Cookies Should Fix Everything

Posted on Wed Jan 12th, 2022 @ 11:19am by Ensign Alexandra 'Lexi' O'Connery & Kyle Cranston

Mission: Mission 5 - Babel
Location: Unknown Planet
Timeline: Day 273 17:00
1567 words - 3.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Lexi looked at the small group of people who were scanning the walls around her as she looked at the scans through the computer setup she had to gather it all. She was in her happy little space and it was showing in the big grin on her face that no one or nothing could wipe from her face. She was living every communication officer's dream of discovering a language that no one had ever seen before and trying to work it out. It was complicated and so satisfying to her to be using her brain.

She looked over as someone new joined the group that was in one of the inner rooms of the tower.

“Hello, Chef.” She called over to Kyle seeing him standing there. “Looking for someone or something?”

Kyle was focused on the symbols on the walls as he entered the room. He honestly didn't like this tower but checking it out would hopefully alleviate his apprehension about the place. "Hey, um, Lexi isn't it?" he met her gaze, giving a friendly smile. "Actually, I just thought I would check this place out, and call me Kyle. Any luck in understanding what these symbols are saying?"

Lexi nodded at him remembering her name. They had barely spoken before they had gotten lost in space, so she was surprised that he remembered it. “It is. Good memory.” She praised thinking on the times she had read to him and the other people who had been injured in the initial incident. It had felt silly to people, but she was refusing to not do something intellectual for them. It had been proven that people in comas could hear. “Not really, I am afraid. This is the first proper day I have enough people to play and look through it all.” It was only now people stopped exploring everything else so she could map enough. She could not blame them she had been the same.

"Well, it comes from having to memorize recipes," he boasted with a shrug. "Soooo," he stepped next to her, returning his attention to the symbols on the walls. "The symbols on the only structure on this planet could be telling us that we're all going to die or to simply go away like some grumpy old person," he joked.

Lexi just offered a smile to him as he mentioned recipes. She was surprised at that with all the technology but then again very much like her own profession it had to be a lot in her head for when technology failed. “They could be telling us anything that is for sure. Could be telling us we are going to die or to go away but it also could be for the best gumbo this side of the universe.” She teased him ever so slightly.

"Ha! I doubt that, besides everyone knows I already make the best gumbo," he boasted, crossing his arms and grinning at Lexi. "How long have you been at this?"

“Um….” Lexi looked at the computer screen where there was a clock displayed and frowned. “I want to say less than 12 hours but the strange day and night ratio is knocking my sleep pattern out.” She knew better than to say longer but she was sure it had been.

"Sounds like you need a break then," he suggested. "Staring at these walls too long could drive a person crazy. I know it would drive me bonkers. Here," he dug into the pack he carried with him and dug out a paper towel wrapped gift from a plastic bag within his pack. "Freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. Never leave home without 'em."

“If she won’t take them I will Kyle.” An older Marine called out from where he was scanning. He had been at it a whole shift so he knew the woman was lying as he had come down when the twilight had started which had been 09:00 and she had been there way before that.

“I appreciate it,” Lexi said taking a cookie with a smile. “Thank you.”

"Anytime," he replied. He didn't really see the fascination with the symbols but then he was a trained engineer and cook, not a scientist. "You all should take a break and head back to camp. There's some freshly baked spaghetti and rolls." The crew had devoured his Cassoulet...or rather 'stew' as the captain had called it. Hopefully, he will be able to find something on the planet to help spice up his recipes.

Lexi looked a little defeated but nodded. "You heard the man food." She ordered in a kind tone. Being an Officer and ordering people around did not come naturally to the woman but she was finding it easier shoes to fill now she got little teams like the one she had been working with. It was boosting her confidence and building her up from where she had been when they had left earth. "Want a tour?" She wondered seeing the man looking around.

"Sure, why not?" he smiled at the woman. "Anything other than these symbols and the creepiness of this place that you've learned?" With all of the beautiful women aboard the Atlantis, he wondered why he ever left active duty Starfleet.

"I do not find it creepy been here most of the time by myself" She laughed starting up the steps that led to another landing, her hand tracing a line between the symbols for a moment before she turned to look at the man. It was a relief to finally not have to rely on a flashlight and they now have rigged lights but there had been no creepiness in her mind. "There is not much to it, the stairs just go around and around and none of the rooms off of the spiral look like they have ever been used."

"Please tell me you find that odd. One structure on an entire planet full of symbols and rooms that have never been used. Somebody had to build this structure for some kind of purpose. Can't believe they would be passing by and say "Hey, we're bored. Let's build a structure on that planet there to fuck with someone someday," he commented with a shake of his head.

“I find it odd but we have seen as have the Vulcans where something like this has happened. Natural disasters, civil wars. It’s not unheard of has happened in Earth history.” She said thinking on the Stone Spheres in Costa Rica and The Circle Stone And The Sea Of Galilee. No one knew purpose or who had made them. “But this is a great opportunity for communication and Science to do some real work. Get our head out of the problems we have all faced.”

Kyle shrugged. "If you say so, but as far as I'm aware, there hasn't been any signs of any other structures or ruins, on this planet."

"Not been discovered yet." Yet was such an important word to describe the way the world was now. They were not home... yet, they had not discovered a quicker way home... yet. It was such a hopeful word in her opinion. It was so much more hopeful than how she was feeling deep down inside of herself where the knowledge from the data core stung at her emotions to remind her that she would not be on the ship's manifest that time next year.

"Yeah, well I'm not holding out for much hope if the Atlantis hasn't picked up anything with her Sensors," Kyle shrugged. "So, are all these rooms the same design or do they differ from one another?" he asked, wanting to get back on topic.

"Positive thoughts," Lexi said brightly in the way that she normally did. She shook her head. "Every single one pretty similar. They do not overly change in shape or size. I cannot help but imagine a huge bed there." She mused stepping inside one of the rooms shining a torch around. It was square and reminded her of an old castle that England was dotted with that were a thousand years old in some places.

"Well, you won't catch me sleeping in any of these rooms," he commented as he leered into a room they passed. "Hmmm, odd. I haven't noticed any places for lighting along the walls or ceilings."

Lexi nodded. She could understand his view. It was her own view despite feeling like it was a castle or something. “Nope, it feels unfinished to me.” She mused. “We have had to set up lighting.” She laughed pointing to the lights that they had set up along the route they were investigating. “It’s pretty good when it gets dark at the wrong time.”

"Yeah, I'm definitely not a fan of this planet's day/night cycle," he replied, running his hand along the nearest wall. "Well, I should let you get back to it. But do come down for dinner sometime," he grinned at her.

Lexi knew he was not convinced by the planet but it was giving them all thoughts that were not on the ship or the fact they were so far from home. "Yes you should and yes I should too." She mused thoughtfully as she decided to carry on up the tower to have a look outside again and take it all in.