Before I begin this chapter, I wanted to share some sad news with you all. On December 14th, 2013, I received word that my maternal grandfather, Alvis Thompson Sr. (I called him "Papa-Papa" in response to him calling me "Carey-Carey" ["Carey" being my middle name]) passed away a year ago.

The reason I only learned of this now was because of a lack of communication between my mother's family in 29 Palms, California and my own in Yuma, Arizona due to various private family-related factors on both sides. Please keep me and my family in your prayers during this difficult time in our lives.

-William Raymer

30 Worlds, Episode VI: "Charlie's Good Fortune"

CHAPTER ONE

William was in the transporter room with Rocky, CeCe, Alex, Sgt. Calhoun and Candace when Sofia ran into the room, her face ashen.

"William, I just received a Priority-Omega message from Yen Sid," Sofia said. William stopped his pre-deployment checklist and turned to look at Sofia. "What is Priority-Omega?" Rocky asked. "Someone close to William's adopted family has died," Calhoun said.

"Who is it?" William said. "Your father—or at least, the man you know as your father," Sofia said. William fell to his knees and began to cry. Even though he now knew of his true Enchancian heritage, William still held intense feelings for the people he knew in "the real world."

"I'm sorry, William," Sofia said. "Thank you, Sofia," William said as they embraced. "I know how you feel," Sofia said. "I've never told you—or anyone—this, but when my father died twelve years ago, I felt the same way you are now."

"Sgt. Calhoun, take over command of the away team," William said as he began to remove his equipment belt and stored it back in its locker. "Aye, sir," Calhoun said. "On behalf of the crew, I would like to offer my condolences on your loss. Your adopted father raised a great man."

"Thanks, Tamora," William said as he and Sofia walked out of the transporter room.

A couple of hours later, William and Sofia were in the ship's lounge, which William had taken to calling "Totoro's Tree," after the Japanese animated film character. "What can I get you two?" Jeremy said. "Something non-alcoholic, but strong," William said. "Make it a double," Sofia said.

"I have just the thing," Jeremy said. "Just let me whip it up." As Jeremy turned to gather ingredients, William looked at Sofia. "Sofia, I want to thank you for standing by me during this. You didn't have to, though," he said.

"William, I am your fiancee," Sofia said. "It is my job to stand by you through the good times and the bad. As it is yours to do the same for me."

"Sickbay to Totoro's Tree," a voice called out. "This is Jeremy. Go ahead, Isabella," Jeremy said. "Are William and Sofia there?" Isabella asked. "We're here, Isabella. What's going on?" William asked.

"I was running a scan of the DNA signatures of all known A.I.C. members, and came across something that I think you should see," Isabella said. "We're on our way," Sofia said. "Sofia, out."

William turned to Jeremy. "Keep working on those drinks, Jeremy. I have an eerie feeling that we'll be needing them," he said. "Will do, William," Jeremy said. William left the Totoro's Tree as Jeremy began to mix the drink.

In the Enterprise's Sickbay, Isabella was double-checking the results of her scan when William and Sofia walked in. "What's the word, Isabella?" William asked.

"William, during my scan, I found a direct familial DNA match between a member of the A.I.C. and a highly-placed member of the Enterprise crew," Isabella said.

On the display screen near where William, Sofia and Isabella were standing, two DNA signatures appeared. William turned away from the monitor as markers on the two signatures became linked by tracer lines. "You've gotta be kidding me!" Sofia said.

"What's wrong, Sofia?" William asked. "Remember when I told you about that sorcerer that kept trying to steal my Amulet back at Royal Prep?" Sofia asked.

"Yeah, I remember," William said. "Lord 'Cee-dric,' right?" "Yeah, that's the one," Sofia said. "Well, look who Cedric's son is."

William turned around to see the name of the highly-placed member of the Enterprise crew who matched Cedric's familial DNA. William felt queasy, then gasped out "Ced...Ced...Cedric's my father?!" William then fell to the deck when he saw the legend next to the DNA strand: "Edwards, W."

::TBC::

Author's Note: You'll have to forgive me for the shortness of this chapter for reasons mentioned in the note at the beginning of this chapter. I just don't have the time or inclination to work on long chapters when I have news like that to deal with. I promise that the next chapter will be quite longer than this one.