Colonel Paul Foster woke up early after he and Commander Straker spent their first night onboard Andromeda. The dark-haired colonel yawned as he started is day with a light set of stretches. Once the kinks were out of his muscles.
Foster stood, grabbed the jumpsuit he had arrived in and sat down on the bed. One of the service robots had come by the previous evening with a set of pajamas for the colonel and Commander Straker, which both men graciously accepted. Foster was now stripped down to his blue boxers, sitting on the bed as he began putting a leg into his jumpsuit.
"Excuse me Mr. Foster, Mr. Straker has asked to see you in his quarters once you have dressed," Holo Rommie informed in neutral tone of voice.
The colonel's face turned red with embarrassment as he quickly attempted to cover himself with the jumpsuit. "Thank you ma'm, but do you mind not popping in on me like this?"
The hologram took on a curious expression for a split second before her features once again became unreadable. "I must apologize Mr. Foster, I was not aware that you were so modest. Now that I have accessed records of old Earth I understand. Please be assured that I am a High Guard warship and am programmed to monitor my crew and all others aboard."
After a few seconds of staring at the hologram Foster spoke up. "So you're saying that you knew I was nearly undressed even before you popped in here?"
"Exactly, but you have nothing to worry about. I am programmed to ignore non essential information when necessary or beneficial," Holo Rommie replied with a slight smirk.
"So now you say that my being nearly naked is non-essential information? I don't know if I should be insulted or not," the colonel responded with irritation before his expression softened "I can think of a number of women in my time who would think of a nearly naked Paul Foster as essential information."
The AI ignored the wink from Foster as he pulled on his jumpsuit. "I'm not going to comment on the tastes of women in your time," the hologram retorted, looking like a schoolmarm.
Foster harrumphed in mock disapproval. "Well guess I'm ready to see Mr. Straker now," he said striking a pose for the hologram. Rommie scowled and rolled her eyes in response.
A typically serious-looking Ed Straker greeted Foster at Straker's quarters. "I see you got my message."
"Yeah, although I had to have a few words with the messenger about her timing," Foster remarked as he stepped into the quarters.
The Commander shot Foster a knowing look. "She popped in on you while you were in a compromising position I gather."
"Uh huh," the colonel acknowledged. "I probably shouldn't make such a row about the whole thing. But I better not see any images of me in my skivvies broadcast all over the known universes."
Holo Rommie materialized in front of the two men with her hands on her hips. "Mr. Foster, I monitor those onboard me for security and medical purposes, not for cheap thrills. I would not broadcast your private actions in your guest quarters. Unless of course you gave me a good reason to do so," she added with a mischievous glint in her brown eyes.
Straker stifled a grin as he listened to the banter. "Thank you for relaying the message Andromeda, if I may call you that."
The hologram nodded her dark head. "Yes you may address me as Andromeda. Do you require my assistance any further?"
"No that will be all," Straker replied. "But before you leave I have a question. Is there any way for Mr. Foster and me to speak privately, without our conversation being monitored?"
"Yes is it is possible, but it is not permissible. My captain has ordered me to keep the two of you under surveillance during your stay here."
The Commander looked unfazed by Dylan Hunt's order. "Of course, that is a practical and logical precaution."
"I guess it's no use for us to discuss an escape plan would it?" Foster questioned half seriously.
"Indeed it would serve no purpose but if you feel you need something to keep you occupied then you are welcome to discuss any plans for leaving you may have," the hologram replied, devoid of emotion.
A warning look from the Commander caused Foster to drop his conversation with Andromeda's holographic persona. Holo Rommie seemed observed the silent communication between the two men and took the opportunity to dismiss herself from Straker's quarters.
Once the hologram had vanished, Straker lit a cigarillo and sat down in the lone chair in the room. "Did you sleep well Paul?"
"Yeah, just fine," the young colonel answered casually as he sat down on the bed. "I doubt you wanted me to come here to chat about how well I slept last night."
A wry smile crossed the Commander's lips. "Quite right Paul. I just wanted to know what you think of Captain Hunt and the rest of the crew."
Foster's forehead creased as he studied his superior officer. "If you're wondering if I trust them I don't know and I'm sure they already figured that out without eavesdropping. I just wish we didn't have to just sit here and wait for these strangers to figure out how to get us back to our own time."
