Act One, Scene Two

[a magical taco]

It's quite alright, Chief. I've been in hotter situations than this. I just hope we can save the uniform, I only brought one other with me. Please, come in while I change my shirt. So, what can I do for you chief?" I ask walking back into my quarters.

"Well to be honest, sir, I wanted to get you coffee... I guess you got it..." I smile and giggle nervously at him.

I clear my throat, trying to stall so my voice doesn't crack because I'm still affected by what had happened.

"Captain, I have a theory as to how we can track the actual runabout and not these decoys."

When he doesn't say anything and just looks expectedly at me, I continue, "Think of it like this, you have one twentieth-century truck loaded down with various things. That truck would use more fuel and spew more greenhouse gasses out of it's 'tailpipe' than an empty truck. The same should be true of these decoys. Only the Susquehanna would leave a 'full truck' trail. Are you understanding anything of this, sir?"
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OOC: The truck idea was given to my by Akirapryde.

"If you think it will work make it happen, consider it a top priority." The chief turns to leave, "And on your way you can deliver this to be cleaned, you can consider it your highest priority" as the chief turns back I toss her my soiled uniform.

I laugh to myself but I can't keep the smile private, the faces this woman makes. I just love engineers, truly an amazing group, invaluable in so many ways. Just as she reaches the door, "Chief, I appreciate your thought to bring me coffee but in the future... I like mine with cream and sugar, heavy with both."

I pass though the door just behind her and head for sickbay. We are going to have to toughen this one up a bit, I think. It's unfortunate, the faces she makes really are amusing.