[Science Department, USS Charon]
The terminal Thomas was working away began to chime in an polite yet alerting manner, backing out of the work he had been occupying himself with he brought up the notification. It was reminder to himself of a task he was obliged to address in 5 minutes.
The timepiece on the terminal read 08:55 and that was confirmation enough he was due for a meeting with the chief science officer.
Making his way to the Lieutenants office he pressed the chime and awaited acknowledgement and ran his hand through his red hair, a gesture for him based on habit more than an attempt for atheistic improvement.
The chime went off in the Chief's office, yet no reply came. Infact unbeknownst to the Ensign, the office was at this time empty.
"Ahh Ensign" A voice said from behind Thomas. "it is good to see that you are on time."
As Nathanial's voice came from behind him Thomas couldn't help the thought of the lieutenant hiding out of his line of sight to create this scenario entering his imagination, nor could he help the small smirk that formed on his mouth from the unlikely yet amusing scenario as he turned and replied. "Good morning lieutenant. I must admit I've always found it prudent for my wellbeing to be on time for a date, a superior officer..." Realising his hand was still in his hair Thomas disconnected it from his head he finished. "...Or my mother. How are you this morning Sir?"
Nathanial hid a smirk. "I am doing well!" He stepped forward and punched in the code to open the door. When the door opened he stepped in. "Lights" The room illuminated and he headed for his desk. "Ensign, if you may" He said while pointing to the chair opposite his desk.
"Thank you Sir." As the guesture suggested Thomas took his seat and he looked towards the Lieutenent. Thus far Thomas had struggled to engage the chief in any idle chatter, he had dwelled on the leiutenants distant nature for a few days now, they didn't seem to be at odds with one another however he generally kept things professional and to the point, well as far as he had observed it wasn't a manerism reserved for just him.
"I'm expecting the simulations on some of the revised scanning alorithims to be compleated today sir, I should be able to provide some preliminary reports to you by the end of the shift." Thomas reported, the subject matter was about as dry as it came, however he hoped it would be more engaging than the normal results he got from his attempts at a conversation.
Nathanial nodded, he looked at the ensign infront of him, he knew that the task he had for him would be a challenge, and that the Captain had her eyes on Nathanial and the science department in delivering the best, he was up for the challenge, he just hoped that Thomas was as well.
"I have a job for you to do, I am about to leave the ship on an away mission, and the captain has asked me to pick one of my officers to replace my position on the bridge during the operation. I have after carefull concideration, decided to put your name forward. You are to report to the bridge for the Alpha shift starting tommorow." He said finishing with a small smile.
"Aye Lieutenant, thank you for your consideration sir." Thomas took the news with a broad smile, any chance to experience another part of his duties as an officer was something the Ensign always looked forward to. The news that he would be filling the shoes of his superior albeit covering only his bridge duties added the extra incentive to present well.
The Ensign had felt he had been performing well in his duties, Thomas had worried for a time about the distance Nathanial maintained, this allocation again reinforced in his mind that the reasons were more about professionalism rather than any personal clash.
"Do you have any details about the mission sir? Anything we can be prepared for?" Thomas asked, for him anything he could glean in advance might just help him in his duties tomorrow; the work of the away team would most likely be a focus of his upcoming work on the bridge.
Nathanial leaded forward and picked up a PADD, he pondered the question while slowly spinning the PADD between his hands.
"You'll have the information regarding the away mission and Science's requirements by morning" he said with little flair. He looked again at the Ensign sitting before him, in a simpler life, he felt that there could be a friendlier connection, but he knew...
He cleared his head, and looked at the Ensign, yes he would do the job on the bridge, and he would do it to a standard that the Captain would be more than content with, and that is what would be important to Nathanial, or so he told himself.
It was a shame but not unexpected. Science would just have to take to being ready and handle whatever came their way. Thomas would just have to take that in his stride while taking shift on the bridge.
"Now I expect the deflector dish to be double checked before tomorrow, and for it to be ready if it is needed on the away mission."
"I'll go over the diagnostic myself sir, I imagine the captain had engineering go over it with a comb. I'll confirm the sensor pod is still behaving itself after the calibrations were made a few weeks back and correctly communicating with deflector." Thomas acknowledged the Lieutenants request.
Nathanial nodded one more time. "That is all Ensign. Dismissed."
"Thank you Lieutenant and good luck tomorrow." Thomas added earnestly. Standing from his chair he offered a salute before taking his leave.
Lieutenant Nathanial Doyle
Chief Science Officer
USS Charon
&
Ensign Thomas Clipper
Assistant Science Officer
USS Charon
