Panic planning
Posted on 26 Sep 2022 @ 10:15pm by Lieutenant JG Hannah Wagner & Lieutenant JG Kastor Aslanov MD & Ensign Amelia "Mia" Estasi
Mission:
M3 - Into the Deep
Location: USS Pathfinder Sickbay
Timeline: MD 8 0020
635 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure
A late night stroll took Hannah back to the laboratory portion of Sickbay, and it was a place where she'd found it was good to research and organize her thoughts. Surprised to hear voices in the lab she'd been intending to use, Hannah stopped to listen. She recognized the female voice as her chief nurse Mia, and the male as Kastor one of her junior doctors. His accent was cute, his attitude was not, but he was a skilled surgeon and she hoped to get a feel for his abilities on this voyage. Wedging herself into a corner beside the lab where she could hear the voices clearly through the open door, Hannah rested her head on the bulkhead and just listened.
"If we don't get this right, we're all going to die."
"Honestly you're the worst kind of person for this position."
"Oh thanks." the female voice was sharp and sarcastic as it answered the man, who bore the tone of one who was being condescending.
"No. No what I meant was only when we get thrown into situations like these. You panic, and panic plan because you're so anxious. It's not good for you."
"Maybe not, but it's good for the ship. I've never lost a person on an away team that I've planned for."
"That's because you're ridiculous."
"No, that's because I am thorough. I was chosen for this mission for a reason, and if you're just going to be an ass you can leave. I do not need your help, nor did I ask for it."
"Touchy."
"You're standing here insulting me, and I've been nice about it. Either help me do my listings or get out."
"Alright, alright...I'll help" The tone changed to one of exasperation, but the sound of a PADD being picked up followed. "Are we just brainstorming or...?"
"Well, yeah. We have no idea what could be over there."
"Fine, carry on oh Guru of Planning and Safety"
An exasperated noise came from Mia and she snarled something at him that didn't translate. Kastor laughed openly "Pax mishka, I will stop. Shall we start with the aquatic environment?"
"Sure. Item one: Oxygenation. Our suits have the ability to make oxygen, but in the presence of so much water that ability is limited. The reaction we induce to produce oxygen can ionize the water.
Item two: Pressure. The suits aren't designed for the kind of pressure 20 million tons of salt water is going to put on them. They're designed for a vaccuum. All seals and force-fields need to be checked prior and during the mission. If there's a failure, we need backups and a continuous transport lock, otherwise before we're able to beam anyone out of that soup, they'll be crushed.
Item three: Water quality...."
"What does the quality of the water have to do with anything?"
"Well, if the creatures that built the thing are still there, they could have polluted it. Or they could have died in it and put chemicals into the water that make it acidic or basic enough to eat through the e-suits. Or there could be bacteria or parasites in the water that we could bring back without knowing it. Stagnant water is dangerous, honestly Doctor, don't you read the messages I send? Do you think I do this for fun?" Mia's voice dripped with disdain, and the emphasis on the word doctor was definitely throwing shade at him.
Hannah could only imagine the look on her face as she spoke those words, and she smirked. They certainly had things well in hand. Hannah would have to check their work the next day, it would be quite refreshing to not have to plan everything for herself. While they were still discussing, Hannah walked away and left them to their preparations.