They Blinded Him With Science
Posted on Fri May 29th, 2026 @ 6:44am by Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Harris & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Mignon Mejia & Brigadier General Seamus O'Rourke
Edited on on Fri May 29th, 2026 @ 6:58am
1,601 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 18 - The Edge of Darkness
Location: Science Lab Six - Deck 6 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD002 1430 hrs
Alyssa called some of her staff to science lab six for a dog and pony show for the general. She wasn't sure what he'd want to see, if anything. They had the garden cube, and the Astrometrics lab, but if he wanted to see what they were currently working on, she only had a few things that didn't involve research, analysis, or updating stellar data.
If he wanted to see something different, several scientists were working on other projects. Two scientists were modifying the moss pads used in the garden cube to be more like the toy blocks children played with. These blocks could be used as planters or grow boxes. They were more versatile and would feed nutrients into the soil or the plants for weeks before needing to be replaced. They also could be made in different colors for variety.
Two others were working on a different set of blocks. These were specifically for children. The modular building blocks could be used as toys, and then eaten. The blocks had multiple colors and flavors and were nutritious. Perfect for play time and snack time. These were being developed for a science expo on earth. At the moment, the lab had a small village of these blocks which kept changing as the scientists ate them.
And then there was the explosive fondant from Poseidon Station...
Mignon sat quietly at a desk. She was there because she was asked, but there wasn't anything she could say that Alyssa didn't already know, but she was a body and she could be cheerful. And, with Michael here, it might make a good balance.
Michael walked into the Science Lab with his trademark tankard in hand. He strolled in as if he owned the place. "Afternoon all." He said and took a swig from the unknown elixir in his tankard. "To what do you all have the pleasure of my company for today." He added and then noticed Alyssa and added a hasty ma'am to the end.
One side of Alyssa's mouth quirked up in a half smile. She got a certain pleasure out of discomfiting her grumpy junior officer. "Oh, nothing. Just an inspection by General O'Rourke. You're just in time, too."
"A General you say? Well then I better stand up when I talk to him." Michael began with a joke at his own expense. He was always of the philosophy that if you couldn't laugh at yourself then who could you laugh at. "Right then. What do we do? Oh, I have an idea. Let's talk science at him until his bureaucratic brain melts through the brass on his collar." His idea was punctuated by yet another swill of his tankard.
Alyssa shook her head, but she couldn't hide the smile. "We were asked to show him what science has been working on, so, you may get a chance to dazzle him with your brilliance." Or baffle him with something else, but she wouldn't mention that.
"Excellent, I do so love to dazzle. Perhaps I will talk of the last mission. You know shutting down a temporal vortex, while banishing a demon to its nearest plane of existence is no small feat...." Michael began and then on a second thought. "...Wait, does he have the security clearance to talk about that. Computer play She Blinded Me With Science by Thomas Dolby. The computer obliged the request and Michael seemed to be very much in his element.
"Computer, stop playing music," Alyssa said. Then she addressed Michael. "No, he does not have the clearance to know about that."
Seamus and his aide entered Science Lab Six. Science wasn't of much interest to him except for chemistry, he did like explosives after all.
Fortunately, the general's timing was impeccable and he missed the music. She smiled and extended her hand. "General O'Rourke, I'm Alyssa Maren. Welcome to the Pioneer's science department."
Michael was slightly dejected that Alyssa had turned off his music. In fact, he opened his mouth to say something and was stopped by the General's entrance. Michael Harris was in a small way out to self-sabotage. However, he was not out to tank other's careers. So even he knew when it was wrong to speak. He simply closed his mouth and awaited a time when he was addressed.
"Thank you, Commander, do you like to blow things up?" He asked hopefully.
"Microscopically, yes. I find it fascinating to watch quarks collide. It's not the same as the kind of explosions you deal with, general, I'm afraid." She paused for a moment, thinking she might say something to pacify the general as he reminded her of an eager beagle. "But I am an archaeologist, and as such I've used controlled explosions to clear dirt and rock from a site."
"Controlled explosions can be useful, Marine Engineers use them all the time." Seamus O'Rourke replied.
"True. I've even worked with Marines a few times," Alyssa replied. "While our goals are different, we can learn from each other."
The politeness in this room was so thick and viscous Michael felt it oozing into his throat and it was sickening. He needed to do something to stop this insanity. "I for one do not blow things up. In fact, all I do is drink. Well, that and I know things. Which reminds me. Would you like some?" He indicated the scientific equipment he was now standing next to. To the unknown eye it seemed that this equipment was simply a science experiment running. But to Michael it was something completely different. He began to fill his tankard from the spout. "I will give you some if you promise to keep this to yourself. The Commodore believes this to be an experiment. But, in reality it is a high tech still. Makes great gin. So. SHHHHHHHH."
"Thank you, Lieutenant, but I don't drink while on duty, perhaps later, and maybe I can learnt some other things you know." Seamus told Michael. "Though I wouldn't suggest a drinking contest with my Aide, Captain X'tal, because shall drink you under the table every time." He added dropping some of his formality.
Alyssa almost hid her smile. "Perhaps when they are both off duty, general." It would be good for Harris to find someone who might actually out drink him.
"Is there something you would like to see while you're here? We do have a top of the line Astrometrics lab."
"I do not know about the General, but I would like to see your Astrometrics lab, Commander." Captain Feren X'tal said.
"Of course. If the general would rather pass, I can give you a private tour at your convenience, captain," Alyssa replied.
Michael sipped his gin. This was a tense moment for him. He would hate to have to be left alone with the General. Then all it at once it hit him like a ton of bricks. "Perhaps General O'Rourke would like to see Astrometrics. He may be interested in the Borg technological integrations that are unique to the Intrepid Class starship."
Alyssa smiled benignly. "An excellent idea, Lieutenant Harris. Why don't you show them?"
She turned to the general and his aide. "The Lieutenant prides himself on knowing things. He's a fount of information."
"Anything that we can learn about how to combat the Borg the better."
Michael froze mid sip. This was a first time. No one, and he did mean no one was able to get the better of him. That was until now. Alyssa had turned it around. This was a rare misstep for Michael Harris. "It would be an honor. I am sure that Lieutenant Kyle would love the company." He began with his most official business voice. "I do hope that Commander Maren will join us. There is much to cover. What I can start with is the Borg upgrades to Astrometric Systems were designed and installed on the USS Voyager by Seven of Nine. When Voyager returned home these upgrades were made permanent to the class, and some were restructured to be installed in all ships of the line. In fact, the scanning devices used in the MARVEL EAS suits by the Cure were based on these initial designs." When he stopped speaking he took a sip of his drink. If Michael was going to have to do this he would bore them so much they would run screaming from his presence.
"I'll be happy to come. That will allow you to expound on the upgrades while Captain X'tal and I talk science and astrophysics." Alyssa knew he thought he could slip out and leave it to her, but she wasn't going to let him. Not this time.
She led the way to the door and paused. "Mignon, you have the lab. We'll be back shortly." At least the others would be able to relax once they were gone. And Alyssa always enjoyed talking science.
A Joint Post by
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Mignon Mejia
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist, USS Pioneer
Brigadier General Seamus O'Rourke
Commanding Officer, Camp Nostromo
Captain Feren X'tal
Aide-de-Camp, Camp Nostromo
Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Harris
Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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