Mimi's life before starfleet part 5

Posted on 30 Oct 2018 @ 4:18pm by Ensign Mimi
Edited on 25 Jan 2020 @ 6:36pm

1,092 words; about a 5 minute read

With Mimi in tow Maria walked into the observation lounge, she’d spent the last few hours with Mimi in sickbay trying to talk some more with her explaining they were now on a ship orbiting Kemi and having a bigger meal together

Mimi had been fascinated but also nervous as they had walked down the corridor hiding behind Maria whenever a crew member went past. Most were human but the Charleston had a considerable number of alien crew.

In the observation lounge sat Captain Daniels, Commander Kal and Dr Telana, pulling a chair out for Mimi Maria sat down beside her. “Mimi, this is Captain Daniels and Commander Kal.” She pointed to each as she spoke.

”Lumela.” Mimi said and gave a slightly nervous wave, she looked at the pair, they looked similar until she noticed the pointed ears on Kal, she’d seen several like that while she was walking with Maria. ”Kal nyasi human? She asked Maria.

Maria smiled at her. “No, Kal is Vulcan,” Maria explained.

“Wulcan.” Mimi replied.

Maria chuckled. “Vul… can.. Vu..”

Commander Kal had been watching this exchange with as much interest as a Vulcan ever showed. “Will the child be able to understand these proceedings?”

Maria turned to look at the Vulcan and nodded. “With my help, I think we’ll be able to make sure she understands. The translator has been struggling with her language.”

“Good,” Daniels said. “We have to come to a decision about what we can and should do with Mimi. It is clear that there are no more Nekomi alive on the planet for her to return to. Telana, is she fit medically?”
“Yes, her injuries have mostly healed up and she is doing better after the good meal she had earlier,” Telana replied. “She needs no more medical help from us.”

Daniels nodded. “Your opinion on what we should do with her?”

“Well, we cannot leave her here, we should take her with us at least until we reach a starbase.” She said.

“I suggest a Federation orphanage,” Kal said flatly, his gaze on Mimi.

Maria frowned. The thought of Mimi going to an orphanage bothered her more than she cared to admit at the moment. She looked at Mimi and wondered. She would be completely removed from anything that was familiar if they sent her to an orphanage.

“We can’t do that,” Telana remarked.

Kal turned his gaze to Telana. “It is only logical that the child be sent somewhere she can receive necessary care.”

Maria couldn’t hold her tongue. “Sir, she would be removed from anything that’s familiar to her if we simply put her in an orphanage. She needs an environment that is more stable. She knows nothing of our world and how it operates. We can’t just throw her into the mix and expect her to be alright.”

Kal raised his eyebrows, even though the rest of his face didn’t move. “She has no family. There are really no other options.”

“But this crew and this ship. She could stay here with us. We could be her family,” Maria suggested.

“This is a Starship, not a school nor a child rearing facility of any sort. In this political climate do you truly believe that a child has a place aboard a starship?” the Vulcan asked, his head tipped slightly to one side.

“Many families live aboard starships,” Maria retorted.

“She does have a point Kal,” Daniels said. “We do have a couple of older children onboard.”

“Those are human children and nearly adults,” Kal countered again. “They are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. They do not require supervision. However, this is not a human child. By your own admission this child knows nothing of our world. She will require special care and attention.”

“She would need someone she trusts to provide that, to act as the family she has lost.” Telana said, to her there seemed only one person who could do that.

While they talked, Maria was watching Mimi. She kept thinking about somewhere, anywhere where they could send her, but she was starting to feel like their solution might be closer to home.

Kal shook his head. “I do not believe that anyone available on the ship has the necessary training.”

Maria was still looking at Mimi. “She could stay with me,” she said softly. “I might not have the training, but she trusts me and I’ve already started to learn her language. Why not me?” Maria turned her gaze to the other people.

Daniels looked at Maria. “Are you sure Maria?” He asked. “It would be a big responsibility, juggling it with your duties may be hard.”

Maria took a deep breath and looked down at Mimi again. For some reason she felt certain that this was the right decision. Perhaps the right decision for both of them. She nodded and looked at Daniels with conviction. “Yes, Sir. I understand.”

“Telana?” Daniels turned to her

“Maria is right, Mimi has reacted well to her and they’ve managed a not bad level of communication together.” Telana said and looked across at Mimi giving her a reassuring smile. “As for juggling her duties, myself and nurse Joy can help. Mimi seemed more relaxed when she saw Joy standing near her and we were nearby when Maria was with her, I would think she trusts us too.”

Kal nodded slowly. If he had been human it might be easy to see his suspicions about the situation, but he seemed to be conceding. “If this is what you wish,” he said simply.

Maria looked at Mimi. “Mimi, would you like to come live with me? Stay with me?”

”Si Nekomi son fran, Maria help Mimi…. Daai. Mimi stay Maria” Mimi said after a while..

“Yes, that’s right! Mimi stay with Maria. Maria help Mimi.” Maria smiled, feeling confident about her decision. She had always wanted her own children, but was unable to have any. This sort of worked out for both of them. Mimi needed her. Maria felt a little that she might need Mimi as well.

“Then that settles it.” Daniels said slapping his hand against the desk for emphasis. “Maria will take care of Mimi, Telana you and Joy will help any way you can.”

Maria suddenly couldn’t stop smiling. She hugged Mimi tightly. “Well, now you can come stay with me! We might have to look into bigger quarters.” She chuckled. “And maybe some shopping…”

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