A Moment In Time (part 1)

Posted on Thu Jun 15th, 2023 @ 10:14am by Samanthia Akiashiro & Colonel S'er'in'e

Mission: The Archan Job
Location: Quarters - Deck 1403

S'er'in'e's recovery had been a slow one with the balance being a constant issue, headaches frequent, and making sleep uneasy as a result. He was also trying to avoid being a burden on his family and while sometimes that was unavoidable he still didn't like to do it. Still he'd remembered what had been said at the party they had attended, most notably about his Mate's delight at the notion of visiting the Homeworld to advance her academic studies and also her past with Selene. The latter had played on his mind a lot but he still wanted to do something to help the moment he was finding himself in recently.

He didn't like to play on his status when it came to matters of the Homeworld, he knew where he stood and also where the Homeworld would stand him if given an ounce of a chance to do so. He'd opened a channel to the Planetary Department of Immigration, there was little point in trying to aid with her studies if first, he couldn't get her to the planet. He could see the pride the individual he spoke to take in speaking to one with White fur. "I would also like to bring my daughter, it will be her first time visiting the Homeworld and another, a personal friend of my Mate." While he didn't particularly like playing that Daughter card, he knew it would add weight to being female and a first visit. Due to his Mate already having visited the Homeworld they still had her details on file so approval for the whole family took only a few minutes at most. All they had to do was arrive.

When done came the more challenging aspect of his plan. Obtaining permission to work and especially do so in archeology was he knew, going to be a hurdle. It took several communications calls before he'd managed to land contact with the Caitian he needed to speak to. Assistant Director of Planetary Archaeological Exploration, Shi'ness. He knew her word would be final, he was lucky to get even this far in his inquiries so he'd have to make the best of it. It took a great deal of explaining to why he wanted the permissions he was asking for, permits and the like, even if he was trying to help his Mate as honourable as that was in his culture Samanthia was still fundamentally, an alien, and with Selene also, a pair.

The channel was paused and for a brief moment, S'er'in'e wondered if he was going to be rejected. The channel opened but this time linked in was the Director of the Library of Planetary Historical Records. After some additional discussion permission was granted however, there were conditions. No artifact could be taken off-world, not even a fragment and they would be subject to search. All data would be reviewed by the Library before being allowed to leave the Homeworld, communications would be monitored, and security would be present to observe them to ensure compliance but would stay out of the way so as to not hinder their work. S'er'in'e expected strict terms and conditions would be forthcoming, the most interesting condition was no artifact could be touched by alien hands, and a specialist would be assigned to his Mate and Selene to aid in this, both female.

S'er'in'e knew he'd have to play by the rules outlined, not only was his request pushing even his luck but even his white fur was stretching it. He accepted the terms though he was not sure how his Mate and Selene would take to them. All he could do was hope they would be understanding.

****

It had been a long day, Smanthia was glad to finally escape the confines of the Akiashiro shuttle she used to get to and from Archa. Last of the tests and ceremonies were done and she just wanted to relax with her family. She turned over the flight logs to one of shuttle maintenance personnel as required for non-official business. She slung her pack over her shoulder that contained the last of her textbooks and notebooks. And the most sought after, Declaration of her PhD degree from her latest papers. She wondered how to break the news that Selene was coming to the station for a visit, before she would head out to showcase historical site on Archa that was still being excavated and artifacts to be recorded and cataloged for transport to the University for the final checks and assigned to a museum.

The normal fifteen minute walk from the shuttle bay to the apartment took longer than expected as she had to stop and show off her certificate showing that she could add the honorific PhD before her name. Another achievement to be added to her 'Look what I've Accomplished' wall that held many of her past accomplishments. Even as S'er'in'e was getting better, she could still see that he was still suffering. Knowing the machoism of the male pride, She was there attentive to him if he needed her assistance, while pretending to be focused on what she was working on or dealing with Mariah.

Entering the apartment, she smiled at seeing Mariah quietly playing over in her favorite corner of the common room. Samanthia smiled at her daughter as she slipped the pack off her shoulder and tossed it onto the couch to be dealt with later. She looked around the apartment, taking note that Nanny for Mariah was gone, letting her know that her mate was home.

Hearing the doors open he thought his Mate would be home so lifting himself from the bed he made his way to the bedroom doorway. Mariah still playing where he last saw her but though he was laying down he was not sleeping, instead reading to help pass time. "My Mate." He spoke with a smile and a hand on the doorframe. "How was your day?" Since he'd been off duty he tried to take more of an interest in her responsibilities even if he knew very little about The Dive or her studies. He didn't mention his surprise, he wanted to wait a moment lest he steal her moment.

