Memories

9/5/87

The scene is set in one of the housing facilities of Jotenen, Planet VI. A tall woman of about 35, with a wicked scar running from temple to chin on the right side of her face is getting into her pilot gear in a hallway. A small child comes running. "Mummy wait!"  The woman picks up the blonde little girl and cradles her in her arms. "Mummy will be gone for a while little one."  The little girl pulls the long braid that hangs down the woman’s back. "I don’t want you to go off again mummy."  The girl pouts, and the woman smiles softly. "I’ll be back in a day or two dearest."  The woman kisses the little girl on the cheek. "Please be good to your father while I’m away!"  The girl nods and puts her head against the soft skin of her mothers neck and shoulder. "I love you mummy!"

One day later, the scenery is the same. A man of average height and muscular build stands, comm link in hand, blonde little girl cradling his leg, a stricken look on his face. His complexion is ghostly pale and with a moan, slowly, ever so slowly, he slumps down, sliding against the wall down onto the floor. The little girl looks small and frightened; she reaches for the man’s hand, which is grasping the comm link, knuckles white from the tension. "Daddy..?"

One week later, in a small chapel. An open casket stands in a quiet room, the man bending over it tears dripping, little girl in his arms. The girl reaches out and grips her mother’s braid, pulling it, the man doesn’t seem to notice. "Mummy? Mummy wake up! Mummy..? MUMMY!"  The little girl cries from fright and cringes in her fathers unresponsive grip.