Silence Broken
By Laura Schiller
Based on: Star Trek: Enterprise
Copyright: Paramount
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To: Lt. Malcolm Reed, USS Enterprise
From: Capt. Stuart Reed, HMS Stalwart (retired)
Subject: Birthday
2151/09/01
Dear Malcolm,
Your mother and I had a call from your captain today. He wanted to know what your favourite food was, of all things, so he could throw you a birthday party. There was no such thing on my ship, but I suppose they do things differently in Starfleet. In any case, Captain Archer appears to think highly of you. Decent chap, if somewhat informal.
Why didn't you tell us you were part of the senior crew already? Armory officer, no less, just like your grandfather. It's good to know you haven't lost all your sense of tradition.
Enjoy your birthday, son. Do your duty by your crew and make us proud.
Sincerely,
Your Father
P.S. Message your mother and sister. They worry.
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To: Lt. Malcolm Reed, USS Enterprise
From: Mary Reed
Subject: Birthday Wishes
2151/09/01
My darling boy,
Your father and I were so very pleased when we received that call from Captain Archer. What a nice man, to make such an effort for his colleague's birthday! He even asked what your favourite food was, though of course we didn't tell him. I hope you never try to eat another pineapple, if you even have pineapples in space. That first time we had to rush you to hospital scared me half to death!
Speaking of which, how are you feeling? Are your allergies giving you trouble? I suppose they wouldn't, considering the filtered air on a starship, but you do take shore leave from time to time, don't you? Have you made any friends? I was so glad to hear your captain speak so well of you.
I don't like to think of you as an armory officer, it sounds so dangerous. But you've always been a clever boy, and I trust that you know how to protect yourself and your crew. As for your father, I know you may not believe this, but he is sorry for the things he said when you last spoke. He's too stubborn to show it, that's all. The two of you are so much alike. If you'd only meet him halfway, you'd find him more than ready to make peace.
He misses you, and so do I. Please write.
Love,
Mum
P.S. Maddy sends her regards.
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To: Lt. Malcolm Reed, USS Enterprise
From: Madeline Reed
Subject: Another year older and wiser (?)
2151/09/01
Happy birthday, Stinky!
The Enterprise, is it? I hope you don't throw up on Starfleet's flagship the way you used to on Father's boat. All joking aside, good for you. Standing up to the old man seems to have done you a world of good.
I know we don't write often, but I've been thinking of you lately. Blame your upcoming birthday. I hope you're eating properly out there – none of your mad survival training where you try to live on apple juice for a week. You didn't half scare us.
Don't do anything stupidly heroic out there, will you? You might think Father will be impressed if you come home in a flag-draped casket, but he won't. He'll be crushed, and so will Mother, and I won't be too ecstatic either. So come back safely, do you hear me?
Oh, and do tell us if you meet anyone special on that ship of yours. That Japanese comm officer is brilliant and quite pretty, I saw an interview of her on the news when the ship first launched. Watch out – even a tactical officer can't deflect all of Cupid's arrows.
Love,
Mad Cow Maddy
P.S. Contact the parental units, will you? You won't hear Mum cry or Father snap at you over subspace mail. He'd choke on his medals before admitting it, but you really hurt him when you rejected the Navy. He still loves you.