Family Ties...

Posted on Fri Dec 31st, 2021 @ 6:23pm by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Lieutenant Commander Malakai Starr [Taylor] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik} & Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece] & Kyle Cragen [Reece]

Mission: Darkness Rising - A Phoenix Lalor Sub Plot
Location: Black Watch II
Timeline: MD40
4248 words - 8.5 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

As a physician Kara was keeping a close eye on the cocoon containing her grandfather, she knew nothing about this part of her distant heritage. Would she develop a cocoon if she was seriously wounded? The whole idea was a frightening one. Taking a scan of the cocoon she looked at her readings, “I don’t understand any of this....grandfather, I’ve got so many questions and no answers. Hell why am I talking to a cocoon!?” She sighed and settled down for a rest.

A few hours later, the cocoon shuddered slightly. It then started to evaporate, soon revealing a completely nude and unrestrained Kyle Cragen, sitting in the chair, his head lolling down over his chest. At his feet, was a solid dark mass that was once his clothing. Now it was just a solid chunk of detris and waste.

Kara walked in expecting to find a cocoon, to her surprise she walked in to find her grandfather very naked, and totally unrestrained. Grabbing a phaser she held it ready to use if she had to. Reaching out for a blanket she felt around for it whilst trying to keep her eye on Cragen at the same time.

Suddenly, Cragen threw his head back and gasped loudly, sucking in a huge breath. He then erupted in a series of geavy coughing, as his lungs cleared and fully reinflated. Next, he started to curl up, shivering heavily.

“Here..” Kara moved closer, offering to cover Cragen with the warm blanket. "I’ll help you up, if you promise me you won’t try anything. You don’t look much up to trying to escape right now anyway.”

Cragen took the blanket greatfully, wrapping it around his shivering form. "Th-thank you..." he said, his voice sounding very hoarse. "W-water...p-p-please?!"

Kara nodded. “I’ll get you water” she walked to the replicator returning moments later with chilled water. “Here you go...” she kept the phaser close at hand just in case. “I have a whole plethora of questions about that cocoon.”

Taking the water with a shaking hand, Cragen brought it up to his lips and slowly drank the whole glass. He then handed it back. "Th-th-thank you....I...I w-w-will answer y-y-your questions....b-b-but first...I n-n-n-need a sh-sh-shower. Cl-cl-clean residue off."

Kara nodded. “I can arrange that, can you walk or do you need help?”

Cragen looked over at his granddaughter. "Help....me...please." looking at the phaser, he added, "I give my...my word as...as a knight of the...the English Crown....I will...will..not harm you."

Kara could sense the honesty, and hear the sincerity in Cragen’s words. Lowering the phaser she placed it out of his reach before moving in to help her grandfather. Strangely enough she didn’t feel as afraid at being so close as she thought she would. “You told the truth, I’ll trust you. Don’t make me regret it.”

Gladly taking her help, Cragen allowed her to guide him where he asked to go. True to his word, he did not do anything threatening.

“I’ll wait outside the door for you, let you shower alone.” Kara offered a brief smile before exiting the room. Even though he was her patient it didn’t feel right being alone with him whilst he was naked in the shower, especially after knowing what he’d done to Kate, and Josie.

Cragen entered the shower and began to cleanse his body of the residual ooze from the cocoon. In about thirty minutes, he stepped back out, wearing nothing but a towel. "I don't suppose a prisoner of my crimes has any right to ask for clothing?"

“You do” Kara nodded and produced some clothing. “I had to take best guess at your sizing, I hope it fits.”

Taking the offered clothing, Cragen replied. "I will make do if it isn't. Thank you." He then got dressed in front of her. Once done, he straightened up. "I'm guessing we go back to my cell now, so that I can be re-restrained?"

“No” Kara shook her head. “You’re still my patient and I want to keep you here under observation for a few hours. Just to be sure you don’t have any side effects to...whatever that was.” She looked at Cragen curiously. “Will that...happen to me to?”

