The Medium is the Error Message

Posted on 13 Mar 2014 @ 8:48am by Commander Andreus Kohl & Lieutenant Jared Nicholas

1,646 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 1, Bridge
Timeline: MD -11 - 0827 hours

[ON]

Because there were departmental meetings scheduled in-and-out of the science laboratories all day, a full compliment of science officers had been scheduled on the Bridge. This would ensure there would always be someone available to operate the primary science station when the senior officers stepped away. Even though there was nothing terribly pressing to accomplish while the Galileo was traveling at warp between star systems, Lieutenant Andreus Kohl appeared rather determined at his workstation. At the aft of the bridge, he was operating the Science II station, where he toggled through varying sensor readings and sensor composites. In truth, he wasn't attempting to accomplish anything from the sensor data. What he really wanted to was to familiarize himself better with the interface. Although the operational principles were the same, the usage was different than what he was accustomed to with medical scanners.

Red crosses appeared on two areas of his LCARS display, and obtrusive error beeps called out from his console. Tapping his fingers across his console, Kohl attempted to undo whatever he had just done, but the error beeps continued. They were not quiet on the otherwise orderly Bridge.

"Oh no," Kohl muttered under his breath. He had literally no idea what he had done wrong, let alone how to fix it. Slowly, his hand moved beneath the console to find the manual override that would deactivate the console. If nothing else, that would silence the bleating error beeps.

Jared looked up a little startled. Then he looked for the source of the annoying sound and had to suppress a grin. He walked over to help the vaguely familiar man.

"Here scoot over, let me help you with that. I think they rig these things to do that on purpose. Just to see how you'd react."

As soon as Jared offered to help, Kohl let out the breath he was desperately holding. He hopped to the right, but he stumbled as he did so. "Oh thank you, yes, thank you," Kohl said softly, but intently.

Jared moved over and let his hands move in an intricate patter until the noise stopped a series of green lights replaced the red. "There you go," he said with a smile "This thing can be a real pain in the ass sometimes. And don't feel bad, I was only able to fix it cause I did the same thing. I'm Jared Nicholas by the way, I've seen you around somewhere, but I don't think in the Science Department."

"I'm called Andreus," said Kohl. He clasped Jared's hand between both of his own, and gave the younger man's hand a solid shake. Kohl nodded at the display when he said, "Thank you for that." He fixed Jared with a genuine smile, and he said, "You probably saw me wearing the same uniform, but in Sickbay." In an undertone, he added, "And I never feel bad about computer problems. I just blame the engineers who designed them wrong in the first place."

"Yeah blaming the engineers is always a safe bet Andreus. And no problem fixing, but it might cost you a beer. You can even tell me why you moved from medical to science."

"Cross-training," said Kohl, and the lie was becoming easier. He had told it so many times now, it felt more honest than the truth. "I didn't join Starfleet to be a nurse or a diplomat. I joined Starfleet to be an officer. That's what my career is about..." Kohl trailed off, though, and narrowed his eyes at Jared. "If that makes sense?"

Jared wasn't Betazoid of Vulcan, so it really wasn't obvious that he was a telepath. Something didn't ring true about the other man's answer. But he didn't push it. It wasn't his business.

"Sure," he answered with a thin smile. It makes perfect sense. So how are you enjoying your cross-training?"

Wide-eyed, Kohl shrugged at Jared and leaned against the edge of his console. "I don't know yet. Overwhelmed? Is overwhelmed an emotion?" Kohl replied. "I spent most of my time on medical research so far, until I was assigned the responsibilities of the Assistant Chief."

"Assistant Chief, I'm impressed and someone else is too obviously. Congratulations! Maybe I should be buying you a drink then."

At Jared's offer, Kohl replied, "Well then, I will always welcome a drink." Kohl turned around to face his console and logged in again. Dragging his fingertips across the panel, he accessed the summaries from the short-range sensor feeds. "But I prefer whiskey over beer."

"Its been a long time since I drank whiskey the last time a man tried to get be drunk so he could take advantage of me."

