Hazard Pay

Posted on Tue Nov 5th, 2024 @ 3:00am by Lieutenant Rebecca McMillen & Lieutenant Commander Alexander Espersen

Mission: Lower Decks

The First Officer had been asked to meet with the Chief Science Officer, though she had not specified to discuss what. Only the date and time. And place: the Hazardous Materials Lab on Deck 10.

From the safe zone, Alexander Espersen tapped on the protective transparent aluminium protecting himself from any dangers within.

"I assure you, it's quite safe." Came the voice of Rebecca, dressed up in uniform and sporting the MOUS encounter suit of her own design. "Though I did want to talk to you about containment, and disposal, of the materials therein." she started as she glanced upward at the looming Lieutenant Commander. "Also, thank you for coming."

“Not a problem,” Alexander answered. “So I’m familiar with the ship’s cargo and supply manifest, and we ought to have adequate containment systems. Emphasis on the ‘ought’, because some things are new and some things are out of our control. What materials are causing trouble?”

"We have about five canisters of tetrahydrozoline seven. It's a corrosive high salt superfluid. The containment for it is tricky since the fluid needs to either be stored in a magnetic case or the casing needs to be switched out every seven hours. We have the containment, we have the canisters, but the magnetic field projector in one of the cases is in need of maintenance early. Someone didn't sign off on it." she explained. "It's an easy oversight, and we can transfer the superfluid to a new, properly maintained canister. I just can't do it alone. I'd need an engineer, one with hazmat training, and an EVA suit. If anyone touches it, it'll burn them through rapid onset dehydration."

“It’s been a while but my qualifications stand,” the XO said. “Let’s suit up.”

She gave a nod, "The MOUS is rated for class three hazards, so it qualifies for this. I just shouldn't risk immersion. The process is easy and shouldn't take longer than twenty minutes. I've had a new certified container brought up so once you're suited and ready we can begin.

She'd give Alexander a moment to suit up before joining him in decontamination and across the threshold. "Canister Three." she motioned, her voice over the intercomm loud and clear. It would be hard to forget her situation just by listening over the comm, but that was probably something she thought of often. "The replacement canister is on the wall by the replicator delivery zone. There's a transfer pipe as well, check for a green indicator on the xenon coating. It probably won't survive the transfer, but it's not supposed to." a pause, "Once you're ready, well, I mean who am I kidding. Standing here telling an engineer how to do a tank to tank transfer."

The process was pretty simple. Plug into new tank, plug into old tank. Open receiver, open current, and then wait.

It took a couple of minutes to get into an EVA suit. Despite best efforts and the most advanced nanotechnology out there, the best protection against the deadly vacuum of space as well as chemical and biological hazards was still a semi-rigid plastiform shell fully sealed from the outside world. Thankfully they could at least be donned solo these days. The XO hated to think how hard it would have been in the centuries earlier. But in a few minutes he was ready and through the threshold with Rebecca.

“Alright,” he said. “Hang on, we have an orange light on the xenon coating. Let me check it out.” He retrieved a tricorder — one that lived permanently in the ‘hot’ section of the lab — and started scanning. “Okay, it’s mostly fine. Just give me a moment to make an adjustment.” The xenon coating could be tricky, he knew. In the enclosed and unused transfer pipe it shouldn’t move, but it also didn’t hold onto the inner surface with any real strength, so it could be disrupted if the system were moved too forcefully. Thankfully these things were made to be able to recirculate the xenon and reapply it to the surfaces. It just took a moment. “So how are you finding life on the ship?” he asked as he worked.

"Everything's out of reach." She started, and giggled, "No no, honestly I like it. Everyone is so friendly and helpful. I don't feel like some scientific oddity here. Though, that's the other side of the coin. I wonder if folks see me as a human who is living proof of the dangers of space, or just an alien who resembles a human but at a drastically reduced scale. The worst part is I'm starting to wonder that sometimes too." she confessed. "Try setting thirty eight, frequency five for a few seconds, might help loosen the bond momentarily for even distribution." she suggested. More out of reflex.

“Good call,” Alexander said, programming in her suggestion.

"But, other than that one singular quibble in the back of my head, I do like it here. Very friendly. Very roomy, spacious living accommodations. I'd recommend it to my friends."

“Good because we need to recruit,” Alexander said as his indicator light went to green. “Okay, ready to proceed. Getting the new canister now.”

