A Time for Science

Posted on Fri Mar 24th, 2023 @ 1:22am by Captain Malcom Llwyedd & Lieutenant Phoebe Baxter

1,843 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Prelude to Rebirth
Location: USS Firebird Deck 1
Timeline: 7 May 2396

[ON]

Malcom slammed the PADD down on his desk with enough force to crack the screen. He was reaching his limit with the number of inane reports that Starfleet was asking him for every day. Dilithium crystal depletion report, Diagnostic of weapons system report, crew morale report... The last one had pushed him over the edge. It didn't take a doctor to determine that the morale on the ship was low and it was their fault. The ship had just docked at Empok Nor after completing the same path for the twenty-fourth time. DS9 to Bajor to Empok Nor to Cardassia to Argellian System to Starbase 442 on the edge of the Badlands to DS9. Rinse and repeat. Oh and they almost never had time for shore leave. He fumed in silence and then sighed and picked up the broken PADD. He'd have to file the report no matter what. It was the price he continually paid for his command. His ready room door opened and Kipp walked in.

The yeoman took in the scene and immediately understood the Captain's mood.

"Sir, Lieutenant Baxter has arrived. Shall I have her wait?" Kipp asked.

Malcom cocked his head. "Lieutenant Baxter?"

"Yes, sir. She's our new Chief Science Officer. I mentioned that she might be arriving today aboard the Excelsior," Kipp said.

"Miracle of miracles," Malcom said, sitting up straight. "We've had a brand new science section for months and they finally decided that we needed someone to lead it. Please send her in, Kipp."

Kipp nodded, He started to leave and then turned and deftly snatched the broken PADD. He tucked it under his arm and left without a word. Outside he nodded to the slim Lieutenant.

"The Captain will see you now, Lieutenant Baxter," Kipp said with a smile and motioned for her to enter.

"Thanks, Kipp," came the chipper reply of the still unseen transfer. "Let me know when you're free for lunch and we'll talk soil acidity, okay?" And with those words, Phoebe strolled cheerfully into the ready room. Her wide eyes quickly landed on Malcolm, and the smile already present on her face grew wider.

"Captain Llwyedd? Phoebe Baxter. It's so nice to meet you!" She offered a small wave with her introduction. She stopped a few steps in front of the desk, and while she didn't snap to attention, she wasn't exactly 'at ease' either. It was some sort of excited and respectful combination of the two. For a moment it seemed her arms would be coming to a rest at her side, but then her left hand brushed the bag strapped over her shoulder and her eyes flashed.

"Oh, before I forget..." she began, propping her bag up on the edge of Malcolm's desk so she could paw through the contents. "Whenever I get a new assignment, my grandma always sends me some of her homemade raspberry bars. It's her way of welcoming me to a new home by providing a taste of home from Earth." Her hand emerged holding a clear container filled with several individual bars of baked granola and jam, each topped with fresh fruit. She offered them to her new commanding officer. "This time she sent way more than I could work through on my own, so I thought I'd share. They're really good unless you don't like raspberries. Do you like raspberries?"

"I adore raspberries. What sane person doesn't?" Malcom said with a grin as he took the gift. "My thanks to you, Lieutenant, and to your grandma. It isn't every day that I receive a gift of homemade goods. This is absolutely the correct way to report to a new ship. Please, have a seat."

He saw a bulk freighter easing into the open spot next to the Firebird. It made him consider the fact that the two ships had more in common than he'd like to admit. The months of transporting supplies and replicating parts had been some of the most boring of his life. He felt bad for the energetic young science officer.

"I'd like to tell you that we are going to keep you busy with fascinating science adventures but I can't. Don't get me wrong, I am very pleased to have you here but I wonder if you might have been better served to stay on the Minerva."

Phoebe had settled into the chair but almost bolted right back out of it. "Oh, no sir. I think being here is way more interesting." She grinned and leaned forward, lacing her fingers together as her elbows rested on the arms of the chair. "What I mean is, yes, Minerva is pretty focused on exploration and all of the science adventures that go with that mission profile, but, well.... I've done that. Not that I've seen it all, but I've served aboard that kind of ship and I know what to expect. But now?" She leaned back, letting out a contented sigh. "I have no idea what to expect. I find that far more intriguing than pursuing the status quo."

