Personal Log 57: Nagita, 23rd September, 3301
28 Sep 2016Jemine Caesar
23rd September, 3301Spedding City Medicentre, Mannodava
I arrived at the station medicentre feeling oddly apprehensive. After confirming my identity against Major Zhu's authorisation, a medical orderly escorted me past a wary-looking Federal Navy security guard into a small room.
"Nathalie," said the orderly. "There's a visitor here to see you. A Miss Jemine Caesar."
I entered the room. Inside, dressed in blue medical scrubs and leaning on a crutch, was Nagita, her red hair glinting faintly in the room's soft light. When she spoke, it was with a deliciously warm and sensuous accent, slightly nasal yet beautiful to listen to.
*****
"Nagita?"
"Yeah."
"Oh, it's so good to meet you at last!"
"Well, I would totally prefer another settle!"
"Here, I brought you some grapes. I had to buy them in a sealed bag at the medicentre shop. They're really security-conscious here."
"Yes. The commander here, he takes care of that. We are close to Kumo territory."
"How long will you have to stay here, Nagita?"
"I am being discharged tomorrow. My leg isn't in good shape, but I think I can still pilot and find some medical assistance somewhere. They already did some nanohealing on me. I was... unrecognisable when I came here. You know, you are my first visitor here."
"Are you in contact with your family?"
"Yeah, but they can't pay the transport to here. "
"That's a shame. I'm sorry. You must miss them."
"I do, terribly. But now you are here I have some support. You look better than your picture!"
"Haha! Thank you. When you get out of here, we will have to go for that girls night out we promised each other."
"For sure! I'm eager to leave this place."
"I'm sure you are. I've had my share of medicentres recently. I had anaphylactic shock. A bad reaction to a chemical used by nanobots rebuilding my womb. The chemical is found in sobriety pills... you know, to cure hangovers?"
"Yeah, I know. But I'm not used to drink, so I've never had a use for them."
"I'm not used to drink either. I've become fond of Toolfa Gin. It's mildly hallucinogenic, and it affects people in different ways. For me, three things happen; I hear a voice whisper my name, then I feel a hand on my thigh, and later I smell rotting fish."
"Oh my oh my! How to spice up a party! Is the voice creepy or sexy?"
"Ooh... a little bit of both! "
"Should be nice to try it on our girls night, then! I hope it won't be rude at me! Haha!"
"Well, Nagita, when you drink it you will have to tell me how it affects you!"
"You know, Jem... um... this may sound creepy, but... I was thinking about you when I... you know... when I was harrassed by Kumo Crew's ships. I mean, you are my only friend outside of my homeworld."
"Thank you for saying that."
"I'm very honest. You helped me, in a way. I didn't want to die without seeing you once in front of me. They just kept attacking me, like I was... a VIP or some shit."
"Oh, honey... What will you do when you get out of here tomorrow?"
"I would like to go home, to 31 Aquilae. To see my parents. And I'll fit the Darkangel with better equipment. Maybe I could show her to you?"
"That would be good. And perhaps we could fly together. But... you're not going to go after the Kumo Crew again, are you?"
"No, no no no... I can't stand a chance... in their territory. But I'll track all of their buddies down inside of the Federation space."
"Yes. But before that, we'll have our girls night out! Did you get your Sol permit?"
"Not yet, but I think I'm close as I'm a midshipwoman."
"I got mine as soon as I was promoted to Petty Officer."
"I'll work hard for it when I visit my homeworld."
"Maybe I could come with you."
"And then we could have a wild night out! Haha! But take warm clothes, it's pretty cold there."
"All right, but for a proper girls night you need to dress up. And I'm sure the bars have heating."
"Yeah, but... I think I can forget about wearing skirts for now. Hey, Jem, do you have a boyfriend?"
"Yes. His name's Sam. Sam Hodkin. I adore him. He's from Beta Hydri. He's very tall, 1 metre 93."
"Oh my! That is a giant!"
"I know! I have to get on my tip toes to kiss him. I'm only 1 metre 67."
"We are the same height! Have you been to Sol, Jem?"
"Yes. I went there to find Caz, the father of my child. She died when she was 10."
"Oh. I'm sorry, Jem. What happened?"
"It's a long story."
*****
Nagita was a good listener, and the story of my past came tumbling out of my mouth. I told her all about Caz and the wretched consequences of his Lothario's Syndrome, and about my late mama's shock revelation of the truth behind my birth, and about the cloning operation which ended in the heart-wrenching death of my daughter's replicant. Nagita was very sympathetic, particularly about my murder of the father of my child.
"He deserved death," she said. "People like him use girls like... like toys, then throw them away when it's all over. Those kind of people don't deserve to live. Jem, if you ever need help on your things, like... finding a way to have answers about that Duval... I'm free to hire for friends and family."
Just then the medical orderly came to announce visiting was over. How the time had flown! Nagita and I exchanged a gentle hug and a kiss before I left the room once more.