The Melodies of Summer

Posted on Fri Mar 13th, 2020 @ 3:27am by Lieutenant Melody McKnight-Yamaguchi & Department Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen "Orthos" McKnight

Mission: Mission 94: Shattered Shields and Crack'd Swords
Location: Starbase Watchman
Timeline: 1300Hrs - June 19th, 2392

Lieutenant Melody Yamaguchi grinned as she walked through the doors into the office of the man she sought, the man she was related to and as a result. Orthos was one of two people in this universe she could rely upon more than anything or anyone else. Yamaguchi grinned as he smiled at her. "Melody. It's been awhile." Orthos greeted the young woman before him, he rose to his feet as he came over to greet her. Orthos grinned as he greeted the one child of his who was unplanned but that didn't mean he loved her any less than his other family.

"Indeed it has. I should come pester you more often." the young woman responded with a wide smile on her lips before she gave him a hug. "Mom will be so happy to hear that I'm tormenting you," Melody commented, a wide grin on her lips. "I mean mom has that mean sense of humor." Melody gave her father a wide grin. "What?. Mom taught me well."

"Your mother... Yeah.. Well." Orthos paused as he huffed a soft sigh. "Shall we go for a drink?" Orthis inquired of the younger woman before him. It was in his mind, better than sitting here making excuses for things left unsaid and things done.

"I can understand why you didn't chase her after what happened," Melody responded with a nod. "It would be have been considered strange in the eyes of some." she regarded her father. "Considering she was twenty at the time and you were twice her age."

"I did not want your mother thinking I was just using her to deal with my own issues. I have regrets when it comes to her." Orthos explained quietly.

"I know, she does too. Besides, you gave her me." Melody smiled. "I'm glad you did, otherwise I'd never exist." the moderately sized female grinned at her father.

"I tried to be there as best as I could. Your mother didn't want me involved with you." Orthis sighed softly. "I do understand why but I just couldn't do it. I owed you the chance to know who I was." Orthos explained to his daughter.

"It's alright. I know mom wasn't happy with you disregarding her request but I know she understood why you did what you did. Besides. I got to know my other two siblings who I have no DNA in common with whatsoever." Yamaguchi laughed as she thought of that as being downright hilarious.

"Your siblings?" Orthos inquired as the two walked out of his office and down the hallway.

"Yes. Sammy Yeager was mom's husband's child from his first marriage and Monique Deepshadow, a child from a one night stand with Captain Leah Anderson." Yamaguchi explained. "Mom did far better this time around with the men in her life, not like that asshole Jerome Hunt. Fuck I hated him." she paused as she reined herself in. "For what he did to Noel and mom, he did not deserve to have what he had with mom.," Yamaguchi growled softly, she frowned as she fought to restrain her emotions.

Orthos walked beside the young woman in silence as he regarded her with a fond smile. "Well, he's dead now so don't worry about it. Your mom got Noel back and now I hear she's having a set of twins. Talon's never going to have a break from the caring and raising of children." Orthos regarded the smaller female with a gentle smile

"She would have done better if she had listened to me and tried to have a relationship with you." Yamaguchi protested quietly. "You would have been a real dad to Noel and the others." She regarded Orthos as she spoke.

"I know sweetie but your mom's wishes on the matter were clear. I was to help her raise you but that was all." Orthos explained. "Talon is perhaps the single most stubborn person I've ever known," he added a moment later.

"Mom is mom. She'll never be anything other then what she is and always will be." Yamaguchi grinned as she regarded the man next to her. The doors opened before them as Orthos and Yamaguchi walked into a turbolift car. "Plaza," Orthos said evenly.

Yamaguchi held her silence, her destination was the same and so the lift proceeded to its destination in silence.

The doors opened and out stepped Yamaguchi as Orthos indicated she was to go first. Melody nodded before she stepped out and he followed her. "How is everyone doing these days?"

"Well mom is settling into married life with her new husband, he helped her sort her issues out, he's helped her through two assignments and he helped her get Noel back. Plus he's a really nice guy on top of all that he's done."

