Posted by Lieutenant Demil Lis (Chief Science Officer) in CSO Office. Cadet Sovik reporting for duty.

Posted by Cadet Sovik (Scientist) in CSO Office. Cadet Sovik reporting for duty.
Sivok resisted the urge to straighten out his uniform. It was made with a fabric he had created with a close kazhuksu. They had a shared interest in serving on mixed species vessels, and it was one of the measures they had taken to ease the transition from Vulcan to a new environment. Both had tried to research what it would be like, but rapports on the matter seemed unusual and did not give the information they wanted. They had for example read over a dozen psychological rapports written by a Captain Solok, whose perspective seemed unduly derogative and obsessed with one of his test subjects. It was almost completely useless, as even if it had been more neutral, it spend a great deal talking about “wrestling” which neither had any interest in. In any case, besides being very warm, the fabric would rarely if ever crease.

So as soothing as the action would be, it was unnecessary and beyond that a display of public nervousness. He would not be shamed in front of the Vulcan crew, who already looked down at him for being a hybrid. Instead he dissected his emotion. His nervousness was an evolutionary response to prepare for a new environment. Useful in some circumstances, especially considering Star Fleets mission.

But not now. He had wanted this, debated for this, eluded that he would run off and study psionic disciplines, if he did not get her permission to join Star Fleet. His foremother would be infuriated if he did, as any success would remind people that her daughter had married a hybrid. He was sure he had potential, being part Betazoid would probably give him advantages in the area. But it would take too much time from his scientific endeavours and he preferred those most of all. Not to mention the concept of empathic powers running rampant would be a violation of the right to privacy of both him and those around him. He did not understand how they could live like that. The mind meld was an intimate thing, but at least it was between two people. His head was already busy enough as it is without other people intruding

As he was finishing his trail of thought, he realised he had already transported upon the Challanger. He noted that an advantage of him being consumed by his own thoughts was, that it gave him perfect composure as it suppressed unwanted emotion. A disadvantage, is he was not entirely sure how long he had been on this transporter pad. Best that he rapport to his department head before anyone asks any questions.

Before long he appeared in front of his Department Heads office, a Trill by the name of Demil Lis. He wondered how a trill symbiont kept all the memories. Did it have a large and efficient capacity to store memories? Did it bare any resemblance to a mind meld, perhaps even storing the katra of its former hosts? It would be interesting to study resemblances, but studies on mind melds were insufficient and from what he knew Trill had not allowed outsiders to study the symbionts. They likely had a policy similar to the code of silence that he would have to respect. If we do not respect other species privacy, how can we expect them to respect ours?

Another month, another new group of arrivals. While this may have been frustrating for many, Demil actually enjoyed the intake process for cadets. The schedules, paperwork, and reassignments as some cadets left were all nicely organized, and new thoughts and ways of looking at problems were always welcome. Helooked up from his work as the computer notified him one of the new arrivals was outside, and he instructed it to open the door.

As the door opened, he saw what he expected to be his new department head.

“Cadet Sovik reporting for duty, sir”

\Cadet Sovik, Science

“Welcome aboard, Cadet,” the Trill man said, standing up from the desk in the corner to walk over towards the door. His uniform and personal grooming was impeccable, looking almost as if he had simply walked out of the Starfleet Uniform Code. “I am Lieutenant Demil Lis, the Chief Science Officer. I look forward to working with you.” He gestured to enter the room, guiding Sovik to a small silver conference table inlaid with monitors. “Please take a seat. I have reviewed your file. Your work is already impressive for your age - but what would you like me to know in particular?” He sat opposite the cadet, fingers on one hand drumming silently on his leg under the table while the other held a PADD, apparently taking notes. “What disciplines within science are you particularly interested or apt in?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
CSO

He did not need long to answer, it is a question he had asked himself multiple times from various angles. Not just from his own interest, but what he could contribute to the larger body of science, what unique perspective he could provide, his innate talents and the environment he would be sent. Truthfully he would have preferred to study everything. Considering the lifespan and intelligence of a Vulcan combined with the lack of need to sleep, this was not impossible. Indeed outstanding Vulcan works were the combination of fields, from Selok Theorems of governance to the depiction of Cthia in Vulcan art. Fortunately, he found a field of interest that touched many fields.

“My speciality at the Vulcan Science Academy was quantum mechanics and sensor operations. But I am also interested in learning about other fields that would aid me as a starfleet officer.”

He did not tell him about his pet project. It was a research study comparing the epistemological paradigm of Vulcan attitudes towards knowledge compared to that of Starfleets. The VSA was known for being one of the best in the galaxy, and produced scientists who were true masters in their fields. However, Starfleet officers, especially human ones seemed to make discoveries in leaps and bounds. Both contributed to the Federation, although he was curious as to the differences. An extention of IDIC, means that one must learn from the diversity after all.

\Cadet Sovik, Science