Candid Bio Trivia At Work

20260702

Prompt from Eiiri’s Prompt Foundry, “Pride 2 Disability Boogaloo”.

“Just give me a moment…” Jacob’s fingers flew over the touchscreen, unerringly navigating the IGEX form with the ease of practice. “Hm!”
He reached out to touch the other screen, checking against the docking slip. “Aha, I believe I’ve found the problem. We have you down as having come from the RPN24 sector, but your navigator put DDR5-b as your origin.”
The cassak captain let out a guttural noise which the translation software interpreted as a chagrined “Ah”.
“Did you have an unscheduled holdover, or…?”
“We were forced to dock to avoid a solar flare.” The translator relayed. “Naturally no cargo was transferred. I assume you’ll need to see a full system log for the cargo bay to confirm?”
“That, or a transfer record of the bay you were in. And I’m afraid the quarantine period may be different.”
“Understood. I will forward the system log to your terminal. Would including the personnel log for the holdover be useful? For the quarantine measures.”
Jacob nodded approvingly. “Yes, if you can prove that there was no contact during the holdover we can use the standard quarantine measures for RPN24.”
“A moment.”
Silence. Had they muted? Jacob subtly felt the corner of his screen, and sure enough the icon was raised. Fair enough. Did that mean he had long enough to get some other work done? Well, before he started checking for other tickets he should finish reviewing these forms…
He was just finishing up when a soft chime indicated incoming files - and the translation software announced “I have sent you the logs.”
“Thank you, captain.” Jacob brushed his fingertip along the bottom of the screen and tapped the “files” icon. “Pending”… aha, as promised, two log files. “Just let me run a check and we should be able to sort out your docking permissions.”
“My thanks.”
A pause, as Jacob opened the first file and began running his fingers along the braille the screen produced for him. Then the translator relayed “I hope it is not impolite to say this, but I thought humans have eyes?”
Jacob mildly said “By default, yes.”
A deep burble which the translator interpreted as an expression of profound embarrassment, followed by “I am so sorry. I forgot your species cannot regenerate organs. That was so insensitive of me.”
“Oh, it’s fine.” Jacob assured them kindly. “That wouldn’t have mattered in my case. I was born like this.”
The translator relayed “My tongue burns with shame (idiom)”.
Jacob paused, suddenly curious, and said “Well, if we’re doing candid bio trivia… do you know what happens to a species which can regenerate organs, if you’re born blind and have surgery to gain sight?”
“I fear I have no idea. Deepest apologies.”
“Fair enough. I just wondered if it’s less faff and risk for you, or if your body’s natural healing would get in the way.”
“My medical training is limited.”
Jacob shrugged. “Don’t trouble yourself over it, then.”
“I cast no aspersions on your professional skill. You have been most helpful.”
“Why thank you. And don’t worry, I took no offence.”
“Deepest gratitude for your forbearance.”
“It’s fine, really.” Jacob said patiently. “If it were a problem for me I’d look into implants, but as you say, it doesn’t get in the way particularly. So why bother? Now, let’s get your docking sorted out.”

Prompt was “Growing up disabled”.