Moving quarters was always a challenge and at this point, Charnack was trying to accomplish two tasks simultaneously. Crouched, the Andorian reached out and hooked the first of his kits into the helpfully placed mounting point inside the supporting leg of the workstation, while also setting up his personal communication link.

Unable to complete.

“Reason?”

Undelivered message remaining, without a send protocol.

“Identify the recipient?”

Chief Petty Officer Joshua Bryant.

“Establish a pathway and resend.”

Unable to comply. Hand delivery recommended.

“Computer download message to PADD O-219. Locate crewman.”

Chief Petty Officer Bryant is in Science Lab 13.

Sweeping the data pad from the workstation, Chardnack strode out of his new quarters. Making for the turbo lift. The ride was a short one and he soon found himself deep inside the starbase’s scientific section. Hurrying along the corridors searching for a specific lab, he came upon number thirteen and stepped through the doors as they swished open.

Glancing around, at the point realizing he had only a name, nothing more, he called his name into the lab. “Chief Petty Officer Bryant?”  Then paused, hoping for some response.

“Yeah, back here,” came the response towards the back of the lab.

Weaving around the consoles and workstations towards the furthest point of the lab tucked behind a half bulkhead. Charnack came upon a human male engrossed in his task, one of observation by the looks of things. He was about to speak, but paused in response to the request.

“Just… one… second,” Joshua said, putting up a finger without looking up. In front of him an iridescent turquoise plant, its colors pulsing in a stasis hold. He typed a few commands into a PADD, watched the flower, went back to the PADD, then back to the flower.

“All right,” Joshua breathed out, his voice just above a whisper. He cleared his throat, “Computer, reduce the enzymatic nutrient flow by three-quarters on points thirty-three, six, four, and…” he consulted his PADD, “eight…teen. And hold for 3 cycles.” The computer chimed in confirmation.

Joshua turned from his work to the person addressing him. “Sorry, the caeruleum illuminans can be a finicky beast. This one even more so,” he shook his head to clear it. “What can I do for you… Lieutenant?” he said, noting the pips on Charnack’s uniform.

“Hopefully take this message off my hands,” Charnack responded directly, offering him yet another PADD to add to his collection, then launched into a short explanation. “Either I’ve taken over your quarters, or the starbase’s systems are still scrambled enough to misdirect messages. But I couldn’t finish the comm protocol setup unless this message is taken care of.”

Joshua frowned and took the proffered PADD, “I didn’t change quarters recently, unless they didn’t tell me about it.” He chuckled and examined the screen. “A proverbial message in a bottle,” Joshua smiled, “‘For I received yet another bottle, mocking me like the last… haunting me with my own words. I cried, “What sorcery is this?!”‘,” Joshua paused, finishing the quote. “Pida- never mind.”

Joshua typed commands into the PADD, “Weird, it’s not accepting my code.” He wrinkled his brow. “Computer, transfer information from PADD O-219 to the personal console of Dr. Joshua Bryant.”

Transfer complete.

Joshua set the PADD on his desk and stared at the console’s screen, “It wants a personal ID phrase. But how do I know what the phrase is if I don’t know who the message is from?” He snapped his fingers, “Yes! Computer, input access phrase intrepidus dum ambulans per nubes,” The Starfleet logo spun and formulas started to crisscross on the screen, Joshua smiled. “I thought so. Dr. V’Lavith does love his positive affirmations.” He said, his attention lost in the scrolling formulas.

“This is from someone you know? A research fellow maybe?” Charnack asked, having delivered the message he felt it was not too much to ask a little more, to be certain it had in fact reached the correct person.

“It’s a message from Dr. V’Lavith, a biologist on Mellstoxx III. We’ve been trying to synthesize a protein mixture for a plant of mine. Part of what I was working on when you came in.”

“Plants do not seem like the avenue of research that would require much in the way of security.” The Andorian offered, a slight eye roll and the left side of his mouth turned up in the beginnings of a smirk. “Unless of course I’m missing something.”

“Well, Dr. V’Lavith puts security codes on his transmissions. The formula could be used to create illicit performance-enhancing drugs in humans.” Joshua shrugged, “That’s his theory at least.” He handed the PADD back to Charnack, studying the formulas on the console screen, “Half of these don’t make sense. The transmission must have been corrupted when the Vaadwaur attack happened. And that must have triggered the security protocols.” Joshua rubbed his eyes in frustration at the work ahead, “Thank you for this. It’ll take days to untangle this mess, but at least you’ll be able to up your comm.”

All of a sudden the dismissive attitude, which had to have come through in his expressions, seemed more than a little uncalled for. “Okay then.” He offered and for a moment ought to make a quick and sheepish exit, but he did know codes. “Although I did have a two-month spell trying to untangle a problem with the communication system during my first posting. Some of those tricks are ingrained, including isolating security patterns, would you permit me. It might give you a start at least.” Charanck offered, walking back to the desk, gesturing to the console containing the message and trying to offer, but not force, his assistance.

Joshua brightened, “I’ll take all the help I can get at this point.” He backed his chair away from the console. “If you can shave even an hour off the problem, I’ll take it.” He stood up and eagerly waited for Charanck to do his magic.

Charanck sat in the chair and pushed himself to the console. He smirked, “I will save you more than that.”