"Exodus"

Posted on Wed May 8th, 2013 @ 4:16pm by Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Commodore Alexandra Harrison

2,830 words; about a 14 minute read

Mission: Mission 82 - The Aggressor
Location: Harrison Quaters
Timeline: After the Pegasus returns from Remu III

"Exodus"

Rachael Yamaguchi
Civilian - Child
Starbase 400

Paul Harrison
Civilian - Child
Starbase 400

Captain Alex Harrison
Commanding Officer
USS Steadfast
-
Chief Tactical Officer
Starbase 400

***** Harrison Quaters - Starbase 400 *****

Racheal Yamaguchi was sitting in the middle of the living area,
crosslegged with her hands on her knees, facing palms up as
she looked the very picture of serenity in all areas except one,
the look on her face.

She opened her eyes. "Ahh... I still can't get it..." she sighed
softly. "I can't control my emotions while trying to meditate."

Paul observed, "You had me fooled. You look like you easily did."

"I am twelve... I know I make it look easy..." she indicated the
floor before her. "Okay... would you say you had an anger
management issue?" she regarded him with a gentle smile,
the kind she had seen her siblings and parents use when
delivering bad news.

Paul shook his head, "Not that I am aware of."

Racheal gently placed a hand on his massive shoulder. "Mind if
I put my counceling hat on?" she inquired. "My family are all very
close and there are few secrets between my kin... but I'm going
to share with you a lot... you won't like it but.." she paused as she
considered what she was going to say. "Paul, you seem to repress
your anger the way Vulcans do, I'm empathic... I inherited some of
my mothers gifts... I can sense strong emotions and I feel it in
you... the conflict... the need for control of oneself."

"Really? Are you sure you're not sensing something else? I mean,
I don't feel conflicted. Like I said, I'll never be like my dad."

"Your goals are noble but.... they are stiffling your development..
as for me... I'm the exact oposite of you, I indulge my emotions
and feelings...."

"Well, they do say that opposites attract." He joked. "Look Racheal, where you are from, I'm sure they accept that kind of thing. But we're not Hallian like you. Humans think that it isn't acceptable to show your anger outwardly. They think when you do that you are a hothead and need anger management. I want to be a Starfleet Officer and I don't want to be known as a hothead. No one will want me on their ship."

Racheal looked at him, her eyes locked with his. "Paul... you repress it." she
commented. "You say you won't turn into your father..." she paused as she looked away. "I..." she paused.

He gently turned her head back to him, "You what? You can say anything to me, you know that." He reassured her.

Racheal looked at him. "Was he abusive to you?" she inquired gently. "I realize its not my busness..." she hesitated as she was suddenly intimidated. "but I'm concerned... you try so hard to earn your mom's approval."

He frowned, "My father was never abusive to me but he was to my mom, mostly verbal abuse. I only saw them together a few times when I was older but I was too young to remember the earlier times. But he never had a good thing to say about her or to her and I'm not trying to get her approval, I already have it. I guess I just want to be respectful when it comes to her because she deserves it. I want her to see that he didn't rub on me."

Racheal sighed softly as a smile appeared on her face. "Oh good." she responded. "Thats good to know... but don't forget that we don't know each other that well..." she turned her head. "Someone is approching." she added but she did not move.

"That's probably my mom. It's about time she got home." Paul chuckled,
"Relax, you look like you are about ready to see a ghost." He got up and went to the door. When it opened, his mother was surprised to see Paul standing right there.

"Paul!" Alex hugged him, "Ooh, I missed you." As she was hugging him, behind Paul, she saw a young girl, "Are you going to introduce me to your friend?"

Paul turned a little red, "Um, this is Racheal. We've been...um...hanging out with each other while you've been gone."

"I see." Alex walked in the rest of the way and approached the little girl in her living room, "Hi Racheal, I'm Alex."

Racheal by now had moved so she was standing up. "Hello Alex. I'm happy to meet you at last... " she smiled up at the larger woman who almost towered over her yet she wasn't intimidated in the least as the two shook hands in the human greeting "I come with an open heart and hands." she added in Hallian. "Paul and I were discussing family.. He handled meeting my siblings well... especaly Beth.." she then grinned up at the other woman.

"He did? Wow Paul, you've certainly been busy. Well. I'm glad you found a friend. It's really nice to meet you. So, who is your mother? Alex inquired.

Racheal looked up at the imposing woman who was getting into her space.
"Lt Commander Torilla Yamaguchi." she responded. "General pain in various body parts.." she added. "Well Paul here has been showing me around the base and generaly keeping me out of trouble.." she paused. "May I help myself to the replicator?"

"Sure." She continued to talk, "Your mom was on the Essex with Admiral T'Lar. I haven't met her yet but I'm sure I will at some point."

