Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Erik turned towards Doreen with a rather dreamy, almost teenage-like, look on his face and replied
"I'm not sure... have we?" It took him a few seconds to realise the alcohol had gotten to him. He instantly blushed and chuckled, then stuttered
"I'm referring to the nanite project, of course..."
He then tried to compose himself, then referred to her last comment
"And yes, the boys do seem to be getting close. I'm glad." - he ended with a smile, which faded quickly due to him still feeling a bit embarrassed about his initial choice of words. In truth, he did find Doreen to be attractive and interesting. But, he wasn't sure he'd be ready for something...
Meanwhile, Peter and Ben were just coming outside and the cleaning drones had finished their work, leaving the table completely empty.
She sighed as she sat back in her chair a bit, her arms falling to the sides before resting her forearms on the arm rests. She leaned her head back in to the chair a bit. Food, alcohol and a busy stretch of days made her tired and she still had to get Benjen and get him home. For a moment, she closed her eyes in relaxation. "My this chair is comfortable," she commented. A light smile appeared on her face.
"I think it's the first bit of quiet we've had in a couple of days," she said aloud to Erik, "forgive me if I relish the moment."
_____________________
Benjen loved the ball field. To him, it was one of the greatest things he had ever seen. It was a place to run, a place just kick a ball around or just chase each other. Despite the fatigue the adults were having, he was having a ball with his new buddy, Peter.
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
- he replied with a short smile -
"You've only arrived three days ago." ... and did she show it? Not so much, to Erik's surprise. She looked peaceful, her beauteous neck denoting no signs of real fatigue.
He leaned back in his chair, turning his head to the noise that was coming from the ball-field. He sported a clear, fatherly smile as he just took in the sight of innocence. Peter was, obviously, the light of his eyes. He got lost in the moment... Everything felt tranquil.
The time was getting close to 23:00.
In what seemed like an eternity that was really just a short laying back for a rest, she sat up and stretched. It was late and based on the silence of the children, they had again fallen asleep. Looking over, Erik was laying back as well. She smiled. He was a good father and a good man and she appreciated it. He had opened up his home, his labs and to a small degree, his life. Benjen had a good friend and she loved the fact that they could spend a day together and not get bored.
She looked at her watch. 2300. She found her feet and went looking for Benjen and just as she thought, the two boys dropped where they stood. She called Erik over and pointed, a smile to the brink of laughter. "Erik, look," as they stood on either side of a doorway, "they dropped right next to each other." She felt the warmth of Erik next to her. "I guess I should go pick him up and bring him home. He'll probably sleep in a bit as it's the weekend. I'll have rounds to make at the hospital in the morning so I'll need some sleep."
Heading to where Ben was, she picked him up and placed his head on her shoulder. "Benjen," she said slightly under strain, "You're getting too big for this."
Corvin Estate, New Thessalonica, Planet Yuma, Coronado
evening of 5 Aug. 824 A.S.
Erik snickered at Doreen's remark as she was lifting up Benjen
"They grow up fast, don't they? Still can't believe Peter starts school next year as well."
"Well, I better put him to bed too." - he continued -
"It's been a wholesome day." Seeing as Peter's eyes were still partially open, he was probably not totally asleep. Erik leaned over and poked the boy in his side. Peter laughed from feeling tickled and rose up a bit.
"There you go..." - Erik said softly -
"Now, say good night to doctor Naggar and Benjen, then head inside. I'll be right behind you."
The boy did as instructed, while balancing himself not to drop from exhaustion again, just yet. Erik then escorted Doreen to the estate's gates.
"Uhm, the team will reconvene to work on the project next Thursday." was his last comment, before saying his goodbyes as well and going back inside to tuck Peter in.
"Good night, Erik and um....thank you," she said to him smiling kindly, "You have been so kind to us."
"Uhm, the team will reconvene to work on the project next Thursday."
"I look forward to it," she replied, "If today was an indicator of what's to come then, I look forward to it."
With her carrying Benjen, she couldn't do much else. The best she could do was muster a sweet smile to Erik. With that, she returned home for the evening as the next day she had a lot of paperwork and follow-up with all of her surgical patients. With a ride home provided, it made things easier.
University of Yuma, Central Dome, New Astarte, Planet Yuma, Coronado
- around 11:30 -
"When F on m.g. is a constant, these nonlinear equations can be solved analytically. For F/m.g. to be constant, the thrust F must decrease with time to conform to the decreasing mass." - professor Erik Corvin concluded to his students.