Pivoting to face S'er'in'e, a warm smile appeared erasing the tired expression she had. "Tired," softly, "Been a long day for me. Up at planetary time 5 am. The final Ceremonies done and out of the way. The receptions and whot nots that go with that." Smile turn a bit brighter. "I can now officially use the PhD as part of my name." Moving towards him and coming to a stop before him to gently wrap her arms around him. Looking up at him. "As of now I'm finished with the Archeology courses. Unless a visiting Professor decide to hold a lecture or two from a different region of space."

"Speaking of." S'er'in'e spoke, his arms around Samanthia, hands on the center and small of her back. "I have been thinking on what you said at the party and have something for you." He spoke hoping that his gift would go down well, even if his inclusion might intrude on her profession.

"Oh?" Samanthia looked up at him, curiously. "You're a lot better and don't need the mobility device anymore?" Eyes twinkling merrily as she tried to read his expression.

"Only if walking distances, if I hold onto something, not so required." He spoke as he held his Mate. "Do you have any leave you can take?"

"I'm pretty much free to come and go as I please. I've very good managers for Warp-12 on the Promenade and The Dive down on the lower deck." Samanthia still held on to him in a loose hug but leaned back to look up at him. "My main concern is Mariah..." Looking over at Mariah as she worked at changing one of her doll's outfits.

"As I mentioned before, I have something for you." S'er'in'e slipped Samanthia from his arms and gingerly walked to the console where he'd been working. A PADD next to it face down. He turned and then handed it to her. On it were approvals and certificates of clearance for Selene, Samanthia, Mariah and himself to go to the Homeworld and for the two females, approval for archeological work. The list of the strict terms and conditions lay under the offer which the officials made sure stood out. "I remembered what you said at the party we went to standing beside the table."

Samanthia stepped out of his way, once his intentions were known. She followed him over to the console and watched him turn a PADD over and took the it when offered as she listened to him. "Yes!" Exclaimed a bit loudly to cause Mariah to look over at the two.

"Momma?" Mariah spoke with curiosity as her ears perked up while pausing dressing the doll she held. Watching her parents with intensely.

"Wait till Selene sees this" Excitement in her voice was obvious and the tiredness fled as a fresh surge of excitement filled her. She looked up at S'er'in'e. "Oh... before I forget. Selene is coming up to the Station. I was wondering if it would be okay for her to stay here. Plus this will give us an early start. I need to requisition a Danube class shuttle from the Akiashiro's shuttle fleet." Already planning out things in her mind. Then looked up at him. "Please send word that the terms are acceptable. As I'm sure Selene will approve of them also." She settles in the seat at the home workstation. "Could you fix dinner, please?" Looking up at S'er'in'e, momentary forgetting his disability as her mind was on putting her plans into motion.

"Stay for how long?" S'er'in'e asked. Not because Selene would be a guest, but because of the mixed scents of the two females in close proximity to him. He paused waiting for an answer but also considering what to make for dinner for everyone.

"Seven days," Samanthia with a glance towards him. "She'll be arriving in 48 hours to 72 hours. It'll give us enough time to plan our trip to Cait. And also will give her time to make adjustments with her future plans here on Archa." She looked thoughtful with the monitor on, poised to type. "Are Caitians expecting us anytime soon? Hopefully we can leave sometime after seven days."

It was obvious to him that one complication had not been considered. While he didn't want to disrupt the plans that apparently had already been made, he wondered what to do. "There will be a complication." 7 days, another female in close proximity, at home, the scent. "The proximity of Selene, at home, for that duration will make things difficult for me if combined with your own." The last thing he wanted was for a conflict between his Mate's scent and the intrusive addition of Selene's.

"Ooops..." As realization of S'er'in'e physiology hit her. Samanthia looked a bit shocked for a second or two, then resumed her normal warm expression. "I'll make arrangements for her stay someplace else on deck. I do apologize for forgetting." Then she looked at Mariah briefly as he had no problems with Mariah. But then she was still young and part of their family. "How long is your Medical Leave from duty? Is the Caitians expecting us anytime soon?" Looking back at S'er'in'e as she picked up Mariah to place her on her lap. Using her free hand, began to tap through menus and opening up one to make her reservations for a long-range shuttle and temp quarters for her guest in the VIP section of the residential section of the Deck 1403.

"As much time as I need, I may even visit the medical center on the Homeworld, being Caitian they would know best for treatment options." S'er'in'e replied. "3-4 days are required for arrangements to be made on the Homeworld in light of the restrictions in place upon your activities, you may even have to undergo a medical there to ensure we bring nothing harmful with us." He took a seat because standing was proving gradually more difficult with time. He didn't like disrupting his Mate's plans especially when her friend Selene was involved, Samanthia was free to do and decide as she will, regardless of what impact it may have on him. He simply wanted to voice the issue and let her decide on a course of action.

