Final Reunion
Posted on Sat Jul 11th, 2026 @ 5:16pm by Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone MD/DSAPM & Lieutenant JG Jezra Siv MD & Nicole
Edited on on Sat Jul 11th, 2026 @ 10:46pm
2,595 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
Character Backstories
Location: Earth, Berlin 1400
Alex arrived at Alte Turnhalle; a cafe along one of the back streets of Berlin off a large plaza with a monument to the Holocaust. Both the Monument and the Cafe itself dated to the mid 1950’s and not much had changed about either of them. She liked to sit outside the cafe in quiet contemplation a couple times a month but today she was supposed to be meeting her brother who had just returned to Earth on leave from a top secret Engineering project on Luna. She took a seat at her usual table, back to the fountain in the plaza and listened to the burbling water as she waited; she knew she was early but that was a hard habit to break between her upraising by her father and her own time in Starfleet. I wonder how papa is actually doing… I haven’t spoken to him in a couple of months.
A waiter with boyish looks that made him look younger than he really was approached Alex's table with a glass of water. "Good afternoon, ma'am. I have the pleasure of being your server today. May I start you off with a beverage, or I can take your order if you are ready."
"Spiced Orange tea, bring the pot." Alex looked around as she answered, still not spotting her brother. Unusual for him to be late "Someone will be joining me soon.
"Of course, no problem," the server replied gently. "It will be just a few minutes. My name is Pierce should you need anything else."
The door opened, and Andrew came in, slightly rushed. He nearly ran into poor Pierce as he walked away, then spotted his sister at her favourite table. "Sorry about that," he began, helping himself to a seat. "I got roped into helping first year cadets understand thermodynamics. I've written papers on quantum slipstream drives and that was what the engineering division wanted."
Alex chuckled and gave her brother a smile. "Sounds pretty typical. They have had me teaching the basics of medicine with all of my years working in xenobiology and neurosurgery."
Andrew shook his head in mock disappointment. "Truly unappreciative of our expertise..." There was a moment's pause, then his eyes widened slightly as he remembered something. He snapped his fingers to point at her. "Oh! Dad says hi." His face scrunched in contemplation, "ok, not really. It was more like a silent brooding. But he's been at the Academy for the last couple days."
Alex' brow peaked on one side as she examined her brother for a moment. She was just a little bit shocked by his words. "Dad is actually Earthside? That seems impossible. I can't remember the last time he spent longer than a couple days on Earth. At least since mom passed."
"Yeah, he hates how Earth smells or something," Andrew teased with a shrug. "You know how Commodores are. Always in meetings. He was probably dragged here against his will."
"Wouldn't be surprised." came Alex' chuckling reply. "I've got some tea on its way when Pierce comes back. You think he'll drop by?? He knows my preference for this place just as well as you."
"Tea?? Oh, Alex, you're really going all out," Andrew said with a smirk. "He probably will. I told him we were meeting here."
"Au Contraire, brother. Going all out would have been ordering the Smorgasbord they have here." She chuckled as she flagged Pierce down from the other side of the tables. "I suppose we should get dad's Berliner Weisse if he is going to drop by?"
Andrew shrugged, then held up two fingers to Pierce. "Might as well make it two, good fellow." To Alex, he added, "we both know Dad wouldn't eat most of the items here. He's too mighty for the food of the people."
Alex chuckled at the comment, flashing her brother a smile. "I don't know.... I've managed to catch him once or twice enjoying the simpler comforts. I think his lack of desire to eat here has to do with Mom's death though if I am honest. Pierce there has been at this place for years, and there has been one or two comments made by him about remembering her and dad being here in the past."
He remembered some of those stories. "You realise that mom probably dragged him by his ears, right?" Andrew teased with a grin. "No, I've seen him do that as well. It's usually with her favourite foods."
"I wouldn't be surprised... I miss her despite the two decades she has been gone already. I can only imagine dad has much the same thoughts... He was madly devoted to her." Alex chuckled at the tease. "Has it ever occurred to you how much we inherited of her tastes?"
