Cloak and Dagger Science

Posted on Sun Dec 10th, 2017 @ 8:02pm by Lieutenant Valeria Mordin

Mission: https://wellington.pegasusfleet.site/index.php/sim/missions/id/4
Location: Science Laboratories

Charles had mentioned he wanted to speak with Valeria about something, though said nothing of the what or why behind it. Normally, such omitted details would infuriate someone, or drive them to paranoia. Ts'usugi weren't wired that way, however. Such omissions were par for the course in their daily lives, an assurance that the information left out would be given at a later time.

When it was just her and Charles in the laboratory, she came up to him after clearing her schedule for a bit. "Sir, you made mention previously you wished to speak with me about a matter. Is now a good time?"

Charles looked up at Valeria and smiled. "Now is an excellent time. Have a seat..." he said, pointing to a chair. "And knock off that 'sir' crap, Val. It's still just Charles."

She offered a smirk as she sat, "Very well, Charles. Thank you."

"There's a couple of things I wanted to discuss with you actually," he began. "First of all, it's good to have you back in the department. We were all worried about you while you were away on your little...vacation..." He grinned to show her that it was an attempt at humor. "But seriously, we WERE concerned about your safety during that time and you were sorely missed. I did what I could to keep all the experiments running and Lieutenant Walker helped, but her responsibilities in astrometrics kept her busy there, so as I'm sure you can see, things are still in a bit of shambles - which brings me to what I really want to talk to you about." He looked at her for a moment, then continued. "Since the captain has given me the position of Chief Science Officer, that leaves the position of Assistant CSO open. Do you have any suggestions for someone within the department who could fill that position?"

"Thank you. I wouldn't recommend that agency to anyone. The accommodations were atrocious and the rooms had no view whatsoever." she kept the humor alive as only a Ts'usugi could. "As for the state of Sciences, I didn't want to say anything. I suppose the best joke at the moment is that it needs a woman's touch." she gave that smirk of her's. Though after a moment she felt that the situation became slightly more serious, and thus the smirk subsided to a more neutral posture.

"Well, there's myself. Though I'd like to get caught back up before I'm even an option. Karen seems a good candidate, she's very intelligent or I suspect has a photographic memory, possibly both." she continued, "Choosing Karen will split her time between Sciences proper and Astrometrics, whereas choosing me will allow her to keep her focus while having a dedicated scientist on hand to serve as an assistant."

"Though, if I'm allowed a moment of pride, Charles. She took one major, I took four." She paused, and that smirk returned, "With your escalation to Chief, I anticipated this might be a conversation you'd be having with all the applicants."

"I have spoken to other members of the team," Charles admitted. "I have also discussed this with Lieutenant Walker and she is not particularly interested in the position. She wants to be able to concentrate her efforts on Astrometrics. That, and the fact that she and I have a...personal...relationship has caused her to withdraw herself from consideration. She felt it would be promoting nepotism in the department. She was not my first choice for the position anyway and I agree with her decision. I then looked at everyone's records and experience and that, along with the recommendation of everyone else in the department - including Karen - confirmed my original first choice. And that was you."

"Me?" she sounded honestly surprised, ears perked at the prospect. Though after a moment, she relaxed. She didn't want to comment on the conditions under which Karen withdrew from the running. It'd be rude, even if she was right about it being nepotism. The fact that she was Charles' original first choice impressed her.

"I'm honestly honored to have been your first choice. I accept, and I won't make you regret that decision by any means in my control." standard Ts'usugi acceptance if ever there was one. "Thank you Charles. I'll do you and this department proud."

"Val, since coming aboard the Wellington two years ago I've worked with you and I know your work ethic. You're a perfect fit for this position and you will do yourself, the department, and this ship proud. That's why you were always my first choice for the position."

The insides of her ears turned a slight shade redder than normal, perhaps the only indication that the Ts'usugi could indeed blush. "Thank you Charles." was all she could say for a moment, before finding her words again. "I officially accept." and was silent for a moment further, "You're excellent with words, has anyone told you that before?" she mentioned with that smirk of hers.

"I've been known to talk my way out of a jam once or twice in my time..." he said with a chuckle. "But if I'm honest, I have to say that my mouth has probably gotten me INTO more trouble than out of it. Now, I have an idea - how about after shift we meet in the lounge and celebrate these new promotions of ours?"

"That sounds like a perfect idea." she mentioned with a soft smile. "There's already been enough gloom on board for my tastes. Some more celebration is certainly in order."

"In that case i will see you five minutes after shift - in the lounge." Then, before turning back to his work, he added "And once again - it's good to have you back."

"It's good to be back." she confirmed before returning to her previous experiment. Fractal crystal systems didn't render themselves after al... Oh wait.

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LtCommander Charles Damian
Chief Science Officer
USS Wellington

Lieutenant Valeria Mordin
Assistant Chief Scientist
USS Wellington

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