Posted Feb. 23, 2023, 9:34 a.m. by Civilian Aiofemi T. Oshiro (Director of Medical and Social Services) (Mika Jackson)
Posted by Civilian Samikah Jaxsyn (Administrative Assistant, Medical & Social Services) in While You Were Sleeping…
After an hour-long video call with her twin sister, Mandah who was still back on Earth, Samikah decided to whine down for the night. Rising from her workstation, she maneuvered around the many unpacked boxes that had just arrived from Orbital Station, which had recently been cleared by customs, scattered on her floor in her new apartment. She made her way to her bathroom and showered. Afterward, she quickly glanced at her to-do list for the next day and then hopped into her bed, pulling the covers over her shoulder as the left side of her face hit her soft memory viscoelastic polyurethane foam pillow. Aiofemi had given her what seemed like a continuous list of tasks to accomplish the next day including sending a new plant to the Lt. Governor, finding an appropriate gift for the Governor as well as Dr. Fayth and Helaky for helping her organize the seminar with the Vren. She knew she needed to be mentally on point tomorrow.
As she lay there, Samikah about couldn’t help but think how things would have been much different if she had gotten the Director of Medical and Social Services job instead of Aiofemi. She had nothing against Ai as she was the kindest and most honest person she’d ever met; however, Samikah had applied for the same job and didn’t get chosen for the position. Then a few days later she coincidentally got a call from her long-time friend hearing that she had gotten the job she applied for and really wanted for herself. It was not only an astronomical surprise but also kind was a sting for her too. More so when Aiofemi, who had no idea she had applied for the job, offered her to come with her as her right-hand woman. Being the assistant seemed like a… consolation prize. However, she accepted Ai’s offer because she was fond of her as they both had worked and collaborated multiple times while they were Starfleet officers and had formed a friendship that endured the time and service they put into the organization and apparently job opportunities as well. Also, she knew that Aiofemi would never treat her like a typical “assistant”, and she always wanted to see OED V because it was starting to gain traction as the best new place to visit and live.
Samikah closed her eyes and almost immediately drifted off into a deep sleep. As she fell deeper into her slumber, a fully clothed woman in an all-black jumpsuit emerged from the dark corners of her bedroom. The woman wore Samikah’s face, had the same eyes, and was the same exact build, weight, and height. The only difference is that she did not have the afro-curly hair Samikah had. Her hair was straighter, sleeker, parted in the middle, and fell well past her shoulders. She approached the bed where Samikah slept and stood there watching her.Mikah, Admin Assistant DMSS
“Ensign Delaney, take my kids to escape pod 7, immediately!”, said Lieutenant Imani Akpan-Oshiro.
“Yes, ma’am”, said the tall slender blond woman as she quickly nodded her head.
“Momma, what about you? Are you coming too?”, asked 10-year-old Ai as she grabbed one of her mother’s hands.
Imani kneeled down, to level her face with her daughter’s, and said, “I will….eventually. But honey I have to make sure the wounded and sick get to safety first. Okay? I will be leaving with the last patients.” Ai did not respond as she stared into her mother’s brown face and black eyes. “Ai”, her mother frowned as she continued in a stern voice, “Listen to me. I need you and your brother to go with Ensign Delaney.” She pointed to the woman as she stood right by her daughter.
Suddenly there was a loud boom and the ship shook violently. Ai fell to the ground and landed hard on her left side. As she hit the ground she made a loud huff sound. She did not have time to recover from the fall as Ensign Delaney grabbed her arm, pulled her, to her feet and started to lead her down the corridor in the opposite direction of their mother. Looking back as she ran down the corridor, her thick curly hair blocked her view at first and she quickly moved it so she could see her mother. When she came into view, Ai saw her just standing there at first, then Imani abruptly turned and took off running the opposite direction toward sick bay. There was another loud crashing sound and Ai, snatched her hand from Ensign Delaney, and ducked in a squatting position with her hands over her ears as she screamed, “Zach! No! I am scared! I want mom!”
Ai’s brother ran to her, grabbed Ai by her shoulders and jerked her to her feet, using both hands, then said, “Ai!” He began to shake her violently, “Stop it! I am tired of you..…”. However, after seeing the shocked look on her face, he stopped midsentence, dropped his hands from her shoulder and his voice softened. “You can’t…you can’t act like a baby. Not now. Okay?” Ai face was wet with tears but she nodded her head to indicate she understood. “Come on. We are almost there.” She took her brother hand and allowed him to lead her to their destination.
“Hurry children!” yelled the Ensign.
As they approached the escape pod. Zacharias pushed Aiofemi in, then he got in, then the Ensign went after them. The Ensign ran to the pilot’s seat. “Buckle up, Zach…Ai.”, she yelled. Ai and her brother did as they were instructed. They heard the Ensign counting down. “5…4…3…2…Off! Stay in your seats!”
Approximately 5 minutes into their smooth flight, there was unexpected turbulence, Ai turned her head to look out the window and saw the Majestic was in flames. “No!” said Ai as she smacked the window. “What about…momma?” Ai looked over at her brother. His head was hung low and Ai could see tears coming from his closed eyes. She grabbed his arm and laid her head on his shoulder, “Maybe she made it”, she said in a low whisper. Suddenly her brother put his arm around her and pulled her closer to him. She said once more, “Zach, she probably made it out in time.”
Aiofemi jolted awake and sat up in her bed. She looked around the dark room and noticed it was 0300 hours. After taking a few deep breaths she closed her eyes before placing the back of her right hand on her right eye and sat there a moment. She stifled her tears, quickly dropped her hand and got out of bed. She went to her workstation and sat in the chair as she nervously scratched her head ruffling her thick curly black hair. =^= Computer, place a call to Zacharias Oshiro…=^=
Dr. Ai Oshiro, DMSS
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