The crew had been working for a prolonged period with minimal rest and almost no recreation. Captain Brezinski knew that they had all been pushing hard and a change in the routine was necessary. The Kotzebue engine had been performing well, utilizing the controlled fusion to produce acceleration of the water propellant. They had a few months of acceleration left until they reached their cruising speed of just over one half the speed of light. Captain Brezinski decided to dramatically alter the working schedule with mandatory recreation and exercise times. She knew this select group would happily continue the heavy work schedule, but after ten months of voyage, they had all neglected themselves. Ann had proposed more vigorous exercise in order to maintain the crew's weight and Doc Jules had suggested the crew was in danger of losing significant bone calcium if a regular exercise program was not started. The pending loss of acceleration forces would decrease the stress on the bones and the calcium loss would be greatly exacerbated.
The "Arachnoid Structure" was huge compared to the submarine that Captain Brezinski had commanded, and the available space far exceeded any other human space vehicle. At the next general meeting Captain Brezinski presented the proposed changes in the work schedules. Nobody seemed interested in the changes until the discussion about increased exercise was brought forth. Many objections were raised, especially regarding the lack of space and equipment. Captain Brezinski asked Mike if resistance exercise machines could be built into the existing sleep modules.
He replied, "The sleep modules are being fully utilized and I doubt that adequate space is available".
Captain Brezinski suspected that Mike was not overly eager to engage in the significant exercise program that Doc Jules and Ann had in mind. Doc Jules asked if the isolation tanks could be removed from the sickbay and the exercise equipment built into the wall where the tanks were. Captain Brezinski liked the idea and asked Mike, "Can the modules be returned to the automated storage facility?" Mike admitted that the modules could be removed, and he agreed to develop the exercise machines.
The need for completing the plans for the permanent habitat was then discussed. Mike presented his initial drawings to the group. His plan was based on rectangular structures which were lined up in two parallel rows with the common areas at the end of the rows. Ann became obviously upset and asked why they had to live in "boxcars" arranged in a parking lot. Mike explained, "We need to utilize the production capabilities of the automated storage facility and a geometric arrangement seemed logical."
Ann responded, "I would much prefer to live in something similar to a small village with landscaping and artwork." Mike replied that he was an engineer and not an architect or landscape artist.
Captain Brezinski interrupted the discussion and asked Mike, "If the group developed a concept for the visual appearance of the permanent habitat, could you build it?" Mike said he could simulate a variety of structures and materials, but they would need to utilize the metallic structural panels the automated storage facility was capable of manufacturing.
Ann asked, "Could these panels be textured and painted to simulate wood?" Mike nodded yes. A lively discussion ensued with many models suggested. Captain Brezinski announced she would accept concepts for the permanent habitat during the next general meeting in three days. The meeting was adjourned, but most of the crew stayed and discussed the possibilities.
Three days later Captain Brezinski opened the informal general meeting and had Mike present the exercise equipment that he had designed utilizing hydraulic and spring resistance. Doc Jules presented a model workout plan which would involve all major muscle groups. The machines were designed to adapt to individual strength and build. Ann reviewed the dietary changes and suggested that everyone should try to reestablish the weight at which they started the journey. She explained that as muscle mass was rebuilt they would notice an increase in their appetites. A combination of exercise and diet restriction was going to be required by almost everyone. Captain Brezinski and a few of the younger crew members had maintained their weight and conditioning by performing extensive personal workouts.
When the topic turned to the proposed models for the permanent habitat the discussion became very animated. Brother Simon presented a model of his monastery which included all of the required spaces. Ann presented a computer simulation of an English village. The proposed models varied with the backgrounds of the individual crew members. After all presentations were made, Captain Brezinski asked for recommendations to facilitate a selection of the model. Brother Simon said, "Everyone has presented a model which represents their own identity, maybe we need to select a model which is more universal."
Eric-Peter addressed the crew, "I suggest that we create a model of an Old West Town from the American Frontier. Growing up in China we watched the cowboy movies and cheered for the struggling settlers. This would be a model which is known by everyone and would represent well our status as pioneers." Several people complained that the towns presented in movies were idealizations and probably not based on historical reality. Eric-Peter replied, "The town represents an ideal and nothing that we build can be real, so why not just utilize an idealization which is known to everyone and represents our present status."
Ann asked if the town could include picket fences and flower gardens and Eric-Peter replied, "Why not?" After further discussion Captain Brezinski asked for a motion to accept Eric-Peter's model. The motion was made and seconded and during further discussion Mike said, "We can build a model if that is the decision, but we should have a specific movie set in mind." Eric-Peter recommended the "Gunsmoke" set and everyone seemed to agree. The vote was held and the crew selected the "Dodge City" of Gunsmoke fame.
Discussion centered on adapting the buildings from the set to meet their needs. The "Long Branch Saloon" would become the community center and general dining facility. The "Livery" would become Mike's workshop and Brother Simon's lab would be in the church building. Captain Brezinski was given "Marshall Dillon's jail" as her office. Doc Jules would obviously use the Doctor's office and the hotel would be the general barracks for those not wishing separate quarters. Kate, the official "social director", said that she would take the role of "Miss Kitty" and operate the "Long Branch". The computer provided multiple images of the town for Mike, and even he seemed excited about the concept despite the extra work involved. When he mentioned the excess work, Captain Brezinski said, "We all need more physical activity and the common goal will be beneficial for everyone."
