Network Upgrades #3

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 17th November 2008. (commentary)

Welcome to another installment of the Station Keeping story. This installment will be posted in three parts.

Almost before she had begun it seemed, Julia unplugged her gear, and replaced the panel. She stood up, “There, done. With the hardware stuff at least.” She brushed a renegade strand of hair behind her ear, exposing the contact points for a node interface.

David would have mistaken the contact points for jewelry, if not for their number and placement, well, in a way, despite their function, they were jewelry in a certain sense.

“Most of the reinforcement process happens in an algorithm script, actually. But you still have to get the hardware ready for the process. You’ll be up and running by the end of this shift, if that’s ok.”

“That’s certainly fine. We’re not opening till next weekend. You’ll be there I trust?”

“Of course, wouldn’t miss it, particularly not with a reinforced drop like this.” She smiled, wondering why she had said something so silly; everyone knew that she had the best connection on the station. “I guess they don’t call them pleasantries for nothing,” she thought. “Well if you need anything, you know where to reach me.” Then she was gone, almost as quickly as she had come.

Marc stood up and walked toward the door, to meet David who was toggling the lights beside the door. “What did I say?”

“You’re right she is good.” David conceded. “Who else is like that on the crew that you haven’t told me about.”

“Well you could come to staff meetings and find out.” Marc said: he didn’t try to stifle the grin.

David laughed. “Maybe then I could prove your wrong about my doodles.”

“We’ll call it your ‘Post-Late Period: A Revival.”

“Don’t you dare.” David chuckled and playfully elbowed Marc in the ribs as they started to stroll toward their quarters.

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Network Upgrades #2

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 14th November 2008. (commentary)

Welcome to another installment of the Station Keeping story. This installment will be posted in three parts.

“Sorry I’m late,” Julia said as she walked quickly and abruptly into the bar. The lights weren’t on, but the door was unlocked, and David had told her to just walk in incase he was in his office or the store room. “Network drop reinforced, you said?” She asked, not wasting any time on pleasantries.

“Yes. That was the plan.” David said. ” You’re…”

“…Julia, we talked earlier,” she said quickly, unable to come up with a more witty response sooner.

“The tech systems administrator?”

“Aye, Sir.” she said goofily, showing the badge. on her shirt.

It was the first time that anyone on Hanm Centre had called him “sir,” in a situation that didn’t make his skin crawl. realized that she might not realized that he had been Navy. “Aren’t you a bit young for that. There must be 15 people on your staff or something.”

“Well, I have 20, right now, but I’m still looking for a few more. You know any Enhancers that want to clean up?” Julia retorted.

“Not yet, but I’ll keep you out here. Is it big out here? Enhancers, that is.”

“Bigger on Grish, they say, but I haven’t been there in the flesh for,” she paused and thought for a moment obviously counting in her head, “Well lets not try and count that one out. But yeah, there’s some on Hanm, but not enough. The node here is pretty big for the rim, and I just need more people to keep it working well,” Julia said. “I’ll get started?”

“Please do,” he said. He looked at Marc, who had a sly and pleasant grin. The good doctor still looked weary, but at least weary and entertained. Julia immediately found the access panel and plugged in her equipment with

David remained mazed with the speed, authority, and detail in Julia’s speech and behavior: not to mention her deft ability to deflect the conversation away from a topic that she didn’t want to talk about. He realized that despite her appearance, her subjective experience of age, that her chronological age might be a lot less. Relativity and interstellar did strange things to this society.

David found that his hands had gone back to dusting, and Marc had somehow produced a portable computer terminal and looked to be making some sort of notes, although they were both just trying to appear busy to decrease the awkwardness of not really having anything to do while the technology guru worked.

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Network Upgrades #1

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 13th November 2008. (commentary)

Welcome to another installment of the Station Keeping story. This installment will be posted in three parts.