Straker remained quietly puffed on his cigarillo as he appeared to consider the colonel's concern. "We don't have much choice but to follow directions from Captain Hunt. I will ask him if there is anything we can do while we're here."
"Okay, I'll go along with that," Foster agreed. "At least the scenery around here is something to took at," he added with a mischievous gleam in his eyes.
The Commander exhaled a small puff of smoke. "So long as you only look and don't touch Paul. Any relationship with the women onboard the Andromeda would be complicated to say the least."
"But I enjoy a challenge," Foster argued half-heartedly. "I doubt Captain Hunt could use our help and the technology is liable to be far ahead of anything we've seen. Wouldn't we be like fish out of water?"
"We may be fish out of water but we may also learn a few things that could come in handy in our time," Straker countered with his usual intensity.
The colonel nodded his head in understanding. "Do you really think we'd learning anything? I don't think Captain Hunt would let us take back any knowledge of advanced technology. Besides the ship is almost certainly monitoring our conversation.."
Straker leaned back in his chair and took a long drag on his cigarillo. "I'd be surprised and concerned if Andromeda hasn't heard every word we've said. If they are efficient and hope stay alive to keep tilting at windmills they'd be wise to know everything that goes on onboard Andromeda."
A smirk crossed Foster's mouth as he got to his feet. "That's what you'd do but not everybody is as paranoid as you, although I'm beginning to think the ship's AI might be close, so maybe you have a point."
The Commander allowed the corners of his lips to turn slightly upward in acknowledgement. "Remember Paul, just because a person is paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get him."
"And I'd be willing to bet that you came up with that old saying too," the colonel retorted lightly.
Straker extinguished his cigarillo in the ashtray on the a small table next to him before standing up. "I asked Andromeda for directions to the mess hall; care to come along and see what's available for breakfast?"
"Maybe later, I'm going to see if there is a gym or something onboard and work out before breakfast," Foster answered as they entered the corridor.
The two walked down the corridor, with Straker taking the lead. "Andromeda also mentioned that she is equipped with a gym and a basketball court. She said Captain Hunt is on the court shooting free throws."
Foster merely stared at his superior officer in mild puzzlement. "You'll forgive my ignorance but I am not familiar with basketball terms, so I have no idea what you just said Captain Hunt is doing. However, I will go and use the gym, since Andromeda hasn't said I can't."
"Andromeda said we are allowed to use the gym and go to any areas that are not off limits," Straker informed.
"Alright then I guess I'll get directions and see you later," Foster announced before asking Andromeda for the location of the gym. The ship's AI immediately gave directions to the gym. The colonel thanked Andromeda and headed for his workout.
Dr. Jackson entered the room with a security guard and a female nurse. Another security guard stood outside in the hall as the door closed. The doctor approached Rhade and stood in front of the Nietzschean. "Do you need me to examine your ankle Mr. Rhade?" he questioned, pointing at the larger man's right ankle.
"At least you're worried enough about security keep an eye on the monitors in here," Rhade commented drolly. "My ankle is fine. I just twisted it a bit."
A thin smiled crossed Jackson's lips. "Yes our Commander has always been most keen about security. I should check your ankle to make certain."
The doctor led Rhade over to lead over to the exam table and proceeded to check the Nietzschean's ankle. After manipulating the ankle with no discernable pain from Rhade, Jackson straightened up.
"Your ankle doesn't seem to be injured. Let me or one of my staff know if you have any pain or other complications," Jackson advised.
The commander nodded his head as he got off of the table. "So what is your assessment of the two of us Doctor?"
Jackson looked up at Rhade and arched an eyebrow. "I haven't had much time to read the reports, I'll pour over those soon, but I would say that you, Mr. Rhade, are quite the physical specimen."
Rhade expression was bland, as if he was used to such interest. "We Nietzscheans have been genetically engineered to be the ultimate human physical specimens."
"Tell me, what is the purpose of those bones that stick out of your forearms?" the doctor questioned with enthusiasm. "Has your species always had them?"
The Nietzschean raised his right forearm, showing the bone blades, and circled around the smaller human. "We call these bone blades. They are mainly used as weapons in close, hand to hand combat."
A grunt of interest came from the doctor's direction as he jotted notes down in a small notepad. "Is yours a warrior society?"
"Not in the classical sense but we do value defeating an enemy," Rhade answered patiently. "Our society is more based on survival, hence our being highly genetically enhanced."
The doctor nodded his head before briefly writing in his notebook.