There was a skeleton staff on duty when Admiral Anasazi arrived at the Forward Entrance Portal with his guests. Barbarossa selected two of his most trusted Ceremonial Guard, and the rest stood watch outside.
“She is a beautiful ship, Tyr.” Barbarossa complimented.
“Yes, she is beautiful, but, she is also deadly.” Tyr replied.
Tyr was mindful of the fact that the Insurrection's weaponry and destructive capabilities was restricted/classified information. Though Barbarossa had his own sources and probably already knew her capabilities. More steps to the diplomatic dance. Tyr detested having to do this particular dance with his own father.
Their first stop was The Bridge, where they found Ensign DeMato on duty and reading a padd. As soon as he saw the turbo lift doors open, and who stepped out, DeMato shot to attention, and the padd dropped to the deck with a thud.
“At ease, Ensign.” Tyr said. “This is my father, Barbarossa.” he introduced.
“Welcome aboard the U.S.S. Insurrection, Sir. It's the best ship in the fleet.” DeMato said.
“Thank you, Ensign DeMato.” Barbarossa replied.
“As you were, Ensign.” Tyr said. Only then did DeMato settle back into his seat, and retrieve the padd. He did not go back to reading, though. He watched, fascinated as The Admiral showed his father around. Two stern looking Nietzschean males hung out unobtrusively in the background.
“Barbarossa, Barbarossa. . . . . Where have I heard that name before?” DeMato wondered to himself. Suddenly the answer came to him and he gasped. In response, both men turned to face him.
Tyr put his right index finger up against his own lips, signaling silence. Barbarossa merely smiled and winked. After all, he wore nothing to identify himself. No crown or circlet upon his brow. He wore no signet ring nor collar of state. So, this was their little secret.
DeMato quietly watched and listened to the two went from station to station. Then, approximately thirty minutes later when they left. . . .
“Holy Crap! The Arch Duke of The Kodiak Pride is Admiral Tyr's Father!” DeMato exclaimed to himself. Apparently even after Tyr's ten plus years of service in Starfleet, some folks still didn't know this. It was no wonder the poor Ensign was in shock.
The next stop on the tour was when everyone met in front of Hydroponics. After a brief warning from Tamara about disorientation, they proceeded in and were met by none other than Lieutenant Jessica Torres.
“Greetings, Admiral! What may I do for you?” she asked, in her usual bouncy and bright manner.
“I've brought some guests who would like a tour of Hydroponics.” Tyr replied. He then went on to introduce his parents, his sisters, and Desi.
“Welcome to Sherwood Forest.” Torres said and smiled. That was the nickname the Hydroponics staff had given The Insurrection's little piece of paradise.
Those who had never been there before were amazed flora, fauna, fruit and vegetables grew everywhere. Even on the bulkheads and ceiling! No wonder it was easy to lose one horizontal orientation in there! First, Lieutenant Torres showed them the all important indicators which would keep them properly oriented.
“Let's start with my favorites, the flowers. . . . . .” Torres said, as she led them down the aisle.
Perhaps an hour and forty-five minutes later, everyone thanked Lieutenant Torres for the wonderful tour she had given them. Tyr pulled her aside privately and asked when her Shore Leave rotation started.
“Tomorrow, Sir.” she replied.
“I will authorize a few extra days for you.” Tyr said.
“Thank You, Sir.” Torres replied and smiled.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The next stop was Sickbay and The Dragon was in. Tyr made sure he pulled everyone to the side and gave them the two minute warning.
“Doctor Kori has two pets that she is rather fond of.” Tyr said.
“Pets? Like a cat or dog?” Barbarossa asked, as he stroked Snowball. She had lain quietly in his lap during the tour so far. She had steadfastly refused to let Barbarossa go anywhere without her presence for long.
“You shall see. . . . .” Tyr said, as they entered Sickbay proper.
“Hola! ( Hello! )” Darwin said, as he floated over to the group in his hover planter. Barbarossa, Victoria, Tyr's three sisters and Desi all stared at the talking rubber tree-like plant. Tyr did the face palm. Tamara, Xena and Amanda were all familiar with Darwin's antics, and smiled.
“Hola, Darwin! Como estas ( How are you? )?” Tamara asked. Darwin was about to answer when. . . . . .
“DARWIN! Who are you harassing now?” Kori shouted.
“Sacré bleu! Cette femme me donne un mal de tête! ( Sacred blue! That woman gives me a headache! )” Darwin groused in French.
