Down Time Pt 3: Family

Zanda. Steven DeFalco walks into a government building.

"Ambassador DeFalco's office please."

The Zandar receptionist points the way and Steven heads in that direction. He comes to a door marked in Zandii and English "Ambassador Marcus DeFalco" and knocks.

"Come in."

Steven walks in to see a middle aged man with a mustache in a business suit and a woman in a dress.

"Steven! Well, this is a surprise! Martha, you remember my son Steven?"

"Of course. Nice to meet you again."

"Likewise. I was wondering if we could have some time alone dad."

"No problem. Martha, if you please?"

"Of course."

She steps out leaving the two of them.

"I'm surprised you've kept her as your secretary all these years."

"She's the best around. Can I get you something? The Zandar have this drink that tastes a lot like coffee. They call it bentajo."

"No thanks."

"So, you still chief engineer aboard that tramp steamer?"

"It's not a tramp steamer! It's a cargo vessel, that's seen some action."

"Yes, Admiral Keogh contacted me about some of your more colorful missions."

"He told you?"

"I'm an ambassador Steven. I can get any information I want."

"Right."

"So why on a ship like the Strayer. With your knowledge you could be chief engineer aboard one of our newer ships. The Excalibur for instance, or maybe even the Striker."

"I like where I am dad. I didn't come here to argue. The Strayer's going through some refitting and I thought I'd pay you a visit. So, how's mom doing?"

"Wineing and dining the wife of the Zandar President, what else? You know you could even become head of HIT on Deneb."

"Dad! Quit changing the subject."

"Sorry. I just want to see you be sucessful."

"I am successful."

"On some tramp frieghter?"

"Dad!"

"Sorry, force of habit."

****

Gamma Scorpii, New Jrr'kafi colony, Kzatti relocation sector. Mrr'tas and Maverick are in front of the house of Mrr'tas's uncle.

"You sure you want me along?"

"I'm sure my uncle will approve. Besides, your the only non-Kzatti I know who speaks our language."

The door opens and a Kzatti in advanced age stand there. His fur is all white.

"Greetings Uncle Krr'jok."

"Mrr'tas! Oh, Mrr'tas it is so good to see you again! Who's your friend?"

"Greetings to you and your house sir. May it always be honorable. My name is Maverick."

Krr'jok's jaw drops.

"You speak fluent Kzatti. Amazing."

"I have the distinct honor to know your rich language sir. May we enter."

"Certainly. Where did you find him Mrr'tas?"

"Around." she replies with a smirk.

Maverick tells his story about his black ops missions to the former Kzatti homeworld and Mrr'tas's accomplishments. Krr'jok's mate, Mrr'pas has joined them.

"A tir'ka all by yourself? Did you see the blood on her face Maverick?"

"I did ma'am."

"You became an adult that day Mrr'tas. That would have been reason to celebrate in the old days. But they are no more."

"So I've heard."

"I'd feared you were involved in the Rikan Massacre uncle." says Mrr'tas "I was releived that you weren't there."

"I don't surrender to warmongers who wish to only kill. That is my new belief system."

"And an honorable one it is sir." says Maverick

"I never thought I'd be friends with someone from the Federation."

"I hope we can be for years after sir."

"Count on it Mr. Maverick. Count on it."

Krr'jok and Maverick shake arms.

"Come, I'll introduce you to our finest beverage."

"I'd like that."

The End