| Jovian APAworks | Volume 1, Number 2 | January, 2001 |
[ZONet Jovian News Network, November 28, 2213] Today is the day that the final crewmember of the IGSS Mnemosyne is being released from quarantine. Her name is Carolyn Rueda-Johnson. We're here at the Elysée South Memorial Hospital, where Carolyn has been housed for over six months under strict quarantine. With her release, there are still a tremendous number of questions that remain unanswered regarding the strange occurrences that happened over a year ago during the Mnemosyne's mission to the Neptune. IGS officers have refused…
The view from the hall windows was overwhelming. Carolyn could see dozen of reporters and dozens more bystanders outside. "Are they all here to see me?" Carolyn asks the nurse beside her.
"Yes, they are," the nurse answers. "You're actually quite a celebrity these days."
"I wouldn't know why."
"That's OK," the nurse responds calmly. Bending to speak softly in Carolyn's ear, the nurse suggests, "If I were you; I'd just enjoy it."
Doctor Charles Scholl appears from around the corner. "You ready Carolyn?" he inquires genuinely.
"I'm not sure. Is my family here?"
"Yes, Isabella and Jared Johnson are here. I just spoke with them," Scholl responded. "They are waiting in the reception area down the hall. Let's go see them," he gestures toward the corridor exit. Carolyn only nods, looking a bit nervous.
They begin down the hallway toward the reception area. She can just make out her mother and father through the glass doors. Carolyn breaks into the quicker pace, running past the doctor and nurse. Her feelings swell up inside when her mother also sees her running toward the glass doors. Isabella's voice calls out, "Carolyn. Oh, my Carolyn." Carolyn bursts through the glass doors, into her mother's arms. "Oh, Carolyn," Isabella coos, "…my baby."
"I love you, mother," Carolyn smiles, teary eyed. She looks up at her father. "Papa, it is good to see you both."
"We're just glad that you are well," he responds. "Six months is a long time for quarantine."
"Well, let's get out of here," Carolyn suggests. "I'm sick of hospitals."
"Sounds good," Isabella confirms. "We've got a PUV parked outside."
Excuse me," the doctor interjects. "…We have the security detail setup. You shouldn't have any trouble getting out."
"Thank you doctor," Mr. Johnson responds as they all move toward the outer doors.
Carolyn and her family step out into a halo of flashing cameras as the press swarms over them, pressing the security lines. The crowd's voices crash against Carolyn's ears in a clutter of sound. "Miss Johnson…Carolyn, how are you…What is the reason for…Do you have any…."
"Quickly, Miss Rueda-Johnson," a security officer presses. "You don't have to answer any of their questions. We should move as quickly as possible."
Carolyn glances up at the officer. She suddenly has a flash of remembrance with his face. No, it is his eyes. The noise and confusion of the crowd distracts her. She nods to acknowledge his request, as he is lost in the overwhelming confusion. However, not before she notices an owl pin on the officer's lapel.
In seconds, Carolyn and her family are safely in the waiting vehicle. The vehicle quickly purrs to life and begins moving down the narrow streets toward the expressway leading across station. Carolyn is trying to remember where she has seen that officer before and that owl pin.
"You're sisters are waiting at the condo," her mother, Isabella, interjects.
Carolyn shakes her head to regain focus on her surroundings. "All of them? What are they doing here?"
"Well, you were locked away for over six months," Carolyn's father exclaimed. "What do you expect?"
"Besides," Isabella continues. "I told them that they needed to be here. They're your sisters for Pete's sake."
"Yes," Carolyn acknowledges, "but I'm OK, really."
"Nonsense Carolyn," her mother rebukes, turning around in her seat up front. "They are your sisters. We are your family,… and we love you."
"Honey," Jared Johnson calls out while driving. "You need to get your seatbelt on and sit properly in your chair. We'll get a ticket if you're spotted."
"Jared," the mother responds, adjusting herself properly into the seat. "I haven't seen my daughter in over two years. I think we can afford a ticket or two."
Carolyn relaxes into the back seat, pondering. She comments silently to herself. "I've been away for over two years…."
*****
"So let me get this straight," Sarah queries. "You were doing what for those six months."
"Well, being tested, I guess," Carolyn responded to Sarah's image in the videophone. "I mean, I did a lot of reading. Is that what you're asking?"