Racheal moved over to the replicator as she ordered herself a glass of water, she lifted the beverage to her lips as she drained the contents in one lenghty
swig. "Mmm.." she smiled. "Well Paul survived my sister hitting on him..." she
chuckled softly.

"Your sister hit on him? Your sister has good taste." Paul rolled his eyes at her comment. "I always knew he was a stud" she joked.

Racheal chuckled softly. "Well Beth is more aggressive then I am.... her luck with men is also extreamly lousy... her last boyfriend was... how do I say this?" she inquired. "Less then honorable... he tried muscling her around, she made him eat concrete and a plate glass window. My parents taught us well." and with that she smiled. "As Paul observed a few days ago on the holodeck."

"A girl after my heart." She chuckled, "So what exactly were you doing in the holodeck?"

"I was showing him one of my various programs." Racheal explained. "We came across an undead monster and... well I broke it."

"Ah, I see." She looked over at Paul, "So how did you do Paul?"

He shrugged, "Let's just say that I have a lot to learn."

"Well, don't feel too bad about it Paul. There are plenty of people to teach you." Alex reassured him.

"I know" was all Paul said. Alex attention went back to Racheal, "So Racheal, how old are you?"

"I'm twelve years old... physicaly Hallians develop faster then human women... so I'm actuly closer to fifteen or sixteen." and with that she smiled.
"Paul... you ever thought of enrolling in a martial arts class?" Racheal inquired. "You are a natural... you have the discipline already and mental control is so rare to find..."

"I thought about it but I haven't tried pursuing it." Alex turned back to Paul, "If you really want to, I think it's a good idea."

Racheal sipped her drink as she looked at Paul and then at Alex. "Umm Alex.." she felt funny addressing this woman by her name rather then 'ma'am'. "My mother could teach Paul far better then I could... I do not have that ability yet." she explained quietly as she then polished off her glass of water.

"I wouldn't expect you to either. Sometimes it is better to have someone who isn't emotionally connected to the student. Thus why I haven't taught him myself. Let's just not assume that she'll do it. It's best to ask first."

Racheal smiled up at the older woman. "Oh absolutely. You're right... because I am emotionally involved here.." she paused as she turned a deep shade of dark brown. "Paul... you here?" she inquired as she noticed he had gotten very quiet.

"Yeah, still here. I just figured that I'd continue sitting here and acting like I'm not in the room." Alex frowned, "I'm sorry. You're right. We are talking as if you aren't here."

Paul stood up, "If and when I decide to, you'll be the first to know."

Racheal said nothing as she watched him because honestly, there was nothing she could say to him but she decided to try. "Paul, you weren't chipping into the conversation.." she replied. "I'm normaly the one who gets interogated because i'm the outsider.. " she turned back to Alex. "Which feels weird mind you... I keep waiting for it..."

"Oh, did you want me to interrogate you? Okay, let's see, what are your intentions when it comes to my son. Don't you think that you might be a little young for him? While your at it, give me name, rank and serial number." She broke out with a chuckle.

"Well I was expecting the interogation." Racheal answered with a sly smile.
"A little young is best held in the eye of the beholder and as for name and rank." she chuckled. "Fleet Admiral Racheal Yamaguchi... kneel before me."
the last she clearly added on after the fact and clearly Racheal had a good sense of humor. "Wait.. do Captains kneel?" she paused. "Aww well it was a nice idea." she added a moment later. "Besides... it could always be worse...It could be Beth who's viseting and not me..." Racheal chuckled softly. "She's crazy..."

"Crazy huh? Gee, I hope it doesn't run in your family." She laughed, "I'm kidding. I like you kiddo. Paul, don't let this one go."

Paul nodded, "Yeah, she's a keeper." He went to his room to change his clothes.

The term 'She's a keeper' was lost on Racheal but it was unimportant in the grand scheme of things. "Well.. I try to be memorable...hopefully I won't be
too challenging to deal with..."

"Don't worry about that. I like a challenge once in a while." Alex smiled.

Racheal raised an eyebrow as she looked at Alex. "A challenge?" she inquired as she looked at Paul. "I'll try not to take up too much space on the sofa."

Alex was happy to hear her say that she would sleep on the couch, "The couch is quite comfy. I would hope that you and Paul show some restraint."

Racheal knew exactly what Alex was talking about when she made her statement, she finished her glass of water as she considered her thoughts. "Alex... I'm not quite ready for that just yet... besides... I only met Paul a couple of weeks ago.." she explained. "Rushing isn't a good idea."

"Good to hear you say that. But Paul on the other hand is getting to that age that he will want to explore things. You may have to be the more mature one." Alex couldn't believe that she just said that to her.

