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"The Season of Change: Reunion" pt 2
by Lowell B
Terra Nova – Eta Cassiopeiae
Conestoga City
Industrial district
"Stop here - HERE!" cried out Larae.
The espresso brunette's voice held the full energy of their mad dash through Conestoga City. Renaldo downshifted and angled the TT Special 650 Triumph motorcycle into the narrow gap between two parked grav-cars along the curb.
The Cadet once again marvelled at how amazing the ancient bike handled and felt. It was aunt Haddy's bike, by way of their uncle Jexe, but more it was the same bike that the two rode on their epic adventure trek through the desert lands of Liebnitz Colony, the Hatlh Plains just outside of Melas. For now it was his, at least until they got back from their mission.
Hitting the kill switch Renaldo kicked out the side-stand and felt Larae bound off the back of the bike with all the grace of a premier gymnast. He suppressed his smile as he felt his heart race again, just as it did when he felt her hands wrapped around his waist while they jetted through the city, ten minutes late for their shuttle ride.
Larae Fey Cross was the of daughter of Owen and Enaid Fey Cross, a Science Cadet extraordinaire, a pool and poker hustler (but don't tell her parents) and probably the straight up funnest person he knew (don't tell her father that either).
Renaldo dismounted the Triumph and removed the keys. A Valet Bot was moving toward them.
"RJ, I'll meet you inside!" Larae flashed him a smiled and raced through the front doors of the shuttle station, her shortly cut espresso coloured hair fanned out as she raced for the building's double doors. Renaldo could feel himself smiling as he watched her sprint. His robin eggs blue skin was a strict contrast against his jet black hair.
[Will you be needing long term parking, sir?] politely asked the Valet Bot.
"Yes," replied the Cadet. He produced his credit chit and touched an edge against the Bot's transaction panel. Had the A.I. been sentient it would have been impressed by the logo on the card.
Cadet Renaldo Dover was the son of Captain Renn, Commanding Officer of the USS Tesla, and Mandy Elizabeth Dover (Starfleet Ret.), heiress and owner of one of the Federation's largest chocolate exporters. One would be hard pressed to guess his species until they learned he was half Human and half Bolian. His handsome face was devoid of the bifurcating ridge that ran vertically through the face and head of his Bolian heritage until one noticed it under his hair line where it ran over his skull and down his back. His eyes were equally as dark as his hair.
Trusting the care of the Triumph to the Shuttle Ports parking droids, the Cadet punched his hands into his leather bomber jacket pockets and made his way towards the entrance doors. He caught his reflection in a panel window as he approached the building. Under his jacket he wore his Second Year Academy uniform with the Red Squad Security designation. The pride he felt was unsuppressed. Despite the privileged life (one could say), he knew he had earned both his place and rank in the squad through sheer hard work and dedication alone.
Because he had taken the last name of his mother, few knew of his relation to his father, or the legacy of the Bonaventure name. But how could he not push himself to be where he was? Considering who he grew up with, and the circle of friends who raised him there were few choices he'd rather take in the path to his future. The Bonaventure was in his blood.
He walked through the double doors of the shuttle port.
"RJ!" Ahead he heard Larae's voice over the mob of people waiting in lines.
RJ. Few people called him that, but Larae was one of them. RJ - Renn Junior. Renaldo. The most cherished memories of his childhood were the summers and holidays spent at the Chateau, the bed and breakfast mansion on Lake George in Upstate New York, Earth. Hell, he practically grew up there, rubbing elbows, learning lessons, getting into trouble and playing with his extended family:
Larae, Piper, Uncle Owen, Aunt Enaid, and Uncle Mike, Marcus and Marie, and Aunt Cass, Caden, Aunt Karen and Uncle Austin, Aunt Haddy, Uncle K, Uncle Luther, Uncle Frankie, Aunt Jhanna and Uncle Charles, and when possible Aunt Kate, Uncle Vril, Admiral Kri, Aunt Tirin and Seleesa. And last, there were holodeck visits with Uncle Kerovan, Aunt T'Val, T'Kay and Elany.
Renaldo made his way through the line to where Larae held a spot for him.
He was old enough now to know that his extended family really weren't his aunt and uncles, or their kids his cousins. He mentally shook his head. No, they were closer, or at least his 'cousins' were more like brother and sisters. They were a tight group, and knew each others secrets, hopes and dreams as they bonded over their shared linage -TheBonaventure.
He remembered summer nights, Thanksgivings and Winter holidays spent listening raptly to the stories told by Aunt Haddy, Aunt Kate, Uncle K - K'Liver, or his father himself:
The Bonnie vs. The Klingons
The Bonnie vs. Admiral Cartwright
The Bonnie vs. The Neural Parasites
The Bonnie vs. the Gorn (in an arena too!)
