Stardate: 70805:1350
Title: Keeping it in the Family (Part 2)
Author: Scott Deadilus
Time: Current
Scene: USS Horizon, Ready Room


'Because you're my father.'

The words echoed around Scott's head. There was no-one special in his life right now, and he had never even thought about children, so the revelation that Lily was his daughter had caught him off-guard. Not disbelieving her, but instead wanting to seek proof as any rational scientist would, the Captain tapped his combadge.

"Deadilus to Matthews."

There was a short pause before the Doctor acknowledged the Captain's call.

"Ted, I need a favour from you." Scott knew that this encounter had to be kept off the main system, and therefore had to keep Lily out of Medical. "Can you report to the Ready Room as soon as possible. Bring a medical tricorder and sampling kit also."

Again there was a short pause, but luckily for them all Ted's professionalism prevented him from asking any awkward questions.

~

As Autumn continued to oversee the away team preparation along with manning the Bridge for now, Ensigns Ralari and Garrett continued to process the long range scans of the planet they were about to explore. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Kehn continued to monitor the other vessel and keep his people focussed on the tasks at hand and not the ship alongside.

It had been impossible to keep the news of the 'ship from the future' from Mr Erax - the Gateway had been bustling with noise as everyone discussed why they were here, although the true details were known only by a handful of people. Nonetheless, the Federation News Correspondent had eagerly questioned Lieutenant Remmick and Ensign Khalid during their off-duty time, hoping for some hitherto unmentioned snippet of information. The Captain had decreed that contact with the other crew was to be kept to a minimum, but had made no such decree as to the discussion of the other ship...

~

As the door to the Ready Room opened, granting Ted access, the two Captains both looked on. If Ted was shocked to find the other Captain here, it did not show.

"Ted, you're already aware of the rather remarkable story Lily has told us all. However, it would appear that there is more reason to their decision to be here, at this time, than we first knew." Scott continued, elaborating on their recent conversations, until he reached the part where it turned out Ted was facing a father and daughter duo. Although some surprise did register on the face of the CMO, he seemed to take the news in his stride.

"I assume you would like a DNA match then?" Ted questioned, already breaking open the sampling kit. Scott and Lily both nodded subtly. "Fine. Since your DNA is already on file, along with the rest of the crew, I just need a sample from you." Ted motioned to Lily, who simply sat waiting.

Running the tricorder up and down the female Captain, Ted waited a few moments whilst the computer cross-referenced the DNA samples.

"Interesting!" Ted exclaimed before catching himself. "Captain, she is who she says she is. I don't know whether or not to say 'congratulations' mind you..." Ted smiled.

Looking at his unborn and yet late-twenties daughter, the complexity of the situation, and what they all had to lose, hit home just a little bit more.

"Ted, could you take Lily to the unassigned VIP quarters please. Lily, feel free to replicate yourself a new uniform and whatever else you feel may come in useful for your crew. We'll discuss transferring some replicator matter and energy reserves across later." Lily began to protest but the Captain put his hand up to stop her, a gesture she had no doubt come to know meant that there was no negotiating. Acquiescing, she and Ted left the Captain alone.

~

For several minutes after they had left, Scott had simply looked out of the windows in the Ready Room and into the depths of space; the physical universe around him was still the same, but his own one had changed dramatically.

"Ensign Cochran, what is our ETA?" Scott queried as he lowered himself into the Captain's chair.

"Thirty-one minutes at present speed, Sir."

"Good. I trust everyone is ready?" Scott looked at his COO.

"All departments have reported in," Autumn began. "Lieutenant Smith has reported that Security is at full readiness, with off-shift personnel ready to respond should the need arise. Tactical have continued to appraise the other Horizon's abilities..."

"There's no need for that." Given recent discussions, Scott was now more sure than ever that the other vessel would not fire on them. "Have them focus on the planet. However, have either Ensign Sparky and Khalid report to the Bridge to man the Tactical station, and let's ready the away team..."


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Captain Scott Deadilus
Commanding Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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