A Rather Angry Woman

Posted on Tuesday January 4th, 2022 @ 3:39pm by Lieutenant Steven Edgeware
Edited on on Wednesday January 5th, 2022 @ 1:40am

Mission: EPISODE 1: SHAKEDOWN
Location: Ireland, Earth
Timeline: MD00

::ON::

-Ballybrack,Ireland,Earth-
-Beach-

Steven sat on the beach looking out at the Irish Sea. A picnic hamper lay open at his feet.His nephew Terrance put his hand in and pulled out a egg and cress sandwich.Tina, Stevens sister and the child’s mother watched him closely.

“ Terrance Nugent, that is the third one you have eaten. Leave some for your uncle.” She said

“ That’s alright Tina he’s a growing boy. Eggs are good for him. Give him calcium for his bones.” Steven said.

“ Yes I know. But that boy does not know when to stop his eaten” she replied.

The boy sat next to Edgeware and started to munch on his sandwich.

“ Uncle Steven what was it like battling those Zombies?” Terrance asked.

“ TERRANCE NUGENT!” His mother shouted.

Steven patted her arm.

“ It’s ok. It’s ok. They weren’t zombies, young Terrance. They were Borg drones.” He told the young man.

“ What’s the difference?” The boy replied.

“ A zombie is a fictional creature. Reportedly someone who has died. But by unearthly means has come back to life. A Borg drone is not fictional, unfortunately. It is someone who has been injected with tiny robots called nano bytes. These things take over the body. Turning the victim into part of a shared consciousness. With no free will. They then replace the victims body parts with machines….” Steven explained.

“ Steven that’s enough he’s only eight.” His sister warned.

If anything the child seemed quite excited by it. He started to ask more questions about the Borg. But Tina put a stop to it. By warning the child if he continued pestering his uncle. Then there would be no fresh cream buns for afters. This seemed to quieten the child down.

Steven liked this part of the beach. It was so peaceful and shaded. The perfect place for a quiet sit or like today a family picnic. The sea looked calm and welcoming. It was hard to believe that many years ago. Just after Steven had been born. His father drowned out there trying to save a swimmer. Who had gotten into difficulties. His mother never remarried and with the occasional help of his aunt. Brought the two Edgeware children alone. She was strict but fair.

His mother was not exactly happy with his choice after graduating as a doctor.

“ Starfleet is not the place for a boy like you. It’s here in Ballybrack yer medical skills are needed. Not miles away on some cold planet. With green skinned people with antennas out their foreheads.” She told him.

But he had not listened. Now after a few years he had returned home. It only took three days for her to stop saying ‘ I told you so ‘.

Steven did not tell her he was still enlisted in Starfleet. Even after the events before and after his last posting. Deep Space Three had vanished. He really hoped it was just a matter of time. Before he would either join the hunt for the missing station or be reassigned. There had been rumours about the crew being reassigned to the USS Oberon. Currently docked at Betazed. He hoped they were true.

The wind began to rise up and the shadows lengthen. Terrance gave a very loud belch.

“ I think it is time we were heading home Steven.” His sister said, wiping her son's face.

Nodding, Steven closed the picnic basket. Which now seemed a lot lighter when he lifted it. His nephew had eaten most of the goodies inside. Well he was a growing boy. But perhaps it would be prudent to get home quickly. Their return journey was hampered by Terrance almost running into Mrs Coln. A very old friend of the family.

She would often pinch Stevens cheeks when he was Terrance age or give his ear a twist. When in her mind he had been a little to saucy for his own good. A practice she continued until one day she got into trouble. For twisting one of Ballybrack’s Garda ( Policemen ) sons' ear. Causing the boy to have problems with his hearing.

Mrs Coln took one look at Terrance face and decided not to pinch his cheek.

“ Why hello Tina my you have a fine boy there. Oh hello Steven. My yer mother seems a bit cross today. Why she almost bit me head off and no mistake. When we passed in the lane by yer house. She had a face like a smacked bottom. She did.” Mrs Coln said.

“ Really I wonder what’s up?” He replied.

“ Don’t ask me. I am not Ballybrack’s gossip you know.” Mrs Coln said.

There was only one thing that could spur his mothers mood. Starfleet.

-Family home-
-Ballybrack, Ireland-

After walking his sister and nephew home. Steven returned to his. Even though it was summer. There seemed to be a drop in temperature in the house. His mother did indeed not look happy.

“ You have a message from them.” She said with a face that looked like she had sucked a lemon.

Steven walked over to a draw and opened it.He pulled out a padd ran his fingers over the surface. It was his new orders and the rumours were true. He was to report to Betazed and report on board the USS Oberon as her new Chief Medical Officer. The sound of air slowing being realised from someone’s lungs. Told him his mother was behind him.

“ I suppose this means you are off again around the galaxy looking for death.” She said

“ It’s not like that.” Steven said

“ Oh really? You get chased by soulless automatons and then your home in space disappears. But instead of staying here in Ballybrack and tending to its people's needs. As yer father did and your uncle before him. No you decide to go up into the sky and treat three eyed, pointed ear people.” She said

“ Mother. We don’t talk like that these days. Besides Vulcans don’t have three eyes.” Steven said

“ Now yer gives me a bit of cheek. Instead of a daughter in law and a grandchild to help me bake my pies. Oh no yer head is in the clouds Mr Starfleet. Rushing around looking for a gruesome death. Never a thought of those who raised yer. Oh no what a selfish child. If only yer father were here today. Do you hear that do you hear that. His turning in his grave.” She said.

“ A bit difficult for him as he was cremated and his ashes spread out to sea.” Steven knew this would infuriate her. He had already packed his kit bag for a quick escape.

Red with rage she charged at him with her hand raised. Grabbing the kit bag and his padd. Steven ducked then moved like lightning.

As he hurried down the road. He could still hear his mother shouting and swearing. Why did she always behave like this? Whenever Starfleet was mentioned. No one else in the town or his family behaved that way. Racism. It was stamped out on Earth centuries ago. So why was his mother like this?

His mothers behaviour bothered him.

There was nothing he could do. He would leave Earth. There was always a transport to Betazoid. He’d stop off on Risa for a few days. There was plenty of time.

::OFF::

Lieutenant Dr Steven Edgeware
Chief Medical Officer
USS Oberon