Sizing up the Science Department.

Posted on Tue Aug 9th, 2022 @ 9:59pm by Commander Antonia 'Tony" Stoffels

Mission: The Lost Brother
Location: Science department

Tony was curious about the new chief of science. It was very irregular to have a civilian as chief of department on a starfleet vessel, especially in times like these when combat was not out of the question. She decided to head over to the science department to meet up with the new addition.

So she hit the chime when she arrived at the chief of science's office.

"It's open!" Paige called out as she stood in the back of her office with a tiny sprayer of nutrients and water for the various plants she had arrayed around her new space.

"Doctor Bryant, I thought I'd welcome you to the ship officially."

"And good morning to you. It was Tony right?" she answered glancing over her shoulder to see the other woman. She recognized the first officer, and smiled softly. "What can I do for you?"

Tony blinked for a second not being used to being addressed by her first name while on duty. Honestly she did not know what to think of civilians on a ship. "I came to see how you are settling in, doctor. And if there is anything you need."

"I haven't really been here long enough to know. Only barely unpacked my bags, if we're being honest I'm going to be bogged down by paperwork for a little bit, but once I clear out the dead labs and give everything a thorough clean..." She trailed off with an embarrassed blush.

"If you need more staff, doctor, please say so." Tony said. "As department head you should not be the one cleaning the lab. Tell you what I will send over some crewmembers for a day or two for you to use."

"That's hardly necessary. When I was a student getting my first PhD, I had to build my own lab space. I am not unused to hard work. Besides, I don't know what all of the experiments are in order to tell anyone how to dispose of them safely. I'm better off just doing it myself."

"If you insist. But I was talking about the grunt work. You are in a military structure now, doctor. You will have to learn how to delegate."

"Some things shouldn't be delegated. Some things I need to know are done properly for my personal piece of mind. Besides, I'm not sure all of the compromise has to come from me."

"What do you mean?" Tony sometimes just did not understand civilians. "Sweeping floors and dusting can't be delegated?"

Paige laughed, she couldn't help herself. "No, they can. What would you suggest to a cleaning crew, they should do with a Level 6, biological experiment left to rot because the scientist didn't log their lack of findings or the creature they were using?".

"Hmmm I guess I am beginning to see your point."Tony had to admit. "I did not think of that."

"No and several members of the previous team didn't design to clean up after themselves. It's safer since I know what decontamination protocols to use for each experiment. " She shrugged in defeat. "It's been less than pleasant"

"Oh that sounds disgusting." Tony wrinkled her nose. "Now I am even sorrier that we can't do anything to help you, doctor."

"It's really not an issue. I don't want anyone else to deal with it, since I know what to expect from it. "

"Well if that is really what you prefer. But you know were to find me if you ever change your mind. Is there anything else I can help you with?" She asked.

"I don't think so? I might have some protocol questions later on, I know this is an unusual situation, having a civilian scientist as a chief but this seems to be an unusual ship." She shook her head, not really knowing how better to say it than that.

"You could say that again." Tony grinned. "And I think you will fit right in, doctor."

Laughter greeted that response as Paige settled back in her chair "Of course I will, what's one more crazy person in the madhouse? I certainly won't be bored!"