"Mama Warned There'd Be Days Like This"

Posted on 28 Mar 2024 @ 3:20pm by Lieutenant JG Delainey Carlisle

462 words; about a 2 minute read

Fifteen year old Delainey Carlisle stood defiantly in the cramped living quarters of their cargo ship, the hum of its engines providing an uneasy backdrop to the brewing storm between her and her adoptive parents. Patrick and Tierney Carlisle, seasoned cargo haulers with a distaste for institutions like Starfleet, eyed their daughter with a mixture of concern and frustration.

"You want to throw away everything we've worked for just to play dress-up in a fancy uniform?" Patrick's voice was laced with disappointment.

Tierney nodded in agreement, her expression stern. "You're better off here with us, Delainey. We make an honest living, not like those self-important Starfleet officers."

"It's not about playing dress-up!" Delainey's voice cracked with emotion. "I want to explore the stars, make a difference in the galaxy. Starfleet isn't about looking down on others—it's about exploration, discovery!"

Patrick shook his head, his tone cutting. "You think you're too good for this life, is that it? Ashamed of where you come from?"

Tears welled in Delainey's eyes as she struggled to find the words to convey her yearning for something beyond the confines of their cargo ship. "No, it's not that at all. But I want more. I want to learn, to grow, to be a part of something bigger than myself."

Silence hung heavy in the air, each member of the family grappling with their own conflicting emotions.

As Patrick stormed out of the room, his heavy footsteps echoing down the narrow corridor of the cargo ship, Tierney remained behind, her gaze softening as she approached Delainey. She gently placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, a silent gesture of understanding.

"Delainey," Tierney began, her voice tender yet tinged with sadness, "do you remember the circumstances leading to your adoption?" She paused, waiting for Delainey to nod before continuing. "You were just two years old, with nothing but a teddy bear and the clothes on your back. Life changed for you in an instant."

Her words hung in the air, a poignant reminder of the fragility of existence. "I thought you'd understand, sweetheart. Life can shift in a heartbeat. The only thing that truly matters is holding onto the people we love."

Tierney's tone softened further as she spoke of her concerns about Starfleet. "I might just be a simple-minded woman, but I know that Starfleet's intentions aren't always without consequence. They delve into the unknown, and sometimes the price is high—emotionally, spiritually."

"But I see your passion, Delainey," Tierney acknowledged, her eyes reflecting admiration for her daughter's empathy and drive. "Your desire to ease the suffering of others—it's commendable." Her voice grew more earnest. "But are you prepared to live with the anger that can come from delving too deeply into the mysteries of science itself?"

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