Visitation

Posted on Fri Nov 4th, 2022 @ 5:36am by Kyle Cragen [Reece] & Lieutenant Commander Kara Starr {Kelea-Salik}

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Prison complex
Timeline: During shoreleave
1863 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Kara stood at the entrance to the visitor area where her grandfather, albeit a lot of generations removed, would be brought to see her. She’d made excuses to come and visit him, not the she’d lie to Malakai about it if he asked where she’d been. Though she doubted her husband would approve of her choice.

Cleared to enter, Kara was led into an interview room, which held a single small table and two chairs, facing each other from opposite sides of the table. There was also a secondary door , on the far wall, leading out of the room.

Once Kara was seated and settled, the far door slid open and two heavily armed and armored guards stepped inside, moving off to the side. Next, Kyle Cragen was led inside, handcuffed and shackled, to keep his movements minimal, by two more similarly armed guards and a supervisor.

Kyle smiled softly at Kara as he was moved to the seat opposite hers. Once he sat down,he was secured to both it and the table. The other two guards and the supervisor stepped back as well, all keeping their eyes on the pair.

"Hello, Granddaughter," he said with a gentle smile. "This is a pleasant suprise."

“Hello Grandfather” Kara smiled warmly. “I thought I’d come visit while we’re on Shoreleave. I’m not sure when I’ll have the chance to visit you again. Besides, you’re family, that means a lot to me.”

Kyle gave her a warmer smile. "Thank you, that means a lot to me, knowing there's at least a few people in the galaxy that don't fear or hate me." He looked at her more, then asked, "How have you been? How is your pregnancy coming along?”

“I’ve been well thank you” Kara smiled warmly. “There’s been no problems with my pregnancy. Six months and counting.” She grinned. “I don’t recall if I told you, but you have another granddaughter. I have a 2 year old daughter called Ezri, she’s part Klingon.”

Kyle's face brightened at that news. "Ezri...what a beautiful name!" He smiled just like any proud grandfather would. It was a stark difference to the smiles he had given her when she had entered his business undercover. "May...may I see what she looks like?"

Kara nodded. “May I...?” She looked at the guards waiting for permission before pulling out a family photo she’d brought with her. “She err...was a result of a...unwanted encounter but I love her nonetheless. She’s going to be living with us onboard ship.”

The supervisor stepped forward to inspect the image carefully. He then nodded and handed it back. "Put it on the table, facthe prisoner. You are not to touch him and he is not to touch you or the photo." He then hovered over Kyle's right shoulder, his hand on his weapon, as he continued to watch.

Tag

Kyle looked at the image and his eyes misted over. "She's beautiful, Kara!" Then his brain clicked over to the rest of what she said and some fire entered his voice. "Who did that to you? They will suffer for hurting you!"

The supervisor pulled his phaser and trained it at Kyle. "Calm down, prisoner, right now!" One more outburst and this visitation is over!"

“Grandfather please!” Kara offered a worried look. “They’ve already been taken care of! My brother Mattias saw to that. From what I know, they were made to suffer for their actions.”

Hearing Kara beg him to calm down, Kyle immediately did so. Then, when he heard what Mattias had done, he nodded his approval. "Good," he finally said. "Anyone who harms my family will never be safe." He growled softly.

Kara breathed a sigh of relief. “You’ve already done enough to get yourself locked up in here, I don’t want you getting into any more trouble because of me.” She smiled warmly. “There’s a childhood friend of mine onboard ship, he’s an El Aurian too and he’s already answered what questions I had about what it is to be El Aurian.”

Kyle arched an eyebrow. "He has, has he?" He considered this, then, realizing he really didn't have any right to tell Kara how to live her life, he finally gave her a warm smile and nodded. "I'm glad you were able to find someone to answer your questions. I...regret...that I was not able to be there for you in that aspect."

“It’s alright” Kara smiled. “You don’t approve of me talking to my friend?” She looked at him curiously. “I can’t sense you from a distance but now I’m closer I can feel your emotions a little. I can’t run here every time I have a question Grandfather, but I can come here and visit you, to get to know you.”

"No!" Kyle shook his head as he spoke up. "No no, that's not it at all." He sighed in frustration. "I only meant....." the took a breath to calm his mind, then he continued. "I didn't mean to imply that I disapproved. I don't, far from it! I'm just upset with myself that my actions forced you to go to someone else, and not to me. I am so sorry, Kara."

