04-05-2026, 07:30 PM
Not blushing this time, but with a mildly embarrassed grin, Alex confessed, "I think it's fair to say there were fireworks." He then appealed to the CO in another way, "Listen, if you've been slaving over reports and the obligations that come with those pips, you owe it to yourself and your crew to stay fed and hydrated. I therefore point out to you that it is your duty to partake in some food and drink with us before you disappear once again into your dungeon of proverbial paperwork. You also know what they say about all work and no play, but if you still aren't convinced, then I put forth that as the Commanding Officer, your honored attendance would add a much needed boost to crew morale and esprit de corp." He put an arm around Beno as he gestured with a sweeping arm to the dining area with the other, "O Captain, my Captain..."
"Daniel." She said softly. "I have a special meal and drink for you as well." Beno knew that he would join them, not because of the meal. They have always enjoyed these times together, as people and Officers they both had a high amount of respect for each other. "There is one last thing to do, and that could wait until after dinner." Three of the most senior officers at the same table, this was one of those simple times that made Beno very happy to be there, as they went to the table Beno was looking forward to the halibut pasta.
Off to the side, Cindy and Carley were still having their conversation. Cindy smiled and nodded, "Oh, I agree. There should be enjoyment and they both deserve some. They've both been in their trenches for a while and sometimes it helps to remember what it is that you're fighting for."
Carley then tried to rationalize Cindy's relationship in the familial flowchart. Cindy chuckled, "Well, in the sense that Alex created me, that sort of makes him my father, but I was originally created by him to try and replace his sister after she died. Naturally that was impossible, but the important thing to take from that is my being created as a sort of sister at the time. I'll spare you the psychoanalysis of it all, but suffice that it would be more appropriate to think of me as being a sister-in-law to Beno, under the hypothetically described scenario."
Cindy then added, "When Alex was married, my programming automatically extended to include her as well. For me, she would, by default, be considered family and unless she stated otherwise, I would also assist her and try to anticipate her needs accordingly. Her and I would have some important conversations about that." Cindy hesitated a moment before including, "I don't want to get into the complicated details of it, but if they were to get married, there might be a few adjustments that might be...unexpected. Don't worry though, it would mostly be in a good way and he has a top legal team for such matters. It's more a change of perspective than any form of lifestyle adjustment."
Cindy's smile widened again as she then shifted topic slightly, "On the other hand, Alex has a daughter, so how does she feel about kids and a real step daughter...maybe even...kids of her own?"
There was a bit of information that Carley didn't have before, well two pieces of information. "The easy part of the question is the fact she would treat his side of the family like her own, she would be there for her in the best way she can. This naturally extends to you too, the only thing she ever wanted for you was to enjoy the same liberties that we do."
The second question was a little easier and harder to answer at the same time. "She does want children, she was trying to have one in the past but." Carley's tone of face altered as her voice went lower. "There is also a good chance that she would never be able to carry the child to term, if that did happen I would act as the surrogate. This is information that only the Chief Medical Officer would have access too, so lets keep that to ourselves."
There was more to it. "Her father really wants her to have a boy, she is the only one of his children that doesn't have any of her own... How is Alex going to react meeting Jason? She doesn't know he is on the way, he is almost here. Mike had a young son when they got together, she wanted him with her but he wanted to stay on Earth." Carley had been in contact with him for a while in secret, he wanted to surprise Beno and she didn't want to ruin it.
==Tag==
"Daniel." She said softly. "I have a special meal and drink for you as well." Beno knew that he would join them, not because of the meal. They have always enjoyed these times together, as people and Officers they both had a high amount of respect for each other. "There is one last thing to do, and that could wait until after dinner." Three of the most senior officers at the same table, this was one of those simple times that made Beno very happy to be there, as they went to the table Beno was looking forward to the halibut pasta.
Off to the side, Cindy and Carley were still having their conversation. Cindy smiled and nodded, "Oh, I agree. There should be enjoyment and they both deserve some. They've both been in their trenches for a while and sometimes it helps to remember what it is that you're fighting for."
Carley then tried to rationalize Cindy's relationship in the familial flowchart. Cindy chuckled, "Well, in the sense that Alex created me, that sort of makes him my father, but I was originally created by him to try and replace his sister after she died. Naturally that was impossible, but the important thing to take from that is my being created as a sort of sister at the time. I'll spare you the psychoanalysis of it all, but suffice that it would be more appropriate to think of me as being a sister-in-law to Beno, under the hypothetically described scenario."
Cindy then added, "When Alex was married, my programming automatically extended to include her as well. For me, she would, by default, be considered family and unless she stated otherwise, I would also assist her and try to anticipate her needs accordingly. Her and I would have some important conversations about that." Cindy hesitated a moment before including, "I don't want to get into the complicated details of it, but if they were to get married, there might be a few adjustments that might be...unexpected. Don't worry though, it would mostly be in a good way and he has a top legal team for such matters. It's more a change of perspective than any form of lifestyle adjustment."
Cindy's smile widened again as she then shifted topic slightly, "On the other hand, Alex has a daughter, so how does she feel about kids and a real step daughter...maybe even...kids of her own?"
There was a bit of information that Carley didn't have before, well two pieces of information. "The easy part of the question is the fact she would treat his side of the family like her own, she would be there for her in the best way she can. This naturally extends to you too, the only thing she ever wanted for you was to enjoy the same liberties that we do."
The second question was a little easier and harder to answer at the same time. "She does want children, she was trying to have one in the past but." Carley's tone of face altered as her voice went lower. "There is also a good chance that she would never be able to carry the child to term, if that did happen I would act as the surrogate. This is information that only the Chief Medical Officer would have access too, so lets keep that to ourselves."
There was more to it. "Her father really wants her to have a boy, she is the only one of his children that doesn't have any of her own... How is Alex going to react meeting Jason? She doesn't know he is on the way, he is almost here. Mike had a young son when they got together, she wanted him with her but he wanted to stay on Earth." Carley had been in contact with him for a while in secret, he wanted to surprise Beno and she didn't want to ruin it.
==Tag==