All Things Inherit – Ten – DizzyDrea

The conversation with Chris’ family went on until dawn. They’d all had questions, but none of them appeared to be upset about the danger Chris had brought into their lives. They were all more worried about the impact of the situation on Chris and Len and their new bond.

Len thought it was the best-case scenario. Not all families were so accepting, though most families didn’t have to deal with rogue elements of the S&G community attempting to kidnap their relatives.

What worried Len more than anything was Forbes’ claim that he had powerful friends who wouldn’t be happy he was in custody. She had no idea who that could be, but she also knew it wasn’t her responsibility to figure it out. She only hoped someone did, because Chris wasn’t the only Sentinel with a sixth sense. The danger to the others, and any who might come online in the future, was extreme until they were exposed.

“You okay?”

Len looked at Chris, who’d planted himself on the couch after breakfast. She could still see the stress lines on his face, but he was more at ease than he had been immediately after the rogue Sentinel was taken into custody. Remy and Hugo were currently resting in the suite Len had used when she’d first arrived at the ranch, so Chris was on alert until they were up and about.

That worried her too. He couldn’t stay that way indefinitely. For a new Sentinel to be using his senses so much with so little training was a recipe for burnout, but she knew she couldn’t tell him not to. Instinctively, he didn’t feel safe, even in his family’s home. She wasn’t sure he’d ever feel safe here again, and that just made her sad.

“I’m just… ruminating,” she said. She knew she couldn’t lie to him, nor did she want to. “Worrying about who Forbes’ powerful friends are. Worried that you’re using your senses too much. Worried that they’ve taken away the safety your family’s home has always provided for you.”

“So, not much going on in that brain of yours, huh?” he asked with a crooked smile. She frowned at him but couldn’t hold it. She huffed and rested her head on his shoulder. “Relax. Admiral April asked to see me first thing this morning. He’ll have some answers for us. Martin and Gallatin will be up in time for lunch, so I’ll back off on my senses when they’re up and about.”

He pressed a kiss to her head. “And no one can take away what this ranch represents to me. After my mom and stepdad died, my father brought me here. It became my sanctuary from everything that had gone wrong. Even when we weren’t speaking, I still thought of this place whenever I thought of home and safety. That’ll never change. We may have to upgrade the security on the place, because I hate the idea that someone could use my family to get to me, but at the end of the day, this is and always will be home.”

“I’m glad,” she said. “I’m hoping Admiral April is going to tell us they know who’s behind this, and that it won’t be an issue going forward, but I’m not Pollyanna enough to believe it’ll be that easy. It’s not just you who’ll be at risk if they can’t figure this out, but even I realize that it’ll take time.”

“I have a feeling Admiral April is coming here for more than just a situation update,” Chris said.

Len looked at him. “What else could it be?”

“I think he wants me in command of the Enterprise when she warps out,” he said. “I just don’t know if that’s a good idea anymore.”

“Are you kidding me with this?” she asked, pulling back to get a good look at him.

She didn’t need to, of course. She could read him like an old-school book now that they were bonded, but she had never relied on just one sense, and she wasn’t going to start now.

“It’s not just the Sentinel thing,” he said, shrugging. “I worry about you being forced into a position you never intended to take. I can’t drag you out into space if you’ll be miserable.”

“I never asked Starfleet to exempt me from serving aboard ship,” she said. “I was recruited for my skill with obscure diseases and conditions, as you know. I was warned at the very beginning of my recruitment that I might be assigned to a ship at some point, if that was where I could serve the fleet best. I took that into consideration when I was weighing job offers. In the end, it wasn’t a dealbreaker.”

“So, just to be clear, you’d be okay serving as my CMO?” he asked.

“As long as I’m the most senior officer under consideration for the position,” she said. “I don’t want to take the job away from someone who deserves the promotion.”

“I agree with you on that score. That being said.” He paused. “The reality is, as my Guide, you’ve gained rank. It’s Starfleet policy to promote the lower-ranking member of a Sentinel and Guide pair so they share the same rank. There’s always going to be a senior and junior, but this way, there’s no rank disparity that might draw concerns in certain circles. It also allows you to act with equal authority to me in many situations.”

