Things That Go Bump in the Night
Posted on Tue Feb 13th, 2024 @ 11:09pm by Captain Marc Kidd & Lt JG Fenora
Edited on on Tue Feb 13th, 2024 @ 11:32pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
The Sins of History
Location: Corridor - Deck 6 - USS Artemis
Timeline: MD005 1900 hrs
Fenora was deep in thought as she walked down the corridor. It wasn't very late, but it had been a full day. She was mentally reviewing what she still needed to do while contemplating what she might bring to her new assignment. She wasn't paying much attention to where she was going as the corridor was empty and went a little too wide around a corner and bumped into someone, dropping her PADD.
"I'm so sorry..." she began, looking up and noticing the pips. "...sir." She snapped to attention and saluted. This was not a propitious first meeting.
Marc had just received his briefing from Admiral Ford, Declan liked to hold briefings in the evening and sometimes over dinner. He decided to take a stroll around the ship to not only digest the food but all of the information. This was not going to be an easy mission for him or for anyone on this ship. He was lost in deep thought and paid no attention to any one walking around the ship. Somewhere on Deck six a member of the crew slammed into him. "That is no problem Lieutenant..." He realized that he had not met this Vulcan before, in fact he did not know there were any Vulcans on the ship. "It is I who should apologize for invading your personal space." Marc knew of the Vulcan desire to not be touched.
"I wasn't looking where I was going, and for that I apologize." She didn't sound like most Vulcans by choice. It was part of her rebellion against what her parents tried to force on her. "I'm, uh, not a typical Vulcan." She was still Vulcan, and more than a brief touch could be uncomfortable to a touch telepath, but she tried not to let it show. "I'm Fenora. I mean, Lieutenant Fenora. Forensic Anthropologist. I arrived today."
"Welcome aboard Lieutenant. I am Captain Kidd, but you can call me Captain or Sir if you'd like." He said with a broad smile and a laugh. "When off duty feel free to call me Marc. Walk with me." He began to walk down the corridor and noticed that she did not look like the standard Vulcan. "If you do not mind me saying you don't seem like the standard Vulcan that I have worked with in the past."
She fell in step beside him, liking him right away. "No, I'm not." It was a question she'd been asked before, and one that always brought up memories of the past. "I could not accept a life of logic without balance and rebelled. I was taught proper discipline and meditation, but I could not divest myself of emotion."
"Ah, I see." Marc said by way to cover up what he really wanted ask. It was too personal he thought but curiosity always did get the better of him. "But, I have always been made to believe that Vulcan emotions are strong, stronger that Human emotions or perhaps any other race. Hence why the Path of Surak came about. I guess I am asking how do you control those emotions without divesting them? Feel free to tell me that you have no comment as this is probably too personal. But I am so curious, and this is the first opportunity that I have had to ask."
"It's not too personal. Or maybe I'm just too open about why I'm a rebel." She was pretty sure part of the reason her parents disowned her was because she talked about why she chose not to follow Vulcan tradition. "Yes, our emotions are strong, but for me, burying them under layers of logic except for brief periods of time was...far worse. I sought for options that fell in line with what Surak taught, but I couldn't. So I began to look for answers elsewhere. That's when I began my search for balance between logic and emotion. I found that study helped me focus, but I couldn't study all the time. I turned to Vulcan meditation, then added other forms. But when my emotions grow more difficult to control, I have martial arts." She flashed him a smile. "I literally fight my way through the worst of them."
"I feel like most of us have a tendency to beat on holographic opponents to let off steam." Marc said with a chuckle. "I am sure you are aware that your duty here is not going to be the standard Starfleet fare. That being said if things ever get too much for you please avail yourself to our Counselor Lieutenant O'Rourke. If you do not wish to make it official my door is always open. A lot of what we are going to experience and do can be very trying on people's sensibilities and I just want to make sure that everyone is well."
"I appreciate that." She would indeed avail herself of a listening ear if she needed one. "Actually, doing something that isn't Starfleet standard is what I find so appealing about being here. I'm not exactly standard myself, nor is my education." She smiled at her new captain. "I'm looking forward to it." She was especially interested in more intensive work in forensic archaeology.
"Our first case may not have much in the way of your expertise. We are to pursue a former Commander of a Cardassian Camp. Bajor wants him brought to justice. It should be an interesting pursuit." Marc paused for a moment as he considered something, then he snapped his fingers as if he came to a conclusion to a discussion that happened in his mind. "One of the things that I enjoy doing is bringing up old criminal cases in the holodeck. Then attempting to solve them quicker that the actual detectives did. Your expertise could go a long way to helping my fun." His smile broadened as he spoke.
"That sounds fascinating." Her smile broadened into a grin at the idea of recreating criminal cases. "Do you wear a deerstalker or a homberg?" She hesitated, realizing she hadn't really answered his question. "I would love to assist."