Marc walked into David’s bar, “Another Round,” as the sign now read. He had just gotten done with a tiring but ultimately uneventful shift and was ready to change into more comfortable clothing. “It looks like you’re almost done here, you’re opening next friday?” Marc hadn’t been by the bar in a week or so, David knew what he was doing, or at least pretended well, and didn’t much need his input. Despite his worldly academic credentials and lengthly service record he was really mostly a homebody.

“Yeah. It’ll be good to have this weekend off, and I’d rather not have to deal with the opening and finishing up all at once.”

“You ready to head home?” He asked pointedly.

“Yeah, I’m done; but I agreed to hang around to let the tech admin come in to reinforce the network connection here, I suspect we’ll need a lot of pull when this place is full.” So mostly I’m just biding my time. He picked up the rag he was dusting with. “You have a good shift?”

“I did, but it was long, the usual run of the mill complaints mostly,” Marc said taking a seat at the bar and holding his head up with his arm. “Which is for the better, I’m afraid of what this closed system will do once we have anything more virulent than a flu, or some such,” he continued, pausing for a moment to remember anything else from the shift.” I’m never quite sure what Doctor Reese is going to do, but she’s effective and people seem to like her. Anyway, I only had one meeting today, and got a chance to work on some research: so not a bad shift just long.” Marc rambled on, for a while and then paused. He checked his time piece, “When did she say she was coming by to do the work?” he asked finally.

“About twenty minutes ago, I think. She said she’d been busy…”

“She’s always busy. The woman doesn’t sleep, it seems to me. You’d like her she’s got ‘personality,’ or something,” Marc said and laughed. “Actually you should see her doodling from our staff meetings, they rival your ‘early period,’” he said, starting to perk up a bit.

“Oh, come on, my later doodles were better, I was just in charge of the meetings during my ‘late period,’ I think I deserve some slack.” David retorted, grinning by now: of all their “canned arguments,” this one might just have been his favorite.

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Gainful Employment #2

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 16th October 2008. (commentary)

I hope you’re enjoying the knowing mars pdfs that are “airing” this week. In the mean time, as promised I have a nice two-part Station Keeping episode. It’s number 9–a sort of “day in the life” story, and you can grab the first part here. Thanks for reading.

You’re going to hire me.

David was startled when he realized there was another person in the bar, but he tried to hide it, with mild success. “Sorry, were not open yet,” David pointed at the hole in one of the walls, where he hoped to have a light fixture installed yesterday. Such was life.

“That’s alright, I’m not looking for a drink.”

“That’s good, cause it’s all warm,” David said, before he remembered that the people here drank everything warm. “Weirdos,” he thought.

“My name’s Carter.”

“I’m David.” He tapped his collar bone in identification, and suddenly felt embarrassed for his appearance: he’d been working all morning and he felt dirty.

“Well, if you don’t want a drink, and you don’t know me, then what brings you to a bar that hasn’t opened yet.” David extended the broom that was in his hand. “You wanna sweep the floors for me?” He chuckled.

“Actually, I would.” Carter took a step closer to David.

David squinted, perplexed. “Um, ok.”

“I mean, I’m looking for a job if you’re hiring.”

“Oh, right.” David hadn’t really considered hiring help, but upon reflection that seemed kind of foolish, it was a big bar and he would need help.

“Well, I don’t have anything worked out yet, of course, but yeah, we could give it a shot.”

“Great!” Carter smiled.

“No one should be that happy about getting a job helping me,” David grumbled to himself.

“Should I start now?” Carter was incredulous.

David took the broom back, “Actually, all kidding around, the floor doesn’t actually need sweeping, but how about you come back the day after tomorrow and we’ll talk? I think I should have some things for you to do by then.”

“Ok, that works. I’ll see you then!” Carter turned and left as quickly and quietly as he entered, leaving David slightly dumb struck, and a little worried about what he’d gotten himself into. At least he’d have an interesting story for Marc tonight…

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Gainful Employment #1

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 14th October 2008. (commentary)

I hope you’re enjoying the knowing mars pdfs that are “airing” this week. In the mean time, as promised I have a nice two-part Station Keeping episode. It’s number 9–a sort of “day in the life” story, and the second part will drop on Thursday. Thanks for reading.

