Wilson Port, Tewanta - 3306-08-16 7:46 GST
Frank Bonetti stepped into the Outfitting Deck Crew's new break room. It was situated next door to their environment suit locker room. It had been completed a week earlier, and had already become most of the team's preferred breakfast location. Part of that was down to the excellent facilities: a beverage dispenser that produced passable versions of both tea and coffee, a food fabricator that made pretty tasty food, albeit, mostly from vat grown algae, yeasts, and mushrooms. The key ingredient though, was the camaraderie of the crew. They were up to twenty people now, but it still was that tight knit group from the days when the Official Tewanta Order ran the station. They'd worked long, tough hours together, helped out with the cleanup after the big station fire, and cheered each other on as they achieved personal successes. Because of that, it was a great place to catch the team for important announcements before a shift. This morning it held, Kayleigh, Maxine, Piotr, Arild, and two new technicians, Lilly and Jane.
"Morning Frank!", said Kayleigh, Frank's chief engineer. She was sitting at her customary spot, at the end of the long table nearest the door. Pastry flakes from her customary morning danish pastry rested on a small plate in front of her. A large bulb of coffee sat beside that. "Oh! Serious face! What's up?"
"Morning Kayleigh! Nothing bad. Well, at least, nothing too bad. Just a few important announcements.", Frank replied.
"Yo, everyone, can I get your attention please! I have two important announcements. The first, and the really important one is this: CMDR Buur and CMDR Tomasson have just returned from an investigation of some old research facilities. Their ships, an Asp Explorer and a Cobra Mk. III, need to be refurbished and decontaminated. The ships are to be considered Class 3 hazard zones. Environment suits must be worn at all times; no exceptions. Apparently, the places they visited developed biological weapons."
There were shocked faces and anxious murmurings, and Frank raised his hand to get some quiet.
"I have been told that the contamination is entirely harmless to humans. However, the Buurian Protectorate are not eager to become the next Rockforth Corporation, and contaminate food supplies, so follow Class 3 Hazard protocol to the letter. Secondly, I have been informed that The Buur Pit CMDRs are planning another expedition soon. Word has it that most of them will be installing some experimental cannons. Those of you who haven't worked with cannons before should read up on the specs and procedures: there are a few extra precautions you'll need to take around their explosive shells, particularly when gas welding is taking place. Also, there will be some custom modifications implemented by one of the famous engineers. This guy has the tolerance for shenanigans of Federal Marine Corp drill sergeant, which is not a surprise, because he probably was one, so be professional. And take the time to study up now, because, from experience, when this work comes in there will be a lot of it and it will be very busy."
A new technician, Lilly Chou, raised her hand. "Does that mean that there will be overtime?"
"Almost certainly!", replied Frank.
"Just like the good old days", said Piotr.
"Never a dull moment here, that's for sure!", said Kayleigh, as Frank poured himself a cup of tea.