She Smiles

Posted on Fri Jun 30th, 2017 @ 11:51pm by Commander Leah Sullivan & Lieutenant Commander Gwilym Bevan & Lieutenant Tepic & Lieutenant T'reth & Lieutenant JG C'hens Gikuo

Mission: Overhaul
Location: USS Protean

Japori Sector
Starbase 343
USS Protean - Conference Room

“Thank you all for coming,” Leah began the briefing. “Lieutenant Tepic, you especially. I know how busy you and your teams have been. So let’s get started with your report on the refit.”

With a brief nod, Tepic began. “The new propulsion system will be completed in less than three hours. My apologies for not giving you a more specific timeframe, but that is allowing for potential errors made by the crews. Once completed, the Protean will be required to test the engines.”

“Just let me know and I’ll contact the station for clearance to depart on the trials.”

“As for the defensive systems upgrades, the Type IX phasers have been installed. The pulse phaser array will be completed in four days. It requires much more work than the upgrades to the phaser arrays.”

“I realize you’ve been inundated with the refit, Lieutenant,” Lt. Cmdr. Bevan spoke, “but can you speak to the rest of the ship’s systems?”

“All ship systems are running at peak efficiency, with exception of those involved in the refit process, Commander.”

“Thank you, Lieutenant,” Leah added. “Next, I would like to formally introduce our new Chief Science Officer, Lieutenant T’reth, although I’m certain most of you have met her already.” Turning to T’reth, she asked, “Lieutenant, do you have anything to report on the science department?”

“I do not, Commander.” T’reth, one of few dark-skinned Vulcans, had been fairly quiet since she arrived, preferring to speak only when necessary. In a way, she reminded Leah of Doctor Kallan.

“Okay,” Leah replied then continued. “Moving on, then, I have received our orders from Admiral Francsizka. Once the refit is complete, and all tests have concluded, we will make best speed to the Azure Nebula. While en route to Obrora the Protean performed scans of the nebula in passing. We were unable to research the information properly, however, since then we have determined that the nebula has lost approximately five percent of its former mass. It may be nothing, but the Admiral wants us to check on it.”

“It’s not unusual for a nebula to fluctuate in size, as you well know, Commander,” T’reth announced. “But five percent, while a relatively small amount, is significant for a nebula.”

Leah was surprised to hear from T’reth, but even more so that she had taken the time to explain the reason for concern to the rest of the staff. As a scientist herself, Leah wondered if she could befriend the new officer, or at least get her to open up a bit more. But that would have to wait.

“And we have been ordered to survey the nebula in its current state,” Leah continued. “We will also be taking on specialized scanning equipment that Lieutenant Tepic’s engineering crew will need to integrate into Protean’s systems while en route.”

She looked around the large table seeing a few new faces, but mostly the same senior staff who had been with her before she took command. She could read them all like a book.

“I realize that this isn’t the most glamorous mission to be sent on, but this is a science ship. This is what we do. And we will be the best at what we do.” After a moment, she added, “If there are no questions, you’re dismissed.”

* * * *

Deck 4 - Science Labs

“Hello, Commander,” Lieutenant (j.g.) Gikou said as Leah walked into the main science lab. “It’s been too long since I’ve seen you. How are things with your new position?”

Leah had to be honest with herself. She’d actively avoided being down here, and interacting with C’hens Gikou. While making the list of those promotable on the Protean, she tried every way she could to promote C’hens to Lieutenant and allow her to become the department head. Unfortunately, she just didn’t have the time in grade to allow her to be promoted to the position, and it wouldn’t do to have the CSO on a science vessel be a junior grade lieutenant.

“I’m getting adjusted,” Leah finally said. “It’s a bit different being in charge of the whole ship instead of just one department.”

“I have the utmost faith in you, Leah,” C’hens whispered, knowing she wasn’t supposed to call her commanding officer by her first name while in the company of other staff. In private was another matter, but C’hens was very proud of her friend and couldn’t help herself.

“Thank you. I appreciate that, more than you know. And, listen, I wanted to tell you earlier, but I’ve felt horrible about it--the Chief position…”

“Say no more, Commander,” C’hens said. “I understand completely. I did not expect to attain the position, and I believe Lieutenant T’reth will be an exceptional officer to fill your shoes.”

Leah pulled C’hens off to the side. “How have things gone with her? She’s said very little since she’s been aboard. Even in our first meeting when she came aboard she only replied when she was required to and only with what was expected of her.”

C’hens smiled a big, toothy Caitian grin. “She was like that the first day or so with me, but once she and I began speaking about some of the experiments we’ve been running she opened up quite a bit. Since then, we’ve been able to talk as freely as you and I do. I believe she simply wants to get to know everyone first.”

“I can respect that. I was just concerned that she wasn’t happy with her new position.”

“From what I can tell, she is very happy here.”

Leah furrowed her brow. “She’s a Vulcan. How would you even know?”

C’hens looked around the lab, making sure their conversation wasn’t being eavesdropped upon. Leaning in to Leah, she whispered, “She smiles.”