Lt Araxxu Vahin - Home

[Alora DeVeau]

((Vahin Family Compound, Undersea Habitat 12, Kisaran Ocean, Bolarus IX))

 

 

After a quick transfer at DS9, Vahin had finally made it back to Bolarus IX and in a matter of moments would be seeing his mother Osi in person for the first time since she received the diagnosis that she had mendaxic neurosclerosis. The silicon-based disease was fatal, and so far, there was no cure. It was believed that an active positronic matrix would be the key to unlocking the mysteries of this disease but the attack on Mars in 2385 had put an end to that. It wasn’t until just recently, with the ban overturned, that research could once more begin in full.

 

The Vahin family compound didn’t look much different from the last time Vahin had been there. He was sure, that if he checked, his small apartment would look exactly how he had left it. But for now, he wanted nothing more than to see his mother. He had purposely avoided telling the rest of his family he was visiting, he loved them, but his trip was a short one and he wanted to focus on his mother.

 

He pressed his hand to the doorpad outside his parent’s apartment and walked through the door as it slid open. As the familiar sights and sounds of his childhood home hit his senses he was overcome with a wave of memories. There was the spot he and his twin sister Arixu use to pretend they were undersea explorers. There was where his older twin brothers Drevu and Dasiu used to playfight much to their parent’s annoyance. A pot bubbled on the stove and the apartment was filed with the smell of stewing fish; no doubt one of his father’s delicious concoctions. Vahin’s stomach grumbled but he walked past the kitchen to the back of the apartment where his parents’ room was located. As he reached their door he softly knocked.

 

From the other side of the door he heard his father Aram’s voice telling him to enter. Vahin walked into the room to find his father sitting next to their bed holding his mother’s hand. His mother’s eyes were closed and her chest slowly raised and lowered as she breathed.

 

 

Aram: ::quietly:: Araxxu! We didn’t know you were coming.

 

 

His father gave his mother’s hand a gentle kiss before standing and embracing Vahin in a tight hug.

 

Aram: It’s so good to see you in person. We missed you.

 

 

He closed his eyes and returned his father’s hug. For a moment he felt like a child again; safe in the arms of a parent he knew would always protect him. But as he opened his eyes he saw his mother laying in bed and he knew those days were far behind him.

 

 

Vahin: How is she today?

 

 

His mother looked much frailer than last time he had spoken with her. He noticed her skin was a paler blue then normal and she had lost weight. It was odd seeing her laying in bed. She was normally awake more hours in a day than she slept, if not at work then puttering around the compound tending the plants or helping family members with whatever they were working on.

 

 

Aram: Today…today is not a good day. She is very weak.

 

 

His father looked over at Osi and for a moment it seemed like the man would begin to cry. He took Vahin’s hand and led him over to the seat at his mother’s bedside.

 

 

Aram: Sit, sit. I have a stew to tend. She will be so happy to see you when she wakes.

 

 

Vahin took a seat and reached out to take his mother’s hand in his. Her hand felt so small and fragile in his but also familiar and he wished he never had to let go of it. They sat like that for some time. Minutes went by and he simply watched her sleep. The grown-up doctor in him had left and he was simply a boy who loved and missed his mother. He felt the tears begin to slide down his face.

 

 

Osi: ::softly:: Oh Arax. So, like your father.

 

 

With his free hand he wiped away the tears and tried to compose himself as he smiled down at his mother.

 

 

Osi: I’m so happy you came. Have you seen Ari?

 

 

Vahin: Not yet mother. I came to see you first.

 

 

Osi: Well as you can see I’m perfectly fine.

 

She began to chuckle but soon the chuckle turned to coughing and Vahin handed her a glass of water that sat next to the bed.

 

 

Osi: ::she drank then handed the glass back:: Thank you Arax.

 

 

Vahin: Mother I’m sorry I’m not here more. I want…

 

 

Osi: Hush dear. You have important things to do. Exploring the Ring. How exciting. Bolarus was never going to be enough for you. I’m so happy you joined Star Fleet.

 

 

Tears began to well up behind Vahin’s eyes and he tried to blink them away. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the small box that Commodore Oddas had given him only a few days ago. He opened it and held it out for his mother to see.

 

 

Vahin: They promoted me. I’m a full Lieutenant and they made me Acting Chief Medical Officer.

 

 

Osi reached out and took the pip box in her frail, shaking hands. She ran a finger over the shiny pips before she looked up at Vahin and smiled.

 

 

Osi: Oh Arax. How wonderful. ::cough:: I’m happy that Commodore Oddas sees how hard you’re working.

 

 

Vahin: Thank you mother. She’s a great leader, one of the best in Star Fleet.

 

 

Osi: Now tell me all about what you’ve been up to on Denali. How is Drex? When will he come visit? What about Kettick, he didn’t hurt himself again did he? I know Remmilian’s are tough but tell him I worry about him.

 

 

Vahin smiled as his mother spoke about the crew of Denali Station. It was just like her to remember all the names of everyone he had every mentioned to her. He was glad that, so far, the disease that was destroying her body had left her mind intact.

 

 

Vahin: Drex sends his regards. He wanted to come on this trip but it was such a quick turn around. I’ll see if he can come next time. Kettick is good, Alix patched him up really well from last time he got hurt.

 

 

His mother gives Vahin a loving pat on the hand.

 

 

Osi: I know it was hard when Dr Harford was transferred. It’s never easy losing someone you enjoy spending time with.

 

 

Vahin: oO I don’t want to lose you either. Oo

 

 

Osi: But what about Commander DeVeau? I hope you have pictures of that darling child of hers. And what about that counselor Strathmore and Lt Commander Falt? They’re doing well I hope.

 

 

Vahin: It’s Commander Falt now and yes mother, they’re all doing well.

 

 

Osi began to try and sit up more in bed and Vahin reached forward to help her.

 

 

Osi: Well, we have time before your father’s stew is done and I’m not going anywhere. So why don’t you tell you mother all about what’s been going on around Denali. I could use some excitement. I love your father but his stories about the water reclamation system in hydroponics aren’t exactly thrilling.

 

 

And so, sitting next to his mother’s bed, his hand in hers, Vahin spent the next few hours telling her all about life on Denali and the crew there that he thought of as family.

 

 

NT/END 

 

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Lt Jg Araxxu Vahin  

Medical  

Denali Station  

D240006AV3