Racheal gently took the Captain's hand in her own. "Paul and I will be fine.. we'll face the issues that come up together..." she smiled up at the larger woman. "Besides.. Paul is a gentleman and I don't want to ruin him...well not yet anyway.." she added the last statement as a joke.

Chuckling, "Yes, that would not be a good idea." She became serious again, "Just remember, with sex comes responsibility. But if you don't want the responsibility, enough said."

Racheal smiled up at the older, larger and wiser woman. "Indeed... but since Paul and I just met not too long ago... I don't want to rush it..." she smiled. "I'd like to enjoy my time here... for however long it'll be."

"Good. You have a good head on your shoulders Racheal." Paul walked out in a different outfit, "I hope my mom here isn't giving away all of my secrets." He looked at his mom, wondering what they talked about.

"No... its more like my not wanting problems to arise." Racheal responded.
"Don't worry about it though... " she turned back to Alex. "If it were Beth here... then you'd have to worry but... I'll be fine... I'm too young for it anyway." and with that she gave Paul a smile which said a great many things

"Okay. That's good enough for me."

Racheal looked up at Alex as she smiled. "I promise to behave..."

"I know you will. I'm not worried one bit." Alex assured her.

Racheal drained the last of her drink. "You have faith in me.... since you have just met me, I'm not sure if I should be thrilled or terrified..." she smiled up at the older woman standing before her, clearly Racheal had an aggressive sense of humor. "I'm sure Paul will keep me in line..." she looked at Paul. "He can help me with my homework and I can teach him the skills I was raised with.... besides... it'll be nice to share it with someone for a change.."

"I'm sure it will be. Be thrilled that I can tell that you are true to yourself. I'm sure your mom trained you right."

Racheal smiled. "Alright..." she responded evenly "Well... on saying homework... I'd better go sort out the old ball and chain... " and with that, she sighed as clearly, she hated homework.

"Good idea." Was all Alex would say.

Racheal went over to the door as she plucked her pack off of the floor and she went over to the nearby table. "tonight's subject, military history." she sighed. "world war 2."

"Those are very important things to learn. If you need help, let me know." Alex offered.

Racheal smiled. "Thanks... I'll need it..." her smile then faded. "I read something about the Holocaust... just the name sounds... evil." she paused. "I'm not sure I want to know about that...."

"It is a sad part of our history but it happened. We can learn by the mistakes of others."

Racheal shivered. "My fathers people... a people of great compassion, great passions and great violence... one wonders how they survived..." she admitted.
"but I am glad they did..." she paused a second time. "they achieved so much for they made peace with themselves and their natures and they helped build the federation... and they did all of that in less then three centuries.. where as most other empires take far longer..."

Alex nodded, "I feel the same way. It is amazing that we ever made it to the 24th century."

Racheal nodded as she looked over at Paul and then back to Alex. "Will humanity continue to succeed?" she inquired. "or will they stumble and loose their way?" she raised an eyebrow. "time will tell... sooner or later.."

"Most definitely. If it does happen, hopefully it'll happen after I'm gone." She joked.

Racheal looked up at the older woman. "perhaps.." she commented with a smile. "we shall see..."

"Yup." Alex nodded. "Better get to that homework."

"Yeah" Racheal commented as she went over to the door and picked up her pack, then she helped herself to the replicator, she then brought her things to the table as she sat down, she opened her pack as she sighed softly as she pulled out a textbook which clearly looked like it had been used. "Mmm... Pearl Harbour."

"December 7, 1941" Alex said to herself. She was surprised that she still remembered certain things like dates.

Racheal nodded. "Yes... they missed the USS Enterprise by less then eight hours." she sighed softly as she regarded the older woman. "It was generally
believed at the time... that had they caught the American carriers that the
war would have been lost.... but using that rationale... how do you explain the battle of the Taiwan Straights a century later.... the USS Ronald Reagan and her entire fleet was destroyed by a Chinese and Russian force that outnumbered the entire American Pacific Fleet almost three to one...?" she inquired. "and the US led Alliance won that war.... if you can call the victory a victory.." she said the last eight words with a dark, ironic tone.

"Good question." Racheal was impressed by her knowledge. History was never her strong point as she sighed. "Well... I'd best get on with this homework if I want to pass this class..." as she produced a second textbook, this was clearly a family heirloom item that had been passed down through a few generations as she produced a large PADD, this one was armored so it was clearly designed for lugging around in backpacks and the like.

Rachael took a sip of her drink as if fortifying herself for the task ahead. "Be kind, great spirits..." she said quietly as she started her work.

***** Here's where the fun begins - Anakin Skywalker *****

RSS Feed