She made sure to stay out of his way during the process. "I'll see what I can do. Most of my old colleagues from Academy I only keep in touch with through messages. They really don't know what happened to me. And everyone I was really friends with was ALSO on the station. They might not be too keen on getting back in the thick of it too soon, but I can always reach out. If it helps." she offered.

"Maybe I should just pin a tail on my uniform and pretend to be an alien." She mused, half serious, half sarcasm. She belayed that belly aching during the more critical portion of the transfer, though. She was needed here, and now. "I'll monitor the transfer once the connection is a solid seal, make sure the pressure is good."

"Sounds good." Alexander said as he brought the new canister into position. There was a brief hiss and green lights across the board. "Seal is secure. Opening transfer valves."

Rebecca took a defensive position another foot away from the canisters, and began her scan, "Monitoring flow. No issues so far." she probably jinxed it, but she really didn't believe in jinxes. Not anymore. "I literally couldn't do this without you. Thank you."

"It's good to get my hands dirty sometimes," Alexander replied. "Well, my suit gloves. Probably shouldn't get tetrahydrozoline seven on my hands."

"No no, I wouldn't recommend it. It's horrible as a topping, and it stains." she giggled, playing along. "Fifty percent. Literally halfway there." she announced, watching the readings. "And yeah, I agree. All the scanning and button pushing is nice, but sometimes you just have to be there, and actually do the heavy lifting. Again, not me." she playfully recounted. "But, in my time prior, oh I'd be excited to handle even the simplest little 'Hands On' task." a pause, "Now, well, I need a hand. Just shows to go, everyone needs help sometimes."

“They do indeed,” the First Officer agreed. “I’ve come to learn since my assignment to the Chimera that self reliance is overrated. Back at the Academy I did my thing and everyone left me the hell alone. Here, it feels good to be helped.”

"I will say one thing, I'm getting to know everyone's name." Rebecca giggled, "If I'm going to be asking for assistance in physical tasks, it never hurts to be nice. Sure, I might outrank the person helping me, but if I'm rude or standoffish, well then that might be the last time they offer help." she continued, "And being part of a community, and let's be fair that's what we are up here in space, that helps people generally feels a lot better. A lot friendlier, and it makes that connection. Building bridges and all, right?"

"The button pushing part of my duties I can handle. The paperwork I can handle. Lucky for me, the paperwork is electronic, otherwise I'd need help delivering the report." a smile. "Seventy five percent complete." she announced. Their time together was coming to an end. At least as far as THIS task told. "Have you had the chance to interact with the crew much?"

"I can't say that I have," Alexander admitted. "Outside of work, I mean, or a social event like the Halloween party a few months ago. I've tended to keep to myself. Social dinner with the Captain every now and then, but that's it. Do you think I should change that? Also, how's the flow? Any turbulence or is it stable?"

She double checked the reading. "There was a minor slowdown, probably a temperature difference. The flow's all good now." she paused, "As for the issue at hand, not to tell you your comfort level, but it might make the person in the position a little more approachable. I have no idea if people think you're some kind of creature of the night or something, but it couldn't hurt." a pause, "If you don't mind my saying so."

"I don't mind at all," he replied. "Two years ago I might have but today I appreciate the advice. Something to take under advisement. I'm getting vibrations in the outgoing container. I think it's approaching empty."

"Almost..... Almost...... and there, transfer complete!" she cheered. "Seal off the source, then flush the transfer module and seal the new canister, and I'll mark the old one as Beta Eighty Six and get it purged from the system." she started to tap tap on the tricorder, "I really, REALLY appreciate the assist!" she said, with a good mix of humility and enthusiasm. "I hope we don't have to do this again ANYTIME soon.. but, it's good to know who's got my back."

"Honestly, it felt good to be hands-on again," Alexander said as he sealed everything up and flushed the system. "Next time you need help, let me know. And if there ends up being a recurring problem with the lab or your supplies, report it and we'll get it sorted." He gestured to the exit. "Ready for exit procedures?" Whenever a dangerous chemical or biological agent had been out, protocol was for no one to work alone.

Rebecca smiled, looking forward to the task for the first time in a long time. Working with someone who knew the rules, followed the rules, and didn't mind getting their hands dirty was a good thing, a welcome thing. The notion that he didn't cut corners regarding procedure was a plus. "Ready." she announced, and the pair of the most mismatched officers walked together.