An Unwanted Call.

Posted on Sat Apr 8th, 2023 @ 11:11pm by Lieutenant Batsheva Olmert

1,659 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Chapter VII: Into the Storm
Location: Batsheva & Shira's quarters.

It was once the home of Batsheva Olmert and Shira Ben Asher.

They’d left six years ago.

Aliyah Colony. Three centuries. 54 million people. A thriving, prosperous outpost of humanity. It sold raw materials and precious metals to the Federation. The interstellar alliance it was once a part of. Now, it was just an affiliate. The Federation’s presence limited to an embassy. A ship would visit sometimes. Usually an old, small one.

Star Base 104 and the planetary defence system now belonged to Aliyah Colony. Severance package, they said. In charge of them was Rav Aluf [Chief champion] David Olmert.

Defence spending had increased since David took command. Aliyah Colony used decrepit raiders to protect their territory, freighters. Fit for the junk yard they’d been bought from. David had started replacing them with new, bigger, tougher patrol ships. You can’t put a price on defence, he said. They’d lost too many people, freighters.

“Is the next patrol ship ready, Rav Aluf?” asked First Minister Sabatka. Aliza Sabatka was the first female leader of Aliyah Colony. She did not like David, initially. She’d been proven wrong. He was skilled, dedicated. He knew what he was doing.

“Nearly, Madam First Minister.” David responded.

Something was on David’s mind. Aliza could tell. She and David hadn’t seen eye to eye, but they respected each other. They had to work together. “What’s wrong, David?”

“Nothing.”

“Don’t lie to me.” countered Aliza. She read people like she read books. “Something is bothering you. Tell me. Otherwise, I might have to consider firing you.”

David knew lying was pointless, Aliza wouldn’t let it go. She probed, prodded. David found it irritating, he preferred to keep his family life private. Work was work. Family was family.

“I hear Rivkah and Joel are expecting another baby. Congratulations. Do you know what they’re going to have?”

Rivkah was David’s eldest daughter and second child. Joel, her husband. They had given David his first grandchild. He was so proud. Rivkah was a teacher. Joel, an engineer. He’d designed the engines of the new patrol ships. “Not yet, Madam First Minister. It’s very early in the pregnancy.” he replied. He picked up his glass of water. It was nearly empty.

“Give them my best. How are David Junior, Batsheva?”

“I will, thank you, Madam First Minister.” Batsheva was a sore subject. Six long years. She’d told him six years ago that she was a lesbian, in love with Shira. He rejected her. Batsheva left, with Shira. David Junior had recently been promoted. Second Officer on a patrol ship. David was proud. “My son has been promoted. Segen [Lieutenant]. Second Officer.”

“Congratulations. And Batsheva?”

Ah, yes. That was it. Of course it was.

“You realise, David, who Batsheva loves doesn’t change her. I’m married to a woman, Niva. She and I have six children. We all have the same surname.” she paused. “You knew that already. But, those facts don’t stop me being First Minister. Batsheva, Shira, they clearly love each other. Enough to leave Aliyah Colony, safety. Home. My parents accepted who I am, David. I can’t tell, order you to accept Batsheva. But I can tell you she’s still your daughter. Batsheva defied what was expected of her. She defied you. She chose to be who she is, not someone she isn’t just to please you. I advise you to find her and grovel. Grovel every single day for the rest of your life. Bring her home, too. Send a ship. Hasn’t she got a niece to meet?”

David listened, head bowed. In silence.

“Good day, Rav Aluf.” said Aliza. She stood up, left.

-

The day had been a shit one. Batsheva was not enjoying her time on Ourainavassa. Unlike Shira. Her lover had found it easy to fit in, she knew her place. Her role. Her purpose. Batsheva did not. Maybe she’d find it soon, she thought. The set up was more like Aliyah Colony’s military, Starfleet than what she was used to. At least she’d have the proper, rigorous training. Not the training she, Shira had woven together.

Sometimes. No. A lot of times, Batsheva forgot she was still only twenty-two years old.

Shira, too.

A familiar beep sounded. A communication. She’d had one before, from Drozana. Ian wanted to check she was okay. He was good like that. Caring, compassionate. A good man. One of the good synths. Why the Federation had banned, hunted all of them, Batsheva did not understand. She walked to the desk, accepted the request.

