Post #57 - Reach For The Stars

Posted on Sun Mar 28th, 2021 @ 2:08pm by Lieutenant James McTavish

Mission: Planet Savai
Location: Various
Timeline: Current

::ON::

[Quarters]

After spending two wonderful days off with his lovely wife; James awoke, showered, and dressed in his uniform ready for breakfast before work. When he came out into the kitchen Heather had breakfast all ready for them to enjoy before starting their day.

James made his way over to Heather and gave her a kiss “Morning gorgeous, sleep well” he asked.

“Morning handsome and yes I slept well, thank you” she answered as they sat down to flapjacks with butter, syrup, and bacon along with their usual coffee “So what are you up to today.”

“I'm going to Deck 31 and spend some time in the Stellar Cartography Lab” James answered “I want to see what their working on currently; and you.”

“Probably help Tara in the Biology Lab with a project that she's been working on; at least until Dr. Long returns from Savai then we'll be up to our necks in samples to process” she replied.

“Then after you get all of the samples processed, then I'll be up to my neck in reports to go over and sign off on” he responded with a chuckle “Well I'd better get a move on....I'll see you later sweetheart.”

“Most likely” she said with a grin “Come here, you have something on your lip” so James walked over to Heather, so she could get off whatever was stuck to his lip, then she kissed him and giggled.

James looked at her for a moment “I didn't really have anything stuck to my lip, did I” he asked as she just giggled once again “No I didn't think so; I'll see you later..I love you.”

“I love you too” came the reply as he opened the door.

[Deck 31 – Cartography Lab]

On his way to the Lab James' Comm went off; it was Lieutenant Herculoid informing him that she was leaving the Ship for an away mission so he thought Heather should know.

“Lieutenant Heather McTavish this is Lieutenant James McTavish, Lieutenant Herculoid has been sent on an away mission so looks like you are on your own. If you need help with anything please let me know. McTavish out.”

“Understood Lieutenant, thanks for the heads up” came the reply.

As James entered the Cartography Lab see saw the Ensign who headed the lab busy at work “Good Morning Ensign, how are you today” James inquired.

The surprised Ensign turned and looked at the Lieutenant not sure what to do or say since he was caught totally off guard.

“Relax Ensign, I'm not going to bite” James said with a smile “I thought I would swing by and see what your Department's up to.”

Then the Ensign relaxed “Sorry Lieutenant, I wasn't expecting you that's all. To answer your question I'm very well, thank you.”

James kind of chuckled “That's fine Ensign, but I'll be stopping by from time to time just to see what's going on. So what are you currently working on....I thought I might spend some time with you and see what Stellar Cartography is all about.”

Then the Ensign started to explain “Well since we're in the Sagittarius System, which is all new to Starfleet, this department has been tasked with mapping as much of this System that we possibly can during our different missions here” then the Ensign took a breath before continuing “If you want to walk over here I'll show you what we're currently working on.”

So James followed the Ensign over to a rather large Computer Console “This is Oscar....Oscar say good morning to Lieutenant McTavish” the Ensign instructed.

“Good Morning Lieutenant McTavish, it's nice to meet you” came the reply.

James looked a little puzzled “Good morning...Oscar...it's nice to meet you also” then he turned to the Ensign “You named your Computer” he asked.

The Ensign smiled for the first time “Yes, I had our Computer Specialist write a program which gives the Computer a little bit of a personality” then he continued “Besides it's much easier to say Oscar than Computer since we're on it so much during the course of the day.”

James looked at the Ensign “Well...I must say that's most impressive Ensign” he replied “So what's the process for your mapping” although he knew perfectly well what the process was, he just wanted to hear the Ensign explain it.

Then he started to explain “All of the data that we collect is uploaded to Oscar and he actually writes the mapping, so the more data that we can collect then the more detailed and accurate the mapping process will be. So hopefully by the time we leave Planet Savai we'll have a detailed map of this area.”

“It certainly sounds like a you have a well thought out process” James replied “If you don't mind I would like to work with you for the next few hours.”

“No not at all, as you wish Lieutenant” the Ensign commented.

After working with the Ensign for the next few hours, James decided that maybe he should go to the Biology Lab and see how Heather was doing “Thank you for your time Ensign and for a bit of an education also. If there is anything that you need please don't hesitate to let me know” James said.

“Thank you Lieutenant, I'll keep that in mind and please feel free to stop by anytime” the Ensign replied.

“Have a good day then and if anybody is looking for me I'll be in the Biology Lab” James replied then turned and left for the Lab on Deck 5.

[Deck 5 – Biology Lab]

As James walked into the Lab he noticed that it was running like a well oiled machine. He saw Heather and walked up to her “Hello Lieutenant, how's it going” he asked.

Heather turned and looked at James “Good Lieutenant, how was the Cartography Lab” she inquired.

“Very educational, I must say. It looks like you have things well in hand here” James commented.

“Yes, everyone knows what their doing and are doing it very well” she answered “I'm finishing up some work for Lieutenant Herculoid at the moment then I'll be done for the day. I sure hope that Tara will be ok on the away mission.”

“She'll be fine....she's with the XO and I'm sure he'll keep her safe” James assured Heather “Since you're all set here, I'll be in my office looking over some more paperwork....so I guess I'll see you at home then.”

“Your right, I'm sure the XO will keep her safe” Heather replied “Yes I'll see you at home shortly.”

James turned and made his way to his office to go over some more paperwork. As tedious as that was James was told by the CSO, before he left the Dunkirk, that it was paramount to make sure that he kept up with all of the paperwork in order to do his job well. That advice he made sure that he adhered to and was determined not to get behind on.

::OFF::