First Impressions

Posted on 02 Mar 2015 @ 1:03am by Lieutenant JG Tulkas Eido & Commander Scarlet Blake

1,108 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck2, XO's office
Timeline: MD07 - 08:00hrs

ON:

Tulkas had known about the Tribble issue, of course. He'd arrived at the Starbase some 3 days ago, and had been politely informed that the Galileo was going to be undergoing decontamination. He wasn't sure if he should feel disappointed or relieved. On the one hand, tribbles always made for the most exciting stories, on the other, they were tribbles and he knew that they quickly lost their charm.

Worse still, the unfortunate timing with his transfer meant that he was arriving just as the crew departed for a long shore leave. Whilst there were far worse scenarios, Tulkas was itching to get started, and the idea of sitting around on a Starbase looking at his newly assigned ship wasn't an overly attractive prospect.

It did somewhat dampen his anxiety about adjusting to a new roommate however, which was a small comfort.

As he entered the ship through one of the many connections it had to Starbase 84, he admired the shape of the ship. His previous posting was aboard an Intrepid class vessel, the USS Tigran and although the USS Nova was smaller, he thought the ship far more striking.

Now aboard the ship, he found a corridor terminal and tapped on it briefly, asking for directions to the XO's office. He had a full morning of meets and greets with the various personnel aboard the ship, and his understanding was that they were leaving for shore leave this afternoon. It wouldn't do at all to be late.

"Deck 2." Tulkas stated at the turbolift, rearranging his uniform to sit a little neater. He adjusted his hair slightly and let out a very soft sigh. It had been 4 years since he'd done this before. His one and only previous experience with integrating with a new crew. To say he was nervous was an understatement.

It was only a short walk to the XO's office, and then he was set. No time like the present, he assured himself as he announced his presence through the door buzzer.

"Come in...." Scarlet called out, reading down over the list on the computer with a slight frown. There was a lot going on. Comings and goings, changes and alterations. Keeping an eye on all of it was more than just a little challenging. The joys of command, perhaps?

A few well placed steps had Tulkas standing formally in front of the desk, his nervousness at meeting someone new being won over by his need to be professional. "Lieutenant Eido, reporting for our scheduled meet and greet, Ma'am."

Scarlet glanced up to him, taking a moment to get her head back into the real world. "Commander Blake. Take a seat," she motioned to the chair on the other side of the desk, sitting back in her own to watch him properly. "And tell me about yourself."

Tulkas did as instructed, sitting straight in the chair and thinking for a moments before explaining about his relevant work life. "4 years served as an exobiologist aboard the USS Tigran, Intrepid class, with two separate tours in the ship during that time."

"Previous to that, I majored in exobiology, with a minor in survival tactics, before completing a year in command school to refine my skillset. I'm currently working on the final year of my PhD in exobiology, with my thesis already shaping up nicely." He stopped, allowing the Commander time to process the information.

Scarlet nodded, crossing her legs as she thought on it. "Do you have any particular projects or goals you'd like to work on during your time here?"

"Besides finishing my thesis, I'm looking forward to being useful when we come across unexplored planets." The Denobulan gesticulated, his words hinting at barely restrained passion. "It's my understanding that you've not had a dedicated exobiologist on board previously."

"Oh I have no doubt that you will be useful," she assured with a motion of her hand to him. "I was more trying to get an idea of where your interests lie in work and where you want to take your research and career."

Tulkas considered for a moment. He had plenty of avenues of research, most of them dry and uninteresting to anyone not in his field of research. He had larger, more ambitious goals, but nothing that the Galileo would be able to assist him in achieving. Not directly, anyway.

"Data and experience, Ma'am." He finally stated after a few seconds of looking thoughtful. "As much information as we can gather on planets of all types, that we don't currently have in our records, from barren rocks with no life, to teeming type M planets."

"And the experience of working in a team with more responsibility. More opportunities to learn and advance as an officer, Ma'am." Tulkas added, his voice sounding determined.

"Well you'll have plenty chance for that here," Blake chuckled softly, shaking her head gently from side to side. "And outside of work?" she asked lightly, a question that was something of a hang over from her time as a counsellor, to get to know the *person* more.

He smiled slightly in return, pausing for a moment. He wasn't expecting that kind of question, but it wasn't one he lacked an answer to. "I enjoy reading, played a lot of board games with my old crew, I'm hoping I can find something similar here. The holodeck, much like most of the crew, I imagine. I fill the time one way or another, Ma'am."

Scarlet nodded with a small smile. It was good to hear, it indicated he was a fully rounded individual....and they might not have to tell him off for being a workaholic. She had a lot of that already. "Well it sounds like this is going to be a good fit. You'll have a good base for all your work here. Do you have anything you want to ask?"

"I don't believe so, Ma'am." Tulkas inclined his head slightly. Truthfully, there were always questions, but there was time later for that. Delaying her superior officers from hard earned shore leave was not his modus operandi. "I'm looking forward to getting underway, and getting to know the ship and her crew."

Scarlet nodded softly with approval, smiling to him with a slight motion of the hand in his direction. "You will need to check in for a medical examine and a psych evaluation. Just routine. After that, you'll be clear for duties. Welcome aboard, Lieutenant, I'm sure you'll settle in quickly..."


OFF:

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

LT JG Tulkas Eido
Exobiologist
USS Galileo

RSS Feed