Buzzcuts of a Feather

Posted on 17 Jan 2013 @ 5:37am by Chief Warrant Officer 2 Sergei Petrov
Edited on on 17 Jan 2013 @ 5:39am

1,589 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 4, Gym
Timeline: MD -02, 1700

[ON]

Jeremy walked into the gym and stepped aside from the door as he adjusted. It wasn't as busy as he thought a gym should be, but then had to remind himself this was a science ship and many of the crew may not value the benefits of physical fitness.

Sidi looked around, sniffing the air and not liking the smell of the place. It had a stink to it that wasn't good. However, Stone-smell was bringing him here and so here he had to come. He narrowed in on one man-smell however. He still had the smells of dirt, grass and silly ducks on him. He focused on that man-smell even as Stone-smell led the way to him.

"Staff Warrant Petrov?" Jeremy asked, coming up on the one person in the gym that Jeremy found to be an acceptable crewmember. He had an appearance of being squared away. Almost as if his talents were being wasted as a science officer. Jeremy sighed. He didn't know anything about Petrov other than he had some dominion over maintenaning the arboretum.

Sidi sat at the hand gesture from Stone-smell, but that didn't stop him from looking around.

Petrov was running on the treadmill's highest setting, level ten. He had already run the equivalent of eight kilometres. Not at the full setting, of course, but at a slow progression from one to zero. He was tough, and he was more physically fit than could be said for many of the crew, but he was still just a human being.

When he saw Lieutenant Stone approach with what he had heard was the ship's new dog, he immediately slowed the treadmill to a safe stop and stepped off. He toweled his face and neck, shoulders, then removed the earbuds he was using to listen to music. The faint sound of Wagner's Tannhauser was heard for mere seconds as he reached to pause the playback in his training shorts. His form-fitting white tee was drenched in a long V down his chest and a U on his back. He steadied up and gave the lieutenant a sharp and impeccable salute. At 36 and more than 15 years in Starfleet, he still practiced saluting in the mirror for five minutes a day. "Sir."

Jeremy blinked at the salute before returning a crisp one of his own. It was so unexpected that it caught him off guard. "Staff Warrant, I'm Lieutenant Stone, Chief of Security and this is K9 Sidi." He said by way of introduction. "I'm given to understand you are in charge of the arboretum aboard the Galileo? I'd like to discuss the pond and it's PH levels. I'm concerned about a possible safety issue regarding the acidity of the water."

"My pleasure, sir," Petrov said, extending his hand to shake the lieutenant's, wearing a bright smile. He had overheard the way in whch most of his department spoke of Lieutenant Stone, but he reserved judgement for himself. "I am in charge of the arboretum, that is correct. I can assure you that the water's acidity is exactly as it is expected to be, sir. What is the source of your concern?"

Unintentionally ignoring the offered hand, Jeremy answered. "Earlier today one of my security officers was in the arboretum and may have swallowed some of the pond water. Shortly afterward he got sick. Dr. Dhuinn suggested that the vomitus may have been caused by the water being too acidic. This concerns me as others may fall victim to the same problem. When was the last time the water was analysed?"

Petrov gave a small smile, but he knew where the line was. "With all due respect, sir, the water in arboretum is not recommended for consumption, and should never be consumed without thoroughly it scanning first, or without consulting relevant science personnel. For the past few days we have been conducting farming experiments that involve simulated rainfall on various crops native to Sestus III. The crops are optimally grown when earthed in a fertiliser with high concentrations of limestone, as we have created. An unfortunate side-effect results in highly acidic runoff into the watershed, and that is the nature of our study. The arboretum is, afterall, a living science lab, sir. I can assure you that we have the full support and sanctioning of Lieutenant Panne."

Jeremy blinked. "I'm sorry, Staff Warrant, I didn't mean to imply you had done something wrong, or outside your jurisdiction. You strike me as being a very capable person." Jeremy sighed. "Sidi can be rather impulsive. I would rather he not drink unapproved liquids but..." Jeremy shrugged. He had problems with security personnel throughout his department, problems that he was determined to fix. He felt much more comfortable with this science officer than he did most of his department.