Cragen gave her a soft smile. "I'm sure your collegues Arrianna included, would have issue with that decision." He turned and found a chair to sit on. "As for what happened," he shook his head, "There won't be any side effects. It's completely natural for our people, some at least. When we are gravely injured, and on the brink of death, our bodies instinctively produce the matterial that protects us. Once the shell is hardened, our bodies begin to breakdown rapidly. All damaged and injury is repaired on the atomic level, and then we are reconstituted. Should we be killed, then our bodies simply deteriorate to dust within minutes, leaving no useable DNA." He took a breath and continued.

"As for youself, I have never heard of the process being seen with a hybrid. In the past fifty millenia, only purebred individuals have had the ability."

Kara breathed a sigh of relief. “Good...I wouldn’t want to outlive my family. If I had to watch them age and die it would destroy me!” She paused. “Do you still intend to kill my friends? To take Josie away from all she knows?”

"Unfortunately, though you're a hybrid, you may still out live those you hold dear. Not centuries long, but, possibly decades." He considered her next question and his reply carefully. Finally, after a quiet sigh, he replied. "No. It would cause you too much pain. And El Aurian do not harm their own kind. We evolved past that when the humans were still living in trees." He paused again. "As for Sephine, Josephine...." he seemed twisted by this subject. "As hard as it may be for you to understand this, I love her. I have loved her since I first met her, back in England of 1660. We started to grow close and tgen she was ripped away from me. I spent the next seven hundred years trying to find her. Along the way, i had other loves, your grandmother for one." He smiled softly at the memory.

"But," the smile faded. "After a few centuries, The constant loss of loved ones took its toll. I finally decided to live how I wanted to. That's when I started to build my empire. All the while, I never stopped looking for her. Finally, a few months ago, I found her! But, she didn't seem to be missing me near as much as I did her. So, I took her, and her lover. My hunger for her is insatiable at this point. I will never give her up. She is my wife, and she is carrying my child. The only first-born I have in this millenia. I will die before I give them up!"

Kara’s eyes widened in surprise. “Sephine is...pregnant!” That changed a whole lot where trying to get Josie back was concerned. “I saw your memories of my grandmother, in the pictures..she looked so happy with you. Maybe it’s the El Aurian dna in me but I guess I feel an attachment to you, you are my grandfather. I want to believe that you have good in you.”

He nodded at her suprised comment. Then, he shrugged. "Who's to say. Maybe one day I'll redeem myself even. Who knows?"

Kara smiled. “I think you’ve already started redeeming yourself, you haven’t hurt me and you haven’t tried to escape yet either.” She grinned. “If my brother or husband saw us like this I’d be for the high jump! They’d think I was crazy.”

"That's only because they don't understand our people," he said sagely. "Offworlders think they know what honor is. For an El Aurian, once a word is given, it is not only never broken by the giver, but it is upheld by each of their children. And each of their children, in perpetuity." He paused before adding, "So, when I gave you my word that I would not harm your friends, they are safe from any reprisals that would come from me, for the rest of their lives, no matter how long that may be."

Kara nodded. “Thank you...grandfather.” She smiled warmly. “So what now? I can’t let you go, you know that.”

He sighed softly, then nodded. "I know. I guess I'll just have to go do another stint in prison."

Kara was about to speak when the door opened...

Malakai came through the door first and stopped suddenly at seeing Kara sitting there with Cragen who was completely unrestrained. "KARA!" He shouted as he moved toward her, grabbing at her, pulling her away from Cragen. "Have you lost your mind? What are you doing?"

“Mal...let go of me!” Kara snatched her arm away from her husband, obviously annoyed. “That wasn’t necessary! My grandfather has made no attempt to harm me.” She looked back at Cragen. “We were just getting to know each other.”

An angry Malakai looked at her, a shocked expression of his own on his face. "Getting to know each other? Have you lost your mind? Or have you so quickly forgotten what he did to Arri and Josie? Kidnapped them, stripped them naked, tortured and raped them both. Made them both slaves and you want to get to know him?"

“No, I haven’t forgotten” Kara sighed. “I just...wanted to know more, about my grandfather, and what it is to be part El Aurian. Am I wrong to want to know?”

