Cambridge Stellar Research, Surveillance Mission #3, Goddess Geode, Baffin

[Tenseiken]

[color=#009900] *data upload initiated*
*~~~~~~~~*
*data upload complete*

After the remaining members of the CSR returned to Cambridge they regrouped for their next mission. The vessels Apodyopsis and Zenon.Romano, both new to the scientific group, joined and prepared their vessels for the long travel through Bretonia and the Taus to the Goddess Geode in the Baffin system. Captain Carter came there to guide them to their destination.

CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Greetings!
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: And you are just in time, captain.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Greetings!
CSR|Xaror: *initiating jump sequence*
CSR|Xaror: *jump sequence complete*
CSR|Xaror: *preparing for cut in 3,2,1*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: You come well-equiped..
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: So, Baffin. Am I the only one who is going to be there for the first time?
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Nah... It will be my first time aswell.
CSR|Xaror: *system "Baffin"*
CSR|Xaror: *amount of data collected: 206 terraquad*
TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Well, I hope you find it pleasant and informative.
CSR|RV-Equinox: They say, It's wonderful.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: And I'd say that it could be better. Though, this ship contains that new lab that cost me all my nerves.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: I've spent most of my life in the omicrons and omegas so in all fairness most of this space is new to me.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Well, we're not pretentious, and we have few rules.
CSR|Xaror: *initiating jump sequence*
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Of course everywhere has rules, senor.
CSR|Xaror: "Convoy incomplete. Missing vessel: CSR|RV-Equinox"
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: We seem to have lost Khan, yes.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Well, Equinox doesn't look much promising as a ship - not to offend Khan, of course.
CSR|RV-Equinox: This piece of scrap is very big. And we have sometimes problems with the docking sequences of the tradelanes.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: I noticed. And very scrappy.
CSR|RV-Equinox: But it's been a good ship for years! Although soon we have to replace her.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: *The Xaror guy.. sniff.. brain the size of a planet. Hubba hubba!*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: You'll have to excuse Gay.. she doesn't meet many AI's her equal..
CSR|Zenon.Romano: I was under the impression AI don't have brains but routines senor
CSR|Xaror: *convoy complete*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Gay's emulators are rather... advanced, yes.
CSR|Xaror: *contacts detected*
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Ah... That explains it.
CSR|Xaror: *scanner clear*
CSR|Xaror: *initiating ion drive*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Oh, well, I never found an AI a good companion. I prefer them to shut up around me. Though, that's just because I never met my only special AI.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: AI make reasonable companions but i prefer either solitude or other humans
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Gah! Beat feet!
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Hey, I'll beat more than your feet, you hear me?!
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: It's an old terran expression.. no offense meant Professor.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: And I thought my former brethren were violent.. ah well.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Well, linguistic never were my... let's say, effective side. I apologise.
CSR|Xaror: *convoy incomplete*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: But beating feet doesn't look as something pleasant on the recieving side.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Aye. Friendly fire around here can be deadly..
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: It simply means "Run!"
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Eh on crete we'd just yell run. A lot quicker...
CSR|Xaror: *convoy complete*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Almost there.. Should be a bit quieter the rest of the way.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: But then again language is quite simplistic on crete.. It's why I've spent most of my time on geology.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Well sir, I hope our small floating hollow ball is of interest to you.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Crete? You never told me that you're from there, to be honest. Oh, well, can't say that I was around Cambridge Cellar for long.
CSR|Xaror: *hostile detected*
CSR|Xaror: *imminent danger*
CSR|Zenon.Romano: I'm sorry senor I didn't tell in advance because to be honest how many non blood thirsty hispanians have you met?
CSR|Xaror: *convoy incomplete*
CSR|Xaror: *missing vessel CSR|RV-Equinox*
CSR|Zenon.Romano: The Equionox is missing again eh?
CSR|Xaror: *standing by*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Oh, sorry.. was getting a bit nervous. We'll wait at Freeport 6, eh?
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: So, you got those Matlese quite "cooperating", right? Quite unusual to see that.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: It's not uncommon to feel nervous among those cardamine junkies senor.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Baffin occupies a delicate position, Professor. We have to make do with the neighbors we're dealt, eh?
CSR|Xaror: *vessel CSR|RV-Equinox detected*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Oh, well, I promised not to talk 'bout politics.
CSR|Xaror: *initiating TL sequence*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: You will see ships of all stripes in Baffin. We keep the area free of fire as much as possible.
CSR|Xaror: *convoy complete*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Exit the next lane two rings ahead, please.
CSR|Xaror: *initiating gravitational jump sequence*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Well, that's pretty much good for work.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Also I'm amazed my accent didn't give my origins away earlier.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Not sure that atmosphere on Cambrige is favourable today when half of the students demonstrate for war and half against. And I have to listen to all that.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Ah yes.. politics.. the bane of humanity.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Eh politics are quite easy where i come from..

