Matters of Practicality - Part Three

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

Mission: Mission 120: All Along the Watchtowers - Part Two
Location: Various Locations - Planet Surface - Utgarde IV
Timeline: 1640Hrs - January 31st, 2394

Fleet Command Master Chief Petty Officer Julian Antilles smiled. "Excellent. Thank you, John. I have a copy of the figures inside. I can show you them, so you know what's going on. What's more intresting is what Qiana has said on the subject of late." he then smiled.

John raised an eyebrow. "Did Qiana do something dumb?" he then let out a soft groan.

Julian shook his head quickly. "No. Oh, fuck no. John. You have a really good cause to be proud of her. She's been fucking amazing to have around of late. She's been helping me cook dinner every night now for weeks. She seems to enjoy it, many are the times when I can hand her the cookbook and say 'Suprise me' and she often does. She has the makings of a world-class chef if she wanted it." he paused. "Virgil has been helping out with Violet. Tending to her various issues and needs. He might make a fine nursde or even a first rate Doctor someday." Julian smiled.

"Well, not to be rude but... Let's face it. She's a little itty-bitty woman who's swallowed a watermelon whole." the joke was as old as time, but John chuckled softly. "My spouse isn't too much larger than yours is. What is it with men like us?."

"We love who we love. I can't help it that I fell for Violet. It's the same with you and Dee." Julian then shrugged his shoulders in a manner that said it was unimportant. "So, anyway. There is a place for you and your family here just up the road if you want it," he added.

"I do. Yes." John answered. "I assume it has all the amenities that your place does?" he inquired.

"Excellent." Julian nodded his head. "Yes, it does. Except yours would have two extra rooms and an enlarged machine shop. You got a growing family, and you will need the extra space." Julian explained. "I suspected that we would have this chat. I've had it with over a dozen of our brothers and sisters to date, and all are pitching in to assist with the acquisition of these homes." Julian commented.

"At least this way, while Dee and I are out in the field. We can have somewhere to come home to, and we can have someone to watch the kids when we're gone." John paused. "But thats assuming I don't walk away in the meantime."

"Why don't you?" Julian inquired. "You've done your bit. Served your time in hell, like all of us," he added.

"Admiral Ral and Captain Kurleenbear both asked me not to," John answered. "But I did accept the assignment in the first place. So I owe them a little time. Maybe I will remain there and maybe I won't." he added.

"Do they treat you well?" Julian inquired.

"They treat me the same as everyone else," John answered. "I'm the Executive Officer of the USS Bayern. I can assure you Julian that nobody treats me otherwise." he then smiled. "Wow, it's getting dark early."

Julian turned his attention to the gathering darkness in the eastern skies as the sun was starting to set in the west. "Thats normal for this time of the year. We're now past the winter solstice and are heading back towards the Spring Equinox. But we still have a couple more months of bitter cold ahead." he commented. "We should start getting set to head back inside. Sunset comes quick, and the temperature drops fast these days."

"Alright," John answered. "Let's wrap things up, then head back inside." He turned to find that Qiana was the one one left, her breathing was emerging in great clouds. "Lo dad." the teenager addressed her father. "S'up?" she asked bluntly.

"I could ask you that Qiana," John answered with a smile. "I'm told you have the makings of a world-class chef." he then grinned at her. "So you took what I said about making an impression quite literally."

"I've often found it wise to listen to you, Dad. I might not agree with you but it's good to listen. I decided to learn how to cook. Uncle Julian and Aunt Violet have both been very accommodating." she then grinned at her. "Oh, the sheer amount of nonsense they let me away with. I owe these two a four-course Sunday roast dinner. Just for tolerating me."

John chuckled, Oh yes, his daughter's sense of humour was something to behold. "Yes. Julian was saying that he could hand you the recipe book and let you handle the matter. He has good things to say about your cooking."

"Thats only because Virgil has been helping Aunt Violet with her issues. Which frees me up to handle various other issues." Qiana explained. "Don't sell Virgil short. He's been very helpful too."

"I don't intend to," John commented. "We'll stay for dinner then we're heading back up to the Starbase. I know your mom made some food for you guys. I suspect it'll be eaten for breakfast instead." John grinned.

Qiana grinned bac at her father. "Sounds good to me, dad."