Planetfall pt. 2

Posted on Thu Jan 9th, 2020 @ 9:06pm by Lieutenant Aurelius Davis

Mission: Mission 1 - One Step forward
Location: Unknown Planet
Timeline: Day 7 Month 1 Year 0 14:50 Hours
771 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

No one was paying attention to him and he figured no one would miss him anyway as he felt pretty useless on this trip Aurelius wandered away and found himself a perch where he could still see the shuttle and most of the others but where he could be along with his thoughts and just explore the area with his eyes.

Ben went back to where the shuttle was being loaded. Containers of water and algae were loaded. Ben had hoped there would be an opportunity to maybe catch some of the marine life that inhabited the water, and if there was any animal life, maybe something resembling an Earth deer, that would be fine.
Plantlife on the planet seemed to be very sparse...no chance to gather cuttings to grow in a hydroponics bay he had hoped that would be built.

Ben looked up a tree and saw Aurelius sitting there. "May I ask what you're doing, lieutenant?"

Aurelius looked up, surprised to have been addressed. "Pretending to look busy. You caught me," he grinned. Livingston was probably the last person he really wanted to talk to, the person who would be replacing him as a pilot.

"I won't tell the captain if you're worried about that. lieutenant. Just wanted to make sure you were okay." Ben responded.

"Fine . . . fine." Aurelius replied. "Just feeling a bit left behind." There was no other way to put it and it was something he was going to have to get over. The Captain had made her suggestion and if he was smart maybe he'd listen to her. "I'll figure it out."

"If I can be of help, lieutenant, I'd be happy to assist you in anything." Ben looked at him. "I know what it feels like when you get left out."

"Sounds like you have a story behind that." He patted the rock next to him. "Want to share it?" Maybe the Captain was right. He did like to listen to people . . . . and he could offer an encouraging word now and then. And it was something to keep himself useful.

Ben sat down on the rock. "All my life, I've been the last person picked....for games...for assignments. Even at the academy, I had to fight to get noticed. I did extra assignments at the academy. Worked harder than anyone. Even now, I feel that I need to do more to get noticed on the ship."

"The irony is that if this ship makes it back to Earth you'll probably be more famous than you ever imagined and you didn't have to do anything but get posted here." Aurelius smiled at him. "But I get it. I didn't get this posting by being lazy either. Stop trying so hard, you've been noticed, after all, you're now chief flight control officer."

Ben stared at him. "I'm the chief flight control officer?? I thought that was your job."

"Well," Aurelius held up his hands. "I can't exactly do that anymore now can I? Can't feel a thing in my fingers, no idea how hard I'm pressing nor feel any distinction between actual buttons and just the surface of the console. And my fingers are as stiff as boards."

"The doctor can't do anything to help you regain the feeling in your hands?" Ben asked.

"Not here on this ship. And we're not exactly close to any Starfleet medical facilities. Look, it's fine. I'll find something to do. The Captain had an idea which I think I'm going to go with. You better get back to work, wouldn't want you getting into trouble for sitting and chatting with me," Aurleius added, getting ready to move himself.

"You said that "If the ship gets back"....you don't think we'll find a way home, lieutenant?" Ben inquired.

Minna noticed the other two officers off slightly away from the shuttle and noted that the major and the doctor were still exploring. She quickly made her way over to where the two men were talking, catching the end of their conversation as she approached.

“You two should stay closer to the shuttle. With the major out exploring everyone else is under my protection, which is a lot easier if we’re all close.”

Minna smiled before either could reply and added “And yes, we will get back home. It might take a while, but it will happen.”

"Right," Aurelius said finally standing on his own two feet. "It will happen."

OFF::

Lieutenant Aurelius Davis
Soon to be Morale Officer
NX Atlantis

Ensign Benedict Livingston
Helmsman
NX Atlantis

Sergeant Minna Chang
MACO
NX Atlantis