"Knowledge is a wonderful thing. There are right and wrong ways to gain knowledge, along with safe and unsafe ways and you are doing it unsafely Kara." Malakai looked at Cragen, "He needs to be in restraints."

Kara looked at Cragen then back at her husband. “Alright, fine.” She stood aside letting Malakai have the job of putting the restraints back in place.

Mal moved toward Cragen, knowing Mattias had his back, "Alright you know the drill, hands behind your back."

Keeping his word to his granddaughter, Cragen quietly stood and turned around, putting his hands behind his back, as instructed.

Kara looked at Mattias, so far he hadn’t shouted at her, infact he hadn’t said anything at all, but she figured he would eventually. “Are you going to tell me off too?”

Malakai silently bristled at Kara's statement of him telling her off. Why couldn't she see he was trying to protect her and their baby? He finished affixing Cragen's restraints both hands and feet and stepped back. Not saying a word.

Mattias was feeling a bit dumbstruck by what he was seeing. And hearing. Stepping into the room, his eyes were solidly fixed on the back of Cragen's head. "Kara," he started to speak, his tone deathly quiet. "I know he is your distant ancestor. I know that you want to learn more about yourself. I get that. However, he...is...dangerous! What was to stop him from reaching out and snapping your neck? Mal and I only happened by on our way to check his cocoon." He breathed very slowly, the rage he felt, quietly bubbling below the surface.

Kara was picking up on Mattias’ rage, fuelling her own mixed emotions. “I know! I’m a bloody fool alright!!” She looked between the two men in her life. “He’s had ample time to snap my neck, or make me one of his slaves, but if you notice I’m unharmed and totally myself!” She stood calming herself down. “I...need some air.” She nodded to Cragen before heading out of the door.

Cragen returned the nod calmly. Then, after she left, he looked at both men and spoke. "Gentlemen, tou have no reason to trust me, I know this. However, perhaps the fact that Kara walked out of here, unharmed, and I have not tried to fight you in anyway thus far, may earn me a few brief moments of your attention?"

Mattias looked like he wanted to rip Cragen's head off. However, a part of him did recognize that Cragen was telling the truth. "Mal?"

Malakai didn't turn to look at Mattias. His eyes remained on Cragen, "What Matt?" It was clear he didn't trust Cragen.

Stepping closer to his brother-in-law, he said, "For Kara, and for Kara alone, let's give him his few moments. We don't have to believe him, after all."

Malakai sighed, as much as he didn't like it he would do it for Kara. "Fine." He snapped as his eyes remained on Cragen. "You have your few moments."

Cragen bowed his head slightly. "Thank you. As I told Kara, when an El Aurian gives his or her word, nothing can break it, not even time. I gave her my word that I would not struggle in any way with you, nor would I ever move to harm any of you, now or in the future. So, while we are still enemies, you no longer need be concerned of any reprisals from me or any of my progeny. I will go quietly and calmly, to whichever prison you so choose to place me in."

Malakai stared at Cragen for several seconds before he gave a short bitter laugh. "Just like that? Of course your man Bishop and troops he commands are still around and they aren't bound by your word."

"No," Cragen admitted. "However, he is completely loyal. If you would grant me access to a comm unit, I will order him to withdraw the troops and leave the planet. You would, of course, be able to track him, to ensure he does."

"Uh huh. Still doesn't get us Josephine now does it? Bishop withdraws because you order him and he takes Josephine with him. Which puts us right back where we started from." Malakai countered.

Cragen shook his head. "As I told Kara, Sephine stays where she is. She is my wife and is carrying my child. Bishop will protect the both of them with his own life, if necessary. But, she is not to be moved. You have me. That will have to be enough."

"Absolutely not. You kidnapped her and Arri, tortured and raped them both. She is freed and she comes back to us." Malakai's voice was as hard as steel.

Cragen stood motionless. Finally, he said, "I would like to speak to your commander."

Malakai moved to the wall comm and flicked it on. "Lily, Cragen wants to talk to you."

"on my way" Came the reply.

