Thank you to everybody who read and reviewed the last conversation. All of you are absolutely fabulous.
Please note that we are getting into another period where we're probably going to be having emails or diary entries every day. It's been a while since we've had any diary entries. But we will soon, especially with the kids going to New Vulcan for two weeks with limited supervision. But I'm going to take advantage of getting to look inside of Peter's head for a while.
The last string of rapid messages got the sequence of emails all out of whack to the point where I had to write to explain why some responses were arriving too late. We are now starting to catch up, which is why we're going to be getting emails very quickly. Also, being near the New Vulcan system means that communications abilities have improved. The first thing those Vulcans did was rebuild the communications network. They made it jam-proof because there are just some things you want to avoid happening a second time.
Day 288: We Deserved At Least An Email.
December 6, 2060
Starfleet priority message from Lieutenant Commander Sulu to Dr. Benjamin J. Sulu
Subject: Having someone point a phaser at you requires a rapid message or at least an email
We decided to give you until one minute after midnight tonight before we sent off this rapid email. We received Liz's email about her successful mastery of the Kobayashi Maru yesterday. We also managed to finally get the video. We got still pictures 4 days beforehand. However, nothing from you. Your former father-in-law pointing a phaser at all of you at a restaurant warrants a rapid message or even a regular email. You tell us about these sorts of things.
Is he in jail? Please tell me he's in jail, or more importantly, are you already off-planet? We think the messages are getting to us about 14 days after the fact now. At least that's what we've been able to calculate. Unfortunately, we could not get the Admiral's itinerary since it's close hold, so we don't know if you've left yet.
Also, the Kobayashi Maru's actual dates this year are close hold since it's the first class taking the new simulation with a genuine chance of winning. So, they want everyone to get through it. I'm still surprised we got the video so fast. Liz didn't think it would arrive yet. Although that is because my captain designed the exam, and my daughter's grandmother loves a good loophole.
Liz says you're OK, or at least that's what she told Sue. However, I would really like to hear it from you because I know this is a mess, and I am worried. I'm more anxious now than I've ever been for your safety.
Do you know why Jim and Spock have custody of his nephew on a Starship? It's because Peter's maternal grandfather killed his aunt for being a lesbian. So even struggling alcoholic Winona is preferable. Although Liz and Kevin are still ahead of her. Even though Kevin is barely no longer a teenager. Although we completely trust him with our child, so there is that.
This is Sue dictating now. I'm taking over from your fiancé to yell at you. We are worried about you. Remember, I was there for a lot of the early stuff. Apparently, there are things you didn't tell your boyfriend about. He wasn't happy to hear it from me. I understand why that happened because some of it's hard to put into writing. Also, you're lucky with the lag in communications if you get to email each other once a month. It's not like we're allowed to use rapid messaging all the time. (mom's new policy after the vengeance fuck up.) Although I am going to work on getting rapid messaging privileges for wedding planning.
That's still on. Hikaru is worried. He loves you, but he's scared. Hikaru almost lost me a little more than a month ago, and things are still fresh. I haven't even gained all the weight back from my captivity yet. I'm trying, but replicator food is hard to stomach when you have no desire to eat at all. I hope you guys brought lots of snacks. My stash on the Hamilton was already gone before my kidnapping. I went through the chocolate quick for obvious reasons. Although Enterprise does seem to have an endless and bountiful supply of delicious brownies. Eggless brownies but still Brownies. They are much appreciated.
After this stunt, you owe us a hell of a lot of chocolate. Don't freak us out like this. We can't handle the stress.
XXXX
Starfleet priority message from Dr. Benjamin J. Sulu to Lieutenant Commander Sulu
subject: Sorry, I am an idiot.
Your guess is right. There's about a two-week lag between emails.
Sue, your sister, smacked me upside the head for letting her be the one to tell you what happened. I may have also been smacked upside the head by your mother, who did authorize me to send a rapid message. I won't repeat what Wynona did. But I didn't. I didn't think it was necessary because nobody was hurt.
Security apprehended the idiot before shots were fired. I believe that the restaurant has a phaser jammer because restaurants in San Francisco are concerned about that sort of thing. Especially in the diplomatic zone. So we weren't really in danger.
