"Nice bookshelf"

Posted on Tue Nov 17th, 2020 @ 8:46pm by Lieutenant Vanessa Jackson

Mission: Welcome Aboard
Location: Captain's Ready Room, Main Bridge, Deck 1 USS Resolution
Timeline: Current

"Nice Bookshelf"
Captain Matt Leonard, Commanding Officer
Lieutenant Vanessa Jackson, Chief Science Officer
*****
Captain's Ready Room, Main Bridge
Deck 1 USS Resolution

Vanessa had two things she wanted to do after coming aboard. Reporting in was first, and meeting the doctor--if one was aboard--was second. She knew from past experience that once she went into the science department she would get so involved in learning how everything was set up and what was needed that she could very likely forget. So, first things first.

She verified that the captain was in his ready room and headed for the bridge, where she paused to have a good look around and locate her station. That done, she rang the door chime to meet her new commanding officer.

Leonard stood, contemplating the bookshelf in his Ready Room. He'd very much admitted, to himself at least, that he hadn't picked up a single book from it in the eight years that he'd been the Resolutions Commander. For many years, particularly prior to getting his provisional commission as an officer some 40 years earlier, he'd enjoyed picking up a book and sitting down to read. But after being a Captain for nearly 20 years, those times were few and far between these days. When he heard the chime of the doorbell, he turned to look at the door, as he called out "enter."

Vanessa took a deep breath and walked in, not quite sure if she should stand at attention or salute. Well, since she generally wasn't much on formality, she might as well be herself. She walked in and took a quick look at the room to see what sort of person her new commanding officer was. On seeing the bookshelf, she smiled.

Still standing by the bookcase, he looked to the door, as his new officer stepped inside the Ready Room.

She walked over to him and gave a polite nod. "Hello, Captain. I'm Vanessa Jackson, your new Chief Science Officer."

"Welcome aboard, Lieutenant," Leonard replied, shaking her hand. When their hands separated, Matt gestured to one of the seats opposite his desk, "have a seat. Would you care for something to drink?" He approached the replicator, and ordered "Green tea, hot."

"I'll have a blueberry lemonade. Thank you." She took the proffered seat and again glanced at the bookshelf. "Nice bookshelf, sir."

"Blueberry lemonade," he added, to the replicator. Taking the two drinks, he returned to the desk. "This used to be in my father's study when I was a child. Some of those books were his favourites." He settled into his seat, and took a small sip from the tea. "When I took Command of the Resolution, and found that I had more office space than I was used to, it seemed obvious to bring it here." His ready room's aboard the Kielce and the Argentina were significantly smaller than the office that he had now. After using it for eight years, it was hard to imagine how he ever coped with the cramped spaces of his previous commands.

"I love books. I bring some with me to every place I work." She took a sip of her drink. "There's something about a physical book that appeals to me."

"I certainly agree, Lieutenant." Leonard replied, neglecting at this stage to mention that he hadn't picked up any of the books since he'd unpacked them from the crate when they had arrived from Earth. "So, Lieutenant, what are you looking for from your posting aboard the Resolution?"

"Greater opportunities to learn and explore," she replied. "A Galaxy-class has more space for science, so I'm looking forward to what we as a department can do." She didn't want to jump in and make a lot of changes, but there was always room to change things up a bit.

"Indeed it does," Leonard replied, "which we have acknowledged with the refit. We've added additional console support on the port and starboard walls of the bridge, offering 3 additional bridge science stations. We've dedicated additional resource to science labs as well, adding more workshops dedicated to scientific study." The Captain picked up his tea cup, and took a small sip. "I believe, and I could be wrong on this, someone in your team might correct me, but I believe that the Science department closed out all their previous projects prior to us pulling into dock for the refit." Closed out was certainly an odd expression. It didn't necessarily mean complete, in these cases. Nor did it suggest that the teams had gotten what they wanted from their study.

"I read something like that on the trip here," she said. "Completed them or packed them up and took them to their next assignment. It just means we have an opportunity to change things up, depending on what the scentists want, and what the command team will allow." She smiled at the captain. "I believe we should always be willing to try new things if they prove effective."

"And what of you, Lieutenant?" the Captain asked, "are you bringing any of your own ongoing projects with you to Resolution?"

"Yes. I'm an archaeologist and historian. I collect information on lost worlds. There are a small group of us in science that share our research. We're hoping one day to have a better idea of where various races lived and if they had communication with other species. There are a lot of common traits found on various ancient sites. Too many to be random coincidence. I try to keep up on the latest research when I can."

"That is a fascinating line of Research, Lieutenant," Leonard replied. "I'd be interested to view your findings." As a young man, the Captain had had little interest in scientific research and study. His career history certainly pointed to that. Few joined the Security division with an interest in study, particularly those who avoided Starfleet Academy, as the Captain had. His route through the ranks had been different indeed. But these days, after nearly 20 years as a Starship Captain, he had come to enjoy reading the latest pieces of research being published in the various fields, particularly when they were published by his officers. He would admit to a certain sense of pride in their accomplishments, not matter how miniscule his input in their development.

"I'll be happy to show you, once I get settled in." She loved talking about her work--sometimes too much. She needed to get settled in to her quarters, then set up her office so she could have her work where she could work on it. "I'll try not to get technical."

Leonard grinned, "I'd appreciate that Lieutenant."