It's Only A Little Morbid

Posted on Fri Jul 13th, 2018 @ 1:52pm by Captain Remas McDonald

1,184 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: S1:3: Myriad Problems
Location: Captains Ready Room
Timeline: MD 1 12.00

"Usually I'd like to think a little more pomp and circumstance goes into these sort of things, but we're fast running out of both at the moment," Remas said with as much of a cheery air as he could manage. He held out the data PADD on which had been scratched out in brief, flavourless text, a new set of orders in the formal language of the Starfleet.

Lots of 'you are commanded' and 'by your oath sworn to uphold'. Clearly, the writers of the legalese script for the Federation was the last hold out for the Romantics of the world. But no hint of honour, no demands upon the spirit of the service.

"By the power invested in me by folks who can't do much to stop me from saying as I please, I request and require you to step forward and accept the promotion from Science Officer to Chief Science Officer. It is, alas, more administration than experimentation, but of our surviving scientific contingent you're résumé stood out."

The Vulcan Lieutenant nodded, hands clasped behind her back as she listened to the Traveller's Commanding Officer talk about her promotion. As he held out the PADD with the formalized text of the appointment she reached for it, uncoupling her hands behind her and grasping it with her left. Nodding in affirmation she said only, "I am the logical choice."

It was meant to be humble, as much as a Vulcan could ever be humble. However of the current scientific staff aboard the ship she had both the most experience as a scientist and as an officer in Starfleet. Glancing at the PADD she now held she quickly scanned through the text to see if there was anything that was unanticipated. There was not. Some flowery text that races like humans seemed to like to use in formal documents. Vulcans, and T'raa herself, preferred much more direct and to the point.

"Indeed you are," Remas said with a chuckle, silently not reciting the names of the previous two CSO's. One would be on the ships roll of honour, the other had gone back into cryogenic freezing to await the next shift change. Something about the Clock Maker spores in the science lab making her edgy.

"As I recall from your service jacket, you were the Chief Science Officer for Utopia Planitia? I cannot say if that was a scientifically stimulating post, but I aim to please here," Remas said and gestured to a chair before his desk. "Would you like something to drink? Water? Tea?"

"No thank you, I am sufficiently hydrated," the Vulcan said, turning down the sociable offer of a refreshment. She did however sit, giving in on that point of informality in order to be more social. She folded her left leg over her right, and adjusted her uniform as she settled into the offered seat. He mentioned Utopia Planitia the ship building base on Earth's moon and her last assignment before the Traveller.

"While discovery was not a major feature of the posting it has unrivalled research facilities and allows for the time to run a multitude of experiments. From a pure research point-of-view that posting saw some of my most fruitful work. However as you suggest the Traveller offers more, variety, of experience," she said, conceding his point even if she did not agree with it fully. "That is assuming I do not die, as my predecessor did."

"Ah, now," Remas said, holding up a finger as he returned from the replicator alcove with a steaming cup of coffee in his hand. "Far be it from me to point out a simple scientific fact, but three points of data do not a sizeable statistic make. Lieutenant Tolkath, long may his ancestors recall his name and deeds, died by the hand of an automated weapons system. As for Dr Kuan, well she's currently undergoing the slow sleep of cryostasis."

He settled into his seat.

"But before she volunteered for her turn on the frost watch, she was proposing a few ideas to study the Clock Maker remanents more closely. A disposable lab space with a holo presence system we can tether to an asteroid and work on remotely from a holodeck without injury or fear," he said. "I for one think that's a capital idea, but you are the CSO now. You helm the science teams, and I am merely the driver of the bus. Messier 4 will not leave us without ample opportunities to indulge our curiosities."

Considering the idea of a remote laboratory, one removed from the ship and only accessible via Holodeck, T'raa nodded. "That is a logical suggestion," she said, adding, "and it would be illogical for me to turn it down. Vulcans are not worried about whose idea something is, only whether it is the most efficient course of action. We do not allow the ego to come before results."

This was, of course, not fully true. There were Vulcans for whom pride was a detriment, however aware of that as a potential failing T'raa knew to adjust. Confidence in her abilities were one thing, but that could be taken too far.

"Does Operations have an estimate on the distance from this remote lab we could be for it to function?" she asked, as it sounded like some of this work had already been done and there was no point in doubling back over ground that had already been covered by another department.

"Not yet. Depending on what sort of reaction the Clock Maker spores give us, it would not be wise to give them the means to signal for help. Shortwave radio, coms laser. At a range of less than 100 kilometers the time lag would not be noticable, but I would defer to your judgement." Remas stated.

The Vulcan nodded, calculating distances and signal lag in her head to confirm his supposition. Impressed that he was accurate she nodded, "I believe that will be sufficient."

"Do you have any other pertinent information for me Captain?" T'raa asked, "Otherwise I will attend to my duties."

Of course a Vulcan like T'raa would never admit to being nervous, but she was. It was a logical feeling, or so she would argue. The last few who filled this role had less than successful tenures as Chief Science Officers and she was not the first pick for the title. Still she was only capable of service as her training, ability and experience allowed. Dwelling on negative emotions was not a logical course of action. Better to inspire confidence, and trust that her best would serve her (and the ship) well.

"Then stand and attend to your duties," Remas smiled and held out a hand, "I look forward to unravelling some of the mysteries of Messier 4 through your insights Science Officer."

The Vulcan stood, adjusting her uniform as she rose from the chair. A curt nod towards the ship's CO and a simple "Yes sir." was all the confirmation that she gave.

Turning she briskly walked from the office, and headed down towards the labs that were now hers.

 

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