New Beginnings

Posted on Wed Mar 7th, 2018 @ 4:29pm by Lieutenant John DeMarck
Edited on on Sat Apr 7th, 2018 @ 1:34am

Mission: A Day in the Life
Location: Shuttle and quarters

The panel clock just turned 0702 hours when Katagh took his shuttle out of warp. They were closing in on the system and had to prepare for docking. Lieutenant John William Edward Demarck (MD), a 29 year old human male and Katagh (MD), a 102 year old Klingon male had boarded Katagh shuttle a week ago and set cource to Starbase 332. John was transferred there to asume the position of Assistant Chief Medical Officer.

Katagh had just retired from Starfleet after 27 years of service as a Chief Medical Officer. He thought it to be time feeling that he had reached the ceiling in his career. Without the ambition of command there really wasn't anything more for Katagh had he remained in Starfleet. Now with is friend and brother John being transferred to a starbase a cross the alpha quadrant there was only one choice for Katagh. He had to go with him.

During Johns internship at Starfleet Medical, under KAtagh, they had become close friend. So close that when John saved Kataghs life in 2385 Katagh asked John to join his house. John was honored and accepted. The two men had been close from day one but now they had become even closer.

"John, wake up" Katagh said in is deep voice. "We're closing up on the system." John opened his eyes, looking straight into Katagh's. "What time is it?" John asked, looking at the console. "0700? why didn't you wake me!" With nothing but a growl Katagh let him know he wasn't going into it at that time.

Katagh opened a channel to the starbase. "Shuttle Mog'Cap to Starbase 332. We are entering the system, requesting permission to set course for Starbase 332 for docking. We have been traveling for a week so a quick docking would be very much appreciated."

== SIX HOURS LATER ==
“I know Julie, but you have to set some boundaries. Judith is four years old. You make the rules, not her.” Ever since she was born, Julie had been the most important person in John’s life. When Julies first and only daughter had been born 4 years ago John had to admit that this small person had touched him deeply. A simple one night stand between John’s then 23 year old sister Julie and some nameless guy ended up being the best thing of anyone in the Demarck families life. It gave them Judith.

John, a tall and imposing man, friendly and kind at heart could be melted away by just a smile or a hug of this precious little girl. Being single himself, only having had one serious romantic relationship in his life, “little miss Apekop” (off :Apekop is a Dutch petname meaning something along the lines of “Monkeyhead.”) is the closest thing to a child of his own he had. Being born to a Dutch mother all of the Demarck children were raised bilingual in English and Dutch, something Julie is doing to Judith as wel.

Due to the many lightyears between them John and Julie saw each other far to infrequently. When John was attending Starfleet Academy Judith stayed with him a couple of weeks a year. But now, the logistics of this was just impossible. He missed them terribly, just as he was sure they miss him. “I never had a problem with her trowing tantrems, but then again she knew I wouldn’t go for it.”

Ever since he can remember Julie had come to John for advice about anything. Anything, from how to tell mom that she broke the vase she inherited from gran to what to wear to her first date. Now that her daughter was in her life the advise had more to do with parenting than anything else. “I know John, but it’s difficult without a father in her life. And ever since you left for that posting on Starbase 332 her tantrums became even worse. You know how important you are to her. Even at her young age you’re a big influence on her. Plus the fact that this week every year she would be staying with you, her favorite uncle. It’s all just hard for her.” John opened his mouth to answer to that statement. But she had heard it all a million times before. ‘Being in starfleet one does not get to choose the assignments, duty before anything else’ and so on and so forth. “I know you were ordered to take it, but Judith doesn’t understand.”

“Listen, I really want to finish our conversation. But my shift is about to start. My invitation for you two to come and visit on your next leave is still valid. Think about it. I love you, give Judth a kiss for me and tell her I want to hear everything about her first day at school the next time we talk. Katagh sends his love as well.” With that sentiment John closed the channel.

For years John had seen Julie and Katagh become closer. Knowing Julie the way de did John knew that she was in love with Katagh. A few years ago Katagh had taken Julie to the Klingon homeworld for a few weeks. To this day they haven't told him what happened but they came back closer than they had ever been.

John straightened his jacket and head to sickbay. He had to report to the CMO at 1300 hours.