Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Astrid Murdock (Astronavigation and Warp Field Dynamics Engineer) in The Dragon Inn
[snip}

Astrid had walked into the bar at that moment and only heard the end of the previous conversation. “If wasn’t for my grandfather I’d still be working as a Trainee AI Ethicist!” said Astrid. “And I know that wouldn’t have worked out for the best!”

“Could I have today’s special please? The chicken and rice thing, not the beef steak.” Astrid asked Joe. “And can I have two portions of it, please? I missed lunch earlier. And also a very large beer!”

“We’ve been mapping the Expanse all day and from an astro-navigational standpoint, it’s the most complex region of space that I’ve ever encountered. I don’t know how we’ll be able to keep doing this for weeks or months!” Astrid added by way of explanation, “....How’s your day so far?”

Almost as soon as Astrid had finished her first sentence than Joe was starting the heat in a pot for the water to boil the rice. In another place he was pulling out bits of chicken and putting them in an oven . Next was the sauce that would coat the chicken. He looked up over the counter at Astrid and said, AI Ethics? When did anyone get that to work? I was told that as long as you had humans doing the programming you’d have machines with odd quirks.”

Joe paused in his preparing of the food and said , ” Sure thing two portions. And a very large lager. ” From out of nowhere D’Nesh showed up with a large stein of beer which she set in front of Astrid before she disappeared quickly. ” So they working you people hard then? I hope they have a good handle on things . ” Only a few minutes later Joe placed a huge platter stacked high with the chicken in front of Astrid. ” .There you are dear enjoy it. It sounds like you will need the fuel.”

“Yeah! That’s just what I needed, thanks!” replied Astrid. “I don’t think I’ve worked such long hours before on this ship.”

Ahh, Joe began. “Starfleet is a lot like the weather on some parts of Earth. You cuss at the heat all summer and then want it back in the winter when you’re cursing the cold weather!”

“That’s very perceptive,” Astrid said. “I can tell you weren’t always a barman… the frustration isn’t just about the sheer amount of work; it’s also the timing! We all have our own little pet projects in Science that we can work on when there is time to do so. When something big like this comes along we have to clear all our desks and lab worktops, with no idea of how long before we will get to go back to those again… Still, the new survey data we get on the Expanse is probably going to make the Merrimack as famous as Captain Sulu’s Excelsior’s work on gaseous anomalies!”

Yes, I suppose it can.” Joe said.” I myself have always been a man who will settle for a job well done. Go out do your job, come back with all your limbs along with the appropriate number of fingers and toes. Now that’s what I call a successful mission. Anything else is just fancy icing on the cake.”

Astrid gave a wry smile. “You strike me as a very practical man, Joe. My job deals with theoretical physics, warp field dynamics and the difficult to believe. Practicalities, I leave those for others to calculate! There’s something exciting about being on the cusp of discovery—even if it means a few sleepless nights and cold meals in the lab. Don’t worry about my complaining. At least this time, we know whatever we find might change everything we thought we knew about the Expanse, and so we’ll get a chance to add a little icing of our own before it’s all over.”

Joe smiled a wry little smile at Astrid and said, ” Oh don’t be selling yourself short. With things like that if you put in a bit more overtime you may well prove or disprove all the things people think they know about the whole universe itself! Never sell yourself short or think small Lieutenant!”

“I was told that the Captain had made you some kind of unofficial ship’s counsellor but I think you really should be called ‘Mr Motivator’.” Astrid said, “and you are good at it too!”

Joe laughed and said simply to Astrid, ” No I was just brought up with a boatload of common sense along with some stiff parental ‘observation and rehabilitation training.’ If I were smart enough as a counselor, I would be able to bring her to the realization that the past is just like an old rock. You can either take a pretty rock and keep it on a shelf, or you can take the ugly one and toss it over your shoulder. “

“No, you sell yourself short!” replied Astrid. “You see, that old rocks thing is another good analogy. Whether you made that up yourself or borrowed it doesn’t matter. You seem to have one to fit every occasion!”

Joe just laughed and told Astrid. ” I have an entire catalog of witty witticisms memorized and stored in my head. I’ve often found that a quick wit and a joke can keep you safe from a lot. A Klingon knife to an angry wife. And personally, I’ fear the wife more than the Klingon.”

Joe Milligan Barman

Astrid pushed her cleaned plate to one side and raised and drank the rest of her stein.

“Sorry, but I’m going to have to go and get some sleep,” Astrid said. “I have another long shift in stellar cartography tomorrow again.”

• Astrid, Sci

Joe just smiled at Astrid as he took her plate and mug saying ,” Well you get a good and relaxing sleep then young lady. We don’t want you looking bleary eyed on your next shift.”

Joe Milligan Barman