Author's Note: I think I may watch Star Trek again haha, I feel really sad that I don't need to watch the movie anymore to write future chapters lol. Anyway, how are you all doing? I hope you all are hanging in there. ^^
Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek! All rights belong to JJ Abrams (movie references) and Gene Roddenberry (TOS references). If there's any grammatical errors or mistakes that you find I hope you can forgive me! Happy reading everyone!
Celestyn has created a group: Operation Infiltration
Celestyn has mass added: NOT HER CREW
Jim: Why exactly are we messaging each other through our datapads?
Celestyn: Because DeLuca's have eyes and ears everywhere in Yorktown now. I have to be careful where I go as well as who I talk to in public. It'll look quite strange for me to be speaking to a crew that's not even my own. Especially your crew, Kirk. Everyone knows you and your accomplishments in the past five plus years you've been Captain. Everyone knows your face.
Nyota: What is the purpose of us talking here? You could've told us at the party what your plan was as well as where it's being held?
Spock: You were insistent that we speak here, Captain DeLuca.
Celestyn: Before I reveal anything, I need to give you all a crash course on the DeLuca family tree if this plan of mine (ours) is going to work. What you read about in your books at the academy? Completely different when you meet the Big Bad 6 up close.
Spock: With all due respect, Captain DeLuca, out of curiosity, why did you offer to help us? Your interaction with your sibling back at Starfleet Headquarters indicated that the relationship between you and Allyson is nonexistent.
Celestyn: ...
Jim: ...Captain?
Celestyn: Kirk, I've been a captain for a very long time. And you are correct Mister Spock to say that the family relationship between the three of us (Aurelius, myself, and Allyson) as well as our parents are nonexistent. I'd even go so far as to say that to imply that there is would be insulting…back then. But after four years? After our little confrontation back at Starfleet HQ, I was able to contemplate and think on the situation I've found myself in.
Spock: And what have you come to realize?
Celestyn: ...I have come to the conclusion that Allyson is right…and I think Aurelius would agree as well. We had a little talk after your group had attempted to shut down the regulator in this starbase, he was having a bit of an existential crisis. Was a bit hilarious until I realized it was my duty, being the only one around, to calm him down since he wouldn't want any outsider to see him at his weakest. But when he was finally pacified he…actually, the two of us, sat and thought about things. Our family may produce great substantial leaders, but we're far from the perfect image we portray ourselves to be. We have demons, insecurities, skeletons in our closet that we are ashamed of but never speak out loud about it, why? Because...we were meant to be the embodiment of perfection. And having a weakness? Well...that word was never in our family dictionary.
Celestyn: Allyson will get chewed up and spat out at that party, berated for being a mediocre Starfleet Officer, but I suspect with your group there? She can have that needed strength to push through the countless insults.
Jim: Do you know who summoned Allyson?
Celestyn: If I try to think as a pure DeLuca, then I suspect Aurelius summoned little Ally. You see, even if they constantly butted heads whenever they would see each other, there's something that they both can offer each other, a beneficial...mutual agreement. He can offer a way for Allyson to blend in to our family, while she can offer a strategy for us to shine just like our Mother always wanted.
Carol: Shine?
Celestyn: As I've said, a party like this has never happened in our generation, so! Our family will definitely be digging up years worth of gossip and dirt on one another, because that's honestly what I would be doing as well. A lot of passive aggressive behavior all bottled up in one little, itsy bitsy, teeny tiny, room. Any opportunity to make the other look bad in front of our great-grandfather (while simultaneously making themselves look good), our extended family will jump on such an opportunity. If I'm being honest, I'm afraid to go to this party as well, anything could happen really.
Leonard: You could just, I don't know, walk away? Who cares about image and reputation.
Celestyn: It's not that simple, good ship Doctor. Image and reputation means everything to our family, they always want to portray themselves to be…amazing. We have no choice but to attend. Even if we attempted to not go, you don't know how our parents work. There's a feeling that you owe them when they talk to you, that you need to be at attention when they speak to you. It's a function that's been ingrained into our system that makes it hard for us to refuse any request from them. Allyson may have been able to stand up to us, but our parents are a different story. I'm sure you've seen it before, Kirk.
