Reborn

Posted on Thu Aug 1st, 2019 @ 4:06pm by Commander Logan Vance & Amanda Vance

Mission: Preludes
Location: Starbase 234 - Infirmary
Timeline: 2387 - Two Months After 'Only Human'
Tags: Prelude

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Time: 0824
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Amanda Swanson looked between the two of them. She had a feeling that this was coming; so, now all she could do was prepare them for what was to come. "Now of course we will be able to reverse this if you so desire at a later date. However, it will be a much longer process to heal if you were to do so. Because your growth plates are not completely finished growing, we may have to repeat this process a couple of times until you are at least 25. Are you absolutely sure you want to do this now instead of waiting a couple of years?"

"I have made my decision," D'Ral assured her. Logan looked less convinced but he had made a deal with her and she had laid out her argument. A human looking girl with a human father would draw less attention, scrutiny and sympathy than a girl with Romulan ears and other features. Her adjustment to human culture would be easier. She would feel more comfortable among humans. In short, she would adjust quicker.

"Are there any dangers to her health at this age?" Logan asked. If there was anything that might convince her otherwise, it would be that.

"I wouldn't say any dangers per se. There could be complications with the growth plates requiring for their surgeries to correct and to maintain the human facial structure. If you do ever change your mind, then you may need to have multiple surgeries in order to restore Romulan face," the doctor warned. "It will take you longer each time to heal than the time before. And they will be more painful each subsequent subsequent surgery. Waiting for the growth plates to finish, would reduce the number of possible surgeries, possible complications and the amount of pain."

"I will not change my mind," D'Ral insisted. "The Romulans are a dying people. If I am going to be adopted into my father's world and people, it will be hampered by the traits I inherited from them."

"But it is also a part of who you are, D'Ral," Logan chimed in.

"When this is done, D'Ral D'varo will cease to exist in name. In time she will cease to exist in action. I fulfill my part of our bargain, father. Do not stand in the way of this."

"We just want to make sure this is really want you want."

"It is. When can we begin?" she turned to Dr. Swanson.

"Tomorrow morning first thing. I'll assemble a team of the best staff. This isn't a temporary thing, so it'll take a couple hours. Meet here at oh six hundred for pre-op prep. Surgery is slated for oh six thirty and you should be home recovering by noon," the doctor smiled.

D'Ral was not happy she would have to wait another day for the surgery but she accepted it. She knew it was so she would have more time to consider. It was pointless as she wouldn't change her mind but she didn't have much choice. "I will be here," she stood to go.

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Time: 1034
Scene: Starbase 234 - Infirmary
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D'Ral lay unconscious having no awoken from the surgery yet. Logan looked down and despite the fact that she had looked fairly human before the changes, it was quite a difference now. "You'd never know she isn't fully human," he commented to Swanson. "Will she wake up soon?"

"Soon," the doctor started. "Her blood will of course give her away. Just remember, we may have to do adjustments as she grows. She will be sore for the next couple of days. If it gets painful, you can bring her back. Do you have any questions?"

Logan shook his head. He had a ton of questions. None that Swanson could answer. He was more trying to take it all in. The last two months had been one twist after another and it was hard to keep up. He'd from being a single man with little responsibility other than to his job and himself to caring for a twelve year old girl. A girl with a mind of her own and who had no one else. Where was the line? He had no idea. His own parents have essentially been absentee so he had no real frame of reference other than the mistakes he had made. And he had made a shit ton.

And now here he was, wondering if this decision he'd let her make was a mistake or something that would actually be a net positive for her. At this point, the decision was made. And while it could be walked back, it couldn't be for a while. So all he could do was make sure she was ok and safe.

D'Ral slowly opened her eyes and looked around. As Swanson had predicted, she was sore. However, all she was concerned with right now was if the surgery had been successful. "Father… Doctor Swanson…"

Logan and the Doctor approached the biobed. "We're here."

"I need to see," D'Ral prompted.

Dr. Swanson held out a mirror for her to look at. "You'll be sore for awhile. You might experience some bruising. Should disappear in the next couple of days. You'll want to take it easy."

D'Ral turned her head back and forth to get a good look. Her ears were changed. Her cheek structure too. Her eyes were a truer blue than before and her hair was blonde. For the first time in years, she smiled. It was exactly what she wanted. "It worked, father. How do I appear?"

"You are and always were a beautiful young woman, D'Ral," Logan replied with a smile.

"I'm not D'Ral anymore," she corrected.

Logan remembered. She had insisted on helping her choose a human name. Ultimately he made it her choice but he had helped her decide. "Do you want to tell the doctor what name you chose?"

"I chose Amanda," she replied. "Amanda Vance."

"That is very sweet, Amanda. You do look like an Amanda now." The doctor smiled. "Come back in three days and let me check your healing process to make sure there is nothing undo going on. I recommend wherever you get assigned that you advise your medical officer. That way growth plates can be monitored. If you have no other questions, I don't see why you can't recuperate at home."

Home. That was the next big question. If he stayed with Starfleet Intelligence that home would be Earth. Even with the modification Swanson had made, he knew D'Ral… Amanda would stick out like a sore thumb. She had grown up in a place that would seem alien to humans and Earth would seem alien to her. "After her check up in three days, how soon before she can travel, Doctor?"

"That day if you wish," she stated with a smile.

Logan nodded. "Thank you, Doctor Swanson."

He turned back to see Amanda had finished dressing and approached him. "I… I don't want to live on Earth," she admitted.

"I know. I think we can arrange something. Just give me a little bit of time," he replied.

She nodded but was pensive. It took a moment for Logan to deduce what the problem was. "Do you remember what I told you about people hugging to show appreciation or affection?"

"I've… never done that before," she replied nervously.

"I can show you." He stepped towards her slowly and put his arms around her and pulled her close.

She reciprocated in kind. "Thank you… father."

Agent (Lt. Cmdr) Logan Vance
Intelligene Officer