[ddd][text][locked to Jim]

We have a problem, Captain.

[ddd][log][Jack]

Scotty had told Jack he'd be done with the turbine rotor in an hour, and he was running late. Not that there was much he could do about it; he'd rather be a bit late than do a shoddy job and end up with a busted turbine. Even so, he couldn't deny that it was a relief when that final blade was properly locked into place. His legs were beginning to cramp from the way he'd had to fold himself around the rotor to even get at the thing in the first place, but overall the satisfaction of a job well done far outweighed the discomfort. Still, it was a relief to be able to stand upright again, when he climbed out of the containment shaft. He tossed the old blades down onto the floor below before making his way down himself, and once on the floor he paused to shrug out of the top half of his jumpsuit; he had on a black undershirt, but apart from that he'd opted to go without his customary uniform today. No need to go getting a good uniform all covered in grease.

After shouting for someone to come gather up the old blades and get rid of them, he made his way out of engineering, not bothering to stop by his office on the way out. Anything short of an emergency could wait until tomorrow. It wasn't until he'd made it about halfway to his quarters that he realized he'd forgotten to ditch his toolbelt, and even when he did notice, it was in an off-hand sort of way; he had other things on his mind. Things like Jack, for instance, and the fact that he hadn't really spoken to him since the virus. And, if he was going to be completely honest with himself, he was a bit nervous. Still, he wasn't about to back out now. A few more decks up and he was nearly at his quarters; a few corridors over and he was there, and there was Jack, waiting for him.