Mending, Part 2 (What Dreams May Come)

Posted on Sun Aug 2nd, 2020 @ 10:09pm by Lieutenant JG Miraj Derani & Lieutenant Scott Gregory [Taylor]

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Fabrication Shop
Timeline: Current
1646 words - 3.3 OF Standard Post Measure

After Miraj left, Scott carefully gathered up the items she had left to hopefully be repaired. He was especially mindful of the shoes which were if looks were any indication be held together by prayer. "Time to get to work. Don't want to disappoint to two ladies.

Once he had all the items, he began to run simultaneous scans to cut down on the wait time. The camera was as he expected going to be a fairly easy repair to fabricate a new body and lens. So he got to work on that first. Once he was done he would turn to the shoesand the quilt.

As he began to work on the camera he ran a scan on the ballet shoes. They were made out of patent leather and the pink cushion insides was satin. He frowned as he looked at the materials. It would be extra work but he believed he could make a more than suitable match.

That left the quilt. The scan revealed it was made up of various yarns coated with wax. The scan identified wool, angora, mohair, llama, cashmere, "Oh boy." He whispered, he had his work cut out for him however he liked a challenge and this definitely was.


Miraj woke early, quite a feat for one of life's natural night owls, excitement and anxious for Rivers precious mementos and practically bounced down to the fabrication shop to see what Liuetenant Gregory had managed whilst she was gone. "Good morning sir!" she saw him waiting for her. "Did you have a good evening?" please say yes, please say you fixed it.

Scott looked up as Miraj came literally bouncing into the fabrication shop, "Good morning Miraj." He greeted her. "I did have a good evening, how was your evening?"

"I went to the flight simulators and had another crack at the QSD. I think part of the issue is the controls. They need to be far more hands on, and I'm thinking of trying to get a conversion to a stick. I think it would make for more sensitive handling, more instictual when staying inside the boundaries of the tunnel is far more important than overall accuracy of course. Wobble out of that and it all ends badly, so it makes more sense to worry about that and-" She realised she was rambling. "Sorry, sir. Its just...exciting."

Scott smiled, "Oh never apologize about being passionate about the things you love. It's clear you love flying. Your eyes light up when you talk about it. It's refreshing to see. Now when we're in slipstream, will the helm require extra power? Need to be sure we can transfer and allocate for the demand if needed. Not overload the grid."

"I don't know. Lt hoffman and I were just trying to keep the ship steady. I mean, the manoevering thrusters may need to get much more intense more quickly. hough to be honest it might be a issue of more thrusters, rather than making the ones we have more poweful. That would get more finesse when trying to stay still."

Scott nodded at the information Miraj provided. "Well, I'll leave the particulars to you and Lt. Hoffman. Though I think a balanced use of the thrusters makes more sense from a power outlay. The Elysium produces a vast amount of power but it's finite and the grid can be overloaded if a demand is unexpectedly called for."

"Its a scenario I can add to the test. To be honest, I'm surprised we've not had worse problems. I can fly anything, but the QSD on an existing ship still feels a bit like strapping a jet engine to a bicycle."

Scott nodded at Miraj's analogy. " I admire your confidence. So it's making the two systems compatible and using both their full capabilities.''

"A problems for clevers minds than me. I just fly." Miraj replied. "Flying better is all I have to worry about. Everything else is maths, and that's hard."

Scott nodded, "Everything uses math, you have to just apply it to everyday situations." He smiled, "Now, what can I do for you this fine morning Miraj?" He asked as if he didn't know the answer.

"I was hoping you had good news." She looked earnestly up at him, all blue eyes and hope "About River's things? I mean, I know it was a reach but it was worth a try, but it would be good if you had managed to."

Scott's eyes were downcast as Miraj's spoke. "Ah. Yes River's things. Let me get them for you." He disappeared into the back and returned a few minutes later with a big tote. Placing it on the countertop he looked at Miraj. "I want you to know, I tried, I mean I really tried." He sighed and continued, "Look for yourself."

