Chief Science Officer's Log 1

Posted on 23 Oct 2012 @ 5:24am by
Edited on 23 Oct 2012 @ 5:27am

784 words; about a 4 minute read

Chief Science Officer's Log, Stardate 66708.41,

After a long day's travel, I have finally arrived at my new posting, the USS Galileo. I must admit that I am rather disappointed that my research has, at least for the time being, been put on hold. I was looking forward to sinking my teeth into the documents I had requisitioned from the Vulcan Archives. I suppose I shouldn't write myself off just yet; until I see what my standard workload will be, I really can't say for sure whether I'll have time for personal research.

What I can say that I am angry with, without any doubt at all, is how Starfleet handled my transfer. Nobody told me anything until I returned to Earth a day early from the conference. Instead of going home straight to bed like I should have, the shuttle from Vulcan wasn't exactly the best sleep I'd ever had, I went to my office at Starfleet Academy. My department head met me there (he caught me sleeping at my desk, actually) to tell me that I had new orders effective immediately. I was planning on finishing the school year before seeking out a new ship - I knew that I wouldn't be returning to the Crane. Too bad, I guess. The Galileo needed the "best", he said. I am absolutely certain that he was being dramatic; a survey ship doesn't seek out a troubled palaeontologist or archaeologist for its science chief. I am no idiot, but I am no genius, either. I am an expert in my field, but I don't see its broad relevance to what they'll have me doing here.

Right, what I'm mad about. They sent me here, telling me that it was imperative that I arrive as soon as possible. The shuttle from Earth wasn't even a charter - it was, essentially, a schoolbus of ops students coincidentally on their way here to Vega. I was a hitchhiker for goodness sake. And, I didn't sleep on that several hour trip, either. When I arrived, I knew the ship had been damaged, but I had no idea to what extent; the Galileo took quite the beating. Apparently it won't be taking off again for at least a week or two, so I don't know what they wanted me here for so quickly.

The captain is nice. I reported in right away. I think I will get along quite well with her, although I was nervous when she started prodding into my reprimands. I suppose she was only doing her job; she seemed to give me the benefit of the doubt, and I can only hope that the executive officer will do the same. I thought it was really kind of her to offer me a place in her quarters tonight, until I get my quarters sorted out tomorrow. I'm still thinking about it, but the last thing I want to do is burden my captain on my first day. Whatever she has in mind for me to sleep on, it is probably infinitely more comfortable than this office sofa that I'm laying on. I don't even have a blanket.

I also met my assistant chief this evening, about an hour or two ago. After she left, I must have fallen asleep. Her name is Ensign Kiri Cho and she's literally right out of the Academy. I feel like I might have taught her at one point a few years ago, but I'm not entirely sure. I'll check into it tomorrow. Anyway, she's really nervous. I couldn't tell if I was the one making her so anxious or if she's just an incredibly reserved person, honestly. Apparently she's been heading the department and overseeing the repairs, though, so I'm allowing her to continue in her role of supervising the repairs. I think it would be a terrible idea to switch out the person with the most experience in the middle of an important job. Plus, it will give her some genuine leadership skills and hopefully more confidence in herself.

Tomorrow, Ensign Cho's giving me a full report at noon and we're having a department meeting with all the section heads at fifteen hundred. I'm looking forward to it. I've also got to get my quarters and new commbadge, as well as my dreaded physical, in the morning. I just know that there is absolutely no way I'm spending another night on this sofa. As much as I don't want to burden Captain Saalm, I'm really starting to lean toward accepting her offer.

Tomorrow is a busy day. I need to try to get a good night's rest.

End log.

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