Exodus - Part Two

Posted on Sun Feb 23rd, 2020 @ 8:00pm by Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Ensign Paul Harrison

Mission: Mission 3: Quantum of Solace
Location: Various Locations - Starbase 400
Timeline: 1915Hrs - July 28th, 2388

"Well, don't feel too bad about it Paul. There are plenty of people to teach you." Alex reassured him.

"I know" was all Paul said. Alex's attention went back to Racheal, "So Racheal, how old are you?"

"I'm twelve years old... physically Halanan's develop faster than human women... so I'm closer to fifteen or sixteen." and with that, she smiled.
"Paul... you ever thought of enrolling in a martial arts class?" Racheal inquired. "You are a natural... you have the discipline already and mental control is so rare to find..."

"I thought about it but I haven't tried pursuing it." Alex turned back to Paul, "If you want to, I think it's a good idea."

Racheal sipped her drink as she looked at Paul and then at Alex. "Umm Alex.." she felt funny addressing this woman by her name rather than 'ma'am'. "My mother could teach Paul far better then I could... I do not have that ability yet," she explained quietly as she then polished off her glass of water.

"I wouldn't expect you to either. Sometimes it is better to have someone who isn't emotionally connected to the student. Thus why I haven't taught him myself. Let's just not assume that she'll do it. It's best to ask first."

Racheal smiled up at the older woman. "Oh absolutely. You're right... because I am emotionally involved here.." she paused as she turned a deep shade of dark brown. "Paul... you here?" she inquired as she noticed he had gotten very quiet.

"Yeah, still here. I just figured that I'd continue sitting here and acting like I'm not in the room." Alex frowned, "I'm sorry. You're right. We are talking as if you aren't here."

Paul stood up, "If and when I decide to, you'll be the first to know."

Racheal said nothing as she watched him because honestly, there was nothing she could say to him but she decided to try. "Paul, you weren't chipping into the conversation.," she replied. "I'm normally the one who gets interrogated because I'm the outsider.. " she turned back to Alex. "Which feels weird mind you... I keep waiting for it..."

"Oh, did you want me to interrogate you? Okay, let's see, what are your intentions when it comes to my son. Don't you think that you might be a little young for him? While you're at it, give me name, rank and serial number." She broke out with a chuckle.

"Well, I was expecting the interrogation," Racheal answered with a sly smile.
"A little young is best held in the eye of the beholder and as for name and rank." she chuckled. "Fleet Admiral Racheal Yamaguchi... kneel before me."
the last she added on after the fact and Racheal had a good sense of humor. "Wait.. do Captains kneel?" she paused. "Aww well it was a nice idea," she added a moment later. "Besides... it could always be worse...It could be Beth who's visiting and not me..." Racheal chuckled softly. "She's crazy..."

"Crazy huh? Gee, I hope it doesn't run in your family." She laughed, "I'm kidding. I like your kiddo. Paul, don't let this one go."

Paul nodded, "Yeah, she's a keeper." He went to his room to change his clothes.

The term 'She's a keeper' was lost on Racheal but it was unimportant in the grand scheme of things. "Well... I try to be memorable...hopefully I won't be
too challenging to deal with..."

"Don't worry about that. I like a challenge once in a while." Alex smiled.

Racheal raised an eyebrow as she looked at Alex. "A challenge?" she inquired as she looked at Paul. "I'll try not to take up too much space on the sofa."

Alex was happy to hear her say that she would sleep on the couch, "The couch is quite comfy. I would hope that you and Paul show some restraint."

Racheal knew exactly what Alex was talking about when she made her statement, she finished her glass of water as she considered her thoughts. "Alex... I'm not quite ready for that just yet... besides... I only met Paul a couple of weeks ago.." she explained. "Rushing isn't a good idea."

"Good to hear you say that. But Paul, on the other hand, is getting to that age that he will want to explore things. You may have to be the more mature one." Alex couldn't believe that she just said that to her.

Racheal gently took the Captain's hand in her own. "Paul and I will be fine.. we'll face the issues that come up together..." she smiled up at the larger woman. "Besides... Paul is a gentleman and I don't want to ruin him...well not yet anyway.." she added the last statement as a joke.

