A different kind of science officer

Posted on Sun Apr 20th, 2025 @ 8:30pm by Captain Xavier Carey & Lieutenant Zara Kingston Ph.D.

Mission: Those who are left behind
Location: Science Labs
Timeline: current

With everything going on, Xavier walked the ship once again, he had been occupied with some personal matters when the new arrival came onboard via shuttle, so he figured it would be best now, that he had gotten some time, to visit the new Science officer. Walking into the labs, he looked around, this was not his forte, and could not tell what any of the machines we for, or what they were doing right now.

Zara was reviewing a monitor and had a PADD in another hand. She had been catching herself up on the work the science department had completed. She hadn't even noticed the captain entering the labs. She leaped up from the console she was sitting at and walked over to him at salute. "Captain. Zara Kingston reporting for duty. It's a pleasure to meet you, sir."

"Lt, hope you have found your way onboard without problem, I apologize for not being able to greet you in person." Xavier inquired, as he extended a hand. "No need to be formal... Nice to meet you as well... going over your file, quite the record so far, trying to make a name for yourself?"

Zara shook his hand and smiled. "Captains are busy, so I understand, sir." She placed her hands behind her back. "I've settled in nicely so far...and concerning my record I'd say I'm looking for a fresh start. I'm not in it for the fame—just the knowledge."

"Can never stop searching for knowledge." Xavier agreed, "so what you working on?"

"Mostly I've been transferring and contextualizing the reports from my own independent research with the reports from previous officers aboard the Resolution." She returned to the station where she was working and grabbed a PADD. She handed it to him. It contained a cross-index of her research and the Resolution's mission logs. "While I'm not a tactical officer or marine, much of my research arrives at the intersections of war and politics—more sociological I suppose. With the Resolution's mission of engagement post-battle, I'd imagine we'd be interacting with several kinds of survivors." She paused and let out a sigh. "As a social scientist, sir, I'm interested in people's ideologies around war. And I'm sure the crew sees a variety of perspectives with the people they save."

"Should I be concerned with the reports you have read. The ship has gone through its fair share of crew."

She raised an eyebrow. "I would say no sir. But I also assume everything I'm currently reading has come across your desk?" She wondered if that was an insensitive question. Surely the captain had better things to do than read science reports all day—but if something was concerning, she assumed he would know.

"There are aspects where I don't see. Complaints, I tend to let the First Officer deal with them, and any... serious complaints are dealt with according to protocol."

"Well, I can assure you I'm really only interested in the scientific data, not the complaints," she said with a tiny smile. "I'm not internal affairs."

"Speaking of survivors... I have one particular survivor that has me contemplating life... a cardassian officer whom I saved on a mission, when he was a kid."

The Klingon/Human scientist's ears perked. "I can see why that might cause contemplation," she said. A Cardassian—a species that had allied themselves with the Dominion and a race that had exerted military control over the Bajorans. "What is that contemplation telling your, sir?"

"He is asking for asylum. And for the rescue of the former cardassian council which will enable us to find out some valuable information about their military. they are in hiding. But he requests asylum before he gives locaion."

"Hmm," she said with crossed arms. "Starfleet General Orders prohibits commanding officers of vessels from granting political asylum to individuals without the permission of a Federation government representative...but you as captain could grant it under extreme circumstances. I suppose one could argue that the Dominion War is extreme."

"Considering that the former Council does have information on certain military information that can help in terms of war."

"Are you certain that this Cardassian officer is going to supply you with that information, sir? And upon rescuing the council, will they be granted asylum as well?"

"I have no reason to doubt him, considering, I owe him my life, as he does to me. Long classified story. With the way war is going, we have to take very chance we get."

She was interested in this classified story but knew she would be out of line to ask. "It seems your decision is clear, sir."

"It is. However having a cardassian walking around... is going to stir some feelings."

She nodded. "It's unavoidable, especially in the current political climate. If your crew values your leadership, they should be understanding of your decision." She shrugged. "Then again, sometimes, people can surprise you."

"I haven't heard complaints so far, but that doesnt mean there isn't any. A crew complacent with a Captain can sometimes be dangerous."

He was right. Complacency could get people killed. “That’s true,” Zara replied. “Hopefully that isn’t the case for the Resolution’s crew.”

"Well we have been a revolving door of sorts for a little bit. Especially with second officers as well as second officers, not to mention science officers... hoping to change that with you."

She chuckled slightly. She hadn’t really thought about staying here permanently since this was a sabbatical, but anything was possible. “I hope I can fill whatever science officer’s shoes came before me, sir.”

"Here is to hoping," He replied. "Before I leave, is there anything you require?"

She smiled. “No sir, not at this moment. But please do let me know if you require my expertise. I’m happy to help in anyway you see fit.”

"I will be taking you up on that." He replied with a smile of his own. "I will leave you to your own Lt."