Despite having been raised on a hedonistic pleasure-planet, the kind of behaviour Jared had described was practically unheard of to Kohl. That was the stuff of failed colonies and forgotten cities, as far as he knew. Kohl had grown up in a populous city with a heavy UFP and Starfleet presence, which meant there still managed to be things that shocked him. "I'm sorry," Kohl said, his voice strained; "We can drink something other than whiskey." At his core, Kohl wanted to reach out to Jared and show some interpersonal kindness, but his medical training kicked in, and advised against physical contact in this context.

"That might be best. Rum would be fine if you want the harder stuff, or Tequila. Up to you."

Kohl swayed his head from side to side, as he considered Jared's options. On his console, he overlaid the summaries from the long-range sensors, and his eyes watched for discrepancies or mismatches. His lips were still thinking about drink. "It's not about alcohol content for me," Kohl said, and he glanced over to look Jared in the eyes. "I don't enjoy beer or ale. It doesn't sit well." He rubbed his abdomen absently.

Jared nodded, "Ahh, well it does that to some people. I'm just glad I'm not one. I guess we can discuss the details once we're off duty. You're a nice guy and I'm glad you decided to 'cross-train'. It will be fun working with you and I'm looking forward to getting to know you."

"On a ship this size, you will certainly learn about every facet of me," Kohl said wryly, and added, "and likewise." He allowed a silence to hang between them, while he considered the sensor readings again. He tapped the lower quarter of the screen to focus tightly on one particular series of readings. "Since we are still on duty, I've been meaning to ask," Kohl said, "Is there anything more the science department could be doing for you?"

Jared returned to his own console and began running some calculations. "Well I am sure I will enjoy learning every facet of you Mr. Kohl," he offered with the merest hint of flirtation in his voice,"as far as the department is concerned I can't think of anything off the top of my head."

"Then let's start with that. Let's get you thinking about what you want," Kohl said, and he sounded excited by the prospect. He turned away from his station again, to face Jared head-on. "What do you hope to achieve as part of our science team?"

"Well I am a linguist not really a scientist per se. But I'd like to see how my skills can be more effectively used and how the the study of language can be integrated with some of the other fields of science."

Kohl held up an index finger in a gesture of let's slow this down for a minute. "I am awfully curious to hear about your ideas for integrating linguistics with other fields of study, but there's something you said..." Kohl's voice may have trailed off, but his eyes intently studied Jared's face. "Do you not feel like a full member of the Science department?"

"That's a good question. If you mean do I feel left out or like I'm not included no. Everyone is accepting and I feel like I am part of the team. But if you mean do I feel like I am contributing like I should no. I am also very good with navigational skills and was thinking of doing some 'cross training' as well. I kind of have a natural ability to think or see things three dimensionally, if that makes sense."

"Yes, it does," Kohl said, in answer to Jared's question. "What would you say you have a stronger passion for? Mashing up linguistics into other fields of study, or pursuing celestial navigation?"

"At this point I'd have to give the edge to linguistics, but the celestial navigation does run a close second."

Gesturing with his hands that Jared should continue, Kohl asked, "And what other fields of science are you interested in investigating for interaction with linguistics?"

"Well the social scenes for sure but biology too. How languages and the formation of them effects evolution."

At first, Kohl could only respond by verbalizing a, "Huh." And then a, "Wow." After that, he said "Oh wow. I was planning to pair you up with some of your fellow scientists, but I want to work on this project myself with you."

"really?" Jared asked,"I'd be flattered to work with you,"It's something I've been thinking of for awhile now. I'm glad you find it interesting."

"I'm looking forward to it too," Kohl said, and he nodded at Jared with a grin. "Start some brainstorming this week on everything and everything you'd like to accomplish with this study, and then we can meet to start to draft a project plan."

"That sounds perfect, thanks Andreus."

[OFF]

A JP by

Lt. Andreus Kohl
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Galileo

Lt. Jared Nicholas
Linguist
USS Galileo

RSS Feed