For the Bailey family. (backpost before taking up present post)

Posted on Mon Sep 18th, 2017 @ 10:19pm by Ensign Todd Bailey

Todd sat in his quarters, staring at the computer terminal. His breathing was slightly fast and with an unsteady hand he swept his hair back as he said "Computer, open personal log and record in the event of..." and he stopped talking, feeling the enormity of what came next "...in the event of me dying in the up coming USS Victory mission. Code to be sent to the Bailey family, Starfleet Command have the destination information."

==^^==Code set, record message when ready==^^==

"Hello Mum, Dad, Dominic, Flora and Alexis...it's Todd. I wanted to record this message for you all in the event of me...well, you know. If you've received it, then I've not made it through, but, try not to grieve to much. Though I can't actually say what the mission was about, suffice to say, it was taken on willingly so that we could continue to have the freedoms we've all realised these many many years.

I'll be honest with you all, as I sit here recording this, I'm scared, more scared than I've ever felt in my life. I'm so far away from you all, and though there are a great many crew members on the Victory, I'm brand new here and I don't know anyone....I feel so very alone.

That's not a self pity statement, just one of fact. But, Dad, if there's one thing I've learned from you and have been able to take a leaf out of your book, it's to believe and focus on what you know and what you can do to make a difference. You've always had a way of showing us that even the smallest of jobs is worth doing to the best of your ability, and I've carried that throughout my time at the Academy and in the short time I've been aboard this ship. You've always been my rock Dad, thank you.

Mum, dear sweet Mum. You always knew what to say at the right time, and I wish you were here right now, offering me advice. I'm closing my eyes and trying to imagine you here in this room, telling me it'll be all right and that I'll be able to cope with whatever comes at me. A love like that helps me cope Mum, you're always in my heart, always.

Dominic, little bro, you're at the Academy now, following in my footsteps. I know you'll do great things because that's just what you're like, it's your nature. Whether you come out as a specialist, a surgeon or whatever, whoever ends up with you on their ship or station will have one in a million. I love you little brother, you take good care of yourself and those in your care, promise me.

Flora, you're already out amongst the stars on the Beltane. You're the best big sister anyone could even hope to have. Boothby told me about the shy young flower he met as an intern, and who blossomed into someone who was always there for anyone who needed help, or a shoulder to cry on. I still remember you telling me when you graduated that life is an adventure and that we should grab it with both hands and run through the stars with it. Looks I might be doing that first eh, but, it's the biggest adventure of them all.

And finally, Alexis, dear sweet Alexis, so beautiful and kind, our families gem. Promise me you'll stick in at school and continue to make the family proud of you. I'm sorry I won't be there to see you get your school diploma, that I'm certain you'll get as you're by far and away the brightest of us all, even I knew that. You'll have to take care of that big brother of yours and your big sister.

Please know that I love you all, I always have and I always will. Think of me when you look up at the stars, and imagine me running free...goodnight sweet Baileys, I know I'll see you all again."

He stopped talking and looked once again at the computer terminal.

"Computer, stop recording, store and code for sending to Starfleet HQ in the event of my death."

==^^===Recording stopped, stored, ready to be sent==^^==

Todd switched the terminal off, looked round the room, turned and left for his posting.