The Parting - Part Three

Posted on Sun Jul 31st, 2022 @ 8:01am by Tienn Jaina & Almar Pettar

Mission: Mission 108: Grains of Sand
Location: Various Locations - Daedalus Battlegroup / Starbase Vanguard
Timeline: 0930Hrs - November 15th, 2393

Anthony Fordragon checked his displays as he got the shuttle on its proper heading for atmospheric entry. "Last time I did this. I had mom beside me," he whispered, more to himself than to anyone else.

Jaina gently touched his shoulder. "Your mother would be proud of you," she said quietly. "She will be back before you know it," she added. "Just remember, step by step," she added with a gentle smile. "You got this."

"Thanks, ma'am," Forragon responded. "I'm taking us down," he added as he turned off the impulse engines, switching to thrusters. "Atmospheric interface in five seconds," he added as the shuttle entered the atmosphere. Fordragon began the series of aerobraking manoeuvres as he flew the shuttle.

Soon, the shuttle entered the lower atmosphere as Fordragon knew that it was time to land. "Destination in sixty seconds folks," he commented.

Fordragon smiled as he proceeded to land the shuttle at the coordinates that had been indicated. Pettar was ready to take over, but he opted not to and let the child in the pilot's chair fly them home. "We're here," Fordragon commented. "Securing thruster exhaust and disengaging engines," he added. "Now we're down."

Jaina popped the hatch as Jasmine and Raelynn both exited the shuttle first. Jaina followed in silence as Fordragon stood up. He was so nervous that he stumbled. Pettar caught him as he did so. "Easy son. I got you," he commented quietly as he helped Fordragon back to his feet. "You flew well. Granted you got improvements to make but all in all. You flew well." Pettar explained with a smile.

"Thanks." Fordragon picked up his bag. Which he then slung over his shoulders. He then stepped off of the shuttle, followed by Pettar who closed the hatch behind him.

Fordragon looked around at the large compound before him. "I had no idea you guys lived here."

"We like our peace and quiet," Pettar responded. "It's been educational so we've had several buildings constructed," he commented. "Mostly for storage and the like. But we've also had some living accommodations added."

Fordragon smiled. "It's winter..."

"It is." Pettar nodded. "It's also about forty degrees too cold for me. Come on. Let's head inside. Everyone else can handle the cold far better than I can." With that, he led the young man into the main building.

Fordragon followed in silence.

Meanwhile inside the main building. Jaina regarded her two granddaughters. "Since you two are almost adults. I will be asking for your help in minding all the younger kids," she explained. "I'm sure you're mom already explained my situation to you."

Jasmine nodded. "Yeah, she did." she nodded her head. "Thirty children of all ages, ranging from newborn to just shy of being adults," she explained. "My rules are more or less the same as your parents. But I will be asking for you to help me with the others. Some will be uneasy and some will be upset at being parted from their parents." Jaina explained. "Some are setting in easily like Balin and others are not. We will need to keep an eye on them all."

Just then the kitchen door opened and in walked Balin. "Hey everyone." he greeted the people within. "I was asked to inform you that the construction crews are finished with the second building," he commented. "We can start moving people into their rooms now."

"Grand. Go ahead and get started with moving in the older children into their rooms. Otherwise, we'd have everyone camping out in this building." Jaina suddenly grinned. "We had twenty children, all sleeping in sleeping bags last night in the master living room." she regarded Jasmine and Raelynn. "Quarters were close. My nerves were frayed... It was a long night." she sighed softly. "I believe Balin and K'taro will be living there with Gyce living here in Iteela's space. She will be assisting me and Almar here while K'taro and Balin will handle the other building."

Jasmine nodded. "Makes sense. Any special cases?"

"No. Not really. Most of them are good children. Unsettled and uneasy." Jaina explained. "My daughters all mated with people who were not Bajoran. So It's been quite an experience. I have children with a Cardassian. Your mom had children with a human. Her twin had children with a Capellan. Your various aunts were busy too. One had children with a Klingon. Another had children with a Halanan, lastly. Kerris had children with a Vulcan."

"So lots of unusual children from lots of differnet places. Okay." Raelynn answered with a nod of her head.

Jaina nodded. "I have them all enrolled in the nearby daycare and the local schools. But it's going to be a very interesting process of dropping off and picking up over time," she explained. "The two shuttles that we have at present, won't cut it. I need more shuttles which means we need more qualified pilots among our adults to fly them."

Jasmine smiled. "We can tend to that, for you."

"That would mean so much to me ladies. But you both have your own destinies to fulfil. Your parents told me how you two wanted to join Starfleet."

"We can always bump it off," Jasmine answered.

"No. This burden is mine. Not yours..." Jaina answered quietly. "While I appreciate you both wanting to remain. This burden isn't yours... It's mine alone." she added quietly.