"Carolyn," Sarah continues questioning. "You were locked away in a hospital for six months. You weren't allowed to contact anyone outside, not your family or me. Aren't you the least bit curious about why you were locked away?"
"Locked away," Carolyn answers, seeming shocked by the declaration. She pauses. "Well, OK, yes, I was locked away… and, yes, I am still curious. …But it's over, right?"
"I guess," Sarah answers with a reluctant sigh. "…But don't you have anything to say about it?"
Carolyn scrunches her brow, thinking. After a short moment, her perplexed look changes to a penetrating glare. "Don't tell me that you want a story from me for ZONet, Sarah."
"How dare you insult me like that," Sarah protests. "Is that anyway to treat a friend that hasn't talked to you since just before you arrived on station?"
"Come on Sarah. You know that you didn't become a prominent new reporter for ZONet's Jovian division for being subtle."
There is a long pause while the occasional hiss is heard over the videophone's connection. Suddenly, both women burst into laughter. "You may seem quiet," Sarah interjects, giggling, "but you are not subtle yourself." Both women burst into a cheerful laugh again.
"It is good to hear from you again, my dear friend," Carolyn tearfully responds, touching the small lens eye of the videophone.
"I've missed your voice as well." Sarah looks away for a short while. The clatter of datapads on a tabletop transmits over the connection. "I'm scheduled to be at Elysée Station in a couple of days. We'll have to get together then, before I head to my next assignment in NewHome."
"That sounds grand." Carolyn smiles. "I'll pick you up at the station port. Send me your itinerary when you get that finalized."
"Sure thing," Sarah responds. "I love you, friend. "
"I love you too, Sarah."
"See you soon. Bye."
"Bye." The connection goes offline. Carolyn is left staring at a blank screen. She drifts into a series of memories, remembering Sarah and her as friends since…forever.
She remembers Sarah and her skipping their sorority pre-initiation meeting to go see a club concert by a local university band named Steel Jake Crackers. Both she and Sarah had the hots for the lead singer, Charlie Guin or Char. Char was his "official big media persona." Carolyn and Sarah had met him in Chemistry class. He wasn't really that smart. Of course, that wasn't what made him so appealing. He had this way of looking at you, as if you were the only person in the room. Carolyn sighs as she relives that evening in her mind.
She remembers standing outside the club, waiting for the bodyguard to let them pass inside. She and Sarah were so excited when they reached the front of the line. She remembers that another bodyguard walked out. He looks so familiar. Carolyn pauses the image of the bodyguard in her mind's eye. His eyes were so familiar.
Suddenly, Carolyn recognizes that the bodyguard is identical to the security guard outside the hospital. With a rush, her memories rush back to her quaratine room month earlier. The man is standing near the door while doctors leave, then… the black videophone screen.
Carolyn shakes herself out of her stupor. "Why was he in both places?" she asks herself aloud.
"Both places where?" a voice intrudes.
"Huh?" Carolyn spins to face her youngest sister, Christine, in the doorway.
Christine furrows her brow at Carolyn. "Are you OK? You look white as a sheet."
Now realizing that she wasn't breathing, Carolyn gasps. Catching her breath, she responds. "I'm sorry. You startled me."
"Oh," Christine replies, relaxing her brow. "Well, dinner's ready. I was just calling you to come down."
"Thanks, Christine. I'll be down in just a little bit."
"OK, Christine acknowledges cheerfully. "I'll tell Mom." She turns and disappears around the corner.
Carolyn sits down, still catching her breath. "What could it mean?" she thought to herself. "What is it about that man? What is going on?"
"Carolyn," her father calls from downstairs.
"I'm coming!" She exits her room and heads down to eat.
[End of Part One]
Authors Note: This multi-part piece on Carolyn is intended as a prequel to her stationing on Stevenson Station described in Carolyn's bio, published in the V1R1 issue. You can continue reading the next part, Part 2, of Carolyn's prequel story .
| Jovian APAworks | Volume 1, Number 2 | January, 2001 |
Jovian Chronicles is © 2001, Dream Pod 9, Inc. All rights reserved. Jovian APAworks is not affiliated with Dream Pod 9 in any way. Submitted material remains the property of the creator.