Dark Wings, Dark Words

Posted on Sat Feb 29th, 2020 @ 1:30am by Admiral Jake Yamaguchi & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi

Mission: Mission 32: Tales of Tarod
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 0100Hrs - April 30th, 2391

It was the middle of the night, an hour or so after midnight and Jake found himself looking out the viewport as a sigh escaped his lips, Torilla regarded him with a rather neutral look on her face, as she knew exactly what was on her husband's mind, that damned anniversary.

The death of the woman Torilla had come to consider her mother, today was her birthday

Torilla slowly picked her way over to her husband. "It's been twenty-five years... a quarter of a century and... I never got over it."

"You can't be expected to 'get over it'." Torilla gently slid an arm over her husband's shoulders. "We never got her body back... we don't know her final fate."

"I know... she could have been simply vaporized... or assimilated.." he turned back to regard his wife. "You think she's still out there....in the sea of stars.."

"Why not?" Torilla responded as the door beeped at them both. "Enter," Torilla responded.

"Hi," Zara said with a goofy grin and a wine glass in her hand. "Didn' see you guys in the Captain's Mess."

Jake didn't turn. "I have no reason to celebrate," he said quietly. "Its my mothers birthday.... she died at Wolf Three Five Nine..."

Torilla gently gave her husband a kiss on the cheek before she disentangled herself from him, she then went over to Zara. "Hey... Its okay Zara... You recall the battle in the Wolf System... That Borg cube..?" she inquired. "His Mom was killed on the Goodson.... Don't feel bad... you didn't know... its not something Jake or I talk about..."

"Still... I'm very saddened to know that happened to you, Jake." Zara gave him a sympathetic frown.

Jake turned. "I'll let you guys have the deck to yourselves." and with that he quietly strode to the door, he exited the quarters and went down the hall, wearing a pair of jeans and a shirt.

Torilla Yamaguchi watched her husband leave in silence, she slowly blinked her eyes. "He'll be fine..."

"He should talk about it more often. It's the only way to cope," Zara pointed out sadly. "Took me several years before I could talk about my dad."

Torilla smiled down at the other woman. "Help yourself to the replicator." she commented. "Jake can talk about it... So can I... we just prefer not to... Rachael was named for his mother..." Torilla added. "Oh Rachael does know of her grandmother... but its a crime she'll never get to know her..."

"Brass tend to view lost, assimilated soldiers as people that simply lost their life. KIAs..." Zara grew quiet for a long moment as seething anger took her. "I think it bullshit. But at the same time, it's hard to get closure if one doesn't think the way they do."

Yamaguchi nodded her head. "I know... Jake and his siblings never accepted that their mother was dead." she said softly. "Not that I blame them... Their mother accepted me before anyone else did.."

"Then let us hope she died in one of the ships," Zara spoke reverently. "And I thank you for sharing. I know that can't be easy for you."

Yamaguchi sighed softly. "I still miss her." she said quietly. "Jake carries on as best he can... but he never truly got over it.." she paused. "The children help him cope... his siblings too..."

"I'm glad you guys were able to carry on with her memory," Zara spoke with a small smile.

Torilla nodded but she didn't smile. "Mom knew the score when she accepted the request to be assigned to the Goodson on a temp assignment because of the Borg." a sigh escaped her lips.

"I wish I knew what else to say but I don't." Zara paused and then looked back up at her friend. "Is there something you want me to do for you while I'm here?"

Yamaguchi shook her head. "No... I appreciate the offer but no.." she responded. "Jake will calm down in a day or so and all will continue as it has before.."

Zara kissed Torilla on the cheek and smiled, "I gotta go then. Let me know if you need anything."

"Okay, willdo." Yamaguchi reassured the smaller woman. "Have a good night."