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Joy

Remodeling

Joy reconfigured her console again. This was her fourth reconfiguration in less than an hour, between explosions and shifting roles. Actually, it was the fifth, if one counted a brief moment in the observer's chair. She was a scientist again, at least for the moment. The small Federation fleet was forming up. Once again, she scanned for the less than obvious. Once again, she failed to find it.

 

It was over.

 

She took time for a more personal check, focusing scanners on the remnants of the Scorpiad communications relay. How many had been aboard? She played back the battle record, and scanned configuration and data records. None had been on board. It had been designed as unmanned. Joy visibly relaxed. She had not been directly responsible for sentient deaths. Emotion chip data registers holding shame and pain at Priority Two cleared in an instant, not that she believed they should. She remembered her sister Seven voting to authorize this war, She had sat in on much of its planning, listening, and being listened too.

 

Should her emotion chip registers remain inviolate, just by avoiding touching weapons discharge controls? These deaths were her fault, as much as anyone's, no matter what her programming said, no matter that she might avoid personally triggering weapons discharges. Joy shook her head, stood, brushed erratically charred skirt and blouse into place, and walked tentatively forward towards prime ops.

 

"Ahh, Joy." Laarell looked up from a console of flashing power conduits, and sighed. "At least there's someone on the Bridge who isn't injured immeasurably. Or are you?" The Orion gave her a quick look over. "Seems like you and I escaped with the least damage."

 

"I am a bit more rugged than I look," Joy replied. "I've some minor surface damage, but nothing disabling."

 

"Very good. Do you need repairs?" Laarell blushed a slightly darker shade of green. "Or medical attention -- I'm not familiar with the care and keeping of Mudds," she said before adding sarcastically, "or anyone else in science, for that matter."

 

Joy colored slightly as well. "We have nannite based self repair systems. Diagnostics indicate no damage that cannot be self-repaired. I saw Lieutenant Xanatos beam out. He was unconscious, but I saw nothing that appeared life threatening." She paused. "Or is that the sort of care and keeping meant? I've also heard that the primary science lab is a mess. They were able to support the scanning effort, but a mess."

 

"Yes." She gave a sober nod. "Very much a mess. I'm honestly afraid to go down there. All the power's on the fritz... most of the consoles are blown. They probably all want to kill me. Now the person they're used to having as a pseudo-leader is in Medical... and they likely hate me even more."

 

"Hate?" Joy paused. "Any reorganization might create fiction, but that seems a strong word. What is the point of contention?"

 

"Hmm. There's not much way they can avoid associating me with the carnage. I was hoping for a less... explosive entrance onto the science scene. Ah well -- not entirely my fault. Now to get the ship working again..."

 

"That seems the correct priority. Anything I can do?"

 

"Hmm. I'd have you coordinate with Engineering if possible... they're not putting too much of an emphasis in Science. But there's not much you can do, is there? You're a scientist and diplomat more than the person who does the 'heavy lifting'."

 

Joy turned slightly more red. "Normally, you would be correct. However, I am designed somewhat for heavy lifting. That might in the short term be more required than diplomacy."

 

Laarell smirked. "Stronger than you look? Very well. If you want, I could use someone working on getting the consoles back up either here on the Bridge or in Science. Power's already off to the damaged ones."

 

Joy nodded. "I'll replicate a few tools, and start here, I think. Can I assume Captain Corizon cares more for getting operational than passing white glove inspections?"

 

"I would say that's correct. Focus on getting everything up and running, and next time we're in for an overhaul, I'll mention that science wiring needs a second glance."

 

"Oh, wiring I'm apt to manage. It's just that Priority Two is preserving lives. Given accelerated battle plans, working seems more important than pretty." Joy smiled. "Not that I don't do pretty, given the time. Do you know if Givenchy ever designed control consoles?"

 

"Hmmm... not to my knowledge." She returned the smile. "And if anyone gives you a second glance, just say I sent you. Assuming that would actually help."

 

"So I shall." Joy turned, and started for the aux replicator, not concerned about second glances.

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