A Day in the Life
11 May 2024Naomii
Office of Councilor Naomi Moon-Khan, Rainbow Systems United Capitol Administrative Complex, Huberath Dock, HIP 49104 System
Naomi had moved into this office only a few days ago after RAOSs recent expansion into HIP 49104. The excitement amongst her fellow civil servants was palpable. She, however, was taking some personal time to savor the finest perk of their new Capitol Station, gravity. Gravity, and the furniture that usually comes with it.
The rear wall of the room was a single enormous window looking out into the Coriolis station's central docking chamber. The far corners of the room were occupied by some sort of potted tropical plants. Between them, about 3 meters from the window was a wooden desk of minimalist design. On the desk rested a standard holo-screen displaying a half written document. Behind the desk, a high-backed, mesh cushioned office chair sat empty and askew.
The left wall of the room was obscured by more holo-screens projecting live newsfeeds from Galnet, Federal Times, Vox Galactica, and the Imperial Herald. Each feed also displayed an "Audio Muted" icon. The right wall of the room was taken up by various bookshelves and display cases, with the center of the shelves having a large square cutout with a painting of a stylized neon sunset over mountains. Below the painting was an antique vinyl record player, with a record playing. The sleeve resting next to the player identified the album as "Endless Summer" by The Midnight. Naomi collected ancient earth music. This album was a precious relic from the 21st century, an inauguration gift from Janet.
On the front wall of the room, above the door, was a large Rainbow Systems United emblem. In the upper corners were the loudspeakers responsible for broadcasting the music from the record player. Two white synth-leather sofas faced a wooden coffee table in the center of the room. On the table sat a glass of tomato juice and an un-eaten breakfast, eggs and a toasted bagel, already gone cold. Councilor Naomi Moon-Khan was sprawled across the right couch, laying on her back playing a retro looking spaceflight sim on her datapad. Her suit jacket and shoes, a pair of purple pumps, were strewn across the floor near the sofa.
There was a brief pause in the music between songs. The new one was a favorite. She took a moment to raise the volume. The music made her sad in a happy way. She loved to listen to it on days like this one. A day like this meant contemplating responsibilities and regrets. The music helped her with the anxiety.
The video games helped her when she missed the freedom she'd had as an independent pilot, before she had gotten mixed up with galactic politics. Before she had been thrown headfirst into the snake pit of interstellar wars, megacorps, mad scientists, Guardian worshipping cults, Thargoids, and a few roguishly handsome freedom fighters. Her life was certainly more interesting now, but if she wanted to feel the freedom of flying through space, she now had to coordinate with Admirals, department heads, and ambassadors.
She'd found it hard to get used to delegating, especially when it came to sending others into harms way. She didn't want to lose anyone else. Admiral Quinn kept telling her that they all knew what they signed up for, and that they were honored to do their duty. Sometimes that helped. Sometimes it didn't. She appreciated the Admiral, though she felt insecure about needing her hand held when it came time to make a difficult decision.
Would be nice to hold his hand in a different context though. She thought to herself, No, he takes orders from me. That would be inappropriate. She redoubled her focus on her game. Brow furrowed, bracing for another attack run by the octagonal aliens.
The glass double doors slid open and a young woman entered, the click clack of her high heels suddenly becoming muffled as she steped onto the rug that the furniture sat atop. She smiled briefly. Guests of the Councilor almost always found the shaggy pride flag rug at least mildly amusing. The woman leaned over the couch.
"Madam Councilor, you're late for the security briefing."
Naomi startled back to reality. On her datapad, the wireframe Cobra she'd been flying exploded in a tiny shower of pixels.
The visitor's disappointed smirk was now the center of her focus.
Naomi was grateful that her old friend had agreed to serve as her Chief of Staff after she'd been elected to the Council. The two of them met back at the university on Mars. They had even briefly tried dating but decided they were better off as friends. The word of politics was much more cutthroat than she could ever have imagined. Janet Meyers was a force to be reckoned with. Naomi knew she would have never gotten this far without her.
"Jeezus christ, Janet! You couldn't hit the chime on the door when you came in?" Naomi turned off the datapad before setting it down on the table.
"Not like it matters, Councilor. You would've crashed your little ship regardless of when you realized I was here."
"I'll have you know I'm an Elite pilot!"
"Mhm mhm." Janet picked up Naomi's jacket and attempted to smooth out the wrinkles. "Well its time for The Commander to get her butt off the couch and attend the security briefing."
Naomi groaned melodramatically as she sat up, faced her tormentor, then sarcastically saluted. "Yes Ma'am!"
A scowl, then a devilish grin briefly flashed across Janet's face. She threw the suit jacket at Naomi's head.
"Hey you're gonna mess up my hair. Gotta look nice for the admirals."
"Please, just put your shoes on!"
Naomi slipped into her shoes and jacket then stood up.
Together the two women exited the room.
"You know you really should eat your breakfast, its the most important meal of the day."
"Thanks, Mom!"