"He sounds like it. I only know Captain Davijaan Yeager by reputation only." Orthos explained while they arrived at their destination. The doorman nodded. "Afternoon Master Chief. Lieutenant." he greeted Orthos and his daughter with a nod.

Orthos nodded back before he walked into the lounge. Melody followed one step behind him, she might have outranked im as she had a commission but he was still her father, as far as Melody was concerned, she followed him.

Orthos went over to the bar where he selected a seat and Melody sat down next to him. The bartender smiled. "What can I get you guys?"

"I'll get a glass of Pepsi please," Melody responded. "Oh, with ice please."

"You got it El Tee." he turned to Orthos. "What'll you have Command Master Chief?" he inquired.

"I'll have a Vulcan spice ale please," Orthos responded before he smiled. "Spending time with family is all the excuse I need for that drink."

"Indeed Master Chief. I'll go see what I have for you, I'll be a few minutes." and with that, the bartender turned and withdrew while a waitress brought Melody her drink. "Here you go, sweetie."

"Thanks." Melody smiled at the older woman who moved off to see someone else as she turned to face Orthos. "So I hear you are seeing someone new now."

"That information is severely outdated. Seeing someone, you mean married, with a son and a daughter on the way. I think its time you and Daisy met."

"Daisy Rohr is now someone I wish to cross lightly." Melody Yamaguchi answered evenly. "Still knowing my luck, she might assume that you are cheating on her with me." Melody gave her father a hard look. "You 'know' that thought will cross her mind whether I like it or not."

"Yeah," Orthos answered. "You're probably right."

"Women have a sixth sense about this sort of thing dad, trust me. I saw mom deal with being cheated on. Let's just say that Jerome Hunt liked his ladies and mom was left to raise the children he foisted on her."

Orthos regarded Melody. "I can see why you hate him so."

Melody regarded her father in silence for a moment. "I know you have your issues with what happened Dad but this wasn't your fault. Mom made her requests in plain and you followed them. She didn't like you wanting to know who I was but she respected you for it."

Just then the bartender returned with two bottles. He handed the first to Melody and the second he handed to Orthos. "That was hidden in one of the back shelves in the storeroom. It had a note that said it was yours, signed by Sergeant Major Duval."

"Yep, he looked after it, exactly as I had requested of him," Orthos answered with a smile.

"Yeah... " Melody lifted her glass. "I wanted to ask you something. Considering your my father and all."

Orthos regarded her as he raised an eyebrow. clearly, she had taken him by surprise. "Whats on your mind?"

"I'm going to take your last night as well as mom's name as my own. It's only me being fair to my dad." Melody explained. "Melody McKnight has a nice ring to it, don't you think?"

Orthos smiled. "I like it, it suits you," he responded. "To family." as he raised his glass.

Melody raised her glass. "To family. May they always drive us nuts." the younger woman responded as the two clinked their glasses together before both drained a mouthful of their respective drinks.

Orthos smiled. "Its good to see you again Melody."

"You as well dad. I have hard that I'm being assigned to the new Odin class battleship, USS Roanoke. I'm to be one of their Operations people." she explained. "What of you?"

"We will be serving together. I'm also being assigned to Roanoke as the Fleets Command Master Chief. I get to work with someone named Cory Parks... I've read into him and I'm not liking what I'm seeing."

"Ouch," Melody muttered. "I don't know anything about my new boss. This Rykar character, they say she's hard but fair. But I guess I'll find out when I meet her."

"Don't worry about it. Rykar is fair and she treats everyone the same. Unless you fuck things up, you'll be fine. She's better than the last few Operations chief's that have served on ships named Roanoke."

Melody nodded as she sipped her drink. "Well, we'll see soon enough Dad."

"Yes Melody, we will." Orthos smiled. "When we get settled. I'll invite you to meet Edward and T'Sara when she's born."

"I look forward to it." Melody smiled.