Post umber 5 She blinded me with Science! (lab)
Posted on Sat Jan 2nd, 2021 @ 4:55pm by Lieutenant Tara Herculoid PhD & Lieutenant JG Alia Fitzgerald
Mission:
Character Developent
Location: Mercury base - shipboard
Timeline: Current
ON:
With some hand-holding by the ship's computer, Alia made her way to her new work area. In addition to whatever duties she had, there was a mountain of coursework waiting for her. As her advisor, Dr. Saavarong had said, "This is an incredible opportunity for you but it will leave you lacking in some key areas. I've sent you a modest list of subjects to cover when you have time. But don't forget that there is more to learn than just duty and classes!"
"I guess that the unknown happens as a matter of course when you are on exploration vessel. I'll have to keep an eye out!"
The door hissed open helpfully as she approached. Her trained eye noted that the bulkhead and door were thicker than in other areas and that there was an additional force field emitter built into the walls. ::If we had had these on Felicity V, things would have been so different.::
After entering, she looked for Dr. Herculoid in the extensive room.
"Lieutenant," one of the science officers said "You have a new officer," he nodded to the door
Thanking him Tara handed off a PADD to one of her junior officers and walked over to where Alia was standing "Welcome, Commodore Song contacted me to inform me that I have a new officer I'm Tara Herculoid the science chief. And better yet an assistant. Let's go to my office and on the way I'll show you your office,"
"Yes Chief. The Commodore suggested I come by before I start my duties tomorrow. I'm a little shocked at how complete this lab is. I thought the facilities we had at the academy were impressive but I haven't seen such an extensive array as here."
Knowing that Herculoid had to approve her transfer she said, "I have to thank you for this opportunity. I rather feel like I'll wake up tomorrow and have to return to my usual classes!"
"I spent several weeks getting the lab set up. Being on an active star ship you need a fully functioning lab," Tara said "It's also my pleasure to have you here. I've needed an assistant for sometime. The commodore has filled in as much as she can." Tara opened a door next to her office "This is your office, it's as set up as it can be, you'll want to set things up for how you'd like them. I put a spare microscope in there that I've had for years. It's yours if you like it. I also don't stand on formality in here. My name's Tara, feel free to call me Tara."
"Thank you ch... Tara. This is lovely. I mean great. Yes!" The office was fairly well equipped but the 'heavy hitting' equipment was in the main areas. Still, it looked functional as if real science could happen here at any time. She hesitated and then mustered her courage. "What are the regulations on personal items? Can I hang some pictures?"
::The captain hung up pictures in her ready room... didn't she? I mean commodore! This is like my ready room, isn't it?:: Alia's thoughts were a bit flustered with excitement. This place was hers!
"You can decorate it anyway you like. I have several pictures hung in my office," Tara said "If you have any awards from science or the academy feel free to hang them in there. If you have a research project your working on or want to start there is plenty of bench space in the main lab and in your office too."
"This is perfect! I've never had a lab of my own. My mentor said that you can't do your best work until you had one that fit you like a pair of old jeans." She paused. "I wasn't sure what he meant by that honestly, but a friend of mine explained it."
"Are there any current projects, chief? The new Mercury base is a science base, right?"
"Nothing current," Tara said "As for the Mercury it does have several science labs on it but it is not just a science base. It's a fully functioning star base. How often we'll get here is up to Commodore Song. Every scientist needs her own lab, I had one back home until I mixed something wrong and blew a hole in the roof, to say my dad was not happy is an understatement. He then had a lab built for me far away from the house where if i damaged it, it my not the house that got damaged."
"Ah ha ha ha! When my sisters and I did our work, we couldn't do anything that risky! Starfleet is big into simulations these days since a lot of current research would be risky on a inhabited planet. I did get to visit the Luna base labs once. Those were very impressive!"
"Oh my dad didn't know what I was doing but when I blew a hole in the roof of the house he found out," Tara commented "You should see the science base on Earth's Moon. It's on the surface and the view of space from it is breathtaking. I did some graduate work there."
"That's where I think was going next before the Amandora came along." She thought for a second. "I suppose a lab that could be flushed into space would be a near equivalent, though. My private research has enormous potential but there's only been one successful instance and that only because there was no other choice. The problem is that it deals with some of the most dangerous viruses and phages or radiation levels that are catastrophically high." She laughed! "Maybe I'll start on something more modest."
Tara nodded "I agree, while your private research sounds good, it's probably not a good idea to do it on an active starship. There is however a suggestion. Commodore Song did a project some years back and she had someone she had to the more difficult end of it off ship, that might be an option for you. The only issue is the communication time."
"That... might be possible. Yes, yes it could! The most difficult parts would have to be done in person, but much of the initial stages can be simulated or done remotely." She thought for a few seconds. "Although I can really understand not wanting to be anywhere near my experiments. I suppose it's worth some inconveniences for safety and peace of mind!"
Tara nodded "That is true, while a containment field could be used there is no guarantee it will remain safe. My more difficult parts of my research are done with a colleague on Saturn Station. I do have some projects that I'm doing on the ship. That is when my busy schedule permits it. But with you as an assistant that takes a big load off my shoulders. I'm so glad your here."
Alia's eyes sparkled at that. A chance to work in a real lab and maybe even assist on a real project! "I'd be delighted! Please just tell me how I can help and I'll get started!"
Tara handed her a PADD "Here is a list of things to be done and your schedule for bridge duty. And a research project I'm doing on ship, if you'd like to work on it with me."
The young lieutenant took the PADD enthusiastically. "I'd love to help you out! What does the research entail?" Her mind raced through the minute amount of research she had done on the chief. There were too many things and, of course, a starship science officer would encounter even more unusual items.
"There are research projects, routine maintenance that needs to be done and that kind of thing," Tara said "Also your bridge assignment, I take first watch so you'll want to come on midway through."
For a moment, Alia was surprised that they would entrust her with a watch almost immediately. Then she realized that the Federation expected and, yes, demanded Starfleet Academy graduates that were ready to serve. They weren't just rookies, they were extremely qualified women and men whose best accomplishments were in the future. "Sounds good, Chief. Is there anything I should know about before my watch? I heard from my sister that every ship has their own customs and superstitions but maybe that was just for civilian craft."
"I can't think of any customs or superstitions, just remember Commodore Song in our commanding officer and she's an accomplished scientist in her own right. She's taught at the academy. The first officer is Commander Raymond. It goes without saying they give an order it's to be followed," Tara commented "Other than that your good. Any questions for me?"
OFF:
