Family...

Posted on Thu Jan 5th, 2023 @ 8:21am by Captain Mattias Richardson [Reece]

Mission: Season 6 : Episode 1: Circinus
Location: USS Elysium, Emergency Shelter #2
Timeline: MD 01 / 0432 hours
697 words - 1.4 OF Standard Post Measure

As Mattiaa sat in in the emergency shelter with Miran, Tristi and the twins, he couldn't help but think of his wife and the rest of his family on board. He had heard that Phoenix was alive, which gave him immense relief, but he hadn't yet heard any news about Kira or his niece.

To say that his nerves were a bit frayed would be an understatement.

Looking over at the members of his family that were here, he saw that both girls were helping each other stay warm and calm, while they also cared for the twins, who had been taken out of their capsule to be fed, cleaned and changed. He felt a great swell of pride as he watched both elder girl do what was needed to be done.

Moving over to a relatively quiet corner of the shelter, he pulled our the small PADD that was in his suit pocket. Activating it, he started a recording.

"Personal log...I'm not sure what the stardate is. Captain Mattias Richardson, Chief Diplomatic Protection Agent recording. The Elysium is a wreck. It's been only a short while since all hell broke loose. Most of the major systems, and quote a few auxiliary ones too, are down. Thankfully, we seem to still have life support, so there's that."

"While I know Phee is alive, I haven't spoken with her yet. While I know she has her hands full, and I will not do anything to distract her from her duties. That being said, she is still my wife, and I am feeling very strongly to protect her. Of course, it's times like these that the truly important thing come to crystal clear focus."

He looked back over at the rest of his family that was safe. "Even if it meant losing the woman I love more than my own life, I will protect Elizabeth and William with my last breath. They are what is truly important right now."

He paused the recording for a few moments, while he helped a few new arrivals get inside and lay down. One had a broken arm, another was missing their right leg, from below the knee. It was clear that they had been stabilized with a cord and piece of duranium. Hopefully, they'd survive this crisis. Though, he wasn't making any bets.

Moving back to where Miran and Tristi were sitting, he saw that William was quietly sleeping, while his sister, Elizabeth, was awake and sitting up. She smiled happily when she saw him approach, causing his heart to warm and beat faster. Reaching the capsule, he smiled as he reached down and lifted the young infant up and held her against his chest.

"Hey there, sweetheart!" He cooed softly as he gently rocked her side to side. "You are so lucky to not know what is going on around you." He spoke with a soft smile and in happy tones, so as not to scare her.

Elizabeth gurgled and smiled at him, as if she understood what he was saying.

Lifting her slightly, Mattias gently kissed the top of Elizabeth's head, then held her close, softly nuzzling her cheeks with his nose, causing her to giggle and laugh.

It was a sound that truly lifted his spirits. In all his travels and experience, he had found that there was no sound more perfect, than the sound of a happy, laughing baby. He chuckled softly as he started to gently kiss and tickle her chubby little neck.

After a few more moments of innocent bliss Elizabeth yawned broadly.

"Tuckered you out, did I?" Mattias grinned softly. He carried her back to the capsule and laid her down inside, next to William. He then pulled up her blanket and tucked her in. Once done, he stood there, just watching her slowly fall to sleep. He then pressed the control that quietly closed the hatch and activated the micro forcefields.

Afterwards, he moved over and sat between Miran and Tristi, putting a supportive arm around each one's shoulders. He held them both, trying to give them both some strength as they sat there, unaware of what lay ahead for them all.

~OFF~