3 minutes later she entered the room and paused beside Mattias. "You wanted to speak with me?" she asked

Looking over at the woman who looked like a Bajoran, Cragen spoke calmly and in an unthreatening tone. "Captain Phoenix Lalor, as I have just told your men, I have given my word to my granddaughter that I would not fight you in any way, nor would any of you ever be in any danger of reprisals from me or my progeny. As they can tell you, I have kept my word. Now, unfortunately, an impasse seems to have been reached, regarding my wife, Sephine. I have also given her my word that she would never be taken away again. As she is also pregnant with our first child, my vow extends to her or him as well. While I will willingly order my men away, and go to whatever penal institution your superiors chose to send me, my wife and child will not be handed over." He paused briefly before continuing. "Of course, should you feel that you are powerful enough to overpower my ship and crew, then I would be unable to stop you. The choice is yours."

"is it?" Lily asked curiously. "Seems to me that the choice is Arrianna's. And as she is no longer here, then there is no choice. We are dropping you off at a nearby Starfleet installation for trial."

Cragen bowed his head. "Then may I make a call, instruct my ship to leave the system, so that you may proceed unmolested?"

Lily looked at Malakai. "Can you arrange that?" she asked him softly.

Malakai nodded, "Sure thing. It will take about twenty minutes. I need to camouflage our signal and I'm guessing you want Cragen to make the call from here right? if so i can convert the wall com into a temporary transmitter."

"Please." She replied. "Sorry but i do not trust him not to use our normal comms."

"Not alone in that feeling Lily." Malakai assured her.

"Nor should you," Cragen stated matter-of-factly, with zero animosity in his tone or expression. "Were I in your shoes, I would react the exact same way, Captain. In many ways, we are vastly different. However, in one, I dare say we are the same, protecting our crews and the ones we care about. A monster I may be, however, I do look after mine."

She turned and looked at him. "You blame us, for bringing Josephine home to this time. You blame us because we robbed you of her I get that. But she is also a member of my crew and though I let her go now, you would do well to remember that I will do whatever it takes to protect her as well"

Cragen took a few seconds to gaze into Phoenix's silvery eyes. Then, he nodded slightly. "Then we have an understanding. I'll order my men and ship away, you will transport me to the proper authorities, and, at some point, the subject of my wife, your Crewmember, will be broached again. Who knows, perhaps, by then, you will have found her and our discussion would be rendered moot. I have no choice, but to leave it to you." Inside, he was feeling deep pain. While yes, in truth, Sephine was not the same Josephine he had met and fell in love will all those centuries ago. However, she was still the first woman he had ever loved enough to consider marrying. At the end of the day, he only wanted what was best for her. Unfortunately, after so long hunting for her, he wasn't ready to just hand her back so easily.

Lily nodded and glanced at Malakai. "All yours" she said softly and headed for the door.

"Got it." Malakai answered and got down to work of setting up a transmitter so Cragen could contact his ship and order it away.

Some seventeen minutes later he was through. He contacted Lily and Mattias. "We're ready Lily."

Lily returned and nodded at Cragen, "If you would."

Cragen nodded once, then turned to face the console. "Cragen to King's Gambit. Bishop, stand by to authenticate. Bravo, Gamma, Gamma, Seven, Niner, Delta Three. Do you read me?"

There were several seconds of silence before Bishop's voice came through the com. "I hear you sir. and your code has been verified as authentic. Awaiting your orders."

"Mister Bishop, as of this moment, I am placing you in command of the King's Gambit. An agreement was reached down here. I have given my word to my granddaughter, that no harm will come to any of the individuals associated with this compound. I have also agreed to go quietly as they turn me over to the authorities. Should we never meet again, know that I have always been fond of you and have never truly doubted your loyalty. To that end, your final orders are as follows. One, recall all of our troops back to the ship immediately. Two, set course and speed out of the system, ensuring you are not tracked or followed. Three, ensure the continued safety of both my wife and our unborn child. In three days, my personal safe, located in my ready room, will open inside, you will find everything you need to dissappear. Leave this life we have lived behind, Bishop. Become some one new, something new. That is all." He then looked over at Phoenix and Malakai. The other man, Mattias, he thought he name was, was standing behind him.