Doctoring

“So doc, am I still alive?” Laben asked.

Marc Perrin looked over at his patient skeptically. He checked for any obvious signs of disease or previously undetected injury, and consulted the medical scanners. Which is what doctors were supposed to do. Mostly, however, he just watched. Marc had been a battle medic in a previous life–seemingly–and he was pretty good at doctoring without input from the patient.

“Seem to be,” Marc spoke softly and avoided eye contact. There was a pause before they both chuckled, it was a funny moment, but the tension didn’t really fall much.

“Why are you here again?” Marc thought that he might have missed the presenting complaint: he doubted it, but he continued to be mystified.

“Because, that’s how it works…” Laben looked quizzically at the doctor.

The awkwardness was broken up by Doctor Mahal Reese who strode in rubbing the scrub solution on her hands “Construction worker, right?” she asked.

“Yep”

“It’s policy, and a danm good one, for all of the station-employed labors to get regular checkups: we don’t want people with medical concerns going on space walks and dealing with high voltage power systems.”

“Fair enough.” Marc turned back to the patient. “We’ll you’re in great shape, may you stay that way for a long time. If your worried about anything, please fee; free to stop by,” Marc said “That was a silly thing to say, they were the only medical facility on the Station, of course he’s going to stop by.” He stood still for a moment, but it was clear that the man didn’t have any questions.

Marc he turned and left the exam area and logged into one of the computer terminals, So the patient could leave without being starred at. The medical facilities were completely abandoned, aside from the two doctors. There were a couple of techs in the adjacent lab that could assist if need be, but it was still erie. “Enjoy it while it lasts,” he thought.

“So they teach you to be distant and aloof core-side, or is that just how you are?” Reese asked after the door closed.

“Pardon?”

“You didn’t interact with Laben very much, and he was here for a physical, at least out here we typically engage the patients a bit more, and stare at them a bit less.”

“I haven’t taught at a coreside meds-chool for years, so I’m not sure what they’re teaching these days,” the doctor attempted to deflect the criticism, but realized that the flippant answer might not be completely warranted. “Though I’m okay at assessing mental health, I generally like to examine physical health by observing behavior,” he continued. “But I suppose you’re right, I haven’t given formal physicals in years, or really done a lot of routine doctoring.”

“I’m sorry that we can’t be more interesting out here, but people still need caring for, and we need you even if you are a little weird.”

Marc didn’t know how to feel, and attempted to avoid feeling entirely. “We have different approaches, as long as people get better we shouldn’t have a problem.” This was, Marc realized, an awkward way to establish himself as a leader–it was a good thing he didn’t have an interest in establishing an empire in the infirmary.

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“Diplomacy Maneuvers,” 4.2

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 19th August 2008. (commentary)

This is the second and final part of the fourth Station Keeping episode. Read part one.

“Well, I’ve been working all day to formally lodge the appropriate complaints about the Navy’s presence with the new commander. Our space, ‘much as anyone’s, and all they do is give us notice and expect our help when they need it. After all this, we’re just guests on a station that our people have worked on for a generation!” Nan’s speed increased with her furry, but she sipped the drink to slow her self down.

“What did Eli say?” David asked.

“Eli?”

“The new commander?”

“Oh, do you know him or something?”

“You could say that, but you already got me to talk. This is your story.” David hoped that she would ignore the fact that he hadn’t really told her very much.

“Ok. Um.” Nan had a bit more of the drink before she started again. “So after sending him a series of reports and requests, he called me in for a meeting, and he just talked to me.”

“He talked? Amazing. He never used to…” David trailed off as he fiddled with something on the terminal screen. “What did he say?”

“Really?” Nan stared at a box on the wall.

