Diving Into Research
Posted on Sat Jul 2nd, 2022 @ 7:43pm by Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Harris & Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren & Lieutenant Junior Grade Selorina M'Kress & Lieutenant Junior Grade Mignon Mejia & Senior Chief Petty Officer Sha’Zen D'Tem
Edited on on Wed Jul 6th, 2022 @ 6:36am
1,663 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Episode 13 - Crooked River
Location: Astrometrics
Timeline: MD003 1000 hrs
Alyssa sent a message to her department, asking everyone to come to a meeting in Astrometrics. They had a lot of research to do on the Jutrai, including cultural and planetary information. Even with the data they'd been given, there were far too many questions and not enough answers. On a positive note, it was good to be able to jump into research.
She put what information they had into the computer and waited for the others to arrive.
Michael got the message from the Science Chief and headed over to Astrometrics right away. "Commander what can I do for you?" he said as he stepped in the lab. He realized that this may actually be the first time he has spoken to the Science Chief.
"Hello, lieutenant," Alyssa replied cheerfully. "As soon as the others arrive, I'll let you know. We have a lot of work ahead of us."
Selorina entered Astrometrics with a PADD in her hand. She'd been going over the data they had about the Jutrai, and teaching herself about tides. In preparation for the mission. "Good day, Commander, Lieutenant." She said as she joined those already present.
"Hi," Alyssa said, smiling. "Have you two met?"
Just then, the door opened and another woman entered. "Hi, Alyssa," she said, smiling at the other archaeologist. Then she turned her attention to the other two. "Hi. I don't think we've met. I'm Mignon Mejia."
"Selorina M'Kress, I'm the new Astrometrics officer." Selorina said. "Nice to meet you."
Mignon smiled. "That's great. The former Chief worked primarily in that lab. I think the current design is because of him."
"I haven't had time to configure Astrometrics to my liking. I've been doing research for our upcoming mission." Selorina replied. "So, what's your specialty?"
Alyssa raised an eyebrow. "As long as you configure your login only. I don't mind individual settings based on individual logins as long as the main settings stay the way they are." She'd basically left them the way they were as Vaebn spent most of his time there and had done a brilliant job with the setup.
"Yes, ma'am." Selorina said.
Sha’Zen entered the room. Spying Selorina, she said. "You must be the new Astrometrics officer, I'm Sha'Zen D'Tem."
"That's me, Selorina M'Kress." Selorina said. "Nice to meet you, Sha'Zen. What do you do around here?"
"I study biological organisms and help to defend the crew." Sha'Zen replied.
"Nice. I'm the other xeno-archaeologist," Mignon said. "It'll be interesting to see how we all fit into the current mission."
Michael sat at the table and simply kept notes. He was not one to make friends and in truth had no interest in making friends. He nodded at the arrival at the rest of the science staff. If this meeting had been called in reference to the Pioneer's current mission, he wondered why he was summoned. Harris could not see how an Astrophysicist would fit into the mission scope. However, he was sure he was about to find out.
Selorina sat down next to Michael. "Good day, Lieutenant." She said.
When everyone was seated, Alyssa moved to the control podium. "Thank you for coming. As you know, we're heading to Igion at the request of the Jutrai to help clear up a mystery that will involve science." She pulled up an image of the system and narrowed in on the planet. "Our first goal is to gather as much information as we can on the system, the planet, and the people. I've pulled as much as we have from the Starfleet and Federation databases, but I'd like some of you to try and gather information from Romulan sources, and anything else you think would be relevant." She pulled back to show the system again. "I also want a detailed analysis of the system itself and its effects on the planet. That will include tidal and weather patterns. I also want geographic and geologic information. I do want a detailed map of the planet once we get in orbit. We will receive information from the Jutrai, but I want to verify it ourselves. Any questions so far?"
Everything that Maren had asked for was pretty standard requests for a science division on a mission like this. Well, all except one so Michael spoke up. "With all due respect ma'am are the Romulans going to be cooperative. I mean I do not see them allowing us access to their databases to help someone who used to be part of their Empire."
