Checking on the Sciences

Posted on Thursday October 8th, 2020 @ 8:08pm by Lieutenant Oscar Vladinchi & Commander Sam Perkins

1,411 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: S1-A1-Ep. 1: Spectrophobia
Location: USS Poseidon; Deck 6, Science Lab
Timeline: Docked at Starbase 47

[ON]

Lieutenant Oscar Vladinchi had been assigned to check in on the new Chief Science Officer from his higher ups. It had been almost two days since the incident with the cadets and trashing the lab and the Captain wanted a progress report from a third-party perspective, that being of a trusted Security Officer. While the Captain hated to impose on his senior staff, he wasn't above asking others to check in on the situation and provide their interpretation of its progress. Rounding a corner on Deck 6 after exiting the turbolift, Oscar proceeded to the lab the computer had notified him that Lieutenant Perkins would be at. The door opened and he entered casually, glancing around.

Perkins placed the slide under the microscope and crossed his fingers. Then he slowly moved the dial as he looked at the screen. The slide was a plant leaf. It should of showed a green grid of oblong squares. Instead all he could see was a green blur.

Shaking his head he opened a panel, as he heard the doors swoosh open.

“ Yes how may I help you?” He asked

The older security officer approached Sam casually, taking time to observe the lab before he was a few steps away.

"Pardon the interruption," Oscar said in his slightly thick accent, "but I was sent down to check on the cleanup progress."

Sam pulled at a couple of chips inside the microscopes innards. The picture of the cell flashed off. He lifted then out and scanned one with a device.

“ Slow I am afraid. They really did a number on this place. Some of this equipment is so delicate. Even the slightest knock can set the calibration off. They played soccer with this unit.” He said angrily.

"Interesting," remarked Oscar as he observed what Sam pointed out. "I was informed they were very emotional about their destruction. What you describes is drastically different. Why wasn't this put into the report?"

Perkins was a little taken aback by this.

“ Really I thought my report stated quite fully. Not only the cadets rampage but also the amount of damage. I always like to be honest and it is an offensive. Not to report fully everything. Plus the Captain himself came in here and witnessed. The full extent of the carnage for himself. So I could not leave out anything without encouraging his anger.” Sam told him.

"My apologies then, I stand corrected," Oscar said, placated. He took a step back and continued examining the room. After a minute, he spoke again.

"Do you need me to do anything?"

Sam thought for a moment.

“ Well the scientific replicator needs to be recalibrated. It takes a while and until my assistant shows up again. I need someone to help me. This microscope is going to eat into my day. Just can’t get the monitor image clear. If you could help with the replicator. That would help.” Perkins asked.

Oscar took a look at the scientific replicator, then nodded slowly. He was familiar with replicators in general - all Starfleet personnel were to some mechanical degree. There was a base program he could run to force the system to undo unwanted changes, revert changes, and hopefully recalibrate the system to properly "replicate" things again. If it was anything like a normal replicator, which he believed it was, then that would mean the emitters were quite possibly misaligned and wouldn't properly replicate anything.

"I'll get right on it," he remarked as he strolled over and went to work. His fingers moved slowly over the scientific replicator terminal interface, finding the appropriate programs and letting the system work itself out.

Sam went back to the electronic microscope. He opened a panel and pulled at a circuit. Then pushed it harder back into place.

“ So tell me about yourself? “ Perkins asked.

"Me?" asked Oscar, concentrating on his work efforts. He thought about the question for a moment, tinkering a bit more before he let loose a small sigh.

He hadn't been particularly fond of discussing himself to other folks on the ship, not since his arrival. Only a few truly knew what had happened. Oscar debated briefly being honest, but he instead reverted to a more reserved discussion. He responded as he worked.

"Not much to say," he admitted, though not fully truthfully. "Had a wife and robust family. When I was young the family charted a vacation trip into Klingon territory, a small world on the Federation border. Pirates attacked, all were killed. I was young then, the only survivor of a handful of those lucky enough to be on escape pods. I joined the Starfleet after that. Spent the first three years on this ship after graduation back in 2368."

A few moments of silence pass as he continues his tinkering. The console was stubborn, but he eventually managed to work it out. A chime and a beep confirmed its calibration. Nodding at his work, he turned to Sam.

"Took a bit more time than I anticipated but the scientific replicator is back to normal," Oscar reported, "Though I admit I'm lax in understanding the model, seems the program itself is similar to a food replicators. Should work."

He could tell his question had been a bit personal. Sam had just been trying to make conversation. But he forgot that not everyone wanted to talk. Freely and openly about their private lives. He to had some aspects of his own private life.

The silence between them lingered a bit, and Oscar took notice. He casually turned toward Sam again after rechecking the replicator console for any hiccups. "What about you?" Oscar finally asked. "Anything you want to share?"


Perkins thought about his answer carefully. His childhood had not been great. His mother had not bounded with little Sam. In fact she detested him.

“ My mother and father never really got on. When I was born it was hoped she would bond with me. But she hated me from the day I left her womb. They got divorced and myself and my father. Went to live with my grandparents. After that things went well.”
Perkins told him. Hoping he would not ask further questions.

Oscar got the feeling they both had personal things they desired not to share. That was fine by him. "What else you need help with?" he asked as he waited.

After a moment he added, "What about Starfleet? What's your career been like?"

Perkins was relieved the subject had been changed.

“ Well. If you could check the supply cupboard. See what supplies we need.That would help. Career...... well so far all good of course having a photographic memory helped a lot.” Sam said with a smile

Oscar gave a slight chuckle and nod of understanding as he started towards the supply cupboard. He was somewhat surprised to find that as he opened it, there was broken containers even here. For a moment his face displayed a hard scowl of disappointment at the cadets, then it was over as he resumed his conversation. As he spoke he began to record what he would need to replace on his datapad, using what already existed and was broken as a reference.

"Yes, a photographic memory helps a lot," Oscar mused. "Too bad I lack that. I am not very good at remembering things, only important things I suppose."

Perkins picked up a slide and placed it under the microscope. Looking at the monitor screen he saw the contents of the slide. Vibrate slowly then technical details of the cell came on the screen. He walked over to where Oscar stood.

“ They got into here as well....” He said in disbelief.

Oscar blinked in surprise, eyes widening when he registered what the Chief Science Officer was holding. He gawked at first, but clamped his mouth shut as he let loose an almost silent snort. The nerve of the cadets on board this ship, how unprofessionally they had conducted themselves. It was atrocious!

"Looks like we'll need to replace everything," Oscar said as he motioned towards the cupboard. "I'm not surprised their angst got to those too. I've got it all down here on this datapad. Anything else you want me to check?"

Sam shook his head.

“ No it’s all done. Thanks for your help. Well I can safely say we are back on track! “

[ OFF ]

Lieutenant (jg) Sam Perkins
Chief Science Officer
USS Poseidon

&

Lieutenant Oscar Vladinchi
Security Officer
USS Poseidon

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