More seconds of silence followed by Bishop's voice. "Sir No! Are you sure you want to do this?" Bishop was ready to fight to save his boss. "We can take the ship you are on and recover you." He stated.

Kara had heard the discussion as she reentered the room, she moved closer simply standing looking at Cragen as he gave his orders. A few tears ran down her cheeks as she listened to what Kyle was doing for her, and for Bishop. He was keeping his promise, and it touched her heart in ways she couldn’t put into words.

"Bishop...Micheal..." Cragen had never used his most trusted aides first name before. He did so now, as he looked into Kara's tear filled eyes, as a way of expressing his gratitude to the man for staying by his side for so many years. "Remember once, a long time ago, how I told you that when an El Aurian gives their word, especially to another El Aurian, that it is sacrosanct? I gave my word to my granddaughter. No harm is to be levied against these people, ever. So long as I am alive and my progeny are alive, these people are not to be harmed. Do I make myself clear?"

Bishop's voice cane back choked with emotion. "I remember sir. You stressed how important it was to keep your word. As it was a testament to a man's character. "You also told me always be true to yourself." Silence followed before Bishop's voice came back it was devoid of emotion. " You make yourself clear sir. I understand and though I don't like it I will abide by your word and order. I will protect Sephine and the baby. You have my word sir."

"I know I do, son," Cragen replied with a soft sigh, remember just how young Bishop had been when he first started working for him as a runner. "Take care of yourself. Cragen out." He nodded to Malakai to close the channel. Then looking over at Phoenix, he said, "There. I'd give him a few hours, to be fully out of sensor range, then you will be able to take me in."

Lily nodded. She looked to Mattias. "Heldora's shuttle, you and Jax can get it ready please?"

Mattias nodded. "Right away." As he passed by Phoenix, he gently ran his fingertips across the back of her left hand. Then he was gone.


Lily then looked at Malakai and Kara. "You both can drop him off at the Starbase of your choice. Jax will pilot."

Malakai nodded, "Sure thing." He replied simply.

"i'll get the data chip for you both" Lily said. Then she paused "One thing Cragen, I was never after you. You were not the target."

Cragen nodded and responded. "I know. Highlaw is your target. As part of my cooperation, I will give you all of the information that I have on him and his patterns. He always thought that he was using me for his own interests. In truth, I was the one using him for his contacts. Once you have the information you need, I have no doubt that you will finish your mission successfully."

Lily nodded and looked again at her XO. "You will relay it to Kara and Malakai." She said finally. "I trust it will pan out." the rest was left unsaid.

Cragen simply nodded silently. He would not break his word. As Highlaw never asked for his word of loyalty, the human would not be protected in any way.

Kara wiped her eyes, at least she’d have a little longer with her grandfather enroute to his drop off. She could spend that time getting to know him, and her heritage, better. She offered a smile as she looked in his direction.

Cragen return the sad smile with a small, soft grin of his own. It was only now starting to sink in, just how much he was both loosing and gaining. He had the heartbreaking realization that he would never again see his beautiful wife, nor be there when their child is born.

However, on the other side of that coin, he had an opportunity here, to both get to know his newly discovered granddaughter, and try to start making amends for his crimes. He knew it would take a very long time to accomplish, however, he would do what he could.

"I suppose, I should be taken back to my cell now?" He asked Malakai calmly.

"Good thinking Sherlock." Malakai answered. He didn't trust Cragen as far as he could throw him. The man had destroyed countless lives including Arri's and Josephine's and Malakai wasn't going to cut him any slack just because he was cooperating now.

“I’ll accompany you” Kara stepped slightly forward, stopping out of reach knowing Malakai wouldn’t like it if she got any closer.

Malakai looked at Kara but refrained from making any comment. Instead he turned his attention back to Cragen. "Lets go."

Cragen moved, as instructed, without comment or resistance. He was in their hands now.

~OFF~