One Last Call

Posted on Thu Nov 28th, 2024 @ 12:14am by Lieutenant Fang Lee & Lieutenant Adrianna Baciami

1,499 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Stars Around the Well
Location: Via Subspace
Timeline: Just Before Dead Zone Entrance.

ON:

Giovanni had been in on the call where Adrianna had announced the news of pending nuptials. He was a very proud man-- proud that his sister was so happy. Knowing that Vance would soon be out of range, Gio wanted to catch up with the man and ensure that his sister was alright and to, obviously, congratulate him.

Vance was bone tired. His roomie was on duty, thankfully, and tonight being one of the last couple nights in his shared quarters he was glad to be alone. The first shuttle had left to take the passengers to the colony, the cloak he'd cobbled together held and the second shuttle would leave in a couple hours. Then it was off they went in the morning when the shuttles returned empty sept for the pilots.

He had just gotten some tea when the com chirped. Coms were sketchy due to the closeness to the dead zone but he picked up anyway. The screen shifted to a familiar face. "Hello brother mine!"

Giovanni chuckled, "I hear a congratulations are in order, fratello mio!"

"Well kind of." He laughed. "Working on a design for Adrianna." He didn't say it was the physical wedding ring design.

"Ah, not done it yet," he replied, "apologies, I misunderstood Adrianna's message. When it comes to you, she does things, types and dictates faster than her brain works. Hell, almost got her killed."

"Oh?" Vance sat up putting his mug on the table. "What do you mean?"

"Did she not tell you how she got her final tally?" Giovanni muttered something under his breath whilst rubbing his temple, "this is twice that I'm providing you with information that she should provide. If I make it to three, can you ensure all vents are locked-- it's three strikes and you're out, right?"

He laughed. "Ohhh you are thinking like an engineer now! Don't worry I won't say a word."

"Rule one of comedy: know your audience, fratello," Gio chuckled, "so, after you 'died' Ade was-- well, she was a mess. She was keen to get back to work, but was suspended pending investigation as her handler had accused her of being too close. My sister did everything possible to cover everything up-- she'd moved accounts, sorted your will under false names, digitized so much and encrypted it. Subject to eye witnesses, like your old crew, there was nothing that could like her crossing any professional line with you."

"Fast forward to a few days later and the suspension was looking like it may turn permanent," he continued, "so, she made a deal: if she could bring this warlord in, they'd drop the suspension and clear her record. I think the guys name was Xra’kot."

Giovanni rubbed his temple as if reliving the same frustrations, "when she told me her plan, I could have killed her myself. She was going to go back undercover and host a funeral for you. Even with her blown cover, there were people she could reach, favours to cash in and strings to pull. She knew that this guy would show. It was when she finally let herself cry-- when she snapped. I realised that the hearsay was not only true, but my sister was heartbroken and didn't know how to cope. She felt her best bet was a suicide mission or, if she survived, to return to Starfleet in a job where she'd never have a minute to herself-- a minute where she could have grieved and potentially moved on."

"I got myself assigned to the tact team," he sighed, "you had a great turnout for your funeral. Really impressive actually. Anyway, this guy shows up-- knows she's fleet, but can see that she actually did love you. He went to carve out her heart, but only managed to stab at it. She was determined to be with 'you' in the afterlife. She spiraled further from there. Had to get her properly looked after before she was allowed back into fleet."

He sighed, "so yes-- she doesn't think when it comes to you."

Vance's eye ticked. He hit the mute button and swore using every word he knew. He unmuted the call "Xra'kot? Jesus! I mean...." He muted again and swore this time getting up and gesticulating. He sat back down and unmuted. He pressed his lips together. "I'm okay."

"She called the mission her 'golden ticket'," Giovanni sighed, "I don't think that she cared about which outcome happened. I have to admit though-- she did it. Xra'kot is dead because of her-- well, because of a good marksman. She didn't particularly fight back. I remember watching it happen-- it felt like slow motion, and I was cheering for Adie to fight but she wasn't. It took her months to forgive me for saving her life. I'm glad I did though-- if there is an afterlife, she would have been very alone."

He ran a hand through his hair, "it's why, when I heard about Jason, I went feral. This was her first guy since you and not only did it go wrong-- it went spectacularly wrong. I thought it might trigger something for her. Whilst I had found out that you were the reason, I still worried. I don't think she could lose you again. I think it would literally kill her. I'm not saying 'stay with her even if you don't want her anymore' but give me a heads up. Equally, I know that she does before thinking when it comes to you. She once said that you grounded her-- I need you to be the level head she needs, Vance."

"That you can count on and as for staying she is my life. I will not be leaving her soon." He sighed. "Damn it! Why wasn't I there! If that asshat wasn't dead I'd.....pop him like a pimple!"

"You were 'dead', fratello," Gio replied, "she said that you'd be proud of her for getting him killed. Either way, although she's on thin ice with Fleet, she managed to clear her name. Sure, you and I know it's a lie, but she did it. She's smart, but damn it, she's also the dumbest person that I know."

He snorted. "That I won't repeat cause she'd box you in the head. She's passionate it's one of her best features." He laughed. "You know my sister and her would get along famously. They are like two peas in a pod." He paused. "At least she would have gotten along with Adri." He sighed. "Gio your sister is one of the strongest, most loving people I know." Then he looked at the screen. "I should tell you something with the risk of you killing me."

"You are many miles away," Giovanni brushed off, "either way, you are practically family-- family forgives. Doesn't mean I won't beat your ass though."

He sighed. "Adrianna has asked me to move in with her BUT I SWEAR" he held out his hands. "Nothing will happen until the vineyard wedding."

Giovanni chuckled, "ah, so you have done the tattoo already." He paused, "relax, Adie has already told the family. I don't want to know what my sister is or isn't doing with her husband. Look, things happen. I don't think you should sweat about it. The fact of the matter is that you are bound to her now. No different than being married. Don't overthink it, fratello."

"Yeah well that's one of my things overthinking...though Adri seems to calm me down in that department."

"If it wasn't my sister, and I was having this conversation with one of my brothers about their other halves, I'd say: don't over think it. If it's right, it's right. Don't deprived yourself just because of semantics. Just don't get her pregnant," Giovanni offered.

Vance laughed. "I want a big family just when the time is right."

Giovanni was silent for a moment, processing and trying not to be grossed out about this, but it was his sister, "take that up with her. But, Vance, do whatever you feel is right-- just make sure there are no ongoing video calls." He smirked.

Vance groaned and put his head in his hands. "I'm never going to live that down."

"This is what life would have been like if you had male siblings," Giovanni chuckled.

He laughed. "It's nice. I was telling your mom that I don't have much experience with family."

"Merde, you're in for a baptism of fire, fratello," Giovanni chuckled, "I mean, on base, myself and Franco-- not bad, but when you meet us all. Be more prepared than as if going to war."

He laughed. "Great." He sighed. "I am looking forward to meeting everyone."

Giovanni's screen suddenly turned red, a siren blaring, "if you would excuse me. Good luck in the dead zone-- and seriously: don't overthink stuff with Adie. Just don't do something stupid." Gio shut the call off, running to the bridge on his ship.

OFF:

 

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