Disclaimer in chapter one. I can't believe I went this long without updating I'm so sorry. Won't happen again!
This chapter is dedicated to the men and women who embrace the new frontier in this century, and the crew and the families of Space Shuttle Columbia.
Chapter 8
Family Ties
Warf slowly crouched down to the young girl's level, he studied the petite creature carefully watching as the naïve girl trembled before him.
"Hello." Warf greeted. Angela Jackie stared back in awe, the creature spoke English, and the creature was friendly.
"Aloha." Angela Jackie greeted.
"I'm Lieutenant Warf."
"Lieutenant huh?" Angela Jackie raised her eyebrow in suspicion as if she had just cornered a spy, she then lowered her brow and her gaze settled on the carpet.
"My daddy was once a lieutenant." Warf nodded sympathetically he understood what this child was going through. Warf himself had once been an orphan just like this girl was now.
"Children are not allowed on this part of the deck without an escort." Angela Jackie raised her brow in confusion. She had never been aboard a US ship, with the exception of that one day when her mother took her on a brief tour of the Arizona on "Family Day" where family members of the crew were welcomed aboard and were given a tour. Angela Jackie cringed at the memory of what had happened to the Arizona, and how lucky they were that mother did not report to the Arizona that Sunday morning. How little ones life could change in a matter of moments.
"I'm sorry." Angela Jackie whispered. "It all looks the same to me." Warf moved closer to the child.
"You look like you could use something to eat." Angela Jackie was surprised, was he not going to force her to go back to that class with talking type writers, alien fairy tales, and children who looked like they were in Halloween costumes.
"I am hungry." She agreed. Warf took the young child's hand and led her to the turbo lift.
"Ten-Forward." He instructed. Angela Jackie's grip tightened as the turbo lift began to move. Ten-Forward was a warm place it was like an elaborate-futuristic hotel lounge. Futuristic was not the word Angela Jackie silently scolded, after all she was in the future…from her time. Guinan stepped from around the bar, she had heard of the young girl from the past, now she got the chance to finally meet her. Angela Jackie instantly spotted the women stepping from around the corner, she resembled Rose, the nigger who was the maid on Grandpa's estate.
"A nigger." The tone was a tone of delight in the child's voice relieved to find someone who reminded her of home, though Captain Picard looked familiar too. Many heads raised and turned in her direction Angela Jackie had the sudden discretion that she had said something wrong.
"Well I haven't heard anyone say nigger in awhile." Guinan extended her hand. "Guinan." Angela Jackie grew very pale.
" Angela Jackie, and I'm sorry that's just what I heard Grandpa call people like you and Rose to, you remind me a lot of Rose, she was the maid…" Angela Jackie began to ramble trying to cover her mistake.
"It's alright." Guinan laughed. "It's not the first time, but people on Earth moved past prejudice a long, long time ago. No one is discriminated by the color of their skin, or their religion, or beliefs." Angela Jackie smiled she liked the way the earth was turning out. "And you look like you need some ice cream." Angela Jackie perked up, she loved ice cream. "I just happen to have a stash of ice cream that's not made by the food processor. I was saving it for a special occasion."
"Homemade?" Angela Jackie remembered watching her father make ice cream on those hot summer evenings. Angela Jackie would then get to pour cherries and nuts on top of her ice cream. Two minutes later Angela Jackie had a dish of double scooped vanilla with pecans and cherries on top. Warf had to return back to duty, but Angela Jackie got to spend the rest of the afternoon (if it was afternoon it was impossible to tell without the sun!) talking to Guinan. In Georgia, Rose was Angela Jackie's only friend, talking to Guinan was like talking to Rose or a very close friend…
On the Bridge
"Captain." Data called to Captain Picard.
"Yes Data." Captain Picard and Commander Riker came over to stand beside Data.
"I've found only one family survivor of Angela Jackie Chandler sir." Jean-Luc crossed his arms across his chest.
"Who Data." Data looked up to face the captain and commander, his eyes were trained on them but it was clear he was scanning his memory sorting out the detail.
"Perhaps we should step of the bridge for a moment sir." Data suggested. Picard and Riker were obviously getting aggravated.
"Just tell us Data, there's no reason for secrecy." Riker ordered.
"Very well sir." Data's gaze shifted from Commander Riker to Captain Picard.
"It's you Captain."
I can't stop apologizing for not updating I promise I will try not to let this happen again! Hope the chapter was worth the wait.