David realized she wasn’t really paying attention. “No, of course not. Continue.”

She did: “Well he didn’t seem to have a clue what was going on between the Hanmists and the Navy, and agreed to work with me on station policy and governance. I didn’t have anything to say. I feel like I made an ass of myself.”

“That’s Eli for you, I guess.”

“Being clueless? Or for making an ass of your self in front of.”

David chucked: she was pretty sharp and quick after all, admirable qualities indeed. “So you’re upset, because he’s a reasonable guy…”

“Well I’m not– Why would I– I’m just trying to– Yes,” she said. Its hard when the bad guys turn out to be pretty nice. Makes my job plenty hard. I wasn’t ready for this wrench in the gears.” Nan’s earlier anger returned, but this time it wasn’t shrouded in historical interplanetary relations.

“Well there are plenty of bad guys to go around, and lots of work to be done.”

“Aye.” Nan took another quick swig, and a lopsided grin came over her face. The bottle wasn’t finished, but she was. “Thanks for this, I’d like to pick your brain at some point, but maybe at the beginning of the day rather than the end.”

David’s simple response of “Indeed” was both non-committal and positive. He walked her to the door way of his half finished bar, “This is sure going to be interesting,” he though as he watched Nan Gee walk amongst the light crowd toward the residential side of the station.

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“Diplomacy Maneuvers,” 4.1

A Station Keeping story, by tycho garen
on 18th August 2008. (commentary)

This is the first part of the fourth Station Keeping episode. Part two will drop tomorrow.

Nan Gee really wanted a drink. The bar didn’t look open open yet, but she thought that maybe she’d be able to talk someone there out of one of those beers sitting on the counter. She would pay, it wasn’t like there was anything else to spend her diplomatic-salary on.

David nearly jumped out of his skin when he saw her standing inside the bar. He could have sworn that he had locked the door. “Hello there, we’re not actually open yet, as you can see,” he said, point to the exposed wiring on the wall opposite of the bar. Someday there would be a nice light fixture there. If the designer ever got back to him, that is.

“That’s alright, I just really want one of those,” Nan said pointing at the cases of beers stacked on the bar. It was a local brand that had just been shipped up from Hanm. “I can pay.” She appended, trying to look hopeful.

David paused, unsure of exactly what to do in this situation, he had work to do, and he didn’t want the entire station getting the idea that he was open for business. “What the hell,” he thought. “You like them room temp?” he asked, relenting.

“That’s the way we do it ’round here.” She looked a bit relieved.

“Ok, well we really aren’t open, but I have something to work on in the back, why don’t you join me with your beer and we can talk” David suggested, as he turned. “Oh, what’s your name, by the way,” he asked as he walked.

Nan followed the barkeep, without quite knowing why. It seemed better than any of the alternatives that came to mind. “Right, I’m Nan, Nan Gee: the diplomatic liaison to the station.”

“Oh, right, it’s a pleasure to meet you.” David said, he turned at an open door way and pointed to a chair in an office. “I’m David Conrad, I’m just the bar owner around here, but I suspect that the Navy will probably start begging once the comms are more open, but they won’t get me.” He chuckled.

“Oh, you’re Navy?”

“Used to be. I got to the top, and found there wasn’t much see. Time to move on, you know. They want me back, but know better than to force it.” David said looking at Nan. The tension between the Navy and the people of Hanm was very present on the station, even now, and almost entirely understandable. “So why the rush to get a beer,” it’s still a bit early and all.” David hoped to deflect the conversation away from his past, he also turned in his chair and brought up the display on his workstation.

“It’s been a long day, not that bad, I just don’t know what to make of it, but I’m pretty sure that I have no power, and it’s not like there’s anything else to do on the station yet.” Nan was surprised at her verbosity in front of the stranger, with a navy past, even! But the beer tasted like home, and the decorations on the walls were different, even if the walls themselves looked suspiciously familiar.

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