Posted by Cadet Kael Draven (Scientist) in CSO Office - Checking in

Posted by Lieutenant Demil Lis (Chief Science Officer) in CSO Office - Checking in

Posted by Cadet Kael Draven (Scientist) in CSO Office - Checking in
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The turbolift doors hiss open, revealing the sterile gleam of the deck. Kael Draven steps out, the metallic tang of recycled air filling his nostrils. He starts walking, the precise clicks of his boots echoing in the quiet hum of the ship’s engines, a constant, low thrum that vibrates through the deck plating and into the soles of his feet.

Finally, he reaches the door of the CSO’s office. Kael stops, his hand hovering over the access panel. Muffled voices come from within. He hesitates, not out of nervousness, but more from a sense of professional courtesy. He glances around the empty corridor. No obvious “enter at will” signs. He straightens his shoulders, takes a deep breath, and waits, figuring a brief pause is better than barging in mid-sentence.
Silence falls, and he gently presses the button on the access panel.

Cadet Kael Draven, Science Department

(OOC: Great first post! My only note is to remember to write in past tense, but that’s relatively minor all things considered!)

“Enter,” Demil’s voice rang out clearly, and the door hissed open in response. Demil was sitting behind his desk - a small transparent aluminum one tucked in the corner of the room, almost an afterthought in the room’s layout. On the other side of it, another cadet - a red-haired human woman - stood, having apparently just stood up. “If you have any questions,” Demil told her, “you know where I can be found.” With that, the CSO stood up, accompanying her to the door and gesturing Kael in. “Cadet Draven, if you would have a seat?” he requested. The Trill lieutenant didn’t look much older than any of the cadets, but he had a quiet sense of competence that no doubt come from experience. “I apologize, my meeting with Cadet Zayin ran overtime. Can I get you any refreshments from the replicator?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

OOC: Will try my best, thank you.

IC:

Kael shook his head slightly. “No, thank you, sir,” he said, keeping his tone polite but firm. He stepped forward and lowered himself into the chair, adjusting his uniform with a quick, practiced motion.

As he settled in, he took in the atmosphere of the room. It was efficient, functional; just like the man who occupied it. A sleek silver conference table dominated the space, its polished surface reflecting the soft overhead lighting. Against one wall, a standard-issue desk sat tucked away, more of an afterthought than a centerpiece. Nearby, a single shelf held a few personal items, subtle hints of a life outside of regulations and research.
Kael folded his hands in his lap and met Lieutenant Demil’s gaze, waiting for him to speak.

Suddenly a ship-wide broadcast chimed through the lieutenants combadge. Though meant only for senior officers, the announcement was loud enough to be partially heard in the quiet room.

“Senior staff, please report to…” The rest was muffled, the details lost to the encryption of command-level transmissions.

Lieutenant Lis’s expression barely shifted, though Kael noticed the subtle way his jaw tightened. The Trill officer tapped his combadge in acknowledgment but didn’t respond verbally. Instead, he let out a slow breath and refocused on Kael.

Cadet Kael Draven, Science Department

(OOC: I’m going to void part of the post - remember not to act for other people’s characters; and as a general rule, don’t swing the context of a thread to a completely new situation [except GMs, but they’re an exception.])

Demil sat on his side of the desk. “I’ve read over your file. You’ve been involved in the sciences since a young age? What lead you to Starfleet specifically, rather than a civilian research agency?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

(OOC: Apologies, I got a little carried away. Noted.)

Kael sat with a practiced stillness, his fingers placed on his knees. His gaze had shifted downward as if measuring his exact words. “My parents are brilliant in their fields…” he said as he looked at Demil “…and I respect that, but I wanted something more hands on. Starfleet isn’t just about understanding the universe, it’s about experiencing it. That’s what drew me here. To push myself beyond the theoretical, to be part of something larger than a single research paper or lab experiment and maybe… a small part of me wanted to step outside my parents’ shadows. To find my own path.”

Cadet Kael Draven
Science Department

“That’s an excellently reasoned answer,” Demil noted. “Within your experience, which fields have you been most drawn to? You’ll work across the major disciplines, but I like to know my department’s specializations.”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

He sat back slightly. “If I had to choose, xenomedicine is where I see myself contributing the most. It had drawn my interest more than any other field,” he admitted, his fingers briefly tapping against the table before stilling. “Understanding how different species functioned on a biological level, how their physiology changed to their environment, there’s a challenge in that. It is not just about cataloging differences but applying that knowledge in real time, especially in the field.”

Cadet Kael Draven
Science Department

“Interesting,” Demil mused. “I may be able to see if I can schedule you for some cross-training under Medical if you wish to pursue both careers. Where do you feel you have the most experience to gain?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

Kael considered the question, his expression thoughtful. “I’d say real-world application, adapting knowledge to unpredictable scenarios. Controlled environments are one thing; fieldwork is another. Learning to make critical decisions on the spot is where I have the most to gain.”

His fingers tapped the armrest before stilling. “I’d welcome cross-training with Medical. Understanding xenobiology is one thing; using it to save lives is another.”

He met Demil’s gaze, his tone steady. “I don’t want to just record data. I want to make a difference with it.”

Cadet Kael Draven
Science Department

“Indeed,” Demil returned the look. “I believe almost all of us do, or at minimum did.” He glanced back down at his PADD. “You’ll be notified of your duty schedule by 1400 hours. Have you visited Sickbay and Counselor Arlander yet?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer

“No not yet,” he said, his voice steady but laced with the quiet weight of everything still unfamiliar. “I wanted to find my footing first, take in the corridors, the rhythm of the ship before diving into anything more personal. It is on my list for today. I know how important that first check-in, so I thought I’d start with the Chief Science Officer”

Cadet Kael Draven
Science Department

Demil laughed for just a second. “A fair assessment. Make sure you do complete those check-ins as well, but starting here was a good plan. Do you have any questions for me?”

Lieutenant Demil Lis
Chief Science Officer