The Arrival

Posted on 20 Jan 2015 @ 5:30pm by Lieutenant Tuula Voutilainen M.D. & Ensign Jaana Voutilainen
Edited on on 10 Feb 2015 @ 2:12pm

2,209 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Docking Ring, Starbase 84
Timeline: MD9, 1530 hrs

ON:

"Are you sure Tuula is going to like this?" asked Aksel, looking down at a small wooden case on his lap. The mild-mannered high-school math teacher was none too pleased with this particular choice of gift for his daughter, but she had always been a little... odd. 'Why can't you be more like Jaana,' he thought to himself on numerous occasions when talking to his daughter. But despite all of Tuula's peculiar habits, he was equally proud of both daughters. Tuula had completed medical school and was well on her way to becoming a fully licensed practising physician, while Jaana was a scientist with a master's degree in stellar cartography.

"I think she will," replied Anya, in an effort to reassure her husband. "This sort of thing is right up her alley." In truth, she was also a little uncomfortable with the gift, and felt a little queasy even looking at the case, knowing what was inside of it. "Besides, how often do we get to visit our daughters? I'm sure they'll at least enjoy our company."

"I hope you're right," replied Aksel. "It's so wonderful that they've been assigned to the same ship." His comments were interrupted by the sounds of docking clamps engaging and an announcement from the captain.

"We have arrived at Starbase 84," said a female voice over the intercom with a hint of an Andorian accent. "For those of you continuing on to Nimbus, we will be departing in approximately two hours. For the rest of you, thank you for flying with us. Please check your seating area for any personal belongings, see the attendant for any checked bags, and depart the transport through the forward door in an orderly fashion.

"Here we are," muttered Aksel as they departed the transport together. He didn't like to travel and couldn't stand long transport rides, but to see his daughters was worth it. As he stepped off the shuttle, luggage in hand and wife in tow, he smiled at the sight of his daughter standing at the airlock waiting for him.

Jaana sitting on one of the seats in the waiting area. She'd been here a while now, but she preferred to be too early then too late. She'd brought a book she had newly recruierd on a small second hand store, tucked away in a forgotten part of the station. She looked up and glanced at the clock to see her parents would arrive any minute now. Knowing their parents were hard to miss she continued reading. That's how her parents found her.

"Jaana!" exclaimed Anya, trying to pry her daughter's attention away from her book.

She looked up and saw the smiling faces if her parents. After putting the book down she went towards them. "iti, Is, Olet tll"(Mama, Papa, You are here)

"Yes, we are," replied Anya, dropping her luggage and giving her daughter a hug. "It's so nice to see you!" she exclaimed, overjoyed at seeing her daughter in-person for the first time in months. "Where's Tuula?"

After the hug ended she explained. "She had to work. She doesn't have such a flexible schedule as I do!" With the shore leave she didn't have her regular duty's and spend most time with her own research. "She'll meet us as soon as her shifts ends." Changing the subject she said. "I've arranged quarters for you on the station, shall we go there first?"

"Sure, that would be great," replied Anya. "But first," she added as she grabbed a heavy, hardcover book resting on her suitcase, "I got a little something for you. The Iliad, translated into Federation Standard."

Jaana's eyes opened in surprise. She accepted the presence and for a moment just stared at it and stroked it gently with her finger. She then realized she hadn't thanked her parents or even showed her gratitude. She took a small extra step to her mother and hugged her. Holding her new treasure close to her chest with her other hand. "Thank you so much. I love it! How did you even know I was looking for this one. It's even the edition I wanted."

"We knew how much you appreciated the classics," replied Aksel. "And how much you like the old ink-on-paper books." Truth be told, he didn't find shopping for Jaana to be all that difficult. She was a lot like him, and picking out something that he liked -- in this case, a hardcover book -- would more than likely result in finding a quality gift for Jaana. Tuula, on the other hand...

"I just hope Tuula likes her present as much as you like yours," added Anya.

She couldn't help but smile at that. Knowing her parents had probably bought her something for Tuula's collection, just like they had for her. "Don't tell me you got her another one of those torture devices. She already has our whole room displayed with them."

"It was called an... hmmm, Aksel, what was that thing we got Tuula called?"

"An orbitoclast," he replied, rolling his eyes slightly. The name of that particular medical instrument was burned into his head when the antique dealer he purchased it from explained exactly what it was used for in full gory detail. That explanation was something that he wished he could forget, which is what he hoped would make it the perfect gift for Tuula.

"It is a medical device from the mid 20th century," continued Aksel. He couldn't wait to give it to her. If only so he could get it out of his sight. "I'm sure it's right up her alley."

Jaana shook her head. She really couldn't understand her sisters fascination with these things. She loved her parents even more knowing the trouble they went through to buy a gift they knew would mean the world to Tuula.

"Anyways," said Anya as she picked up her suitcase and began heading deeper into the station, "how are you doing?"

"Great," she said as she followed her mother. "Busy of course, but that's not so surprising. Living and working on a starship is really amazing. You have no idea how much progress I already made in my research since I got here." Enthusiasm she had for her work was easily to see.

"That's wonderful," replied Anya. As a professor of mathematics, she knew how grueling it could be to end up not making progress on your research. "You're still researching the heliopauses, right?"

"Yes, although I specify on only five. Those of Earth, Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar and Alpha Centauri." she explained, although she was sure she had done so multiple times earlier.

