Lines Crossed Chapter Twelve

GRID Traveler Trinity: Lines Crossed
Author: J Carrell Jones
Table of Content

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Chapter 12

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Chapter 12


Adriana sat at her CRT. The Captain said no one was off limits, but he also said the Johnson never had a need for a Science Officer. She scanned through a list of names. Nothing. With 3000 on board there would have to be a hand full of personnel who majored in Science. She’d even settle for minor degrees. “Computer, new query. . . “
“Query is . . . ?”
“Sciences majors and minor. Sciences hobby. Data Mine library for books read dealing with sciences. Exclude department heads. Execute.”
“120 results.” The computer replied.
“Divide results into hard and soft sciences. Execute.”
“34 results in hard sciences, 120 results in soft sciences.”
“Divide hard science results into micro and macro lists. Execute.”
“Five results in micro, seven in macro, 22 in both.”
“Of the 22, how many are biology, physics, and astronomy?”
“Five found.”
“Display their names, please.”
Adriana smiled when she recognized one of the names. Maybe this won’t be so hard after all she thought.

• • • 
      

“Cookie?!?” Sean uttered, “You want Cookie as one of your staff?”
Adriana, Sean, and Dawn sat around the Ready Room table.
Adriana smiled, “Sir, you said ‘no one is off limits’ . . .”
“I did?”
Dawn said, “You did, sir.”
Sean cleared his throat. “Cookie, huh? And he is qualified?”
“Thoroughly, sir. Cookie holds three science degrees and regularly reads a dozen science trade communiques. His emphasis is on biology.”
“Does Cookie know yet?”
“No, sir. You are the first.”
“Captain,” Dawn started, “Biology makes sense. . .”
“I know, but . . . Cookie?”
Adriana remained silent. Her Mother taught her long ago the art of keeping one’s mouth shut when wanting a favor. It only took the Captain a few moments to decide.
“Okay, Lieutenant. Cookie is yours.”
Adriana smiled.
“If he wants it . . . there’s another?”
“Lieutenant Ga Ka from Engineering.”
Sean frowned, “Engineering, huh?”
Adriana nodded.
“Not sure if Pulse is gonna like that.”
“Sir, Ga Ka and Cookie would still work in their main duties. There won’t be a need to use them full time.”
Sean’s shoulders relaxed.
“We can make formal requests for several Science only recruits and transfers.”
Sean’s frown line faded and his face visibly unscrunched itself. “That works for me. You and Dawn work out the details. Anyone else?
“Yes, sir. Lieutenant Fielders from Bay Maintenance.”
Dawn coughed.
Sean said, “Dawn, not a good choice?”
Dawn replied, “Not a bad choice, but she’s got habit established. Might be a work-in-progress.”
“Well, Lieutenant, a work-in-progress is not ideal. Might give you a lot of grief and I won’t rescue you.”
“I understand, sir. I’m not here for rescuing.”
Sean replied, “Still want her?”
“I do.”
“Anyone else?”
Adriana slowly shook her head. “Not at the moment, but I’m sure I will need more.”
“Then I’ll expect the transmits by EOD.”
Adriana nodded. “Thank you, sir.” She got up and walked out the Ready Room.
Dawn turned to Sean once the door slid shut and laughed.
Sean surprised, “Dawn! Laughing at my expense?”
Dawn smiled wide, “She has spunk. Gonna be an interesting mission.”
“Bet I get grey hair by the end of this mission.”
“Shall I have Kirkland start a pool?”
“Ah, no.” but he smiled anyway.

