Check-In with Family

Posted on Tue Nov 8th, 2022 @ 6:01am by Ensign Mrera Sr’au

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: O’Keefe’s Quarters
Timeline: TBD
649 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

CPO Sean O’Keefe was beside himself. What he thought was a budding relationship with Etrara, suddenly came to a slamming halt. He impulsively threw his cup of tea at the replicator, sending pieces of the replicator flying. He found what was left of the Redbreast and took a swig from the bottle.

“Computer,” Sean commanded, “please place a maintenance request in to Engineering to have my replicator repaired.”

=^= Request has been made. =^=

To sooth himself, Sean walked into his weapons shrine. He glanced at each, remembering where and when he had acquired them. His eyes turned to the sniper rifle, which jogged his memory of the dream.

The more O’Keefe thought about the dream of seeing his younger brother with the man who had killed their father, the more Sean felt he needed to checkin with the family. His older brother’s (Joe Jr. or JJ, and Liam) worked security at the Daystrom Institute in Okinawa. They served under their uncle, who was the director.

Tapping his comm badge, O’Keefe called, “CPO O’Keefe to Ensign Sr’au!”

=^= Ssrr’au herre! =^= came the reply.

“ Coul’ ye possibly ar’ange a face-ta-face call wit’ me bro’her, Lieutenant Liam O’Keefe at the Daystrom Institute.”

=^= I will do what I can, Sean! =^=

“Thank ye, dear Kitty! =^=

—————————

A few tics later, Liam O’Keefe was on the screen in Liam’s quarters. “Sean! It’s grea’ ta see ye! I ‘eard ye got on yer way! ‘Ow ye gettin’ ‘long?”

“Grand!” Sean answered. “Though I be runnin’ outta Re’breast!” Both men chuckled at that. “Ow’s Leah an’ the ki’s?”

Leah was once Sean’s girl. That was a long time ago, when he was in his late teens. After Sean signed up for Starfleet, she took more of a liking for Liam. Sean wasn’t sure if she had just dated him to see his brother. They had been married now for five years with two little ones, a boy and a girl.

“They’re grand, Sean,” Liam responded. “To w’at do I owe th’ pl’sure?”

“Jes’ checkin’ wit’ the family,” Sean truthfully said.

“Well,” Liam started, “Ma an’ Riley ‘ave been spendin’ a lot o’ time toge’her.”

Sean shook his head. His uncle Riley had taken over as the Director of Security at Daystrom Institute after Sean’s father was killed. Now, he was moving in on his da’s wife.

“JJ is doin’ well. He’s still lookin’ inta Da’s death,” Liam continued. “It be ‘ard ta b’lieve th’ cam’ras an’ secur’ty sys’em was down. Makes ya thin’.”

“Aye! Sure does!” Sean agreed. “An’ Paddy?”

“When Riley nae be wit Ma, he’s spen’in’ time wit Paddy,” Liam returned. “I thin’ he’s primin’ Paddy ta wor’ wit’ him.”

Good! At least Paddy was with their Uncle. That relieved Sean’s concerns from the dream. Riley would take care of him.

“I’ll be checkin’ in from time-ta-time,” Sean notified his brother. “Le’ me know if JJ fin’s an’thing out. I be wantin’ ta know.”

“I know, Sean,” Liam affirmed, “we all do!”

“It’s grand seein’ ye,” Sean stated, “take care o’ e’eryone!”

“Aye!” Liam confirmed. “I will.”

Sean rocked his head up and down. They had always been a close family. Even when Liam took his girl, Sean’s love for his brother wouldn’t allow him to be mad for long. After a knock-down-drag-out fight between the two, they shared a couple of bottles of Redbreast and laughed until they passed out.

“‘Til nex’ time,” Sean reluctantly passed on.

“Aye!” Liam agreed. “Nex’ time!”

The screen went blank. Sean’s eyes filled with tears. He wiped them away, refusing to let them fall. He had to be hard, tough. Not the scared little boy who missed his da.