"Dr. Nelson, is the intern arriving today along with with the activist group?" Ivy asked as the pair walked back into the lab after assessing the garbage patch, looking for any changes.
Ken looked over at her, shaking his head, "Dr. Flanagan, I've told you a thousand times you don't have to call me Doctor," he corrected her before adding, "We are more familiar then simple colleagues, after all," he said with a slight grin crossing his lips.
Ivy nodded, "Sorry Ken, it's just hard to get used to it but I'll do better," she smiled before repeating her original inquiry.
"Yes, to both," he replied, "We've worked a long time to get people here who can help us make a difference and today is that day. Are you looking forward to some fresh faces around here?" he asked as they made their way to the control room to meet with Dr. Thomas.
Ivy shrugged her shoulders, "It gets kinda crowded in here with our team so I'm not sure how I feel yet," she added, "I'm sure they'll be a great addition to the team though."
Ken and Ivy walked into the control room and saw Dr. Thomas looking over the scans with Steve.
Dr. Thomas turned around when she heard them enter, "We're checking the weather to make sure our guests don't end up barricaded inside for a storm. How were things topside? I took a dive earlier," she offered.
Dr. Nelson spoke first, "The patch hasn't grown any smaller but it is giving us a great chance to study the effect of trash on the ecosystem."
"And for my work," Ivy added, "in marine biology, I've gotten an amazing look at what pollution does to ocean creatures," she replied before asking, "Did anything show up on the weather scanners?"
"The Persephone shouldn't be in any trouble at all for at least the next week," Steve answered, pointing to the map, "We have a very dry weekend ahead, that's for sure."
"Thanks Steve," Ivy nodded before turning to Ken, "Are you ready to greet the newcomers? They should be here any second," she added reaching out her hand for his.
He grabbed ahold of hers as he nodded in agreement, "Laura, do you want to join us immediately or meet up after a while?" he asked.
Laura shook her head, "I've got a few things to log from my dive so I'll catch up in a little bit. Have fun, you two," she said with a wink before she left the room allowing Ken and Ivy to make their way back to the surface to greet their new arrivals.
Once they were on the surface once more, Ivy looked out at the water, noting in her mind how beautiful it was, if not for the garbage patch. She leaned up and placed a gentle kiss on Ken's cheek causing him to turn and look at her, "What was that for?"
Ivy shrugged, "Just because," before she proposed, "We should go by Doctor around the new kids, just to keep things professional," she released his hand as she spoke.
He nodded as the first of their expected guest walked toward them. The young woman moved toward them, extending her hand, "Hi, I'm Maggie, you must be Dr. Nelson and Dr. Flanagan," she introduced herself with a bright smile across her face.
Dr. Nelson nodded, offering his hand, "You're absolutely correct. It's very nice to meet you, we've been looking forward to you joining our team."
"Yes, we have been hoping to share the results of our work and expand upon it for so long," Dr. Flanagan added as she took shook Maggie's hand.
"I'm so excited for a chance to work on and study the garbage patch up close," Maggie replied, "Can we begin the tour or are we waiting on anyone else?"
Ivy replied, "We are waiting on a group of young activists who should be right behind you, and then we'll go in."
Maggie nodded as she continued discussing her initial thoughts with them until a group of four more young people walked toward them.
"Greg?" Maggie asked, her face contorting into confusion as soon as they walked up before anyone could say anything.
A man, with a clean shaven face, nodded as he stepped toward her, "Maggie, what are the chances?"
"Care to introduce us?" Dr. Nelson interrupted.
Maggie nodded, her cheeks reddening in embarrassment, "This is Greg, we went to school together."
Greg nodded, "We date too," he added before gesturing to the rest of his group, "These people are Omar, Alison and Brian."
"It's nice to meet, you all," Ivy replied, "Are you ready to come inside and see the Persephone up close?" she asked, a sly smile on her face.
Dr. Nelson smiled down at her as the kids nodded and he led them back through the door and back down into the labs, finding Dr. Thomas waiting for them.
"They're all here," Dr. Thomas exclaimed, "I'm Dr. Thomas! It's wonderful to have you all here. I'll leave you in the capable hands of Dr. Nelson and Flanagan and I'll meet back up with you later."
They waved at her as she disappeared and Dr. Nelson began leading the tour once more.
