First contact - part 1"
By: Patia Zoei, Chief Counselor, [PC]
Joshua Dane, Teilani's brother , [NPC]

Stardate: 58205.25 1500

Location Mars settlement

Joshua looked at the screen which displayed the face of Brexen Rafellian. “ Josh, set your difference aside. Lani needs you. With your parents death and Eric gone missing, you , melissa and Lani only have eachother,” he said. “It is time to forgive, you all are hotheads I know but you are the only family she has.”

“ Look Uncle, she has not contacted us in months, why should we be the first to take the step.” Josh argued.

“Joshua, someone must take the first step. I will not allow it that this family breaks apart because of just a mere misunderstanding. I know that Lani is very stubborn and has her pride but I also know she is your sister and in the heat of an argument hurtfull things are being said.

Josh remained silent for a second. “Uncle, how is she?” he then asked.

Brexen smiled. “ According to Counselor Zoei, she is just fine. A lot has happened to her but I think she has found her place on the ship she is serving. Joshua, try to contact Counselor Zoei and talk to her, perhaps you can talk to Lani as well.”

Brexen paused. “ Joshua, Lani needs you. He turned and typed something on a console. “ There I sent you the coordinates, try to contact the USS Zion and have them patch you thru to Counselor Patia Zoei.”

Joshua smiled and nodded. “ I will, he said. “ It was good seeing you uncle. See you in a few weeks. Dane out.”

The connection was terminated and Josh leant back in his chair. He closed his eyes and tried to remember Teilani’s face. He knew that he had been hard on her, trying to replace his parents as they were on their mission and now with them being dead, and Eric gone missing the burden was even harder.

He rubbed his temples and stared at the coordinates on the screen. He stood up and walked towards the window. The reddish glow of the Mars dessert highlighted the room and his face. He watched his childeren playing outside, they have never seen their aunt. Joshua turned around and walked back to his desk.

“ Computer initiate a subspace communication channel with the USS Zion, last known coordinates 235.5. Requesting contact with Counselor Patia Zoei.” A beep indicated the requested and Joshua waited.

*** USS Zion***

The shrill tone of an incoming message broke Patia's concentration. She had been working on the research to track down Dr. Dane's family. She gave the authorization for the relay and waited for the person on the other end to initiate contact.

Joshua tapped his console and with some flickering he saw the features of Patia appear. She looked delicate, shiny dark hair and eyes.

"Counselor Zoei?" Joshua asked.

"Yes," she smiled slightly, "and you are?"

"Hello, I am Joshua Dane, I believe you know my sister?"

"Hello, Mr. Dane. If your sister is Dr. Teilani Dane, then yes, I do know her." Patia nodded.

"She is," Josh hesitated. "I also believe that you have spoken to Brexen Rafellian?

"Yes, I did, recently," Patia replied.

"He told me to get in touch with you and here I am. So how may I help you Ms Zoei?"

"Please, call me Patia," she invited. "The reason I wished to speak with you was Teilani has spoken fondly of her family. She stated, though, she has not been in contact with her siblings or parents for quite some time. To be frank, Mr. Dane, she was concerned about the reception she would receive if she attempted contact. I understand there was some friction in the family and she was afraid her family members would not want contact reestablished. When I spoke with Mr. Rafellian, he told me of your parents' death. I did share that information with Teilani. I am sorry for your loss, as well, Mr. Dane."

"Thank you Ms Zoei, erm Patia," Joshua said. "There was indeed friction as Lani went to Medical school and my parents had rather preferred her to join the family business. But Lani can be very tenacious and stubborn."

"Yes, she can," Patia smiled. "And it is challenging when children do not follow parents' expectations, no matter how good the reason."

Joshua smiled. "I have been trying to keep track of her for all her academy years and even during her first assignments. I guess she is not aware of that?

"She was not. She feared you wanted nothing to do with her," Patia said.

"I thought so. Lots of hurtful things have been said during her leaving and I think it is now time to forget and forgive. You can tell her that she is most welcome in my house, she is after all my little sister."

"I will be happy to share that information with her. I am sure she will be in contact with you shortly." Patia said.

Joshua laughed. "I think you must make her, Ms Zoei. Has she told you about Eric?"

"Lani might surprise you this time. I think she is at a point where she is ready, if not eager, to reestablish contact with you. As for Eric, she has told me a little about him. She seemed very close to him," Patia remarked.

Joshua sighed. "Eric and Lani were like to peas in a pie. I know that she thinks that we blame her for his leaving. Would you tell her that this is not so and that it was Eric's own decision."

"I will pass that information on to her when I talk to her about our conversation today."

"Don't tell her that he is gone missing.

"She is already aware of that. You two might be able to compare notes and make some mutual progress on finding him, I believe," Patia nodded.

Josh's face became a bit stern. "Perhaps. Anyway Ms Zoei, erm Patia, " Joshua said with a smile. I believe your time is valuable so I will not take up anymore of it.

The changes in his facial expressions were telling a story that didn't match his words, Patia observed. It wasn't her problem to decipher, though. She just needed to put the two of them in contact. "Thank you for contacting me, I will speak with Lani today."

"Thank you Ms Patia, Dane out."