Surprises in the Workplace

Posted on 27 Mar 2016 @ 12:15pm by Lieutenant JG Kezmar Tsakti Ph.D & Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

1,262 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo- Deck 4, CRO's Office
Timeline: MD-23, 0830 hours

[ON:]

Kezmar stalked up to the door to the CRO's office, the tall reptilian straightening the teal collar under his Starfleet jacket. This was his third interview with a superior since arriving, but his first for that particular day, so he had a bit more energy than usual. Gingerly bring a green, scaled hand up to rap on the door, Kezmar impatiently flicked his forked tongue in and out while waiting for an answer.

Feeling slightly nervous about his first official meeting with his new assistant, Oren ran his hand through his hair to try and smooth the locks back.

"Come in," he called at the sound of the chime, settling into his chair in a way to at least appear professional to the man. He was sure they'd make quite the pair, at least visually speaking. An almost seven foot tall Selay and a small, teenage-looking El Aurian were sure to be eye catching no matter where they showed up.

Who is this... This child? As he stepped into the office Kezmar was suprised by the apparent youth of his superior. Was this some sort of prank? Where were the hidden cameras? He expected someone... Well not some kid, for sure. What a hoot! Peering down at Oren, the lanky Selay gave him a look not dissimilar to that of a predator looking at its prey, bemused and judging. Nonchalantly putting a scaled hand up to his forehead in what subsisted for a salute, Kezmar hissed "I sssssuppossse you know who I am?"

"Of course! Lieutenant Tsakti," Oren said, his pronunciation near perfect for a mammalian humanoid. He stood up when the Selay entered, returning his salute. If he was aware of the look Kezmar was giving him, he didn't show it. Instead, he motioned to the chair opposite him. "Please, have a seat. Can I get you a refreshment?" Wanting the man to feel welcome, Oren was animated and bright, completely unaware that it made him look even younger than he appeared.

"No, thankssssss." Sitting down in the offered chair, Kezmar got a better look at his superior, his gaze softer but still slightly predatory. What a peculiar specimen. He looked even younger up close, what was he, like 18 or 19? How? Shaking his head, Kezmar refuses to let his confusion get the best of him. Fixing Oren with in inquisitive gaze, he asked "I also presume you know why I'm here?"

"Naturally," Oren said with a nod. "To be honest, I wasn't aware the position of Assistant Research Officer even existed until I got the call from Command about you being posted here, but I'm looking forward to working with you. I read your file," Oren revealed, and had to admit he was slightly intimidated by the field Tsakti preferred.

"I find it interesting that our two fields are so far removed from one another and I think that'll help us be a better team, don't you?"

Kezmar thoughtfully scratched his chin, thinking back to Oren's file which he had briefly skimmed over when he was first assigned. "Ah, yesss. You sstudy anthropology, correct?" It's hardly a real science. "Between the two of uss, we'll have a very wide knowledge bassse." You should leave the actual scientific studies to me, little man.

Hiding his derision behind a bemused smile, he added "It'sss quite surprissing to ssee sssomeone ssso young but ssso well educated." A doctorate in anthropology? What a joke. Kezmar chuckled almost good naturedly, hoping his boss couldn't see through the empty flattery.

"I've been blessed by good opportunities," Oren replied, feeling a slight shift in Tsakti despite his best efforts to conceal it. People were so careless with their emotions when they didn't know they were speaking to an empath. Not that Oren found the condescension surprising; he knew his appearance was deceiving to many, but there was something in Tsakti's demeanor that told Oren there was more to it.

"I also have a doctorate degree in Exoarcheology from the Imperial Science Academy on Romulus," he added. "I believe with your expertise in the natural sciences and mine in the social, we'll make a formidable team in helping the department stay on track with their research."

"Right." Kezmar resisted the urge to roll his eyes, nodding to Oren. He didn't particular look forward to being a 'team' with the inferior whelp sitting in across from him, but Oren was his boss. It wasn't like he had a choice. Gritting his teeth, Kezmar tried to change the subject a bit. "Pray tell, what kind of research is going on at the moment?"

"Depends on the area, but all the scientists have their personal projects going on," Oren explained with a small shrug. "As my assistant, you don't really need to concern yourself with that. A lot of the research done is on a need-to-know basis and you don't need to know. You need to do what I need of you. Is that understood?" Although Oren kept his tone as light and airy as it usually was, the look in his eye made it quite clear that Tsakti's attitude hadn't gone unnoticed and, despite his delicate appearance, Oren wasn't about to be pushed around by someone who considered themselves more of a real scientist.

"Are you implying, sssssssir, that I am incapable of following orderssss?" Kezmar narrowed his eyes, fixing Oren with a reptilian glare. Did Oren think Kezmar was stupid enough not to follow orders, even from the impudent boy in front him? He felt especially insulted considering the Oren's rank insignia displayed a provisional Lieutenancy, he probably had no clue how to be a real officer, let alone tell others how to be one. Kezmar didn't plan to take shit from this fraud of an officer and fraud of a scientist, and his tone reflected it.

"Of course not," Oren said casually, looking quite baffled that Tsakti had even come to such an odd conclusion. Officers were so insecure! To offset the man's tone, Oren kept his as light and casual from beginning to end. "I would simply like for us to have an established set of responsibilities. Mine are to be in charge of manage the resources for various research projects the other scientists are involved in, and yours is to assist me and point out when I'm wrong about something. Considering the tone you've been using during this conversation, I'm sure you'll have no problems doing that, Lieutenant."

"Erm.. Hrm..." Kezmar paused awkwardly, unsure of what to say. If he said something else touchy, he'd prove Oren's point, but he didn't want to be chummy with his new boss either. Leaving the conflict between his desire to put the man in his place and proving him wrong unresolved, Kezmar simply replied, "Errr, right."

"Good," Oren said curtly, nodding to Tsakti. "Is there anything else you'd like to discuss before we finish up here?"

"No, I don't believe sssso." Giving his boss a firm, but not particularly menacing glare, Kezmar stood up from his seat. This had not gone as expected, and he had been caught slightly off guard, but it wouldn't happen again. "Good day, Lieutenant."

"Dismissed, Lieutenant," Oren told him, returning Kezmar's glare with one less menacing but no less firm. His eyes followed the man all the way our.


[OFF]

Lieutenant Idris Oren, Ph.D
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

Lieutenant (JG) Kezmar Tsakti, Ph.D
Assistant Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

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