The convoy finally reached the system.

[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Welcome to Baffin. I'll point out the salient features... Mal can give you the full tour when you're settled in.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: In that direction, Planet Eris. In that direction... The twin moons of Hodge and Podge. Tidally locked. Ahead, the Geode itself. You'll find access to be quite easy... A "skyhook" descends from the Station directly to the interior. One other thing, until Mal can authorize clearance, our Temple is restricted access.. You may get a visual.. high above us. There. Pueblo Bonito.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Xaror, please make the scans, we will try to contact Mal.
CSR|Xaror: *initiating orbital scan*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: So, here we are. Looks impressive, even facinating.
CSR|Xaror: *orbital scan complete*
CSR|Xaror: *powering up personality core*
CSR|Xaror: *~~~*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Well, you are welcome to dock. Will you be requiring any facilities on Shasta?
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Khan, orbital scans won't bring us much anyway. I can find everything from theim in neural net in a minute.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Sure, but I prefer the information, what we gathered.
CSR|Xaror: *powerup complete*
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Going wider will be interesting.
CSR|Xaror: "Greetings Sirs. It seems we arrived at the destination."
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: *Oooooh... he has manners too! I like this one!*
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Gay, stand down, you lascivious wench... Make yourselves comfortable. I need to deliver these meds, and I'll notify the Episkopos.
CSR|Xaror: "The orbital scans detected a massive amount of biomass in the centre of the planet"
CSR|Xaror: "Origin unknown"
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Ah, those would be Mal's pet Scrubbies.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Scrubbies senor?
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Scrubbies. Pet Scrubbies.
[TAZ]Gay.Deceiver: Mal gave them the name because they "scrub" harmful and toxic materials from environments.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Anyway, thank you for taking us here. We will have to gather our stuff and also I would like to speak with Mal in person if possible.

The group waited until the [TAZ] vessel Episkopos arrived. Soonly after that a pirate vessel entered the system.

[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Ah, Captain Khan, I believe.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Greetings, you must be Mal.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Indeed I am.. or so Eris tells me.. heh. But please, call me Mal here at home. I prefer baggy shorts to robes.
CSR|Xaror: *non circular athmosphere detected*
CSR|Xaror: *athmosphere growth in the southern areas: 15%*
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Umm.. yes.. the Scrubbies are giving us some atmo in the Geode.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: And you can call me simply Roy.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Very well, Roy. And the others...?
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: I like the way it sounds. I'm Vii then and I share your tendency to baggy shorts.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Name is zenon and ehh I prefer trousers over shorts.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Delighted to meet you all. Hopefully Ambassador Holliday, or Administrator, will join us later.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: So. Could you give us a fast update about the research?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Umm.. yes. Well, I have a theory that somehow, the Geode can collect and focus cosmic energies.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Well, let's amble towards "the Ranch" while we chat.. we won't get too close.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prim: As I was saying.. the energies collected by the Geode seem to have a positive effect on the primate physiology.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: That is what you have there senor I am Interesting in.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Oh, continue then.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Sorry about this bloody ship's speed. Makes it hard to travel in formation... heh.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Ah... Just look at my ship. She can barely cruise up at all.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prim: I myself have spent considerable time in the Geode. I discovered it by accident.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Christoph.. Private tour.. Be a good lad and come back later, eh?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I might consent to officiate at your nuptials.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: ahh.. a shame. Well, the plant at Sedona is mostly automated.
Jake,Christoph: What? Who said I was here to tour? Just checking out Pueblo Bonito.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Sure you are, cabbage.
Jake,Christoph: Question though. Why so much biodomes?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I have a little news for you, Christoph. Your name has passed my desk before. Not favorably, I might add.
Jake,Christoph: I'm sorry?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Continue violating our space, mate, and there will be consequences. Now be a good neighbor and bugger off, eh?
Jake,Christoph: Eh. What have I done wrong?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Sorry... This jerk has been harrassing our folk in Coronado.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Oh, right. I read all that in a ninety pages long broschure for the visitors. Page seventeen answering all the "Can I fly" questions. It had a pretty simple "Yes, but no" answer.
Jake,Christoph: Scrubbies are kinda far up your behind, aren't they?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Let's get a bit closer.. then we'll visit the actual farms.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: There's a brochure for baffin eh?
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Christoph. You just insulted the wrong man. You're Enema'd. Permanently.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Uh, probably. At least it looked so.
Jake,Christoph: Riiiight.
Jake,Christoph: Still don't know what you're on to.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Watch for your name in lights, son.
Jake,Christoph: Yeah, watch for the novas inbound, then.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I am on about you harrassing Zoners in Coronado.
Jake,Christoph: Harrassment? Barely.
CSR|Xaror: *scan complete*
CSR|Xaror: *unknown station structures detected*
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Roy: Taking samples...
Jake,Christoph: Piracy isn't really harassment, you know.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Eh senor cristoph i do believe lawful people see that as such.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Pay this cabbage no mind, folks. I'll deal with his smarmy mouth later.
Jake,Christoph: And STO? If you call them Zoners, I laugh at your pathetic definition of neutrality.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Yes, it's the alternative representation of men love. Right.
CSR|Xaror: *vessel inbound*
Jake,Christoph: Hmhm. No talking now? Then no talking ever, Zoner.
CSR|Zenon.Romano: Which vessel xaror? Didn't he tell you he was currently busy with more important business senor?
CSR|Xaror: *vessel "Jake,Christoph" detected*
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I was inclined to offer my services for your wedding, Christoph. You can forget that.
Jake,Christoph: So he is.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: I don't think that this is going to be productive. But I can step in with a mere recomendation for a reroute.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: And here are the farms. Here the Scrubbies are collected and taken to Sedona for shipment.

The pirate closed in on the group and engaged the vessel Episkodos with a SNAC.

[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: An attack without warning, Christoph?
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Oh, impressive. Khan, what should we do now?
Jake,Christoph: Had your warning, you threw it away by acting like the boss of humanity.
Jake,Christoph: So up yours, buddy.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Mal, do you need our help? Seems like we can't let our new friend alone. All ships, engage the enemy!
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Well, never tried it before. Let's see what this thing can do.

The vessel Zenon.Romano was destroyed by the pirate but he made a lethal mistake. He released a Nova torpedo while being too close to his target. The explosion caught his vessel and destroyed it.

CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Uh, who did that?
CSR|Xaror: *Target destroyed itself with a nova torpedo*
CSR|Xaror: *initiating search for escape pod of the vessel "Zenon.Romano"*
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I deeply regret the intrusion, folks. Thank you for the help.
CSR|Xaror: *search complete*
CSR|Xaror: *tractor beam initiated*
CSR|Xaror: *pilot collected*
CSR|Xaror: *Pilot of vessel CS|Zenon.Romano secured*
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I'm afraid i must conclude the tour for now, and effect repairs.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Please, get settled in, and we can continue when you're refreshed.
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Yes, Mal, that will be a much better idea. Science can wait, so can the cultural curiosity.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: I shall also have to add a certain pilot to our list of banned vessel.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Sorry again, guys. He's a cabbage.
CSR|RV-Equinox: Cpt.Khan: Okay, so let's meet at the station near a beer.
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: You saved my butt. Much appreciated.
CSR|Xaror: *Agressions against any convoy vessels will result in a respond of lethal force*
[TAZ]Episkopos.Prime: Need to go report this, folk. Thanks for comin'. Hope we can have a good run. 23's!
CSR|RV-Apodyopsis: Roy, Mal, Zenon, see you later.
CSR|RV-Equinox: We meet at the station's bar.

The vessels docked to the orbital skyhook above the Goddess Geode.

---

<span style="font-family:Lucida Console"><span style="color:#33CC00">*personality core activated*</span>
Science consists of stating the obvious and linking the facts. </span>

[equinosz]

3 July, 818
Shasta Orbital Skyhook

The pilgrim liner docked precisely with the station, despite it's size. Roy wanted to greet first Malaclypse, so he rushed down to the airlock. A few of the crew were already there, effing around with the control panel of the door. As they saw the captain coming they quickly updated him about the "situation".

-It's stuck again. -said one of them. True, it was a very old ship, but lived through hundreds of attacks. Nomad, corsair, hessian even the sirius coalition revolutionary army guns couldn't stop this behemoth. And now, even opening a door is quite difficult. There's nothing what can be done for her. The time has grabbed her, and pulling her slowly to death.

Roy kicked in the door with the military boots he was wearing, and it slowly opened with a noisy screeching. Malaclypse was already waiting at the other side of the airlock.

-Welcome to Shasta Orbital Skyhook, captain Khan.

-Thanks, but I told you to call me Roy. I'm a bit thirsty, how about talking near a big mug of beer?

-Sure, let's go to the Sin's After Hours. I've sent men to the other ships, so your colleagues may join us.

-Good, show the way. Also, do you think it's possible to talk with Doctor Holliday? He informed us, that the head of the CSR is still in critical state and he's on this station.

-Will see...Will see...

They entered the bar, and Roy ordered a wheat beer.

-Do you drink anything Mal?

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal smiled and nodded to Captain Khan, motioning to the bartender. His efforts were rewarded with a Canaria Blue and tonic.

"I'm sure you have lots of questions, Capt... err... Roy. Perhaps we should wait for Vii and Senor Romano to join us before I address them."

"Of course, Episkopos. From what we have seen so far, I'm sure there will be plenty of questions for you." said Roy.

"And I will be available to answer them to the best of my understanding, Roy. Meanwhile, you should try the bratwurst. We have it specially made on Ingolstadt. Those Rheinies do some things right, at least."

The light banter continued as they waited for the other researchers.

---

[equinosz]

It didn't take more than five minutes for Vii to reach the bar. She ordered a chocolate cream liqueur and seated herself at the table where Mal and Roy were. They have chosen a quieter place, a private box where the music and other guests didn't disturbed their discourse.

-What happened to Zenon? -asked Roy.

-Maybe he found a woman. I don't think he could get that luxury on Crete. -was the reaction of the beautiful professor Vii.

-There he comes. -pointed Mal at the person entering the bar and waving at him. He spotted them, went to the bar, ordered something and sat in front of Vii.

-I missed you guapa. Entonces... What have I cut off with my intrusion?

-Nothing really. We were waiting for you two. So Mal, I heard you were already researching the geode. Could you tell me what have you found so far?

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal paused for several moments, collecting his thoughts from those many years ago when he "discovered" the Geode.

At first he had considered the discovery as a series of accidents. Now, he realized that the grubby Hand of Eris had guided him here.

"Many years ago, during a transitional period for the the Faction currently known as TAZ, I decided to explore the Barrier Nebula. I had just come from a pleasant week of fishing on Curacao.

"As I entered Baffin, I noticed a warning light on my console. One of the docking clamps on the "Fishing.Fool" had not completely retracted. Something had jammed the external mechanism, and I was forced to do an "EVA" to investigate the malfunction.

"I still remember my amazement as I reached the extended docking clamp. A number of unfamiliar lifeforms had attached themselves to the clamp, and were busily consuming whatever gunk or flotsam had covered it. I watched as the organisms rapidly turned the docking clamp into a shining, pristne surface, as if it had been just made and installed.

"Now, I have hauled my share of alien organisms in the past. These unknown lifeforms were huge in comparison, ranging in size from my thumbnail to the width of my hand. And, they seemed curious, and playful, flying in circles about me as I returned to the Fishing.Fool's open airlock.

"These 'Scrubbies', as I eventually dubbed them, continued to cavort playfully around my ship as I retracted the docking clamp; but eventually, as one, they "flew" away to join a larger 'school', which was moving purposely towards a small planetoid in the distance.

"The planetoid seemed unremarkable and desolate as I approached and made orbit. The school of lifeforms had continued towards the surface, and under maximum magnification I could see that the creatures were actually entering the apparently lifeless sphere below.

"Within minutes, I had donned my EVA suit again, and was being gently pulled towards the surface by the planetoid's weak gravity.

"The lifeforms soon led me to a small crevasse in the surface, barely large enough to negotiate in the bulky EVA suit. After a few wrong turns, and some misgivings over my foolhardy quest, the crevasse became a larger tunnel. Its' sides were polished, apparently smoothed by the comings and goings of the small creatures.

Mal paused again, and noticed the wide-eyed, attractive face of the Xenobiologist, reflecting her curiousity and excitement.

"Before I continue with a recount of the Geode itself, it appears we could use refills. And, it appears that Vii is about to burst a blood vessel over our little 'proto-nommies'.. Doctor, what more would you like to know about my little friends?"

---

[sadtranslation]

After a rather long way to Baffin and unpacking all the boxes with a couple of reserved men sent to help her, a modestly-sized researcher was a bit tired and since the liquor wasn't helping much, Mal's story was the only thing keeping her of sound mind - and only feeded her curiosity which appeared when the papers giving her a work here were signed, her bags packed and the advance transferred to her card.

"Somehow, Mal, - she answered, repositioning herself on a couch to fit participance in discussion better, - I do in no way suggest to rush the work, but for me the work will start once I will be able to see those odd things and poke them with a scientific finger.

The most interesting part is that they are seemingly the parasites, but their place in the Baffin, their origin and their reasons for existance - the questions that should have a more or less clear answers, right?

Not like I expect you to open a history book once one refers to Romans, but when a beer and a can of tuna apear in a fridge every day in the right time one would sooner or later raise a question - where did it came from?"

---

[Malaclypse 666]

"Exactly, my dear Doctor. We have some ideas about the Scrubbies' 'genealogy', but little to nothing about their 'provenance'."

Mal poked at a datapad, sliding it towards the young woman. "We provided samples to your former associates at C.R.I. shortly after the discovery. While their findings were not conclusive, they did determine that our specimens were 'distant cousins' to the more common organisms found in the Omegas and Omicrons.

"One scientist referred to the Scrubbies as 'proto-nomad' in origin; but I am doubtful that there is any connection between our 'scavengers' and the nomads we know today."

"As to their provenance, we may never really know. Perhaps they arrived in their present form, attached to a passing ship. Would they survive the transit of a wormhole in such an exposed condition?

"Perhaps they began life as 'normal' organisms which escaped from a damaged or derelict freighter, only evolving as they were 'exposed' to the unique environment which is Baffin?

"Or perhaps they have always been here, surviving and mutating undisturbed and undetected until a mechanical malfunction brought them to my attention."

Mal could tell that the young woman was valiantly trying to absorb the data on the small screen, but her exhaustion was obvious. The discussion could continue at a later time.

"Doctor... Vii... That data is available on any terminal on the station, through our private 'FnordNet' comms system and database. I will provide your shipboard comms officers with access codes as well, so that the data will be available wherever you are in Baffin.

"You will also find a Chronological History there, which, as I recall, places my discovery sometime in 811AS. Perhaps you will find it informative as well. Now, I suggest you folk get settled in and get some rest. We can continue our discussion at your convenience."

---

[equinosz]

-Good idea, I think we all need some rest after this long travel and the fight with that pirate or whatever. And my crew also deserves a break. -said Roy and he asked for the bill.

-How about visiting these Scrubbies of you tomorrow? I think Vii can't wait to see one of them.

The waitress arrived with the bill, and the captain payed the drinks.

-Can we land on the planet or you would suggest visiting the farms first?

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.

[Malaclypse 666]

Mal rose and shook hands around, guiding them towards the bar's exit.

"You won't need to 'land' at all, Roy. Nor will I make you don EVA suits and crawl through tunnels. We have progressed a bit since then."

As they entered a corridor, Mal pointed in the direction of the Central biodome. "You will find a suite of rooms reserved for you on level 3 of the tower adjacent to our Central Atrium. Meet me in the Atrium tomorrow.. say 'ten-ish', and we will take the Skyhook down to the Geode's interior. There is breathable atmosphere, so you can dress 'casually'.

"Until then, I hope you rest well. Thank you again for coming."

---

[equinosz]

Roy and the two others started walking silently towards the Central Biodome. They found their rooms easily and they said goodbye to each other.

Entering the room, Roy activated his comm systems, and asked for the resupply status of his ship. It was done, so he ordered free time for every member except the security. They will guard the ship in groups of two. Also he ordered a repair team to try to get something to slow down the corrosion of the ship's important parts.

When he had dealt with the crew he went to the biodome. It was a small park and he sat on a bench in front of a type of tree he never saw before. It was an unexpectedly quite and restful place. He even forgot all of his problems for a second, but it didn't take too long. He need to get a new ship before the Equinox falls apart. Unfortunately the Cambridge Institute couldn't finance a new "flagship" for it's researchers. Quite a shame, but this was the case.

With a deep sigh he wanted to stand up and walk back to his room, when a woman step out from behind a bigger bush and sat down near him. She was an old friend of him, whom he hasn't met for years.

---

Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought.