Helping out

Posted on Sat Oct 24th, 2026 @ 11:42pm by Lieutenant T'Ango & Gunnar Arnason & Jarron von Münsterland

5,372 words; about a 27 minute read

Mission: Chapter IX: Shady Business
Location: Haven Colony
Timeline: 2387-10-20?

It was early, but not so insanely early people might still be asleep. Jarron found himself on his own which in part suited him fine but another part of him found it also very daunting. This was the first time his father had left on a mission without leaving him in the care of a family member. Instead, he was left in their new still to be properly decorated housing and supervision from people he'd met only a handful of times.

Seeing to getting dressed and taking a simple breakfast, the teenager left his new home and crossed the brief distance to the Arnason residence. Quietly, he knocked on the door; loud enough to be heard but considerate enough not to wake the baby.

After a moment, the door opened. That waking a baby wasn't a concern was evident by the squirming baby in the sling across T'Ango's chest. "Jarron, come in. I was going to come get you for breakfast. Just giving a bit of time since I wasn't sure how late you slept. I know humanoid teens tend to be late risers."

The boy smiled, peering at the squirming baby. "I already had some breakfast but I won't mind helping with this one...or the other one..." He remembered two children but he wasn't sure which one was the boy and which one the girl again. "I don't have much else to do this morning, apart from read the material Mister Gunnar gave me."

She smiled. "Yes, pl-"

"Aiiiieeee!" A toddler zoomed toward them, followed by Gunnar, who just managed to bend low enough to scoop him up before he reached the door.

He swooped the boy in the air as he lifted him, getting a squeal of delight. "Hi, Jarron. Come in. Please, so I set Tafv down."

Jarron quickly closed the door behind him. "Wow he's fast," he marveled, "does this happen often?" He held out his arms to receive the baby. "I'll hold her..."

"Any time a door's open," T'Ango said with an expressive eye roll as she handed the baby sling over. "But it's not like it's unexpected. A lot of kits are the same," she flashed a brief grin, "I was."

"Me too, to hear my mother tell it," Gunnar admitted. "I'd invite you sit down, but you're carrying Raehana now and she objects to sitting. I can offer you a drink. Coffee, tea, juice?"

"Hmm.." Jarron mused as he looked down at the squirming infant in the sling. "Tea please, and I have an idea...but I can't guarantee it'll work." He wiggles the baby out of the sling and positioned her against his shoulder, gently rubbing her back as he moved to a chair. As he sat, he turned her around so she could see into the room. "See," he murmured to her, "there's a lot to look at little one. And see that boy? I think he's your brother... And look there's mom and dad." He pointed at the people in turn as he continued to whisper as if he was telling her a story. "And now I'm here too...what do you think of that?"

The baby blinked, and smiled briefly at the shift up to a shoulder, looking around. Then... "WAAAAHHHHH!"

"Yeah, already tried that..." Gunnar said.

"And sitting his shoulder is almost at my standing chest height," T'Ango added, picking up Raehana, who after moment, quieted. She shifted the baby to look her in the in eyes with a fond if exasperated smile. "I don't know how she knows we're standing, but she does."

"How exhausting," Jarron offered with a sheepish smile. "But she was quiet when I was standing too ..and I'm not as tall as you are..." He stood and held out his arms again. "There has to be a way to get her accustomed to ah ..seat height?" He did wonder about that. "How old is she?"

"Close to five months," Gunnar said. "So before long she should be crawling and hopefully tiring herself out more. She will eventually fall sound enough asleep to be set down in her crib."

"I wonder..." Jarron looked up at his hosts, his expression one of curiosity. "Dad's really good with little ones too, and I've seen him in sickbay with infants and they were really quiet when he carried them around. Do you think it might be a sort of snuggle thing? Something about a heartbeat? Though... dad's heart is about here.." he pointed at his right sides then at his chest. "...rather than there."

"It is more than height. Otherwise, she'd only let Gunnar carry her," T'Ango said with a teasing glance up at her tall mate. "And I'm used to little ones liking height - most Dosadi kits do. In fact, I built a Dosadi-style crib," she motioned him back to a bedroom that contained what looked like a giant cat tree with something like a large deep semi-enclosed nest at the top, "and she will sleep there ...mostly... but only if I crawl in with her and cuddle. Which is okay - my people typically sleep in family groups - but I do need to get up and do things and then she cries unless she's being held by someone who's standing."

