Science Requirements

Posted on Wed Dec 12th, 2018 @ 12:49pm by Lieutenant Yid Seeyak & Lieutenant Commander Sotaak

Mission: Getting underway
Location: Deck 4, Chief Science Officer's Office
Timeline: 5 September, 2394 - 0930 Hours

[ON]

Yid stepped off of the turbolift, looking down at his PADD as he did so and promptly ran into someone. His PADD went flying and he stumbled back into the turbolift.

"Oh I am so sorry, sir. So sorry! I didn't mean to bump into you. I was just..." The words came in one solid stream of sound and Yid held up a hand. The crewman was a young petty officer third class, wearing a teal uniform.

"No, no," Yid said. "It was completely my fault. I should have been watching where I was going. I guess I wasn't expecting anyone to be here. The ship has been so deserted, petty officer?"

The young man caught the leading question. "Jenkins, sir. Petty Officer Third Class Kevin Jenkins. Formerly of the Saratoga, sir. Botonist by trade, officer manhandler by accident," Jenkins said and let out a high pitched laugh. Yid joined in.

"Very good, Jenkins. Nice to meet you. Can you point me in the direction of the Chief Science Officer's office?"

Jenkins nodded. "Sure go all the way past medical country and when you pass the Planetary Development Lab, take the next right. You can't miss it."

"Great. Thanks again," Yid said and set off, following the directions as given. He passed and incredible array of medical offices and facilities including ICU, Biohazard Support, Surgical Ward, Critical Care, Null-Gravity Treatment, and that wasn't even counting all the cargo storage space. He shook his head as he took the correct right turn and ended up outside of a small office. He triggered the door chime and waited.

Sotaak had made himself a nice fresh mint tea and was seated behind his small desk reading department reports. Although the shop wasn't yet underway, he had a little reading to do. And he liked the nice quiet moment. As a Vulcan he was quite content on his own. He liked the peace and quiet.

He picked up his tea mug when suddenly that peace and quiet was disturbed by the chiming of the door chime. He wasn't really expecting anyone, but he wasn't all that busy either, so a little break couldn't hurt. "Enter!" He called in his calm yet emotionless voice.

Yid walked into the office, noting the freshly refurbished smell lingering under the smell of... mint? He looked over at the sole occupant of the room and nodded. "Good morning, commander. I am Lieutenant Seeyak, the new Chief Engineering Officer. Pardon my intrusion this morning but I am doing a general survey of the ship's main departments and I saw that, unlike some of the other department heads, you were aboard already. I thought I would take the opportunity to check and see if you needed any assistance from engineering? I know that many science labs require re-configuring in order to accommodate experiments."

Unlike his father and brother Sotaak was a man of less words and more someone of action. He put the pad he was holding aside. He ignored the apology. "Good morning, Lieutenant. Yes, I have seen the tasks on the list of actions. If Engineering is not needing you, I would appreciate the reconfiguration." He took another pad. When he saw the lieutenant still there he tilted his head a bit sideways. "Was there anything else, Lieutenant?" He asked.

Yid let the words hang in the air for a moment. Truth be told, the engineer was a little lonely. Most of his engineering staff was scheduled to arrive late in the day and the captain was incredibly busy. That left him working by himself. "Well, commander, I was wondering if you might enlighten me with some insight into what kind of research you will be doing. That would make reconfiguration efforts much more efficient," Yid said. He let his eyes scan the room, wondering if the Vulcan had had time to personalize it at all.

Sensing the lieutenant might be looking for some company he put the pad down again. He got up. "Lieutenant, I am an archaeologist. Currently I am looking in to the history of the Dominion founders. I already looked at some artifacts taken back from the Gamma quadrant. I hope I can visit some planets the founders left their mark. The changelings are an interesting race that have been around for a long time. I had hoped the captain would take us there some time. But for now, I look through artifacts, and translate tablets brought back." He walked to the replicator. "Would you like something to drink, Lieutenant?" He offered. He didn't want to turn him away. His father taught him better than that.

"Sure. Moba fruit juice if we have it," Yid said. "The Founders, huh? I'm surprised you've been able to find a lot of artifacts. I thought they were a pretty reclusive bunch who used other races like the Breen and the Cardassians as puppets. Not that that excuses them for anything." He mentally checked himself. It wouldn't do any good to come off as a bitter Bajoran. He needed to try harder to make friends on the Axca than he had on the Fearless.

"To be honest, all I have gotten were just artifacts that proved the existence of the founders before the Dominion. No evidence of the founders themselves. As was told, the Changelings were both feared and hunted as a race before the rise of the Dominion. And in some societies, I found mentioning of the changelings being legends." Sotaak explained as he found the drink in the replicator. He pointed to a chair next to his desk. "Please, Lieutenant." He offered the chair and then put the drink on the desk next to him, before going back to his own seat. "It is quite fascinating." He continued.

"Bajorans have strong opinions about the Founders. I'm sure you can understand that," Yid said. "But I would have thought you being Vulcan, there would have been research you could have done closer to home. What made you become interested in the Founders in the first place?"

"I am a Vulcan and a scientist," Sotaak explained. "I can understand the feelings of the Bajorans towards the Founders, and I also know they are very passionate about that, seeing as not long before that you just got out from under the Cardassian occupation. It is my belief that to understand someone, someone's reasoning, but someone in general, it is always good to know their history. Just as much as it is important to know your own history. We know what the Founders were like during the war, we do not know what motivated them or if they were always like that. Now with a peace treaty signed with the Dominion, it is interesting to learn about that. Romulans share the same ancestry as we Vulcans, Klingons bolster their history whenever they get the chance. But we do not know much about the founders and I think we should."

Yid found himself being drawn into what the science officer was saying and nodding at the arguments. "I admire your desire to seek knowledge of those who are... have been our enemies. I know that the war is long over but the scars, personal and societal, are hard for me and my people to get over. On my last posting we ended up with a Cardassian XO and it was very difficult for me at first. But over the years I was able to understand how my history was clouding my judgement. I think I am a better person for having working with him," Yid said. "Perhaps I could create an archaeology laboratory for you? There might be some equipment or special replicators that could assist in your research?"

"That is much appreciated, Lieutenant," Sotaak replied. "I understand the emotions and feelings surrounding the war. I am the last person who would tell you not to have those emotions. I myself lost friends in the war. But as a vulcan I don't express those emotions as you do. And as a scientist I can't afford myself those feelings if I want to give an objective opinion on the matter." He reached over to his mug and looked in to it. "If you are interested in the research I will make my notes and logs available for you to look in to." He offered.

"I'd love to..." Yid started to say and then his combadge came alive.

=^=Lieutenant Seeyak, this is transporter room one. Some of your people are getting ready to come aboard=^=

Yid stood up. "Duty calls. Let's have lunch soon and talk about your research more. Sound good?"

Sotaak nodded. "That is appreciated, Lieutenant. You have a good day." He started to clean up the empty mugs.

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Sotaak
Chief Science Officer/ Second Officer
USS Axca NCC-75304

Lieutenant Seeyak Yid
Chief Engineering Officer
USS Axca NCC-75304