The Bonnie vs. the Optimums
Or the reserved favourite - The Chronicles of the Taurus Fleet. It was a tale told by all the adults of the extended family. It begun with Uncle Owen and ended with Aunt Cass. She cried at the end, sometimes quietly, and sometimes so much that she couldn't finish, and Aunt Karen did.
Renaldo shivered at the memory.
And always at the family gatherings there was a moment of honour for those who weren't there, those that Renaldo grew up knowing his parents, and friends owed their lives to.
Chief T'Mel
Captain Solkar
Communication's Specialist Kenneth Metcalfe (Aunt Kate's brother)
Junior Senator Lara Cross (Uncle Owen's sister)
Lt. P'Ree (Uncle Owen's first wife)
Medical Yeoman Tara O'Neil (his mother's best and dearest friend)
Yeoman T'Kay
Lady W'Nee
Petty Officer Wexella, and Petty Officer Kess-An - (both his mother's other dearest friends)
Fleet Captain Jexe O'Dag
Admiral Jas VanHorne
The Admiral. VanHorne. Fleet Captain. O'Dag. Though Renaldo had seen their holo images and avatars many times, based on how his extended family spoke of each with a sense of reverence he knew their facsimiles did little justice.
Yes, he had to admit that he was where he was today because of his family - real and extended. He edged himself closer to where Larae stood looking up at the Arrival/Departure board. But he'd be lying to himself if he didn't admit there were other reasons.
When had his feeling for Larae become real? He didn't know, and if he did it didn't matter? All of her thoughts (and gazes) were for Marcus O'Dag, even if she wouldn't admit it to anyone. Marcus with the preternatural eyes. Marcus with the perfect body, and extraordinary strength. And it wasn't that he hated Marcus - there was nothing to hate about him. They were the best of friends. Renaldo fondly remembered their times backpacking through Tellar Prime to the crash site of the original Bonnie (crashed by Larae's father, Owen ironically), to their plans for their band – Fortuna. Marcus was on drums, Caden on vocals and keyboard while he took up bass and the Klingon guitar.
No, he couldn't hate Marcus because Larae wanted him. After all hadn't many of them had their flings growing up? Marie O'Dag was his first love over the summer they were together when he was 14. He remembered his father and Aunt Cass joking about arranged marriages, but in the end it was Marie who broke his heart. Maybe it was for the best. He was young, and inexperienced. What could he have that Marie would want? Marie with her preternatural eyes. Marie with the perfect body and perceptive mind.
He scoffed. He just had to be patient. Marie broke his heart, and in time Marcus would do the same to Larae - and he would he there for her. Stopping next to Larae he could sense there was something wrong. Tracking her gaze he studied the flight status board.
With the Bonaventure-C's Commissioning ceremony only hours away Conestoga City was gripped in the chaos it was causing. The arrival of foreign dignitaries had all transporter hubs overwhelmed as they were now reserved only for the VIP invitees of the event. That left only the local shuttle ports as the only way to make it to the orbital platform high above Terra Nova. Renaldo and Larae only learned this fact on their arrival to the closest hub from where they were staying at their Aunt Haddy's flat, blocks away from the Starfleet Tactical building.
Realizing their plight they rushed back to the flat where Renaldo sent a hastily composed letter to his extended aunt - Lt. Commander Hadleigh Park, away on a mission near Delta - about their intention to borrow her bike. Twenty minutes later after speeding, lane splitting and riding on sidewalks they made it to the closest shuttle port.
"Lar ... what's going on?" asked Renaldo. He tired to make sense of the board. The young Cadet shook her espresso locks.
"No, no, no, this isn't good!" she pointed and he saw what she meant. Ships and other vessels were being relocated and reassign new berthing coordinates to make room for an arriving vessel – the USS Edison.
"Dad's ship, Ren ... he's here!"
The Security Cadet furrowed his brow. "I ... I don't understand?" he said.
"I never told him I made Red Squad. He thinks I'm still on Earth at Starfleet Academy."
"What?"
"You know how protective he is - he's been grooming me for a commission in the Science Division ... on a star base!"
"But ... "
"Oh God, he's going to kill me. Let ... let me just think!"
Lacing her fingers behind her head she glanced upwards in thought, chest out, hips cocked. Renaldo felt himself go breathless off her provocative pose.
*Ancestors ... you're a goddess!* he thought.
She closed her eyes. "Okay ... dad's here, but ... but it can't just be for me."
"Right. If he knew he'd contact you directly."
"Exactly. So ... if he is here, then why?" She opened her eyes and looked at him with her devil-may-care grin.
"I don't know," he answered. "but I bet when we get up there we'll find out."
"Aye that."
Turning back they looked at the stasis board together. Renaldo felt his heart beat faster. If her father was there on the Edison that meant another distinct possibility - Marcus and Marie were with him too.
Cadet Renaldo Dover
2nd year Cadet
Red Squad
Cadet Larae Fey Cross - 1st year Cadet - Red Squad
USS BonaventureNCC-1745-C