Yes, he was arrested again. This time he can't make bail. Shawn and the team are trying to figure out who keeps paying for him. I don't care, really I don't. But the lawyers are concerned. He shouldn't have access to the funds required to secure his freedom. Yet somehow, he does.
Because of what happened, we left early on the first. The Admiral is just going to make another surprise visit on the way. I can't tell you what ships she's inspecting for security reasons. Although they're on the Lieutenant Sulu shit list. I feel like I may have accidentally got drafted into a mission to uncover corruption in Starfleet. Surprisingly, I'm OK with it.
I was going to tell you both when I get your next regular message which hasn't happened yet. Although Liz did get the letter that Sue wrote to Desi. We kind of all cried a little bit. Sorry, Liz shared it with me. She did write you back, and that's when I did send my note. I have no idea when you're going to get that. Although if messages are speeding up, I think within a week.
I am glad no weddings were called off due to my stupidity. I do apologize, and I should have taken your mother up on her offer. I promise both of you that I will do this from now on. I just hope there are no more emergencies.
I just didn't want to give you and Sue another thing to worry about. I know that you've still been dealing with the fallout from the kidnapping. What happened at the restaurant wasn't that traumatic. It wasn't me being kidnapped. It wasn't watching your entire family getting killed during a genocide. It was just more family bullshit, and we're not even on earth anymore.
PS: Sue, your mom, was worried about you not eating and has brought two boxes filled with all your favorite foods. I don't think most of it is Starfleet sanctioned. Most of it is alcohol, but who's going to argue with the head of Starfleet bringing that much booze with her. Or toys. She brought a lot of toys. I didn't know they still made that many Lego sets. Especially that many that are Starfleet related. Did you know that there was a Lego Enterprise?
XXXX
Starfleet priority message from Lieutenant Commander Sulu to Dr. Benjamin J. Sulu
Subject: Your trauma doesn't have to be severe to be valid.
Traumatic experiences are traumatic experiences. There's no point in diminishing your experiences by comparing them to the trauma of someone else. There's no prize for being the most fucked up. We can't do this in this family. We've had multiple kidnappings, several near-death experiences, and actual death experiences.
Were you ever told what happened to Jim during the Vengeance fiasco? Ask Kevin because this is not secure enough for that conversation. So much happened.
If this is going to work, we have to tell each other stuff. We are here for you, and we're always open to listening. I don't want there to be secrets between us. Sue definitely doesn't like secrets.
I'm glad to know that you did tell us eventually, even if not right away, and we will probably get that letter in a week, but it's good to know that it's coming. So, you will not be sleeping on the couch the entire time we are on New Vulcan. Lucky you. Sue is still contemplating it, but I'll overrule her.
This is Sue again. What Hikaru just typed was a lie. I'm the one who had to talk him into taking you off the couch. Do not let my mom talk your sister-in-law into joining Starfleet just to get away from her abusive father.
Spock pulled some strings and has passed your sister-in-law's CV to his father. He would wait for your permission, but I would like to get my kind of stepdaughter's biological mother far away from that abusive piece of shit after what happened. So I asked him to do it. If she's upset about it well, I decided this was a situation where asking for forgiveness works better. I will repay her annoyance with good alcohol and Vulcan headache medication Blondies. Alcohol and pot are plentiful on New Vulcan but no chocolate. I'm so glad you're bringing me chocolate.
We will see you soon. But we expect some groveling—both of us. We need no more stress.
xxx
Starfleet priority message from Dr. Benjamin J. Sulu to Lieutenant Commander Sulu
subject: Rapid messages work better on Starfleet vessels
I'm surprised that the reply showed up on the same calendar day. I guess it's crucial to receive rapid messages on Starfleet ships quickly. You're getting them for a reason.
Zoe is fine with you passing her CV to Spock's father. Although please update her last name to Lin. Yes, your mom is trying to get her to join Starfleet. She's too much of a pacifist for that. Winona is running interference. The position at the Vulcan Science Academy seems intriguing. However, she would still like to try a Vulcan headache medication Blondie. After what her dad put her through, she definitely deserves one. We all do.
PS: Liz booked a top-secret conference room to tell me what actually happened to Jim. The Admiral made me sign a new NDA. Kevin broke a chair, and Winona offered to watch the kids because she couldn't relive that. I'm still processing, but I think Carol's father was a Dick.
To be continued…