Jim: ...I have.
Celestyn: And even if you haven't seen what happens behind closed doors, I'm sure rumors go around about the famous DeLuca family.
Celestyn: Our reputation precedes us, everyone knows what our family is capable of, but that's just the top layer of what lies beneath. I will agree with you on one thing you said, Captain James Tiberius Kirk, Allyson does belong with you and your motley crew. So, read very carefully what I'm about to say. I don't normally help people without expecting something in return, but I'm feeling generous. I will help you get into that party.
Celestyn: Anyway, you need a crash course on our family tree so that you know who Ally should avoid and steer clear from.
Khan: And how do you propose we do that?
Celestyn: All in due time, Khan, but for now I'm sending a picture to all of you.
Images Incoming: Accept?
Jim: ...
Scotty: ...
Leonard: ...What the hell am I looking at?
Celestyn: That, my dear Doctor, is the family tree of one Retired Fleet Admiral Cassius DeLuca, our Great-Grandfather. Comes from a Family of Five, our Great-Grandfather is the eldest and only surviving sibling. In his prime he was an indifferent, stoic leader, one would even say he could be mistaken for a Vulcan. When he came of age, he met our Great-Grandmother Cordelia DeLuca.
Jim: She was never mentioned in the academy books.
Celestyn: She vanished when our Grandfather, Barnabas DeLuca, was only three. No one knows where she is, why she did it, or even if she's still alive…only thing we do know is that our Great-Grandfather never speaks of her. No pictures or documented captain's log either. She does have a personal file, but it's too corrupted to understand. There's heavy security walls around it and if you were to break into the file everything on your computer gets scrambled and your system shuts down, I've tried. Whoever has access to it, placed these security protocols around it, really didn't want anyone to know about her. My guess is that it was a messy breakup, or a shameful one. It's the only reason I can think of for someone to go to such lengths to hide someone in our family tree.
Carol: Will your family be the only one there?
Celestyn: The other four siblings had families of their own. Cassius is the biggest tree, but the other branches are just as big…maybe slightly smaller in descendants. But they will all be there to honor our Great-Grandfather. Need I keep reminding you he is the patriarch of our family, and held in the highest respect possible, even if they're not the closest relatives to him. But we will only concentrate on our family. I could care less about the other branches…and they would say the same for us.
Leonard: …talk about loving family…
Celestyn: Blood related we may be, but we're not obligated to care about each other. So long as we keep up the image of a proper DeLuca? No one cares, but with Allyson not following the path of a DeLuca, the rebel, the wild child, the black sheep, the...stain on our name (so I've heard some of our cousins say). She is guaranteed to be the talk of the party.
Khan: I loathe them already…
Celestyn: We love you too! Anyway, you'll never meet our Great-Grandfather. He'll be out of reach, put on a 'pedestal' so to speak so that everyone would recognize him the moment they (or he) enters the room. The main concern would be his children and his children's children. Next you have our Grandfather, Retired Fleet Admiral Barnabas DeLuca along with his wife Retired Vice Admiral Genevieve DeLuca. In their prime, they absolutely hated each other, but due to their SoulMarks they were forced to play nice by the head of the DeLuca at that time. Though they had their differences, they were considered a power couple in the eyes of the family. Barnabas embodied what it meant to be the perfect Starfleet Officer, faultless and flawless in the academy, proficient in all hand to hand combat, and he expected no less from his sons. While our Grandmother, Genevieve, was the brains of the family. Knew everything about a starship like the back of her hand, could offer alternative solutions to problems in areas when the greatest of minds failed.
Spock: Vice Admiral Genevieve DeLuca shaped the minds of Starfleet throughout her career as an officer, it's quite commendable.
Khan: I'm sure by achieving such greatness, many were walked over in her quest for knowledge and technological growth.
