Traveler in the Dark

9

"Uh— it's noticed the specimens," said Spixworth, crouching near the tank. "Thought you were going to tag it and release it back, Martham."

Martham glanced over at the rodent, which scrabbled against the side of the tank. "Not done with the preliminary tests," she said and turned back to her station.

Spixworth shook his head. "I didn't think it was possible, but you've managed it somehow. I mean, sure, Emery's a little hesitant about what's going to happen if we settle here and Oxwell is nervous about us making an irreversible mess— but at least they're passionate. You, Martham, are the only person I know who can be bored on an entirely new planet."

Alice snorted a laugh and then clamped her lips shut. Spixworth turned to grin at her.

"I'm not bored, Nicholas, just focused. Something your work could benefit from having more of." She turned back to her equipment.

"I'm plenty focused. Collected almost forty specimens today and I think Blick and I have identified food sources for at least five." He pushed a container of broad leaves toward the other tank. Something dark and shiny scuttled over the leaves as Oxwell watched. The rodent scratched at the side of the tank with renewed vigor.

"I think it's hungry," said Oxwell. She knelt beside Spixworth.

"We should name it," he said. Martham barked a laugh. "What? I name my guys. Otherwise, we'll have a lab full of 'its.' Could get confusing. We should name it, for science's sake."

"If we're going to start naming things, then we have to establish a taxonomy—"

"Galactic Void, Martham! I'm talking about a nickname not categorizing species."

She shook her head and ignored him.

"What were you thinking?" Alice asked him. "Spot maybe?"

Spixworth laughed. "Spot? No, no. This is a momentous occasion. First nickname on a new planet. We can't be lazy. Besides, looks more like a Spike to me."

Alice rolled her eyes but grinned.

"Seriously, Martham, Spike looks hungry. I have plenty of specimens, and I found a nest of these particular spider-beetley things. Official taxonomy naming there." He opened the container.

Martham spun around. "We don't know anything about what it eats. I haven't finished the tooth analysis yet, I'm not even certain whether it's trying to go for the leaves or the insects yet. That may be poisonous to it, or the insect may be a predator—"

"You can't let it starve," said Alice.

"It's only been in there a few hours. And even if it does, it could be useful to know how long they survive without food and what the death process is."

"Seems cruel." Spixworth frowned and closed the container again, moving it farther from the rodent so that it would calm down.

"It isn't a pet," said Martham, "which is why naming it is a bad idea." She sighed. "But if it makes you feel better, I will be releasing it with the camera in the morning. We need to see if there are more of them and where."

"Hear that, Spike? You'll be sprung in no time." Spixworth put his glove to the glass where the animal sniffed and scratched at it. He turned back to his own station and sat down beside his sample. He pulled the beetles over the inset camera on the counter. "You guys ready for your closeups? Alice— do you want swabs or are you overwhelmed yet?" He pulled the broad leaves carefully from the container, setting them aside in a lab tray. He'd have to remember to take photos for bite analysis afterward. Alice hovered nearby.

"I'll take some, let me set up a rack though, or I'll never keep them organized. Blick's already dropped off several dozen and Rebecca is supposed to be bringing me the water samples." She paused to watch Spixworth gently push one of the beetles onto its back so he could spread the elytra. "Why are they all so much bigger than the ones in your lab?" she asked.

"Hey, getting kind of personal there, aren't you? My guys are just fine."

Alice shook her head with a laugh.

Spixworth pushed the light to another angle. "I'm not certain what made the Earthlings pick the specimens that they did. Maybe they were smaller than average. Or maybe it had something to do with conditions there. Gravity, food, oxygen, predators— it is all different here. For all we know, we're staring at the dominant species."

"Do you ever work from a factually based hypothesis Spixworth?" asked Martham without turning around, "Or do you just indulge every fantastic fairytale that enters your brain?"

Spixworth frowned and fell silent, returning to his work. Alice was upset to see his excitement so dampened. "Come on, Beatrice," she said, "aren't you a little in awe of this place? Nicholas just wants to keep an open mind."

Martham shook her head. "There's such a thing as being too open, Oxwell. Keep your minds on the task. We're here to collect data, not daydream up new evolutionary theory. Stick with the facts. Stick with the observations. Work within the rules of logic."

Spixworth caught Alice's eye and puffed out a silent breath of exasperation. Alice grinned. The feed beeped.

"Oxwell, status," Stratton's voice was easier, calmer than it had been before he'd left with Rebecca.

"The lab is up, we've started gathering specimens. Blick is still in the field, but Spixworth and Martham are here with me."

"What about Titov and Hackford?"

"Titov just finished cleaning his suit. He's on his way out, he's expecting your water samples. Hackford— I don't know about Hackford. Did you check the Wolfinger?" asked Alice.

"I'll check in there next. I want you all back aboard before sundown. Liu estimates three hours."

"Yes, Captain," said Alice.