Spirits of the Ice Forest - Part Three

Posted on Sat Jul 31st, 2021 @ 5:22am by Commander T'Lin McKnight & Department Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen "Orthos" McKnight & Major Daisy Rohr-McKnight

Mission: Mission 106: Restitutions and Resolutions
Location: Various Locations - Utgarde IV
Timeline: 0810Hrs - October 24th, 2393

Orthos gently held his youngest child in his arms as T'Sara looked up at her father, she was still a toddler but she was growing quickly, like her brother. Orthos considered that soon he would not be able to carry her, that she would be walking and talking, like her brother, and soon, she would be fully independent of him and her mother. Her looks were almost perfect except for one little detail, her eyes which shone as a rich vibrant purple, rather than the brown eyes of both of her parents. Orthos had even chatted with his mother about it and even she was unsure, none of the family had a history of violet or purple eyes.

Orthos regarded his spouse. "Do you think mom will make that dish you hated?" he inquired, thinking of the Rokeg Blood Pie that was really bloody, Orthos didn't mind if and neither had the kids, but Daisy had been revolted with the dish. T'Sara knew her daughter-in-law looked Klingon but she was no Klingon so she wanted to introduce her children to something other than human food. "Maybe she'll surprise us and make an Andorian dish next."

The door to the recovery room opened and out came T'Sara wearing civilian clothing, a pair of slacks, and a turtleneck sweatshirt with a simple pair of sneakers completed the look. "They said it was cold outside..." she commented, rather than saying hello or making a fuss over the children as she usually did. She had no idea how long István had been present or even if these two were his or someone else's. "Are you guys ready to go?" she asked.

Orthos was ready but he noted something off about his mother before he dismissed it as stress.

"We are ready whenever you are," Daisy replied. "Do you need anything on the way home? Food, medicine, or anything?"

"No thank you," T'Sara answered the strange woman in a hesitant tone of voice. "I'm just tired... I've never slept or ate well in these places..." she added

Orthos nodded. "Then let's get out of here mom," he answered. With that, the three of them departed the room and a few minutes later. They were in the shuttle. Heading back home. Orthos was flying the shuttle but he also couldn't help but wonder if something was actually wrong with this situation. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was missing something. However the trip home was short and they reached home without any issues, mess or fuss. Not even the kids misbehaved as they sometimes did.

"Popping the hatch... and preparing for landing," Orthos commented as if reading from the lunch menu or a news update from the Federation news service. "Daisy. The price of latinum went up again, relative to the Federation credit," he added.

"Yeah, I hear the Ferengi are trying to stockpile a large amount to drive up our prices," Daisy added. "It never works but it doesn't stop the Ferengi from trying."

"Is everything alright mom.?" Orthos asked when she was usually silent. Normally getting her to shut up was an achievement at times but this was just too strange.

"Yes, son. I'm just tired..." T'Sara answered. "I was... enjoying the view."

"We'll get some wholesome food in you and after a bit of rest we can take the shuttle up again," Daisy told T'Sara.

T'Sara smiled as she nodded. "A decent nights rest will help. I should meditate as well." she paused. "Are we here?" she asked, as if she didn't know where she was.

Daisy gave T'Sara an odd look. "You are on Utgarde IV. You've been here before, remember? Are you sure you're okay?"

T'Sara regarded the strange place she was in. The Utgarde IV she recalled was a molten hell as the planet had been glassed by the Tholians. Shortly before the Federation dealt with their incursion almost fifteen years earlier. "Its... been awhile. The Doctor said something about cranial trauma..."

Orthos turned to his spouse. "I'm going to get the kids ready for daycare k?" he commented with a nod of his head. As he locked eyes for a moment with his spouse, before turning away. He gently plucked his daughter from her mother. "Come on Edward... Let's get you two ready for today."

"kay," Edward answered quietly. Turning to lope after his dad as he was still working on walking.

Daisy acknowledged her husband. "Maybe if you're up to it, we can visit the Klingon ruins? I know you wanted to see them last time you were here but we just didn't have time with the revolt on Andor and all." Daisy suggested to T'Sara.

T'Sara nodded her head, she knew next to nothing about this world. "Sure. I know next to nothing about this planet..." she admitted.

Daisy smiled at T'Sara. "Okay? Do you need a refreshment? Coffee, tea, cocoa? You still need to tell me how you got through the Andorian rebels shields. That information was never released, the intel weenies keeping everything hush."

T'Sara raised an eyebrow. "Last I checked. All of that was classified. I'm not at liberty to speak of the matter." she answered. "Which room is mine?" she added.

"Doesn't hurt to ask." Daisy gave a mischievous smile. "Your room is second from the left. Again, if you need anything, just holler."

"Okay." T'Sara turned as she moved off, down the hallway. She located the room easily enough and she went in. Closing the door behind her.

Orthos returned to his spouse. "Y'know. I can almost hear you thinking... I started breakfast and the kids are off to daycare." he commented with a gentle smile. "How long before you have to go off to the marines?" he inquired as he indicated the stairs with his head. "Come on. I'll teach you how to make garlic bread." before he turned and began heading back to the kitchen.

"You know I don't like to cook. Why should I learn if you already know how to cook?" Daisy asked. "I already called in. They don't need me there today."

"Nice," Orthos answered. "Because T'Sara might want to sample your world-famous hasperat souffle..." as he gave her a look while the two entered the kitchen. He went over to the large stove and turned on the hood vent fans. Now he knew they would be able to talk, without being overheard. "Daisy... What did you think of mom today?" he decided to be direct.

"She isn't right, Orthos," Daisy replied with some concern. "Either she has some brain injury or she is possessed. I can't tell for sure. Something is off though."

Orthos nodded. "I noted that too." he regarded his spouse. "Possessed..." he paused. "Wait..." he went over to the stovetop as he gently ran his hand across the smooth surface. "Not so much possessed... Do you recall the events of several months ago...?" he inquired. "Meeting Istvan... and Ilea..."

"How could I forget," Daisy replied. "I don't remember your mother, or the copy of, being among the crew."

"That's because she wasn't there..." Orthos said quietly, contemplating things. "She must have shown up later." He frowned. "The Infinity's mission to seal the rift must not have succeeded..." he paused. "That's going to piss off a lot of people if that's the case..." as he regarded his spouse. "We need to find out how long she's been around and what she's been up to." he paused. "I have one idea... But it could blow up in my face."

"I think we need to confirm your theory before we worry about hyper dimension reality shifts," Daisy replied. "We need to talk to people that know who the other T'Sara is."

"A good idea... But she's here now. She could become a threat..." Orthos sighed softly. "I'll talk to Istvan and Ilea... See what they know..."

"Maybe we should also contact T'Sara's duty station. We should see if your real mother okay and inform her that she has a doppelganger." Daisy suggested.

"I'll handle all of that," Orthos answered quietly. "In the meantime. Keep an eye on her. Do not let her leave..." he answered.

Daisy nodded in silence, aware that a possible threat was now under the same roof as their children.