Introduction to Science

Posted on 06 Jul 2016 @ 5:08am by Cadet Senior Grade Olivia Strathmore & Ensign Jon Marshall (MIA)

1,980 words; about a 10 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Science Laboratory 1
Timeline: ED4: 1000

Cadet Senior Grade Olivia Strathmore arrived aboard the Redemption given an opportunity of a lifetime. A chance to learn the ins and outs of Command on the Starfleet flagship, the physical embodiment of the organization and an assignment sure to give her the teachings and experience of a lifetime. She had made certain to check and double check every aspect of her appearance prior to departing her quarters. Her uniform was freshly pressed, her shimmering blonde hair tied tightly and smartly back into a bun. A fresh sonic shower, fresh smile, fresh outlook as she delved into her new frontier.

Her mission was simple, learn as much as possible. Become a perverbial sponge, absorbing all she could from all the colors of Starfleet. Her first stop, science. It was an area she felt the least comfortable with and felt required her utmost devotion. Her command would not be clouded with uncertainty and unfamiliarity. Knowledge was a weapon she could use against the adversaries of the Federation. She would ensure she had atleast a base knowledge of each department and it's functions so that when it was her time to take the center chair, she could effectively use all the resources she had available. Lives would depend on it.

She purposefully made her way through the corridors of the ship until she came upon the science labs where she would meet with the assistant department head.

Jon was working at his workstation in Science Laboratory 1 when the door chime alerted him to the presence of a crew member requesting entry into the lab. Frustrated with the interruption - especially since he had already chastised new science officer, Aeryn Tigan, for her interruptions - Jon quickly packed up the dismantled Ee device back into its Starfleet Intelligence case and shut it so that it would not be seen by his visitor. The last thing he needed was Scott or Rhyan to stop by and stumble across its presence on board the Redemption.

Rising from his seat, Jon stepped towards the lab doors and disabled the deadlock. With one tap the doors parted and he was greeted by a Starfleet cadet standing in front of him. If he hadn't been annoyed before, he certainly was now. His mission was time-sensitive, and unwanted interruptions from unimportant members of the crew were not helpful. "Can I help you cadet? Are you lost?"

Olivia was taken aback by the man's bluntness showing a hint of it in her facial expression. She quickly thought back to the academy remembering that at times scientists became 'grumpy' when they were in depth in an experiment. "Um, hi!" She said in a bubbly tone. "I'm Olivia Strathmore sir. I've been assigned aboard the Redemption to learn all I can about each department to prepare me for command. I'm supposed to link up with the department heads but since yours is the XO, I kinda decided to come see you instead...sir."

A hiss of air escaped from Jon's lips. He was behind time on his preparations for arrival at Hadronus, and the captain was assigning him babysitting duties. The sooner he apprehended the Hybrid and returned to Starfleet Intelligence with it, the better - his tolerance for this ship and its occupants was wearing thin. Jon narrowed his eyes slightly as he spoke. "Cadet, I doubt your clearance permits you involvement in my research. I appreciate what the captain is trying to do," he lied, "but these are busy times for our entire department."

Having a brainwave, Jon stepped outside of his own lab and crossed the corridor to the biological sciences laboratory. He knew that Rhyan had been spending most of his time in that particular lab, and had no issues with dumping the cadet on his lap instead. With any luck the cadet would distract the Vulcan from whatever pointless research he was engaged in, rather than disrupting his own plans for the Hybrid and Cadet Scott. "Please, if you wouldn't mind following me."

"Clearance?!" Strathmore asked curiously. "I was not told science was involved in any classified projects, heck they even granted me clearances to work along with Intel to an extent, but the Chief is a witch from what I hear so I'd kinda like to avoid her."

Jon growled slightly, but not loud enough for the young woman beside him to hear. He was beginning to find it hard to hide his annoyance with her. "Not everything I do on this ship is reported directly to Rhyan or Ashcart. Some of my research is carried out directly for Starfleet Science - and this is often sensitive in nature. At the moment I am working on a project-" he paused, trying to find the right words to convey the importance of his work, without letting the cat out of the bag. "Needless to say, what I am working on has the potential to change the balance of power in the quadrant quite significantly."

"And Starfleet felt it best to leave these guys out of the loop including the Chief Science Officer? Talk about lack of trust, but maybe these people deserve it." Strathmore replied going from a bubbly tone now to one with almost acidic undertones. "Still, something this big you'd think someone would at least know enough to steer me away from here. I mean how does a Chief at least not know there is something THIS important going on? I'll be sure not to take any command pointers from him."