Celestyn: You are correct. Our Grandmother did everything she could to broaden her horizon. Even going so far as to step over her own colleagues, but no one would argue against her. The choices she made benefitted Starfleet, no one dared to go against her words. She expected perfection, and if she didn't get it, then you were no use to her. I never understood why Grandfather and Grandmother never got along in the first place, they were practically made for each other.
Jim: Strong minds will butt heads at some point.
Celestyn: Barnabas and Genevieve went on to build a family of their own. Bringing into the world six strong, strapping, intimidating boys. Admiral, recently promoted, Fleet Admiral Caius DeLuca, the first born...our Father. Admiral Alistair DeLuca, the second son. Then you have the middle child, Vice Admiral Ignatius DeLuca. The twins Captain's Vladimir and Vincent DeLuca. And then the baby of the six sons, Commodore Aloysius (AL-oh-ish-uhs) DeLuca.
Sulu: I honestly didn't know that Allyson was directly related to these high ranking officers. I had the honor of speaking to Vice Admiral Ignatius back in the academy when he was a guest speaker during one of my classes.
Celestyn: Uncle Ignatius is one of the six who will voluntarily speak at the academy in hopes to shape future officers like he was shaped. He's one of the more level headed of the six. There is so much to touch up on, but I think at most you would need to at least know the names and a bit of their personality. Uncle Aloysius as well is one of the more kind hearted (as kind as we come) to speak to…anyway! Where to start…
Khan: Is this really necessary? I just want to know where the party is being held and what your grand plan is, Miss Celestyn.
Celestyn: If you don't know any of this, there is a huge possibility you'd talk to the wrong person and add more fire to the already blazing fire pit. Need I remind you, Allyson is a Second Officer, automatically there's a large red target on her back.
Leonard: Please continue, ignore the man.
Celestyn: I'll try to keep this brief, what you need to know is names as well as the tension between certain people. So, pay close attention! As you know, our Father, Caius DeLuca and our Mother, Admiral Denali DeLuca have three beautiful children. Captain Aurelius, yours truly, and Commander Allyson.
Celestyn: Then we have Admiral Alistair's children: Captain Tobias, Captain Naomi, and Captain Charolette.
Scotty: I'm seeing a few greyed out names, DoD coinciding with a few of the DoB.
Celestyn: There were a few…complications…Admiral Alistair and deceased Captain Erina had a fourth child, but due to complications at birth the boy had passed away a few minutes after. They had attempted to save Captain Erina, but her body had given out on her. She was never spoken of again…
Leonard: Never spoken of again? What kind of monster just…wishes to forget their SoulMate? The mother of his children?
Jim: Easy, Bones. Remember, their family function differently than social norms.
Celestyn: We…we were actually told to never ask. One day we were just told that Aunt Erina passed away as did their youngest child. Admiral Alistair is a type of man who would mourn one day, and then the next continue doing his duty as if nothing happened.
Jim: Please continue Miss Celestyn.
Celestyn: Well, we have Vice Admiral Ignatius and Retired Admiral Enya, the least robotic of the family, if anything they would be the most approachable of the six. Ignatius's mind is so well revered that some of the academy's would seek his counsel when it deals with the academic learning plans. Admiral Enya spends most of her days coddling her twin children. A boy and girl both Allyson's age, Commodore William and Captain Katherine.
Celestyn: Then we move on to the twin sons. Captain Vladimir (who has a very distinct scar on his left brow, would be very easy to tell the twins apart) married Captain Calixta, their child, no surprise, a captain as well. Scarlett DeLuca. Captain Vincent is married to his First Officer Naomi DeLuca and their child should be graduating the academy soon…I think her name is Eloise.
Jim: You think? It says so on this family tree of yours.
Celestyn: I made this at the last minute just so you can understand the severity of how big this party is going to be and is supposed to be! I can't remember everyone's names hence why I say 'I think'.
Chekov: Her name is Eloise, I had been in the academy with her. We took a few courses together. She is very beautiful.
Celestyn: So! On to the last son, Commodore Aloysius who had been hellbent on moving up in ranks to stand out from his older siblings and deceased Captain Elise who successfully gave birth to their last child, but her CoD is unspecified. Their children are all currently enrolled in the academy: Robert, Dimitir, and Elizabeth DeLuca.
