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"One Person's Thoughts Is Another Person's Hell"
(Previous Post: "Read, Remember, Relax")
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Setting: USS ANUBIS, Deck 1, Bridge
Stardate: 30145.1510

Although somewhat concerned by the apparent distraction of the Operations Officer, the Shillian Scientist and acting Executive Officer found herself still heavily thinking about their mission and destination.

The moon orbiting PI ALPHA III had been a perfect example of primal natural forces at their most devastating extreme.  Winds capable of taking down a full size starship; quakes and volcanoes reshaping the planetary landscape on an hourly basis; and a flora that appeared unwilling to give up despite the harshness of the environment.

All of these things and countless others beckoned the Shillian Scientist, and as such she could not wait to arrive at their destination. As the acting Executive Officer of the USS ANUBIS though, this curiosity and wish to explore the hellish world had been tempered by the reality of the hazards that moon possessed.

Had she been the only one involved, the Chief Science Officer would not have hesitated to embrace this unique opportunity. Unfortunately, her responsibilities also included now the safety of the crew which forced the Shillian to look at the mission from a completely different perspective.

This mission had been set to test the crew and challenge their skills to the highest limit. Still though, the Shillian had hoped to find a way to achieve some of her scientific objectives while staying within the boundaries of her new role.

The Executive Officer stood from the Captain's chair, while keeping a vigilant watch on the man sitting at the Operations station.  As much as it was hers to sit in while Erik was away, Maya just could not find it within her to be comfortable while sitting in it. Plus the recent event had given her another reason to return to her feet. "Mr. Stark," the Shillian began in a cautious and polite tone, "Would you be so kind as to tie-in all available data on PI ALPHA III to the science station. I would like to perform a few more analysis before we arrive."

"But," the Ensign stared before adding a pause. "We are still four days away from that system," the Operations Officer pointed out.  Although not what she had expected as a reply, the acting Executive Officer had been pleased to see that the Ensign had returned to some level of normality and had been on task with his responsibilities.

"Science is in her blood," the Counselor of the USS ANUBIS said as she walked onto the Bridge. "Plus it is likely better for her to address this research now while we actually have time."

Ensign Dalziel gave the Shillian a quick inquiring gaze which was answered by a rapid movement of the head towards the Operations station and the man manning it.

"While we have time?" The giant man sitting at the helm of the ANUBIS added with distinct skepticism, completely unaware of the silent conversation that had taken place between the acting Executive Officer and Ship's Counselor.

"I am convinced that our Captain is at this very moment thinking of countless devious ways to put the ship and all of us to the test," Ensign Dalziel said, half looking forward to seeing what Morningstar would come up with while at the same time focusing on the reason why she had been called to the Bridge.  Something had not been quite right with Ensign Stark and it had been her responsibility to figure out what it was.

"Good, hope whatever he has in mind happens soon," Ensign Paquette contributed from the engineering station, the Engineer also unaware of the situation that had brought the Counselor to the command deck.  "I have never been one to just sit around and wait for something to happen."

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Jessica Solarik

Lieutenant Commander Maya
Chief Science Officer
USS ANUBIS

"To see the world in a grain of sand,
and a heaven in a wild flower.
Hold infinity in the palm of your hand,
and eternity in an hour."
- William Blake (British, 1757-1827)