The date is 4/16 in the year 31014.

I awoke to A.N.IM.US alerting me of a small power inconsistency in booster 7-b. I sent Graham to inspect. He reports an object bumping into the control panel caused the inconsistency. Due to the lower gravity in the cockpit, there should be no free-floating objects near the sensitive equipment. Investigating gave me the opportunity to speak with pilot Minali.

Entering the cockpit, I find Minali’s tendrils freely floating throughout the space. Minali is from an aquatic planet and my closest approximations lead me to compare her to a jellyfish. Her head has a squid-like hat with lots of colorful markings that change colors when startled or upset. Long tentacles drift from her hat that are long enough to reach any area of the wide cockpit. She greets me as I enter. Minali and I have had the most time to interact. As captain, it was up to me to manage and supervise her skill during launch.

I asked her about the control panel. Minali plays with her tentacles when she speaks. Winding them around her blue fingers as she hums. Eventually, she theorizes perhaps it was something left in the cockpit by another crew member. Minali moved her tendrils around me as I approached the control panel. It is unsettling. I inspected the control panel. Looking for a hint of what could have hit it. I didn’t expect to see any damage or necessary repair, as Graham already inspected it.

Probing Minali further reveals that Dr. Mariana has been inside the cockpit recently. Minali is only too happy to speak ill of the chemist. I suspect when I speak to Dr. Mariana, she will return the favor. I remind Minali to remain cordial with the crew. Her marks turn a deep blue and her full lips pout. She resembles a child. Which makes me the parent. An unfortunate position as I don’t appreciate reprimanding her.

I move on in my investigation to the lab. Which is much warmer than the rest of the ship. Warm enough, I shed my coat upon entering. Dr. Mariana is in a temper. Her usually rose pink fins and scales are flushed red. I remind her that shoes are required when on the floor. Her fins become crimson red. Many of her laboratory items are floating about.

She has become coordinated enough that her tail whips out to push things she needs back within reach. She is being very aggressive. I ask what’s bothering her. I was not prepared for Dr. Mariana to yell. Dr. Mariana has revealed she had no interest in space travel or this mission. This is surprising, but Dr. Blackwell also is not excited about this mission either.

I pulled up a chair and let Dr. Mariana vent. She has revealed that she needs three glowing recommendations as an onboard chemist to further her career and education as a physician. Dr. Mariana has expressed she is home-sick, and the air is too dry for her liking. I have made the necessary accommodations to humidify the air in the lab.

A.N.IM.US is not pleased about this change but understands the necessity.

I assist Dr. Mariana with some of her studies. She is concerned Dr. Blackwell will fail her. While testing her on internal bleeding, I ask about the control panel. Dr. Mariana has given me permission to refer to her informally. But she did not bump the panel nor bring anything into the cockpit.

Dr. Katida (though informal permission was given, I notice her excitement at being addressed as doctor.) said that she entered the cockpit to request the gravity adjusted. She holds her tongue from speaking ill of Minali. I request she bear with the gravity for now. Dr. Katida will compromise with me. I also request that she try to avoid Minali for the time being. Dr. Katida is all too happy to comply.

Once Dr. Katida felt adequately prepared for Dr. Blackwell, I left to continue my investigation. In passing, I ask Graham if there was any clue to what could have bumped the panel. He has no clues.

I enter the Captain’s room and request A.N.IM.US through a holograph point. A.N.IM.US appears with no shape. It is a cloud with a vaguely bipedal shape and glowing eyes. I ask it about the security footage. A.N.IM.US retrieved them on the monitors. We watch it at speed. Most of what we see is just Minali and her tentacles moving about. Entering and leaving. Getting up and stretching. Nothing odd to report. Dr. Blackwell entered the cockpit briefly.

Before leaving to speak with Dr. Blackwell, I ask A.N.IM.US what being an AI is like. A.N.IM.US didn’t know how to answer the question. It tells me that retirement is uncomfortable, and that it is fond of Minali. I made a note to investigate AI retirement. Expressing my approval of A.N.IM.US’ fondness for our pilot, I release A.N.IM.US and it returns to the ship’s wireless ports.

I met Dr. Blackwell in the medical bay. They are nearly twice my height. If I am to be honest, I don’t care for Dr. Blackwell. An example of the reason occurred as I entered the medical bay. Dr. Blackwell ignored my presence entirely. I ask after the panel and again am ignored. I don’t like pulling rank and refrain from doing so. Trying to appeal to better nature by asking once again. Rationalizing that if the boosters aren’t fully operational when collecting data, there could be a need for an emergency landing. An emergency landing in an abandoned system could be trouble.

Dr. Blackwell finally acknowledges me. They say it’s a non-issue and I’m just scrambling for things to do because I am redundant. Every member of the crew serves a purpose. I argue this includes me, but Dr. Blackwell refutes this by saying this mission is too basic for the need of a crew at all. By volunteering for this mission, which could easily be done by research pilot-less ships, I am directly responsible for any mishaps upon the ship.

I am too irritated to continue the conversation. The investigation is being closed. Cause? Coincidental misadventure.