Downcast, she pulled the bag towards her."Thank you for trying anyway, I'm sure she'll be glad we at least tried. I appreciate you giving me the time. I wpuldnt have even known where to start." She unzipped the black canvas with a heavy heart. "Poor River. I only wish-" she had pulled out the camera.

The perfect, undamaged camera. "Oh!" For a moment dhe stared at it, surprised and then she realised the operations officer had pulled "Oh, you hornswoggling bilgerat!"

She realised the insult had slipped out and she clapped her hand over her mouth a moment too late. "Sorry sir," she cringed a little, going as pink as her hair. "I didn't mean offense, i wwasn't expecting a trick. I apologise."

Scott was laughing at her reaction not Miraj. "No need Miraj. Why don't you take a look at the rest of the items and see what you Think. You are pleased with the condition of the camera?"

"oh, yes!" She had no idea how it worked. She had to hope that River would be pleased. She moved onto the ballet shoes, now no longer soggy fabric, but smooth satin, scuffed aroud the toe blocks, the soles cracked, but the corrosion of the chemicals that had eaten them was gone. And the quilt was a minor miracle. The multitude of fabrics were refreshed, the repairs invisible, new molecules expertly blended with old. "Its a work of art! Wow... just...wow. Its amazing. Thank you!"

Scott beamed. he was pleased that Miraj was happy with the results of his work. He hoped her friend would also be pleased with the results. He had to admit (if only to himself) this was the best work he had ever done Even he couldn't see where the repairs had been made. It had been tedious and long work matching up the fabrics so they blended invisibly together. "You are welcome Miraj. You are pleased with the work?" He asked again. Just to make sure she was truly satisfied.

"Oh, absolutely. River will be thrilled. Thank you ever so much. i don't know what I would have done without you." Miraj beamed at him.

"I'm just glad you are pleased. That will be be five thousand credits. How did you wish to pay?" Scott asked with a straight face even as he continued his teasing of her.

Miraj went white with shock. It had never occured that she might be charged, she was used to things just being done. Payment was hardly ever needed. Except her father was commissioned to recover wrecks and flotsam all over known space. He negotiated and got paid, though she didn't know in what. And what had Gregory done but recover a wreck for her? Of course there would be a cost, for his time and skill.

Her shoulders drooped. She wasn't even sure how much her Federation stipend was. Let alone if she had enough builtup to cover it. "I don't know if I can cover all of it right now, I'd have to check my account. Do you have a padd?"

Scott felt instantly terrible as he witnessed Miraj's reaction. He thought she might faint as she went white with shock. His face took a downward turn, he better fix this now. "I'm sorry Miraj. I, I was teasing you, there is no charge. Please forgive me for what I thought would be funny but it turned out to be cruel. I sincerely apologize for my thoughtlessness."

"Oh," Miraj broke out into smiles and a blush. "Oh, Its okay. I'm... well. fool my twice, and all that. I just... It never occurs to me that people might be joking."

"You sure?" Scott questioned, "I joke or tease all the time, well a good deal and I need to stop and be more serious as my teasing could become tiresome."

Miraj shook her head, "I'm sure that wouldn't happen. I just need practise with people, I guess."

"Oh, I'm pretty sure it could. I need to so some restraint." Scott replied "But I thank you for your comment."

"You're welcome."she pulled the box towards her, "and thanks for these again." She hesitated. "I know you said no charge, but is there something i can do to at least thank you for your time?"

Scott shook his head, "You and your friend's appreciation is thanks enough Miraj. I'm just glad I was able to help you in helping your friend with her mementos."

"Then I'll go and show her. I'm sure she'll be along to thank you herself." That was hope over experience. Miraj knew River sometimes had difficulties with expressing things that weren't rage and disdain, but all things were possible in an infinitely diverse universe. She lifted the box. "You've made both our days."

"I'm glad, I was able to help both of you." Scott replied as he watched her take the box.

With one last suuny smile, Miraj practically skipped out of the fabrication shop and went to find River.

[OFF]