Kara offered an understanding smile. “You don’t need to apologise, I’ve spent my life growing up in a family who have loved me as their own. With a brother whose done nothing but respect and protect me, but I can’t ask Matt about being El Aurian, because he isn’t. Besides right now I’m not worrying about it, I stressed out enough wondering if I was going to outlive my husband and children.”

Kyle gave Kara an u derstanding smile. He certainly knew the pain of that situation. He had outlived five wives and an uncounted number of children, grandchildren, and on. Of all of his progeny, Kara was the only one he had ever reconnected with. He had resolved himself to being as alone as he was when his parents were murdered all those long centuries ago.

"I'm glad you have a family that loves and supports you, Kara. Hold on to them. If I can give any advice, it's that. Hold onto them for as long as you can, and don't allow your grief to take over, as I did mine."

Kara nodded. “I will, because without them I’ll be lost. If I have to live on without them I will protect, and guide future generations of our family.”

Kyle nodded his agreement. "Who knows, perhaps on a few hundred years, I might earn a parole and I could meet your decendents with you?" He gave her a weak grin, as he doubted he would ever be a free man again.

Kara nodded. “When, or if I live that long I’ll need you just to keep me sane.” She offered a sadder smile. “Right now I can’t face the thought of outliving Malakai and my children.”

"Kara," Kyle said softly. "If it's any consolation, and I realize this will still sting, yes, you will more than likely outlive your husband. However, there isn't any reason to think you'll outlive your children. Remember, they carry El Aurisn genes as well." He wanted to reach out and comfort her, but knew that was never going to happen.

"Time's almost up, prisoner," the supervisor stated gruffly.

Kara nodded at her Grandfather’s comment. “Of course, what was I thinking. This baby and any others we have will still be part El Aurian like me. Anyway, it’s been nice seeing you Grandfather. I’d like to come back and visit again. Do you need anything?”

Kyle smiled softly and shook his head. "Just for you and yours to live full, happy lives. Strive every day to keep the darkness from taking hold of your souls. I never want that life for any of you. It only leads to pain and ruin." He paused, then added softly, "and...in time....think kindly of me?"

Kara rose from her seat, pausing to look Kyle in the eyes. “Who says I don’t?” She smiled wishing she could give Kyle a goodbye hug, she looked towards the guards. “Am I allowed to give my grandfather a hug?”

The supervisor scowled at the request. The rule was no contact. However, since he had been incarcerated, Cragen had behaved and followed all the rules given to him. Plus, who k ew when the next time his granddaughter would be here.

Finally, he replied. "One brief hug, though, the prisoner will remain restrained. If you attempt to hand him anything, or attempt any deception, you will be arrested and charged with aiding in the escape of a dangerous criminal."

“I couldn’t give my grandfather anything if I wanted to, you searched me on the way in remember?” Kara smiled. Approaching Kyle, she gently hugged him for a moment before stepping back. “I’ll come back and see you when I can.”

Though Kyle couldn't moved his arms to hig Kara back, he did tilt is head against her as she embraced him. Knowing she could read him while they were in physical contact, he sent her a quick message. ~Again, I'm sorry, Kara. And...thank you.~

After she stood back up, he nodded as he replied. "That would be very nice, thank you. Stay safe, Granddaughter." He gave her an honest and caring smile.

“Oh I will, I have the future generation of my family to protect.” She grinned as she headed for the door. “Goodbye Grandfather.”

Kyle watched Kara leave, a soft smile on his face.

Once the doors slid shut behind Kara and locked, Kyle felt a change in the air. Suddenly, he felt an electric shock running through him. He knew immediately that the guard supervisor had activated the shock braces on his wrists and ankles. Clenching his teeth against the pain, he refused to give in and scream. He knew that was what they wanted.

For nearly thirty seconds, the current ran through his body. Finally, the supervisor deactivated the devices. Moving up to Kyle's right, the Human gave Kyke a smug look. "What makes you think you will ever get out of here, prisoner? They are going to wall you up and forget about you." He stepped away. "Get this piece of shit back to his cage!"

Along the way back to his isolation cell, the guards were less than gentle with him. When he got to his cell, instead of releasing him from his shackles, they tripped and shoved him inside, leaving him on the cold floor, as they sealed the door and laughed, walking away to resume their card game.

In his cell, in the dark, Kyle closed his eyes and concentrated on the beautiful face of Liberty, that he had seen on the holo from Quinn. For her and her alone, he would not lash out. He would take what they gave him without complaint.

But, he would remember.

~OFF~