239611.11

Posted on 09 Nov 2026 @ 2:16pm by Captain Alexandria Somers

686 words; about a 3 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Starbase 51/Various
Timeline: Current

[ON]

- Holodeck 2 - SB51 -

As Alex could not be at Arlington on Earth, she replicated the area where Annie was buried; she stood there with some holographic flowers, placed them at the grave and stepped back.

"Well, Annie, I finally made it. I am now commanding a ship full-time, and I had to change branches to do so, but ironically I found out that I did not really need to change. *sighs* Finally, I have balance in my life: two beautiful children; my daughter is a mini version of me, and the boy is the image of his father in temperament. I feel sorry for their future partners. *inhales* I suddenly remember all those years ago what you showed me; back then, I put it out of my mind, but my future, now my present, is much better than ever, but I still miss you, Annie, especially over holiday times," she paused.

"Well, well, well, look what the cat dragged in," a voice said, and Alex looked up and smiled as Annie appeared with a white, narrow aura around her. "This holodeck makes my appearance a little easier," Annie said. "It allows me to do this!" She said, and Annie hugged Alex. The other woman's eyes widened, and she hugged her back fiercely as she started crying.

"I have missed this too!" Alex said, breaking the hug and holding the woman at arm's length as she looked at her. "I must look like an old woman to you now?" Alex asked.

"For someone who has not long turned forty, you look remarkable; you have aged gracefully," Annie responded.

"Last time you appeared, you intoned that you would not be around so much, even though I do this once a year," Alex said.

"Well, this time will be the last. This has to end at some point, Alex. You need to keep me in your heart, but let me go. Bringing me back on this day every year is not healthy for you," Annie responded.

"I cannot help it; you were part of my life for a long time when we were younger. Saying to do something is not the same as actually doing it!" Alex said.

"I know, but you must," Annie answered, pained, while Alex could never admit it; this event was eating away at any progress she had made over the years.

Alex stood there, still for a moment, looking at the simulated grave; her mind was working things over in her mind. She looked at Annie "You know I have a picture of us at graduation in my quarters; we both had close-cropped hair, and in SFMC uniform, we were both ecstatic in that picture", Alex said.

"I know I occasionally visit your quarters when you are not there, but after today, that will no longer happen", Annabelle said and looked up at the top of the holodeck as if she could see past the simulated sky, then back down at Alex. She stepped forward and hugged her friend.

Alex was a little surprised as she felt body heat from Annie, yet this version was a hologram. Annie stepped back "Goodbye, Alexandria. Next time we meet, I hope it will be where the sun always shines and remember: nothing is forgotten, nothing is ever forgotten," Annie said, then faded away.

So Alex was left alone in a simulated graveyard, not really believing what she had just felt "Computer, activate Annabelle Graves hologram", she said.

"Program person does not exist in holographic simulation," the computer responded. Alex tried phrasing it in different ways, but the response was always the same.

"Computer, save and end program and arch," she said. The hologram closed down, and the arch appeared. She left the holodeck with raised hackles and a chill running down her spine; she did not know why this time was different, but somehow it was.

A Ghostly figure watched her leave the holodeck and smiled a knowing smile before vanishing again.

[OFF]

 

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