Dr Elune blinked, "Are you sure?"

Francis nodded, sighing with a faint smile, "Very. I need to return home... And you are getting along splendidly with Thomas. I should be able to... Subtly help out through that new system of yours, should the need arise."

Laura grinned as she patted the doctor on the back, "He has been dancing around with his words for years... He will manage this just fine. Just don't provoke anything in the month we are flying back, alright?"

Dr Elune started, turning around to look at Laura, "Us? I can't imagine you tearing yourself away from our fun little projects over here, even only temporarily."

Laura shrugged, "Well, I used Alex's shiny new pojection system... And found out the station isn't holding together as well as we have been led to beleive. With our key minds over here, and Alex no longer running the mechanics, who do you think is keeping the whole place from falling apart?"

"... Your skilled team of subordinates?"

Laura grinned, nodding, "Yes... But we had a small team, remember? They are barely holding together. I have spoken to Alex, and he is putting together a program to at least operate the drone efficiently... I will work on setting up the human element."

Dr Elune nodded, then paused, "He? You should know..."

Laura sighed, rubbing the back of her neck, "Hey, I do know... Just... I'm used to the old fashioned way. And besides, I can switch to calling Alex she, should the sitution change."

"... True." Smiling softly, Dr Elune shrugged, "As long as Alex is okay with it. Anyway, back on topic... Any other reason to visit?"

Leaning back, Laura looked at the doctor thoughtfully, "Yes, in fact. Since you and Ren are likely to be heading off to the inner havens... You are basically leaving the station behind. Likely for years. This is something that needs serious consideration."

Dr Elune froze, groaning, "... I had been trying not to think about that. The station is my home, after all..."

Laura smiled softly, "And it always will be. This doesn't need to be permanent... But someone needs to do the leading while we are away. I'm only going back to check up on things, then I'm returning to our merry band. So... We have a list of positions that need filling."

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Francis coughed, interjecting, "I would like to point out that not all of them are mandatory. The RnD department was always for you, Sam... We can have Judith fill that role, as well as Medicine. Hope, on the other hand... Laura, make sure someone suitable to our... Situation is selected for military, however ceremonial the title may be."

Luara nodded quietly, letting him continue, "Engineering is vital to the station, but you will know who is best for that... That only leaves the head of the station to be officially determined. Norman is filling that role for now, but for how long?"

Dr Elune shrugged, "He has a good head on his shouders, he has served as a good second in command so far. But, in terms of leading the station when we launch AHOR... That is a good question."

Laura hesitantly nudged the doctor, "Well, that depends. You will stillbe giving us our general direction... Just not, you know, in the thick of it. The station head was always about keeping things running more than what crazy scheme to follow, and even you left that mostly to Alex."

"... Who is now here."

"Exactly. I say leave Norman in charge... But we should decide on who is his second, since you are gone now."

Dr Elune groaned holding their head, "You have a month on a ship to help figure that out... And a month back, if need be. Besides, we should ask those at home, too."

Nodding, Francis and Laura stood up, glancing at each other, "We were thinking on leacing after HPS interviews ended... You should only have about a week or two left before you can start refusing them, right?"

The doctor nodded, "Yeah. The release of the specs made things die down really quick... So, two weeks at most until I am free again."

Laura hummed in thought, "That is plenty of time for the logisitics... We should ask Greg and Ren to help the beaurocratic parts. Oh, and a ship... I would borrow the shuttle, if it weren't for our mandatory passenger."

Dr Elune raised an eyebrow, then laughed, "Ah, right. A little bit of a problem, that. I am sure you will think of something." Getting up themself, the doctor sighed, "Now, if you will escuse me... I need to lie down."

Nodding in understanding, they each began to file out, going to attend to the remainder of the days activities... Alex walking to the doctor's room to help talk it over.