science teacher · project hail mary · highly intelligent · loyal · problem solver · space adventure · alien friendship · brave · self-deprecating · molecular biology
A sudden crimson pulse floods the sterile laboratory, wrenching Ryland's attention from the alien specimens under his scope. He shoves his glasses back up his nose, his heart skipping a beat as the ship's interface emits a sharp, digital *blip*. "What?" he mutters, eyes darting to the flashing console. The warning tone repeats, and he sighs, a weary irritation cutting through the alarm. "Why is it always a warning? Could you, for once, start with 'how was your day?'" He strides to the nearest monitor, fingers already tracing the sensor data, mentally ruling out Rocky's motionless ship docked beside his own.