I Can Do Science, Me!

Posted on 19 Feb 2015 @ 11:06am by Commander Norvi Stace

740 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 4, Chief Science Officer's Office
Timeline: MD43 - 12:45 Hrs

Carrying his apparently ever present PADD - obviously to take notes! - Wintrow approached the science chief's office. It had been a while since he had dealt with any departmenthead besides his own, and he was feeling a little nervous. Then again, he was always nervous when meeting new people so that was nothing new. But, after having been to astrometrics it really only felt right to go to the departmenthead.

"Miss Stace?" He called out. Now that he'd been berated about ranks and sirs and ma'ams a few times now, he wasn't sure how to address someone anymore, but knowing the departmenthead was female, 'Miss' seemed safe enough. "Do you have a moment?"

"Uh - 'Miss'?" Norvi questioned with a smile, turning about from her replicator. "I'm never a 'miss', Cadet. Who in their right mind told you to address anyone as a 'miss'?" She pulled the cup of hot Bolian chocolate out of the alcove and then indicated with her head to it. "Can I tempt you with anything while I'm here?"

Smelling the chocolate, Wintrow gestured towards her mug. "The same as you please," he answered, "I love chocolate." He blushed slightly at her rebuke. "My dad told me it's the polite thing to do, especially since I've been berated about calling someone sir or ma'am a few times now...it's so confusing!"

Stace chuckled as she replicated the beverage again and then returned to her seat. "Please," she offered the vacant seat opposite and slid the hefty mug before him. "There's no need to be confused, Cadet. I didn't mean anything by my remark." She scrunched up her nose to him in a playful, disarming gesture. "Everyone has different tastes and senses of what is right and proper. I myself prefer strict and unadulterated rank. You can't go wrong in this business with that." She paused and then took a sip. "Now, what is your name and what can I do for you, Cadet?"

"Understood ma'am," Wintrow answered uncertainly, "my name is Wintrow, Wintrow Paragon and I'm a cadet sophomore, though I've never physically attended the academy back on Earth. I haven't been on Earth for a good three years now ma'am and I don't really have any intention of returning." He held out his PADD to her. "While I'm in flight, I would like to learn the basics of other departments as well. Chief Quinn has set up a curriculum for me."

Stace's slender, alabaster hand release the handle of her warm cup as she reached across the desk to grasp the PADD. She took it, smiled and then read quickly. "Mister Quinn has rather a healthy schedule for you, Cadet. What discipline are you majoring in?"

"Flight ma'am, I love to fly. But I want to be able to help out in other areas when im not flying. I was thinking science and engineering. I love to try and fix things too."

Stace returned his comment with a warm smile. "Then we will be glad to have you here. It's always good to expand your knowledge and experience while you're on tour duty."

"Except I know very little about science," Wintrow admitted sheepishly, "so I haven't a clue where to start."

"And that, my friend, I assume is why you are here to learn." Her face softened as she looked at the young and eager pup sitting before her. "We all have to start somewhere, and if you're posted onto a science-specific vessel like ours then it's good to get the experience across the board."

"Yes ma'am," Wintrow replied happily, "I want to be versatile whenever I don't have flight duties to attend to." He paused. "Where do I start?"

"I'll have Mr. Quinn arrange when you are free, and we'll go from there. Does that sounds agreeable to you, Cadet? We'll work it around your current schedule."

"Yes ma'am," the youth replied. "In the mean time, is there anything I
could read in advance? Something basic?"

"I'll have one of the officers send you something to read over in the meantime. We'll start on procedures in the labs and then move on from there."

"Thank you ma'am." Wintrow made a few notes on his PADD then shut it down. "I'm looking forward on getting started.

OFF:

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
[PNPC T'Vanna]

AND

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

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