Chapter Text
The captain stared out the window of their cabin. 6 months. 6 long months of hard work with hardly any breaks, and the colony has finally settled in. But work was far from done, of course it wouldn't be that easy. The captain began drumming their fingers on the window sill, thinking. Despite all of these months, the planet still remained unexplored for the most part. It wouldn't be that hard of a task to get at least 2 people to go explore the rest of the planet, given they have the correct supplies. Yes, it wouldn't be too hard to do this at all.
Problem is, they needed to find the correct people. The captain knew it had to be someone from the main crew, they are the most trustworthy and the most likely to get things done correctly. The task would be simple, travel around the planet taking pictures of any new or unfamiliar wild life. The planet was much smaller than earth, so it wouldn't take too long to circle the whole planet. The captain started to wonder which people he should choose to go. Now if the captain asked Mark, Mark would of course bend over backwards to help, knowing him. So Mark is an absolute. But what about the other person?
Gunther? Maybe. He does have incredible survival skills, but there was a good chance he’d shoot anything that he deemed a threat, which is anything unidentified that moved. So maybe Gunther wasn't the best candidate. Celci? She is very analytical, and would make sure to keep the mission at hand. But she and Mark would argue non-stop. Still, she’s a maybe.
Burt seemed very unlikely. He’s a great mechanic, but when it comes to surviving in the natural world, he’s not the best at it. So that really only leaves one person, Mack. The captain took a moment to think about him. Mack was.. Interesting to say the least. Personality wise, his ego is bigger than the planet, and there is no doubt he’s a narcissist. But when it came to professionalism and quick thinking, he wasn't half bad. He’d try to prove he’s the best at handling the mission, no doubt, but that means he’s determined to get it right.
Plus, he is actually quite smart. Only problem is that he’d also argue with Mark a lot. The captain took a moment to consider this. If the captain were to choose Celci for the job, then Mack would stay here. But since Mark would be on the mission, Mack would have to be head engineer until Mark came back. That would be... Problematic, the captain knew that all too well. Plus, Celci would be a much better replacement and would be much less likely to try and sabotage the colony in any way either. The captain stood up.
They’d decided to go discuss this matter with their crew. Of course, as the captain, they have their own opinion, but they still want to hear their crew’s opinions. The captain pulled out their touchpad and proceeded to schedule and set up a meeting.
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Mack let out a sigh of exasperation as he looked up. Currently, he was in a bathroom, not actually using it, but rather, just standing there, half hunched over the sink and occasionally looking up to look at himself in the mirror. Every now and then he’d look at his watch to check the time. The only reason he’s standing in here is to avoid having to talk to the others before the meeting starts. Especially Mark. Mack used one of his hands to rub his eyes before pulling down on his face and grumbling. Normally, Mack would have no trouble standing out there and waiting, but today he was particularly more exhausted than usual, and the others were not helping his case. Mack didn't even understand the point of this meeting, there was zero explanation.
He recalled how earlier today, he had been trying to fix a piece of broken machinery, when his touchpad had an announcement from the captain that a meeting was going to be held. No description for what this meeting is about, just nothing. Mack looked at his watch, which read 3:25 pm. Almost time for the meeting. Grumbling, Mack stood up, and left the bathroom. In all honesty, Mack wasn't feeling too well. Throughout the day, various hot steams and gasses had been blown in his face, and it’s given him a headache. He was looking forward to getting the meeting over with so he could go home and lay down for a nap. He and the others walked into a room with a table and multiple chairs.
They all sat down, and Mack found himself between Burt and Gunther. Mack immediately felt uncomfortable, because now he was smelling nothing but cigarettes and motor oil, and neither smells pleasant. “Alright” the Captain started. “I bet you all are wondering why I brought you all here.” There was a murmur of agreement from the others. “Well, the reason is quite simple,” the Captain continued. “We’ve been setting up our life on this planet for almost a whole Earth year. The only problem is that we have only set up life on one part of this planet. I was thinking that we could send at least two people to go explore the rest of the planet.” the Captain said, gesturing to the group, signifying that they were going to specifically choose someone from this group for the mission.
