Post Number 6 Science Meets Science!

Posted on Sat Oct 31st, 2026 @ 6:52pm by Lieutenant Tara Herculoid PhD & Lieutenant Damien Saunders

Mission: The Forbidden Waters-5
Location: Amandora, Main Science Lab Offices
Timeline: Current

[ON]

Damien had left the Commodore's Ready Room feeling energized. He had a new ship and a step up in his rank. And now, because of his previous hard work in Sciences, he was afforded a Chief Position in Sciences.

Not that he was a person who craved titles or power, but he felt that personally he was ready for more responsibilities. The USS Amandora afforded him this!

Excitement for the Science Officer was an understatement when he learned that Amandora was a Vesta-class vessel. The starship had vastly superior Science Labs than he was used to working in on his previous assignments.

Entering the Laboratories on Deck 07, he was sure it was Deck 07, because that is where the turbo-lift had stopped when he ordered 'Main Science Offices'... He rubbed at his noggin, his short-cut hair scratching as he did; "Need to remember that, Damien... "Computer. What deck am I on?" He asked the nearby wall panel.

"Lt. Jg. Damien Saunders, Chief Science Officer, is currently on Deck 07, Section 02, Bakers Street." The monotone sound of the ship's main computer reported.

"Ok... Good. Got that down." He then turned down a corridor, passing through a set of double lab doors, parting for him as he had passed through them... Looking at the different numerical codes on each door panel, he then noticed a few glass-looking office windows, which were typical of the Chief and Associate Offices on a Vesta-class vessel.

"Computer... Where is Lieutenant Tara Herculoid, Acting Chief Science Officer, currently located?" He asked once more.

"Lieutenant Tara Herculoid, Acting Chief Science Officer, is currently in Science Laboratory Office Suite L-11."

"Un.... Hunh.." Damien stopped at the nearest doorway. Counting and then passing another four rooms, noting the various facilities as he walked by, he then stopped at L-11.

"There we go!" He quipped. He stopped short of the windows to the office. He dusted off his Sciences Uniform, and then breathed in and out... "First impressions... First impressions, Damien..." He then chimed the door to the Laboratory Office.

Tara had just set up her microscope to do a bit of research when her office door chimed. "Come in," she called as she picked up a slide and put it under the microscope,

Pausing a second, he then entered when he heard a voice from within. Entering he then stopped past the doorway, as the door then closed behind him. "Lt. Damien Saunders, Chief of Sciences... I believe you are currently Acting Chief, Lieutenant Tara Herculoid, Sciences Officer?" Saunders posited.

Tara nodded as she turned from her microscope as she'd heard her door open. "Guilty as charged," Tara said offering her hand. "Ship's computer alerted me that I had a new boss. I'm the assistant chief, Please have a seat."

"Thank you..." Damien chuckled. He welcomed Tara's hand with a nice friendly handshake. He took the seat and relaxed in it. He let himself take in the room, the devices... Everything was just awesome.

"What are you working on?" Damien asked curiously. He noted that Tara looked to be deep in her work when he had entered. That was a good thing. Science Officers always had a deep passion for their work.

Tara took a seat at her desk, made a notation on a file before closing it. "It's a project from my home planet. We have a moon there that is in the early stages of development. It's off limits to nearly everyone as we don't want to interfere with the inhabitants development. I have a blind set up there, when I'm home I head there and take samples of the soil, fauna, animals and such. Would you like to see it? I also have a computer there that I get readings from on a weekly basis so I can monitor things,"

"Sure!" Damien got excited. "I love science. But then again... I think we both do." He chuckled. "So wow. You collect from a blind setup. I don't think I have ever had to go through a science mission around inhabitants not being able to see me, and doing my work." Damien studied the bio samples that Doctor Herculoid had retrieved. "Did you find anything interesting from your samples. I see that you are currently going through elemental analysis of all the items." Damien took a seat and gestured if he could have a look himself at Tara's interesting work.

Tara turned her computer around so Damien could see her research but before she did Tara made sure it was in Federation Standard as very few could read her native language, "This is what I've collected. The beings on that moon have no idea there is life anywhere. They have just discovered fire. The animal life forms are not native to the sector of space my home planet is in. And they are not found anywhere other than that moon."

Damien leaned closer to the screen, eyes moving over the data.

"They have only just discovered fire and the animal life is completely unique to that moon. That is incredible... Have the samples shown any signs of how those animals adapted to the environment so differently from anything else in the sector?"

He glanced up at Tara with clear interest. "I would love to hear more about what you have found so far."

"I'm willing to share my scans with you. Next time we get leave I can take you to the moon. I have to cloak my shuttle so not to disturb the inhabitants that live there. It's as I've said protected and under my protection. As for the animals the only theory I have is they somehow got there from an asteroid that passed through the solar system Amzock is in. The asteroid had a small piece that broke off, It must have had some spores that survived the entry to the moon," Tara commented. "Amzock has two moons, one is just a hunk to rock this one has life."

"Ok. So a sort of a proto-species. Amzock. I have never heard of that Moon. What system is it in?" Damien questioned further. He looked over some of the data.

"I would like that, alot actually. I don't nearly get out of the lab enough. Have there been alot of out of lab work on the Amandora?" Sauders nearly did not have enough time looking over the files of the past missions. All he knew was, under Tara as Chief had lots of samples and tests being conducted.

"Ok." Damien paused. "As for the Sciences Department do you have everything you need. I realize we have some of the most advanced technology available, but as scientists we always have to ask for more petri dishes."

"I'll compile a report on past missions before you arrived and what sciences have been up to including away missions. I will let you know the commodore is an accomplished scientist in her own right and she's currently working on a project in the lab, As for supplies I don;t need anything. I had just sent a request in for things and they've been delivered. That too will be in my report. In answer to your other question yes science is included in away missions. The commodore and first officer want one or both of us on away missions." Tara said, she nodded to a case. "My microscope is in there feel free to use it if you need it, I do have my own personal shuttle that was a gift from my parents and it;s crammed full of science equipment you can name."

"Understood." Damien then took his cues. "I will then be in my office. I will look forward to what you learn. Please, if you have anything to need from me. I should then get to my own work." He then nodded. "Good to meet you, Doctor Herculoid." He smiled.

OFF:

Lieutenant Tara Herculoid
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Amandora


Lt. Damien Saunders
Chief Science Officer
USS Amandora