Cadet Zarah Johnson - "It's The Norm"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Office 1321, Regulus Office Space, Helix Station))
Although Zarah was currently serving a term on the Thor, she had arrived at the Butler to visit her mom and celebrate a belated birthday. Before that, she’d been stuck with some aliens who had taken her and the entire ship hostage and forced them to act in various plays, shows, and movies. Zarah hadn’t done much in the way of acting besides the stereotypical school level sort of thing that they put on for parents. Since she’d always been on a ship, the cast and the audience was usually pretty small. Besides, while it was a lot of fun, she wasn’t a great actor and knew better to pursue that calling. Not that she had a desire to do so. Nah, exploring cultures was far more interesting, which was another reason why she had fun - because in between, she got glimpses of a very alien culture.
In the end though, they were all saved thanks to the efforts of a myriad of officers and Zarah was returned to normal. While time seemed to pass quite a bit, she realised it had simply been a mirage or some sort of perception deception. Things could have gone a lot worse, but either way, she was glad to be back to normal.
Johnson: I’m only here for a little while. I still have to finish out my term on the Thor before I return for a longer period. What have I missed?
And with that, she took another bite of the doughnut.
Nilsen: Well Dr Ragh here pulled off a medical miracle and helped handle a drug epidemic. There were zombies and pirates…and that wasn’t fun. We’re spending our shore leave here.
That definitely didn’t sound anything like fun to Zarah. While her own experience wasn’t so bad, she also knew how horrible things could be when the officers were on a mission. She’d grown up on Starfleet ships. She’d even been involved in missions as a civilian, affected by whatever happened to those who were on board. Her mom had almost died in a mission when the ship crashed, and Zarah had been forced to evacuate without her.
Johnson: Ugh, that sucks.
Completely, totally, utterly sucked. Zarah didn’t envy them, and was glad her own experience wasn’t anything like that. However, she also knew she had to be prepared for eventualities there were far more horrific than what she’d endured thus far.
Ragh: Response
Nilsen: I know you said it was fun, but I want you to see one of the councillors, space can be weird.
Johnson: Oh, well…
Except he didn’t even give her a chance to finish!
Nilsen: Ah ah! don’t make me order you to do it or to ask this big guy to drag you there.
If Lhandon thought that was going to scar her, he had another think coming. Rolling her eyes and sighing in dramatic fashion, she shook her head.
Johnson: You should know by now I’m not that easily intimidated.
Not only had she grown up a Starfleet brat, but Zarah was a child of Sasha Johnson. The Johnson ladies didn’t take nothin’ from nobody.
Ragh: Response
Nilsen: Make sure you see your mom too after this, I’ll free up her schedule. That’s an order.
Without hesitation, Shyvo reached for his PADD and began to tap on the screen. Evidently, once Lhandon became First Officer, Shyvo stayed on as his assistant. That was a good thing!
Shyvo: D-done sir.
The look that Lhandon gave was rather comical, and Zarah couldn’t help but snicker a bit. However, she hadn’t yet addressed the ‘elephant’ in the room. Well, maybe not an elephant. More like a mouse. Well, an assumption, certainly.
Johnson: You know you don’t have to baby me, right?
Nilsen/Ragh/Shyvo: Response
Lhandon received another eyeroll, and the roll continued into her head which arched around to stop so she could give Shyvo a conspiratory ‘Really?’ look in regards to his boss. Oh she loved the guy, certainly, but he was being a butthead at the moment.
Johnson: Remember, I’m here to see my mom. And if it makes you feel any better, I’ve been in counselling most of my life.
Nilsen/Ragh/Shyvo: Response
Zarah had some memories of not going to counselling, but they were distant and hazy. Back then, her father had been alive, and she clung to those memories as much as she could. After his death, Sasha went to counselling with her daughter, and both went to counselling without each other. Over the years, she just hadn’t stopped, mainly because Sasha made sure Zarah went. Usually, it was only once a month, but when times got tough, she’d schedule more sessions. Counselling had been such a steady and consistent part of her life, she just hadn’t stopped.
Johnson: Mom’s made sure I’ve gone since my dad died. Aaaaanyway, I’m here for a couple of weeks, so if y’all wanna hang out, I’m down for it. That is, if you’re not too cool to hang out with me anymore.
It probably wouldn’t be there, but more like Lhandon was a loooooot busier than the last time she’d seen him. Being a First Officer would do that.
Nilsen/Ragh/Shyvo: Response
-- Zarah Johnson Cadet USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0