A Meeting of the Minds

Posted on 27 Aug 2014 @ 11:37am by Lieutenant Jacob Pendleton & Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

1,731 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Chief Research officer's office
Timeline: MD06 - 1900hrs

[ON]

Jacob took a look at the all the changes since he first came on the ship and also when he came back. Looking at all the names he wanted to make sure to meet the new additions. He pointed to a name on his PADD and said to himself, "I will start...there." He then grabbed a cold Orange Creme soda from the replicator and then tapped his Commbadge. "Doctor Idris, please report to the Chief Research Office if you would be so kind."

In the makeshift Archaeology lab, Oren startled, tilting the priceless Regulan artifact he was in the process of restoring. Managing to grab it at the last moment, he felt a small crack, undoing his work. He stared up at the ceiling, as if it was responsible for the startling voice. Placing the artifact back into its proper place, Oren tapped his commbadge with his wrist (his hands were covered in adhesive).

"Be right there. Give me..." He looked at his hands, speculating. "Fifteen minutes?" he asked, unsure.

"Acknowledged Doctor... and thank you." Jacob's deep voice came back over the Comm.

"Right," Oren just replied before cutting off the connection. As he later wiped the adhesive off his hands, feeling the solution sting a little, he wondered if he seemed short with the man on the commlink. Just because he was annoyed when he was working didn't mean he could take it out on someone as innocent as the Chief of Research. Especially the Chief of Research.

Making his way to the Lieutenant's office, Oren could swear his hands still felt sticky and knew that's how they'd probably feel for the rest of the day. Making a last ditch effort to look like he wasn't covered in small specs of glue, Oren finally decided there was nothing to be done and announced his presence by pressing the chime.

"Come in at your own risk..." Came the deep, but playful voice of Jacob from behind the door.

Smirking despite himself at what was said, Oren waited for the door to open and stepped inside only to stop at the sight of the Chief Research officer. He was over a foot taller than Oren twice as wide. The small blonde literally had to tilt his head up a little to make eye contact. His shock lasted only a second or two before he recovered and made it the rest of the way towards the officer, holding his hand out.

"Hello! I'm Oren Idris."

A giant blueprint of some kind adorned the wall, it appeared to be a transportation vehicle of some kind; it was massive in scope and design with many a finely detailed descriptions and notes pointing out ever kind of schemata imaginable. Jacob had been going over the blueprint and working on its contents when Oren had rang the chime. He turned to greet the man.

"A pleasure to meet you Doctor Idris," His massive hand enveloping the doctor's outstretched one, "Please have a seat and a drink from the replicator if you so desire one." Jacob grabbed his Orange Creme soda bottle and went to the nearby table to sit. "Are you finding everything on the ship to be what you expected?"

Going over to the replicator and getting himself a jumja tea, Oren inspected the blueprint. "Yes, everything is just fine. I've been inspecting some of the archaeological artifacts the previous Archaeologist put in storage. A couple of things have been damaged, so I'm doing my best to try to restore what I can," Oren explained, stirring his tea as he went back to take the offered seat.

Jacob nodded, "Excellent, excellent. It is good tto hear. I love when people take the initiative to get things done. So tell me something of your travels here. What brought you aboard our disconcerted side of the universe?"

"I'm afraid it's not a terribly exciting story," Oren admitted with a small shrug. "Before coming here, I was on J'naii, studying the gender-oriented subculture. They're very reclusive and I'm afraid I didn't get nearly as much information as I thought I would, but I enjoyed my time there. After it was over, I thought joining a Starfleet vessel would be a nice change of scenery," Oren explained before taking a sip of his tea.

"Most of my work has always been very independent, so I don't think lack of initiative will be a problem on my end. Team work is a little more difficult for me, I admit." Despite being known to not respond well to criticism, Oren knew very well where he was lacking and if there was one thing he wasn't good at, it was working closely with others on a scientific endeavor.

He often attributed it to the fact that a lot of people, especially those in the social sciences, considered themselves amateur anthropologists just because they've met more than ten different species and took a course in xenobiology. It never stopped annoying Oren when someone with no anthropological or archaeological expertise corrected him, as if spending fifty years in his field could be outweighed by someone saying how they had a friend of that particular species who would disagree.