“Batsheva.”

“I’m not talking to you.” said Batsheva. Her hand moved to the screen, stopped by David’s response.

“Please. Five minutes.” he pleaded.

Why now? Six. Fucking. Years. No, he could beg.

“I know I have no right to ask anything of you. I’m sorry. I’m sorry I forced you, Shira to leave your home because of me. I should have supported you then, like I want to now. I have not been a good father to you, Batsheva. A father should love a child unconditionally. You and Shira deserve better than the life you have lived, because of me. I am sorry, Batsheva. To you and Shira. You chose to leave Aliyah Colony to be with her. You chose her over family, friends, safety. Your future career. That’s true love. You’ve survived. Together, as one.” said David. Sincerely, heartfelt. “I hope one day, Batsheva, I can earn the right to be your Dad again.”

Batsheva replied, her hand lowered. Slightly. “Six years. Six fucking years.”

“I know. I have no excuse. I have let you down, I’m sorry.”

Shira was her lover, but Batsheva was glad she wasn’t here. This needed to be private. No, Shira would be too hot headed for this.

“You have no idea what we’ve had to do to survive.” began Batsheva. “The conditions we’ve had to live in, the people we’ve had to work for. To survive. We’ve had to kill people. We had to do that because you turned your back on me. Do you think I want a life like this? I wanted to serve in the military of my home world, wear that uniform.” she said, pointing to David’s uniform. “But no, I can’t do that now, can I? This is the life we’ll have to live. I’m sorry, but it’s too late. You’re six years too fucking late, father.”

David knew Batsheva’s forgiveness would not be easy to earn. Or be handed it on a plate. No, he had no right for it to be that way. As Aliza said, David would have to spend the rest of his life earning it. He knew that. He accepted that.

“It’s not, Batsheva. You, Shira. You can both come home. You’ve got a niece who wants to meet her aunties. Rivkah and Joel, they married. They’re having another baby. Both of you should be here, with us. As a family. I don’t expect you to forgive me, ever. But I can send a ship to pick you both up, bring you home.”

A niece. Batsheva had always wanted to be an aunty. She was glad Rivkah and Joel had married. Joel Greenblatt was a good man, loyal. Caring. Batsheva knew Rivkah, Joel were great parents. They were great people. When David finished speaking, Batsheva rolled her eyes. “Thanks, but our ships are sacks of shit. I’m safer here.”

“We’re building our own new ones. Fast, tough. You’d love them.” countered David.

“You’re not going to win me back because of some new ships.”

“I know, Batsheva. I have a lot more to do before, if that happens.” David replied, grateful Batsheva was still listening. “What job do you do on your ship, Ourainavassa?”

Ouch. After the day she’d had, that hurt. A little. But it wasn’t David’s fault. For once. “Tactical Officer, until I get fired tomorrow.”

Batsheva had a wicked sense of humour, so David knew when she was joking. No, she wasn’t this time. Something had happened. “Why would you be fired, Batsheva?” David asked. Maybe he’d have to send a ship anyway.

“I walked out on a meeting.” she replied. “Didn’t want to be there. Hated it. I’m in way above my head, here. People with way more experience.”

David understood. He felt the same thirty years ago. He’d been the cadet who knew nothing. The inexperienced junior officer who knew nothing. “Did you go back?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Well done.” began David. “I know it’s hard, I was there too. You can and will be that person one day. With time, service…comes experience. You’ll learn a lot from the people on that ship. But as I said, Batsheva. Just say the word. I’ll send a ship. You don’t have to see or speak to me.”

This wasn’t a decision she would make, not without Shira. Shira was happy on Ourainavassa. She’d settled quickly. Found a social group. Batsheva didn’t want to quit after a bad day. She was down. She wasn’t out. At least, not yet. She expected a reprimand, at least. That seemed fair.

“No.” replied Batsheva. “I’m not quitting, not to make you feel better. I’m not letting you catch me on a bad day so you can come riding to the rescue. That would just make you feel better. No. I’m going to stay here and earn the right to be here. Tell Rivkah I’ll come and visit her soon. Actually, give her this link. I want to talk to her myself. Not through you.”

“Goodbye, father.”

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