The Director turned to Commander Ava, his expression serious. "Commander, you'll maintain watch over the survivors with the Black Lunar Guards. This is a Class A case, and we'll treat it as such. I want you to keep a close eye on them, in case anything happens."
Commander Ava saluted, her voice firm. "Yes, Director. I'll make sure everything runs smoothly."
Director Zhang's expression softened slightly as he addressed the team. "There's a staff room with a kitchen and accommodations available. You're human, after all, not machines. You need rest and sustenance to function at your best."
Dr. Patel chimed in with a light-hearted comment, "And we're not aliens, either. We can't just adapt to anything and everything... yet." Her colleagues chuckled, the tension in the room easing slightly.
The Director departed the room, leaving Commander Ava to oversee the operation. The four guards stood vigilant, two remaining inside the med bay while the other two accompanied the Director.
Commander Ava turned to Dr. Patel and Maya, "I need to grab my gear and bring it down here. Looks like we might be here for a while."
However, before she could head out, the system AI, Ezra, chimed in, "Commander Ava, your personal and work-related information has already been loaded into the system. You can access it using your username and password. The same applies to everyone working on this project."
Commander Ava raised an eyebrow, "Efficient, Ezra. Saves me the trouble of lugging my stuff around." She nodded, appreciating the streamlined process. "Thanks, Ezra. That'll save me some time."
Commander Ava walked out of the Main Med Bay (MMB-0) and made her way to the living quarters. As she entered, she was greeted by the sleek, modern design of the kitchen. The walls were painted a crisp white, and the room was dominated by four round tables, each surrounded by comfortable chairs. The kitchen itself was fully equipped with top-notch appliances and utensils, stretching along the north side of the wall.
To the left and right of the kitchen were rows of sleeping quarters, four rooms on each side, providing ample accommodation for the personnel. The bathroom doors were conveniently located near the last door on each side, with separate facilities for males and females.
Commander Ava's eyes scanned the area, taking in the functional layout and amenities. She nodded to herself, approving of the design. It was clear that the station's architects had prioritized both form and function in designing the living quarters.
Commander Ava approached Room 1, and the digital mini screen flickered to life, displaying her name, rank, profession, and status. She swiped her hand, and the sliding door glided open, revealing a compact yet functional room.
Inside, she saw a neatly arranged space with a bed on the left side, adorned with a grey cover and pillows, topped with black blankets. On the right side, a desk provided a workspace, accompanied by a nightstand beside the bed. The room's minimalist design exuded a sense of practicality, tailored to meet the needs of personnel stationed here.
Commander Ava's eyes scanned the room, taking in the familiar layout. She nodded to herself, satisfied with the accommodations. This would be her space for the duration of her stay, and she was ready to settle in.
The digital laptop flickered to life as Commander Ava initiated the video call. After a brief moment, the line connected, and two identical faces appeared on the screen. The twin daughters had the same striking hair color and eyes as Ava, but with a warm, mocha latte skin tone. They beamed with excitement as they saw their mother on the screen.
In the background, Ava's husband could be heard, his voice warm and supportive as he interacted with the girls. Ava's face lit up with joy as she gazed at her daughters, feeling grateful for the love and connection they shared.
"Hi, Mom!" the twins chimed in unison, their voices filled with affection. Ava smiled, her heart full of love for her family. "Hi, my loves! How's everyone doing?" The twins began to chatter excitedly, sharing stories about their day, and Ava listened intently, happy to be a part of their lives despite the distance.
The twins, Holly and Heidi, sat up in bed, their bunny onesies a testament to the bedtime routine back on Earth. Holly asked, "Mom, how's it like being on the moon? Don't you miss home?"
Ava's expression turned wistful. "Being on the moon feels like being on a different planet, girls. It's amazing to look at the Earth when the sun rises. But, yes, I do miss being home with you all."
Just then, Zaire chimed in from behind the camera, "Yeah, and she misses my cooking, too." Ava playfully rolled her eyes, and the twins giggled. "Daddy's just joking, girls. But I do miss our cuddles and bedtime stories." The twins smiled, happy to know they were on her mind.
