“What a tale we can tell.”  Dr. Persefoni Hargraves sat at her desk in the newly refurbished offices of The Rimward Journal, glancing over the latest drafts that had been submitted.  

Isidor Sokolov, her  Academic Studies Editor, sat across from her, holding a PADD. “It is a wild place in the rimward, Dr. Hargraves.  The Federation News Network did take notice of the mining incident.  I think we may have to become…what did they call it back in the day – a string reporter.”

Persefoni scoffed, “I am not about to turn the page on my sterling career simply to become the workhorse for the FNN.  I took this position because of the opportunity presented to us with the renewed exploration of the rimward sections of Federation space.  The recent discoveries alone will enrich and expand the conversation within genetics and DNA science.”  She caught Sokolov’s glance, “I am aware of the rules and regulations regarding much of the supposed science conducted by this El-Aurian woman.  We will examine and explicate the details in a strictly scientific discussion.  We already know her plan failed in every facet – aside from Lieutenant Fowler and those associated with her.”

Isidor mused, “Fleet Captain Fontana has asked us not to release or discuss Ms. Fowler or the group due to arrive here within a few days.  There are concerns that the El-Aurian doctor was not operating alone in the latter months of her experimentation.”  He warned, “Security on the lower sections of the station are not as sterling as they are up here, doctor.  The Director of Security, a…Commander Thasaz has been making the rounds.  Her warnings are nothing short of severe.”

She pulled up the warnings that had come into her inbox that morning.  She had read a few paragraphs in, “I did not expect it would be this…challenging.  Despite the impacts of Frontier Day, I had hoped that we would still have the station adequately staffed.  We’ll need to ensure our personal security and operations team have their quarters moved closer to the offices.”  He made the notes on his device and headed out.

Persefoni turned back to her console.  The departure from The Olympic Journal had initially felt like a relief to start something new.  Her work on the ship and the journal’s focus area had begun to feel restrictive.  Having arrived at the station less than a month ago, she’d started having second thoughts.  Was this truly the pinnacle of her career?  Was this the top of the mountain for her?  Or has she slid back down to some backwater base camp?  She’d resisted most of the doubts.  Those that remained in the corners of her mind were slowly gaining volume.  She would need to find something to shut them up.  The premier issue was her focus on putting together a solid collection of scholarly articles, journalistic reporting, and opinion pieces – all well-researched and peer-reviewed- would put them on the map.

There was a chime at her door, her reverie broken.  She glanced up and smiled warmly at the sight of her brother, Commander Charlie Hargraves.  She motioned him in, and he slid into the seat facing her, “Persefoni.  I figured I should say hello since we’re back in the same squadron again.”

She replied, “Dear brother, it is good to see you.  Congratulations on the promotion to Executive Officer.  You are finally catching up with me.”

He rolled his eyes, “One of these days, you’re going to accept me as just as good as you are, Per.”  She shrugged, and he continued, “I’ve been asked to come and warn you that an old friend from the FNN has been assigned to Montana Station.”

She groaned and guessed correctly, “Craig Syracuse?  No matter how far out I fly, I cannot escape the man.”

Charlie held back his laughter.  His sister was notoriously unflappable.  Her annoyances and frustrations were easy for her to hide—most of the time.  Men like Syracuse seemed to push every button she had and pull every lever on her nerves.  He wasn’t a fan of the man himself, but that brought Syracuse to Montana in the first place.  “Well, he hasn’t stopped looking for conspiracies where there are none.  His manager quit and went to a competitor.  FNN has decided to give him one more shot at redemption.”

She grumbled, annoyed and frustrated, “I could just kill him.”

“But you won’t.  He’ll be here in less than a week.  We’re just as thrilled about this as you are, Per.  We’ll all have to find a way to survive him.”  Charlie stood and left the office.  

Perserfoni sat back in her chair, muttering, “Goddamn it.”