Destiny's Child

[Chirakis 1]

Destiny’s Child
Captain Chirakis
SubCommander Nijil tr'Korjata
 Annisha t’Korjata

Though several screens played through their courses in the security complex’s master surveillance room, only one person occupied a console.  A shadowed figure filled the console's screen, and the faint blue of secure-mode lighting cast an eerie glow over the conversation that had been going on for some time, discussing everything from the origins of the universe down to which craftsman fashioned the most effective, exquisitely balanced bat’leth.  However, as always happens, the conversation shifted to a more serious vein, one that had not been discussed since the devastation of ch’Rihan. 

“And why now?” Kirel asked after a long pause.  “It was dangerous before; why is it not dangerous now?”

“The political situation has changed, Riov,” the figure replied in a deep, resonant tone.  

“True,” came her reply, followed by a moment of thought, then, “Have you considered the effect it would have on her, and on her adoptive family?”

“Somewhat.” His reply was casual, perhaps a little too casual for Kirel, but thoughtful.  “She would be shocked to know that we are alive, of course… unless you have told her otherwise?”

“To preserve her life, I have not.”

“Um.…” The figure mused, inhaling deeply.  “To preserve her life.  One consideration we have not fully explored.”

“Then I suggest that you explore it more thoroughly, EnRiov,” countered Kirel thoughtfully. “She is young, and is as prone to youthful missteps as any child. If she knew that you are alive, she could, out of youthful exuberance, tell a ‘trusted’ friend, and that trusted friend could inadvertently pass the information on.  Within a week, this station would be swarming with rogues and assassins looking for the child of the highest ranking and most powerful agent of the Tal Shiar.  She would fetch a handsome price, but I doubt that she would be returned alive.  Therefore, consider which outcome is better: the possibility of kidnapping and torture, or what she has now.”

An almost palpable silence reigned on the other side. Kirel pressed on.

“To her, you are a hero, EnRiov.  Her hero.  She believes that you and Ja’lan were killed while attempting a dangerous rescue on ch’Rihan.  That is what she will remember for her entire life, or until you choose to tell her differently when she is more mature. Until then, she has a family who loves her and has devoted their lives to her care, despite the many obstacles they faced.  And they will continue to face them, not only because of her origins, but because she is highly intelligent and requires constant attention.  You called her a ‘precocious child’ at one point. She is more than that; she is brilliant.  I, myself, have verified that.”

There was a long pause, and Kirel hoped that the man to whom she spoke would eventually understand the situation. EnRiov Keshir tr’Aldani, Annisha’s father and master operative of the Tal Shiar, leaned into the light, exposing not only his image, but a mirror of Annisha, minus her mother’s gentle beauty.  Kirel could see the resemblance, both in his contemplative expression and his piercing stare: the same look that Annisha often used in moments of defiance.

“Then we must discuss other options.”  He stroked his chin.  “You are continuing with her education?”

“I am. As much as possible, and in pertinent areas.  She seems to enjoy engineering and combat more than anything.”  A knowing smile quickly passed as she leaned forward.  “And I know that look, EnRiov.  Tell me what you have in mind.”

 *   *   *   *   *

"This is booooring stuff father," Annisha said in no uncertain terms to her father lounging on the couch. "Why do I have to learn about how we got warp drives and subspace thingies? We have space ships right now. This is old people stuff."

"Be careful with that Anni," Nijil said as he looked up from his morning reading. "Elders deserve your respect, unless they are doddering old fools, then perhaps respect is not the right word. The history of faster than light travel is of vital importance to engineers. You may come across a civilization who are just starting out, stranded in the cosmos. If you think 'well you don't have a duotronic computer to control your warp field, I don't know how you will ever get this ship going,’ keep in mind that most species’ first interstellar endeavors were primitive configurations." He had an idea. "Oh that's good," he exclaimed as he wrote something in his PADD.

"Oh what now father?" Annisha gave her father a raised brow. "I know that look and I don't like it."

"Before the bonding you and I are going to go on an engineering holodeck adventure."

"Three words that should never be strung together." She laughed as she watched him continue to write.

"Oh, you laugh now, but I can make this your science and math project for school, with your teacher's approval of course...oh, perhaps even a bit of cultural interaction. You are taking some kind of social studies."

Her eyes filled with a sense of school-work dread. "Uh huh.  We are learning about Andorians now."

"Oh, those blue antenna species, one of the Federation's founders."

"Yes Father, and tough in battle from what Grandfather said." She added, her neck stretching to see how much her father was writing down. A flash of the screen revealed the holodeck configuration screen. "Aww, are you really doing this? Mindreader, catgirl, and I were going to Blubby's later."

"Oh don't worry about that, this will take a bit of time to create, considering how naughty you are."

"Clever.  You mean clever."

"One man's naughty is another girl's clever. I'm watching you Anni," he said with a wide smile. Nijil knew enough to know he had only an inkling of Annisha's intelligence. Jylliene and he discussed it once and he thought Captain Chirakis requested she be independently tested. Like many things, this was to be done after the bonding and later relaxation and certainly not during school.

"I bet I can solve your little holodeck adventure in only a few hours," Annisha challenged.

