Kim clearly considered Velth’s words carefully, then turned back to Conlon. “All the EV suits have visual transmission capabilities. With internal comms working again, you could talk him through the repairs,” he suggested.
“It would be quicker and easier if I just do it myself,” Conlon said stubbornly.
“It would be,” Kim agreed. “And I am not insensitive to the need to move quickly.”
Velth knew these two were in a relationship. Up until now it hadn’t hindered the work before them. He also knew she’d been a permanent resident of Galen’s sickbay for the last few weeks but had no idea what condition she had that required treatment on the fleet’s dedicated medical vessel. He hoped it wasn’t too serious. Conlon was one of the best and most experienced engineers Velth had ever known. Most of her service was with the Starfleet Corps of Engineers, a division renowned as miracle workers. After the last couple of days, Velth felt confident they had come by that moniker honestly. Velth had liked Benoit. He was bright and dedicated and curious and played a mean hand of poker.
But he wasn’t Conlon.
“You’re the only chief engineer we’ve got right now, Lieutenant Conlon,” Velth interjected. “And Lieutenant Barclay”—Velth nodded toward Reg—“while also clearly qualified, needs to make sure the Doctor stays online. We can’t lose either one of you. I’m going,” he added in a tone that brooked no further refusal.
Kim nodded, clearly grateful he hadn’t been the one to have to say it. “While you’re out there, I need you to check a few other sections of the hull,” Kim continued. “There are areas that show internal microfractures. The exterior readings indicate the presence of unidentifiable composites. I need to know what they are and, if possible, what purpose they serve.”
“You think whoever brought us here mended our ship after we arrived?” Velth asked.
“I have no idea,” Kim said. “We could have picked them up in transit. They might be space born life-forms that are native to this area and have taken an interest in us. I can’t tell if the fractures were there first or the materials. I need a full visual inspection and tricorder scans.”
“Happy to help,” Velth said, though the thought of unidentifiable materials residing on the hull and possibly in the process of eating through it was enough to put him completely off the rest of his ration bar. “I’ll get suited up right away.”
“When was the last time you slept?” Kim asked pointedly.
“Yesterday, I think,” Velth replied. “I got about four hours.”
“Four in the last fifty-six?”
“I’m fine,” Velth insisted.
“Hit your rack for six hours and then you can go,” Kim said. It came out as an order. Velth chose to hear it as a friendly suggestion.
“I couldn’t sleep right now if I wanted to,” Velth admitted.
“Let me be clear,” Kim said. “For the foreseeable future, this is our home. We’re not going to solve this problem and get out of here in days or weeks. At best, it is going to be months before we get this ship in any condition to set a course and depart this nebula. All of us have to get on something resembling a normal schedule. This is still an emergency situation, but that’s not going to change any time soon and if we don’t rest, we’ll get sloppy and even a small mistake right now could kill us.”
“Well, when you put it that way…” Velth said.
“Are we going to talk about th-the-them?” Barclay asked.
“The Edrehmaia?” the Doctor attempted to clarify.
Kim shook his head. “There has been no change in the status of those currently occupying this area of space since we arrived. I’m actually hoping they keep ignoring us, at least for a while.”
“Hope isn’t much of a plan,” Velth said.
“No, it isn’t,” Kim replied sharply. “But right now, it’s all we’ve got.”
As the group broke up, Conlon made a beeline for Kim. She waited until the bridge was nearly clear before saying softly, “We need to talk.”
Kim turned to her and, for a moment, the calm, determined face he wore for the benefit of everyone else on the ship slipped a little. He was beyond exhausted and she honestly had no idea how he’d held himself together this long.
Years of practice was the best she could come up with.
Kim sighed and the mask went back up. It was heartbreaking in a way. They had known each other for a while now. Their capacity to be honest with each other, especially in the most difficult of circumstances, was the only thing that had seen them through. No matter how desperate things were, she couldn’t bear to lose that.
Softening her tone a little, she went on, “I understand your concerns for me. But it will take Velth twice as long, if not more, to do the repairs you just handed him.”
“Damn it, Nancy, don’t you think I know that?” Kim said, then caught himself immediately.
She could have taken offense. She chose not to.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to snap,” he offered quickly. “There’s a good reason Starfleet frowns on officers who report directly to one another in the chain of command also being…”
“Involved?” Conlon said with a soft smirk.
“I’m trying to consider all of this objectively,” he continued. “I know that’s my job. But when it comes to you, it’s really difficult.”
“Putting in for a transfer is a little tough right now,” she said.
“And pretending that you aren’t the last person on this ship I’m willing to sacrifice is damn near impossible,” he admitted.
“I know my limits,” Conlon said. “And I’d like to think you just shot me down in front of the crew because you need your chief engineer. But I’m going to have to insist that you give me the same respect I’m showing you right now. Don’t shut
