Tapping her finger on the side of her chair, she lay back in her chair while leaning on her other hand, looking at the computer screen. It had been a few weeks since she had lost her brother to the Borg in that faithful mission. Yozria had gone through a rollercoaster of emotions that really no one could help her with. Yes, she had her arguments with Sujian. Yes, she had her fights with him. But in the end, it was her brother, the person who had protected her from the demons in the shadows, who was there for her to consult during difficult times. But now that emptiness was filled by a large void of nothing that no one could replace. 

Time had passed so quickly for her that she attended the ship’s funeral, and she accepted the promotion to Lieutenant Commander for her bravery during the mission. Yozria even accepted the offer of becoming the new First Officer at the Tokyo. But one thing she had been keen on avoiding was facing her family, who had to bear the news by receiving it from some random Starfleet official. Of course, Yozria could not blame the rando for it. He or she was just doing their job. But she felt it was her duty to tell her father about it. 

Taking a deep breath as she slowly exhaled, “Computer connected me to Trill, to the following address.” She typed in the address and sat back. “Connecting now, please stand by,” an automatic reply returned to her. Yozria didn’t react and waited for someone to pick up. But deep inside, she hoped that no one would pick up.

A few beeps went on, and the moment Yozria wanted to stop the call, it changed, seeing an old male with short gray hair looking at the screen. “Deem residence, who am I speaking to…” the man’s eyes were scanning the screen with his white pupils. The old man is blind and couldn’t identify who was on the phone to him. He seemed rather calm and yet reserved. 

Taking a second to recollect herself, it had been a while since she saw her old man. “It’s Yozria….dad,” She spoke with a shrug while not breaking eye contact with the old man. 

The man sat in disbelief back in his chair as his facial expression changed to sadness. Eventually, he nodded to himself. “Yozria….it has been quite some time,” He managed to get out as he tried to control his emotions. “How have you…been all this time?” 

A normal person wouldn’t see harm in the question, but Yozria knew it was a snare for calling so late after everything that had happened. “It has, but I can’t say that I would apologize for my lateness. I needed time for what had happened, and I still have problems with it.” Yozria shrugged, trying to formulate the words in her head. “But I feel obligated to call you about Sujian.”

“I already received the notice of that gentleman from Starfleet,” the man spoke in grief. “So I do not seek any repeats of such.” He looked away from the screen as the man showed frustration. “I needed you before that gentleman came, Yozria. Not a few weeks after, do you enjoy seeing your father bleed again from his heart?”

“That is not fair, Dad.” Yozria raised her hand briefly and shrugged. “You know damn well that he was everything to me…..I required time to grieve, and hearing you repeat over and over that we shouldn’t have joined Starfleet because this might happen doesn’t help,” She pointed out in a shaking and emotional voice.

The man hums a bit in discontent as he looks back with his white pupils at the screen. “Then do not feel obligated to call me and state the obvious, Yozria. He is gone, and nothing can change that.” 

She felt a tear roll over her cheek as Yozria tapped the side of the chair, trying to recollect herself. “I am calling you to tell you how he fell. Information that a Starfleet official shall not share, but it is no public secret either.” Yozria shrugged, knowing the protocol too well. “Sujian volunteered for an away mission to an enemy vessel that could potentially threaten the safety and security of the Federation. The plan to place insurance had failed, and Sujian and four other members had lost their lives, and we barely made it out ourselves.” 

The man stayed quiet for a moment until he took a deep breath and nodded. “He went down as a Starfleet hero but left his family behind in pieces. Thank you for the information, Yozria. Contact me when you have come to your senses and place that badge down for good.” The man pressed a button as the communication broke off, and the screen went black.

Yozria sat back in her chair as the tears rolled down her cheeks. “But you know that Sujian would never accept it and I would give up.” She let her head hang backward for a moment, letting the emotions get the better of her.