"Oh really?" Nijil looked up from his PADD and gave her a raised-brow. "Let's go a little Ferengi here.  What's the wager?"

"Hmm." Annisha placed a finger on her lips. "That's a good question." She thought for a moment. Nijil remained riveted to her answer. "I get to take out the Nei'rrh beyond the Aegis perimeter... to another planet a few light years away, land it, explore, then go back."

"Hmm, I think that can be arranged. If the program confounds you, then...then…. You have to follow me around for a week and help me on the station."

"More like ‘do your job.’ I think we have a deal." Annisha spat on her hand and shook her father's. Nijil took her hand and shook before feeling the goo.

"Ugh, what was that for Annisha?"

"To seal the deal, or would you rather us cut our hands and seal it in blood like honorable Klingons?"

Wiping his hand, Nijil agreed. "No no, that is quite alright. Spit is it. Now get to your reading. This does not get you out of that."

"Ugh, I know… I know." Annisha grunted and buried her eyes into the text of her PADD as her father did the same with his.

 *   *   *   *   *

From her position in Command and Control, Kirel peered casually through the window that overlooked the commerce deck.  Watching civilians stroll casually through the area, patronizing bistros and restaurants, and browsing through stores, usually relaxed her.  Instead, she received an unexpected jolt.

On the edge of the crowd, a tall Vulcan wandered past the stores and restaurants, pausing occasionally at a store window to admire the merchandise, then moving on.  Eventually he looked up and met her gaze.  Giving a faint smile, he strode casually into her favorite coffeehouse and settled at her table.  She knew this ‘Vulcan’ and was not pleased.  They had planned to meet, but not now, and certainly not here, in plain sight.

Awaiting her presence in the coffeehouse was Tal Shiar master of disguise, EnRiov Keshir tr’Aldani, Annisha’s father.

“You told me once her parents were brilliant and formidable warriors,” said Amanda. “Knowing Annisha, I can easily verify that they must have been.  If the DNA you gave me is truly theirs, nature chose their best genes and passed them on to her.”

Dr. Davis could not have been more correct.  Annisha was definitely a carbon copy of her father: brilliant, crafty, and determined to have her own way, despite the potential consequences. Yesterday Kirel had spoken to Keshir via secure subspace. Today they would sit together in the coffeehouse and dance around the truth while surrounded by hundreds of Aegis personnel and civilians on the commerce deck.  Kirel had cautioned him about presenting himself publicly.  He had chosen to ignore her advice, and there was nothing she could do to deter him.

Ten minutes later, Kirel entered the coffeehouse and wandered casually toward the table.

“Ah, Captain Chirakis.”  He stood, giving the customary Vulcan nod, then offering her a seat.  His finely tailored robes, embroidered with the insignia of a Vulcan house, spoke of a prominent businessman. One sleeve bore the crest of a distant Vulcan colony, and colonial colors draped over his left shoulder. His facial prosthetic was impeccable, his manner and accent flawless, and his Vulcan fluency testified to his expertise in deception. Returning his greeting, she relaxed into the chair opposite.

“Will you have the usual?” he asked, motioning to the waiter.

“Please, Mr. Ambassador.”

His chuckle was soft, but genuine.  “Retired,” he corrected.  “Sejak will do.  ‘Tis good to see you again, Kirel.”

“And I, you, Sejak.  What brings you here, besides my impelling presence?” Her brows rose in jest.

“A promised, long-awaited gift,” he said, retrieving a small velvet bag from his pocket and handing it to her.  “Rare enough that it took me this long to find it.”

“Ah, yes,” she said. It was part of their conversational dance, and she accepted it as such.  “Several years, as I recall.”

“Yes, yes… and again, I apologize.”  He paused as a waiter passed, then continued quietly. “Hephaestus Vulcanus are rare, Kirel, but what you have done for me is beyond payment. Please. Accept it as a very small token of gratitude.”

“Of course,” she said, gently fingering the bag before opening it.  Inside were three delicate latinum necklaces, each bearing an exquisitely carved green stone.  Her gaze went from the pouch to tr’Aldani, then back.  Hephaestus Vulcanus are rare, but even more rare are the Pangaere Nhaih Ehrie, the pure, clear emeralds fashioned in the bowels of ch’Rihan.  Yet here, within this velvet pouch, were three of them. She masked her shock with a gracious smile.

“I see you are pleased, and that pleases me, Captain,”  said tr’Aldani with a gentle nod. “They are fashioned from one stone, so each is connected to the other, no matter the distance.  Wherever one is, the other will detect it and plot a course if need be. I trust you understand.”

After studying them a moment, she secured the pouch and tucked it securely inside her tunic. “Indeed, I understand,” she said.  “It is a gift beyond imagining: an eternal treasure to be passed from generation to generation.”  

Sejak relaxed into a sigh of satisfaction. 

 The rest of their conversation centered around recent business deals, the latest status of Aegis as a port of call, and countless other ordinary subjects.  Eventually he announced that he had business elsewhere and would be leaving the next morning.  They parted ways: tr’Aldani to his Vulcan ship, and Kirel to her quarters, where she pondered the events of the last few hours and decided precisely how these stones would be presented to the newly bonded family.