Matters of Practicality - Part Two

Posted on Sun May 4th, 2025 @ 11:11am by Commander Vilotanzia "Violet" Bounlutay-Antilles & Fleet Master Chief Petty Officer Julian Antilles

Mission: Mission 112: The Heart of a Truth Long Lost
Location: Various Locations - Planet Surface - Utgarde IV
Timeline: 1610Hrs - January 31st, 2394

Commander John Antilles smiled as he regarded his brother. "How've you been recently Julian. I know it's been a while since we've talked," he commented, he wanted a moment to catch up before he launched into why he wanted a moment of Julian's time.

Julian smiled. "Well. I can't complain. Violet is within a few days of her due date." he commented. "Then we'll have child number two, almost eighteen years after child one."

"What kept you?" John inquired. "I knew you always wanted more children with Violet."

"Three things. The first was that Violet was always so petite. A pregnancy would force her to spend months recovering. Our first almost killed her." Julian explained. "I should know. I was in the room when her blood pressure crashed and... Yeah." he then let out a long sigh. "I was afraid that child two would cause a repeat of child one, so we kept putting it off and putting it off," he commented. "Nathan excelled and did really well, growing up. But it wasn't until he asked me why we never had any other children that got the two of us thinking. Also, we do have better options now. Plus we can donate some fertilized eggs, and go the artificial route." he slowly smiled. "Maybe that will be how children three and four come along."

John nodded in agreement. "You should look at other options. If the fear of getting her killed gives you pause. Which I can understand. We will find you some other options." he commented. "Besides. I'm a Doctor. Shit like this is what I do often. Besides. I'm suprised your wife didn't consider it either."

"She did. But she rejected them all for various reasons. The biggest was that we were both serving out in the field for years. She loved it, and frankly, so did I."

John nodded as he had felt the same way. Except until recent events, he and Dominique had always gotten away with it. Mostly because of the fact that the two had served together on the same posting." he then sighed. "Thanks to the Starfleet directive about families serving together. One of the parents must withdraw from hazardous duties to raise the kids." he paused. "Julian, I was fully prepared to walk. My career or the kids." John then shrugged like it didn't matter to him, rather than feeling helpless on the subject. "My kids come first. They will always come first and that is how it will always be. The family always comes first." John smiled at his brother. "Dee understands this. She is free to pursue her career, wherever it leads her. I don't mind waiting. The kids will soon leave home, and I will find other ways to be happy. I do not need Starfleet. They need me and those like me. I do not need them."

Julian smiled while he listened to his brother speak. His attitude was much the same as his own, it was like that for most of the other Spartans who wore the family name of Antilles. Paul Antilles taught them that they needed to be something other than mindless obedient slaves. This was the direct reason why Project: Spartan was cancelled by Starfleet intelligence. Julian knew that Project: Spartan was one of the Federation's dirty little secrets. But some good had come from it. "I cannot argue about your attitude on things. So, what did you need to ask me about.?"

"I want to find and acquire a house here on Utgarde. Preferably not far from here. Qiana and Virgil seem to like it here." John indicated his two children and his spouse were nearby. The three were building a snowman.

Julian nodded in agreement. "Makes sense. Since there are over three dozen of us that are based out of Vanguard. I've already made some inquiries on the subject with them. Several others are interested in settling here too. So I've been making arrangements already." He explained. "I had suspected you would ask me this question soon enough. But I expected it after you guys talked to Qiana on your weekend camping trip. Rather than here and now."

John raised an eyebrow. His brother was sometimes a little too smart for his own good. "Fair enough. So what have you set into motion.?" he inquired directly.

"With enough interest and credits. I plan to acquire the entire neighbourhood. About three dozen properties in all. It will be enough for all of us to call home." Julian explained. "Plus we can have extra space for larger families. Mara, for example, can have that massive home she's always wanted."

John slowly smiled. "How far have you gotten with this plan?"

"It's actually quite far along with the planning. What I need now is the cash to make it happen." Julian explained. "I have about sixty percent of the required funding now." he then smiled. "With more coming in all the time. I know Dad wants a house here too for when he retires."

John grinned. "Nice. Let me know what you need. I'll help in any way I can."