"So anything exciting you are working on outside of this current mission we are on? What fascinates you? What projects would you like to see us work on when we are not on mission?" Jacob took a big swig of his drink as he waited for the response.

Oren took a moment to think about the questions. "Well, anthropology and archaeology are really broad fields and most of it is connected to planetside research," Oren admitted. Most of his work on his previous assignment on the Belgrade was reminiscent of museum work. "I've actually always been interested in community building, and the Galileo is, for all intents and purposes, a community. So, in my spare time, I would like to actually analyse Galileo's community, if that's alright with you." It wasn't something he'd planned but, having served on a Nova class before, he'd seen many peculiar societal quirks and phenomenon within the group, he was incredibly curious.

"Completely all right with me Oren." Jacob replied happily, "I would very fascinated with what you find.... we are a most interesting group I have to say." He took another swing of his drink that nearly emptied the bottle. "So, what questions or curiosities do you have of me? Or is there anything you want my assistance on? Or are there any requests for me to create a holodeck program for you?... I am a decent holo-programmer and have created some not too shabby programs for a few of the crew."

"You're a very intense person," Oren observed in lieu of an answer, looking up at the man intently.

Jacob chuckled, "Been a long time since I've heard that one Oren." He tossed his bottle into the trash from his seated position in his chair, with perfect aim "Yes!" He exclaimed as he hit the trashcan square in the middle. He turned back to Oren, "I am just a curious person who wants to help is all."

Oren smiled, sipping his tea. "Nothing wrong with that. I like that in people." He smiled. "What's your field?" he asked, hoping he wouldn't reply the same way Kohl had. It would be such a waste for a man this seemingly passionate and enthusiastic to be a just a 'career officer'.

Jacob looked at Oren, "My field? Science in general?" He chuckled, "Seriously though, it would be Xeno Culture, Xeno History, Xeno Archaeology are where my best talents lie." He got up and got himself another soda. "Nothing fascinates me more than culture and the way a people do the things they do."

Oren's smile widened. "I feel the same way. It's why I chose to devote my life to anthropology. Archaeology was a natural progression. I find communication between people of different cultures fascinating. How their background and their planet's history influences the way they regard one another."

"Indeed," Jacob replied happily, "We are very lucky that we get to visit new worlds and meet new peoples. I don't think I can get enough of that!" He took a drink of his soda. "Other than that, I love teaching and I love politics and music... but those are more hobbies than fields."

Oren nodded in understanding. "I've never been very interested in politics beyond what my field demanded. I've always enjoyed day to day things, family dynamics, gender, relationships, food," he trailed off.

"All good things Oren... all good things." He took a long drink of his soda, "Well my good Doctor, as you can see I was working on my current personal project of building the ultimate steam engine for a train I have been designing for the last year and a half. What do you think of it so far?" Jacob pointed to the massive blueprint.

Sipping his tea, Oren looked up at the large blueprint, taking in the complicated design. Suddenly feeling incredibly silly and more than a little dumb, he simply gave Pendleton his most charming 'I'm cute' smile and said, "It's pretty." It came out as more of a question than a statement. After it was out of his mouth, he felt very stupid. The man had worked on the blueprint for over a year and half and all he could say was 'It's pretty'? Ugh...I need to read more

Jacob arched his eyebrow, "Pretty? Complex, ornate, detailed or even archaic, but 'pretty'?" He cocked his head as he looked at the blueprint, "Elegant maybe... in a 19th century sort of way... but I don't believe 'pretty' to be a fair description...." He looked over at Oren again, "Still, I appreciate the sentiment. Anyway, do you have any other questions of me? Ask away."

Oren laughed, mostly at himself. "No, I think I've shared my expertise with you enough," he joked, finishing his tea and walking over to the replicator to get rid of it. Finished, he turned to the other man, smiling up at him.

"It was really nice for you to take time to check in with me," he admitted appreciatively. "I guess I will see you around. Good luck with your blueprint."


[OFF]


Lt. Jacob Pendleton
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

Oren Idris, Ph.D.
Archaeologist/Anthropologist
USS Galileo

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