When Duct Tape Is Not Enough

Posted on Thu Aug 20th, 2020 @ 7:39pm by Captain Bethsabée Leroux

Mission: Mission 3 - 100
Location: Deck D- Near Communciations Center
Timeline: Day 36, Month 2, Year 0 10:00
1548 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Beth frowned as she walked down a corridor and saw the gore, carnage, and destruction. Red, brown and black were now the new colours of what was once a harmonious ship. The air suddenly as she turned to where she hoped to find the engineer she was looking for was now heavy and thick with the scent of smoke, enough that Beth winced and cover her mouth. All of the damage would take weeks to fix which was why they were hiding out in a nebula, but at least it was not purple this time.

“Harper?” She called loudly hoping his head wasn’t in a tube or something so he would find her.

A loud thud was heard before the hissing sounds between words and randomness came from the man's mouth. He didn't move or say anything right away as he rubbed his head before crawling out of the large open panel in one of the hallways. Typically there were not large sections like this. But this section had one of the primary power distribution transformers in the area and he needed to repair it before people thought of having stable lighting and power in the area. "That would be me... Damaged a little but ... that's me," he stated as he crawled out and looked at the woman. "... boss lady?"

Beth turned as she heard a noise that sounded out of place even in the mess of the corridor. "Boss lady?" Beth repeated back to him wondering if she had really been called that. Was she meant to just accept that despite her protest over not calling her Captain? She frowned and uncovered her face to show that it was her and she was frowning even in the smoke and dirt.

Chris bobbed his head sided to side while pressing his lips together before pointing at her pips on her uniform. "Last time I checked, you out rank me, and its a sign of respect to be called boss... Plus it points out who is to blame if I screw something up," he joked with a slight smirk before looking her over. "Is there something you needed?"

Beth shook her head. She would have taken a deep breath and sighed if not for the smoke. Her lungs did not need any more issues and she hoped that the man was at least wearing a rebreather at points. She would have to check with Cart... that thought made her pause as that was the reason that she was there after all. "I guess it is lost in translation then," Beth said with a small smile as she tried to refocus. "Yes, there is actually. Do you have a moment for a walk away from the smoke?" She wondered.

"Sure... the power outage can wait," he smirked slightly as he waved at an engineer down not to far. "Hey, take five. I disconnected the relays and the capacitors are ready for replacement. Grab some fresh air and some water." Harper then sat his gear down and rubbed his face into his half zipped up uniform before offering the new arrival the lead. "Ladies first."

What was it with the male members of the crew half unzipping their uniform around her? She shook her head at her own thoughts as they started down the corridor for a few moments before she sat down on the cargo containers that contained the new relays. "I am guessing you heard about Carter?" She knew the majority had heard about the man being in a coma and the likelihood he would never come out of it.

"Unfortunately, yes I have," he responded as he sighed thinking of what had come of Carter. It could have easily been any one of them. But the simple fact that they were in unknown territory and no backup, it was truly a voyage of their own to get home. He struggled with the relaxation that people were going to get injured, or even worse out here. It was up to them all to take care of her... that of the Atlantis.

"And you are the next Engineer in line now for Chief Engineer," Beth added hoping that he had least considered it as an option. It would be a tad awkward if he was going to turn her down as there were only two other Engineering officers left now with the rest enlisted crewmen. Beth wanted this man to take and create a department out of the best left behind.

"Lucky me... but yeah, the thought had crossed my mind. Wasn't my first thought though, as it went to the side lines between our multiple guests aboard," Harper smirking slightly before shaking his head. "Who would have known Vrar were amazing decorators."

"Yeah, I can really see a future for them in it." Beth said sadly as she looked around at the damage around them even this far isolated from anything of importance. The ship was barely a year old. "So is that lucky you, you are going to take it or lucky you oh no I do not want to take it?" Beth asked gently. She did not know what him to turn it down but she could not force it on him if he was not ready, it would not work especially this far from home. People needed to be persuaded to step up and do their duty.

"Lucky me, that I take responsibility of anything further not getting fixed properly or on time. The patches we will have to do to Atlantis is looking to be quite extensive if these attacks keep happening and we don't find new supplies," he shrugged as he thought it all through. We have spare parts, more than expected from previously launched NXs as they all recommended more and more spare parts and supplies. But even still, they were minor compared to some of the major systems. "We should have brought some good ol' duct-ape as well."

The small human let out the breath she had not realised she had been holding. "I will keep an eye out for repair where I can but they are hard to come by out here. Leah said that was the one thing that had been left behind," Beth admitted with a small smile as she held out her hand to the man. It would not be easy shoes to feel but she was pretty sure he had the humour to wade the stormy weather they were going through.

A smirk rose on Harper's face as he nodded and agreed. "Yeah, I'll make a note to add that to our list of equipment needed for the next resupply. So what about you, boss lady? Taking the command of the ship well during all this attacking and ... ya know... us getting lost and what not?"

Beth looked up and down the corridor for a moment before she shrugged. It was not a conversation she liked but people wanted to ask those questions and she needed to be honest. The people under her command deserved that. "I am doing well. I am not Leah but I do not believe I ever could be Leah so I have to do things my own way." She said with a shrug. "We just have to keep moving forward. We need to keep heading home."

"Hey, maybe we will have enough time to build a bowling alley, and movie theatre, and possibly a pool on the ship," he offered with a slight smile before noticing it wasn't the best time for jokes. "You will do us well. Heck, as long as you keep us a float and alive, we have a chance. Just remember, you aren't alone, boss lady."

Beth offered a smile back knowing he was trying to lift spirits. It was more impressive he was trying to lift hers of all peoples on the ship. Maybe she should suggest him to Lieutentat Davies as an assistant morale officer, he certainly had the spark for it. "Let us start with getting the re-sequencers back online first hmm Lieutenant." She replied with a nod at the man thinking it time that she moved on with her rounds of the ship.

"That will be the next thing on my list once I get the power flowing correctly in this section," Harper offered in agreement, almost as he stretched real quick before reaching out a hand to help her up. "Let me know if there is anything I can do to add to my plate."

Beth took the offered hand and pulled her aching body upright. "I think both our plates are full. I will see you at the next senior team meeting." She told him with a nod.

"Oh I will be giddy with excitement," he countered sarcastically stretching one more time before nodding back at her before turning on his heel and headed back to his little hole. "Alrighty kiddos, playtime is over, Back to the salt mines!"

Beth did not say anything more just smiled and hoped that she was making the right next move with replacing Carter. It was big shoes to fill but she was pretty sure with how the ship was becoming he would be fine and people would keep him from making everything a joke.