From the Cradle..

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 6:36pm by Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Saki Yamaguchi-Cullen & Jillian "Phoenix" Sullivan

Mission: Mission 43: Acts of Contrition
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1300Hrs October 5th 2391

Saki Yamaguchi handed Zara her water bottle in silence as she knew that Zara was thirsty because sometimes work made for thirsty people and nothing was worse then thirty or so Saki thought as she opened her own bottle and took a long pull from it. "Ahh nothing like wodka." the eight year old slurred her words deliberatly.

"I hope you don't know that taste for a long time," Zara half-smiled to Saki's joke.

"I did bring the box," Saki reminded the larger woman while she turned her head to regard Commander Tom Lasky who had Shadow with him. "Saki... I thought you had forgotten where the hanger was, what brings you here?"

"Well... Zara said she needed my expert assistance on... things." she indicated the hanger queen that Zara was working with.

"Mmm... did she indeed?" Lasky smiled. "Tell me something... y'think if I drop the hanger force field that anyone would care?" as Shadow landed on her lap. "Meow?" she greeted Saki as the small child gently petted her in silence.

Saki regarded him with her expressive eyes. "I think you're insane.." before a shadow creeped up over her, she turned her head and moved back a little. "Uhh... Hello." Saki greeted Phoenix.

"Hello Saki," Phoenix smiled happily to seeing the little girl again. "I haven't spotted you up here in a long time."

"I was... busy." the young child admitted. "Hanging out with Sandstorm is helping me." as she smiled cheerfully. "Hows Siaxx and... Bestioe?"
she mangled the cat's name again.

"Siaxx brought two more cats, which Shonax loves to annoy," Phoenix laughed. "He's not a very bright cat sometimes. Dora has to get in the middle when Shonax picks the catfights."

Saki sighed. "Right... Shonax. I keep forgetting his name." the child regarded Phoenix. "Two more cats... Wait. Shonax can't get cats pregnant.... can he?"

Lasky smiled to himself but didn't say anything.

"Oh no. Tane threatened to do it herself, after he fathered a third litter," Phoenix explained and got down to Saki's level. "You know I love you as I do my own, right?"

Saki regarded Phoenix. "I... I didn't know." the small child admitted.

"I know I had very harsh words with ya," Phoenix spoke with sad eyes. "Sometimes the things you do, worries me. An' I just want the best for ya."

"That was ages ago.." Saki responded. "Besides.. I'm more popular with cats since I stopped doing that. Peg and Sandstorm like me over Sarah these days.." the small child responded as she gently ran her fingertips over Shadow's ears, the cat purring softly in response. "Shadow here loves the attention.."

"Saki!" Zara rolled out from under the bird, covered in engine grease. "I need a micro flux regulator."

"You hanging 'round Tane these days?" Phoenix asked, almost offended that the kid could like such a woman.

"Not as much as you'd think." Saki responded. "Phoenix... You were in sickbay for two months and I wasn't allowed to see you.. I didn't even know you were awake or out of bed until now." Saki explained.

"Saki! The regulator please," Zara prodded as she went back under the bird.

Lasky reached in and plucked the item that Zara was requesting before he turned and handed it to the smaller then average Trill woman.

"Please tell me if your new play buddy puts anything highly-explosive on this queen," Phoenix asked dryly to Saki.

Saki smiled as she leaned in close. "You like the Antimatter charges under the right wing?" she grinned. "Phoenix... relax. I will tell you if she does... you have my word." she suddenly looked innocent.

"I'm here, guys," Zara called out with annoyance. "No explosives... But I might shoot one of you out the cannon."

Saki smiled. "Not me. I'm a good girl.." her smile of innocence widened.

"You are," Zara agreed and rolled out fully as she regarded Phoenix. "She's just a friend, Phoenix. You're her aunt, so don't worry."

"Good," Phoenix nodded easily now.

"Aren't you gonna be a mother soon? Rumor is Siaxx is knocked up," Zara asked conversationally.

"When did you ever care 'bout my family?" Phoenix asked with complete confusion.

"I thought I'd try something new for a change," Zara shrugged off and prodded Saki for her water bottle.

"Yeah... I'm gonna leave you guys at it," Phoenix spoke slowly. "This is just too weird for me."

Saki handed Zara her water bottle. "Don't worry Aunt Phoenix. I'm still your bestest neice.."

"Glad to know," Phoenix smiled, hugged Saki, and kissed her on the cheek before she left. Zara being naturally nice did not seem all that natural to her at all.