"Neither..." Marc began as he recognized the mention of Sherlock Holmes' hats. "...I prefer the look of police detectives from the late 20th century. You know the kind a suit, a trench coat, a pad and pen. Just the facts." He was actually elated that someone was interested. "I am glad you will join me. As soon as there is a moment we can get to it. Now, I think I should show you to your lab. Anthropology has its own lab, with its own equipment. I mean taking bio samples after someone has been vaporized cannot be too glamorous, so you should have your own space." He said with a smile.
"Yes, I am familiar with some of them. I may have to brush up, though. I'm more familiar with the old classics and with the civilians who get involved in solving murders." Still, it did sound like fun and she was looking forward to it. Then his last comment registered. "I have my own lab?" That would be wonderful. She could have all her equipment where she needed it and not have to put it away after each shift.
"Indeed the Forensic Anthropology lab is located on deck eleven. Right this way..." Marc began and motioned toward the nearest turbolift. "...All of the major specialties aboard the ship have their own lab. Some of the lesser specialties share a lab depending upon their function of course. We may be a Luna Class but the interior has had a complete overhaul and redesign."
Fen was eager to see her lab and what equipment it had. It was the first time she didn't have to share space. "This is the first Luna-class I've served on. I'll take some time to familiarize myself with it--especially with science." She stepped onto the turbolift and smiled at the captain. "I'm really looking forward to serving here."
"That is good to hear. With the kind of work that we are doing here, I do not want anyone on the crew who actually does not want to be here. To clarify, the work we do Starfleet and by extension the Federation does not want anyone knowing is done. They want the belief to be that the crimes we investigate simply put do not happen. So, the glory that other ships can get is lost for us." A few moments later the turbolift opened on deck eleven, then a few short steps later they were in the Forensic Anthropology Lab. "Well, here we are. Computer lights." When the lights came on the consoles lit up as well. It was like a being that awoke for the first time.
Fenora walked slowly into the lab, taking everything in. This was to be her space. She noted each piece of equipment, its placement and condition. The last person to work here kept it clean, which she appreciated. She ran her hand across the exam table. She'd requisition a Bunsen burner to brew her herb tea. It was a habit she'd picked up at one point. She turned back to the captain. "This is perfect. Is there anything else I should know about the ship or its crew?"
"Just that we are becoming a close knit group. Due to the nature of our work we will have quite a bit of downtime. So, feel free to take advantage of the Sidebar it is a little gathering point to let off steam and socialize over on deck five. They have some great drinks, even some fresh food. Deck thirteen is the prison deck so unless you have the stomach for it or business there I would simply stay away. There are times when the fleet may order us off our assignment to tend to other needs of the fleet. During those times you may be asked to serve as Science Officer or in another capacity. We just finished defending Poseidon Station from the Breen, for example. Other than that we are pretty much like any other ship in the fleet." Marc looked around the room and realized that his ship had a unique charm. He had not seen this lab yet and now he decided he would make sure to see all the parts of the ship that he glossed over.
Fen nodded as he told her about the ship and its assignments. The more she learned about the Artemis, the more she looked forward to working here. "I'll be happy to help out wherever you need me." She liked being involved, and she liked working with people. And she could easily spend her down time doing research or working on a project. She would definitely check out the Sidebar, but she generally felt more comfortable with people she knew than hanging out in the lounge. "I'm also a forensic psychologist, if you ever need those services. I'm more an analyst than a profiler." She knew he already had one of those. "As I said, I'm happy to help out as needed. Even if it's a sidekick in a murder investigation on the holodeck," she added with a twinkle in her eye.
"Glad to hear it. I will let you know as soon as I have the holodeck time set up. For now I think I should let you get settled. If you need anything Simply let me know. Dunno if you met your department head yet but she is Lieutenant Siadra Molaur I am sure the historian in her will find you fascinating." Marc said with a smile as he made his way to the door. Like most things since he took command of the Artemis this Lieutenant Fenora was a surprise and definitely not what he expected from a Vulcan science officer.
"Captain, sir. Maybe you'll let me buy you a drink some time as an apology for plowing into you," she said just before he got to the door. It was the least she could do and good manners insisted she offer.
"The apology is not necessary. But, I would never pass up a good time. Let's try tomorrow night at the Sidebar." Marc said with a smile before heading for the door and then the bridge.
She smiled as she watched him walk away, then turned to check each piece of equipment and look in every cabinet and cubbyhole, humming as she did so. she still couldn't believe this lab was all hers. Yes, she was definitely going to like it here.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant JG Fenora
Forensic Anthropologist, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
Captain Marc Kidd
Commanding Officer, USS Artemis
Starfleet Criminal Investigations Unit
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