A Good Lighter - Part Eight

Posted on Sun Apr 30th, 2023 @ 10:58pm by Senior Chief Petty Officer M'aotoke T'gar

Mission: Mission 120: All Along the Watchtowers - Part Two
Location: Various Locations - USS Prinz Eugen
Timeline: 0700Hrs - January 4th, 2394

Senior Chief Petty Officer M'aotoke T'gar's eyes opened slowly as she woke from her night's sleep. The alarm she had set was a modified version of Grand General Paul Antilles's alarm. The Caitian female sighed as she thought about Paul Antilles for the umpteenth time. He was never far from her thoughts. She wondered if leaving him was the right choice to make. She missed him and the children.

M'aotoke wondered how the children were doing, now that Kerrie had left as well. He was alone with four children. But she knew she had today to deal with. She would be on duty in the next hour or so. She wished to be ready for her shift at the Conn of the USS Prinz Eugen. A human name that she found meaningless.

The Caitian padded into the bathroom, taking care of her morning adulations. Then she took a shower. She groaned as she felt the water wash over her fur and skin. She missed Paul Antilles and his gentle touch. M'aotoke groaned as she found herself wanting his attention and company. But she was the one who had left as she had wanted children of her own. But her efforts had fallen flat on their face. Now, she was looking into adoption.

M'aotoke growled softly. While she turned off the water, she then ran her hands over her fur. She pushed a lot of the water off of her fur and her skin. She then pulled a towel off of the rack while she began drying herself off.

Once she was finished. M'aotoke went over to the replicator, as she ordered herself the usual breakfast that she preferred. She lifted the bowel and glass while she padded over to the table.

M'aotoke gently hauled out a chair with her paw before placing her breakfast down on the table. She then sat down and began eating. Her breakfast was small but it was something she enjoyed. She was an early riser, thanks partly to her time in starfleet but it was also because of her mate, Paul Antilles who would often want to wake early so he could enjoy the sunrise. Then he would get the kids up and then be ready to face whatever today brought him.

"Computer, open letter Two two theta charlie." The Caitian commented while she sat back in her chair. "Paul. I was unsure how you were feeling. So I thought I'd drop you this letter as I wanted to check in with you. I hope you are alright. I hope the children are as well." she paused a moment. "When you get a chance, write me back. Have the kids write to me as well. Give them a chance to tell me how they are feeling, and how they are doing." she smiled while she explained herself. "My efforts against my concerns press on but to be honest. I've not met anyone that compares to you. I think you ruined me for all other Caitians." as she laughed softly. "Not that I minded, you were unusually gentle. For a human, I mean." she paused. "Anyway. I hope to hear from you soon... I gotta run. I'm on duty in half an hour and the old man is an angry one. You know what thats like... right?" M'aotoke commented. Her usual humour coming to the fore.

"Anyway. Write me back... I miss you. Signed M'aotoke." she paused. "Computer, file letter as personal, and send the letter to Grand General Paul Antilles." she paused. "Located on Earth, SOL," M'aotoke added in a soft, gentle tone of voice.

"Letter sent." came the response from the ship's computer.

M'aotoke sat back in her chair. She allowed her eyes to slide closed as she inhaled gently. She didn't do well after she left him. "I wonder if he'll let me fix a mistake I made." she mused softly. "Maybe asking for a separation was too much." she sighed softly, while she knew she would not make this decision now. She would need to ponder it at length.

Maybe she would go home and discuss this matter with her family. M'aotoke shook her furry head while she took a moment to clean her whiskers. No, she would need to discuss this matter with the man himself. Paul Antilles. She didn't need to be second-guessing herself any more than she already was. He was the other half of her relationship. So she would focus her efforts on dealing with him, and nobody else.

M'aotoke walked out of her quarters, she ambled on down the hallway as she headed for her destination. The ship's main bridge. She would then come home after her watch and ponder the matter. She knew that this issue could not be avoided, not could it be resolved so casually. M'aotoke knew he would not be so easily swayed. The matter would need to be resolved. It was now not only inevitable, but it was also unavoidable.