Daddy Daycare

[Nijil tr'Korjata 0]

Daddy Daycare

Joint log of Mimi & Nijil

Following Doctor Pavilion around made for an interesting day. One minute he took note of engineering matters his department glazed over, the next an entry level medical tech. Before any of that, security had to clear SubCenturion tr’Korjata as if he just arrived for the first time. Given the incident with Annisha, the head of security took no chances. Nijil understood, but it felt slightly degrading. There was the off chance tr’Dabi found some minor issue from his past, but now major issue in his present.

After debating with her husband for a few minutes about Nijil’s clearance, Mimi managed to get the needed clearance for Nijil. She then turned to Nijil, “Alright you’re cleared now.”

“Are you sure he’s not Tal Shiar? It sure felt like it,” he said glancing in her direction. It was not so much a question as a statement, but it did remind him of something Annisha described. He had forgotten the Tal Shiar symbol from her dream. Since arriving on the station, he stopped the search for her parents, fearing his searches already poked into the depths of the Tal Shiar network. No doubt about it, they were out there, hiding in the embers of the Great Fire.

“No, he’s not Tal Shiar. He was assigned here, just like you,” Mimi replied. However, she was a bit concerned when he mentioned that organization.

“Doctor, I know you want me to look into the engineering concerns of the children’s center, and I will do that, but the Captain wanted me to get experience in actual child rearing.” He holstered his scanner and attached his communications badge. “I know I have relatively no experience, but I am willing to help in any way possible. I’m versed in both Federation standard and Rihan. Perhaps reading to them, stories they have likely not heard. I picked out some favorites: The Very Hungry Targ, Good Night Praxis, The Enemy of my Enemy is not my Friend.”

Nijil allowed the Doctor to step into the lift first. “Take us to the Children’s Center,” he commanded. Another skill popped to mind. “I can sing. Mother insisted to teach this for unknown reasons. I think I could make passable versions of Stairway to Stovokor, Latinum Lane, Rainbow Connection, All Along the Watchtower...I could handle most everything in the database. What do you think?”

Mimi thought for a moment, and then replied, “I think those are both good ideas. It couldn’t hurt for them to hear from someone new. In addition, you can help with the lunches, as well as their schooling. It probably wouldn’t hurt for you to learn to treat some minor injuries, like scrapes and bruises.”

He agreed. “I have limited training in that area, so learning could help when it comes to Annisha. I’m worried about her actually. Keeping up with her... she is very smart, very curious. Much smarter than I was at her age or as I am now. For elements sake,” he exclaimed, “she flew a shuttle to escape her captors. I had only shown her the basics -- once. Annisha is going to be a handful.”

“She what?” Mimi replied in shock. She took a moment to focus before continuing, “It seems that we need to get Annisha into school wouldn’t you say. I think I’ll need to talk to the Captain about Annisha and quick-study skills and see what we all can do to help Annisha.”

“You did not mishear: few a shuttle. Yes, I have thought about school, but don’t know where to start. I think she remembers everything she sees.” He swallowed. “I also believe it’s why her dreams are so vibrant. Do you think we should suppress them? On the voyage back, she experienced several night terrors.” They stepped out of the lift. The center was just down the hall.

“Hmmm, let’s get Annisha enrolled tomorrow and set up an appointment with the counselor about her nightmares,” Mimi replied, “Like I said, I’ll talk to the Captain about Annisha’s quick-study skills.” She looked down the hall, “How about I give you a tour of the Children’s Home, now?”

Nijil contemplated not. “Yes, with no delay.”

Mimi nodded and led the way to the Children’s Home and entered the facility.

The engineer walked in behind her and stood just past the threshold. The low murmur of children filled the center. The clink of plates and utensils echoed off the walls. “There are more orphans here than when this project was started. How many are here Doctor?”

“Probably around 100, maybe even more. They do have housing here. Most of the quarters on this pylon were made to accommodate the children,” Mimi replied.

Nijil slowly walked toward the noise. “Have there been many adoptions since Annisha’s incident?”

“Not many, considering that we have taken many precautions to prevent such things happening again,” Mimi stated.

“I understand.” He now stood behind a group of children not much younger than Annisha. They ate something akin to a soup he consumed many times before. It looked ‘off’, the wrong color. He reached his hand down toward the Rihan boy’s bowl. He nodded quickly and grabbed the bowl, raised it to his nose. “Odd,” he thought. He took the spoon and tasted. “Oh my...this is off, bland.” He turned to the Doctor. “I’m an engineer, not a chef, but...this is off. My parents were, are farmers. I’ve cooked a thing or two. They at least need a taste of home.” He gave back the bowl to the boy.

Mimi looked at the soup and looks at Nijil. “It looks like chicken noodle soup. It doesn’t hurt to try new things.”

“Oh, I thought this was a Rihan soup. That would explain my misunderstanding. Perhaps I’m missing home. There is more to see Doctor?”

“Yes, there is,” as she walks over to the education center, “this is where the children learn. You see, there are educational computers, desks, and a variety of educational tools for them to use.”

Nodding, “Have they access to the holodecks on the station?”

“Yes, but they are limited to some of the programs,” Mimi replied.

“It’s a start at least. Thank you for doing what you have done. The Rihan people have been very adversarial towards the Federation for centuries. I don’t know if my people had done the same if the roles were reversed.” He examined the computer at the desk. A game called “The Organian Trail” was stuck in mid game. Someone had recently died of Space Dysentery.

Mimi smiled and walked over to the medical center, “Over here is the medical center that staff as well as the children uses. If they have any bigger issues than what this facility can handle, they come to the main facility on pylon A.”

“Nothing serious so far I hope?” Nijil seemed surprised and relieved.

“No, there’s some minor issues,” as Mimi walked over to her office there at the Children’s Home. She picked up a PADD and handed it to Nijil. “The staff here has been keeping an eye on things while I’m bouncing between Main Sickbay and here.”

“Well, it’s a fine start as I said. Where would you like me to start?”

Mimi looks around the facility, “I would like for you to start in the educational center. I’ll let the lead instructor know that you will be assisting as part of your parental training, Okay?”

“Yes, let’s begin,” Nijil replied.

“Agreed.”