Khan: There, now that we're all caught up, who do we avoid and what is this plan of yours.
Khan has been kicked from the group.
Celestyn: I don't appreciate the constant interruption...and nagging. Anyway, a few things you need to understand is that all these men…the individual patriarchs of their own family branch are men of few words. They believe in physical discipline to become a better, hardened Starfleet Officer. The main two that you should never get caught in the crosshair with is our Father and Uncle Alistair.
Leonard: Khan is with me…
Celestyn: That's fine. Anyway, they are constantly attempting to one up each other, but they will never admit it. A complete contrast to Tobias (Alistair's First Son) and my brother. Aurelius could care less about Tobias's existence, but Tobias is always attempting to outdo our brother. Hence why Tobias has three little nightmares he calls children along with another on the way.
Carol: How is that an attempt to outdo your brother?
Celestyn: First borns bear the burden of carrying on the family name. Aurelius has no children and heir while Tobias has four. Doesn't help that they're both one year apart. Stay clear of my Father and my Uncle, as well as my brother and our cousin Tobias if you see them together. If Allyson is close to coming into contact with them, try and have her steer clear of them.
Celestyn: Most importantly, never let our Grandmother get close to Allyson. She'll constantly be compared to William, Abigail (William's wife) and Katherine (William's sister) as you can see from the family tree. With them being the same age and those as well as having a higher title then Allyson, Grandmother will 100% point that fact out and urge Allyson that she can do so much better. She can go on a tirade when it comes to Allyson, and she'll even get on Mother's case about it, which then our Mother will take it out on Allyson.
Leonard (Khan): And we wouldn't want that to happen. The unnecessary stress will cause Allyson to close in on herself. How do we keep Allyson clear of these people.
Celestyn: If you wait! I will get to my point! God, even if I kicked you out of the group, you're still as persistent as ever! I don't understand how Ally has such patience with either of you guys!
Leonard: ...
Leonard: ...
Jim: Bones?
Leonard: Ally just contacted us, said she wouldn't be home until tomorrow night.
Celestyn: They'll be working late I suppose. Nice of her to give you a heads up, gives us time to plan.
Leonard: I just don't understand, why?
Celestyn: Aurelius and Allyson have something that I don't. While I am content with where I am, Allyson and Aurelius, in their own way, are prideful…they're determined to be the best which is why Allyson was predicted to be a great Captain someday…and more. I envy them really, but Allyson chose a different path, and she's doing fine walking it. She's helping Aurelius because there is a small part of her who is determined to please our parents even if she says she won't listen to their orders any longer. A child in our family can't help but want their parents approval. That determination that they both have, is possibly why they're going to be working into the night, even if they don't see eye to eye, they could possibly make a great team if they set aside their differences. They could accomplish a lot together…thank god I'm not there. I can't imagine the chaos that could happen if they suddenly decide their views differ.
Celestyn: Mister Spock, you asked me why I want to help? Why would I even try to help sneak your crew into the party? I suppose it's my way of apologizing to Allyson, Aurelius as well even if he would never admit it. You see, Mother and Father had such grand plans for her, but we could see that they kept Allyson at arms length. They stared at her as if she was diseased and treated her as if they were ashamed to have her around. Now, as I'm older, I'm beginning to see why they treated her as such even if they wouldn't say. That gave the two of us an incentive to do the same without even questioning why, suppose at some point we truly did become mindless soldiers that simply fell in line with everyone else. And it got worse when she turned away from their grand plan. But…I suppose we're finally seeing what she meant all those years go.
Jim: What did she say?
Celestyn: We got into a silly argument as kids. Allyson said that a title doesn't automatically make you a great leader. It's what's inside, someone who can build their peers up to reach their full potential. Who cares about those serving under them. To inspire and move people. I got so angry at her sugar coated words and that resulted in me breaking my datapad soon after, successfully framing little Ally in the process.
Leonard: You're an awful person.
