Letter Home "
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]

Stardate: 58204.21 0730

Zoei shifted in her chair, tucking her foot more securely under herself. The glass of raspberry tea rested just beyond her right hand on the desk top. The snap of the ice in the glass occasionally broke the silence. She stared at the picture of the little girl and the strong young man in the silver frame. The fingertips of her left hand pressed against the glass. It was times like these where she wished she was back home, where her brother always kept her safe. If they were back home right now, he would have gone with her to her father's study. She would not be asking these questions with no support, no back up. It would be a long time before her family got together again, and she couldn't put off asking the questions any longer.

"Computer, begin correspondence, addressed to Patrio Zoei, Betazid.

Dear Father,

I hope you are doing well. Life on the Zion is proceeding, primarily as anticipated. It is becoming home, which is more than the transporter ever did. I have my own quarters and a lovely office. There are pictures of you, Mother and Michelio scattered in all my personal areas. It is so grounding to be able to see you all when tensions are high, as can be expected during these troubled times.

Father, the following part of this letter is extremely difficult for me to write. It is a subject we have been aware of for years, but have never completely addressed. We have been recently docked at Qul Tuq. During our time here, I have been restless. I have had the urge to be on the station rather than on board the ship. I had no need to leave her, no reason to be on Qul Tuq, but I felt a pull, almost from the station herself. This morning, I went there.

While I walked, memories of Lucio flooded my mind. I remembered the letters he sent, the sound of his voice, and the news of his death. Something happened, which up until today, has never occurred while I was awake. This morning, while walking along the promenade, I heard Lucio, as clear as if he was standing next to me, begging for mercy. His tinny, childish voice was so filled with pain, my heart ached for him. Then, Father, I saw a man come out of Quarks. When I saw him, I felt to the depths of my soul that he was the man who had so cruelly murdered Lucio. I had never seen him before, had no reason to think I would run into the person who had hurt Lucio. It was all very strange.

I am back on board ship now, safe in my office. There is no more pull to go to Qul Tuq. It is almost as if the only reason I should go was to run into that man. What are the odds that would happen?

Father, I need to know what happened to Lucio. I need to know who the man was who murdered him. I need to know all the things you felt I was too young to know before now. When I was small, you promised me someday, when I was ready, you would tell me. Father, I am ready.

With all my love,

Patia

Computer, end correspondence. Save copy to personal log. Forward to Patrio Zoei, Betazid."

Patia rested her face in her hands and drew a deep, shuddering breath. She rubbed her hands together three times, brushing the chill from her fingers, before straightening in her chair. A glance at her chronometer showed it was 0750, just ten minutes until her office hours officially began. She took a sip of her tea, the condensation on the outside of the glass making her grip slippery. "Computer, please pull files for all incoming crew slated to meet with the counselor prior to assuming full active duty status."