Blast From The Past
Posted on August 12th, 2015 by Ilaihr

The midday suns were high in the sky and Ilaihr was spread out in a deck chair, sunbathing (or what passed for sunbathing for an Andorian) in his pin-striped suit. Beside him was a very conspicuous horga’hn, almost gleaming in the sunlight, hoping to attract some companionship.

"I hope that statue isn’t for me, you dirty old bugger." Called a strong male voice from behind him.

It was voice he recognised, but older than the last time he’d heard it. "If you’re offering company, then I suppose it is. Although, I was hoping for a beautiful young lady or a handsome young man, or both, or a few of each, to have it with." He called back, not turning around.

"Is that what you’re calling it?" The voice replied, now hovering above Ilaihr.

Ilaihr now looked up at the figure; he had a dark bronze complexion, wispy white hair and a long but well kept beard, with gentle and olivine coloured eyes. He slowly stood up, not breaking eye contact, and the two men shared a brief scowl; until their expressions crumbled and smiles and laughter broke through. "Captain Yehezkel Shafir, as I live and breath."

Yehezkel pulled Ilaihr into an embrace, and they gave each other two greeting kisses on either cheek. "It’s Admiral these days Captain. Its bledy good to see you old man."

"Ahahaha, I’m a lieutenant these days." He smiled at his old friend. "Congratulations, my boy"

"Thank you, only got the special pip last year. And I’m aware of you’re occupational change. I was utterly floored when I heard. I said, there’s no way the prestigious Captain Ilaihr would join the ranks of Starfleet, but here you are. But did you really have to start from scratch?"

"I called in a lot of favours just to be accepted into Starfleet, and I would have had to use them all to get a captaincy; it’s best to keep a couple just in case. Besides, I have enjoyed my time progressing the ranks, although I am iffy about holidaying when I could be repairing he ship." He gestured to the chair next to his, and took a seat. "I get the sense this isn’t a social call."

Yehezkel sat down. "Not entirely no. Not to say that it isn’t nice to see you. And I thought it was just the excuse to steal a few days of vacation for my crew and I, before we run off on an exploration mission to deep space."

"A drink then, before you begin?" The old man lifted a shiny bottle.
"Yahweh! No. Half the galaxy knows not to drink with the likes of you."
Iliahr then retrieved his pipe and a cigar from his pocket. "A smoke then?"

The admiral looked over his shoulders. "I’ll have a cigar. Just dont let my wife find out, eh?"
"Not that ditsy Trill you used hang about with on the Olympia?"
"Tricielle? No… Do you remember Pemaya?"
"Not Gul Cadan’s daughter?
He nodded. "Tenth anniversary in two months."
Ilaihr’s eyes lit up with joy. "How wonderous, I am so happy for you. Lordy, where does the time go?"

Yehezkel took the cigar cautiously and lit it, whilst Ilaihr fixed himself a pipe. "There’s nothing funny in this, is there?" They both laughed with each other as the admiral decided he didn’t want the answer.

"Shall we get down to the buisness that’s brought you here then, old friend." He puffed his pipe, sagely.

"I saw bumped into your son the other day; Dan’el. He mentioned he hadn’t spoken to you in quite some time."

"We had a disagreement a number of years ago… about Starfleet, what I’ve done with all my money and some of his ill advised decisions. His fiery Romulan temper and my foolish Andorian pride that was. I do hope he’s all right."

"He’s very good. Has his own ship; does runs between the Federation and the independent Romulan and Reman colonies. Its dangerous work out there, Klingon ‘pirates’ have been moving into the area lately."

"I heard the rumours. I’m sure he’s tooled up for the region though."

"Indeed. He has the most heavily armed cargo ship I have ever seen. Has Tholl Grott and Groll Thott working for him too."

"He found the twins? Those Breen bastard’s will keep him safe… he could become a pirate with those two." He laughed. "What of Adam and Kedra?"

Yehezkel suddenly became serious as he took a deep toke of the cigar. "Dan’el asked me to deliver a message about them. He said they are on the trail of Jinto."

Iliahr choked on his pipe, and spluttered smoke into the air. "They found him? Where is he? Is he alright?" He was suddenly very excited and anxious.

"He didn’t go into details. But I got the sense that things were a little convoluted and complicated. What did Jinto get into? I remember him being a sweet and shy little Reman boy."

Ilaihr sighed, and deflated somewhat. "That’s a long story…"

They sat back, puffing on their respective smoke, reflecting and discussing the past; catching up. Ilaihr enjoyed it immensely, not having caught up in with truly old friend in such a long time. However, the message secretly haunted him throughout the day. As he pondered the question: What did his son get into?