Hey Kath,

Is that an appropriate greeting when the love of your life has been missing for almost two months? I’ll be damned if I know. But you have to start somewhere.

Starfleet has been getting in touch with relatives, friends and partners of your crew. We’ve been assigned grief counselors to help us process your loss. I resisted at first, but then Molly began coming up to her due date and... Well. I didn’t want to let you, or her, down.

He recommended that I start trying to find more avenues to express my feelings, while I’ve never fancied myself a writer I was told that the alternatives were painting classes and... Well I’m sure you remember some of my attempts from those wine and cheese nights we did. Fair enough to say the threat was heard, so here I am.

Molly has given birth though! Tally came out at Molly +7 Rugs -1. But that’s what replicators are for, and you’ll be happy to hear that they’re all healthy young pups. 5 girls and 2 boys. It seems I have my work cut out for me though finding them homes so I’m taking some leave from work.

They keep me occupied most of the day, but I find myself dreading, rather than looking forward to them all being asleep.

I keep hoping my comm terminal will light up and we’ll hear this has all been some big misunderstanding. Some darned technical fault with your communications.

But enough about me.

We all miss you. See you soon.