*But how does she know.... aside from now knowing that if she cries she will be picked up. I don't know what I was like and I don't remember what my mother used to do." His face fell as he cradled the baby close again. "I don't remember anything about my mother."

"I wish we knew," Gunnar said sadly, putting a sympathetic hand on the boy's shoulder. "Her mother is gone too - lost with Romulus, so we don't know what she'd do."

"An orphan too then," Jarron murmured sadly, "don't worry little one, you'll be alright right here." He shifted the infant on his arm so she was leaning against his shoulder again and able to look into the room if she wanted to. "So uhm.... What are the plans for today?"

"We'll do everything we can to make sure she is," T'Ango said, smiling at the baby. Then she leapt toward the kitchen and snatched Tafv away from the counter. "And you too. No knives until you're of age, kit!" she scolded, albeit with a fond smile.

"Sorry!" Gunnar moved the chopping block and knife, as well as a couple bowls, into sink. "I should have cleared that away, but I got distracted by stopping his dash for freedom." He cast an 'I'll understand if you decide to run too' look at Jarron. "Our plans are mainly child-minding. Normally this would be a day off for me so T'Ango could get some things done, but I have to drop into the medical center for a bit since I've been left in charge. I can bring Raehana though, and once I'm back, she'll be free to get you started on self-defense basics, if you want."

"Maybe you should involve him in caring for her?" Jarron suggested, brightening visibly at the idea of learning self defense. "I could watch them? I mean I'm here already..."

"Him?" Gunnar was momentarily confused. Then he realized Jarron meant Tafv and had to swallow a laugh. "Ah, Tafv." His eyes tracked the 3 year old waddle-running around the living area. He thought a moment on how to answer. Since Jerant was still learning Rihannsu they had been speaking in Standard. He and T'Ango had been making an effort to speak Rihannsu at home for the kids, but they often used Standard to discuss adult things. Which didn't mean Tafv hadn't picked up some of it. "Yes, he does 'help' with her where he can, though he isn't big enough yet to carry her around. Any help you can give would be appreciated, but as someone who learned about young Romulans by ...sort of being thrown into the deep end some years back, it might be best to just help T'Ango with them today."

"Or..." T'Ango tipped her head thoughtfully. "Since we were going to start your training with tumbling, maybe Tafv can 'help you. Tafv!' she called and tucked into a forward shoulder roll, coming up on a knee, hands in ready position.

The toddler squealed with delight and curled into a ball, rolling halfway winding up landing on his back, but quickly rolling sideways and up on one knee, hands up mimicking T'Ango.

"Mnekha!" she said, smiling at the boy. "That means 'good'," she told Jarron in Standard. "We can work on your Rihannsu too since I'm starting to show him the alphabet and pictures with simple words."

"Muh-neh-kah," Jarron repeated slowly, tilting his head a little as he listened. He smiled at the smaller boy for a job well done, not realising he was expecting to follow suit.

"Hriehau!" Tafv stood up and pointed at Jarron and Gunnar. "Hriehau!"

"He wants us to do it too," Gunnar explained, and with a smile at the toddler, fell into an easy shoulder roll, coming up on a knee like T'Ango, but then standing smoothly to come and take Raehana from Jarron. "Okay, your turn. Don't try it from standing just yet. Kneel with one knee up, rotate the opposite shoulder in, tuck your chin, and roll along this line." He drew a line from shoulder to opposite hip along Jarron's back.

"I'll spot you," T'Ango said, coming over ready to guide him by hand if he needed it.

Handing the baby to Gunnar, Jarron crouched and followed the directions given. A simple roll wasn't too difficult, though he ended stretched out flat on his back, rather than on his feet. "That didn't quite go as planned," he chuckled as he shifted to crawl back to his feet.

Tafv giggled, but then said, "Aihr' gaenoh. Hlmnaeu hlun."

"Aihr' mnek," Gunnar said with a proud smile at the boy. Then translated for Jarron. "He said, 'It's okay. Try again'."

