Meeting Between Scientists

Posted on Mon Jun 21st, 2021 @ 10:44am by Doctor Samantha Blake, Ph.D (Geology)

Mission: The Thorion Conundrum Mission Brief
Location: Samantha's Quarters
Timeline: TBD

Samantha sat on the couch in her quarters reading a hardbound copy of the classic novel Pride and Prejudice, a half full wine glass sitting on the coffee table before her. She was trying to take her mind off the events of the last few days and reading often relaxed her. Getting lost in a novel was one of her favorite past times, but tonight it simply wasn't working. She set the book down and took a long drink of her wine when the door chime rang. She gave a momentary start, but found her composure after a few heartbeats. "Enter."

Cale walked the corridors of his new ship. It was a much smaller ship than he was used to so when he came upon Dr. Samantha Blake's quarters, he decided to give her an after-hours call. "Samantha Blake yes?"

Samantha didn't recognize the Starfleet officer in her door way. She could only tell he was a Lieutenant from the Medical or Science Department. "Yes, I'm Doctor Blake. Please, come in. May I get you something?"

"I'm Lieutenant Cale Llewellyn, DSci, the new Chief Science Officer. I just wanted to say hello," the young-ish man said.

Samantha ushered Cale inside, gesturing to an easy chair next to the couch. She went to the replicator and ordered up another wine glass before returning to her seat on the couch. "May I interest you in a glass of wine. It's a Picard Winery Chardonnay 2368 I believe." She held the wine bottle poised to pour him a glass.

"No, thank you. I've never found the 'Picard' line to my liking. I would like to know how you find this ship. Just curious, no hidden meaning," Lieutenant Llewellyn asked, his face attempting to remain as impassive as possible.

Samantha looked thoughtful as she moved the bottle over her glass and refilled it. She set the bottle on the table and picked up her glass, swirling the wine as she caressed the rim with her forefinger. "Norway-class starships are much more comfortable to live on than an old Oberth- or even a Nova-class." She gestured around her cabin. "I always had at least two other roommates in a cabin half this size on one of those."

"Well, since most of the ships I've served on dwarfed this ship, it's a culture shock to me. I haven't even been to my quarters to check on my kits yet, but if I know them, they're having the time of their lives exploring," he laughed at that. "Actually, I did have another question...what do you make of the science staff on board?"

Samantha took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "I may be a scientist, but I am on loan from the Federation Science Council. I was supposed to conduct a survey on Thorion III, send my findings to the Thorion's, Starfleet Sciences and the Federation Science Council. I only really know a few of the lab technicians in the Geology Division."

"That qualifies as knowledge, wouldn't you say, Doctor?" Lieutenant Llewellyn replied. It's certainly knowledge I don't yet possess even though I have already been through each and everyone's files that still doesn't tell me who they are as people, now does it?"

Samantha let out a soft chuckle that crew into a short laugh. Her eyes twinkled and face held a mirthful expression. "I suppose it does. Hmm, Laboratory Technician First Class Charles Lawson is the Division Leading Petty Officer. The guy is smart as a whip and knows the lab probably better than he knows his own quarters. The other two lab techs are Able Crewmen striking for Laboratory Technician, Christina Blair and Jackson Stevens. Both are young, eager types."

"That's what I needed to know, at least as far as Geology. And I thank you for your insight. I think I should be going as you're off-duty. Good night, Dr. Blake," Lieutenant Llewellyn said and then retreated to the door.

Lieutenant Cale Llewellyn, DSci
Chief Science Officer
USS Leto

Samantha Blake, DGeoSci
Geological Science, Federation Science Council
USS Leto (temporary duty assignment)