“Now, I’ve already decided that Mark is absolutely going to go on the mission, the only problem is that I need one more person, and I'm stuck choosing between two people.” said the Captain. Mack shifted slightly in his seat. Of course Mark was going, why wouldn't Mark go? He’s only the captain's blatantly favorite crew member. Yet Mack kept his mouth shut for now, he needed to hear who these other options were. “The other two options” the Captain went on, “are either Celci-” Mack quickly glanced at Celci, who seemed unbothered by this, but the more Mack looked at her, the more he could tell she was flattered. “Or,” the Captain continued, making a brief pause as if reconsidering his choices “Mack.”
Mack blinked, half surprised. One part of him was happy that the Captain considered him good enough to go on this mission, while the other was dreading this. He was going to have to be out in the wilderness, no proper bed or bathroom, probably would be gone for months, with Mark. The thought almost made him visibly cringe, but he managed to compose himself. Mack, in his mind, had two options to respond to this, his pride would not let him turn this offer down. He could either make some complaint about having to go with Mark, or make some comment about how he’d be up to the task. He chose the latter. Mack cleared his throat and sat up straighter.
“Well, captain, if you do happen to choose me to go on this mission, I can guarantee that I will successfully fulfill your task and not stray away from the desired goal, unlike some other people.” Mack said in a condescending tone while a smug look crossed his face. This earned him an eye roll from Celci, and a glare from Mark. “What’s that supposed to mean!?” said Mark in an offended tone. Mack looked at Mark, slitting his eyes slightly but keeping the smug look. “Whatever you think it means Mark, I’m just telling the Captain that I would put up with working with the likes of you for the sake of the colony.” Mack replied, crossing his legs and resting his face in a hand while staring directly at Mark’s face.
Mark crossed his arms and kept glaring. “You’re getting cocky, Mack, maybe you should realize there is probably a reason that you’re not Head Engineer and I am.” Mark replied. Now it was Mack’s turn to be offended. Before the situation could have the chance to escalate, The Captain told both of them to be quiet. Mack was really having a roller coaster of emotions today. He’s gone from exhausted to cocky to pissed off in less than half an hour. The meeting went on, but this time Mack was hardly paying attention.
From what he could piece from the conversation, it was sounding more and more like people were agreeing on Mack going with Mark. In reality, Mack was not looking forward to this. He wanted to go home and lay down and just have a break for once, but by the sounds of it, that might not happen. Mack lay’d back and looked at the Captain as they addressed him directly.
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Mark adjusted himself in his seat for the umpteenth time. The conversation was boring, it was just about Mack at this point. Mark gave a quick glance at Mack. Ever since their small argument, Mack has been uncharacteristically quiet, and Mark couldn't exactly pin-point why. Did Mark seriously end up hurting Mack’s feelings? If that’s the case, then in reality Mack’s pride was just a glass wall that Mark had decided to throw a rock at. “Alright, so, Mack?” the Captain said, turning towards Mack.
“Everyone else is mostly in agreement that you’ll be going with Mark, but just in case, what do you think?” Mack seemed to hesitate for a moment, before smiling in the same way he was before. “Like I said, captain, I will make sure the mission is completed, you can count on me.” said Mack in a seemingly overconfident manner. “Great, that settles it, this meeting is over. Mack, Mark, you both start packing, you're going in two days.” The Captain said, standing up. Everyone else followed their lead and stood up.
As everyone headed into the other room, Mark found himself looking at Mack again. Mack was now rubbing his temple, looking as if his head was bothering him. Well, Mark thought to himself, if me and him are going to work together, it’d be best to talk to him. So, naturally, Mark went up to Mack, who was standing by himself in a corner of the room. “Hey” said Mark, trying to be as casual as possible. Mack looked up at Mark, not saying anything. “So, do you really want to do this? You don't seem that happy about it.” Mark said, raising an eyebrow.
Mack glared slightly. “Am I not allowed to be tired, Mark? Or did you expect me to be prancing about just because the Captain chose me to do something? I am willing to work with a person who’s less intelligent than me if they cooperate.” Mack paused briefly and looked at Mark up and down. “Even if they don't know how to pull up their fly.” He continued in a disgusted tone. “Seriously Mark, you’re indecent.” He said before pushing past Mark and leaving.
Mark’s face flushed slightly from embarrassment. In all honesty, Mark wasn't enjoying the idea of going out into those woods either. It would just throw him off balance. But Mark trusted the Captain’s decisions, and if the Captain trusted the idea of making him and Mack go out there and face the unknown, then Mark trusted their decision.
Well, partially.