"Done!" Samanthia hit the final button on the keyboard, looking over at S'er'in'e. "Sweet. Selene arrives tomorrow and got her quarters all arranged. She has been given limited access to the apartment. She still has to announce herself, before she can just walk in." She switched subjects back to the Cait trip. "Then 7 days later, we can fly to Cait to begin our explorations of a few sites on Cait." Smiling warmily at him. Excitement in her tone. "I figure the flight will take at least a day to travel there. Soooo... like in 9 days we can be there. We can Inform Cait to expects us in 9 to 10 days from now."

She looked down at Mariah, "You are going to see some new places." Smiling at their daughter. "We're going off station to a new place for a while."

"We moving?" Mariah eyes widened a bit, looking between her mom and dad. Her tail weaving a slow curve behind her.

"Just getting away from the Station for several weeks, or till Cait kicks us off their planet." Samanthia rubbed her nose against Mariah's nose.

"Meow?!" Mariah eyes widen a bit. "No kick! I'll have daddy punch them in the nose!" waving her hands around, looking at S'er'in'e with her eyes wide. "Daddddeeeee! You hit them back if they kick us?"

"I will indeed." S'er'in'e smiled, the innocence of youth was an adorable thing to behold. Mariah though was growing up fast, remembering when she was tiny and mewling, now she was dashing about with such energy that often left him struggling to keep pace with.

Mariah smiled at her daddy, showing her teeth, while keeping the tips of canines concealed. She wiggled free and off momma's lap and ran over to him, looking back over her shoulder at her mother. "See! Nothing to worry abou... Oof!" Running into S'er'in'e's legs and grabbing hold. Once steady, she released one hand to rub her ear where it made impact with his leg.

Samanthia gave a soft laugh at the antics of her daughter. "Yes. It is nice to have a big strong man with us." She smiled, looking at S'er'in'e.

Leaning low, slowly, S'er'in'e picked up his Daughter. "Did you hurt yourself?" Seeing that she was rubbing her ear. He wondered how they would go on the Homeworld, the climates could very, the culture was very different, even the ways of the people. All would reveal itself in time, he could only hope it went well.

"I'm fine!" Mariah purred softly, snuggling up against her daddy. Hand clutching tightly on his shirt front.

Samanthia stood up and moved into the kitchen area and began fixing dinner. Seeing that S'er'in'e had their daughter, Mariah, on his lap. She pulled out a thick slice of meat and several thinner slices from the fridge and set them on a plate that could be microwaved. "How would you like your meat cooked, Sere?" Using the shortened form of S'er'in'e's name. Knowing she and Mariah liked theirs cooked a bit longer.

"My usual, thank you." S'er'in'e didn't feel like something different this time, though open to trying new things there were times that the norm served its purpose and in this case, something to eat that's straightforward and simple. He held Mariah in his hands as he paced the room wondering how she would handle the Homeworld being it would be her first time visiting the planet.

Samanthia added the usual seasonings that were Se'ri'ne's favorite on the bigger piece meat before putting it into the microwave and set the timer for a few minutes. Just enough to thaw it out, cook the seasoning into the meat and kill any harmful germs.

Seeing him pace with Mariah and the way his body poster was held, she knew something was worrying him. "What's bothering you, Sere? I know its not your physical condition either." She looked thoughtful as she prepped a side dishes while first set of steak was cooking.

Pausing in his stride with Mariah in his arms he slowly turned to face his Mate. "Do you remember when we went to the Homeworld, the stigma you had to endure because you were not Caitian. I fear the same for our Daughter, that both you and her will have to endure such difficulty because of my ways and Caste." It was obvious even back then that it bothered him how Samanthia had been treated, how Caitian females had been lined up to replace the intrusive Human, and now, she had bore a Daughter, a hybrid, but to his, The Caste.....impure. As he saw it, Mariah had done nothing wrong and yet he expected she'd be treated differently to all other offspring just because of her parents.

Samanthia looked thoughtful as she thought of the last time she had been to Cait and the female Caitians that seamed to be vying with each other for S'er'in'e's attention and passive aggression against her. She looked at Mariah briefly, a soft frown slowly appeared. She knew she couldn't take Mariah into Caitian Historical Excavation Sites. And knew that S'er'in'e needed the Caitian Physicians to treat him and didn't allow children into the treatment area. She turned back to the microwave to switch out the steaks. "I don't want to leave Mariah behind as this is a good time for her to experience there is more to life than existing on space station out in middle of nowhere and my parents are on the other side of the Galaxy on some mission." Looking back at S'er'in'e.

Continue in part 2