the Science of making friends

Posted on 29 Jun 2019 @ 1:44pm by Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov

Mission: Mission 1 - In the pale moonlight ...
Location: Ten Forward
1039 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Walking into Ten Forward, Rose was looking for the Chief Science Officer as she had some questions she believed only a scientist could answer. She'd heard a few things that had happened before she arrived and wanted to know more about what had gone on. Spotting the officer she was looking for, Rose made her way over to the young man, "excuse me, are you Lieutenant Datari?"

The Trill cast the woman a friendly smile. "Yes ma'am, I am he. What can I do for you?"

Rose smiled, “excellent, if I may impose, I have a few questions I hope you can answer for me. May I join you?”

"Of course. Fire away ma'am and if I can answer them I shall. What kind of questions do you have?" By the colour of her uniform he could tell she was either OPS or security.

taking a seat, Rose looked over at Aidan, "I'll try not to take up too much of your time. What can you tell me about the moon you encountered?"

"It's gone?" Aidan stated almost comically, "no in all seriousness, I can't tell you much about it yet except it had some kind of weird structure and I'm working to decipher the codes and language we found down there. The moon went poof just as we left it."

"if you need some help with the codes, I'm willing to help out. I'm sure something from that Intelligence course I took could help" Rose offered.

"I'll take any help I can get," Aidan said, carefully sipping his tea between words.

"The moon, could it have come from subspace? was it artificial in nature?" Rose asked

"I think it's an actual celestial body, but where it comes from or has gone to, I don't know." He gave her a semi smirk. "You know.... you know my name, but you never gave me yours...."

"oh, I am Lieutenant Rosaline Belikov, Chief of Security" she said, holding out her hand, "pleasure to meet you"

Accepting the offered hand, Aidan smiled at her. "Aidan," he said, leaving out the rest as she already knew that. And since he was off duty he saw no reason to insist on rank. "Anyway, regarding the moon, we're still investigating on why it disappeared."

"any leadds?"

The Trill frowned, hadn't he just said there weren't any yet? He shook his head. "No ma'am, none yet."

"well, I hope you get answers soon. If I may, I saw on your file that you are joined. That means that this is not your first host?" Rose asked


Aidan blinked in surprise. "I think you read wrong ma'am. I am not joined...I was briefly when I was fifteen, but both me and the symbiont were too young. We were separated just in time but it left us both traumatized. I will never be joined again, I don't want to be and after that I'm no longer suitable."

"oh I am sorry, I didn't mean to insult you. I must admit I have only read the basics on each of the senior crew" Rose said, now feeling embarrassed at her error. "than, um, I think my best course of action is to retreat. thank you for your time lieu..... I mean Aiden" she said, standing up from her chair and giving a slight bow before turning around and almost quick marching out of the lounge.

She was stalled however by a blur of.blue which nearly collided with her. Behind her, Aidan chuckled as he saw his pet backwing and screech in surprise.

dropping to one knee, Rose conducted a combat roll to one side before turning around and pulling out a type 1 phaser from her pocket, "what the hell is that?"

Though he knew Sherlock was capable of defending himself and getting himself to safety, Aidan shot to his feet and sped forward. "No!" He cried out in one of the rare instances he raised his voice. "Sherlock, come down." He cast the woman an imploring look. "Don't shoot him, he's my pet."

Sherlock whistled, landing on Aidan's shoulder, indignantly flicking back his wings.

Slowly standing up, Rose looked between Aidan and his pet for a moment before lowering her phaser, “apologies, I was just startled” she said, relaxing a little. Her posture had changed from the gentle and calm one she had earlier to a more ridged and alert one. Although she didn’t anticipate it happening, Rose kept herself primed for a fight, “is your pet cleared to roam the ship freely?”

"Does he need to be?" Aidan frowned. "I've never had issues and the captain said as long as he doesn't get in the way it's fine?" At least that's how he had interpreted the captain's words. "He's harmless ma'am. A bit cheeky, a bit of a tease to people he likes, but harmless. The only ones who have to worry are those that mean me or my friends and family harm."

Rose sighed, "fair enough. I would like to ask you to restrict his 'airspace' to non-critical areas. the Bridge and Main Engineering are a no fly zone for the safety of the ship. I can respect that he means no harm, but he could unintended incidents during a critical moment which I cannot risk. I hope you understand"

"He doesn't usually go to the bridge ma'am... he only does in case of emergency. He usually sticks to my quarters and the arboretum, or joins me here in the mess. Most likely he sticks to the high perches too and as he flies he's usually up high in the corridor too. Out of the way and generally unnoticed." Aidan shrugged. "I've had him for seven years now ma'am and he's never caused any incidents, intended or otherwise."

Rose nodded, "good. now, if you'll excuse me" she said, turning back to the exit and walking out.

Sherlock warbled in question as the woman departed. Aidan shrugged. "I don't know Sherlock, but I think it's best you do stay away from the bridge unless there's an emergency."

OFF:

Lieutenant JG Rosaline Belikov
Chief of Security/Tactical
USS Andromeda

●● Lieutenant Aidan Datari
Chief Science Officer
USS Andromeda