[Vimyridge] Oops - with correct date - SD940922.14 Personal Log LtCmdr Marcus Saladin OPM

[Michael Davies]

It had been a long, drawn out week, Marcus mused to himself as he went about
his usual pre-sleep routine. The business with the solar flares and what, or
rather, whom might be at the source of it had them all on edge. Marcus
walked to the corner of his room and sat cross legged with a 'hmph' in
response to where his thoughts were leading him. That they had been aware of
this phenomenon since before they arrived in the system and were still no
closer to preventing a catastrophe from happening was a sign of their
collective limitations, despite technologies ever increasing development.
Progress, it seemed, still had its limits.
He breathed in slowly. Nix was tiring, despite the eight hours of sleep
forced upon her by doctor and crew mates. Lox was quick, but would he be
quick enough? The captain didn't quite seem her self, but maybe that was
because of him...and he, he didn't know what to make of himself really. That
he had feelings for K'ylana was impossible to deny, but whether they were
genuine or not he couldn't determine. He was in a time of transition. Shania
was yesterday, he knew enough of the truth to be able to leave her there
even if his curiosity's insatiable desire to know more would never truly be
fulfilled.

His lungs were full and he began to slowly exhale, allowing the soft flow of
air to escape his chest. Toby seemed a little out of sorts, but he wondered
whether that was more to do with not quite catching onto peoples emotions as
quickly as he was used to. He had a child after all, it was, he supposed, an
inevitable stage of life, empath or not.

His eyes closed. He had a meeting 0600 hours, that was five hours from now.
It was enough. Systems were operating above optimal efficiency and he was
happy with that. When this mission was over he needed to ensure closer
co-operation with security and then perhaps systems would continue to
operate above optimal efficiency. He allowed himself a slightly smile.
Wouldn't that be nice?

Was that inhuman of him? When a whole planet might be dying at this moment
he was thinking of starship efficiency. When thousands if not millions were
facing severe radiation burns and sickness he was thinking of objects
without a heart, and how he could optimize their performance. He shook his
head, it was not inhuman, no. He was reminded of V'shon's words, "Only when
you clear emotion from your mind can you truly perceive the truth of the
matter." closely followed by another philosophers words, "It is no shame to
think of what will better others even at a time when that betterment means
you may not be of immediate help to those who suffer." And that was the crux
of it he thought. What he did or did not do on this ship might not help or
not help those who had already suffered on any of the planets within the
system, but it would help or hinder those who suffered now or that their
crew might come in contact with in the future.

He allowed himself a few more rhythmic breaths before one last exhale, then
peacefully rose and glided to his bed. Sleep would soon follow.

**V**
Lieutenant Commander Marcus Saladin
Operations Manager, U.S.S. Vimyridge
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