“I heard and understood that!” Kori shouted in response.
“Sorry folks. This is where I exit stage left.” Darwin said as he rolled his googly eyes. He then activated his hover planter and left the scene.
“What in Drago's name was that?” Barbarossa asked, as he gazed up at his son.
“That is a Kensington-Smythe plant. It is a rare species of talking plant. If Darwin is any indicator, they are extremely nosy also.” Tyr replied, as the women whispered among themselves.
“Interesting. I would like to speak to him at length.” Barbarossa replied.
“You may get your wish. Mind you, father, you've only met ONE of Doctor Kori's pets.” Tyr warned as the Dragon herself approached.
“Greetings Admiral, Arch Duke, Matriarch, everyone else. What can I do for you?” she asked.
“We would like a tour of Sickbay.” Tyr stated.
“Sure. Since you've already met Darwin, I have someone else I'd like you to meet.” she replied and smiled.
“No good can come of this. . . . . .” Tyr thought, as she led them into her inner sanctum.
Barbarossa was flabbergasted when he saw VuVu. She immediately extended a couple of hesitant tendrils towards him.
VuVu was unsure if it was okay to do so, because Kori always kept an old fashioned fly swatter handy in case she got out of line. Snowball sat up in Barbarossa's lap and batted at the tendrils gently with a paw. Everyone else watched the prehensile plant with utter fascination.
“This is VuVu. She is a prehensile species of Wandering Jew and is called a Pickpocket Plant. Watch your pockets because she is a born and bred thief. . . . . . . .” Kori started as she went into the in depth history of the plant, while cat and plant played patty-cake. “If you give her a coin or trinket, she'll be your friend for life.” she ended with.
Tyr knew the drill and dug a Nietzschean Sovereign out of his pants pocket, handed it to his father, and instructed him to hold the coin out in his palm. VuVu immediately stretched forth a tendril and snatched the Sovereign up lickity-split. Causing Barbarossa to smile and laugh.
The tour of Sickbay ended two hours later, though they did not see much of Sickbay. Barbarossa got his wish, and had an extended conversation with Darwin. He was surprised at the range and depth of subjects the plant was knowledgeable of.
Tyr's respect for the annoying ficus increased two-fold because of this.
The ladies however, retired to Kori's office, sipped Rakitgino, munched crumpets and yakked away.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
The group returned to the compound Tyr escorted Barbarossa on his walk, while the mid-day meal was prepared. When they returned, Amanda informed them that arrangements had been made for them to see Othello at a well-known theater in Solidad that evening.
The group took the mid-day meal in the solarium. Barbarossa spent some time playing with Alexander and Lysander, then Tyr took him to his bedroom and prepared him for his siesta.
“Before I go to sleep, I have something for you, Tyr.” Barbarossa said as he shuffled over to his dresser. There he retrieved a flat, plain-wrapped box and handed it to his son.
“Thank you, Father.” Tyr replied, as he took the box. However, when he started to unwrap the box, Barbarossa stayed his hands.
“Promise me you will not open this until you arrive home.” he said, earnestly.
“You mean The Insurrection?” Tyr asked.
“No, Tyr. I mean Deep Space Ten.” Barbarossa clarified. Tyr frowned. This was becoming curiouser and curiouser.
“Then you will know if you truly wish to thank me or not.” Barbarossa continued, sounding very much like Khan.
“I promise, Father.” Tyr replied.
“Thank You, my son.” Barbarossa replied.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ten minutes later Barbarossa lay asleep with Snowball curled at his side. Tyr opened the top drawer of his dresser and looked inside. It was there.
The wide and flat drawer had been lined with heavy purple cloth, on it lay Barbarossa's Ceremonial Dagger in it's scabbard. As per the dictates of Nietzschean tradition, this was the dagger one of Barbarossa's sons was to place in his hands after his death.
Lying next to it were Barbarossa's bone blades. Or what was left of them. They were indeed badly chipped, and one was completely split in half. It was the Matriarch's decision to either keep them as mementos, or have them interred with Barbarossa's remains. In most cases, The Matriarch kept them.
“All is prepared.” Tyr sighed and thought.
NOTE TO READERS: Since there was practically nothing mentioned in Andromeda Canon about death, dying, & ceremonies, I had to improvise. Sorry this announcement is ad-nauseum, but, as usual, I've gotta "Cover My Six". . . . . . .
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