Posted by Cadet Amy Anderson (Scientist) in Department Check-In - Cadet Anderson (Science)

Posted by Lieutenant Alison Barr (Chief Science Officer) in Department Check-In - Cadet Anderson (Science)

Posted by Cadet Amy Anderson (Scientist) in Department Check-In - Cadet Anderson (Science)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

“No worries Cadet, hold on just one second…” Alison trailed off as she pulled a small potted succulent plant out of the box and placed it on the corner of her desk. “There we go,” she said turning around with a smile.

“Well it’s nice to meet you Cadet.” Reaching out Alison took the offered PADD and placed it on her desk. “Please, at ease. I’m sorry for the mess, I just came aboard myself. I trust you had a pleasant journey out to the Challenger.”

Taking a second, she mentally tried to slow herself back down. At times when she got excited, or nervous, she had a bad habit of starting to talk way to fast, and to start rambling.

“Oh I’m sorry, I’m Lieutenant Alison Barr,” she said extending her hand towards the Cadet.

Lt Barr - CSO

Amy extended her own hand out and offered a gentle smile as she shook the Lieutenant’s hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ma’am.” She took a step back and sat herself down in the chair in front of the desk. “The journey was pleasant as could be expected on a shuttle full of other eager cadets engaged in near constant chatter.” She stated in an almost cold tone. Her face showed her displeasure of the experience but a look of relief appeared as she focused back toward her superior officer. “However, that is in the past. I’m thankful to be here on Challenger now and ready to take on my responsibilities.”

She rested her hands calmly in her lap, clasped together as a polite school girl would sit in front of a teacher. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground in front of the chair and her posture in the chair was near perfect. It was a well-practiced maneuver by Amy - her own protective barrier against her own insecurity.

“May I ask what type of plant that is?” Amy asked as her eyes shifted over to the plant, trying to get a better glance at it.

-Cadet Amy Anderson / Science Division - USS Challenger -

Alison smiled, at least Amy was easy to talk to. Moving around the desk she leaned against the front edge.

“Well I’m glad you had a pleasant journey then. As for this one,” she reached around behind her and picked up the plant, and held it out towards Amy. “It is kalanchoe marnieriana. Do you have an interest in botany?”

Lt Barr - CSO

“I enjoy and appreciate flowers, but botany was not one of my strong suits. Diving into the origins and structures of them are fascinating, but to actively engage in the horticulture and practical application was…” Amy paused for a moment, hesitant to finish her sentence. Finally, she lightly sighed to herself and continued. “Honestly, I don’t have a green thumb.” As she finished the sentence, she smiled lightly and chuckled - she felt somewhat calmer now. “As long as we avoid placing me on Arboretum duty, the plants may have a chance to survive.”

After another brief chuckle, the tension Amy previously displayed was soon melting away. “My studies at the academy focused in Quantum Mechanics along with Cellular Biology, however. If I may ask, what were your focused studies at the academy?”

-Cadet Amy Anderson / Science Division - USS Challenger -

“Well you might have to spend a shift or two in the Arboretum, but I think we can keep you away from most of the plants,” Alison said with a chuckle. “I would like to have you, and the other cadets, take rotations in all the different specialties if possible. You know, to make sure you at least have some exposure to the different areas you could be called upon to support.”

Putting the plant back, Alison hoped up and sat on the front edge of the desk. She was going to have to look into rearranging her office, she wanted it to be more relaxing, and less intimidating, for when she had new cadets come in.

“As for me, my specialty is in exobiology, though I didn’t get a chance to focus on that to much while at the Academy. I went the non-traditional route you could say. I got my Masters in exobiology from Harvard. But I wanted to see the stars and get out into the field, not be stuck in the lab. So instead of getting my doctorate, I went to the Academy, and here I am,” she said shrugging.

“So what drew you to quantum mechanics and cellular biology? And what created the connection between them for you?”

Lt Barr - CSO