Leaving Betazed

[Erich Jaenke 0]

A year, six days a time, seemed to take forever. A month-long rest after that year breezed by. Erich parted ways with Keb early on to reconnect with his family and she to hers. No doubt she hated leaving him, after a year he needed the time off. His mother and father had buried their son months ago. They invited family, friends, and even shop clients. Surprisingly nearly forty people showed enjoying food and drink. Reportedly his father drank heavily as reality of the MIA sank in.

 

He sang praises of a son doing good work among his peers. His climb from cadet, Ensign Waste Manager then to Chief Engineer, the last which genuinely surprised his father. Erich's special medical situation garnered a line or two. Any stigma now would fall on his father, not the son.

 

All in all it was a good time of celebrating his son's life. An old vintage of wine was brought out for the occasion. This was the same drink used to dull the reality, the loss.

Now, standing before him was Erich. He was very much alive, but looked weary. The repetitive journey took more than a year off his life. His expression aged a decade. It showed in his face, it showed in his thoughts.

 

"I ordered a case and I want you to have the last one, " said his father, pushing the bottle to his son's hand.

 

"But..."

 

"There are no buts...take it with you to Earth." He smiled the same way he did after fixing a particular challenging clock. "Charm the girl you work with. Kansas is it?"

 

"Holy rings no! It's Keb. I would sooner use the empty bottle on the other." Erich wondered if he was being played.

 

"Yes yes. Keb. She's the non-telepath who can speak onto your mind. Ply her with it. Speak sweet nothings or whatever you kids do now. No matter what you do don't drink alone."

 

"Yes father."

 

"And for rings sake ask her. You above all others know how valuable time is." He placed a hand on his shoulder. "You are out there in the known and unknown. You claim to known her better than she knows herself. Open up to Keb before it's too late."

 

Erich nodded. "Time is the fire in which we burn, some burn brighter than others."

 

"I expect an positive outcome." He handed him his gravity-assisted bag. "Give that to the Ambassador." He hugged Erich quickly. "Let the Holy rings guide you."

 

"By the Holy Rings..." Erich tapped his Starfleet badge. "One to beam up." In an instant he dematerialized into the air.