"You didn't have quite enough momentum," T'Ango observed. "But you aren't felinoid, and aren't learning as a child, so it's harder. We'll try it the way I've seen adult humans learn. Same starting position, but raise the arm for your rolling shoulder in an arc over and in front of your head like this." She got down on one knee and demonstrated. "Then you'll lean down until your upper forearm touches the ground and roll along your upper arm and along the line from shoulder to opposite hip. Like this," She executed a slow roll around and back into a kneel, then got up. "It's not as easy to do it slow, even for me, so you get in position and I'll help push and guide you along the roll. We'll do that few times until you get the feel for it. Then you can try on your own."

Enjoying the squealing boy's laughter, Jarron botched the next attempt on purpose, giving T'Ango brief warning by way of a grin and a wink. The ones after were of a more serious nature in which he genuinely tried to get it right. Even to the point of feeling lightheaded and the room was starting to spin. "One more," he breathed, narrowing his eyes in the hope of seeing just a single Dosadi and not two.

"How about you have a sip of water first?" Gunnar suggested, recognizing disorientation.

Sitting back, Jarron nodded carefully. "That might not be such a bad idea," he agreed. "I assume that will pass too with practice?" He was still squinting in the hopes of stopping the room from pretending to be a merry go round.

"It should. I don't recall feeling dizzy when I learned, but it was after basic training, so I'd already adapted to a lot." Gunnar offered a wry smile. "Once you've had to learn to deal with spins on a zero-g EVA, tumbling doesn't have as much effect. Still, if it doesn't improve, come by the medical center as it could be an inner ear issue."

"I don't think I have balance issues, wouldn't I know by now?" The boy queried as he sipped a glass of water. "I've never done zero gee before, is it fun?"

Gunnar hesitated a moment. "It can be ...when it's not because the ship's anti-grav has failed, or a thruster on an EVA suit has malfunctioned. Both of those were Academy drills. The first was mostly difficult in that those of us in medical had to learn how to get mag boots on while also dealing with a flood of injuries. The second... well, I'm pretty sure that was to teach you how long you had to get things under control before you were too dizzy and disoriented to function."

"Don't listen to him," T'Ango laughed. "Dosadi marines had to run those drills with people shooting at us." She flashed a felinoid grin. "It was fun!"

Jarron cast them both a thoughtful look. "I doubt anyone here will let me try any of that until I'm older," he mused, taking another sip of water. "I wonder... do we have any water facilities here? Anywhere I can swim, safely?"

"A community pool hasn't exactly been a priority, so no facilities as such," T'Ango said. "We checked the river for toxins before starting to divert streams for irrigation, but I wouldn't say that makes it safe for swimming. While we're building a holding basin, that's there for insurance against drought, and not deep enough for more than wading at the moment. Is swimming your preferred sport?"

Nodding, Jarron but his lower lip. "Dad taught me...he loves to swim and he's instilled that into me too. It's a great workout and a great way to feel weightless. I'm not a competition swimmer like dad once was...but I'm pretty good at it." His uncertain expression turned to one of pride.

"Swimming is good. I learned as kid, but didn't really take to it until I was at the Academy and had an ocean that wasn't ice cold to swim in," Gunnar said. "Perhaps when we can spare the time to explore the area more we can find lake or decent sized pond that would work."

"That would be nice," T'Ango agreed, casting a smile at Gunnar over a shared memory, before looking back to Jarron. "I know, most people think felines don't like water, but Dosadi do. In fact, we build wooden boats and sail and go diving for fish over the sides."

"I've never been sailing nor swimming in a natural body of water.... Fishing I've never done either," Jarron mused. "When we do find water, maybe we can create a small fishing pond for the younglings to learn?" He glanced up at both adults in question, seemingly already thinking a few steps ahead. He wasn't consciously doing it, it was just the way things seemed to make sense to him.

Gunnar and T'Ango exchanged a look. "You know," T'Ango mused. "If we could find pond with fish, provided they were safe to eat, that would improve things considerably."

"Could be worth proposing a small expedition..." Gunnar suggested thoughtfully. "We mapped major features from orbit to pick this site, but there could be smaller bodies of water with aquatic life. And the tundra regions do have some lakes - mostly frozen, but that doesn't preclude ice fishing. Edible protein would make it a very popular sport," he noted with a chuckle. "I might have my hands full with Romulans suddenly interested in cold weather living."