Chuckling, "Yes, that would not be a good idea." She became serious again, "Just remember, with sex comes responsibility. But if you don't want the responsibility, enough said."

Racheal smiled up at the older, larger and wiser woman. "Indeed... but since Paul and I just met not too long ago... I don't want to rush it..." she smiled. "I'd like to enjoy my time here... for however long it'll be."

"Good. You have a good head on your shoulders, Racheal." Paul walked out in a different outfit, "I hope my mom here isn't giving away all of my secrets." He looked at his mom, wondering what they talked about.

"No... it is more like my not wanting problems to arise." Racheal responded.
"Don't worry about it though... " she turned back to Alex. "If it were Beth here... then you'd have to worry but... I'll be fine... I'm too young for it anyway." and with that, she gave Paul a smile which said a great many things

"Okay. That's good enough for me."

Racheal looked up at Alex as she smiled. "I promise to behave..."

"I know you will. I'm not worried one bit." Alex assured her.

Racheal drained the last of her drink. "You have faith in me.... since you have just met me, I'm not sure if I should be thrilled or terrified..." she smiled up at the older woman standing before her, clearly Racheal had an aggressive sense of humor. "I'm sure Paul will keep me in line..." she looked at Paul. "He can help me with my homework and I can teach him the skills I was raised with.... besides... it'll be nice to share it with someone for a change.."

"I'm sure it will be. Be thrilled that I can tell that you are true to yourself. I'm sure your mom trained you right."

Racheal smiled. "Alright..." she responded evenly "Well... on saying homework... I'd better go sort out the old ball and chain... " and with that, she sighed as clearly, she hated homework.

"Good idea." Was all Alex would say.

Racheal went over to the door as she plucked her pack off of the floor and she went over to the nearby table. "tonight's subject, military history." she sighed. "world war 2."

"Those are very important things to learn. If you need help, let me know." Alex offered.

Racheal smiled. "Thanks... I'll need it..." her smile then faded. "I read something about the Holocaust... just the name sounds... evil." she paused. "I'm not sure I want to know about that...."

"It is a sad part of our history but it happened. We can learn from the mistakes of others."

Racheal shivered. "My father's people... a people of great compassion, great passions, and great violence... one wonders how they survived..." she admitted.
"But I am glad they did..." she paused a second time. "they achieved so much for they made peace with themselves and their natures and they helped build the federation... and they did all of that in less than three centuries... whereas most other empires take far longer..."

Alex nodded, "I feel the same way. It is amazing that we ever made it to the 24th century."

Racheal nodded as she looked over at Paul and then back to Alex. "Will humanity continue to succeed?" she inquired. "or will they stumble and lose their way?" she raised an eyebrow. "time will tell... sooner or later.."

"Most definitely. If it does happen, hopefully, it'll happen after I'm gone." She joked.

Racheal looked up at the older woman. "perhaps.." she commented with a smile. "we shall see..."

"Yup." Alex nodded. "Better get to that homework."

"Yeah" Racheal commented as she went over to the door and picked up her pack, then she helped herself to the replicator, she then brought her things to the table as she sat down, she opened her pack as she sighed softly as she pulled out a textbook which looked like it had been used. "Mmm... Pearl Harbour."

"December 7, 1941" Alex said to herself. She was surprised that she still remembered certain things like dates.

Racheal nodded. "Yes... they missed the USS Enterprise by less than eight hours." she sighed softly as she regarded the older woman. "It was generally
believed at the time... that had they caught the American carriers that the
war would have been lost.... but using that rationale... how do you explain the battle of the Taiwan Straights a century later.... the USS Ronald Reagan and her entire fleet was destroyed by a Chinese and Russian force that outnumbered the entire American Pacific Fleet almost three to one...?" she inquired. "and the US-led Alliance won that war.... if you can call the victory a victory.." she said the last eight words with a dark, ironic tone.

"Good question." Racheal was impressed by her knowledge. History was never her strong point as she sighed. "Well... I'd best get on with this homework if I want to pass this class..." as she produced a second textbook, this was a family heirloom item that had been passed down through a few generations as she produced a large PADD, this one was armored so it was designed for lugging around in backpacks and the like.

Rachael took a sip of her drink as if fortifying herself for the task ahead. "Be kind, great spirits..." she said quietly as she started her work.