Andrew smirked at that. It wasn’t amusement, more like reminiscing. "Yeah. I find myself enjoying the things she did more than I expected to." There was a pause, then, "you'd expect it to get easier after 20 years..."
"I suppose that is the theory behind the saying 'Time heals all wounds,' however I doubt that the person who first said that had much worldly experience." Alex looked across the table lost in thought for a moment before speaking again. "At least I know she would be proud of both of us."
Commodore Blackstone stepped softly into the small cafe. He was aware that his tall stature and crips uniform often commanded attention, but this was neither the time, nor the place. Among civillians it was better to be approachable. Confident, but not formidable.
He quickly spotted Alexandra and Andrew, his now adult children sitting at a table near a window. He attempted to approach them before being seen.
"I was told that I might find you here," Regulus stated. His tone was serious, but he kept his voice low so as to not draw attention their way.
Alex looked up at Regulus' voice and smiled broadly. "Dad! Its good to see you. Please, join us." She quietly waved down Pierce as she gestured to the open seat at the table.
The Commodore's expression remained mostly stern, though a subtle warmth was seen in his eyes when his daughter welcomed him to sit.
"I wasn't sure if you had planned to visit," Regulus stated as he took a seat, his tone a bit more severe than he'd intended. "One of my aids told me that they spotted you downtown. I don't want to intrude, but I wanted to see my only daughter while she was here."
"I didn't know you were on Earth; so used to you being out on some ship or other." Alex chuckled. "With your preferences I am actually surprised to see you here; I can't remember the last time you willingly came back home to Earth."
"When they make you a Commodore there is a certain expectation that you will have to show up every now and then - whether for ceremony or politics. To me it's all the same really," Regulus replied his irritation obvious. "It's still better than being behind a desk. I'll have to think twice before taking an offer for any other promotions they want to throw at me."
Andrew watched the two converse. Most of it was probably influenced by the usual sibling rivalry, but he always suspected that Regulus had a favourite child. Even Vulcans couldn't hide that. It's why he stopped trying to impress the old man years ago. "Father," he greeted with a simple nod.
"Andrew," the Commodore nodded back. "Always good to see you."
Damn, keep your emotions in check, old man, Andrew thought sarcastically, fighting the urge to smirk at his own thoughts.
His tone shifted suddenly as his eyes softened, "Tell me, Alexandra. What brings you here? How have you been?" he asked, eager for news about his daughter. She was the intelligent one in the family, a decorated surgeon who had also made significant contributions to her field with her research. He wasn't always great with expressing it, but he was extremely proud of her.
"Here for a new assignment actually; I'm tired of bouncing back and forth across the sector as patients demand. Figure it's time to stick to one ship for awhile so that I can reset from the last several years." Alex gave a smile as she spoke, the excitement of a technically new adventure setting in.
"Settling in on one ship is a solid career move," the Commodore stated stiffly, though not dispassionately. "Stick with one commanding officer for a while, I have no doubt that you will start rising through the ranks quickly. You've earned it, you just haven't had anyone watching you that closely to see it. Those scientists and doctors don't care about rank."
Alex eyed her father for a moment before she replied. "I joined the Starfleet Medical to help people; Rank has never been a huge concern of mine either. I have always figured that as long as I am doing my job to the best of my abilities that I will have the respect deserved whether I have the rank to match or not. Besides; I don't want to end up in a teaching position at the Academy just yet... There is a lot more of the universe out there that I have yet to see."
"While I'd love to see my only daughter safely on Earth," her father began, "don't let them hide you in a research lab there or on some base until you are ready," he said nodding in agreement. "You have to experience the universe while you are young and have the energy for it."
"So, tell me about this latest assignment, Alexandra."
"It's the Astrea,, under Captain Remy Johansen. I am to be the Assistant Chief Medical Officer for her. I would be lying if I said that I am not looking forward to it. From what I understand the Astrea has some of the work that Andrew has been working on incorporated into her as well." She offered a smile to Andrew, making sure that he was aware that she maintained him in her thoughts and had his back.
