Ensign Tim Harcolm
Engineering Officer
USS Terra Nova
"Checking In"


[Tim Harcolm's quarters, USS Terra Nova]
[October 1, 2378 -- 0600 hours]

Tim arrived arrived at his quarters at about the time he had expected. Robert
was sitting at the terminal. Stowing his gear, Tim leaned against the bunks as
he didn't feel like laying down. To do so would have only reminded him of his
thoughts since going planetside... 'Where was his career going, and should he
stay onboard the Terra Nova or seek reassignment.' The jury was still out.

"Tim, are you alright?" Robert asked after a few minutes.

"I'm fine."

"Where were you last night?"

"I had someplace I had to be and I needed to be alone to sort things out. What,
are you my mother now?"

"No, just a concerned friend. You seem to be doing a lot of that lately --
distancing yourself from everyone."

"And what's wrong with that? As I said, I just needed to be alone... to figure
things out."

"Did you?" Robert asked.

Tim just shrugged. He checked the time. In a few minutes he'd have to change for
his shift. He wasn't in any mood to be interrogated by his roomate.

"Last night a few of us went down to the pub on Liberty," Robert continued. "We
thought you wanted to go. Laura actually asked about you. We couldn't find you,
so we were concerned."

"It doesn't matter now. And I don't want to talk about Laura or Nate anymore."

"It's a small ship. You can't really avoid them."

Tim changed the subject. "I have to get ready for duty. This conversation is
over. Don't mention her again."

"Alright, not another word." Robert returned his attention to the monitor on the
desk, and Tim left the room in silence.



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