Brothers

Posted on Mon Oct 17th, 2022 @ 3:48pm by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Sickbay

Soran entered Sickbay and entered Nick's room with a small package and thermos. He set things up on a small table near the bed.

"Hey Nikey, you wanted to see me?"

The boy had been dozing in bed but his eyes shot open when he heard Ren and an uncertain smile appeared on his face. "Ren? I am so sorry." He whispered suddenly shy. "I didn't mean it, I meant none of it."

"Among my people when two soldiers have a disagreement, they resolve it over a glass of spirits and vortak. I believe you'd call that a pound cake." Soran explained. "Your not cleared for alcohol so I've got spiced hot cider and pound cake."

The young man really grinned now making him look even younger. "I was so sick of myself that I took it out on you. I didn't know what to do. I still don't really. I think they are giving me some sedatives after all, the biggest panic is just dulled now."

"We'll talk about that in a minute," he hand him a mug of cider and a piece of the cake. "We are here to make peace, so we share our rations."

Soran clinked his mug against Nick's, "we both said things we shouldn't."

The boy nodded. "I feel so ashamed." He said softly. "I overheard Tasin speaking to his dad about going on this mission and I was so anxious to prove myself that I begged him to take me with him. He did not want to at first." He hung his head again. "I behaved like a coward, Ren."

"We all have our breaking points; you are not weak and you are not a coward." Soran said calmly. "Remember that we were on holiday in Melbourne you saw the scars on my chest. You asked me what happened and didn't answer, I think you have a better idea what happened to me now. I was broken too."

Nick looked at him with unbelief. "You would never break under interrogation. I told them everything I knew, I begged them to stop. I would have let them hurt Tasin if they only stopped the pain." He had not told anyone yet.

"You had dark thoughts at a dark time, you were being tortured. They didn't hurt Tasin or Melor because of you, it'snotyour fault." Soran said, he was holding back tears. "The ones who to tortured me did so out hate, they had questions. If they had interrogated me I don't know what would have happened."

"Oh Ren." Nick moved forward to touch his brother's hand. "I am so sorry. I don't want you to have to think about that again. Was that when they sent you to Tony after that?"

"No, I escaped and spent some time on Starbase 235 in their Psych Ward.I didn't know what to do with myself. You're Uncle Wain convinced to join Starfleet, I relapsed while I was serving with Tony. Soran paused for a moment. "I can talk to your family if you'd like to go to Starbase 235 they'd take good care of you. I think they'll want you closer to them, but it might be easier to heal with a little distance from them."

"No, I really don't want to go to a psychiatric hospital." Nick said. "Maybe it would be good to stay with grandad. I am afraid that uncle Wain is never going to speak to me again... otherwise I would maybe ask if I could spend some time with aunt Denise. I know she has helped dad in the past."

"Your Grandfather means well, but he doesn't understand what's happening here. You need to make your own choices, not have him make them for you." Soran said.

"It is so sad for granddad though that he has no male heir to make him proud. It is so hard on granddad." Nick said with obvious love for the old man.

"Young man," Soran sternly. "That sentiment is an insult to both your mother and your sister, your grandfather's ideas are outdated and dangerous. The most courageous thing you can do now is to make decisions for yourself. You've always wanted to serve others; the Marines are just one way to do that."

He sipped his cider. "As for starbase 235 it's not just a psychiatric hospital though they have amazing rehab services for combat veterans, they helped the Angosian veterans."

"I really don't want to go to a hospital, Ren. I would hate it, and feel like a prisoner..." He glanced at Ren. "you don't think aunt Denise would help me because of me putting Tasin in danger?"

"If anything she'll be mad at Tasin for putting you in danger." Soran chuckled. "She loves you Nick, nothing that happened down there was your fault. I know it's to accept that, but it's true."

"So do you think she would take care of me for a while? I could do that, but not a hospital. I can't do a hospital. Not with real combat veterans."

"You are a real veteran! As real as they come." Soran said solemnly, 'I'll fight anyone who says different. Even you. I'll have your mother contact your aunt Denise. I'm going to have a conversation with your grandfather."

"Don't be mean to grandfather, Ren. You know he always means well."

"Civility goes both ways," he said. " If he wants civility and respect he'll have to show some respect to me. Now I'll do my best to remain civil."

"Good. Because you know you will only wind him up when you don't. That's a big part of the reason you and he don't get along mostly."

"I'll go call him now," Soran smiled.

"Tell me how it went and have mum call aunt Dennie soon please."

"I will," he said. "Why don't you call your mom and tell her you want that done yourself, she loves you and she's worried."

"Nah. I will wait a bit with that. I know I have dissapointed her. She will never say so but she thinks like granddad."

"No she isn't, she's furious with your grandad right now." Soran shook, "it's a mess."

"Really? I know dad will understand me. But are you sure about my mum?"

"I'm positive, you'll always be her child, she upset to see your hurting. She wants the comfort you like a mother should."