Andrew had fought to keep his eyes from rolling when their father mentioned rank. It wasn't always about the fancy piece of metal on the collar. He returned the smile. "I think you'll love it there. The Sickbay complex got a major overhaul from the older gen Galaxy class."
"You're familiar with the Astrea, then," Regulus acknowledged, turning his attention to Andrew. "How is she doing with the slipstream prototype? I know the Captain is young, but they've put an experienced engineer on the crew."
Andrew couldn't hide the slight grimace. "Yeah, I'm familiar with the Astrea. I helped incorporate the slipstream drive into the Galaxy refit's systems, until Dr Hurtz decided to take it upon himself to do it his way. It completely nuked system operations, and last I heard, the chief engineer is still trying to undo the mess."
A stroke of concern crossed the Commodore's face. "The Chief is competent?" he asked looking for confirmation.
"The ship is still in one piece, isn't it?" Andrew tossed back. "Considering what he inherited, I'd say he's doing well enough." He glanced to Alex, "Maybe Alex can ask him for me."
"I can put in my own inquiries," the Commodore reminded his son, an involuntary sternness in his tone. "No need to bother Alexandra with that. She has enough on her plate."
"Tell me, how is my granddaughter doing? Will I get to see her while you are here?" He asked. He was hopeful, but didn't express it outwardly. Expressions of emotion were a vulnerability that made him uncomfortable. Sometimes even moreso around his children than his officers.
"You are always welcome to pick her up later and take her out if you would like; she is at our apartment studying at the moment. I am sure that she would like a break from that." Alex smiled and gave a meaningful look to Andrew to indicate that she would talk to him about the Astrea Chief Engineer later.
"That would be just fine," the Commodore replied agreeably as if someone had scheduled a formal meeting. "1700?"
"1700 will work; I'll ensure she is ready." Alex smiled; her father had always been distant due to work but even so he had managed to stay connected and was making efforts to ensure the same was not true for her daughter. She was glad that she got to know him.
Well. Andrew set his jaw. Despite the glance from his sister, he couldn’t help but feel like a third wheel. She did nothing wrong, of course. "Well, great to chat," he began, leaving his drink untouched as he stood. "But I have to get back to work." No call had come through, nor had Andrew indicated that he was in any particular rush. He glanced to Alex, "I'll catch up later."
"Andrew?" The Commodore stood as Andrew rushed off. Without sitting down he looked at his daughter. "Did I say something wrong?" He asked.
Alex watched her brother's back fade for a moment then gave a small shake of his head. "I think Andrew feels like he is constantly trying to meet your shadow, dad... He works hard to fulfill your expectations." She offered the Commodore a brief smile. "Since mom died you kinda latched onto me harder; I can't speak for him but I think he probably feels a little.... unseen."
"I see." Regulus cleared his throat and nodded gruffly, like would when accepting a tactical suggestion from a competent officer. "I always wanted each of you to have your own paths. I'm proud of both of you."
The thought of hurting his son struck a cord with the commodore that he didn't care to admit to himself, much less to his daughter. It was harder when they grew up. Harder with sons too. It was an effort he could make if it was what Andrew wanted. Losing their mother had been difficult. She was supposed to outlive him. It wasn't fair for any of them.
"Well, I'll see you at 1700. I hope Elizabeth will be happy to see me. Perhaps a concert or book show will be going on. I'll find out." The commodore was excited to find something that she might enjoy, but he suppressed his smile. The officer was accustomed to hiding any emotional reactions in public, but he was looking forward to seeing his granddaughter. She was getting older, and he knew that there weren't many years left to enjoy the simplicity of her childhood.
Alex nodded; watching her father's face. "Losing mom was not the easiest thing on any of us and we all have our ways of grieving. Those don't often match though. It's just an area to work on but that is a two way street. I'll see you this evening."
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant J.G. Jezra Siv (as Andrew)
Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
Captain Remira Johansen (as Commodore Blackstone)
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
RSS Feed