Rachel had to work to hide the involuntary surprise from the door hissing open suddenly. She'd been sitting long enough waiting that her attention had wandered from the door to more mental pursuits. She managed it, though, and her eyes locked to Mary the instant she walked in, and never left her.
"Good," was the first word out of Rachel's mouth. She sat forward in her chair, her arms resting on the edge of the table and her fingers clasping together. "I think I've made clear how much I hate inefficiency." There was a clear tone of approval. Rachel knew she had to find common ground with Mary Dross or her induction into the Coalition would be all the more challenging. "Though, we both know you're going to call me whatever you want, so why waste energy on asking?" Rachel's tone turned a little cocky with those words.
Rachel didn't even bother acknowledging the offer for a drink or tobacco. It was just another inefficiency for her to even contemplate. Mary's question, however, relaxed her despite the grim expression she wore as memories of the past flooded her mind. This was the type of question she was expecting, and she was ready for it.
"My terraforming expertise is focused on the use of microorganisms to convert harmful gases like methane and carbon monoxide into oxygen. It does it three times faster than any technology or other biological that's ever been created," she said. Pride slipped into her voice the more she spoke. "Planetform is a beaurocracy. They were happy with their process, and didn't care for a 'girl'...," Rachel said the word with distaste, "...telling them how to do it better. I made the decision to do it myself."
There was a long pause before Rachel continued. Despite her knowledge, abilities and skill, she still had regrets about Planetform. She still sometimes wondered if there would have been a better way to prove herself. "I introduced my bacteria into a planetary atmosphere without clearance. I had accounted for all of the variables, except for a gas conversion unit that was installed by another scientist that included biological filters. It was added at the last minute, and my level of access didn't give me any warning about its presence."
Another long pause. Rachel's voice was emotionless now. She was just relaying facts. "The effects of the combination were catastrophic. The biological filters in the gas converter were new tech that wasn't shared with me. My organism ate through them like they didn't exist. The loss of the filters resulted in a massive release of toxic gases into the planet's atmosphere. It not only destroyed all the biosphere work that Planetform had already done, but actually made the planet even less habitable. By the time they were done with my review and termination, it was a dead project. The damage is so severe that even Planetform's current technology can't undo it."
There was a slightly heavier-than-normal breath which escaped Rachel when she finished, but she still didn't break eye contact with Mary. "Truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," she thought repeatedly. Nothing else would satisfy Senior Lieutenant Dross.