Zaire sat down with the twins, his white locs tied up and golden eyes shining warmly. The scar above his right eyebrow added a touch of rugged charm to his handsome face. He wore a white shirt with rolled-up sleeves and black pants, topped with a baking-stained apron.
"I'm baking cookies for the girls," he told Ava. "They're making ice cream cookie sandwiches to celebrate passing their school arts project. They got second place!"
Heidi suddenly darted off and returned with a mini house made of clay, perfectly crafted and colored. Four tiny figures stood outside, each one detailed with care. "Mommy, Mommy, look!" Heidi exclaimed, holding up the house proudly. "We made this in school!"
Ava's eyes widened in admiration. "Wow, Heidi, this is amazing! You and Holly did a great job." Holly nodded in agreement, smiling at her sister's enthusiasm. Zaire chuckled, "I think they're going to be famous artists one day."
The family chatted for a while, enjoying each other's company despite the distance. Eventually, it was time for the girls to have their dessert, and afterwards, Zaire helped them get ready for bed. Ava watched fondly as Zaire tucked the twins into their double bunk bed, their bunny onesies a cozy sight in the dim light.
As Zaire kissed the girls goodnight, he whispered, "Goodnight from Mommy and Daddy." The girls snuggled in, already half asleep. Zaire switched off the light and stepped out of the room, closing the door softly behind him.
Ava's gaze followed him, and as he rejoined her on the video call, their conversation turned more intimate. They chatted lovingly, showcasing the deep connection they shared. The distance between them was palpable, but their affection for each other bridged the gap. "I miss you so much," Ava said, her voice filled with longing. Zaire's eyes locked onto hers, "I miss you too, my love. Can't wait until you're back home with us."
With the video call ended, Commander Ava stepped out into the corridor and requested Ezra to teleport her luggage to her room. A minute later, her belongings materialized, neatly arranged in her quarters.
Her wardrobe, though compact, held a selection of clothes that could be easily accessed and worn with a simple command. Her books and work materials were organized on the desk, while her weapon was secured on a designated shelf. Personal items, such as photos of her family, adorned the wall above her bed. Pictures of her daughters beamed with joy, alongside snapshots of her wedding day and military milestones with Zaire, filled the space with warmth and memories.
Fresh from her shower, Commander Ava emerged in a body towel, her muscular yet curvy physique evident. Her rose-beige skin tone glowed with a subtle sheen. She applied lotion and quickly dressed in a black tank top, long pants, and shoes, ready to head back to the MMB-0.
Upon entering the med bay, she found Dr. Patel intensely focused on her work, peering into a microscope as the deceased body lay open on the table. Ava quipped, "Feels like I'm back in biology class." Maya chuckled and added, "Yeah, or maybe Sophia's on some kind of 'explore the human body' documentary binge."
The team's banter was effortless, a testament to their close friendship forged over a decade of working together. Formalities were shed, and their camaraderie shone through in their lighthearted jokes and teasing. Dr. Patel looked up, slightly distracted, but a hint of a smile played on her lips. "Hey, guys. Just trying to unravel the mystery here."
Liam walked in, his formal attire giving way to a more casual look. He had black and white short hair, a well-groomed black beard, and piercing platinum eyes. A slight scar above his lip added a touch of ruggedness to his features. His fit physique was evident in his black T-shirt, cargo pants, and boots.
As he approached the group, he quipped, "Looks like Sophia's trying to solve world hunger... or at least the mystery of the deceased." Sophia shot back, "Well, someone's got to keep the morgue busy while you're busy looking handsome."
The group's laughter filled the room, and Maya asked, "Hey, Liam, how's Hila doing?" Liam's expression softened, "She's doing great. Visiting her sister with Rani. They're having a blast."
The conversation flowed easily, and the team's camaraderie was palpable. They were more than just colleagues; they were a tight-knit family.