“So, wait, you’re saying I’ve just made Captain?” she asked incredulously. “I was only recently promoted to Commander. It’s too soon. By a lot.”

“Nonetheless, you are now—or will be soon—Captain Eleanor McCoy,” he said. “You’ll still be a Staff Officer, so if you want to be able to take command of the ship in the event I’m injured or unable to maintain for any reason, you’ll have to go through Flag Officer training.”

“No thank you,” she said, shaking her head. “I’ll let your first officer take command. I’d probably be in Sickbay with you, anyway.”

“Don’t dismiss it out of hand,” he said. He took her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Insofar as I’m new to the Sentinel game, I know my instincts to protect you are strong. Can you say the same about me?”

She sighed. “You know I can.”

“Then consider that your instincts—in certain situations, anyway—might dictate that you take charge of the ship,” he said. “I can’t foresee a time when that might happen, but it’s best to be prepared in case it does.”

“And here I was thinking that my training days were behind me,” she said. “I’ll think about it, but for right now, I’m content to let things be as they are now.”

He laughed. “You should know by now that you’re never finished training. There’s always something new to learn.”

“Oh, I’m aware,” she said. “Doctors can’t sit on their laurels. There are always advancements and changes to the prevailing wisdom or recommended treatments for various diseases. I spend most of my downtime reading medical journals and research papers. When I’m not writing my own, anyway.”

“You’ve been published recently?” Chris asked. “I’d have thought Starfleet wouldn’t permit that, considering some of the things we encounter are on missions deemed classified.”

“Given that I’ve been Earth-bound for most of my career, it’s not much of an issue for me.” Len said. “I suspect that’ll change once we’re aboard ship. Still, Starfleet has allowed papers to be published in the past as long as no identifying data is included. Most medical professionals won’t ask for the particulars unless they think it’s germane to their use case.”

“Wow,” he said. “There’s a lot I don’t know about medical research, apparently.”

“And you’re about to get intimately familiar with it,” she said. “As my Sentinel, our relationship will expose you to patient data and the sort of information that’s typically covered by doctor/patient confidentiality. You’re probably going to have to sign a bunch of paperwork before we’ll be allowed to work in the field.”

“Joy,” he muttered. “If there’s one thing I hate about being captain of a starship, it’s the paperwork.”

“Suck it up, Captain,” she said, punching his arm.

Chris chuckled, as she’d intended him to do. Len relaxed a little. If he could joke around, he wasn’t as bad off as she’d feared. He’d still be on high alert for a time, but that wasn’t exactly uncommon for Sentinels, anyway. She’d just have to teach him how to let go when the situation was contained, as it was now.

Their conversation moved on, but Chris’ speculation about the purpose of April’s visit lingered in her mind.

~0~

“Chris,” Helena called just short of entering the room.

He huffed. “You can come in. I’m not a grenade with the pin pulled. Well, not anymore, anyway.”

Helena walked in, smiling at him. “I wasn’t worried about startling you. I know you could hear me coming from across the house. I just didn’t want to interrupt your conversation.”

“We’re just speculating on Admiral April’s visit,” Chris said. “I hate not knowing what’s going on, and I hate even more that I’m not involved in tracking down this rogue element.”

“Once a captain, always a captain,” Helena said with a fond smile. “Commander Saulter says that Admiral April is beaming down in about five minutes, if you’re ready for him.”

“Did he ever get any sleep?” Len asked. “I ordered him to get no less than six hours of rest before he came back on shift.”

“As I understand it, Starfleet Security sent a new team to provide a rest period since you all had been up half the night,” Helena said. “But Commander Saulter refused to take any rest until all the security measures had been deployed and his team was back on duty. I think it’s a matter of trust for him.”

“His trust in the new team, or my trust in him?” Chris asked. He didn’t feel as though it had been shaken, but he could understand that Saulter might blame himself for the incursion.

“Your trust in him, I’d think,” Len said. “He was placed in charge of your detail, and you were attacked on his watch. That’s not going to sit well with him. He’ll work until he’s ready to collapse to make sure your situation is secure.”