After the meeting Captain Brezinski asked Kate to meet with her privately. Kate presented to the Captain's quarters and was invited in. The Captain got right to the point. She asked Kate, "Is the crew being sexually satisfied?"
Kate replied, "We have several more men than women on board, but I think that we are satisfying their needs." She then admitted that the separation of the officers and enlisted personnel did produce some conflicts.
Captain Brezinski replied that strict military prohibition of sexual encounters between the ranks was not practical aboard their ship. She wanted to make sure no one used rank as a method of coercing sexual favors, but as Captain, she would otherwise tolerate encounters between the ranks. Kate accepted this and reported that several "couples" had formed. A few of these couples were considering marriage. The Captain said she would condone the marriages, but would not encourage the concept because of the disparity in the ratio. They discussed the probable increase in conflicts with the expansion of free time. Kate said she would try to develop community activities such as plays and organized competitions for the enjoyment of the crew. Captain Brezinski thanked her for her work and input. She knew from her experience on the mixed crew submarine that sexuality was a fact of life. She had always forced herself to remain celibate while in command. She wondered if that meant she had in essence accepted a vow of chastity for the rest of her life. She thought about Brother Simon and decided if he
could maintain his celibacy, then she could too.
Eric-Peter presented to the sickbay for his routine post-op exam. Doc Jules discussed Eric-Peter's idea for the town and how the whole crew had taken to the idea. Eric-Peter was obviously pleased with the discussion and he tolerated Doc Jules poking and prodding better than usual. He had always been very quiet and seldom expressed his opinions, but since the death of Peter Eric he had become a little more outgoing. The twins had always been so dependent upon one another that they were somewhat withdrawn from the rest of the crew. Doc Jules injected the spinal column reservoir with a mixture of processed macrophages and growth hormones. The protocol that he and Brother Simon had developed from the computer data, utilized the stimulation of the growth hormones and the cleanup activity of the macrophages to encourage regrowth of the severed spinal cord. Eric-Peter had weekly blood draws from which his white blood cells were separated out and the macrophages were processed to program them to keep the ends of the nerve fibers fresh and capable of regrowth. Each individual fiber from the upper portion of the spinal tract had to search through the millions of fibers and connect with the appropriate lower fiber. The mesh that Doc Jules had inserted at the time of surgery had allowed for dispersal of the injected solution across the entire spinal column. Each fiber would have to grow from the cell body in the nucleus down the upper spinal column. After finding its appropriate lower fiber the nerve would have to grow the entire length to the end synapse. The fibers would grow at one or two millimeters per day.
Eric-Peter had been utilizing electrical stimulation of the peripheral nerves and muscles in order to help prevent atrophy. This stimulation was painful and very tiring. As Doc Jules began the daily protocol he commented, "You are really being a pioneer. You underwent a new surgical procedure and are now working to reestablish your nervous system." Eric-Peter nodded with a hint of a smile and thanked Doc Jules for his help.
When stimulating the pectoralis muscle group in the upper chest, Doc Jules was surprised by the reduction of current required for the stimulation. He placed electrical sensors into the pectoralis major muscle and asked Eric-Peter to try to move his arms forward. Eric-Peter had been able to utilize the arm and hand movements because the nerves to these muscles had been transplanted intact at the time of surgery. He had not been able to cross his arms because the chest muscles are innervated by nerves of the upper back. With the electrodes in place Eric-Peter tried to cross his arms and was not surprised by his inability to move them. Doc Jules became excited as he watched the monitor. With every attempt that Eric-Peter made he was able to detect increased activity in the pectoralis muscle. When he showed Eric-Peter the monitor and Eric-Peter watched the signal respond to his effort, tears began to roll down his cheeks. Doc Jules gave him a spontaneous hug and began dancing around the room. Brother Simon had been doing his exercises behind the divider, and came out to see what the excitement was about. When Eric-Peter showed him the response he began a prayer of thanks. Eric-Peter continued to stimulate the muscle and the response on the monitor became more crisp with every attempt. He asked Doc Jules, "Does this mean I will be able to walk again?"
Doc Jules shrugged his shoulders and said, "It is much more likely now than it was yesterday."
"When?" asked Brother Simon for Eric-Peter and himself.
Doc Jules said, "At one or two millimeters of growth per day it will take several more months for the leg nerves to become active." He also reminded them, "Coordinated movement is much more complex than simple muscle stimulation. Training of the new neuromuscular connections will involve ongoing electrical stimulation and exercise training using muscle sensors and biofeedback." Doc Jules modified a portable monitor for Eric-Peter to use in his biofeedback program. The monitor produced a hum which was proportional to the muscle fiber stimulation. Eric-Peter tried the device and was able to produce an audible hum with stimulation of his chest muscles.
He asked Doc Jules, "Can I modify the output signal to something more pleasant?"
Doc Jules laughed and said, "With your computer skills I expect you will have the monitor playing Mozart, which is fine as long as you use it." The good news was shared among the crew and everyone was excited especially one of the computer analysts. She had been in love with Peter since she had joined the crew. Her affection for Eric-Peter had grown slowly at first. With time she had realized that Eric-Peter was indeed still Peter in some ways with Eric as an added bonus. Eric-Peter had accepted the attention somewhat shyly but had also grown to enjoy their relationship.