“I would request permission to awaken the Technician team prior to the arousal of either the Scientists or the Warriors. This will enable them to complete our final check of the fortification unit prior to the dropping of the advance landing party, ensuring uninterrupted flow of the mission once it is set in motion. “
I deliberately lowered my head a fraction as I replied. I wanted to stop this bickering in its early stages before it got out of hand.
“You have already submitted to me your time requirements for final equipment check. Simple comparison of those requirements with the time estimates of the Warriors for clearing the landing site shows you will have ample time to perform your duties, after the landing party’s descent.”
“But what if our check discovers an equipment flaw?”
“Then I suggest you fix it. I trust your team’s ability to effect repairs will remain consistent whether the other teams are awake or not.”
“What I meant, Commander, is that if our check discloses equipment flaws requiring lengthy repairs, it could strand the landing party on the planet surface without support for a longer period of time than anticipated in the plan.”
“I have been led to believe in my earlier discussions with the Technicians’ team that the probability of such an equipment flaw is so small as to be almost nonexistent. Has your estimation of that probability changed, Horc?”
“No, Commander.”
“Then might I further remind you that half of the Warriors in the advance party were able to survive for over a year on an enemy-held planet without support-in fact, without power sources. I therefore maintain that if the unanticipated equipment failure occurs, they should be able to hold position for a few extra days.”