Roaming in the Gloaming

Posted on 20 Nov 2012 @ 7:10pm by Bal Kenyal MSc & Lieutenant Kiri Cho

1,762 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Science Office
Timeline: MD04 - 1825

[ON]

Wandering the decks of the Galileo, PaDD depressed into his chest via folded arms, the former commanding officer of the USS Voltaire, now retired, felt a wave of nostalgia wash over him. She was almost identical to his vessel, a fairly indigenous fact given that they were sister ships. The atmosphere, however, was entirely different but one that he was welcoming as he moved around the corridor of deck four, seeking his destination. He had missed the swing shift change over and was glad that the decks were quiet. No doubt many of the primary crew had retired to their quarters for the night. It gave him time to imbibe his surroundings.

Smiling apologetically as he ducked out of the way of a teal clad crew member, he glanced at each door until he was face to face with the accessway to the science office. A brief sigh of preperation and a correction of his lean posture was enough to prompt him to continue. Excitement bubbled within as he pushed at the chime, hoping that the crew were accepting of civilian intervention on their assignments.

Kiri was sitting with her back to the door, working on the project that had taken up most of her time since yesterday. Despite her promotion she had tried to get as much work done as possible, once the plan was really viable she could take it to the captain. When the chime went she paused for a moment, taking not of the fact she was the only one there, "Enter." Turning she placed her hands in her lap, fixing her attention on the door.

As the doors parted, she was struck by a tall thin man, a bajoran, one in civilian attire, who glanced around the office in a nervous fashion before blinking in surprise at her. He swallowed, broke into a half-smile and stepped cautiously forward. "I apologise, I'm not interrupting am I? This is the science office?"

"Yes it is," Kiri nodded and returned a very thin smile, he was interrupting but it would be rude to say so. It wasn't someone she recognised, so standing up she looked slightly confused, "Can I help you?"

He wore a loose black tunic over brown slacks - cargo pants it seemed. He looked like a dock worker and seemed so utterly out of place. Only the Starfleet issue kitbag, slung across his shoulder, was really familiar. Stepping forward tentatively, he offered her a nod and smiled. "Quite possibly, Lieutenant. My name is Bal Kenyal, I'm to be billeted as a Federation researcher. I had word that the science department was expecting me - sorry for the late arrival."

The typical question in reply to that for Kiri would be, "What was it that delayed you?" Her tone was soft but he was late, it wasn't a good way to start a placement and she couldn't help but edge towards using her new rank. Even if it was a man more than old enough to be her father.

He sighed tentatively but seemed to relax, slipping into the seat before the desk without invitation. "You were re-directed. I was supposed to meet with the ship at Earth's spacedock. When we had word of the change of plan, we were all a little lost with what to do. Starfleet arranged transport but it meant waiting another day. It's been crazy, to tell the truth."

"I see," Kiri took a pad from the desk and started to make adjustments, the procedure was one she had watched a few times and practised at the academy, this was the first real time testing it out though. Playing the part of an officer was far easier than playing the part of herself, "It is good you made it, would you like to review where you will be working?"

"If I may be so bold, Lieutenant, could I presume that I might be based in the biology laboratory with access to the planetary development station on deck four and the various sickbay laboratories?"

Kiri paused for a moment to try and work him out. He was a civilian but given his brief history given to her he had worked on Starfleet vessels he should be familiar with the chain of command. So either he didn't care in general, he had forgotten or he didn't hold respect for her age. Which of those if any she couldn't tell, her tone faltered for a second as she replied, "Given your expertise I have proposed your placement in the Biological Research Lab, as per your placement." Did she come across rather strict, did she want that? "If you would like access and assignments to other labs on a more permanent basis then you would need to put forward a proposal to myself or Lieutenant Panne. If you would like to use the Medical Labs then we would need to make a request to Lieutenant Dhuinn the Chief Medical Officer." She managed a small smile but she was still finding her voice, what sort of officer she was. Given what he asked she felt the need for more information, "Do you foresee a lack of resources in the Biology Lab?"

