Talking Science
Posted on Sat Jul 13th, 2019 @ 7:43am by Lieutenant Junior Grade Mignon Mejia
Edited on on Sun Jul 14th, 2019 @ 7:02pm
1,398 words; about a 7 minute read
Mission:
Episode 7 - Home Again
Location: Astrophysics Lab - Deck 6 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD003 1130 hrs
Mignon Mejia went in search of the Assistant Chief Science Officer to have a chat with her and learn more about the ship and the science department. With the help of the computer, she found her in one of the labs.
"Hi," she said. "I'm Mignon Mejia."
“Hello,” Ameri smiled warmly. I am Lieutenant JG Ameri O’Flannigain. What can I do for you?”
"I'm the new anthropologist and I just got here," Mignon said. "So I'm doing the rounds to get a feel for the department."
Ameri smiled. “Please, call me Ameri when we are in a relaxed atmosphere such as this. Where would you like to start? We have an impressive science department.”
"Anywhere." Mignon grinned. "I'm going to want to know it all, eventually; even though, realistically, I'll be spending my time in the social sciences."
“Let’s start with a tour then,” Ameri smiled. “The first part may seem a bit routine but wait for the end. We in science always save the best for last.”
Mignon grinned. "Awesome. Lead the way."
Ameri led the way around their department. “You getting settled in?” She asked.
"Mostly," Mignon said. "Settling in to quarters is easy. Settling in to the department a little less so. Settling in to the ship will take time."
“I am here if you need to talk,” Ameri said sincerely. “I remember being new.”
"Thanks. Getting used to a new ship and crew stinks," she admitted. "I don't mind science, but...yeah. I may need someone to talk to before I get used to this place." So far, the First Officer seemed like someone she would get along with.
“What do you think of science on the Pioneer so far?” Ameri smiled. “I want your impression before we head out to see the rest.”
"I like what I've seen so far," Mignon said, grinning. "Granted, there's not the space they have on the station, but that's not always a bonus."
“Let’s go for a walk,” Ameri grinned. “I would like you to see Astrometrics.” She would still stand in there and just look around.
"Lead the way," Mignon replied.
Ameri headed to the lift with Mignon beside her. “So tell me about yourself outside of the job.”
"That's if there is a me outside the job," Mignon countered with a grin. "I grew up in Southern Utah on Earth. I love the outdoors when I have the chance, and I love musicals."
“I was born in Ireland,” Ameri said with a smile. “I haven’t been back there in forever and there are times I miss it but my home is with Quinn now, he and our daughter Enya are my world.”
"That's wonderful that you have a family here." Mignon envied the other science officer that. She'd yet to find someone who would accept both her and her work.
“I haven’t been back to work full time all that long,” Ameri confessed. “When we had Enya we both wanted one of us home. I was at a point where I didn’t mind the break but now I am glad to be back.”
Mignon smiled. "It's a good place to have kids, if you work in a lab that allows you to keep a crib nearby. I worked with someone once who blocked off a corner of the lab for her kid until she was old enough to go into daycare. I'm glad you were able to stay home for so long."
“I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Ameri smiled. “Here we are!” She said. “I’ll let you go first, it is phenomenal. When the Chief brought me here I swore I wanted to stay forever!”
Mignon walked in and looked around. "Wow."
There was a three dimensional map displaying all over the room. “We have holographic projectors that the main display uses. This gives us the opportunity to get information from more stellar bodies than you can imagine.” Ameri smiled. “Most people feel most productive on the bridge, I am happiest here.”
"The bridge just has the forward viewscreen. This gives you so much more," the other science officer said, looking around. "You can't walk through a hologram of the system on the bridge."
“I believe it is limited to Astrometrics,” Ameri replied. “But it might be something to consider. This is every scientists dream isn’t it?”
"It is. Doesn't the captain ever come down here to have you show him a system or planet?
“He has been down before,” Ameri informed her. “I just came on in science a few days ago.”
"So you're as new here as I am. What do you like most about this ship--besides being with your family?"
“I am new to the job,” Ameri smiled. “I have been on the Pioneer since Quinn took over as executive Officer. What do I like most? It would be that the crew cares about each other and we all believe in what we’re doing. Everyone is important, you know what I’m saying?”
"I do. It's nice to work with a group like that. So far, I haven't been in any one place to really put down roots." She looked around at the well-organized arrangement around the lab. It was more advanced than anything she'd seen before. "I take it this is your specialty." It was pretty obvious by Ameri's enthusiasm for the lab.
“It is indeed,” Ameri nodded. “I love this job, it was what I was born to do.”
Mignon grinned. She felt the same way. "Starfleet is a wonderful place to be a scientist."
“What else can I show you?” Ameri said with a smile.
"Where are the best places to go outside of science?" she asked.
“Department wise I would suggest engineering,” Ameri said. “Though right now they are pretty busy with all the repairs.”
"A lot of the crew is busy with repairs, which is fine, but sometimes I feel like a slacker because I don't have that much to do."
“Is there something in particular you have wanted to do,” Ameri asked.
"You know, I've never really thought about it," Mignon said. "I don't know." She shook her head. "That's not a good thing to admit, but you know..." She chuckled. "I'll have to think about it."
“Once you have it figured out I’d be happy to help implement it,” Ameri replies. “I always wanted to learn defense and I am making it happen.”
"Defense? Yeah. That's important. I know a bit about knives, but not so much about self-defense."
“Weird for a science officer,” Ameri smiled. “But it was on my bucket list.”
"It's not weird at all. I've been on a couple of planets where we had to go armed because there was a group of protestors that didn't want anyone off-world digging in their ruins."
Ameri smiled. She liked Mignon and thought command did them a good thing by sending her here. “I am so glad to have you here, I can tell we will get along well.”
"Me, too." She was going to like working with Ameri. She loved her enthusiasm and her cheerfulness. "Don't be surprised if I come in here from time to time just to escape."
“I won’t be,” Ameri grinned. “I do the same thing. Sometimes it is all that keeps me from losing it.”
"For me it's always been the arboretum," Mignon confessed. "But this place is something else. Now, if the arboretum is crowded, I can come here."
“Yes you can,” Ameri smiled. “Don’t be surprised it me or the Chief are here as well.”
Mignon grinned. "I won't." She was definitely going to like it here. "I should let you get back to work. Thank you for the tour."
“You are welcome,” Ameri smiled. “Welcome to the Pioneer. Let’s meet for lunch soon.”
"Definitely!" Mignon waved as she walked out of Astrometrics, feeling like she'd just made a new friend.
Ameri watched as she left and smiled. Mignon was a huge asset to science and she had gained something more valuable, a friendship.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Junior Grade Ameri Ó Flannagáin
Assistant Chief Science Officer, USS Pioneer
Ensign Mignon Mejia
Anthropologist/Archaeologist, USS Pioneer
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