"Cadet," began the science officer, more than annoyance beginning to creep into his voice now, "believe me when I say that I take my orders from a much higher level than that annoyance, Rhyan. Some things are better left well way from his radar. And," he said, his eyes finding hers and making sure the point was made without any question what so ever, "if you know what is good for you, you will stay well out of my way as well."

Strathmore scoffed. "Just cause I'm a cadet... with all due respect sir don't try and scare me with the spook stuff. I'm just here trying to help, I'm pretty good with tech and having worked with some Iconian artifacts I thought maybe I could lend a hand in science." She let out a sigh as the two continued on. "Let's just find the Commander and get this all cleared up."

Approaching the entrance to the biological sciences laboratory, Jon slammed his hand against the entry mechanism. When the door failed to open - surprising the Ensign - he keyed in his override code which released the deadlock and forced the doors to part. Whatever Rhyan was up to, he was being as secretive as Jon himself. Perhaps he would take some time out of his schedule to investigate.

Outstretching his arm, Jon spoke once more to the cadet. "If you wish to speak with the Commander, then feel free to wait here for him. I gather he has been spending a large proportion of his time working on a solution to the Hadronus virus in this laboratory. In the meantime, I must return to my own duties."

Olivia shook her head once again as she began to show frustration and annoyance. "Permission to speak freely sir?"

"Something tells me you are going to do so anyway," he replied through gritted teeth. What was it with Starfleet Cadets getting under his skin?

"I'd prefer not to even bother. I mean this department is so compartmentalized and it seems that maybe the Commander's duties as XO are interfering with his duties as a department head. Doors are locked, everyone is running around like a bunch of spooks. Not the kind of person I want to take an example from. If you could find some way I could assist you, it would be doing me a huge favour. I know it's all secret, but honestly these people don't inspire my faith let alone have me squealing on the only chance I might get to learn something." Olivia replied as she suddenly smirked leaning in towards Marshall. "Besides, if this is as important as you say it is, I'm sure it'd help me climb the ladder if you know what I mean."

The corner of Jon's mouth almost broke into a grin. Almost. Maybe he would have a use for the annoying cadet after all. as a plan formulated in his mind, he he turned to face the young woman and spoke.

"I want to be clear on something from the outset," his voice remained firm, but softer than it had been up to this point, "my research is for me, and me alone. In my line of work, trusting others gets you killed or put in prison. But," he paused for dramatic effect, "that isn't to say I can't count on others when the opportunity arises."

Jon stepped through the threshold of Rhyan's lab and encouraged the cadet to do the same. Once they were both inside, and he was confident that they were alone, he began to snoop around the Commander's equipment. Scattered around the workspace were multiple viral analysers, electron microscopes and medical replicators. The computers were all locked out - just as the door had been. Finding out what the Commander was up to would not be easy.

By now the Ensign had a grin from ear to ear. "If you want to prove yourself Cadet, then find out what Commander Rhyan is up to in this laboratory. And I don't mean the obvious - it is obvious he is investing a substantial amount of time into the study of virology, as is most of the crew. What I want to know is why he feels the need to lock his laboratory and encrypt his research."

He eyed the cadet as she internally debated his proposition. Jon rarely worked with anyone outside of Intelligence - but even he had a role for recruiting the next generation of operatives. If she passed this simple test without getting caught, maybe she would prove herself useful to his organisation. He continued, "If you succeed with this task, you and I may have a promising future working together. But if you fail-"

His final words hung in the air - the sentence remained incomplete. Jon knew his meaning would be clear.

"Thank you sir." Olivia beamed with excitement knowing she had been given a rare opportunity. This was a break most cadets could only dream of and would have her seeing her ensign's much earlier then originally planned. "Maybe I should go in alone? He might be more open if it's just some cadet." Olivia commented as she awaited her first orders.

"Feel free to hang around here until he returns," replied Jon, taking one last glance around the laboratory before stepping back out into the corridor, "but I can assure you, if Rhyan finds you in here when he gets back you can kiss your Starfleet career goodbye before it has even started."

"Now that wouldn't be any good would it?" Strathmore joked. "I should probably go report to the XO then. I'll let you know if I find anything."

Jon's eyes locked with Strathmore's. "Please do. But I'll leave you with a few final words." His eyes narrowed as he gave his last piece of advice to the cadet. "If you get caught, I will be denying that this conversation ever happened. Do not expect me to bail you out should you find yourself in trouble - the thing to learn about compartmentalised intelligence is that you are always on your own. Do you understand?"

"Sir, I'm afraid I don't have any knowledge of us having any conversations." Olivia smiled indicating she fully understood.

OFF:

Cadet Senior Grade Olivia Strathmore (NPC)
Command Cadet
USS Redemption

&

Ensign Jon Marshall
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Redemption

 

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