A Parting of Ways - Part Three

Posted on Sun Dec 20th, 2020 @ 9:51am by Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Lieutenant Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi & Admiral Deela T'Lar

1,727 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 108 – Tragedies, Fortunes, and an Endgame
Location: Various Locations - Starbase 400
Timeline: Set Four days after the Halloween Party - Thirty minutes after the end of Part Two

Gabriel Yamaguchi was meditating in his mothers quarters. It had been good to see her again as he had borrowed her guest bedroom and had opted to remain out from her path. He knew his mother was angry and he had a part to play in matters of state.

Gabe let out a sigh when suddenly a message came in that his presence was requested. He rose to his feet and hoped that the jeans and sweatshirt he was wearing was good enough. Gabe shrugged as there was no sense in wondering what he was wanted for. "I'm on my way sir." and with that, out the door, he went.

Deela waited for Gabe to arrive. She needed to make sure that he'd be able to return to a normal life, well, as normal as a man who finds out his kids are alive. This meeting would determine if Gabe was fit to return in her opinion. There, of course, would be certain conditions he'd have to follow for her personally to return him to active duty. And there was only one way for her to do that and she would be willing to do so. She hoped that this meeting would be uneventful.

Gabe reached his destination a short time later. He recalled what serving in Starfleet used to be about. His spouse was dead and his children were gone. All he had left was his mother and sisters.

Gabe paused a moment to compose himself. He gently tapped the doorchime. Indicating that he was present and wished to be invited into Deela T'Lar's domain.

Deela looked up from her PADD and called out, "Enter." She watched the door open up to Gabe standing there, "Please come in and have a seat." Deela waited for him to sit down.

Gabe walked into the office of the woman that his mother called 'friend'. Gabe knew how his mother's mind worked and she was very particular about who she called 'friend.'

Deela observed him for a moment before speaking, "You must be aware by now that I have been informed as to what had gone down between you and Captain Harrison. You frightened her, which, is very hard to do." She exhaled, "She said that you were hell-bent on getting back at the people whom you believed killed your family. I understand wanting revenge. I have lost two husbands. One by the hand of the Gorn and another one by someone else's hand. At one point, I also wanted to get those responsible back but it would accomplish nothing. And to tell you the truth, I am glad that I did not act on my anger." She watched the expression on his face.

Gabe regarded her in silence. He had not been expecting this when he knew he should have. "Yes ma'am." there was little he could really say on the matter other than agree with her. "I said what I said... But I came here because I wanted to see how my mother and sisters were doing..."

"Are you sure that is the only reason why you came? Captain Harrison suspected that you were looking for something to aid you in getting revenge. Gabe? Let's be honest with each other, okay? I can sense the anger in you and I really need to know where your head is at."

"I wanted to obtain several transphasic torpedoes for use in my revenge," Gabe admitted. "I will admit that my plan was... Lacking in the planning stages... I didn't know that my mother or my sibling were here... When I felt their presence... I... I needed to see them... I had to know they were alright..."
he paused. "I did not expect the confrontation with Captain Harrison... Had I kept focused solely on my original goal... I would have been in... gotten what I wanted and then out... I decided to put that aside..." he paused for a long moment. "My parents and my two sisters are all I have left in this worthless existence... My wife and kids are gone... I have to accept it... Come to terms with it... My only other option is to go back in time and attempt something worse then what I was planning in the first place... Like mom once said... Two wrongs don't make a right."

"No they don't." Deela could see that Gabe could see the error of his ways and that was a good sign. She hoped what she would say next would give him a little peace although it wouldn't bring his wife back, "I found out something that you really need to know. I talked to Jake because I was concerned and wanted to talk to another family member that could shed some light on you. What I did not expect was what he told me next."

Deela got up, went around her desk and squatted next to Gabe, putting her hand on his shoulder, "I cannot bring back your wife. But I can give you some peace of mind. Your children, Nicole, Gideon and Arlene are alive. They are with Jake." She didn't know what to expect next.