"I will think about it." Nick said thoughtfully.

"I'll keep your sister at bay till you have ready to talk to her," he chuckled.

"Thank you. I know she loves me but she is too much for me right now." Nick said honestly. The perfect grandchild, if only Tony had been a boy.

Tag

*********

Why do return to his office it's office and point in his command code into the COMM. He waited for Moxley to answer.

"That is about time. How dare you block my communications!" It was clear the old marshal had been stewing for a while.

"I'm simply enforcing the orders I have been given, address any questions about that to my superiors." Soran said calmly.

The Angosian looked the man in the eye and took a sip of coffee and kept a neutral expression. "A good deal of what's been going on here is classified. I'm not authorized to tell you very much, but I will cooperate if I can."

"Bullshit! Richard would never block my communications with my family. And I still have clearance. I am still a starfleet advisor. And you kept me away from talking to my grandson." Moxley was fuming.

"You are not in my command chain, you may consult with Starfleet, but without orders from my superiors; I don't have to work with you. Soran spoke in a straightforward professional manner. We both know I receive no such orders, so this call is a courtesy. The only power you have in the situation is soft power. Which requires courtesy and respect, both of which I am showing you right now."

"What does it gain you to keep me away from my on Captain Kerryly grandson! A boy I love dearly."

"Your love for your grandson is not in question, Sir. Nick has a no contact order, there are no exceptions in it." Soran sighed. "It really isn't personal, Nick is in a fragile place right now. The only reason I've seen him is that I'm chief of security and security was needed."

"Why was security needed? And I trust he can see his mother and sister."

"Security is involved because hes on suicide watch," Soran explained. "He has refused to see Aleck or Tony."

Moxley blinked. "But he asked to talk to me, Soran. Don't you think it is important if he is on suicide watch?" It was clear to see the anger build in the old man.

"I already told you this isn't up to me," Soran said. "I simply enforced the order my captain and the patient's parents put in place. I know we've never seen eye to eye, but I figured you'd understand and expect me to do my duty."

"Don't bullshit me boy. You did this! Your captain would not have put this in place without you breathing down his neck! Alexandra would not keep me from my grandson and you are putting his mental health in danger if you keep me away from him because you are a spineless creepy little shit."

"You flatter me Moxley, you really think I have that kind of pull with the captain?" Soran smirked, he tried being civil. "You really think the 'spineless creepy little shit' could manipulate your family? Wow you have a high opinion of them. How's this for having a spine?"

"I will stand by whatever decisions the family makes, consuming Nick and you should do the same. I will continue to follow the orders I have been given, if Nick's parents or the Captain clear Nick to talk to you I will comply. Oh and we have your little pet Drew in custody, so don't get any more ideas."

"I am the head of this family! Not Richard! And Drew does not work for me. I happen to agree with you that he is a weasel. Now get me my grandson!"

"Federation law says otherwise and start with regulations say otherwise." Soran stated. "I find it interesting you haven't attempted this head of the family stuff with Richard or Aleck… Or maybe you did and they've already told you to kick rocks. The point is I am not the obstacle you're facing in talking to your grandson."

"I have not been able to talk to my daughter or son in law either. You sick bastard. I knew you were shit but that you are using an innocent boy in your vendetta is beyond dispicable. His therapist thinks he should talk to me, he wants to talk to me and you are keeping the only person he wants to see away from him. how sad are you."

"I am sad," Soran said calmly. "I'm saddened that you can't see your family for the strong, intelligent, independent people that you helped mold. It's sad you think of yourself as the family's dictator, that you can't handle the idea that they might know what's best for them. If you take a moment to stop insulting me, I'm willing to show you some good faith."

After some under his breath grumbling he actually shut up.

"I'm going to give you a transmission code that will patch you through to Captain Carey." Soran sighed. "I can't guarantee that he will allow you to speak to Nick. He has more security clearance to what's happening than I do at the moment. This is a violation of the orders I've been given, I'm sticking my neck out for you. Don't make me regret it."

Moxley was about to say something but bit it back, he really needed to help his grandson. "Alright, for Nicky."

"Thank you General, will there be anything else?" Soran asked in a respectful tone.

"No." Wagnor being polite and respectfull completely threw him off balance.

"We don't see eye to eye on a great many things, We call some of the same people family. I will do everything in my power to see that my family is and I can see that you'll do the same. I am dating your granddaughter I have not and will not ask your permission. I have Richard and Aleck's blessing your blessing will be appreciated, but not necessary."

"I do not like you dating Antonia, and you know it. You are disrespectful as even Richard respects me as the head of this family and you are not making a good impression on me and you never have. And if you ever hurt my granddaughter." He caught himself. "Well you know."

"Respect given is respect earned," Wagnor sighed. "I will call you General if you insist but I am not in your chain command."

"It's a start." Moxley grumbled.

"Wagnor out" Soran said.

The Angosian leaned back in his chair and sighed. 'That old bastard will be the death of me,' he thought.