Carpathia IV: Episode 202 - Repair Thyself
Bridge, NCCS Shadowdancer-A
After a two-hour mission delay, Artemis determined that Phobos and Deimos were stable, for now. Without the need for Minnie's help, the mission resumed. Aire called Baal to the bridge to take Phobos's place while Artemis worked on deep scans for Phobos.
Minnie: Tank tests complete, Captain. All readings are acceptable. We're ready to begin collection.
Baal: I have identified several areas of high concentrations of the abrasive gas. I'm entering them into the computer now along with plans for optimal paths to follow for collection.
Aire: Excellent, Baal. Teek, pick one and set a course, one quarter induction. Position us just outside the perimeter until Minnie gives us the go-ahead.
Teek: Setting a course, Captain.
With that, the mission began, a coordinated dance between Engineering and the bridge, getting readings, plotting courses, and collecting gas. Many hours passed and the last tank was topping off.
Aire: Commander, you have the bridge. I'm headed to Engineering. Baal, I think your job here is done. You'll accompany me.
Baal: Yes, Captain.
With a few taps at his console to log out, Baal rushed to the lift and joined Aire.
Aire: Deck 18.
The lift began to move while Aire turned to chat with Baal.
Aire: You did well even without considering that you had to jump in at the last minute.
Baal: Thank you, Captain.
Aire: I assume you've heard what happened to Phobos already.
Baal lowered his head and gave only a short nod.
Baal: News travels fast on this ship.
Aire: How are you feeling?
Baal: A little guilty, I guess. He wouldn't be like this if it weren't for me.
Aire hadn't thought about it quite like that before, at least, not from the perspective of the way Baal might see things. Nevertheless, he found that response both right and wrong at the same time.
Aire: Perhaps, but I'm sure something like this would have happened eventually. If not you, then someone else or there could have been another trigger entirely.
Baal: I appreciate the sentiment, Captain. I've thought of that too but I'm not sure if that makes me feel better.
The lift door opened, revealing the wide passageway leading to Engineering.
Aire: I understand. You run on ahead and be with him. Perhaps your presence will help.
Baal nodded and darted out of the lift, giving a quick turn to address Aire one more time.
Baal: I will do whatever it takes, Captain.
Baal sprinted down the cooridor to the big double doors leading into Engineering while Aire strolled more casually from the lift. When he entered Engineering, Baal was nowhere to be found, presumably in the lab. Amenaru and Kit off to the left, coordinating communications and monitoring of the tanks. Ramei, Sylvar, and Quenya working the collection tanks themselves, and finally Minnie with her ever-present tablet in hand, supervising.
Minnie: Ah, Captain. We're nearly done.
Ramei: Last tank is at 80%, Captain. We'll stop at 90%.
Minnie: Everything should be ready when we transfer the tanks to the Chrono Blade when we pass them in two weeks.
Aire: I leave it all in your hands. How is Phobos or Deimos doing?
Minnie: Not sure. After Dr. Leingod asked us to leave so that he could have some private time, we resumed the mission and I haven't heard anything since. I did see Baal go in there a minute ago. I'm sure you can go too.
Aire: I will do that. Carry on, Chief.
Aire left the Engineering team to finish up their work and strolled up to the lab door. Since Baal hadn't been kicked out, he assumed he wouldn't be interrupting when he entered himself. That he did, taking a single step in, finding Baal holding Phobos's hand. He could not see Artemis, since that display was facing in the wrong direction. Aire took a step in and announced himself.
Aire: Mind if I enter?
Artemis: Come in, Captain.
Aire proceeded further in with only the sound of his footsteps and thrum and bleeps of the machinery and electronics around him. The low lighting accentuated the tiny pinprick lights on the surrounding devices. As he moved further in, he spotted Artemis on one of the displays sporting a face that one does not prefer to see if hoping for good news.
Aire: I guess I should ask if you're Phobos or Deimos.
Phobos: Phobos, Captain. I'm very sorry for all that.
Aire: No need to apologize, Phobos. Any explanation or solutions to this situation?
Artemis: Nothing. About an hour ago, Deimos went blank for a minute and a half and then suddenly Phobos returned. Did you notice anything like that on the bridge?
Aire: I didn't. I don't think anyone else did, but I'll check. We were prepping for the mission and when I got around to Phobos, he was already Deimos. We didn't know that at the time and neither did she.
Artemis: This actually might be a good thing. There are two problems with transferring Deimos out of Phobos. One is building a brain that can handle her and the other is determining what parts of the code are Phobos and what parts are Deimos. This might help solve the second problem. I'm working on an implant for Phobos to wear at all times. I want to monitor his systems continuously, especially when he and Deimos swap places again. Those moments could be key to ascertaining which is which.
Aire nodded as if he understood.
Aire: I suppose that sounds like progress.
Artemis: There is one more thing. I already talked about this with Phobos. I think you'll need to take him off duty for now. Neither of them will be very reliable with this going on.
Aire: I had a similar thought, but I don't want to take him off duty entirely. Phobos, I'll have to take you off bridge duty. Your new assignment is to work on yourself. If you need any assistance, contact either Joust or Minnie.
Phobos: Thank you, Captain. There is a good chance this will take a long time, though.
Aire: And that's why it should be your full time job. I've been watching you two suffer for too long. I want you both to live to your full potential.
Artemis: I support that plan.
Baal: Um... Mr... Dr. Leingod, sir? Can I help? I don't want to be a burden. I suppose I can just stay away if...
Before Baal finished his last sentence, Artemis was already shaking his head.
Artemis: No, no. I firmly believe you're a net positive here. In fact, I would prefer that Phobos not spend too much time alone. I know it's a bit early in your relationship, but might you consider moving in together?
Baal's mouth flopped open, but no sound came out. Phobos filled the silence, but this only made Baal even more flustered.
Phobos: I'm in favor, but I do hope Deimos and I can figure out how to control who's in charge. It would be really awkward if we suddenly switched in the middle of sex.
Baal's face quickly turned as red as his hair.
Baal: Speaking of awkward! Do you always talk about this kind of stuff with your parents?
Phobos shrugged nonchalantly.
Phobos: You do realize that he's the one who built my dick, right?
Baal: Oh... well... I suppose that makes sense. Anyway, I guess I'm in favor of moving in. I haven't given that much thought up to now, but I love Phobos. So, yeah, let's do this.
Aire: In that case, I'll have Joust arrange new quarters for you.
Artemis: Alright, alright. Off with you two. I would like to chat with Phobos privately before we build the implant. Captain, can you contact Adell for me? Patch him here if he's available.
Aire: Whatever you need, Dr. Leingod. Come on, Baal. Let's go.
Baal nodded as he gazed into Phobos's eyes. Stepping away slowly, he held onto Phobos's hand for as long as he could, until both of their arms were completely outstretched, and they simply slipped from each other's grasp. Once outside the lab, Aire contacted the bridge.
Aire: Kit, contact Commodore Amaranth on behalf of Phobos and Dr. Leingod. Patch him through to the lab when you get ahold of him.
Kit: Understood, Captain.
Aire: Baal, let's see Joust to go ahead and get your new quarters set up.
Baal: Thank you, Captain. I could use something to keep me busy right now.
Commissioned art in this episode from:
AvareonArt
Zelbunnii
Less_End
Thatwildmary
Colourbrand
Falke2009
