Faisal Seif

Rhys had successfully avoided being dragged into a single organized activity thus far, and was quite proud of himself. Wandering about the outskirts of the camp, phone in hand, he pushed aside the entrance of the research tent in search of a place to sit down, and found Faisal instead. 

An eyebrow raised, he  watched the man struggle with what appeared to be dough, then cleared his throat.

Amiably, he asked, “The hell you doing?” 

Fais turned around to meet Rhys’ eyes, too preoccupied to be shocked by his entrance. “Wasting food supplies trying to make this recipe without yeast.” He grumbled, “I can hear my mother crying from here.” 

“You’re welcome.” Well, there was somebody who knew please and thank you. Everybody else was so harsh and hostile before Clayton even had the chance to prove them differently. Not that this one seemed less hostile, just a bit more polite.

“I’m a pharmacologist. And I would say everybody here isn’t looking too bad, maybe it’s something in the atmosphere here… But what do you do exactly?”

"I am sure it's coincidence, though I think the SAND mission focused on younger, able-bodied participants. If that is what you meant.".        Faisal paused, trying to decide if he really wanted to share any more information with the Clayton team member. The notes in his research tent, however, were under lock and key, perhaps a bit of conversation would be permitted. "I am an entomologist--currently taxonomist here. And... part time farm help, for now." 

“Maybe I will dig up a field? I mean it isn’t my job at all and I have far better things to do with my time but hey, these arms are not just decoration. I’m not just a handsome science geek.”

“I was going to ask if those were just for show. Well, thank you, I guess. So are you just here to look pretty, or did Clayton send you here for another reason? I have been encouraged not to talk to any of you, but call me curious.”

    [[ Faisal Seif ]]

Rhys snorted. He squinted up at the sky, pointing out a speck of light at random. “Ah, yes, here we see the noble Rhys star, mispronounced as Rice until the end of time.”

Faisal chuckled, though it was more because he knew he could hardly pronounce the man’s name himself. “Ah, but a complicated name is the first requirement for a star, so you are on track.” Without the light pollution common on earth, the stars above seemed endless. It was a little overwhelming, but beautiful all the same. Fais smirked, and pointed at a particularly bright one. “Okay, I will name that one... Esho. After my uncle’s cat. So that’s two down.” 

“I don’t know what their agenda is and I don’t trust them. I don’t want them snooping around the crops.” She was also worried they could steal the food her team would produce. “See, it’s a win win scenario. You brainy people need to get your hands dirty sometimes. And if you want to eat, you have to help.” She frowned as he started talking about things she did not quite understand. “Lumbricinae ?” 

He couldn’t argue with that logic, or that fact that it would take every single one of the SAND team members to help create a livable environment-- food, shelter and all. “Mm. I understand. Well, consider me your newest farm hand. I am sure I have much to learn when it comes to...everything.” As much as he hated to admit it, his research would have to come second - at least until they began producing results.  The look on her face was familiar, and he quickly jumped to correct himself, “Lumbricidae. Oh, english! uh--Worms. Sorry. I forget that It is easier to use the scientific name in my notes, not in conversation.”

“We’re not gonna dig up anything for them. As far as I can tell, each of them has a set of perfectly fine working hands.”

“We’re not going to let them die, but we’re not going to make it easy for them, either, right?”

“Perfectly fine hands they could be using to dig for us, maybe?”

Having spotted the beam of light on the way into one of the research tents Aella made sure to check the area she had been watching before moving to investigate. She couldn’t leave her spot without knowing it was safe for the moment but once she did it was off to the tent to make sure it wasn’t someone checking things out who wasn’t meant to be. Just about to enter the tent she had chosen to keep her own flashlight off to not alert the other person.

Which explained why the body slammed into hers as the person exited the tent. “Faisal,” Aella hissed in irritation as the light blinded her and she heard his voice. “It’s my job to watch over the camp. What are you doing up,” she countered as she reached out and forcefully moved his flashlight out of her eyes. “Blinding a soldier and not alerting them of your intentions. You’re lucky I didn’t hurt you. You’re lucky I’d know your voice anywhere actually.”

“Oh. Aella!” He dropped his hand the moment she grabbed the flashlight, too embarrassed to apologize in that moment. Of course, it made perfect sense for Aella to still be on patrol. Had Fais thought for longer than it took for him to leave the tent he might have realized that she and the other soldiers were still on guard - and vigilant.

“Ah--that is, a really good question. I... I guess I just wanted to make sure everything was in order. And where I had left it.” He gave her a knowing, sheepish look. “I do not like to make waves. I just... Having the others here, it’s a little unnerving. I have highly fragile specimens, even a good-intentioned accident could ruin years of hard work. It makes me ill to think of that possibility.”

“Alright let’s see it then. Proof or I can’t believe you.”

“...Now that I am actually looking at it, it looks more like a frown than a scar.”

Faisal crawled from the cramped tent, hopefully noiselessly, with a flashlight tucked under his armpit. As he straightened himself out, the scientist began to make his short trek to his mini research tent of sorts. Inside were personal field notes, case studies from earth and the very beginnings of a new classification system for the insects he planned to discover. Nothing had been touched, naturally, but it felt good to check all the same. Once he had double checked everything, even those under lock and key, he left.

On his way out, however, Faisal ran right into another. After he shook off the initial impact shock, followed by a flurry of arabic mutterings, he stumbled a step back and shined the flashlight in the person’s face. “Ahha--What are you doing up?! It is far too late to be wandering around in the dark!”

“Nope. I won’t let those people anywhere near our fields. So it looks like you’re stuck with giving a hand from time to time.”

“You don’t think they would try to sabotage our mission... do you?”

“Why? You think we are too weak to dig our own fields? How elaborated are your prejudices against us, seriously?”

“....Why, yes. That is exactly what I meant. Maybe you should prove me wrong and dig up a field, that would really teach me a lesson.”

“Suppose that would make a difference, if I had been able to do that on Earth. But good point, now that you mention it. We no longer share sky with the ancients, or any point in human civilization except this one.”

“I suppose you are right. It certainly makes it feel a little lonelier out here.”