Bump in the Night

Posted on Sat Nov 25th, 2023 @ 12:48am by

1,851 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission 1: Campor III - Resupply
Location: Officers' Lounge
Timeline: MD15

Kas's eyes snapped open and gasped. He felt a  dull pain in his abdomen, he was in his quarters on the Columbia… It was 0515.. He'd transport back to Campor at 900 hrs. This was the compromise he'd to stay on duty while he was recovering from his fight with Kormak. He couldn't remember what he was dreaming, but with the memories his talk with Komak had brought to his mind, he was pretty sure he knew… He got up and left his room. He quietly moved to Keena's room and opened her door, she was sleeping peacefully. 'At least she was back in her own bed' he thought, she had insisted sleep him for the last couple of nights. He had put his foot down late at night, as much as he loved her, sleeping next to a flailing child wasn't helping him heal. He was surprised she slept through the night and closed the door quietly. He put a note on the table to let her know he'd be in the Ten-Forward.

The lounge was quiet as Kas walked in, he ordered a hot cup of coffee and found a seat by a large window where could look at the stars. After the carnage he'd seen and his brush with death, he was filled with bitter nostalgia. He thought about the war he'd fought in his youth and the people he lost… His people believed those we lose are reborn in the stars, at times like this he wanted to believe… If they could see him now what would they say? This is why he hated waking early; it gave him too much time to think. He looked at the PADD he'd brought with him, he was updating his affairs. He needed to assign a guardian for Keena. 

In the Lounge was a small redhead, occupying a small corner of a small table. She, too, was having trouble sleeping, and so, she'd asked the Turner's oldest child to sit with Leena while she read in the Lounge. She looked up as each new person filed in; trained to be alert, she always was. Nothing caught her fancy, though, so she just sipped the tea and listened to the quiet conversations of the overnight crew going about their work days. In another corner, the late-night party crew were winding down, soon to be pouring themselves into their racks. She'd see them tomorrow, she knew, hungover and regretful. 

This new entrant caught her attention-mostly because she grew concerned about who was sitting with his child. Quietly, she stood up, and got her tea, placing the book she was reading under her arm. Most people preferred to read from PADDs. Feeva preferred old-fashioned tomes, something she could feel and touch. 

She sidled up to Kas's table. 

"Who's with Keena?" She asked. 

"She's asleep, I left her a note to call me if she wakes," Kas said. "I guess you couldn't sleep either?"

Feeva reserved a comment about how dangerous it was to leave a child alone, even a sleeping one. Instead, she nodded. "Yeah," she said. "But Connor Turner is sitting with Leena," she said. "Or lying, I guess, he's sleeping on the couch," she said. "I know we're on a Starship, but don't you think it's a bit dangerous to leave her alone, even asleep?" She asked. She settled in, even though she hadn't been invited. 

Kas smiled at Feeva and took a moment before answering, "we are Quath'Mar. Our vessel is our home. Because we were born and raised on space vessels, we accept that our world is dangerous and teach our children to navigate danger."

Kas gave her a knowing smile, "However knowing my daughter, I can make my back to my quarters in a few minutes."

Fee stared at him. "Vissians also believe that children shouldn't be sheltered, but there's a difference between teaching a child that the world can be dangerous, and setting her up for that," she said. She sighed. She didn't want to argue. "There's plenty of people here who are willing to watch the kids," she said. "You really have NO ONE that will help?" Feeva asked. She was trying to understand, trying to not judge. Men also were different, so she had to keep it in mind.

"I ask for help when I need it, it will be fine." Kas quipped.  "I'm updating my last wishes, I need to make sure Keena is taken care of if something happens... I don't want my father's family to have any say."

Feeva nodded. "That's smart. Leena's lucky that her paternal grandparents are involved," she said. "And me Dad," she said. "Who's your closest family friend? Certainly not the Klingons here?" She asked. She tried not to judge but frankly, her opinion of the "separatist" Klingons wasn't high. They were brutes, in her opinion, and really could stand to see more of the outside world. She looked up at the server. "Can I have another Deka tea, please?" The Bajoran tea was among her favorite-lightly spiced, a little sweet. Hands down better than the Chamomile-like tea of her home planet. "Anything for you?" She asked Kas. "If I may...sometimes we aren't aware that we need help until after we need it," she said. 

He smiled "I'm thinking Bella Rodriguez, she and her family spent time among my people and Keena thinks of her as tribe. She's a bit young to be saddled with a child, so I'll do my best to stay around for a while."

