Ghosts in the Machine - Saving the Mistress
Cirok likewise relaxed when the door slid open only to reveal Mikki and a protective entourage from the ship, something that even drew a small smile of relief from the sailor. The tale of the attack chased away his momentary joy though, and he immediately asked after the ship and crew of the 'Mistress. "Mikki, it's good to see you. How did we fare? Were losses low?"
He paused then, allowing a chance for Berta to describe their haunting, the plans of the rest of their away team, and question the effectiveness of her weapon, and for Mikki to offer any response he might to assuage her concerns. Then he turned his attention to the navigational device they were trying to salvage.
"Painful is word," Cirok agreed with a nod, lips compressed into a thin line. "We've spent a good deal of time and all I've managed is to remove the outer housing. You can see here, here and here," he said, pointing with a finger to the various locations, "where the device almost appears to be integral to the ship. More like an organ than a manufactured piece. I was trying to decide where to go next, so your timing is excellent."
"Maybe over here?" he suggested, motioning to a smaller collection of wires and cables routed off toward the floor of the room.