"I don't wish to demean your work, Staff Warrant, but have you considered joining Security?"

An expectant grin spread across the mature lines of Petrov's face. It was not the first time in his career that he'd been asked this question."In an official capacity? No, sir," he stopped for a moment in his speech, but it did not seem unnatural or stuttered, but deliberate. "I take my health and fitness very seriously, lieutenant. It is my belief that if I am to spend most of my time in the hostility of space, I should be able to defend my colleagues, as well as myself. Should I be stranded on a planet or captured by an alien race, I have to be at my best. It is for these reasons that I live a highly structured and harshly disciplined life, but I enjoy it. I am a scientist, a geologist by trade, seeking order to the universe, sir. And, I translate that into my day-to-day living."

Jeremy frowned. "I wasn't referring to your physical regimen, but rather your bearing. Security is about bringing order and peace to the universe on a more direct and sociological context." He continued to frown. "How about on an unofficial basis?" he asked, wondering if he could find a way to entice the geologist to a more adventurous and productive calling. "I am attempting to form a quick response team aboard the ship. Chief Kiwoski has stated he wishes to have a member of the science department on the team."

"I would be honoured, sir," he said immediately.

Jeremy nodded. "Speak with Chief Kiwoski regarding testing and evaluation regarding inclusion on the team. I can't promise you'll gain a spot, but, if you pass initial testing, I'll be sure to review your file and give an appropriate recommendation. You are proficient in marksmanship?"

"That is not for me to judge, sir, but I believe myself to be quite competent." Petrov frowned. "It has been some time, however, since I have engaged in weapons training. I shall have to speak with Lieutenant Panne or Cho in regards to balancing time between both departments, and the training needed to have me qualified, sir."

"Yes," Jeremy answered. "That will be something worked out for non-Security members of the crew who are offered positions on the team. I will insure id does not interfere with your necessary duties."

Jeremy glanced down and saw Sidi, reminding him of the reason for finding Petrov. "Is there a way to discover which days environments in the arboretum may be hazardous due to scientific experimentation? I wish to protect the health of my officers, no matter their impulsiveness."

"Understood, sir. Our experiments should be finished by tomorrow afternoon. It depends on whether Lieutenant Panne is satisfied with the results. If you would like, I can put in a request for expediency. I would need to know the nature of your request for the arboretum for leverage, though it is not necessary." Petrov looked down at the dog sitting by the lieutenant's side. "Most of the time, sir, the water is safe. Nine times in ten if Sidi were to drink from the ponds, there would be no side-effects. I know that as of right now there are no experiments scheduled that would contaminate the ponds for at least the next two weeks."

"No, that will be fine. You have your own jobs to perform and I can't have you rushing your work to accommodate the needs of one impulsive officer. I appreciate the information. I'll try to keep more posted on anything that may affect his health in the arboretum." He pulled slightly on Sidi's lead, indicating they were about to leave. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Staff Warrant. I hope to see you on the TRT roster shortly. Please make sure to work on your marksmanship, you'll need at least a 90 percent passing to pass qualifications."

"Yes, sir," Petrov steadied up again and gave the lieutenant a sharp salute. Stone wasn't a hundredth the monster he'd heard about.

Jeremy returned the salute, almost smiling. Why did he feel so much more comfortable around the enlisted aboard this ship? (Quinn being the exception proving the rule.) And a scientist to boot? Considering most of the interactions on this ship, that was unusual. "Get with Chief Kiwoski then, Staff Warrant. I'm sure he'll be impressed as well."

Jeremy followed Sidi out the door, tapping a note to himself to watch for Petrov's application to Kiwoski for the TRT.

[OFF]

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer/K9
USS Galileo

SWO Sergei Petrov
Science Officer/Geologist
USS Galileo

Sidious MWD 7223
K9 Security unit
USS Galileo

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