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Posted on Sat Jun 28th, 2025 @ 7:07pm by Ensign Kitiuas Thenis ie-Jia'anKahr

575 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: Character Development
Location: Shuttlecraft enroute to the USS Sunfire

The shuttle jostled as it left Federation Star Base Serengeti to rendezvous with the USS Sunfire, Astraea murmured and stirred in her sleep nestled against Kit.

"You sure you really want to return to active-duty status in Starfleet, it has only been eighteen months since Drauc was killed." inquired Kasso.

Kit smiled a bittersweet smile. The mention of her late husband still brought pangs of sorrow to her. His death by the Orion Syndicate also made her angry. As if sensing her mother's conflicted emotions, Astraea began to stir and murmur more. Kit began to rock her child back into sleep. "Yes, I'm sure. It is best for Astraea and me. It will allow me to move on and at the same time Starfleet is infinitely more secure from the Orion Syndicate."

Kasso looked at her sister as she gently rocked her niece. By the Thousand Gods, my sister is stubborn as hell. she thought. "Seriously Kit, the Syndicate managed to get to you and Drauc on Serengeti and that is a Federation Space Station."

Kit shook her head, "The Sunfire is a Starfleet Starship, not generally open to just anyone. Must admit I was rather shocked but pleased to find out I was being reassigned back to her when Starfleet reinstated me. The crew is like a second family to me."

Kasso smiled, her sister for a moment seemed to light up as she spoke of the Sunfire, a rare occurrence as of late. "Well, you didn't have to request to be reinstated if you were looking for family. Mother and I were both on the , then there is always Drauc's family on Vulcan. I am sure they would welcome Astraea and you."

Kit had to smile at that statement. Her kid sister was still young and naive about the universe. "Yes, Drauc's family would accept Astraea and me, but insist that their granddaughter be raised in the Vulcan way. Something I am not ready to allow. As for staying on the Serengeti, mother would be smothering of both Astraea and me. Are you having second doubts about coming with me to the Sunfire?

It was Kasso's turn to shake her head. "Hell no, as you well know, someone has to help with the child rearing and babysitting of Astraea. I'm her aunt and most qualified for the job. I happen to agree with mother that she needs family, and by that, I mean Orion female influences. I remember my upbringing on , the Federation and Starfleet are rather rigid in their thinking on raising children."

Kit chuckled at her sister’s statement. “Now Kasso it isn’t that bad. When Astraea is old enough for her education it will be a mix of Orion, Vulcan, with a small smattering of Romulan. She will also be raised right and be a productive citizen of the Federation.”

“All the more reason her Auntie must be here. To see that she eats the right food, doesn’t become a vegetarian like the Vulcans, but most importantly how to be a proper female Orion.”

With a laugh, Kit handed Astraea over to her sister, “Good then, you may babysit her while her mother gets some rest.”

Kasso smiled and took her niece from her sister, allowing her to find some sleep while she could.

 

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