Talking Science

Posted on 28 Nov 2018 @ 7:43pm by Commander Marisa Wyatt & Petty Officer 1st Class Heinu Reteif
Edited on on 07 Jan 2019 @ 1:46pm

872 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 17 - Crystal of Life
Location: USS Galileo-A - Sandoval's Quarters
Timeline: MD -182, 1820

[ON]

It was well past Heinu's duty shift, but that was all right by him. He'd not even been aboard for twelve hours yet. He'd gotten his lab set up and found the galley. Although it had taken a little while, he'd managed to throw together something he thought would be exceptional.

He carried a small paper bag in one hand, and used the other to press the button next to Marisa Sandoval's door. Maybe it wasn't procedure, but Heinu wasn't much of one for procedure.

Marisa was reading over the day's reports. When her door chimed she looked up. "Come."

Heinu walked in as the door opened. "Good evening, Lieutenant!" he said. His broad smile was contagious. "My name is Heinu Reteif, I'm the botanist aboard. I thought I'd introduce myself and bring you some home-made treats." He offered the bag.

"Hi," Marisa said, taking the bag. "Thank you. Please, have a seat. What sort of botany do you do?"

"Professionally, my focus is phytosociology. I also do a bit of horticulture as a hobby," Heinu said, "the fruits of which you'll find in that bag." He smiled and sat down, clearly as comfortable on his superior's couch as he would have been on his own. Assuming he'd had one.

"They're candied Lorandan Plos," he said, gesturing at the bag, "it's maybe not the most novel flavor, but it's certainly a delicious one."

She tried one of the candies. "These are very good. What do you expect from the Galileo?"

Heinu shrugged. "Hopefully a chance to see some new ecosystems and study them, maybe find some exotic plants to bring home. Maybe even some novel flavors for more treats." His list of priorities was somewhat off-hand and casual. "I don't have too many expectations. I'm happier that way. No frustration over not getting what I'd wanted. Instead I can make the best of whatever comes my way."

"That's a good attitude to have," she said. "Tell me something about where you're from."

Heinu settled back. "I'm from Botswana. Until I joined Starfleet, I never lived outside Gaborone. It is a wonderful place to grow up. It's a beautiful city that reminds anyone who visits of Botswana's cultural heritage. The conservation efforts after World War III have really paid off and there is beautiful land all around the city."

Although Botswana and all of Africa were now as prosperous and advanced as anywhere else in the Federation, old 21st century views of the continent as some impoverished backwater seemed to persist. Heinu tried to disabuse people of those views whenever he could.

"I'm glad they're reclaiming the land. Some of the most beautiful forests are on the African continent." Marisa was fortunate that much of the Andes had avoided the destruction. "The Rwandan forests are amazing."

"They are that," he said. Heinu leaned forward, elbows on knees. "Quite aside from the animal life, the interactions between trees and undergrowth are spectacular." The tall botanist asked, "Where are you from? What's your background?"

"I'm from Vulcan and Earth," Marisa said. "I developed a love of science and learning on Vulcan, and a love of history and archaeology on Earth."

Heinu grinned. "Not that I have anything against our dear Vulcan friends," he said, "but I'm very glad that the cold, blindly logical side doesn't seem to have won out in you."

"My mother isn't." Marisa couldn't help grinning. "But I agree with you. I admire Vulcan logic, but I think many of them take it too far."

"What's life without a little joy?" Heinu asked. It was a rhetorical question, and he didn't give Sandoval a chance to answer. "Lieutenant Kolvan was my DH aboard Zheng He and I brought him a goody bag like the one I brought you. You know what he said? He said, 'What added nutritional benefit will these offer beyond Starfleet's standard rations?'"

Heinu's voice took on the dry, nearly supercilious tone that many Vulcans seemed to adopt. The effect was ruined somewhat by his accent, not to mention his smile.

"Not bad," Marisa replied. "And very definitely Vulcan. I used to get in trouble at school on Vulcan for smiling." Then again, she got in trouble in school on Earth for being too smart. "But they do bring balance to the Federation."

"True enough," Heinu said, "true enough. I find it hard to believe you would get in trouble for being too smart. I always got in trouble for not being smart enough." Of course, in his family, smart meant genius and Heinu's above-average intelligence was considered sub-par. "That was probably only a matter of my parents' expectations."

"It's often hard to live up to a parent's expectations," Marisa said. "I think you've done quite well for yourself so far. I look forward to what you bring to the science department on the Galileo-A."

"Thank you, Lieutenant," Heinu said, "I think I'll enjoy working with you. Enjoy your evening." He stood and moved toward the door. He had caught the dismissal in her words.

[OFF]

--

Petty Officer First Class Heinu Reteif
Science Officer
USS Galileo-A
[PNPC Ghoc]

Lieutenant Marisa Sandoval
Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo-A

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