Posted by Captain John Tiberius Glen (Captain) in Main Sim - Engineering - Final Simulations
[snip]

When Tia returned to check on the simulation, she sighed. Deep down she had hoped, kind of, that there would be some great anomaly she could use to postpone or even quash the activation. Sadly, there wasn’t. She sent the reports to the CO and XO and moved to finish setting things up in Engineering for the actual activation. After another hour, as third shift came to a close, she messaged Daniel and left a missive on his comm for him to get when he woke. It said the tests were successful and to come to Engineering when he was up and about.

A return message came a few moments later =/\= I will be by shortly Lieutenant Tia I’m currently talking to Commander Kord. =/\= He said before ending the call

Seeing the message read by the Captain, Tia sent an additional one.

If you have any questions, I’m up and in engineering… or can come to you.

Tia had signed off with her name and gone back to preparing the engineering bay for whatever was to come. She just hoped that there was a something to come… or go back to.

=/\= Your report was comprehensive. I don’t really have any further questions,” Glen replied, “but I can’t sleep tonight, so I could come down to Engineering and share some stories? =/\=

=^=Coffee is on…=^= Was the simple reply. An invitation obvious in its sending.

Glen arrived about 10 minutes later. He was wearing the backpack again.

“I can’t sleep because of this thing,” Glen said, upon entering Engineering, “what’s your excuse? I need you wide awake and fully alert when we run this machine. But your offer of coffee was too good to miss!”

Her office was much clearer of the chaotic clutter he was used to seeing there. The solitary chair across from her at her desk was now two chairs facing towards engineering instead of her desk and the coffee and fixings were on the tray on her desk along with two mugs. She was busy trying, and failing, to clear the small table in the corner of her office. Between rock samples, Padds and maps, there was too much to simply move aside and allow for more workable space. She was absorbed in that project when he arrived.

She turned as he came in and smiled. “Is there no way to make it smaller and more manageable?” She didn’t fully understand the need for it, but she knew that it was necessary. “And depending on the range, I set the stool by the second chair. It should keep it close enough to you to keep you safe, but not interfere with comfort as long as you remain in the chair and don’t start pacing.” She smiled trying to make light of it all.

Glen answered, “Don’t ask me! I have no idea how it even works. It was something Dr. Grunch knocked together, for which I’m very grateful. William did mention about being keen to get his hands on it, and to develop it further, but to be honest, I wasn’t listening. I want Daniel’s machine to be a success, so that I can be rid of this completely. I’ve never liked being in confined spaces. I was accidentally locked in a cabinet as a child… but that’s a story for another day!”

Glen noticed the rock samples that Tia had moved from the table. “I didn’t know you were also a geologist,” he said. “I’m an amateur archaeologist. I like to wonder about all these civilisations that were present in the galaxy long before humans first ventured into space. It helps when thinking about the cultural aspects of remains if you know a little bit about the physical context, so I’ve picked up a little geology too.”

Toveka nodded about the bag. “From a scientific aspect, I would love to know how the bag works as well. But on a personal level, I think all of it needs to go once we are done. If we haven’t discovered the technology ourselves, I’m kind of a mind like ‘reverse Prime Directive’. We don’t need to be meddling where we shouldn’t be.”

She turned her back to glance at the rocks and realized he wasn’t aware of her ‘hobby’ with regards to the rocks. “Oh, umm… yeah.” She turned to face him once more. “Sorry, guess not many people comment on it. Took me a minute to realize what you meant. I try and collect samples from every location we go to and from places we pass, when possible. I think mapping the change in the rocks across the expanses of the various quadrants could help with the discovery of other worm holes and anomalies.” She laughed realizing how ridiculous that sounded. “Maybe even help us understand why our ships act and react differently in different areas of space.”

“I expect you are right about the bag,” replied Glen, “but apparently Grunch only copied from tech that has been used before. Time travel may be top secret, but it certainly isn’t uncommon… and I think that’s an interesting reason to collect them.”

She moved to the coffee and quickly changed the subject. “How do you want your coffee?” She poured two mugs and handed him one, the cream and sugar on the small plate she held towards him with a spoon on it.

“Just cream please!” said Glen.

A short time later NE Harf spoke near the door. “..Um ma’am? Sir? Sorry to interrupt but Daniel has returned to the engine room. Anywhere you want me to direct him?” Harf asked.

GM CockRoach

Glen, CO

Tia sighed. “Tell him the sims are fine, he can look for himself. I’m with the Captain and will be out shortly. Close the door please.” She shook her head and sighed. “I still don’t like this. But I can’t argue with the sims when I said I would go by what they said. And they said we are pretty good.” She shook her head and smiled at him. “But I didn’t want to just talk to you about this. I want to know how you are doing? You check on us so often, I wanted to be sure someone was checking on you. I know Kord has been busy as well. I know that can’t be easy. But are you ok otherwise?” The concern and sincerity on her face was open and evident. She was seriously concerned about him.

Tia
CE