*** SB Unity ***
It's easy to be complacent but how many people go through
life questioning every event, taking nothing at face value
or suspecting problems when none are apparant?
So it was that day in the Med.Advisors office.
Later Rangi would question her acceptance but at that time
it was nothing extraordinary, there was nothing at all to
cause her to do anything more than update a couple or three
records and certainly nothing to detain her at the end of a
busy day.
It took perhaps five minutes of her time, probably not more
and it would be ten days or so before her attention came
back to the report that she now filed away.
The main hospital of Aeran III was dealing with a staff
shortage caused by an outbreak of 'flu.
There was nothing unusual in that because the infection was
a seasonal one, typical of its type and causing nothing more
than the common symptoms of headache, sore throat and
general tiredness.
Unfortunatley a large number of staff had been affected and
some were taking a day or so longer than expected before
returning to work, hence the shortage.
Rangi authorised two full nursing teams to beam down and
thought nothing more of it as she closed her desktop
terminal and, having picked up her shoulder bag, collected
her empty glass from the desk and carried it to the
replicator for recycling.
At the door, she glanced back into the room and then left,
glad another days work was done successfully and eager to
see Martin who had been out to play with a little friend.
Tim Holland, her bodyguard got to feet and walked with her
to the lift, then to her quarters.
On that ten minute journey, they will talk about the
upcoming Powerball game and how his wifes sister is and
although they chat, Tim will be carrying out his duty, for
he isn't complacent and is ready to question everything
because he is trained to expect that nothing is ever what
it seems and potential problems lurk in every shadowy
corner.
When they reach the Guzman Summers quarters, Rangi will tell
him she wont be going out again and he bids her a good
evening.In just under the hour, his place outside the door
will be taken by another guard and once the Admiral returns
to the quarters, two guards will be there.
During the night those two will be replaced as shifts
change, for the little family is never left without
protection.
Later, after a playtime, a bathtime and a story time, little
Martin Guzman will go to sleep in his bed clutching his
favourite toy Zaba the frog and his father, who will have
read the story will look back at his sleepy son as the light
dims in the childs room.
Shane will join Rangi for their dinner which will be chicken
in white wine sauce which they will both enjoy and later
they will spend the rest of the evening relaxing and will
decide not to watch the latest update on the News Channels.
When the evening is very late, Rangi will be brushing her
hair before the oval mirror in their bedroom and see Shanes
reflection as he comes to stand near her. She will meet his
gaze and return the soft smile before turning to him and he,
leaning down will kiss her gently.
They will lose themselves in their love for each other and
much later, while hundreds of miles below them when some of
the islands and continents of Aeran III will see the sun set
as it rises on others, they will sleep soundly, still in
each others arms.
When the morning comes and another day begins, Martin will
ask Shane to crack open the eggshell at breakfast time.
Shane, expecting the joke that his little son always plays,
will hit the egg hard with a spoon, ready to express
surprise at the empty shell but on that morning little
Martin will have played a different trick and make the
request while the egg is intact.
The deep yellow coloured yolk will fly in all directions
causing Martin to squeal in delight and Shane, looking down
at his spattered uniform will laugh too.
Later, walking to the playschool, Martin will ask Tim
Holland if the SeaHawks won the game and will learn that
they are now through to the semifinals of the Powerball
Championships and look set to win.
The day will be mostly uneventful as far as those living on
the starbase are concerned and twenty two days will pass
before Rangi, at precisely 11.26 am on a Friday morning,will
pause in the act of nibbling a ginger biscuit.
Her hand will be suspended and seven tiny biscuit crumbs
will fall back to the plate as she frowns at the report she
will just have begun reading.
After that complacency will be the last thing she could ever
be accused of.
*** End Log ***
Commander rangi Summers
Med.Adv 1st Task Force.
CMO SB Unity
