Leaving Science up to the Masses

Posted on Mon Sep 12th, 2011 @ 4:38am by Lieutenant Jimmy Cooper

834 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Taylforth
Location: Science Station
Timeline: Backpost, before Jimmy leaves

Jimmy stepped back into the office of the Science Department to make some quick arrangements before he left on the station.

"Crewman Sessan," he called, "Please come over here for a second."

Seated at one of the terminals of the main console, Cadet Eralp Celik grinned at the science lead's familiar expectation of finding Crewman Sessan in the main lab when the Bajoran had established a habit of passing her shift in Stellar Cartography unless called for. The young Turk had a working theory based on having glanced at Jimmy's service record; his previous Nova class assignment fostered a more localized dynamic. Rhode Island's lesser size and range not only translated into less labs, but also less of a need to branch out since her more limited functionality wouldn't support as wide a variety of specialists.

However, another consideration intercepted his successive thought of reminding Jimmy.

"After 0800, Lieutenant," Eralp offered in his modest accent. "She's off-duty, no?"

"Ah, yes, thank you, Cadet," Jimmy looked over to glance on the duty roster, which indeed confirmed Celik's observation. "How are you doing on that report, Cadet?"

Eralp glanced at his PADD and Jimmy in a manner akin to a poker player pondering his chances. Having written reports seemingly nonstop since sophomore year, he was quite open to preoccupying himself with something else. So the cadet leveled his gaze and grinned again.

“I’ll tell you if you tell me why you needed Crewman Sessan.â€

Jimmy raised an eyebrow. "Technically, I have no obligation to tell you that, cadet." He put a slight accent on his rank to make a point, then sighed. "But you have no reason not to be curious, I guess. Someone needs to be in charge of launching and taking care of the probe while I'm away."

Jimmy's 'leaving' during what his mention of the probe confirmed as the commencal of the Taylforth survey was an odd development to Eralp, whose dark eyebrows draped over his eyes. “Where’s away, Lieutenant?†the midshipman, mindful of Jimmy's reproaching tone, inquired in a weightier tone compared to that with which he struck the ‘deal’ that delivered them to this junction. “And why would you be anywhere but here for a survey?“

"You must've heard about the space station floating out there? We're going there for clues." Again, Jimmy was in no way obliged to tell that, but it wasn't in his personality to keep information unless it's absolutely necessary. In addition, the fact that they were going there was hardly classified. "Now how's that report going, cadet? I think I should have sated your curiosity to report on your work."

"It's done," Eralp said nonchalantly, accentuating it with a brief lift of his brows as he laid the PADD in front of him. "And I have heard about the heightened sea level and the space station, Lieutenant. I just didn't expect the captain to allow manned EVA so soon after arrival. It's not against regulations, but there aren't many instances of pre-warp surveys starting with boots in the subject race’s territory, either. I can tell you from recent experience that such an approach is. . .not widely endorsed by the Academy."

Any criticism implied was swept by a lop-sided grin and him asking: "I don't suppose there's any way I can accompany you?"

Jimmy shot a faint smile to the cadet. "I'm afraid not, the shuttle is full as it is. However. . ." His voice trailed off as he glanced through Celik's PADD.

In turn, Eralp lent Jimmy an expectant gaze even as the older officer's focus was clearly devoted to reading.

"I guess I could get you some hands-on experience on probing, if you feel so inclined."

Having figured the away team beyond his reach anyway, monitoring the probe was the next best break. Not only would Eralp finally have some field work to show for this posting, he hoped to find something worth building his thesis around. Long off as the due date was, he was going with his instructor’s suggestion of forging it over the course of the year instead of trying to throw it together at once. The stress of procrastinating aside, Commander Dema was supposedly quite keen of cursory efforts to complete the assignment, and the Tellerite told his class she wouldn't hesitate to fail those whose work didn't strike her as confident and complete under the succinct premise of ‘if you don’t care, why should I?’

"I feel quite inclined, Lieutenant,†he answered with brio. “Participating in a pre-warp survey, much less a potential first contact isn't the kind of opportunity that knocks on every cadet's door."

"Very well," Jimmy picked up another PADD and gave it to Celik. "Here are the details. I expect a full report when I get back."

It wasn’t until Jimmy left that Eralp expressed his gratitude for receiving his second report mandate within seconds of completing the first by groaning and banging his head on the console.

 

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