"At times they can be inadequate, with limited access to genetic apparatus or detailed analysis," replied the scientist, nodding slightly. There was a thin smile on his face, though, which was difficult for her to read. His expression seemed passive yet familiar. There was also a tone of curiosity in his voice. If she had offended him or seemed overtly controlling then he certainly did not make that clear. Instead, he seemed agreeable. "But I understand the need to request access. There is a chain of command, of course, and I suppose I'm outside of that this time. It's no problem to ask permission."

Kiri watched him, trying to make heads or tails of his expression. Indeed her manner seemed to have no ill effect, boosting her confidence somewhat. Still, to make assumptions before spending time in the position wasn't really what she wanted. It was a field she was only now starting to refresh her knowledge of, that made it a chance for development. Her tone was still rather tight as she spoke, "I would rather you spend some time in the laboratory, then made requests for the equipment and resources you feel are lacking. So we can improve the department and ships resources, in the interim then you can access other labs pending approval." This was broken down slightly when she added, "Would that be okay?"

"Of course, Lieutenant. I don't have a problem with that whatsoever. Procedures, protocols; all are necessary, I'll do as I'm told. I presume the workload is well spread out amongst the science staff? It is a rather widely qualified team."

"Not always," Kiri pressed her knees together very slightly, "Generally it falls to the best qualified to do the job, then those that have the time to take the slack." Given that every mission brought different challenges and discoveries, it was always different. "There is always work to do though, and general duties are equally allotted," She was starting to lose herself here, not really knowing what his question had been directed at.

"Sounds like any other starship," replied Kenyal, nodding thoughtfully. "Will security clearance need to be requested on my part?"

"You have clearance for the Biology lab," Kiri changed which of her hands was on top of her lap, "With level one security clearance, you won't have access to any critical areas of the ship."

He raised his hands upwards, smiling warmly. "That makes absolute sense." A pause then as he shifted his posture. "I must say, it's a welcome opportunity. After spending so long aboard a Nova class starship, it's like I'm seeing aspects from a different side. Certainly humbling.

Kiri didn't think that his limited clearance was a problem, he had returned as a civilian. Furrowing her brow she just had to ask, "Did you expect it to be different?" She'd worked hard for three years at the Academy, longer at school to get here. If she had taken a different path, one she would have found easier, she might be where he was. That was why she made the choice she did, to take the hard road.

"Nope, not at all. I was just curious regarding the procedure, that's all. I've heard that other starships do things differently and it was enough to make me wonder."

Kiri gave a small smile, "I can't speak for other officers but I try to run everything by regulation, to aid the overall efficiency of the ship and crew." She liked to think that all officers were like that but by now she was realising that wasn't true. The idea was to make him aware of what was expected of him, maybe make him feel more at ease if it was a problem. Reading people wasn't exactly something Kiri was good at.

He tried to surprise her by turning the questions over again. "Have you been with the ship long?"

"No, only ten days now," Kiri cocked her head very slightly, what did that matter?

Bal briefly considered asking a follow-up question, then shook his head to dismiss the notion. He didn't want to pry too much into the lieutenant's situation, or come across as being nosy. A quick glance at his PADD revealed the time was approaching 1845, and the biologist had arranged a casual meeting at that time with some members of the Planetary Science Division. "Ten days isn't too long, enough time to get used to the ship and her crew." he remarked, then raised his arms over his head and stretched them. "Well, it's been a pleasure talking with you, lieutenant. I have a meeting with some of our life science personnel in a few minutes." he added as he rose from his chair.

"Very well," Kiri was slightly confused by the endevour but had done his job, asked some questions and she had answered them. She was sure that his want of wider access would come up again but if he needed it she would grant it. He did seem to expect a lot that he wasn't in her eyes allowed though, he was polite though, "Have a nice evening." She watched him leave and returned to work, lots and lots of work.

[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Kiri Cho
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Bal Kenyal MSc
Biologist
USS Galileo

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