Tumock stood at a computer in engineering, he was not on duty and Brock kindly allowed him to use a console. Tumock could not stop thinking about the Kelvan experience, but more to the point if the Han'gosian technology could ever actually work. He tried to dismiss the knowledge that was somehow transferred to his mind, but going over the simulations, in theory the technology could be created. Although he wasn't about to suddenly alter the Federation's view on ship defences, he felt that maybe if an interface was created that would control and alter the data transfer in the shield emitters that the technology's would stay compatible. Even if only for a few minutes longer. If the fake battle planet somehow managed to pierce the phase shielding, then the real one would have no problem destroying the ship. The simulations looked good, apart from one problem, the phase shielding still failed after a certain time. Tumock was subconsciously about to smash the console, but he kept calm and continued.
Time passed and Tumock was not much closer to solving the problem than before. A voice suddenly disturbed him from behind.
"Commander?"
Tumock turned to see Lieutenant Benson staring at him.
"Ensign--I mean Lieutenant--what can I do for you?"
"You've been here for sometime, and you look like you could use a break"
"That will not be necessary"
"Look, we're short on crew and people are being made to work multiple shifts, yourself included"
"Your point, Lieutenant?"
"When will be your next break?"
Tumock thought for a minute, he was right, the next break wouldn't be for sometime. "Maybe a break would help me clear my thoughts"
"Exactly" smiled Benson, and with that Tumock closed down the simulations and followed Benson to the Turbolift.
The mess hall was quite sparse, most of the crew were working shifts. Tumock and Benson sat down at a table close to the door. The only other group in the mess hall were 3 crewmen deep into conversation. Tumock and Benson didn't have much to say to each other. They had exhausted the Kelvan topic and didn't have much in common. Without meaning to, Tumock started to listen to the crew members talking.
"Did you here the rumour?" said one of the crewmen.
"What rumour now?" replied another.
"Yeah, Tim, you always seem to hear a new rumour every time I see you!" added the third, to which two of them started laughing.
"Joke all you want, but I heard they found the Howard Carter crash landed on the planet and the crew are being held by Egyptians in a pyramid that managed to leave earth and settle here"
"Uh huh, sure they are Tim"
"Look you never believe me"
"Im sorry, carry on"
"Well anyway, the captain apparently sent out Carter in the Griffin on a suicide mission against the Egyptian army"
"Why the Griffin why not use the Knight?"
"Because he's afraid of dying! I heard that he begged not to be put on the Knight because the assignment was too dangerous"
This was enough--the crew were now starting to spread rumours. Tumock got up from his seat and approached the crewmen.
"I also heard that........... uhh can I help you Commander?"
"Do you realise the penalty for spreading such rumours?"
"What rumours?"
"Ignorance will only worsen the situation"
"I'm sorry Commander, but I'm just saying what I heard"
"I will not ask whom you heard it from but ask you this, If you were not directly told about the situation what makes you think that the person that told you is telling the truth?"
"I don't know..."
"I advise you keep these rumours to yourself, and tell your friend this behaviour will not be tolerated on the Knight"
"Yes, sir!"
[Tumock please report to my ready room]
"On my way" replied Tumock. Tumock looked down at the officers, turned and headed for the bridge.