An "Historic" Meeting

Posted on 08 Mar 2018 @ 4:57pm by Ensign Callin Mastrel & Commander Marisa Wyatt

1,180 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: Museum of History, Rigel III
Timeline: MD 103, 1400 Hours

[ON]

Although he'd missed her these last few years, Callin felt relieved when his mother didn't want to accompany him to the next planet in the system on the trip he'd been looking forward to since arriving. It was nice to be on his own for a bit, even though he knew that he had to be back to the Avondale facility by evening for yet another interview for another ship. There'd be plenty of time to concern himself with finding a post and dealing with his mother later, but at least for the next few hours, he would have the chance to do a little bit of exploration himself. Exploration of the past.

The Rigel System had been an important part of multiple incarnations of the Orion Empires that once controlled this region of space, and as such, it held one of the largest collection of artifacts to be found of the ancient civilization. First on his list of things to see were the technological devices held in stasis-field encased displays, and Callin eagerly made his way beyond the ticket counter and inside the massive museum. It didn't take him long to find the signs in Standard that directed him where he wanted to go, and he was muttering a few words in bad Rigellian for practice when he arrived at the first exhibit.

Marisa was examining the exhibit, keenly interested in what was on display and how it compared to Vulcan and Romulan history. Only half-thinking, she heard someone near her say something in Rigellian. Having studiend the language under a Rigellian Vulcanoid, she automatically corrected the pronunciation. Realizing what she'd done, she turned to the man and smiled apologetically. "Sorry. Force of habit."

Callin shrugged, a little confused about the apology, "That's perfectly alright." He repeated her Rigellian correction once under his breath, getting it right. With a nod, he stood beside her and took a look at the display. "I've read that there are some Imperial-Era Orion devices we still don't understand here. Always wanted to see this place."

"There are a lot of things we don't understand yet," Marisa said. "That's why places like this are so important. I'm Marisa, by the way."

"Callin," he said and turned to look at her with a smile and black eyes that appeared curious about a lot of things. "I couldn't have said it better myself." He gestured at the next display, a piece of sculpture that had survived millennia to stand there before them today, showing the remarkable skill of a people so ancient. It still even glowed in all the edges that held the phosphorous paint, creating holographic tracery that only hinted at what it meant to represent.

"Do you live here on Rigel III, Marisa?" he asked as his gaze went to the lit-up sculpture.

Marisa examined the sculpture, mentally comparing it with other ancient cultures. She enjoyed finding the similarities and the differences in early development. "I'm here for a job interview." She turned to look at Callin. "You?"

"The same, actually." Callin grinned for a second, then his expression grew more serious. "I thought it'd be easy to find someone willing to take me on for my first posting but there's a lot of competition." Why the couple of officers he had spoken with already told him they'd get back to him even when they had no real intention of doing so had only added to his confusion.

"I'm not sure what's going on right now," Marisa said. "I've never had trouble before, but this time I'm finding it difficult to get a science posting. I almost went back into academia."

"Oh...you were a teacher?" Callin asked with interest, enough so that he turned away from the strange art and looked at the woman again. His own troubles on finding a posting so far forgotten he continued, "What did you teach? Pardon my curiosity, I'm recently graduated myself so I'm still a bit curious about schooling."

"Archaeology and anthropology," she said. "On the university level. I've also worked on archaeological digs. Where did you graduate from?"

"Oooh," Callin said again, this time managing to sound both impressed and intrigued. "That's got to have been a lot of fun for you." And he meant it. "I'm just out of Starfleet Academy, trying to find the first lab or sensor station with my name on it."

"It was fun," Marisa said. "So is working on a starship. I wish you luck."

"Thanks!" Callin said brightly, not letting his worry about finding a position to come through his tone. "Who knows, maybe we'll find ourselves on a dig together sometime? It's a big galaxy, but..." He grinned happily at Marisa and stepped to the next display, this one a collection of badges or emblems perhaps.

"Always a possibility," Marisa replied.

She said nothing for the next two dislpays, then asked. "If you're looking for a job, what brings you to Rigel III?"

"Oh, I've always wanted to come here, to explore," Callin admitted as he paused in front of an old suit of ceremonial armor. The intricate details drew his eyes, though he seemed quite capable of both studying the display and chatting, "I've a bunk at Avondale Shipyards, and had a few hours between interviews. I figured, why not now when I have the chance. And you?"

"I came out here for an interview," she said. "And like you, I'm taking advantage of the opportunity to check out a few museums. I may never get back here again, so I want to see as much as I can now."

Callin nodded with understanding. Exactly, he thought. Who knew where life in Starfleet was going to take him, or when he'd see anything familiar again? That was the whole point, the reason he'd joined. "I hope you get the job you want," Callin added, and meaning it. It may be hasty but he'd already decided that Marisa was both intelligent and kind, certainly deserving of having a good career.

They'd reached the end of this themed display, another of the technological devices laying within it's crystal dome and glowing with an unknown power source. The gentle light spilled over the pair for a brief instant as if the half-circle of wrought metal and gems had sensed the approach of watchers, green and blue. Callin shook his head with wonder, taking in all the exhibits he'd just seen, "Incredible."

"It really is," Marisa said, staring at the device. "I'm constantly amazed by things like this." She laughed softly. "Which is why I love science." She turned to Callin. "Thank you for your company. I should be going now. I have an appointment. Good luck. Hopefully, we'll have a chance to work together some time."

"Thank you, as well," Callin said with a formal-seeming bow to the woman. "I hope so too!" He waited till she had left out of sight before resuming his wandering through the museum.

____
OFF

Ensign Callin Mastrel
Science Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lieutenant JG Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

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