[USS Juno] Why Me?

Posted on Fri Aug 3rd, 2018 @ 8:10am by Captain Harrold Anderson

1,053 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: [USS Shanghai] S1, E3: Down Time
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: 05/18/2394, 1400 Hours

Harry waited til the next day after the lunch rush to approach Dan, he told Bervag to report to the bridge, Harry had a couple of things to take care of. He noticed Dan starting to clean up.

"do you have a moment Dan?" Asked Harry with a concern tone on his face. He was upset at himself for getting upset at Tera. She was such an evil bitch. He had no idea why, at one point he even liked her.

Dan put his cloth aside. "Of course, Harry, would you like a drink?" Dan got two drinks, without waiting for Harry's answer and then pointed him to sit down. "So what can I do for you?" He took a sip from his drink as he pushed the drink towards him.

"Coffee would be great with two irish creamers." He said with a warm smile on his face. He was trying to smile. She really upset him, how could Tera do this to him, and to Kerja?

"I know," said Dan as he pointed to the coffee in front of him. "Now, maybe you can tell me what has gotten you so upset?" He asked with a warm smile.

Harry took the cup of coffee, he took a small sip, and allowed the aroma to strike his noise, the flavor was bold and the smell was intoxicating. After taking another sip. He looked to Dan and said. "Tera. She made her true colors known." He said, trying to calm down, to continue.

Dan shrugged. "How did you put up with her to actually have a child with her?" He patted Harry on the back. "Sorry, she has a unique personality, doesn't she? So is Tera letting you say goodbye at least. I heard she was very heartless at the hearing. She wouldn't even allow you to speak to Kerja. Seeing her age, she is legally entitled to speak up in the hearing."

"No, she said before that Kerja is emotionally distraught, I told her that Kerja will learn to resent her for that. I lost my attitude, not my proudest moment." He said, feeling a little guilty.

Dan raised an eyebrow. "Why would Kerja be emotionally distraught, you and everyone on board have been nothing but good to her. I would think she would be emotionally happy to see her mother again, but nothing that would keep her in quarters. I am sorry, Harry. But rest assured she is old enough to remember this. And like you said, she will resent her for that. But there is nothing you can do about it now."

"I wish there was, neither the Federation or the Bajoran Government are willing to step in and stop her. For the moment I am powerless. Keeping me out of her life, has given he leverage to have her way. I always assumed she left because I was to much of a flyboy as she called it, did not even cross my mind, it had to do over cultural identity and making our daughter was raised by her cultures beliefs only."

"I heard you have another daughter coming over. Focus on her now. When Kerja is old enough her mother will find how estranged she made her daughter, and she will try to find you and there will be nothing Tera can do about that. She brought this on herself." Dan took another sip from his drink. "So, you thinking of having more children?" Dan grinned as he said that to cheer him up."

"More kids? Not at the moment, part of me feels like I am abandoning Kerja, and I hate that feeling. Why would I want more kids, when I am trying to learn about Kerja and Carly." Asked Harry, feeling emotionally torn and a little drain from this.

"I do not mean right now, I thought you might want to do it properly next time, it is so much more rewarding to watch your children grow up. But in light of recent events, T'San and I are here for you."

"I appreciate that Dan, I think I will need your help when Carly comes aboard, her mother is being incarcerated and going to prison. I am being awarded full custody of her." Said Harry, as he waited to hear, what Dan would say to that.

"I understand," Dan said, "I am here for you with what ever you need."

"I am concerned for Carly, her mother for all intent and purpose is being taken away from her, luckily she is 16 not 6, so at least she can somewhat manage her emotions. I am hoping you can talk to her after she settles in."

"I would love to meet her, Harry, but if I talk to her or not is up to her. To her I am just a stranger. If she wish to speak with me, I will, if not we can not force the issue on her." Dan explains.

"Your the closest thing I have a counselor, and I have a feeling she will need some counseling. But your right, we are not going to force her. We are going to ask her if she would like to talk to you." Said Harry, who's mind was still distracted on the idea of Tera.

"I will do what I can," Dan nodded to him.

"I just don't understand, how can one person put their own ideology over the betterment of their child?" Asked Harry, he was trying to figure out in his head, why Tera would do this?

"You do not know how fanatic certain parents can get. In my lifetime I have seen it twice. Sometimes there is not much you can do about it. She is not physically harming her child, maybe mentally. But Kerja chose herself to not object against her mother's wishes. I would expect at this age she would be trying to stand up against her mother if she was in disagreement with her mother."

"Your right, still does not feel right that she is being forced by Tera, however this is nothing I can do legally. Thank you Dan for always being their, and knowing what to say." Said Harry, as he started to come to that realization in his mind.

"Anytime, Harry, you know where my kitchen is," Said Dan.

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