Their heads in the Stars
Posted on Thu Jul 4th, 2019 @ 1:32pm by Lieutenant Commander Vaebn tr'Hwersuil
Edited on on Thu Jul 4th, 2019 @ 2:15pm
1,445 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: CSO Office/ Science Labs
Timeline: MD002 0930 hrs
Ameri stood in front of the mirror and looked at herself once more. She had a meeting with Lieutenant tr’Hwersuil this morning and she wanted to look her best. It had been a long time since she had served, having taken time off for Enya but she was more than ready to serve again.
Quinn was long gone, she was concerned about him. There were shadows in his eyes and she wanted to ask but she respected his position on the ship and knew there were things he could not talk about. Heading out of their quarters, she headed to the science department and buzzed at the lieutenant’s office.
Vaebn sat back in his chair staring at the box. He hated that thing and everything in it, but he used it again. Only for dire circumstances, and best used for the greater good. This time, it worked for just that, without the neural interface that caused him so much pain all those years ago, so perhaps his disdain was misplaced; but still, these were tools best left forgotten. He slid the box against the wall and pulled up the personnel file of his new Assistant Chief and, again, skimmed through her records. She may be the XO's wife, but that mattered little in Vaebn's world. Here, she was a scientist, and by those merits and flaws would Vaebn render his judgement.
Stellar Cartography. Her specialty rang out to his mind. Someone who would revel in the Astrometrics lab, and a colleague who might join him in exploring the macro expanses of the universe.
His mind churned and was abruptly halted as the chime sang out into the office. He glanced over to the door and spoke.
"Enter."
Ameri entered his office and walked over in front of his desk. “Lieutenant JG O’Flannigan reporting, Sir.”
Vaebn stood as she entered, "Welcome Lieutenant. Please, have a seat. And you may take your ease. In this office, I don't mind keeping things a bit more, informal." He indicated a chair in front of his desk as he sat back down.
Ameri sat down and smiled. “I am looking forward to working with you.” She said a bit nervous. She had read his file and was impressed by the Chief.
Vaebn leaned forward and placed his elbows on the desk and looked at her curiously, "So Lieutenant, beyond the obvious of being assigned to the science department by the Captain, and ignoring that your husband is the First Officer, which I doubt had anything to do with why you are sitting here; why do YOU want to work for me and this department? " He leaned back and crossed his arms over his chest, "I've read your file, and your experience speaks for itself, but you've been on leave for a while, and I would like to know you and your own reasons. And please, speak candidly."
“I took leave to raise our daughter,” Ameri explained. “Neither I or my husband wanted her to spend time with a nanny but to have one of her parents at home.” She explained. “Ever since I was very young and sat out staring at the stars in the sky, I have wanted to explore. Being a part of science is not a job for me it is a passion. Even though I took those years off, which I do not regret, not a day passed where I didn’t feel the pull to be back to work. Finally, I knew I had to get back to work. Why this department? Because we are here to study the science end of things. We get to study new species and ways of life, scan planets and research their differences. I ckan’t think of anywhere on this ship I would even consider being than right here.”
"Admirable reasons, all of them. The passion of exploration and knowing the stars is something well know to me as well. Unfortunately, the Empire only put exploration on the docket when the needs were vital to the survival of the Empire, such as finding minerals or other goods. I have found that here in Starfleet we place a great emphasis on exploring the unknown just because it is there." Vaebn said as he shifted in the seat and relaxed his arms. "And family...... family should always take precedence over everything else. Romulans have great pride in family. Almost to obsession, but it has always been that way." A wry smile crossed his face. "I am glad you have chosen to return to Starfleet here on the Pioneer, and look forward to working with you. Now, shall we get to what we really want to do? Perhaps a tour of my favorite place on the ship? It might help as I foresee you working there quite often."
Ameri’s eyes lit with excitement. “Oh yes!” She smiled. “I would love that!” She was back, she really was and had a boss who understood her reason for taking leave.
"Then please follow me Lieutentant." The two fell into step together as they departed the office and headed for the nearest turbolift. "It's only one deck down, although I wish I could add a direct ladder from the labs to Astrometrics. Or maybe I can convince Engineering to add a pair of offices down there for us. I spend more time in Astrometrics and the bridge than anywhere else."
“I like the idea of having offices there,” Ameri replies. “Like you, I will spend little time anywhere else.” She smiled, thinking things were turning out so well. She had been so nervous before she met him her mind had ran so many scenarios. “Maybe If you listed the benefits to having them, Engineering would be more willing.” She had almost suggested speaking with Quinn but she had decided before she even met the science chief to leave her marriage at home. He wasn’t her husband when she was on duty, he was the executive officer.
"An excellent suggestion." Vaebn replied. "I know the work crews have their hands full right now, but perhaps we could add it to the list of... repairs, as opposed to requesting a refit." They stepped into the turbolift, "Astrometrics." Vaebn instructed the lift, "So Lieutenant, are you familiar with the astrometrics set-up on the Pioneer?"
“I am not,” Ameri confesses. “With all that happened I was thrown into filling in on the bridge and had my hands full. Please, tell me!”
"The lab on the Pioneer is based off the designs from the USS Voyager, and incorporates Borg technology as well as state of the art systems from Starfleet. The lab has a direct subspace link to Starfleet Stellar Cartography and updates in real-time, except in cases of severe distortion like the Bassan Rift or the Badlands." The turbolift slowed to a halt and the doors opened. Vaebn gestured to the door to allow the Lieutenant to exit first. " The main display incorporates holographic projectors throughout the room to create a full 3 dimensional map. Thanks to the Borg technology infused in the system, it magnifies our sensor accuracy and capabilities, allowing us to observe and collect data from millions of stellar bodies as a time." They approached the doors to the lab. "After you Lieutenant."
Ameri walked in an was immediately overwhelmed. She spun around in a circle and kept looking. “This is...this is Ican’t describe it, it is...” she smiled widely. “We definitely have to have offices here!”
"So if you miss a meeting or start of shift I should look here first?"
Ameri smiled, still in awe. “What? Oh yes! I will definitely be here!” She looked over at him. “I am kind of crazy about being on time.”
"Then I guess I'll have to write up a request order to renovate some space for our offices. I think the rest of the science team can manage upstairs without us. And considering how much work the ship requires, it shouldn't be too hard to make the suggestion a reality." Vaebn said slyly as he glanced about the room, possibilities filling his head.
“It is a scientists dream,” she smiled widely. “If you need my assistance convincing them let me know and I will do what I can.”
He chuckled a bit to himself, "Of that I have little doubt."
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Junior Grade Ameri Ó Flannagáin
Assistant Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Vaebn tr'Hwersuil
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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