Unconditional Acceptance

Posted on Fri Feb 28th, 2020 @ 1:15am by Department Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen "Orthos" McKnight & Major Daisy Rohr-McKnight
Edited on on Fri Feb 28th, 2020 @ 1:16am

Mission: Mission 28: Those who Remain
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1800Hrs - February 24th, 2391

Daisy heard the chime of the door bell. "It's open!" Daisy called out. Zydu entered Daisy's quarters. "Hello Mother." Daisy greeted her.

Zydu took a seat on the sofa. "Sit with me my child. I will say my piece then leave." She told Daisy. Daisy gave a quick, nervous smile then sat next to her mother on the couch. "My biggest fear was that my children would become embrace their Klingon heritage, become warriors, and go off to war." Zydu told her. Daisy had a sour look on her face.

"When I thought about which of my children to watch out for, logic told me to keep an eye on the boys. My instincts, on the other hand, told me to look after you. Therefore, when Orthos told me that you were a Marine I wasn't completely surprised. Even when you left for Star Fleet Academy somewhere in the back of my head I knew you would do something like this." Zydu told Daisy.

Zydu grabbed Daisy's hand. "I do not like that you are a Marine and you cannot change that. That said, I know I cannot change your mind or change who you are. As much as I do not like it you are a Klingon and a warrior at heart. I do not like that but I must accept it."

Daisy started to weep. "Thank you mother." Zydu pulled Daisy into her. Daisy put her head in Zydu's lap. Zydu stoked Daisy's hair. "You will always be my child. Even after you have your own." Zydu said gently to Daisy.

After a few moments the door chimed. Daisy sat up. "Enter!"

Orthos entered as he spotted Daisy and her mother. "Hey guys... what am I interrupting?"

"Resolution." Daisy answered. "I'm glad you stopped by Orthos. Everything is good now." Daisy smiled at Orthos.

"Well thats good news... I half expected there to be blood on the walls.." he admitted.

"We are a little more civilized than that Mr. McKnight." Zydu told Orthos. "Out of curiosity, are there any genetic defects that run in your family lines?"

"Mother!" Daisy shouted, "I don't believe you asked him that!"

Orthos smiled as he went over to the replicator as he considered how best to responded. "One Vulcan spiced tea please, extra strong." he picked the beverage up after it appeared.

"Genetic Defects." he paused. "Oh you don't wanna know... lets see... the Hapsburg lip, general retardeness, Hemophilia as well as a few others." Orthos responded neutrally. "I was going to tell Daisy quietly later but since you asked about it.." he shrugged. "Oh well."

Zydu walked over to Orthos to more carefully exam his lip. "Tell me Mr. McKnight, how did you get into Star Fleet as a retard and a hemophilia?" Zydu asked. Daisy figured out what Orthos was doing and buried her face in her palms.

"Oh I have no idea.." Orthos responded while trying to keep a straight face. "I never ask such questions as I find that sometimes I sleep better not knowing the answers to life's various dilemmas." he paused. "Do keep in mind that you did ask me a extremely personal question... and to the bets of my knowledge, my genes are in excellent shape..." he raised an eyebrow. "How would my father... a human, be able to have children with a Vulcan woman who is also my mother?"

"I'm getting the impression that you didn't take my question seriously and are making a joke of the question." Zydu told Orthos.

"Since you did ask.... I wanted to remind you that I don't appreciate it.." he regarded Zydu.

"Very well Mr. McKnight." Zydu told Orthos. "Although all you had to do is tell me it is none of my business."

"While that's true." Orthos responded. "I wanted to see what you would respond to what I had to say on the matter."

"Well, I would be concerned of course." Zydu told him. "If the child were to be born with a serious defect, an abortion might have to be considered."

Orthos sighed. "Oh dear god... woman, you need to develop some tact and some manners.. in addition to a sense of humor." he shook his head.

"Please Mr. McKnight, would you want a defective child?" Zydu asked. Daisy was just standing there grimacing.

Orthos raised an eyebrow as he regarded the older woman. "But at least the child would be well looked after and well taken care of..." he raised an eyebrow. "You're just a purist..."

"And what is wrong with that?" Zydu asked. "I think you should give your offspring every advantage you can and reduce obstacles."

Orthos turned to look at Daisy and then he turned back to Zydu. "In the end.... A child's DNA is not what makes him or or... its what they are taught from both parents... We cannot always be prepared for life's challenges, what maters is how we face the unknown... Thats what really defines us..."

"Yes and even when you do teach your children they will always have a mind of their own." Daisy gave her mother a sour look. Zydu smiled at Daisy "And that isn't really a bad thing."

"Iason would agree.... so would my other children." Orthos commented evenly as he turned to the replicator, he ran his fingers over the display as two drinks appeared, he lifted one of them and he handed the other to Daisy. "I don't know what you prefer to drink." he added to Zydu

"Coffee would be wonderful, Mr. McKnight." Zydu responded.

"Orthos, please." Stephen McKnight responded. "Everyone calls me by my callsign, you should be no different." he regarded the older woman. "Despite your antique humor."

"Thank you Orthos." Zydu replied. "And you may call me Zydu as you are my family now. When I get some free time I'll upgrade my humor. Or maybe I won't"

"We wait with baited breathe." Orthos responded dryly. "As for marriage..." he looked at Daisy. "Thats between the lady and myself."

"It is up to you two." Zydu agreed. "Whatever you decide to do you will still be in my grandchild's life as the father."

"We'll come up with something..." Orthos commented. "I want to be there to help raise this child.."

Zydu finished her coffee. "Good Orthos. I'll leave you two now, I need to get back to work."

Orthos regarded the other woman. "Alright... we won't keep you." and with that he went into the kitchenette area, letting Daisy have a moment alone with her mother.

Daisy turned to her mother "So that's it? I haven't seen you in almost ten years and now your off?" She asked.

"Child, this trip wasn't really planned. I need to be home soon. I'll return later for a more proper visit." Zydu told Daisy. The two hugged as Zydu left.