She shifted in her seat again, her excitement palpable. "I also understand you've been refitted with some brand new labs, and frankly, it felt like Christmas morning when I read about that. We get to be the first ones to use this equipment for whatever it is we get to come across. That might make me a huge nerd, but who doesn't like new toys?"

Malcom was trying to figure out why Baxter had been transferred to the Firebird. She didn't appear to have any immediate failings and her performance reviews were excellent. She should have been on her way to a better posting that where she ended up.

"We suffered a lot of damage during our last mission. One of the few benefits was the excellent refit we received, including those labs of yours. As far as I know, Lieutenant Cobb and Ensign Hubblestone haven't even gone down to check them out yet. There's still a lot of equipment that needs to be sorted and set up. You'll also have a brand new uplink to the sensors, which you'll be able to use even if the ship is using them because they are the new neuro-tri band type. We're one of the first to get those, although I think that was just lucky happenstance," Malcom said. He leaned forward. "I'm just going to say this, we aren't the most popular ship in Starfleet right now."

"I know." Phoebe's brow furrowed, but only for a moment. "I've heard the rumors. But..." she paused, trying to find the right words, her gaze dropping to her lap while she thought but then returning directly to Malcolm's as she answered.

"At the end of the day, I'm a scientist. I don't use rumors or hearsay or conjecture to come to a conclusion. I observe. I collect data. I form my opinion based on what the evidence tells me." She naturally stood and began to pace as she continued. "The data I've seen so far, in the official reports and logs I've had access to? They present a rather clear picture of a Captain and crew who objectively have done a lot of good. There are people alive today who would not have been. The data also shows a Captain who, regardless of whatever may have occurred on that last mission before refit, has been given command of the same ship with mostly the same crew in the same sector of space."

Her eyebrows had lifted inquisitively as she'd made that last point, but she still had more to say. "As far as what I've been able to observe? I've received a warm welcome from a delightful yeoman, and the captain of the ship has expressed genuine concern over my career and the damage being associated with this ship could cause." She returned to her chair but stood behind it. "I think that's more than enough information cataloged to form an opinion." She tried to pause for dramatic effect, but couldn't withhold her conclusion. "Which is, I don't give a targ fart about what some others in the fleet might be saying. I think this is were I need to be, and I'll be proud to be counted among your crew."

Malcom stood up and walked around his desk. "Well said, Lieutenant Baxter. Very well said indeed. I always appreciate people who speak their minds. I've been that type of officer my entire career. I only hope that you find that the reality lives up to all that you've described. I can assure you that I do care about your career and your well-being. My first job as your Captain is to make sure that I protect both of them as much as I can. I will always stand with you, as long as you show me the same respect," he held out his hand. "I'd like to officially welcome you aboard the Firebird and accept you as our Chief Science Officer. We've never been a prodigious science vessel but Starfleet Command didn't give us all of these new capabilities just to check a box. Your life is about to get very busy, even if it is just unpacking and squaring away your department."

"Unpacking and organizing are two of my favorite things to do," Phoebe grinned, taking the offered hand and shaking firmly. "I assume that's where you need my focus first, after meeting the team, of course, I mean. Or is there anything else that you need me to prioritize?"

"I want you to begin creating a report on the Bajoran wormhole. I know there's been a lot of research on it but, given the announcement of Deep Space Eighteen, I want to have a more thorough understanding of how it works from a scientific point of view. I have a hunch that one way or another, we are going to be going back and forth between here and the Gamma Quadrant more often than we do now. Other than that, just get yourself and your staff ready. I think the time for science is approaching," he said with a smile.

"Yes sir," Phoebe beamed, thrilled to have her first homework assignment. She turned to leave, then paused awkwardly as she considered whether or not she had been dismissed. Protocol was at times lost on her, but she figured that since she'd already committed to an exit, she might as well head for the door. As the bridge opened before her, she turned back to give a little wave. "Um, have a good day!"

Malcom waved and watched her depart. Perhaps the occasional good officer would come to the ship, despite Starfleet’s best efforts.

[OFF]


Commander Malcom Llwyedd
Commanding Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298



Lieutenant Phoebe Baxter
Chief Science Officer
USS Firebird NCC-88298

 

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