Someone from the higher rows then raised a hand and asked "What if said time is impractical?"
"An astute question." - he shouted back, making sure everyone hears him -
"If F on m.g. is a varying function of time, we can assume F on m.g. to be constant over short intervals of time, and we can carry out a step-by-step numerical integration, using the analytical solution over each interval. It is evident, then, that the analytical solution for constant F/m.g. is of practical interest."
Teaching space dynamics to second year engineering students was one of Erik's less demanding activities. It was also the only thing he did almost on a daily basis, with his other work being divided between Yuma Robotics generic administration and his nanite project.
While Erik's lecture was going on in hall F, Samantha Valders and Clark Desay were already in the nanotechnology lab, working on a new idea.
It was a morning of making rounds. Dr. Naggar had all of her patients on the mend to include two of them being discharged.
"There is little else we can do here," she told one of the pilots, "continue your recovery at home. I a week or so, if all is well, I'll sign your up slip for your return to flight status."
Her patient from Omega 49 also returned with an order to report to her.
"I was ordered to report to you, Doctor," he said kindly, standing in civilian cloths. Doreen smiled as she walked around him and looked him over.
"How do you feel?" she asked him as she examined him.
"I feel blessed," he answered, "truly blessed." She smiled at his response.
"Have you seen a picture of what you looked like before I sent you to Omega 49?" she asked him. He shook his head.
She put up a picture of him, of what condition he came to her in. The pilot at first stood silent in horror and then began to cry.
"Doc......tha.....that was me?" he said through the tears. She shed a tear with him and nodded, "It was. I was amazed that you were still alive." She put a hand on his shoulder, "What I couldn't do, I sent you to have taken care of.
He cried some more. He cried hard and managed a "thank you" through it and hugged her. "You're welcome," is all she said.
When he let go, he chuckled, "I just miss my facial hair."
She smiled, "It'll grow back." Then asked him, "Would you come with me for a minute?" He just nodded.
They walked towards the very place where he arrived. On the way, they passed where Erik was lecturing. They could see him through a large window. Quietly, they stepped through the door so as not to bother anyone. They succeeded as no one noticed. For a minute or two, they stood and listened. Realizing that what he was talking about was above them, they turned to leave. She didn't know if Erik saw her or not but she gave a light wave.
University of Yuma, Central Dome, New Astarte, Planet Yuma, Coronado
Being engaged in his conversation with the students, answering each one's questions in the final minutes of the lecture, Erik didn't act as if noticing Doreen. He did see her with the corner of his eye, but courtesy dictated he focus on the task at hand, until recess - which was about to come in ten minutes.
While the doctor and her patient left the lecture hall, Erik finished by proposing a home project for his students
"Why don't you try to put what you've learnt this week to use and build yourselves some signal drones. You'll find all the required materials in the University store-rooms, so don't fret over it." He then shut down the projection screen and slowly gathered his tools: the holo-pad, a projection pencil, some random gadgets he threw in a small suitcase.
He exited the lecture hall right before the stream of students would come out as well, and started looking around a bit, to see if Doreen was still in the building.
Doreen and the patient walking as they headed toward the nanotechnology lab. Their tone went from one of a patient thanking his doctor to one of pleasantries and humor. There was a real reason as to why she had him with her as they went to the nano lab.
Entering, Doreen introduced him to Doctor's Valder and Casey. She had a proposal for them but felt it would be proper if Erik was present. It wasn't long before Erik would enter.
"Dr. Corvin," she greeted, "I'd like you to meet someone. This is Lt. Shawn Davidson. He is the man I sent to Omega 49 for burn treatment." She showed all present the pictures of what he looked like before treatment and then showed him now. "There is a reason why he is here. Per my request, I have received the equipment responsible for this treatment, the Rejuvenator. My proposal is this, it needs a team of engineers such as yourselves to make it work as it has a lot of power demand. As I said, if Lt. Davidson isn't example enough as to what this could do for the Crayter Republic, well, I don't know what will be."
She then turned to Davidson, "If you will excuse us, I must meet with my colleagues. I will see you in the morning about an up slip for you." He thanked her and left.
She then stood before her colleagues, arms crossed in front of her, "So what do you think?"