I can do science me
Posted on 06 Jun 2020 @ 11:46am by Lieutenant Xu Chang Lau & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari
Mission:
Mission 4 - Race against the machine
Location: Science offices
Timeline: Not long after meeting with Merlin and Europa
761 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure
The turbolift had deposited Xu a short walk from the Science labs and Lieutenant Datari's Office. Still with her carry bag slung over her shoulder, her cheeks still burning slightly from the flush of embarrassment she had felt at her abysmal first impression with the transporter chief , and the fact her mind had started to process the gravity of the ships situation. She had no clue how a Forensic Anthropologist could help with this situation but hey, she was nothing if not a versatile and adaptable officer.
She rounded the corner to the Science division and saw another Officer heading in the direction of her intended destination.
"Lieutenant Datari?"
"I'm he," the Trill officer answered, turning his head to face the newcomer. Observant as ever, he noticed her flushed cheeks. "Are you alright?" he asked, "you didn't run here did you?" He nodded towards her bag. "You could've gone past your quarters first, and get freshened up a bit?"
She shook her head, "No running but I just made a stellar first impression with the transporter chief!" offering a weak smile. "He did tell me a little about the current situation which is why I decided to head straight here... Planet Killer?"
She followed him inside the office, the incredulity in her voice still very evident. It was now, securely in the office she could really take stock and hopefully gleam a little more information from her superior officer, not to mention size him up. He looked younger than she, longer hair than was not customary for male officers but it gave him something of a rogueish appearance. It suited him.
"Your sense of duty is commendable." Aidan nodded. "Yes planet killer, we're trying to find a way to stop that monster out there. Tell me, what is your area of expertise?"
"Forensic Anthropology sir... I work with bones in other words. I'm also a trained Xenoliguist, both written and spoken forms. I'm also a level 4 shuttle pilot"... she grimaced "Not entirely sure my expertise is useful in this situation but I know my way round a sensor grid and I'm used to processing data rapidly".
The young chief's eyes lit up. "Xenolinguistics?" He smiled. "I'm a linguist myself, "not got a whole many other skills I'm afraid, though I hold my own with bladed weapons."
"I'm starting to feel as if this posting my be more than I can handle!", a hint of fear adding to the timber of her voice. "So, this planet killer... Have we managed to access or invade its systems or software? Maybe between us we could figure out something about the thing we are chasing?"
Grasping at straws, defiantly, but this was about all she may be able to offer in support of this mission.
"No I'm afraid not. I'm hoping that this probe we're preparing will give us some answers. I don't even know what that thing is composed of, or if it even has a crew. I don't think it does, but there's not enough historical data to be certain." He gave her a curious look. "Perhaps your training can help us there. Perhaps you can dig up anything you can find on this thing?"
"I'll head to the bridge once we are done here and start pouring over the database. I can recall that Kirk had two run ins with technology like this. The doomsday machine and the probe that was at the centre of that thing with the humpback whales. I'll see if I can pull up the science and engineering reports from that era... if they still exist!"
As long shots went, this was one that could cross lightyears!
"I'm not sure the one with the whales was the same thing though. That one was addressing a specific life form. This doomsday device just devoured entire planets." He gave her a single nod. "Get settled and freshened up first. Ill meet you on the bridge later."
"No stone unturned sir."
She smiled as she collected up her bag and stood once again already knowing she would investigate the whale probe regardless. It may offer something that they had not considered before. "Now if you will excuse me, I need to find my quarters!"
She nodded once more at the youthful looking Lieutenant before turning on her heel and making for the door.
●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer/2nd Officer
USS Andromeda
○● Lieutenant JG Xu Chang Lau
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Andromeda