"Right, the founding members of the federation." Anya was delighted to hear that she was making progress. "What about outside of work? Are you making new friends, or seeing anyone?"

"iti" she said with a sigh. "Not this again. We've talked about this I don't know how often. A family isn't my priority. I want to reach certain things first." By the looks she got from others in their surrounding she noticed she'd raised her voice. The truth was that she longed for a family, but a long time ago she'd learned that if she focused on work, that longing would subside. Ever since she was little she imagined herself with a whole bunch of children by now. But as she grew up, she decided to focus on her other dream, study the stars.

"Lets... talk about this later, over lunch, okay?" interrupted Aksel, conscious of the attention that Jaana was attracting. He knew how much Anya wanted grandchildren; she was getting closer retirement and was worried about how she would pass the time with her two daughters all grown up. But he understood that you couldn't rush things. The possibilities and timing for grandchildren would always be up to Jaana and Tuula. "I'm hungry, and I'd like to hear more about these heliopauses..."

Jaana smiled. She knew her mother took the effort to understand what she was working on. She had done so even when she was just in highschool and joined the astronomy club. Her mother had never confirmed it, but she had found PADDs in the house a few times when she was home. It made her feel good knowing her mother still did that.

--a half hour later--

Jaana looked around the restaurant, made to look like an old-fashion barn. Children running around everywhere. Jaana wasn't sure wither her mother had choose this place as a reminder of her lack of grandchildren. Or because pancakes were her favourite food when she was little. Looking around it made her feel sad and irritable. Making her second-guess her choice to put her career on the first place in her life. Her father's words got her out of her daydreaming. "Huh... You said something,"

"You've barely eaten," repeated Aksel, motioning towards Jaana's plate with his fork. The nearly full plate of pancakes in front of his daughter sharply contrasted with the small amount remaining on his plate. "Is the food all right?"

"It's great, I'm just not so hungry." To take away the worried look her father's face she quickly took a bite and smiled at him, perhaps a bit too much. Seeing he didn't believe her 'not hungy' statement, and totally not wanting to start a conversation of what could happen if she relapsed with her eating, she did something she hadn't done since she was little. She ratted out on her sister to deviate the attention from herself. "Tuula is married."

Anya's fork dropped to her plate with a clang. "Married?!" she exclaimed, loud enough for the entire restaurant to hear and take notice. "When? To who? Why didn't she tell us?! Why, that little--"

"Calm down, Anya," interjected Aksel, placing a hand on his wife's shoulder. Long ago, he thought that nothing that Tuula did could surprise him anymore. But evidently he was wrong. Visibly uncomfortable as he tried to digest the information along with so many pancakes, he turned back towards Jaana. "I'm sure there's a perfectly reasonable explanation," he said, his voice quivering. "Isn't there, Jaana?"

At that moment Jaana realised that she and Tuula hadn't discussed what details they would tell their parents. "Uhm, well it is Tuula. She came home after her first shift totally head over heels for a colleague. And apparently it was mutual because they are now married," Jaana said, making it up as she went.

"So... he's a doctor as well?" asked Aksel, his hand on her shoulder, trying to keep his wife from having another outburst. "Why don't you tell us a little about him. I'd like to know a little more about him, and I'm sure your mother would as well, right?"

Anya just glared at her husband.

Jaana could kick herself for bringing this as she now had to tell them everything. On the other hand now she took the majority of the heat away from Tuula. "His name is Olsam Mott, the Gally's assistant Medical Officer." Dammit, what else could she tell them, she hardly knew the guy. "Is it not a better idea to ask all the details to Tuula. She's the one that married him, not me."

"Marrying someone without even telling us!" exclaimed Anya. "I still can't believe--"

"Mott," interrupted Aksel, trying to prevent his wife from making a scene in the restaurant. "That's a Bolian name, isn't it?"

"Yes, it is." Jaana said. "As blue as the ocean," she took a sip from her coffee. "You know, his whole family is on the station as well. You could actually meet all of them." Closing her eyes after she said it. What was wrong with her, couldn't she just keep her mouth shut.

"We'd love to," stammered Aksel quickly before his wife could say anything. "Hmmmm, another Bolian?" he asked, wondering for a moment if Tuula had some sort of thing for Bolians. They had a saying for people like that. Something like 'once you go blue, pink just won't do.' "Say, whatever happened to that Zuwtt guy that Tuula dated a few years ago?" he asked. "I thought he was quite the gentleman."

Jaana let the fork fell from her hand and had a hard time to hide the shock that question brought. It wasn't up to her to tell their parents about how that relationship really was. But what could she say without telling it all. She was terrible at lying, specially with her parents and sister. They could read her through right away. "I don't think he was as special as you assumed. Wouldn't she still date him if he was?"

"Oh?" asked Anya, her eyes narrowing as she stared down her daughter. "I think you know something that you're not telling us. Why--"

"Anya," said Aksel, coming to Jaana's defense. "That Zuwtt guy is in the past. Tuula has a new husband now. One that I am looking forward to meeting. I'm sure this Mott fellow is the perfect husband. Intelligent, polite, well-tempered... After all, he is a doctor."

OFF:

Lieutenant (J.G.) Jaana Voutilainen
Stellar Cartographer
USS Galileo

and

Aksel & Anya Voutilainen
Proud Parents
Clan Voutilainen
[NPC Tuula]

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