Celestyn: I didn't claim that I was a perfect child! I was simply able to make our parents see what they wanted to see. Allyson could never put on a mask like all of us have. Remember, Doctor McCoy, you can point a finger at me but there's always three pointing back at you!
Leonard: I'm not perfect either, but I wouldn't treat someone as bad as you treated Ally simply because your parents treated her that way. I'm not sorry for calling you out on your toxic family environment!
Spock: Doctor McCoy. Captain DeLuca. Please refrain from allowing your emotions to overshadow the reason for this 'group message'.
Celestyn: ...I…
Celestyn: I apologize Doctor McCoy, my temper does get the best of me when provoked. If you want to get into that party you'd need clever disguises, and that's where my plan comes in.
Sulu: What exactly is the plan here? This just seems like an overload of information that we still don't know what to do with.
Leonard: No disrespect, ma'am, but I would like to know how you'll be sneaking us into this party. No more beating around the bush.
Celestyn: Make sure you have these names memorized, pull up their images on your own time if you need to do more research and get well acquainted by putting names to faces. And you won't be sneaking into the party. You'll be walking right in.
Jim: And how do you propose we do that? You just told us that we wouldn't be able to get in if we're not a DeLuca.
Celestyn: ...it would seem I'm being summoned by Aurelius as well. I must go.
Jim: No, wait! Tell us what the plan is? How much of my crew can we sneak in?
Celestyn: Bring as much as you feel necessary and I will adjust the plan to the number you bring. Meet me here: XXXXX. Do not speak to anyone, don't come in a large group either, that will attract wandering eyes. If you recognize any of these faces (due to their image I'm sure being in the academy books and if you look them up yourself from now till tomorrow night) steer clear. Don't stare because our senses will be heightened. This party is being treated as a high level security. Keep a low profile until I get there. I mean it, anyone catches word that they saw any of Allyson's crew around? Then the plan is trashed.
Spock: Miss DeLuca, I implore you to stay just a few seconds.
Celestyn has left the group.
Jim: And just like that…she's gone.
Scotty: Honestly, I cannae understand how these two are related. Her constant dodging of explanation is giving me anxiety!
Sulu: What's the plan, Jim?
Jim: Homework…I suppose. I haven't seen some of these names in years.
Scotty: It's back to the books all over again…
Leonard (Khan): You would've had to learn about these names considering some of these prestigious people contributed to the advancement of Engineering and the upward advancement of the technology we now use today.
Scotty: I learned it to pass my courses! But that was years ago, alright? I take what the past has done and hope to continue their work and if possible, improve it or progress us further into the future.
Jim: Alright gentlemen, let's…settle down.
Nyota: We still don't know what Captain Celestyn is planning. Can we really trust a woman that even Ally doesn't trust?
Jim: She seemed genuine when she spoke to us…what choice do we have but to trust her?
Leonard: None, but I know for sure that we (Khan and myself) don't want Ally to go there...alone. We are worried for her, Jim. We can feel her discomfort, as well as how anxious she is…who knows what her brother is asking her to do.
Jim: Spock? What do you think?
Spock: We have a location. That's more than what we had when we first started this conversation. I suggest we do just as Captain DeLuca had asked.
Chekov: Bozhe moy (Oh my goodness)…
If you're curious, I did make a DeLuca Family tree. The pictures would be on my wattpad account (iAltoSax) so hopefully it shows up. I really wish on FF they have a image attacher for instances like this, but I know wattpad has that function. So, if you want to see Allyson's large family, you can head on over to my wattpad account. (And, if not I think I can post it on my facebook page iAltoSax). I used Family Echo to create the family tree.
This chapter was a bit of a 'fun/easy-going/light hearted' chapter. Instead of getting an overload of information in one future chapter, I thought you could see the names first, that way it's in your head so couple chapters later you'd at least recognize them lol. I hope this chapter flowed well! ^^
If you are enjoying yourself and my story: review, follow, and favorite! but it's not mandatory =) just knowing that you gave my story a chance, and decided to read my creation makes me incredibly happy! I hope everyone is continuing to stay safe out there wherever you may be in the world!
-SO