Gabe regarded her in silence. "What?" he paused. Beneath the thin veneer of calm, the storm had begun to boil, the ocean waves became white-capped as the wind began to howl. In his mind, the world suddenly turned upside down, all he thought he had known was suddenly untrue.

"My children are alive?" Gabe whispered as he fought to maintain his calm demeanour. All at once, he failed as he covers his eyes with his hand. "I'm sorry Savv... I didn't listen..." he whispered.

She squeezed his shoulder gently, "Something she tried to tell you?" She was there now to listen.

"Savv tried to tell me that understanding was a three-edged sword..." he paused. "The truth would always point to itself." he sighed as he regained control of his emotions. It took him a few minutes as he fought with himself for her self-control. "I will need to... contact dad... make arrangements for my children..."

"That is fine. I am sure that he is expecting you to do so." Deela went back to her chair, "Gabe, there is another matter that I would like to discuss with you. It is about your future."

Yamaguchi sucked in a lungful of air before he looked into the eyes of the woman across from him. "Until ten minutes ago... Before I walked through that door... I had no future..." he paused as he realized just what it was that he owed her. "What would you ask of me?" he asked gently.

"How would you feel about coming back to Starfleet?" Gabe was already a different person than the one who walked into her office, "I have seen your service record. We could really use you, especially now."

Gabe paused, this was an option he had never considered or entertained. "Yes," he answered simply. "Leaving the service... was a mistake," he admitted. "Thank you, ma'am. For letting me have a chance to address it."

"You are welcome. And you have your kids back. They need you to be there for them. Forget about getting revenge for your wife and focus on them and Starfleet. I really think that you need to get some counselling though but it's up to you. When you do this, please don't let me down." She hoped that this would put him back on track.

Gabe nodded his head. "I'll need to make arrangements with dad and it depends on where I will be assigned after I get my uniforms and.... shave..." he paused. "this growth on my face has to go..."

Deela smiled, "Whoa there. Slow down, Gabe. You will have plenty of time to get ready. Torilla is being reassigned to Starbase 47 in approximately a week and a half. I will try to coordinate it with her departure."

"I see," Gabe answered quietly. "Very well. I will likewise coordinate things with mom," he added.

"Sounds good. And if you could do me one more favour, mend fences with Captain Harrison. Do you have any questions? If not, then you are free to go."

Gabe regarded T'Lar. "I think I already did... Captain Harrison went to see my mother... The chat the three of us had was... helpful. I wanted to hurt them... The Typhon Pact from the inside... I was prepared to die in that cause... Making sure the enemy could not utilize the Starbase for anything other than its location... I explained all of this to mom and to Captain Harrison... Had they found out who I was... I was going to make the Starbase go up like a supernova. Which considering its available power supply, its onboard weapons and the like... It would have produced an explosion over almost a hundred teratons." Gabe paused as the knowledge of what he had almost done sank in. "It would have made one hell of a funeral pyre for an entire fleet at anchor... Except I missed my chance because the Pact forces left before I could finish it..."

"I see. Captain Harrison didn't mention that you guys talked. Water under the bridge I guess." Deela sported a slight grin, "Remind me not to piss you off. I would hate to be your enemy." Part of her was joking but the other part of her was not.

"I... I'm too tired to fight anymore Admiral... Part of me knows I need to be there for the kids... But I will be honest... A part of me just doesn't care..." he sighed softly. "All I can do... Is somehow move forward... and Figure out how to raise three children ... alone..."

"You will not be alone." She reassured him, "Once reinstated, I will make sure that you are assigned to Starbase 47 where you and the kids will be with family. Torilla will also be stationed there as well as a few others, eventually. So, the kids will have their father and their grandmother there among others."

Gabe slowly smiled. "I... I appreciate this Admiral... I will not cause you to regret it."

"I am holding you to that." She stood up, "If you need anything, you know where to find me. You may go."

"Thank you Admiral." with that. Gabe rose to his feet and departed in silence.

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