"You're late, Officer Bates!"
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry! Won't happen again." Jason took his place at the radar panel.
Vice Commander Danton snorted doubtfully. "We'll see to that."
Jason started working on his software project while keeping an eye on the radar screen. He had been advised to programme two different packs of software. The first one was supposed to enable the radar to distinguish between different objects surrounding ORCA, like vehicles, bigger sea mammals and especially Ocean People. The second pack was sort of an overlayer, which disguised the signal of the Ocean People.
The second one was easy, but setting the attributes the radar should work with, was challenging. Jason really wished for Vanessa to be here. She had been excellent in five different programming languages and had also never been out of ideas, how to solve a query problem. But contact was impossible by now, even though he had already tried three times. Vanessa was an insider after all, but a "no" from the highest authorities, was a no. Jason hoped to face those highest authorities in Vancouver.
"You forgot to close the bracket in the 19th line," his mother said quietly next to him. Jason smiled. "Thank you, Commander."
"I'm sorry, Jason", Diane added. "I tried to get you off duty today, but ..."
Jason shrugged. "It's fine, Mum. I have to get this done anyway."
"How is she? I haven't seen her for a week."
"She misses you and it's all a bit much right now, but you know her: she would never complain."
Diane nodded with a sigh. Then she took a USB stick out of her jacket. "I talked to an old friend of mine, another marine biologist. She sent me those swimming patterns of some wandering dolphin pods. Could those be of help?"
"That's actually just what I need," Jason answered. "The residents are relatively simple because there's a lot of data available." He pushed some buttons and pointed to the second, smaller screen next to the main radar monitor. "This is the recording from two days ago."
"Which radius?"
Jason turned his head. Tristan Hicks, the communication officer, had approached them and watched the 3D image with great interest.
"Five miles," Jason explained and changed the angle to a vertical view of ORCA. "I already inserted the patterns of two pods of bottle-nosed dolphins around the Milln and the Pellowe Reef."
"Ah, yes," Hicks nodded. "There. Hunting, don't they? And this big fellow must be the famous Charly."
"The one and only." Jason pushed another button and enlarged the right corner of the image.
"Wow, this object really does look like a whale!" Hicks sounded impressed and Jason felt a hint of pride. Hicks slapped on his back. "Good job! Keep it up!"
"Thank you, Sir," Jason responded and exchanged a smile with his mother who returned to her station.
I ordered a helicopter for you to fly tomorrow afternoon.
To fly where?, Jason tipped back in the private channel.
Mainland. Neri and Shalamorn need some formal outfits and maybe something casual for Vancouver. You know … something ordinary.
I shall go shopping with Neri?
And Mera.
The last sentence put a damper on his sudden excitement. Another whole afternoon with Neri would have been a gift. Maybe he could have helped her with a zipper or something …
He liked Mera, of course. He hadn't seen her for a while and she would be of great help. She was familiar with the concept of shopping and the clothing culture of both planets.
What did he say earlier that day to Brett? He couldn't be selfish? At least no one could judge him for his thoughts.
I'm on duty tomorrow, until 9 pm.
Officially, you're testing your software on a portable radar system. Jason smirked at this one. You will leave at 11, his mum wrote. Thought, it would be nice for the four of you to spend some time together before leaving for Vancouver on Friday.
The four of us?
Brett's also coming. This was in fact good news. Two and two. Hopefully, Brett would restrain himself.
Keep a low profile, will you?
Jason rolled his eyes. Always.