"Readying the Fighters" by Lt Arda Kaje SD 47307.17 06:30

Arda left the funeral. She was impassive about them now. A quick thing it was, nothing much. A party afterward. Definitely what some people would call Irish. She was in the mood to mingle. She had kept a close watch on Epic, but, since there were others around him, she had kept her distance. She wasn't much for large crowds.

She headed for the nursery, a small mind conveying how bored she was, calling for her. She entered, the holonanny giving her a programmed smile. Right away, the baby in the room began to gurgle with happiness. Arda lifted her child into her arms and cradled her.

{{{{Dada?}}}} she asked.

{{{{Daddy's busy, sweet.}}}}

{{{{Dada...}}}} Arda smiled, a rare thing for a hurt soul. She turned.

"Computer, deactivate Holographic Nanny Program." The woman in the room disappeared. She walked out.

Once in her quarters, Arda placed Kaede on the floor amongst her baby toys. She amused herself well enough. Arda changed from her dress uniform. She had made her required appearance at the funeral and left early so she could spend time with her child. Was that so bad?

She sat on the floor with Kaede, the two of them having an almost intelligible conversation over their link. Kaede also tried forming the words with her mouth.

"DA," she said.

"That is a cat."

"Ka," the child answered. The Red Alert lights went on. Arda looked up. "Ma...."

"I have to go, Kaede. I'll bring you back to the Nanny."

{{{{No!}}}} Arda was changing as Kaede protested.

"Kaede, I have to. Mommy has work to do."

{{{{No!}}}} Arda tapped her badge, then scooped up her child.

"Lt Arda to all runabout pilots. Meet me in the Main Shuttlebay, ASAP." She closed her badge, headed for the nursery.

{{{{No!}}}} Kaede began to flail her arms.

"Kaede, Mommy has to go to work. You know that."

"NO GO!"

"Kaede!"

"Terrakian to Lt. Arda. I want all Runabouts ready to launch. The second we drop out of warp, we will drop shields for 5 seconds. I want you all in space when that happens." Epic closed the channel.

{{{{DADA!}}}}