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Episode 02: Cosmic Imperative / Re: CH 2: S [Day 01 | 2115 hrs] After Hours Consultation
Last post by Ellen Fitz -“Well, none of us have all the answers to everything, ensign. Not to sound too stereotypically Vulcan in that but it is true. If we walk into a room and think we’re the sharpest tool in the shed, we’re more likely to incur failures than successes.” He gave another noncommittal shrug. “Better to remain teachable yet firm.”
Watching Murphy’s eyes wander over his temporary quarters reminded Cross that in terms of personal decorations, he didn’t have much so, though everything was opposite in these quarters, there really wasn’t much of a difference between them. While he kept some personal items in his sleeping area and in the various drawers around the quarters, he’d not taken the time to decorate the walls or leave knickknacks out for visitors to see. Though, in truth, aside from Hathev and, not so long ago, Blue, Cross had never really had many visitors.
Murphy’s question brought Cross away from the bittersweet memories of his old friend and almost something else and he sighed.
“We leave encrypted data chips with close contacts that ferry the ‘letters’ on to their respective family members, but this creates a massive delay in getting information out and, as you can guess, is entirely reliant on our contacts being willing and able to move the letters on. We’ve been able to piggyback on a few channels here and there with the same type of encrypted effort, but even with that, it is going to close contacts back in the Federation and is again reliant on their good graces in a manner of speaking. My suggestion is to write as many letters as you like and put them on a data chip and leave it with the Intelligence department with whom you’d like it to go to. Of all the departments, they’re the most likely to know who or where to work to get the letters through, though there’s no guarantee of when.” Cross briefly rubbed his flesh fingers across his brow as a frown worked its way onto his features. “Starfleet has done a damn good job of alienating us from any official or unofficial channels. Though,” he dropped his hand and smiled, “we did make a connection with Dr. Marlowe recently. He’s some sort of eccentric celebrity reporter, old friend of our chief diplomat. He runs his own news network, much to the dismay of the Federation. Lieutenant Madsen may know how to contact him, and he might be able to help you and the rest of the crew get your letters out. Might even read them live on air, so long as they aren’t, well, private.”
He gave Murphy his best smile of comfort before asking, “What else can I help you with, ensign? I don’t want you leave without asking all the questions you have swirling around in your head. I don’t like my sleep interrupted and based on your file I suspect you to be the type to come back, time be damned, if you have more questions.” He winked, hoping she’d interpret his words as a jest.