“I hate to say it, but I understand perfectly where he’s coming from,” Chris said with a sigh. “Let’s just make sure he takes his mandated rest period at some point today. He’s no good to any of us if he’s passed out from exhaustion.”

“I’ll take care of it, sweetheart,” Helena said. “Nobody does guilt trips better than a Southern momma, trust me.”

“Oh, I’m intimately familiar with that reality,” Chris said, smiling and shaking his head.

Len nodded. “My momma could teach a class on it at Emory.”

Chris caught the sound of familiar footsteps coming up the walk. “The admiral is here.”

“Then I’ll leave you to your conversation,” Helena said. She pushed away from the couch she’d been leaning on. “Make sure you introduce him before he leaves. Your father and I would like to thank him for allowing you to come home for your recovery.”

“Even after everything that’s happened?” Chris asked, even though he could feel her love and gratitude suffusing the room.

“Even so,” Helena said. “You’re our son, and we’re glad you’re still with us.”

She walked out of the room, headed for the kitchen as Admiral April entered the living room. Chris and Len stood to greet him, even though they were both off duty.

“Admiral April,” Chris said. April paused, hesitating to shake the hand Chris had extended. Chris just smiled. “It’s okay. I trust you, and I’m not put off by a handshake the way some Sentinels are.”

The two men shook hands, then the admiral settled on the loveseat as Chris and Len resumed their places on the couch.

“First, how are you doing?” April asked. He held up a hand when Chris opened his mouth. “No bullshit, please.”

“I’m good,” Chris said with a smile. “No bullshit. I’m tired, but that’s because I had some uninvited guests in the middle of the night, and I spent the rest of the night reassuring my family that everything will be okay.”

“Then I hope I’m not going to make a liar out of you,” April said. “The Cascadia Foundation sent us an asset who helped us interrogate the Sentinel and Guide you took into custody last night. It was… interesting.”

“Interesting in what way?” Len asked. “The techniques they used, or the information they gained?”

“Both,” April said. “The rogue element within the Cascadia Foundation is scattered all across the globe, and they’re being backed by a resurgence of the Earth First movement.”

“That’s… interesting,” Chris said, drawing a chuckle out of April. “Back in the day, when Earth First was just getting started, they were very human-focused. Not that there were many Sentinels online back then, but they saw enhanced humans as an abomination. Their whole mandate was to protect pure humans.”

Len snorted. “Since the advent of the warp drive, there’s a whole lot of alien DNA in the human genome. There’s no such thing as a pure human anymore.”

“Which was their argument back then,” April said. “They claimed that anyone with advanced DNA had to be part alien, and therefore a contamination of the human species.”

“Christ,” Chris said, rubbing a hand over his face. “Earth First working with a rogue element of enhanced humans. It’s a nightmare in the making.”

“The enemy of my enemy is my friend,” Len said. “My mentor told me that there are whispers of Sentinels and Guides who think that our community should be protecting Earth, not going out into space to protect other worlds. They’d like the Foundation to revoke our permission to work with Starfleet, at a minimum.”

“What does Earth First get out of working with a group of people they don’t think should exist?” Chris asked.

“An organization with power on Earth, and people who are, in effect, super soldiers,” April said. “Every revolution needs foot soldiers, after all.”

“Great,” Chris said. “It’s becoming clear to me that it’s not safe for me to stay on Earth, at least in the short term. If I leave, they’ll stop trying to kidnap me.”

“And they’ll move on to someone else,” Len said darkly.

“Perhaps, but I can’t protect you or my family on Earth by staying here,” Chris said. “Maybe we should consider taking T’Pau up on her offer.”

“She sent the ship,” April said. Chris and Len turned to look at him. “I’m assuming you didn’t ask her to, but it’s in orbit right now. If you’d rather go to Vulcan to train and prepare for the mission, you’re welcome to. No one in Starfleet is prepared to tell you no.”

“Mission?” Chris asked.

April huffed. “The other reason I beamed down here today. Enterprise is at the top of the list for the big five-year mission. Admiral Archer and I are both in agreement that we’d like the flagship of the fleet on this mission.”

“Is there any pushback?” Chris asked.

