Posted by Genesis (Gen) McCallister (Anomalous Individual) in side-sim Mess Hall and New Friends

Casela noted how cold Gen’s skin felt. There was no way to know if that was normal for her or not. She held Gen’s hand gently and led her off deck 13 to a turbolift and then to deck 30 and the Ophion Lounge and Bar. She led the young girl over to a replicator. “What would you like to eat Gen? Anything else to drink?”

The girl had said nothing as they left the briefing thread. She did however tense and squeeze Casela’s hand tighter as they neared the area that ‘Dave’ was. A small wave of fear emanated from her ever if it was squashed. Her grip lessened when they entered the turbo lift.

Once they were in the lounge Gen looked around herself as if fascinated by the people. The sort of fascination that someone who has lived a while in isolation has when brought into a group. She stuck by the counsellor and for the second time a small wave of fear erupted from her well shrouded mind.

“Peanut butter and marshmallow sandwich, on white tiger loaf…with an apple…and some strawberries and cream.” She said quietly turning to look at the replicators a moment.

Gen

Casela watched Gen carefully. “Gen would you like to go somewhere else, with less people?” The counseling deck would be good. There was a lot of stuff there and no one visited. Casela had a whole deck that was empty. She programmed the replicator, “One fluffernutter sandwhich on white tiger loaf, an apple, and strawberries and cream. And one orange soda.” The food materialized and Casela took the tray with one hand, letting Gen keep ahold of her other one. As far as Casela could tell Gen was a very scared and lonely little girl. She waited to let Gen decide if she wanted to eat there or go somewhere else.

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

The girl shook her head. “No…it’s ok…they are all just so…loud.” She said looking puzzled. “It was a bit disorientating.” As they reached a table she sat down and pulled her bare feet up under her on the chair. Immediately she grabbed the sand which and began eating as if she hadn’t eaten anything in a long time. She didn’t have the dirty unkempt look of a runaway or anything of that sort but the sandwich was gone in a few bites.

She glanced around again as she finished and picking up a napkin carefully cleaned her mouth and hands carefully. “This ship isn’t like the Others…” she said and taking the soda sipped it again. Her eyes closing as once more she seemed to revel in the taste and the texture of the bubbles.

Gen

Casela listened quietly as Gen ate and talked. “What ‘Others’ Gen? Have you been on other star ships? Did something happen to the ship you and your parents were on?” She knew Gen had said her parents had died, but not how. She made a note that when they were done here, she was taking Gen to get some shoes and warmer clothes. And a physical. She was sure that others on the command staff didn’t trust Gen, and honestly Casela didn’t know if she did or not. Gen ‘felt’ like a child, she didn’t know about these random powers she seemed to have, but to Casela, a child was a child, and the whole flippin ship would have to go through her to hurt a child. Casela took a slow deep breath. She had to find out more about Gen first.

Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

Gen nodded, her mouth full of strawberries. “The Einstein was the most recent one but there have been others. I tried to warn them but it was too late they didn’t listen.” She swallowed and looked at the spoon her eyebrows knitted slightly. “My mother used to give us strawberries…” she looked up at Casela then. “I wasn’t sure if you guys would listen so I was going to just leave again. I don’t think your captain and those others like me much.” she tilted her head and looked confused a moment, her eyes glowing slightly.

Casela stayed relaxed just listening not registering her shock or the low level alarms in her head, “You were on the Einstein? Gen, can you tell us what happened to them?”

Casela nodded, Gen wasn’t wrong. “Humans are often afraid of what they don’t understand, but they can come around. But thought you took Captain Cobb by surprise, I’m sure he hasn’t made up his mind yet.

“My mom used to pick me uttaberries. Do you remember anything else about your mom?” Casela asked softly. She wanted to keep Gen talking, and figure out how to help this young girl.

”I won’t hurt you…im not like them. I’m not like the abomination.” her gaze focused on the soda and she put the spoon down and reached for it, the hugely baggy sleeves of her sweater flopping down over her hands so that it covered her fingers completely as she picked it up and drank.

Gen

Caslea smiled softly. “I believe you Gen.” She watched Gen hold her drink. “No you aren’t like the…” they called him Dave, “the abomination. How are you like?”

What Casela wouldn’t give to have another telepath at the senior staff meeting, so she could relay this information. But no one trusted her, because she was a telepath, so no one to give the information to.

Seeing how fast Gen ate the food, “Do you want more to eat Gen?”
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS