I feared for Counselor Corben, but I was sure she would be alright. She was amazingly strong, so I'm sure she can handle things. It shouldn't be as bad for her in the medical wing as it was up here. On top of that, I'm positive that Doctor Coleman will help her as well if she gets too stressed. They are both such compassionate and resilient women. As the lift reaches it's destination, I only hope that I can convey those traits as well.

The junior staff members were discussing the situation as I walked in. Aaliyah Rahman, a bronze-skinned, raven haired woman who I considered one of my closest friends, was currently speaking to the others. “But this hallway was completely empty. There’s no way everyone was locked up.” It looks like I got here just in time, as Alliyah's comment was exactly what I was hoping to hear. I was glad that the situation didn’t get a chance to escalate among the junior staff, so I had an opportunity to set matters straight without resistance.

Robert Jackson, a brown-haired whisp of a man, replied with a statement that I had feared most. “My brother said he was going to teach that splicer baby a lesson. I’m sure the president locked everyone up. He’s always sticking up for that unqualified freak.” Today was a feminine day for me, but I wasn’t going to correct the pronoun usage. Besides, none of the junior staff had seen me today. However, I definitely had to do something before this got out of hand too. Luckily I got here before another brawl broke out. “There will be no talk like that, Mister Jackson. She’s part of this community, and she deserves your respect. As to the last statement, she earned her position just like everyone here.”

Bob's pale skin seemed to immediately turn two shades of red and his blue-green eyes appeared to have dimmed. It’s clear that he had no idea that I had entered the room. “I’m sorry ma’am. We were just getting nervous since all of the senior staff are gone. It was a slip of the tongue due to anxiety. It won’t happen again.” It was clear that his words went deeper than mere anxiety, but now is not the time to press the matter. I had a situation to try to get under control, and although the Mr. Jackson's comment was a part of it, I had already made it clear that derogatory remarks would not be permissible.

Having difficulty controlling my nervous thoughts, I found myself once again thinking about Counselor Corben and wondering what could be done about the situation. It was sad that so much of the staff seemed to be against her for something that she did not want and couldn’t control. I had at first thought that we were kindred spirits in that regard, and maybe we would have been centuries ago. However, the pure vitriol lobbed at her was something that I had only seen in the historical recordings. I had suffered verbal scorn, but a good portion of the operations staff were ready to impart physical harm on her and had fought their own peers in trying to do so. I just hoped that she had more supporters on this ship than detractors. As I looked at the waiting operations staff members, I realized that I had lost myself in thought and regained my composure.

I then addressed the entire junior staff on the senior staff wing. “Ms. Rahman is correct that the senior operations staff is currently in the brig. And, despite the language he used, Mr. Jackson is correct as well. The senior staff members were engaged in a brawl when I arrived, and it did indeed stem from negativity towards Counselor Corben. I haven’t yet assessed the situation fully, but for now, I ask that you all be prepared to serve as senior officers until further notice. Because I’m asking you all to do so with no advance notice, if anyone can’t do so, I’ll make concessions, within reason. But, please understand the circumstances that led to this decision. It was done to protect the safety of this ship, and won’t remain permanent. You will all receive the benefits of the senior staff during this period and will be up for consideration for promotion once this is over, pending your performance. I thank you all during this tough time for your understanding and for your service.”

I was about to head up to the operations center, but I decided that it was best to make it clear to the entire staff that discrimination would not be tolerated. “It goes without saying, but I must make it clear. There will be absolutely no tolerance for discrimination of any kind. You are all here to ensure the safety of the rest of this ship, colleagues and non-staff alike. I expect that you all remember that in your actions, as well as in your words.”

Mr. Jackson and Ms. Rahman both immediately replied, “Yes, President”, followed by the rest of the junior staff. Satisfied that the situation here was under control, I walked into the lift and gave the command to bring me up to the operations center. This was the most important part of my attempt to normalize the situation. I knew that the most senior among the junior staff that I had assigned to the operations center could handle running the ship, but the abruptness of the situation has complicated things. I had to make sure that the operations center was secure, and to bring the staff up to speed on the situation as well.

The lift reached the top of the ship, and I stepped onto the main deck of the operations center. The junior staff here were rigid, nervous, and full of heightened senses. The most senior among them, Mario Rodriguez, spoke up as soon as I entered, “Greetings, President”. Everyone looked at me with anxious eyes. I decided to get through the official briefing first and then I’d do my best to try to ease tensions a bit.

“Hello everyone. You were all brought up here because there was a brawl on the senior staff wing, and all senior operations staff have been temporarily detained in the brig until the situation can be properly assessed. It has come to my attention that some of the staff feel strongly about Counselor Corden’s new position. As I said to the other members of the junior operations staff, discrimination will not be tolerated at all. You all are now staff on the deck of the operations center and are the people that are looked up to the most to keep this ship in order. I expect your decorum to meet those expected standards.”

I looked around, noticed that the staff still seemed troubled, and continued my off-the-cuff speech “That said, I know that your promotions were sudden. You will be expected to keep these positions for some time until the situation can be properly assessed and dealt with. Due to the fact that there was no advance notice, I will not be against anyone who has a reasonable objection towards working on their new post. However, know that your assistance at this time will be most appreciated, and you will receive all the benefits of the senior operations staff during this period. You will also be first in line for promotions, pending your performance.”

I eased a bit, and continued, “I know this is a tough time for everyone.” I then processed the thought that would send a signal to my integrated artificial intelligence, AMY, to turn off the sound recorder. “Off the record, how is everyone doing?” Mr. Rodriguez, still in the rigid stance of an officer stated, “We’re fine, ma’am.” I smiled at him and continued. “Relax, Mr. Rodriguez. I know that my position as president is new, and this situation is hard. But you don’t have to be so tense around me.” He visibly relaxed, and his dark brown eyes seemed to sparkle a bit. “Thanks, ma’am. I don’t speak for everyone, but I know that you’ll handle things well. I just hope that this situation won’t last long.” I gave him a half-smile, with a little involuntary nervousness apparent on my face as well. “I hope the same thing, Mr. Rodriguez”.

I knew that I had to head down to the holding cells. However, even though I wanted to find out the particulars of the situation, the thought of doing so emotionally drained me. I tried my best not to repeat my display of anxiety and addressed the staff of the command center one final time before I headed to the bottom of the ship. “You all seem to be handling everything well up here. If there are no questions, I have to be heading to the detention cells.” I actually hoped that there would be some questions, to delay the inevitable. However, just as I had expected, the junior operations staff were quite capable of running things in the stead of their senior brethren.

I once again processed the thought to AMY that would turn the data recorder back on and straightened myself up. “OK everyone, I now leave the operations center in your capable hands. If there are any further problems, don’t hesitate to contact me.” At that point, I, somewhat reluctantly entered the lift. Fighting off my anxiety, I commanded the lift's artificial intelligence to take me up to the detention cells. I had to face the inevitable, as even though I wanted to see how Counselor Corben was doing, I knew that I had to face the senior staff first. I was now about to find out exactly what happened during that brawl.

I couldn't fathom hurting someone over something they can't control, but that kind of thought has amplified way beyond what I have ever imagined. I just hope that the violence doesn't go beyond the senior operations staff. I couldn't help but worry about the fact that the operations center was left abandoned, as that is a situation that I couldn’t fathom occurring before this week. That made me fear that this went beyond bigotry towards Maria Corben. I thought of all of the people with spliced genes on the ship, old and young. They make up a minority on this ship, but they are still our peers. I hope they are not in danger as well.

Just as the lift was approaching the holding cells, my aural sensor went off. I made a thought that gave a signal to AMY to initiate the video link. It seems that my trip would be postponed after all, but not in the way I had hoped, as Tiffany Accado was on the line. “President, your presence is needed at Caperstone’s Bakery. It’s an emergency. Another fight has broken out. Emily Caperstone is being attacked.” I responded without hesitation, “I’m at level one now. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Don’t intervene. Keep yourself safe until I arrive.”

“Cancel the lift to the holding cells.” I called down to security and relayed all the information I had about the situation. The President of Security immediately ordered, “Security personnel to level 4, Main Street. There is a fight in progress at Caperstone’s Bakery". I then ordered the lift to proceed to level 4 as well. Ugh, I can't believe there has been two fights in one night. I really wish that my mother was here, so I could seek her advice. Although, I’m not sure how much help she could give me, as this is beyond even what she had to deal with.

It seems that the problem went beyond the operations staff. I just hoped that it didn’t seep too far into the population. I silently cursed the people who had instituted the segregation. Whatever their intentions, it just made the hatred part of the system. If history has taught us anything, systematic prejudice is a lot harder to fight.