive.