Second Thoughts

[Tachyon 0]

Dear Diary,

 

OK, now I want to go home. Not ten minutes of spacedock and our OPS officer is murdered! Murdered! On my first starship assignment! That's called an omen!

 

This sucks. I mean, I don't even know many people on the ship, so there isn't much of a grapevine yet. We can't even spread rumours. The only thing I've heard is that they've already found a replacement—or something. We're at Starbase 43 now, where we were due to take on more crew anyway. My science department will be complete (if you round up).

 

But after the news of a murder, I am having second thoughts about this career move. Down on Earth I was safe. Here I'm . . . well, maybe I could be next! You think that such crimes are impossible—a starship is, after all, a closed system. Well think again. . . .

 

Alas, the Challenger isn't returning to Earth, but continuing with her first mission. We're scouting potential new homes for the displaced El-Aurians. No doubt I'll be heavily involved in the task as we analyze the potential planets. Xenobiology and botany are not my strong suits, but I will get to meet those under me who specialize in that area. And maybe I'll get to do some math.

 

I miss home.

 

-Ana