Subject: Grail: "The Great Brightness" - `Reply to Kaitlyn'
<<Stardate:47307.30- 11:15>>
<<Nursery>>
Epic Terrakian left Sickbay and went next door to the Nursery. Upon
entering, he saw Nanny spoon feeding an infant boy. He did not know to
whom the child was born, but the boy was bright-eyed and happy.
"Hello Nanny.", Epic said, standing there.
Nanny turned and offered the Captain a cheery smile. "Good Morning,
Captain Terrakian. Miss Kaede has been patiently awaiting your arrival.
She's in her crib playing with a music box."
"Thank you, Nanny.", Epic said to the hologram. "I will be taking
Miss Kaede with me for a while."
"Oh, she'll like that, Captain." Then, Nanny returned her
concentration to the boy.
Epic stood before Kaedes crib and looked in. She was happily
touching the multicolored box, producing a chaotic sound. It wasn't
until she reproduced the bizarre sound again that Epic realised that she
was being deliberate. This surprised him.
`It shouldn't surprise me though.', he considered. A gift for music
was always a part of Epics family. His mother was a masterful violinist,
and so was he.
"That's beautiful, Kaede.", Epic said, in a tone he might have
addressed an adult in.
Kaede looked up at him and smiled happily. Then, with careful
intent, she played `her song' again. Again, a perfect reproduction of
the first time. Epic smiled brightly and lifted her from the crib. She
still held the box.
"You are very talented, my little angel. Dada is very proud."
She let the box fall back into the crib and put her hands up to his
face. She mushed his cheeks around, puckering his lips. She giggled, and
Epic laughed, too.
While Kaede played with his lips Epic left the Nursery. He was
prepared to go up to Kajes quarters, but decided to allow the woman some
more time to herself. He was not altogether certain what had happened to
her, but he thought she might need to just rest before he tried to find
out what was wrong.
"You've never seen where Dada rarely sleeps, have you, Beauty?", he
spoke into her hands while she squeezed his nose. With no response, he
decided to go to his own quarters.
Upon entering his `home', he was almost startled by `Snowball'. He
had been the caretaker for the chubby white cat since the death of
Thomas Marritza. He couldn't honestly say that he liked the domesticated
Terran creature, but he was rarely here. It might have been more
accurate to say these were Snowballs quarters.
Kaede saw the fluffy white thing and strained to touch it. Epic
squatted down and allowed the girl to touch the beasts soft fur. She
squealed in delight and the cat rubbed its head on her shoulder. Her
pleasure was felt powerfully by Epic. And suddenly, he liked the cat,
too. He was certain, though, that when Kaede wasn't here, he would
remember to dislike it. But for now, it was a good thing.
Epic set the girl on the floor, the cat laying over on its side,
allowing the girl to feel his soft fur and ears. Epic was not concerned
for the girls safety, he had had the cats claws removed the day after it
had torn his armchair. A day later, he had it nuetered. It lost almost
all of its energetic mischief. Since then, it was little more than a
tribble with legs.
Epic gave the pair of new friends one more look before going to his
desk. He checked his messages and found a few. All save one were duty
reports. The odd one was from Kaitlyn Brennan.
He felt a small flare of remembered anger when he saw it, causing
Kaede to suddenly look at him with a quivering lip. Epic sent her
soothing thoughts and apologies and she returned to her occupation.
Epic downloaded the message. While he waited for it to come up, he
remebered the scene between them. He really hadn't been angry that she
had disagreed with him. Of course, she had the right to her own views
and he had invited them all to express themselves. In fact, he needed
their opposition. How else could he be certain he had considered all
alternatives.
But that wasn't what had sent him into a rage. It was the feeling
of betrayal that provoked him. Perhaps he had no right to feel that way,
but too clear in his memory was an incident not long ago, in the 10
Forward Lounge, when he had felt her pain. It was immediately after
their victory over the Romulans. He had felt her pain. Felt her despair.
And he had responded to it. To her. Without a seconds hesitation, he had
taken her up into his arms and carried her... CARRIED her.. to Sickbay.
En route, he had taken from her her pain. Her despair. He cleansed her
mind of the destructive influences and made them his own.
Did he expect gratitude? No. Which was good, because he certainly
hadn't gotten any. But he thought it might have at least made them more
than professional aquaintances. Apparently, it had not. And more
apparent still, she didn't even CONSIDER him a professional. She
considered him a fool. And she made that intentionally and publicly
obvious. The anger started to swell again, but he bit it back. He
remembered the look on her face when he had lost control of his rage. It
was all she could do to repress her laughter.
And in the final analysis, Epic had made a determination. Kaitlyn
Brennan was simply not a nice person. Too bad, though. Because he had so
much respect for her talents.
Her message appeared on his screen.
Dear Captain.
My behavior earlier was unwarranted and by all means unacceptable. If I
had my objections, I should have voiced them in private, and not with
such brazen impertinence, sir. I do apologise and the only explanation I
can offer you was my foolish pride sparked me into defending the prime
directive, as I perceived its applicability so vehemently. The manner in
which I spoke to you was recklessly discourteous, and I wanted to
rescind that by making sure that it _never_ happens again.
Sincerely
Lt. JG Kaitlyn Brennan, Asst. Chief Engineer
Epic read it with a scowl. It might have meant more if she had
considered him enough to say these words to his face. But then, perhaps
she feared that he would be able to sense her insincerity. Or maybe she
was afraid she would laugh in his face again and didn't want to risk her
position. The message smelled like someone trying to keep her job.
But still, she needn't have apologised. What she apologised for was
not what had made him furious. Sighing with a shake of his head, he sat
at his desk. And composed his reply. If she didn't want to talk
face-to-face, he wasn't going to force the issue. He gave Kaede a glance
to insure she was well. Snowball lay on its side, Kaedes ear pressed to
its torso. She smiled listening to its heart.
Epic wrote.
Kaitlyn.
Thank you for your consideration, but an apology, though appreciated,
was unrequired. You showed exemplary character in defence of our
Federations priority order. I hope this mornings incident will not
prevent you from expressing opposing viewpoints in the future. I need
your honest input to insure that all things important to our success are
considered.
Please allow me to apologise for my emotional outburst. It was
inappropriate and unprofessional. I do not feel comfortable explaining
why I reacted the way I did. Suffice it to say that I will not be
affected the same way ever again.
You are an oustanding officer and I am grateful for your service.
Epic
Epic read it back with a blank expression, then sent it.
Then, he looked at Kaede who was looking at him.
{{{Shall we go get Momma now?}}}}, he sent her his thoughts.
She smiled at him and nodded. "Momma.", she said in agreement. Epic
gasped in startled joy as she spoke the first word he had ever heard her
utter.