It’s Father’s Day

Description

Sarek and Spock, Worf and Alexander, Benjamin and Jake. Star Trek has depicted several children and their fathers throughout the franchise. Today is a day to celebrate fathers and what they mean to you, and what better way to do it than in the form of a written work. Using a character in your BFMS profile, write a fiction about your character spending a day with their father or father figure. If you do not have a character that has such, write how they would spend the day if they did or how they would celebrate their father’s life if that character’s father has passed.

Criteria

  • Must be no more than 1000 words.
  • Must be based on a character on your BFMS profile.
  • All submissions must include the full text or Google Doc link and a link to the character on your BFMS profile.
  • While there is a maximum word count. Length will not be a factor in judging.
  • Judging will be based on creativity of the submission.

Winners

Submissions

User ID Content Date Entry
2246

It’s Father’s Day

Nevanthi sighed hard, wiping tears from her face as she dropped the flowers on her father’s grave. It had been just 3 years since he had passed from this existence to the next. It hurt now as much as it had the day he passed.
“Daddy, I miss you SOO much. I wish you could be here to see me graduate from Star Fleet. I did just as you said-worked hard & made Ensign in record time. I’m to be posted on the Endeavor to go to the Romulan Border. You’d be proud of me, Daddy.”
Nevanthi chuckled, a smile slipping across her lips. “Of course, you’d always been proud of me. I could fall in a mud pile, and you’d be happy that I came out without a scratch. Even though I was covered in mud, you’d laugh & take me home for a shower & hot cocoa after.”
A shaky sigh slipped out of her throat, mouth trembling again. “Oh Daddy! What am I going to do? Mom knows I cried in bed lately. She hears my sobs into the pillow, as much as I try to muffle them.’Another tear falls down one cheek. Brushing it away and pinching the bridge of her nose, she sighed hard. Straightening & pulling her uniform into place again, she looked down at the grave stone. It had once held her mom’s name until they divorced. Now it showed hers, birthdate written with a dash & an empty space beside it. “It’s just the 2 of us now, Daddy. Mom & me.”
Nevanthi tucked a curl behind her ear & looked up at the sun overhead. She wiped the sweat from her forehead & tried to shake off her malaise. Looking down again, she smiled sadly. “Well Daddy, I have to go. I’ve got to pack & report to the ship by 1400 hours. I’ll tell you all about things when I get home again.” She then whispered, “Whenever THAT may be.”
“I may just tell you in my logs. Have to see what the Captain keeps me busy with.”
She turned away & made her way to the motorcycle parked near the section he was buried in. Hopping on, she put her helmet on & revved the engine. Nevanthi sped off, trying to compose herself by ticking off what she needed to pack & mentally navigating where she’d find the ship’s shuttle. Without warning, the planning turned into a memory.
She was with her dad again. They were walking down a wooded trail, cameras in hand. Daddy had taught her how to walk silently, and she had practiced often. In her carpeted room, on her way to StarFleet classes, everywhere she could. Then the day they went to the woods, she was surprised how she could match his steps, silent as he was.
He gave the sign to stop, and made another sign to look to the right side. She looked the way he pointed, a small intake of breath escaping her lips. Her dad gave her a telling look & she silently shrugged her shoulders in apology.
Gathering herself, she forced her gaze to where he indicated & smiled. There were a small gaggle of bunnies, young & small with older & bigger. They were eating grass, not noticing their voyeurs. Occasionally, the older ones would stand up, scanning the area. Seeing this, the 2 humans ducked down in the underbrush so as not to be spotted.
Nevanthi turned a delighted & conspiratory glance at her dad who nodded. A smile curved his lips in response. She grabbed the camera hanging from a strap around her neck. She leveled the camera toward the wildlife before them, took a silent breath, and snapped the picture. A chirp sounded from the small machine, making the rabbits stand up & look around. “Dammit!” her dad grumbled, his voice harsh. “I told you to turn off the sound!” She looked at him with unshed and frightened tears in her eyes.
“I thought I did!” she hissed back. “Sorry!” They watched as the group of rabbits dashed away, leaving no sign they were even there.
For a few eternal minutes, the man & young woman hunched in silence. Nevanthi could feel his annoyance briefly, then her “natural” shielding clamped down. Her head dropped automatically down, eyes closed & pinched. ‘Gods bless us! I *hate* that!’ she thought. She looked up at her father’s touch under her chin. He gently lifted her chin, a knowing frown on his face. “I know hunny. I know.” He leaned over & kissed her forehead. He caressed the top of her head, shaking her head in the process. She smiled at his movement, reminding her all was ok again.
He indicated for them to stand again, his movements slow & careful. Nevanthi mirrored him, looking around again. He waved to her to follow him as he walked past to lead them back again. “We need to go back while we still have some light. These woods are a maze at night.” He smiled. “Besides, we’ve gotta cook the squirrels we caught earlier.” Nevanthi nodded silently and followed behind him.
Smiling from the sweet recollection, Nevanthi turned into the garage where she could park near her barracks. Twisting the key, she nodded silently. “Thanks Daddy. I’m better now.”she whispered as the engine died.
She swung her leg over the bike’s seat & adjusted the backpack she was wearing. “Time to go back to reality,” she told herself. Tossing the key in the air & catching them with a soft clinking noise, she made her way to the elevator. She was all business again. Nothing showed on her face anymore. Remembering the past was long past.

 2021-07-20 11:38:30

Managed By the

Office of the Chief of Staff

This service is managed by the Office of the Chief of Staff. If you have questions about this service, please contact an office staff member.

Visit the office