Next Steps
Posted on June 14th, 2015 by Ilaihr

"You’re not a young man anymore dad." Dan’el laughed as he sipped his drink.
"Yeah, maybe you should finally retire." Kedra added.
Ilaihr stared back at them through a haze of smoke, disapprovingly. "And what do you have to say to this Adam?"
"They have a point pops. And now that Betty’s gone…. you have no reason not to. It’s not like you dont have enough money to just settle down, and be comfortable for the rest of your days. Especially if you do it on a Federation planet."

Ilaihr lowered his pipe, exhaled smoke from his nose like a dragon and shook his head. "Ganging up on an old man like this, it is not becoming."
"Oh come on." Kedra objected. "We’re not ganging up on you, we just worry about you."
"But it isn’t your job to worry about me. I am your father; I’m supposed to worry about you."
"It’s a two way street dad." Added Adam.
"Do you even know what you’re going to do now?" Dan’el asked concernedly.

Ilaihr sat back in his seat and took another puff of his pipe. "I have had some thoughts about that. Something that has weighed on me for a number of decades."
The trio gave an array of concerned and curious looks to each other. "Go on?"
"I have decided to join Starfleet and attend the Academy."
Again, the trio shared some looks between them before Dan’el spoke up. "But… no offence… but you’re too old dad."
"I shall endeavour to try and not be offended."
"Dan’el has a point though. You were born back when the Federation was still the Coalition… maybe actually before that." Replied Adam.
"And your past dealings with Starfleet haven’t exactly been… sterling." Kedra continued.
"My relationship with Starfleet has had it’s ups and downs, but so does any relationship. The worst of such occasions landed me with you boys, so for that I am grateful."
"How do you know that they’ll even take you at the academy?"
"I have fostered numerous favors over the years. It’s just a point of using the right ones."

"Why do you even want to join Starfleet?" Adam asked.
"I have been to many places, seen many faces, encountered numerous species… and there was a lot of personal gain involved…"
"But you always gave back…" Dan’el stated plainly. "You protected villages on Bajor during the occupation by paying off Cardies, you smuggled people out of Romulan space, you helped countless war-torn worlds rebuild, you’ve helped along diplomatic relations with…"
"But it’s not enough!" Ilaihr snapped. "Without Betty I am no longer a captain… I can galavant across the quadrants no more… and there are still many races to encounter, many places to go… But as you have plainly pointed out, I am no longer a young man… you all have your own lives, and I can’t just go out and obtain a new ship and a trustworthy crew. Times have changed and space has become dangerous. With Starfleet my experience will be invaluable, I can focus on my talents and passions; I can settle down, without settling down. And most of all, with the finest vessels in the quadrant; I will be safe in Starfleet."

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"Admiral! Shields are down to 29%, and there are defects coalescing in the emitters themselves. The structural integrity field is becoming spotty at best and we can no longer compensate for the plasma build up."