Evaluating the Scientific Psyche
Posted on Tue May 3rd, 2022 @ 6:07am by Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Edited on on Tue May 3rd, 2022 @ 6:28am
1,210 words; about a 6 minute read
Mission:
Episode 12 - Risin' To Risa
Location: Counseling Offices - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD008 0800 hrs
Coming aboard a new ship was always a juggling act. Reporting in, getting checked out, meeting other members of the department, and sometimes a need to order new supplies, all needing to be done in short order. It was the old mentality of hurry up and wait and it was one of Alyssa's least favorite parts of a transfer. It wasn't that she minded. There was a need for all of it. What she didn't like was how quickly everything needed to be done. And, because she preferred to immerse herself in science as soon as possible, she tried to get as much done as quickly as she could.
So, at her earliest opportunity, she set an appointment with the Chief Counselor. She arrived two minutes early and rang the door chime.
"Come in!" Lunara called out in a sing-song voice as she stood up from behind her desk and made her way to the door. She'd finally had the time to move some decorations into her office, and while it was still incomplete, the space had a decidedly more rustic feel. Replicated wood bookshelves lined the walls, filled with leather bound books. All genres and cultures, from Human mystery to Andorian romance were represented - still others lay in crates attacked in the corner, awaiting the last of the shelves. Her desk, too, was decorated, but not as elegantly. It was still the standard plated metal of most shipboard equipment. On it lay a stack of PADDs, a standard issue mug, and a holo-image of a countryside villa. Finally, an old, beat-up Starfleet combadge stood on the side, contained in a simple, nondescript display case. "USS LEGACY" was emblazoned in small golden letters on the upper edge.
Lunara approached the door, ready to greet the new science chief.
Alyssa walked in and smiled at the counselor. Then she noticed the books. "Nice," she said. "I appreciate physical books."
Lunara grinned. "I think we'll get along just fine. There's nothing quite like holding the real thing in your hands, hmm? They're much easier on the eyes, too."
"No, there isn't," the scientist said, grinning back. "I love the smell of old books, too. There's nothing quite like it. Except maybe ancient ruins."
"Ancient ruins, hm?" Lunara smirked, "sounds like you've got some stories to tell me." She walked over to her desk, gesturing to an open chair. "Please, take a seat!"
"I've spent time working on archaeological sites," she said, sitting down. "They often have stories to tell." Although she rarely had the opportunity to spend more than a few months on any one site. She generally didn't mind as she liked exploring, but sometimes there were sites she wanted to go back to.
"We'll have to swap stories some time, I got to explore some old sites myself back in the day." Lunara stopped at the replicator behind her desk. "Would you like anything?"
"NO, thank you," Alyssa said. "I'm good. But feel free to get yourself something if you like."
Lunara nodded. "Computer, one Jilian Tea, please." She waited a few moments, then took the steaming mug and sat down. "So then, tell me. What brings you to the Pioneer?" She'd already read through the file, but it never hurt to hear their own story.
"A change. Every now and then, it's good to do something different, and the Pioneer offers new challenges and opportunities."
"Mm, you can say that again." Lunara took a sip of her tea, wincing. "Ooh, hot!" She placed the mug back on the desk. "I take it you've seen our record, then?"
"Some of it, yes. I admit I didn't go back farther than the past two years," Alyssa admitted.
"All you need, really. As long as you have an idea, hm? I haven't been aboard too long myself, and I've already seen some things." She chuckled. "From what you've read, how does it compare to your previous postings?" Something about this woman's record didn't add up - either she was suddenly demoted from a multitude of CSO postings to subspace relay maintenance and re-promoted just as suddenly, or something had been scrubbed from her records. Her tone of voice, though, was as friendly and gentle as ever.
"There's more need for Astrometrics here, which isn't bad. I enjoy working there, and I love studying nebulae. I'll get to branch out more." Alyssa shrugged. "What's the old quote... The only constant is change."
Lunara smirked. "Well, I've certainly found that to be true. You came here for a change of pace, then?"
A new ship and new opportunities."
"Well, I don't doubt you’ll find those here. Things may not be as untamed as they used to be, but this ship's still seen her fair share of action."
Alyssa smiled. "I wouldn't mind that, either. Not that I like fighting, but people tend to get in a rut if things are too slow or routine."
"Well, you know what they say. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it."
Alyssa laughed. "True. Then I'll wish for an old planet with ancient ruins. That would be fun." It was the main reason she'd gone into space, and so far, she'd been fortunate. Even if the Pioneer didn't find an abandoned civilization, she was sure to see something new and unusual.
"Those are rarely as abandoned as they look. Make sure you don't get eaten!" Lunara playfully intoned.
"Definitely! That's just one of the reasons I carry a knife and a blowgun. I also scan the area first. Abandoned dwellings are perfect places for predators to take up residence." Alyssa heard stories of scientists and others working at sites who forgot to take precautions first and the problems that caused.
"Mm, or ghost aliens." Lunara gave a half grin. "We had to take refuge in some old ruins after our ship lost power... in your Earth terms, it was "haunted."
"Interesting. I've yet to encounter anything that could be considered a ghost alien." She grinned. "I'm not sure I want to."
"You might not get the choice!" Lunara winked. "Just keep on your toes, hm? She glanced at the clock. "As much as I enjoy reminiscing about the past, I don't want to keep you here all day. Just one last question before I let you go; do you foresee any challenges working here?"
"Yes. Every assignment has its challenges," Alyssa said. "You usually can't predict what they will be, so you have to be ready for whatever life throws at you." Like Klingons from your past, she thought. She had no doubt there would be new challenges before long.
Alyssa's PADD chirped and she glanced at it. "There's an issue with one of the science computers. Sorry, but I need to go. Thank you, Lunara. I'll come back later to chat again." With that she stood and went back to her office to find out what was going on this time.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Lunara Hol
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
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