"Maybe we could get some assistance from Intel." Selorina suggested.
"That's a good idea," Alyssa said. "I'll ask Commander McGowan." She hadn't met her yet, but she should. Now would be a good time.
Harris sat there with a cocked eyebrow. He truly felt like this was an exercise in futility. He was sure that no matter who asked the Romulans would not be cooperative. "I would suggest empirical evaluation. Once we arrive, we should take a shuttle and go down there. Investigate with our own eyes and our hands."
"There will be a team sent down once we arrive, yes," Alyssa said. "Who will be on that team will be up to command. Our job is to gather data. I've worked with Romulan scientists and may be able to get some information, but it will be limited. We know little to nothing about the system and planet, so I want us to start with that. When we get closer, I'll want weather and tidal information. Once we're in orbit, I want to see if we can get any archaeological and historic information. We're supposed to get some from the local government, but we don't know how much they'll be willing to offer. Are there any other suggestions?"
Sha'Zen fidgeted in her chair. She didn't like sitting around. "Perhaps we can build a general picture of the colony from data we received from our visit to the Jutrai home world and the fact they are biologically and genetically similar to the Romulans. Organisms have a range of environmental factors within which they function well." The biologist said. "Since their homeworld has a temperate climate, and fertile soil and an abundance of surface and underground water, it stands to reason that this colony world will mirror these environmental factors."
"Yes, to the extent that they allow us to study them," Alyssa said. "We've only been invited to help solve a mystery. Anything else will have to be part of that investigation. That's why I want us to get as much as we can before we arrive. It may not be much, because they've been part of the Romulan Empire and because they keep to themselves, but I would like to try." She wasn't sure how many scientists would be allowed on the away team, either, or if they'd be able to learn much.
Michael was not fond of field work, and what was worse was that he did not like mysteries. As such he tried to see what could be done without actually saying anything. "Commander, it may be prudent to assign someone to monitor everything from the ship. To manage all of the experiments and the data."
"An excellent idea," Alyssa said with a nod. "Would you like to take on that task?" She tried very hard not to pick up on the hum of annoyance that buzzed around him. Everyone had their strength. She would find his. In time.
Mignon had waited to hear what the others said before she spoke. "I can check a few databases to see if there have been any papers or articles written on the Romulan Empire in general and this area specifically to see if there's anything that might be of help."
"Thank you," Alyssa said. "The former Chief Science Officer was Romulan and would have been of great help in this. I don't know if he left any information, but I'll check the science database to see if he added anything that would be pertinent."
"When science has little answers, sometimes science is not the answer..." Harris began rather cryptically. "...It may be prudent to search through the Federation Security Database to see if there is any case similar to this and how it was solved etc..."
"There is no case of body parts washing up on the shore in large numbers in any database that isn't directly linked to a ship crash," Alyssa replied. "And, since what we may be able to scan could be limited, I would like as much information to build on as we can gather before we get there."
"Perhaps it is caused by some indigenous or introduced predatory organism." Sha'Zen hypothesised.
"Possible." Alyssa nodded. "But if so, it's one that has recently been introduced. I want tidal patterns and lunar cycles so we can locate where they might have come from."
"I'll work with Lieutenant M'Kress." Sha'Zen said.
"Great. Thank you," Alyssa said. She looked around at the others. "I think everyone has an assignment, yes?" She didn't want anyone to feel left out. Especially as there was so much work to do.
"Yes, ma'am." Selorina and Sha'Zen said almost simultaneously.
Alyssa nodded. "You're dismissed." She wanted to write up her notes, then check on the garden cube. There was a lot she wanted--and needed--to do before they arrived at their destination.
A Joint Post By
Chief Petty Officer Sha’Zen D'Tem
Biologist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Selorina M'Kress
Astrometrics Officer, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren
Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Mignon Mejia
Alien Archaeologist/Anthropologist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Michael Harris
Science Officer, USS Pioneer
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