Personal Log 49: Mama's Locket
25 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
13th September, 3301M Gorbachev starport, Sol
After I had related the details of Rudolphus' request to Sam, we undressed each other and had amazing, long-anticipated sex in the shower. A tell-tale trickle of blood down my leg revealed that the nanobots had even restored my virginity. Well, that didn't last long, did it?
Later, as we sat together on the bed, I activated mama's locket to listen to her message in its entirety for the first time. The tiny, familiar image of mama appeared, and began to speak...
*****
My darling Jemine, if you are listening to this, then it means that I have crossed the bridge. But please know that I will be watching over you always. Oh, I record this message every year, but it doesn't get any easier. I love you, Jem, and I hope that you are finding happiness in whatever you are doing now.
Jemine, there is something I have to tell you.
Back in 3272, your grandmama Rebekka was appearing in a holo-soap called 'Star's End', about everyday life on a starport orbiting some fictitious planet. Grandmama had been in the show for four years, and had become one of its more popular characters. She was 53 years old at the time, though she looked ten years younger. I believe she played an Imperial diplomat. I never saw the show, of course.
The viewing ratings for 'Star's End' were declining, however, so the production company launched a publicity campaign aimed at improving audience figures. 'Star's End' had been particularly well-liked in the Empire, so grandmama and several of the other castmembers were dispatched to Achenar to promote the series' latest storyline.
Grandmama duly appeared live on an Empire chat show - I forget which one - and was a big hit with the invited audience. Security was very tight that day, because a member of the Duval family was making an incognito tour of the studios. Not a word of his presence was ever mentioned in the press.
After the chat show had ended, it seems that there was a ... a private meeting ... between grandmama and the Duval. I'm sure you don't need me to spell it out for you, Jemine. Suffice it to say that your grandmama says she was an unwilling participant, and bodyguards stationed outside the dressing room ensured there were no interruptions.
Grandmama was warned never to breathe a word of the ... the incident ... to another soul. But she confided in me, when she returned to LHS 3447-A5 after the 'Star's End' promotion tour and learned she was pregnant. At first, she wanted to terminate the pregnancy, because she felt having a child would have meant the end of her career.
I, on the other hand, had always wanted to be a mother, but unfortunately your papa was unable to father children. So an arrangement was made. Once the baby was born, papa and I would take it and raise it as our own, allowing grandmama to carry on with her career. Feigning an illness, grandmama left 'Star's End' so that she could carry the pregnancy, away from the public eye.
On the 23rd of April, 3273, grandmama gave birth to a little girl. I'm certain you've realised by now, my darling, that the woman you know as grandmama is, in fact, your real mother. Which, of course, makes you and I half-sisters.
She made me promise never to tell you any of this as long as I lived. Well, I kept that promise. She does not know I have recorded this message for you to hear after my death. I always wanted you to know the truth, but I couldn't bring myself to betray your mother's trust by telling you. For that, I hope you can forgive me. Your grandpapa never suspected a thing, by the way. He's always lived with his head in the clouds, bless him.
I know this must come as a terrible shock to you, Jemine. Your mother would never tell me who your real father was, but I think I know. I think I've worked it out, using old news reports.
I think you are the daughter of Harold Duval.
*****
The locket switched itself off, and I sat in still, stunned silence. My mama had just told me that my whole life had been a lie.