Feeva snorted... "That would be best, yes," she said. "As I plan to, for Leena," she said. "I am going to bring my father aboard as soon as the paperwork is done, which will help. I HATE leaving Leena with the Turners or other crew, even though they're willing," she said. "And yes, Miss Rodriguez is young. But she seems to understand Keena well. I've spoken with her a few times," she said. "Keena listens well to her," Feeva said.

Kas looked at her for a moment remembering something Feeva had said when she had chided him after his duel with Kormak. "It must be a cultural difference, but something you said when you were rightfully scolding me after my fight with Kormak puzzled me. You said when your passes you'll be alone. I guess my culture has a different view of family. Our terms don't translate into Federation Standard. Family and Tribe are the closest you can get. Family is a matter of genetics, but deep are the people you choose. Now when your father returns to the stars, there will be people in your life that you call Tribe. In that way, Tribe is more important family the Turners seem to love you and your daughter. Keena thinks of Leena as Tribe therefore so do I, you need a Tribe my friend, and some people will gladly help you with that."

Feeva nodded. "I am familiar with the concept," she said. "And I understand it. It's outside of my culture, but I do like the idea. I appreciate your help. I would enjoy that," she said. "I know that it takes a village, as they say, to raise a child. So as many adults that Leena has is better," she said. She paused a moment. "And same for Keena," she said. "Let me help you. Both of you, but YOU especially. I won't tell anyone you left alone if you come to see me more regularly. Even just a meal and a chat, it doesn't need to be formal. But I can help you to figure out the parenting thing. It DOES get easier," she said. 

"That sounds good," Kas smiled. "A meal now and then sounds nice..." He hesitated. "The first night I came back to ship after that duel Keena wouldn't sleep in her bed. She ended up sleeping with me, then I was having trouble sleeping with a small child who kept flailing around in my bed. Thank Gods she's been sleeping through the night... I wish I was."

Feeva smiled. "She was worried about you," she said. "Though she did her best to hide it. You've trained her to be a good warrior," she said. "You haven't been sleeping? Tell me about that," she said. She sipped the tea in front of her, looking at him. "Dreams?" She asked, gently. "Sometimes our subconscious brains respond differently than our conscious mind does." 

Kas looked out at the stars, he found himself thinking of his childhood. He was grateful to be able to raise his child on a Federation vessel, but he was struggling with how to keep their traditions alive while living here. He'd been dreaming of the past… The last couple nights he'd been visited by his Stepfather and Stepbrother… His Stepbrother Tura had died at the battle of Omoga… they had been fifteen… Some nights he could still see Tura engulfed in flames… He'd close his eyes, but the smell overcame his nostrils and he'd never forget the screams…

Kas sighed, he wasn't ready to voice his night terrors, so... "Though we are part Klingon, I have not focused on the warrior part of our culture. What you've seen in Keena is Quth'Kiaa, it's a form of acceptance of what we can't control." Kas explained. "We teach our children from the time they can walk to go about our lives as normally as possible, during times of danger. Life in the Void requires this, it seems strange, even cruel at times, however, it is how we've survived."

Feeva nodded. "I have recognized it, yes. And there's some truth to that-keeping routines helps your brain to heal. However, not dealing with emotions can be damaging, particularly to children. There needs to be a good balance between what is culturally accepted and what is factually good for the mind," she said. "I understand your people value honor. But I think it's honorable to recognize that you don't need to be strong ALL the time-that letting other people help you carry a burden is just spreading knowledge," she said. "You no longer need to just survive. You can LIVE now." She fell quiet again-finally, she was EXHAUSTED, as if the weight of the world was on her chest. 

Kas looked out the window pondering Feeva's words, he opened his mouth… His Comm badge chirped, the Hybrid tapped it. “Go ahead."

=/\= Commander Razka the fire suppressors just activated in your quarters…=/\= 

“WHAT!?”Kas jumped to his feet and began to run to exit.

Feeva stood to follow him. "I can call ahead," she said, pressing her comms badge.

=/\= Sensors read that the fire is out, Sir. We're sending security=/\=

“I'm on my way, I'll meet them there,” Kas said as he made his way down the hallway to the lift.

Feeva looked at him with a raised eyebrow. "I think YOU need help," she said. "You will be ok," she said. She would reserve the comments about how big of an idiot he was for later. 

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