Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vora Zorell (Scientist) in Zorell’s Quarters- Seeking Truth

(snip)

Vora nodded. “I want to confirm by DNA analysis, but yes, I think it’s very likely that you are my father.”

For a moment Kiero just gazed at her. “I can see her in you”, he said softly.

She had known that, by looking at the one photo she had of her mother, but to hear him say that was somehow more poignant and even a tiny bit sad. They had both strayed down dark paths, so was it something in them? Was it a part of Jerrin too? She understood the concept of generational trauma and that it could be a factor, but her own resemblance to her mother didn’t dictate anything. She knew that. “Is that a good thing or bad thing?”

Kiero smiled. “Always a good thing. She was quite lovely, in so many ways, as you are.”

“You don’t even know me,” Vora said with a frown.

He sighed. “You’re right, I don’t, not really. But I guess there is a part of me that understands you from your memoir entries. Or maybe I’m just being foolish, who knows.” He leaned in towards the screen. “But it doesn’t matter. I just feel very excited to have this conversation.”

She sat back in her chair and took deep breaths. “The current Starfleet vessel at Tenra is due to leave very shortly. There is a possibility that mine, which is a science vessel, might be assigned there for a short time.”

Roden’s eyes lit up. “You mean you would come here? We could meet?!”

Vora was very careful with her words, not wanting to promise anything of herself or her crew, but she nodded. “It is possible, but not a guarantee.”

He just couldn’t stop beaming. “If you do come here and you do want to meet, I would love that very much, Vora. I think after all this time we owe it to ourselves, yes?”

Yes she did, of course she did. Vora owed it to herself, and Jerrin, and even Johann to not only meet this man but also give herself a chance to get to know her people. The reality was that Vora knew only a small portion of them. The worst of them, really. But Tenra was more than a fifteen square kilometre district. It was a whole planet with different climates, culture and history. There were things she didn’t even know off hand that she’d have to go read about. Things that were likely basic knowledge to most other Tenraith.

She drew in a slow and deep breath and nodded to Keiro. “I want to be excited, and a small part of me is, but… since you read the pieces of my memoir I’ve posted so far you know Tenra and I have a twisted and unhealthy relationship. An abusive one. Going back isn’t a simple matter for me. It’ll be wonderful to have my preconceptions challenged, see what else might be true about my own people, but I am a mother myself. I have to protect my son. He had a rough time of it as well and I won’t allowed harm to come to him.”

*”Of course not,” Roden said softly. “I would never dream of putting either of you in a risky situation.”

“Just setting foot on the planet is risky. I’ve not heard anything from Cortallo since the last event went down and I’m assuming the silence is confirmation they will let me be, but…”

“You worry they were just biding their time.”

“It’s a strong possibility,” she said, shifting her gaze away for a moment but quickly looked at him again, leaning in. “I’m going to say this only once. I shouldn’t have to, but… I don’t trust Tenra. I want to trust you but…” Vora sighed. “If there is any sign, any sign at all of things being held back from me, of anyone lying to me, or trying to manipulate the situation, it will be over. I will leave and I won’t come back. Is that understood?” she said, her fiercely tone surprising her.

Kiero smiled softly and nodded. “I hear you clearly, Imrie Zorell. Very clearly.”

Again with that honorific. It was appropriate but so strange to hear it. Vora supposed that if they really did go, she should get used to it, unless everyone fell into calling her Lieutenant, which was just as likely. “Good.”

He leaned in, his eyes holding so much wonder. *”Go do what you need to, talk to whom you need to, and make arrangements. In the meantime, I will send you the records so you can confirm DNA and then we can proceed as makes sense.”

“That sounds reasonable. Thank you…” She shook her head, confused about what she really wanted to say here. “Thank you for making this… easier I guess? And I guess thank you for reaching out. The posts are just my way or reconciling what’s all happened with me and to maybe help those in a similar situation see that it doesn’t have to be that way forever.”

“You are a very courageous woman, Vora. Much like your mother. I look forward to getting to know you better.”

She couldn’t help but smile. “Thank you Ara Roden. I have a feeling this will be a continual process of revelation for both of us. Until next time,” she said, touching her fingertips to her shoulders and giving a bow of her head. At least she knew that much!

Kiero grinned and repeated the gesture, though it hadn’t been truly necessary. Still, she wanted to show him respect ad he wanted to return it. Simple. “Until then.”

His image disappeared and Vora was left sitting there pondering over the exchange. He was, well, likeable which aside from her own son was not a trait she really could say she associated with any Tenraith male. Which created a problem for her now as she realized that by showing up she was agreeing to learn about her people, no matter how it might push against or even contradict her own experiences. Her instincts and finely honed sense of self-preservation would still be useful, but she’d have to temper her impulse to see the negative first. And that was going to take significant effort.

Well, first thing was first: confirming they were indeed related.

An hour later, the medical file was sent to her and it was a trivial matter to compare hers to his and have the computer do a comparison.

Kiero Roden was 99.9% likely to be her biological father.

~Vora Zorell, Sciences