• • • 
      

Adriana walked back to her shared quarters. One of her Roommates, Karolina from Medical, was sitting at her desk viewing a story Vid. She looked up and said, “Hey, girl! Getting used to the place yet?”
Adriana nodded, “Yeah, lots to do that I can’t even think on where to start.”
“You’ve been to Starboard’s Bow yet?”
“I have.”
“Starboard’s Bow is mainly for the Enlisted, but since Cookie became a Warrant there are no longer any restrictions.”
Adriana nodded.
Karolina stared into Adriana’s eyes for a brief moment, then looked away. “Is it true?”
Adriana asked, “Is what true?”
“You the Captain’s niece?”
Adriana paused. Great granddaughter would sound kind of weird. “I . . . am his niece.”
She snorted, “Must be nice.”
I shrugged, “Wouldn’t know. Never met him until today.” She stretch out on her bunk bed. She supposed this was going to be the norm. Folks asking if it were true. Then saying how nice it must be. What are they going to say when word gets out that she’s a department head and a newly minted lieutenant, she thought. Adriana could see a lack of invitations to inner circles now. Or. She smiled. Maybe not.
Karolina said, “You kidding me?”
“Wish I were. I didn’t know he was my Gre . . . Uncle until today either. Took a DNA scan to confirm.”
“No, shit? I bet he still kicks your ass if you mess up.” She laughed.
“He’s a hard-ass?”
“Commander Dawn is, but I’m sure she doesn’t bite unless the Old man gives the okay.”
Adriana thought about that.
“You into outside activity? Like circles?”
That was the same question she got while on the Barack. Are you into circles? “Not particularly so. Nothing wrong with them. I’ll wait out a bit and see.”
Karolina smiled. “There’s a lot of drama on board. I joined a few. Most are not worth it. Quarter D Deck Goddess is a super bitch, remember that.”
“Hadn’t thought about it. A Local Goddess being a bitch. My Mom was the Local in our colony with less than a quarter the Most High, but everyone in town was civil to us.”
Karolina laughed, “Really? I thought it the norm. The one’s to form circles. You know the Doc is the Ship’s Goddess?”
Adriana sat straight up. “I would not have guessed. She seemed okay with me.”
“Probably the only Goddess who isn’t a bitch. Word is she didn’t even know she was the Goddess until the Commander pointed it out. Probably why she’s not a bitch. I think the whole power thing corrupts.”
“What about Dr. Loggar? The Most High?”
“Power corrupts absolutely.” Karolina said with a laugh.
Adriana faked hers. “Seriously, she is?”
“Girl, she is the worst. Captain’s starting to unwrap himself from her . . . “
Adriana said, “And?”
Karolina said, “Maybe I spoke too much. He is your Uncle.”
“Of which I just found out, so if you’re thinking I’m gonna gossip don’t worry. I learned on the Barack when to talk.”
Karolina hesitated.
Adriana got up, took a chair from her desk and sat next to Karolina. “Really, I just met the man today. I’m just trying to get into the scuttle before I become center.”
Karolina smiled, “Too late for that, Adri . . . “ She lifted an eyebrow. “Mind if I call you that?”
“Adri?” Adrianna shook her head. She got a nickname. She smiled. “May I call you Kar?”
Karolina gave Adriana a good look from foot to head to eyes. She liked this one. And only within 30 minutes, too. Gotta be her personal best. “Okay, Adri.”
Adriana smiled and thought battle one won. Karolina seemed talkative and personable. She could do worse in finding a good crewmate. Time would tell, of course, but for the moment, Kar was her new BFF. “I met the Most High. She seemed okay. Maybe a bit wound tight, but today could have been a bad day.”
“She’s a bitch every day. She’s the Most High but not the Best High. Collins would be better, but she’s also hovering above the atmosphere at L2. If you hang around Loggar long enough you’ll learn she’s a Snap turtle, not a song bird.”
Adriana nodded. “I’ll remember that. What about the Commander?”
“Dawn? A bottom abuser, but fair. Do right, she’s sweet like candy. Piss her off and you’re tasting vinegar for days.”
Adriana giggled. She liked this one. “Kar, I have to tell you something and please don’t think it’s because I’m the Captain’s . . . niece.”
“Okay. I can’t promise but I can try.”
Adriana smiled. So far she’s a keeper, “You know our new mission, right?”
“Yeah, too seek out new life and such. Alien hunting. Not if I’ll see any upfront, but it’ll be a change to drifting.”
Adriana took a deep breath, “I’m the new department head of science.”
Karolina frowned, thought a moment, then laughed. “Shit, we finally got a Science department.”
Adriana nodded. “Science was a major. And since I’m the only one on board with the letters the Captain put me in the position.”
“Scared?”
“Not really, but, you know. It’s different. Hadn’t expected the leap for a while.”
“You pick staff yet?”
“Some, there’s still slots to fill. Captain gave me a blank roster and said no limits.”
Karolina leaned further toward Adriana. Her expression changed to serious. “Really? You can pick anyone?”
Adriana nodded.
Karolina’s face played a multitude of emotions. “What will it take to get on that roster?”
Adriana said, “Any of the sciences. Mostly multiple disciplines. You interested?”
“Goddess, yeah. Medical is okay, but I got three more years until re-enlistment. I was getting kind of bored and had been thinking a civilian tour on a research vessel an option. The Johnson’s a great ship, but we either fight or drift. There’s not enough fighting and I’m tired of drifting.”
Adriana nodded. She could sympathize. She remembered Karolina’s bio. It read well, but her focus was strictly medical. “Would you be willing to gain other skills?”
“Hello, girlfriend. You tell me what it’ll take and I’m there.”
Adriana liked that. And she would need an immediate ally.
“Who’s on the list? I pretty much know everyone on board.”
“Ga Ka from Engineering . . .”
“You got him?”
“As soon as I put in the transmits.”
“I like him. He came in last week with a surface burn. I was gonna ask him out but got cold feet.”
Adriana laughed, “You don’t seem like the shy type to me.”
“I can be! It’s the eyes that get me.”
“If Cookie wants in . . . “
“Wait, Cookie? And the Captain is going to approve that? The Captain had Engineer construct a special room for Cookie as an incentive to take the Warrant promotion. Nobody bothers Cookie.”
“The Captain said he’s science if he agrees. Besides he’ll be temporary and part time until I fill the ranks in with permanents.”
“But Cookie? He’s, well, only, into . . .”
“Three science majors and reads trade transmits regularly. His IQ is 175. That more than qualifies him.”
Karolina blinked rapidly. “175? You serious about this department?”
Adriana nodded.
“Ummm, what other science would I have to learn?”
“Geology would be nice. You have any interest in sciences other than medical? Specializations not listed in your bio?”
Karolina realized she was being interviewed for a position she wasn’t sure she’d qualified for. If she hadn’t been roommates with Adriana she’d never known about the new positions. She was certain Adriana had given her a pass. “Xenobiology!”
Both women laughed.
Adriana replied with a smile, “Since we are Alien hunting that qualifies you.”
Karolina exhaled and relaxed, “Who else?”
“Lieutenant Fielders from Bay Maintenance.”
Karolina exclaimed, “Shit! That’s Deck D’s Bitch.”
“The deck goddess you mentioned?”
Karolina nodded, “Oh, Goddess. She’s an arrogant cunt bitch from here to the fringes.”
“That bad?”
“If you ever wanted to be tested as a department head she’ll be the one to do it. She runs Bay Maintenance like a personal circle and not just for consultation.”
“The Captain told me he won’t be rescuing me. What I do is what I do.”
Karolina shrugged, “Adri, maybe you will be the one, but she’ll make you earn it for sure.”
Words to heed Adriana thought. Words to heed.

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