"Romulans are used to colder climates right?" The boy ventured carefully, while keeping half an eye on the nearby toddler. "I mean...this colony isn't exactly sub tropical and I felt downright cold the other night."

A laugh erupted from Gunnar before he could swallow it.

T'Ango lightly swatted his arm. "Forgive him," she said to Jarron. "He grew up in a place near earth's Arctic circle, so his scale for cold is little skewed."

"Fair," he admitted with a slightly apologetic smile. "This is like a warm summer back home. Romulans are a bit more acclimated to temperate climates than Vulcans, but used to colder climates?" He shook his head. "Most of them would be quite uncomfortable in my homeland, even on a spring day."

"I like warmth," Jarron admitted, "I don't like snow very much. Probably because of what happened when I was little..." He returned the apologetic smile. "I don't mind cold, I just don't like snow in great abundance. It's scary."

As much as he felt a bit sad for someone not liking snow, Gunnar knew childhood incidents could impact people well into adulthood; he'd been more scared than injured after an ill-advised impulse to explore an ice cavern, but still disliked entering caves. "What happened when you were little?"

"I don't remember much of it myself but dad has told me this a few times..." Jarron looked thoughtful as he remembered what he was told. "I was on my way to meet my father...my Human father, together with my Vulcan guardian after my mom died, and our shuttle crashed on this ice world. I was taken by the Romulans stationed there and they had questions. Dad told me he was tasked with getting answers but he couldn't do it. Instead he took me out in the snow to get away from the rest..."

He paused, looking troubled and distressed. "He wasn't my dad yet, but I trusted him. I watched him fight someone, I do remember that, and he was hurt... But we got away, and then got lost in a snowstorm before some felinoids, Kzinti I think they were called, they captured us, and some fleeters. After our rescue, I was reunited with my father."

A low hiss came from T'Ango at mention of Kzinti - slavers with NO honor - but she cut it off quickly and reached out to Jarron. "That certainly explains an aversion to snow." As well as quite a lot about his relationship with Nveid, she thought, though she didn't say it. "It's okay. Deep snow can be dangerous, especially if you aren't equipped to deal with it."

She cast a look toward Gunnar. "I don't think this area is likely to see anything like that, but having some resources and training ready to hand out if it does happen might be a good idea."

Gunnar nodded. "I imagine it won't be a hard sell to get Romulan parents to add that to the survival training they want to start up with the other schooling for their kids."

"I wouldn't be surprised if there would be snow," Jarron murmured, unconsciously leaning towards the woman's reaching hand. For some reason, he found himself craving touch and proximity, the feeling of being sheltered and safe. "The blizzard was the scariest," he admitted, "I was so tired, and dad was losing a lot of blood despite putting on a brave face. The woman he fought when he tried to get me out was well trained, and stronger. I don't remember what she looked like, I just remember the hate in her voice."

T'Ango read his body language and put a comforting hand on his. "If there is snow before your dad gets back, I'll send Gunnar to get you and you can stay here so you won't alone inside."

"I don't mind snow, it's nice to look at, I just don't like large quantities. I think I'll be alright but I do appreciate the offer. I don't know how long dad will be gone, he didn't say. I'm sure it will be before winter sets in? What season is it here now anyway? It's not that cold is it?"

"It isn't," Gunnar replied, then grinned slightly. "Though, as noted, from my perspective it's not cold at all. However, based on planetary axial tilt position when we arrived and how long we've been here, we should be in early autumn with many weeks to get the harvest in before worrying about serious frost or snow. Which doesn't mean we won't see any before they return - we haven't determined the weather patterns here well enough to be sure how much temperature variation to expect."

"How long have you been here?" He'd been here only for days and so far his experience with the weather has been good. "I haven't seen much rain yet either, and harvest.... wasn't dad working on something to help with that? I don't always know what he does, he doesn't always tell me because sometimes, he says he can't. And uhm ... wouldn't the other side of this planet have the opposite of our weather? Can't we take a shuttle there to find out?"

"It was mid-summer when we arrived," T'Ango said. "I'm not sure what your dad might have been doing to help with rain, but it wouldn't be classified. Dr. Gable has some background in ecology and agrarian science, so she was consulting with the farmers."

Gunnar nodded. "Yes. And while I think we could press closer to the arctic for hunting or fishing, the other side of the planet isn't that hospitable. And expanding isn't in the plans anyway. This place is a temporary measure until we can find a more permanent home." He held up a hand to forestall more questions. "I don't know the details. It was arranged by the Vareth."

"I just meant to get an idea of the temperature," Jarron murmured, "and dad does something with uhm...im.. immuno... something. Something about resistance and uh... biology."

"Immunology," Gunnar supplied. "Resistance and susceptibility to pathogens. It's not, strictly speaking, related to the harvest, but does have to do with this new environment and possible diseases that people may be exposed to. But with respect to checking the other side of the planet to get a sense of temperature changes here, that may be less helpful than you imagine. The climate is closer to desert, so it doesn't correlate directly."

"Oh..." But that made little sense, unless the planet's orbit wasn't a near perfect circle around their sun. "Dad's trying to keep seeds from getting sick, I think. Or make them stronger to survive here. I'll ask him when he gets back."

"Immunology can also be applied to plants," Gunnar noted with a nod. It was the first he'd heard that Nveid was working that aspect and it surprised him somewhat given that the man had left with the ship. But it was outside his scope ...thinking of which he realized he needed to head into work. "At the moment though, I should be heading in to the medical center. I'll take Raehana, so you can work on break falls or discuss a plan for lessons."

Jarron nodded. "I will. Can I watch her later?" He grinned at the toddler who was vying for his attention again. "Yes, you too," he added, picking him up to tickle him. "Little rascal..." He looked up at both adults. "What's the words for little brother?" He asked seriously, feeling like he might as well act as a big brother while he stayed here.

"Certainly," Gunnar replied with a smile. Jarron was good with little ones. "Brother is 'dinam'. Little, like small is 'saj', like younger is 'aihsae'. Adjectives follow their nouns, so 'dinam saj' or 'dinam aihsae'."

"Dinam saj," Jarron repeated while holding the giggling toddler in his arms. "It feels like context is important? Like I tell him this, but someone else the other, like a reference?" He didn't have the language aptitude like Jerant, not was he a linguistic sponge, but he was able to grasp significant differences in context.

"Yes," T'Ango said. "The idiomatic meaning of 'little brother' doesn't translate exactly. But 'saj' is probably closest in conveying it. 'Aihsae' would more often be used by a blood relation to indicate the relationship."

"Just keep in mind that he may well grow up to be larger than you, 'saj' may become a joke in decade or two. I'm half a head taller than my 'big brother'," Gunnar explained with a grin. But for now, 'rinam saj'," he lifted Raehana into the sling carrier, "and I need to get going."

"Does that mean little sister?" He asked, "would he call her that? They're not blood relatives are they? But could they be siblings if you keep them?" He had so many questions, and he wanted to grasp the context. "And I don't mind if he gets taller, I'm still older... I'd still protect him if needed."

"Rinam is sister, yes, and adopted siblings might use either term," Gunnar said, and gave T'Ango a quick kiss, exchanging a look that acknowledged their feelings on keeping both even if they knew it would better to let a Romulan family take them, and then headed for the door. "I'll check back in on my break."

Catching the meaningful glance, Jarron had the grace to look away to afford them some private moment. "Does it matter who raises them?" He asked carefully, "it's most important that they have love and safety right? That they're treated right?" He smiled encouragingly. "This one here adores you, you know? I can sense it.." He gestured at the toddler.

T'Ango smiled wistfully at the boy grinning in Jarron's arms. Part of her wanted so badly to just declare they were adopting them. After all, they'd given years of their lives, faced so many dangers to save as many Romulans as they could... Is that why you did it? So you'd have an excuse to take their children to make up for the kits you'll never have?

No. They'd done it because the honorable thing, right thing to do. If they abandoned that, they wouldn't be worthy of the children anyway. She reached out and smoothed Tafv's hair affectionately. "Love, care, safety - at that age that's all they need and they return love automatically to whoever provides it." Looking at Jarron, an orphan adopted by someone from another species, she thought carefully about how to explain. "And normally you're right that that is all that should matter. But nothing is normal about a species losing their homeworld, billions and billions of their people, their whole culture driven to near extinction in single cataclysm. We'll care for them for as long as they need, and stay where they can grow up in a Romulan community, but adopting them when there might be other Romulans who'd want them?" She shook her head. "We'd be taking something too important from the community, and from them."

An orphan adopted by another species because his birth father had put the initial guardianship in his will. Done so because the boy's biological family wanted nothing to do with him because of his non-human genetics. Jarron did know this, because he'd been told about it. "Some bonds run deeper than ones own people," he offered sadly, watching Tafv reach out to T'Ango and lifted the little boy up to her. "It doesn't matter where they'd be raised, they still would learn about their own culture, wouldn't they?" He touched the woman's arm as he handed the toddler over. "You deserve happiness too," he added, "especially with all the good you've done and still do here."

"No." It came out perhaps a bit too flatly. She was sure he hadn't meant to speak for the metaphorical devil perching on her shoulder, but it had still been jarring to hear her most selfish rationalization spoken out loud. "I mean, obviously I know some bonds transcend blood. I married a human after all. But our happiness doesn't take precedent over what would be best for these children. Learning about culture isn't the same as living it; even being raised by Romulans but in a place with another dominant culture isn't the same. Gunnar and I have both seen how that affected a dear friend." She shook her head sadly. Kali had turned out all right in her opinion, but there was a weight of estrangement, of never quite belonging, that hung like an aura around her. "There may be some point in the future when there are enough Romulans living in the Federation that they'll just be one more ethnic group blended in with all the others, so it won't matter so much. Right now, though, with so much already lost to Hobus, we won't deny them the chance to have as normal an upbringing as possible."

"And what if being with you is best for them?" Jarron ventured carefully while watching her closely. "What if they want to be with you?" Letting the toddler go he got to his feet and approached her. "I mean, Raehana is only quiet when Gunnar carries her, that says something..." Within a single step he was close to her and wrapped his arms around her in a brief but fierce hug. "Your kindness deserves to be rewarded," he said, words far too wise for one his age.

Stol t'het[Honor above all], Stol t'het, Stol t'het, T'Ango repeated quietly to herself, forcing arms to rest lightly about Jarron's shoulders and accept the hug. After all, he meant well; probably projecting his own feelings about being taken in by NVeid. He couldn't understand how every word was giving voice to her most shameful thoughts. Once she was sure she had herself under control, she pushed back but kept hands on his shoulders, regarding him solemnly. "If, when they are old enough and can truly make the choice, they want to stay with us, we'll be all too happy to have them. And if they don't, it's not like we'd disappear from each others lives - we'll just move from being foster parents to being auntie and uncle." She smiled a little. "Maybe even favorite auntie and uncle."

Turning more serious, she looked him in the eye. "But I need you to understand something. We aren't doing this to be rewarded. Honor is not transactional." She paused a moment, thinking of how to explain. Honor was fundamental to Dosadi culture, but while there were some shared underlying ideas, she'd learned it could mean very different things in different cultures. "I don't mean 'honor' in the sense of chivalry or warrior code, but ...living rightly, doing the right thing. It's not something done for gain or even approval - doing the right thing is the bare minimum for being a decent person! More importantly, if we do the right thing and then use that as an excuse to claim some reward, then isn't honorable behavior anymore and we deserve nothing."

"I mean you deserve to care for them," Jarron answered, "I'm not saying you should claim it. Honour is personal, dad says that much, but it is also something that gives personal rewards he says. I'm not sure what he means by that, but I think you do." He hugged her again. "If it's alright, you can be my aunt too," he offered, almost shyly now, "and I can be their foster brother of sorts, if they let me. I really enjoy spending time with them."

This time T'Ango took the hug happily. "I'd love to be be your aunt, and..." she looked down as Tafv toddled over and clumsily wrapped arms around both their legs, trying to join in the hug. She smiled. "...I think Tafv would like to have you as extended family."

Jarron reached to pull the little boy up into his arms to better include him. "I think he understands more than he lets on," he smiled, "don't you little brother." He hugged the boy closer. "We can do more practice later, if like to go for a walk now and explore the area."

"It has been a lot for today," she said, taking Tafv. "Go, have a look around at your new home. We'll see you at dinner."

"Alright." He ruffled Tafv's hair and grinned at the boy. "You be good now," he said, adding the words in sign too. He wasn't consciously aware of occasionally doing this as he moved towards the door. "If I'm not around town, I'm at home," he added before ducking out the door.

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