Super Science

Posted on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 3:17pm by Ensign Michael Sloan & Lieutenant Aurelius Davis
Edited on on Wed Oct 23rd, 2019 @ 6:40pm

Mission: Mission 1 - One Step forward
Location: Astronomical Science Lab, Deck B
Timeline: A Few Hours After Bridge Post
880 words - 1.8 OF Standard Post Measure

There was no better place to discuss their position being lost than in the science lab dedicated to space. If they had any hope of getting home, the Science Department was going to have to play a huge role. During their tour of the ship, Michael was the most nervous about this stop. It was not because Darcy was particularly hard to work with, but he knew how important it was to ensure that the department was capable. With the room emptied for the crew to take the afternoon off to gather themselves, Michael stood next to a console that displayed their estimated location. It was far beyond anywhere that he thought possible to reach, and it was true when broken down into lifetimes. There was much to take in and absorb, and he was not there yet,

"Ouch, dammit. Stupid ship." Darcy called on every ounce of peace within her to not kick the console. It wasn't much at a time like this but she managed to reign things in. They were lost . . . .well not technically true. They knew where they were and it was going to take them a million years to get home. She kept swallowing the panic that was rising up inside her. Keep it together, keep going. That's what everyone else was doing.

Noticing that their Chief Science Officer seemed to be struggling with herself at the moment, Michael asked, "How are you Lieutenant?" His voice held some degree of compassion but also worry over the fact that one of the most important department heads seemed to be losing it.

"Fine," she sighed and added with emphasis, "Sir. Sorry, just a bit distracted is all. I guess we all are given what's happened. I know, you need us to all be at our best . . . . I'm trying. I am. I just can't stop thinking bout us out here all alone. No one to rescue us, no one to turn to." Darcy sucked in a breath.

He sympathized with the lead scientist, but it was a contingency that Michael had been trained to expect. Whether crashing on a planet or flung across the galaxy, being lost was part of the risk. He tried to stay positive as he said, "We all have each other, and you have to keep hope alive. We were sent here instantly, we could find a wormhole or another anomaly that could send us home."

"True, and technically I suppose that's my job. I'm sorry," she looked away for a moment trying to gain some sense into the situation. "I don't think we're going to die. I just don't want to be separated from my family for the rest of my life.. Darcy shook her head. "Sorry sir, what did you need?" She assumed he had a reason for coming in here.

Michael did not answer immediately, instead he looked at Darcy for a few moments. She seemed to be severely impacted by what had happened. Deciding to come back to it at the end of the conversation, he handed over a PADD. "We have a new sensor profile that can help find water and certain proteins that can be used for the protein resequencers. Would you mind looking it over to see if we can narrow the search a bit further? Maybe a list of proteins that could not only be used immediately but those that could be altered to work."

"Yes sir, I can do that." Darcy replied, taking the pad from him and glancing at it. She knew how important it was that she succeed now. She looked back up into his eyes to see if there was anything else.

Looking back into Darcy's eyes gave Michael pause. Now was as good of a time as any to ask now that his concern was growing. "How are you holding up?" he asked in a way that suggested that he knew she was not fine.

She sighed. "I'm not alright right now, but I will be. I just need some time. I know, it's the one thing we don't have. I'll throw myself into my work and deal with this later." She said moving past him to start work as if he'd left the room already.

Michael had seen that look before. If it was not address soon, Darcy would be set up for tragedy. "Lieutenant," he called out in a voice that seemed to echo off the metal walls as if he were addressing an unruly cadet. He stepped closer to her and added in a calming almost whisper, "I'm not going to ask you do be alright now, and not tomorrow. But, your mental health and well-being is just as important as any other system on the ship. If you need help, don't hesitate to reach for it."

"Yes sir," she replied, blinking at the sudden closeness. "I will sir." And she probably would, but she wasn't going to seek help from him, that would just be embarrassing.

"I'll let you get to work then," Michael nodded. Trying to alleviate the tension a little, he added, "Try to find us something a little appetizing."

Darcy couldn't help but crack a smile.



Lt. Commander Michael Sloan
Chief Armory Officer
NX Atlantis

Lieutenant (JG) Darcy Blair
Chief Science Officer
NX Atlantis