The Ghosts and the Lost - Part Five

Posted on Wed Aug 31st, 2022 @ 6:25am by Captain Leah Anderson & Lieutenant Commander Monique Deepshadow & Lieutenant Commander Krista Deepshadow MD & Command Master Chief Petty Officer Miranda Deepshadow

Mission: Mission 109: The Travelers Path
Location: Various Locations - Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 1810Hrs - November 18th, 2393

Monique nodded in agreement. "There isn't a whole lot I can really say, Aunt Miranda... Mom chose not to tell me and she opted to live with my resenting her for giving up on me while I was growing up..."

"I think a long talk between you and Jacob is in order... Maybe letting him wine you and dine you before he beds you... Maybe let him show you what you are missing out on." Krista commented with a smile. "I was raised by a Caitian... so I know how they think... Mom raised me to question everything and not be afraid of where my answers take me." she paused. "Mom knew she would lose me to my biological family... But I will maintain ties... I call Huthea home and I call Shelle and C'Nuri, mom and dad..."

Monique regarded her twin. "So... you'll never call Leah Anderson your mother then?"

"She is my biological mother Monique... But I do not know anything about her... To me, she is a total stranger... Same as you two are... Maybe that'll change... and maybe it won't. I don't know... But I'm not opposed to it."

Monique smiled. "Good... Like aunt Miranda said... Don't be like me." she commented as the doorbell rang, silencing the conversation.

"Computer, who's at the door?" Monique asked quietly.

"Captain Leah Deepshadow." came the expected answer as Miranda smiled. "Just a minute," she shouted as if sounding like she had been taken by surprise and was rushing around, while not expecting guests before she turned to Krista. "Are you ready for this sweetie?. If not then you can slip out the emergency escape while Monique and I detain her, she doesn't need to know you are here..." Miranda said quietly as she came over to Krista before she gently took the younger woman's hand in her own.

"No... Its time she and I met..." Krista answered. "I am ready..." she added.

Miranda gently hugged the younger woman. "I wish I had met you sooner," she responded quietly. "I wish I had your courage..."

Monique regarded her aunt and her twin. "You guys ready?" she asked softly. Upon receiving a nod from both women in question. "I'll get the door then." as Monique moved to the door before she tapped the door release. "Hey, mom."

Leah Deepshadow was wearing civilian clothing with a large chocolate cake in her hands. "Hey ladies..." she commented as her daughter permitted her entry into Miranda's quarters by relieving her of the cake. "Mm... This looks great..." Monique commented as she was trying not to drool over the cake in question.

Miranda went over and greeted her sibling with a hug. "hey sweetie. Prepare yourself... We have a surprise for you."

Leah hugged her sibling back. "Oh... What do you mean?"

Krista stood in silence as Miranda indicated her with a gentle wave of her hand. "Leah... Meet Krista Deepshadow... The daughter who was stolen from you."

"What?" Leah asked softly as she regarded Krista. "How...When..." she paused before she suddenly fainted. Krista caught her in her arms. "Easy mom, I think... you should sit down," she commented as she gently held the larger woman in her arms. "This is not how I had envisioned meeting you," she added.

Miranda liked, she hadn't been expecting this at all, she gently helped Krista move, Leah, to one of the sofa's while Monique retrieved her medical kit. "Here you go." as she handed it to her aunt, who opened it as Krista came over. "Let me help, I'm a fully trained Doctor," she explained.

"Nice. I'm going to administer a light stimulant to wake her, she seems to have not eaten today... Looks like the kinds ran her into the ground, as usual." Miranda commented in a light tone of voice. "Prep me five cc's of Cortolinn please.?" Miranda asked

Krista produced a hypo before she went looking for the medication, she found it a moment later and prepared the requested dosage. "5 cc's of Cortolinn." as she handed the hypo to Miranda who proceeded to administer it to Leah.

Leah slowly blinked open her eyes. "Mmm... What?"

"You fainted honey, you didn't eat lunch and you skipped breakfast..." Miranda commented with a smile.

"I'm not hallucinating... am I?" Leah commented as she looked at Krista. "You... are Krista?... the child that was stolen from me..." she whispered. "What... How?" she asked.

"No... You're not hallucinating..." Krista answered. "I am Krista and.... my path in life has been a long and strange one."

Leah regarded her lost child, the one she knew she had given up on and had come to terms with her passing. "I had no idea you were even alive."

"The Caitian colony of Huthea isn't good with their census taking and they aren't good with their records keeping either. I was taken in by a Caitian couple... and I was raised as part of their family... It was... an experience." she smiled. "For them and for me."

Leah slowly sat up as she regarded her child, as she held her silence, she had no idea what to say and it showed.