The Scientist's Apprentice

Posted on 20 Nov 2014 @ 10:58am by Commander Norvi Stace

1,216 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: Starbase 84 - Deck 21 - Temporary Science Department Offices
Timeline: MD06 1200hrs

ON:

The move to the spacedock had been more hectic than Norvi had anticipated. After the quarantine, she was grateful to be sleeping in a space of her own and the larger structure of Starbase 84 gave her even more comfort. All of her personal belongings had been transferred off and cleared to be reunited with her, but this was of little importance to her. Now a fully fledged space rat, and someone who had started over again five times now, there was nothing the Trill needed that a Starfleet replicator couldn't provide.

She'd only been over to the Gally once since settling on the station and was enjoying the break. It was true that one Starfleet installation was the same as the next but just knowing that the surroundings were unfamiliar and new renewed a sense of purpose for her. She'd installed herself into one of the vacant offices of the stardock and was working through the post-mission paperwork when she looked at the chronometer.

She should be reporting in any minute, she thought to herself as she cleared the data padds away and moved over from the desk to the lounge table; a low table that was snaked by plush, purple sofas. She arranged the silver tray and the vase of daffodils and then lowered herself to sit in a more casual manner. She looked to the door and waited for Crewman Wyatt.

Abbey strode along the corridor almost skipping her way to the temporary science department office where she had been given the time and place in which to conduct her post-mission evaluation. Despite everything that had happen she was to happy to let anything undermine her. Waving to a group of security officer she rounded the corner and found herself face to face with the Office door. Hitting the door chime she waited for the person on the other side to ring her in.

Stace smiled as she looked up to the door and welcomed her expected guest. "Come in," she called out, standing up and brushing her uniform down. "Crewman, please come in and sit down!" She proffered the seat next to her with an open hand and smiled. "How have you been?"

Abbey returned her smile as she took the seat the lieutenant offered her. "I have been well, I've been keeping up with my recovery training and I have caught up with the academy program for my year group" She replied looking around nervously the smile she kept planted on her face falling flat.

"I just thought that we would do things a little more informally, if you don't mind. I've had enough of stuffy conference rooms and de-briefings to last a lifetime. Several in fact!"

At that she nodded thankful for the reason of the interview being 'relaxed' which had only unnerved her more. "That's fine, I'm just not to used to things like this but I'll try not to run out of the room crying" She gave a light chuckle.

"Good," she said and stood to remove the cloth off of the silver tray. Beneath it was a bottle of champagne in an ice bucket with two coupes. "Would you care for a glass? We're technically not on duty."

Abbey eyed the glass and usually she would have accepted the offer but she wasn't sure if this was some sort of ruse the department head was trying to make her easier to talk but then she thought of everything she had to contend with since being here on the Galileo. The Borg, non-corporeal murderous red eye'd zombies, falling down a lift shaft, having her insides ripped open for the world to see and finally Jacob... "Yes please" She said mid thought.

Stace returned her reply with a smile and lifted the ice-cold bottle out of the silver bucket. "Good," she said, removing the foil and cage off the top and discarding them on the side of the table. "I find it rather dull to drink alone." She squeezed the cork and then twisted the bottle, a small sigh as the glass vessel relinquished its stopped. She sat and then turned to the coupes the right way around, placing one in front of Wyatt and one in front of her self and poured. "This isn't a formal evaluation, Crewman," she said warmly, flicking her green eyes up as she moved back to pour her own glass, "more of a celebration of what we have all been through these past few months... but more importantly what you have been through. And succeeded in. If you'll stand."

Abbey's world was swirling in a bright array of colour as if she had been looking through a dusty window her entire life right until this very moment. Standing shakily she could feel the warmth grow inside of her cheeks as her stomach done crazy lurches causing her to feel dizzy. Now standing she stared at the lieutenant shock and awe covered her now bright red face.

Raising her fizzing glass to Abbey-Mae, she nodded her congratulations. "In recognition of your services for the United Federation of Planets, and for forging forth with your personal goals within your guise of Apprentice Crewman for Starfleet aboard the USS Galileo, I hereby promote you to Full Crewman, along with the rights and privileges that come with. Congratulations, Crewman Wyatt." She toasted her with one hand and with the other pulled out a glossy wooden box. "If you'll remove your pip, Crewman."

Taken a moment to realise that the lieutenant had asked her something she shakily moved her hands to her pip that now felt heavy like a lead badge her arms jolting as if they were in need of a good oiling. She still hadn't said nothing and she didn't try in case she might break down and cry. Removing the pip she reapplied the back clip and held her palm open towards Norvi.

Norvi's face softened as a smile broke out across her freckled face like a wave of pride. "This isn't a Charles Dickens novel, Crewman," Stace said, opening the box. "You can't deny me the pleasure of placing this on your uniform myself now, can you?" And with that she plucked the new insignia pip out of the box and lowered Abbey-Mae's hand down with her free one. "This is well deserved, Crewman Wyatt," she added, fastening it to her collar. "Well done and congratulations." Stace stood back to admire it on her. "Looks good," she added, flaring her eyebrows up.

Abbey glanced at her reflection through Stace's eyes and smiled the moment of butterflys that had stirred in her stomach were now gone and all that was left was the dizzying sense of pride "Thank you so much Ma'am" She whispered hoarsely.

"It's honestly my pleasure," Stace replied, sitting back down. "Now, you can have a proper drink!"

Taking her seat Abbey once again smiled as she looked to the drink "I think that is something I will be doing all night" Her eyes shone as if to already betray her intention for the celebratory promotion drinks she had planned.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Norvi Stace
Chief Science Officer & Second Officer
USS Galileo

AND

Crewman Abbey-Mae Wyatt
Scientist's Mate
USS Galileo

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