Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aili McMorran (Chief Science Officer) in CSO’s Office: Cadet Matthew Riley Reporting for Duty

Posted by Cadet Matthew Riley (Scientist) in CSO’s Office: Cadet Matthew Riley Reporting for Duty

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aili McMorran (Chief Science Officer) in CSO’s Office: Cadet Matthew Riley Reporting for Duty

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“No, I understand completely. Joining Starfleet was a rather last minute change of direction for me.”

“So what is it you think you can offer Starfleet in turn, other than your intellect?” The CSO’s gaze fell into a more sharp, cat-like observational mode. “What will you bring to my department?”

Lt. J.G. Aili McMorran - CSO

Matthew wondered what kind of answer she might be looking for, but decided to start easy.

“I have a level 4 pilot rating, qualifying me to pilot up to runabouts and small researchers.” He had been the only science track cadet in his level 4 course, the others stopping at the shuttle level, and he hoped not needing a separate pilot would be a highlight. Of course, he didn’t know how many other years that might have been different.

“I’m proficient in SciScript, the Daystrom Common Language, and have dabbled in IDIOM - Vulcans have very strange programmatic techniques,” he continued. “And of course LCARS Display Script.”

He paused, thinking, then leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “I have had to worker harder than most to get to where I am, Lieutenant,” he admitted, “I don’t know what kind of answer you’re looking for, but I’m going to bring everything I have to this position.”

• Cadet Riley, Science

The CSO nodded intermittently, her breaths still coming heavily as she cooled down. Her eyebrows peaked at his latter words. “Aha. Those skills, and your piloting is valuable to have, I may ask you to fly be by a star some time… Those skills are on your file. I want to know what ‘everything you have’ is. How did you settle in on your previous cruises? Were there roles you fell into when working with your fellow officers, aside from your technical skillset?”

Lt. J.G. Aili McMorran - CSO

Yep, she wants more, he lamented. God, I hate interviews. His eyes drifted over her shoulder as he considered the questions.

“On my first cruise we undertook a survey of the Alpha Omicron system. That played right into my strengths, and I led the team that did the stellar analysis. I assisted with modeling the lifecycle of the lifeforms that lived in the asteroid belt; my supervising officer commended my ‘intuitive thinking’ on that project, but that’s probably also in the file.” He spotted a stylus near him on the desk and lifted it, spinning it between his fingers, then placed it back.

“My second cruise was a study of the megaflora on Tendani IV. The supervising officer did not like my ‘leaps of intuition’, I believe he put in the report - though I was correct about how the plants reflected infrared light to assist with pollination.” He pointed the stylus at her to emphasize his point, then realized he was holding it again and replaced it on the desk, leaning back to distance himself from it.

He sighed, trying to think of what to say next. “I’ve never been good at these kinds of self-reflective questions. I work well with others; I can lead a research team, and effectively. I can take assignments well, from superiors or in divvying up work among team members. I’m a scientist, I’m happiest when doing science.” He paused reflecting on his words.

“That… may also be something that gets me in trouble,” he admitted. “The scientist in me sometimes wins out over the officer in me, and I have questioned orders or assignments before.”

He spun the stylus in the fingers of his right hand, noticing it as it passed through his vision, then sheepishly placed it back on the desk and nudged it away from him. “Sorry. It’s a nervous habit.”

• Cadet Riley, Science