“Oh, yeah,” April said with a smile. He leaned back and propped his ankle on his knee. “Everyone has their favorite vessel. One they served on, or a protégé who currently serves. Unfortunately for them, only myself and Admiral Archer get to decide which ship carries the flag for Starfleet. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve had in my office in the last week alone, advocating for one ship or another to get the mission.”

“Any reason Enterprise is at the top of the list?” Chris asked. He could sense that Len thought he was being deliberately obtuse, but she held her tongue.

“Hell, Chris,” April said. “Your record speaks for itself, but the fact that you’ve come online as a Sentinel makes it a done deal for some. Me included. I know that your ship will become your territory and your crew will become your tribe. You’ll work like hell to keep them safe and bring them home, all while you do stellar work on behalf of the Federation on the frontier. Why wouldn’t we want to send you out there?”

“He’s not the same man you knew before,” Len pointed out. “Yes, he has enhanced senses, which can be an asset to him during negotiations and in difficult situations. But he’s also going to be a fierce defender. If he feels he or his ship and crew are under threat, he’s more likely to shoot than negotiate like he’s done in the past.”

“Good,” April said. “Frankly, his diplomacy has been his defining characteristic for most of his career, but I think even he would agree that it’s not always worked in his favor. We need someone who’s bold enough to take the first shot if he feels it’s warranted. Who’s not afraid to stand toe to toe with the Romulans or Klingons… or the Gorn and do whatever it takes to walk away intact. That’s what it’s going to take out on the frontier.” He looked directly at Chris. “If you don’t think you’re that captain, tell me now, and we’ll pick a different ship. Or reassign you and send Enterprise out under someone else’s command.”

Chris growled at that. “Nobody’s sitting in that chair but me. I can’t protect my crew if I’m sitting behind a desk. And I’d hate every second of it if I took that desk job.”

“Then the mission is yours, Captain Pike,” April said. “I’ll have Enterprise ready for you when you’re ready to go.”

April stood up, and Chris and Len followed. Chris extended his hand and shook April’s once again.

“Thank you, sir,” he said. “I appreciate the faith you have in me. There will be a few crew changes due to my new status, but I’ll get those over to you ASAP so you can start making arrangements.”

“I’m assuming you’re taking on a new CMO,” April said, smiling. He looked at Len. “I finally got you aboard a ship, Doctor.”

“Don’t get excited,” she grumbled. “Space is nothing but a cold, hard death if you’re unprepared.”

“Then I suggest you get prepared,” April said. He turned to Chris. “I’ve had requests from more than a few Sentinels and Guides—online and latent—to join your crew now that you’re online. I’ll forward their files to you so you can make any decisions you need to make.”

“You’re not usually that deferential about crew changes,” Chris said. “I can’t remember the last time I had final approval on a new crew member.”

“You weren’t a Sentinel back then, Chris,” April said. “You need to be able to trust the people you’re taking out with you. I’ll be as accommodating as I can be.”

“Understood and appreciated, sir,” Chris said, grateful that he had a commanding officer who understood him, even a little. “You want some lunch while you’re here? My stepmother is a wonder in the kitchen, and she and my father would like to meet you.”

“If she’s half as good as you, I’d be a fool to turn down a home-cooked meal at her table,” April said.

“Who do you think taught me how to cook?” Chris said with a smile. “Commanders Martin and Gallatin will be joining us as well. I should probably tell you they’ve agreed to join my command.”

“I figured as much when they practically demanded to be beamed over here last night,” April said. “I’ll get that process started. Just keep me posted on any other changes coming my way. I have a feeling you’re going to be more work as a Sentinel than you ever were as a captain.”

Chris laughed. “Probably.”

Chris smiled as they made their way to the kitchen so April could meet his parents. He was, honestly, excited to be going back out into the black. Now, more than ever, he felt that his place was in the stars. A Sentinel was the tip of the spear, and Chris was prepared to use every skill available to him to protect his home and his crew.

~0~

Cast (from top left):
Anson Mount, David Strathairn, Adrian Holmes, Jess Bush, Zachary Quinto, Sam Neill, Sela Ward, Jean Reno, Damian Lewis, Stana Katic