=Janus Research Station=
=Janus VI=
The miners on Janus VI had grown accustom to seeing people coming and going from the local science facility that they took no notice when a new group arrived with a small security escort. When Rick arrived with Trevor Wright, it was business as usual.
Wright had gathered a small team for what starfleet was calling Project Los Alamos. Only three scientists and two engineers, other than Rick and Wright, made up the team. In fact, there was more security personnel than people actually working on the weapon.
Before he left Unity and right after he had spoken to Wright, Rick informed his brother that he was being temporary transferred. To say that Trent was not pleased would be considered an understatement. When Trent inquired why, Rick said it was classified.
Trent had gone to Shane to ask why their CEO was being taken away at such short notice. Less than an hour later, Trent was told to let it go, not by Shane, but by Admiral Janeway. So, the argument that Trent had prepared was torpedoed right away. Of course it didn't make the XO any happier.
Like Trent, MaiKai was also upset that Rick was being sent away on such short notice. She could give birth in the next month or so and Rick might not be there. He wanted to tell Wright to go to hell, but Rick knew it would do no good. He was a part of this project whether he liked it or not.
So, now, he found himself almost on the other side of Federation space from Unity where he would work on this contraption that he despised with all of his being. Just the idea that he was working on the TechEx made him ill to his stomach.
Rick decided to introduce himself to the rest of the team, which had already been hard at work for the past month or so.
The first two people he met were Doctors Lana Jalawaski and Tomma Richter. They were experts in the field of tachyon particles. Rick had learned that the two had worked together for quite sometime on various projects. After talking with them for a few minutes, Rick realized that they had no idea what they were actually working on. Rick just passed it off as Trevor not getting around to telling them.
The next person Rick met was a vulcan scientist by the name of Valvok, who's field of choice was energy dissipation. Like with Jalawaski and Richter, Valvok had no clue what he was actually working on.
The same held true with Lieutenant Kokamoto and Harv Luck, two engineers who were working on the delivery device.
After speaking with the engineers for about a half an hour, Rick marched into Wright's office.
"They don't know, do they?" Rick asked, not even bothering to knock on the door.
"No,. They don't," Wright said as he was standing behind his desk, going over some paperwork.
"Why not?"
Wright finally looked at Rick, "Would you want to know if you already didn't?"
"That's not the point."
"Yes it is. That's exactly the point. They're working on a device that could result in the deaths of hundreds of millions ... likely more. Their minds right now, including Doctor Valvok's, needs to be on their respective tasks. We don't have time for any of them to deal with their consciences."
"So, you and I are the only ones around here who know?"
Wright nodded.
"They're going to know, eventually," Rick said. "Like when news breaks of the device being used against the Romulans."
"Maybe. Maybe not. There's a chance the TechEx will not be used. If that's the case, then they will have no idea. They may even be able to sleep better at nights."
"You really believe there's a chance this damn thing will not be used."
Wright shrugged, "One could only hope. But until then, it's best they know only what they need to know."
Rick rubbed his eyes and shook his head at the same time.
"If you want to tell them, then go ahead. I won't stop you," Wright said.
Rick stared at Wright for a good thirty seconds.
"No," Rick finally said. "Let them have a peace of mind for now."
Rick left Wright's office questioning a great many things, including serving in a starfleet that would promote the use of such a device. It made him feel uneasy in his own uniform, one that he at one time was proud to wear.
Commander Rick Rodgers
Chief Engineering Officer - Starbase UNITY
temporary assignment - Deputy Developmental and Operations Coordinator
Project Los Alamos
and
Dr. Trevor Wright (npc by Rick)
Head of Development and Operations
Project Los Alamos
Windows 7: It works the way you want. Learn more.