Sanchez: Damage, Inc.

Scene: Jeffries tube 1B2BE, USS Poseidon

Slowly Ario calculated the necessary adjustments to the plasma flow inducer. The PADD held loosely in his hand confirmed what his gut told him: a flux variance of 0.0613 microns. He made the necessary adjustment with a remote microspanner, and moved to the next junction.

As he read the flow rate and calculated the flux variance, the back of his mind wandered. He'd heard of men having 'down' cylcles before, every month, every lunar period, whatever... but of course it was all crap. After what he'd been through in his days, there was no way any stupid hormonal levels or moods could possibly bring him down. His resolve was rock solid...
wasn't it?

Again he moved on to the next flow junction and made calculations. His deputy had argued a technician should be in here doing these adjustments, but Ario had insisted. Most of his team knew by now when he'd made a decision, there was no arguing, and doing so would only make things worse. Of course what they didn't know was something that even Ario was trying to fight within himself.

Another mindless calculation, another simple adjustment. Moving on was a tedious chore in the confined spaces of the Jeffries tubes. But somehow it helped him concentrate, or rather... helped him avoid what was really bothering him. He knew not how to interpret the tension that flowed from his center when he thought of... remembered her. He knew not how deeply it ran. But it scared him, and he used the faceless fear to motivate himself toward other ends.

Right now, it was motivating him to climb down a ladder to another junction, and do another dozen mindless chores. His knees were getting sore. Hopefully, this would be enough to help him forget, until next time.