Posted by Ensign Matthew Riley (Science Officer) in CSO’s Office: Ensign Matthew Riley Reporting for Duty

<snip>

Sharah straightened up as he entered and avoided tugging her uniform or her collar. She nodded in answer to his question. “En Riley. Welcome to the Ark Angel.” She tried to remember what her first check-ins had been like. Or not hers but what her DHs had done. She wasn’t prepared to have a new officer so soon. They always offered to shake her hand. Physical contact made things harder for her, but she was prepared for it so she’d be fine. She offered her hand to him, and then a seat. “Please have a seat.” She took a seat in her chair, which was in front of her desk, which was pushed against the wall. Everything was moved around. “New office” she said as she sat down. “Tell me Riley, where are you transferring from?” She should know that right? She hadn’t seen anything telling her of a new officer though…and then her console beeped with the information. Of course she thought to herself.
Lt. jg Fayth, CSO

Riley accepted the offered hand and shook it, glancing about the room more fully now. “Well, the flowers will certainly be a nice touch,” he said, sitting in the other chair, PADD on his lap. He swept one hand through the side of his blond hair as he leaned back.

Sharah nodded, “I hope so. The office is a little....” she searched for the right word, “bland.”

“Transferring?” he asked. “Ah, from the Challenger. Freshly graduated.” He smiled, less widely this time, and tried to force his knee from bouncing. “My transfer orders are-” he was interrupted by the beep of the computer. “- probably there,” he finished with a chuckle, “and also on this isochip.” He held it out to her.

-Ensign Riley, Science

Challenger, the name brought back happy memories, and then…Riley…Riley…no the name wasn’t familiar. They hadn’t served there together, and more importantly that name was not one of the unfortunate cadets involved in that attempted prank on her and Joseph when she’d caught that ride back to Earth. The science cadet had been Jones. Well that was certainly a relief. “You served with Lt McMorran then? She and I served together as cadets on Challenger.”

Riley brightened. “Oh, small world. Yes, she was my training officer. She pushed us hard, and I think I’m a better officer because of it.”

“Well if she approved your graduation, then I’m pleased to have you on board. Of course,” she smiles, “I might be biased. Challenger is the best academy ship on the fleet.”

Sharah, when it came to work, was always direct. “Well En. I’m glad you are here, because we are very short handed. Almost the entire science department has transferred out. What are your specialties or areas of interest? What did you specialize in? I ask because I need to know. My science expertise revolves around medical science and botany with the sub sciences that support those. We need a well rounded team, and I want you working where you are strongest.”
Lt.jg. Fayth, CSO

Matthew blinked. “Oh, wow. But…” He opened and closed his mouth. “This is a Mythology class ship,” he finished. “How could…” He shook his head. “Never mind. Starfleet priorities sometimes,” he muttered, then straightened.

Sharah nodded, “I know it makes so very little sense. But it is what it is.” Her console beeps again and she glances at it. “Oh well, Star Fleet has it’s ways. All new transfer orders coming in.”

“My specialties,” he repeated her. “I have doctorates in astrophysics and subspace physics, from pre-Academy education, before deciding to actually do something with my life.” He paused again. “I also majored in exobiology at the Academy, mostly to well-round myself as a Starfleet officer, but I would not classify that as a specialty.”

Sharah listened and was thrilled that he had specialties differing from hers. “Well then, you will be taking up residence in the astrosciences lab and coordinating the work there. That covers astrometrics, astrophysics, and stellar cartography. There are of course, a few NE and NCrewmen still here. All good people, so you won’t be totally alone. I will send more people down as we get them. Don’t worry I’m not throwing you to the wolves.”

Riley’s mind ran wild with the thoughts of what kinds of projects and experiments he’d be able to run on the type of equipment found aboard a Mythology class vessel - and the things they’d be studying out in the cold dark of space. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of fun down there,” he grinned.

Sharah smiled, “I hope you do. Feel free to take on your own projects in between what we have to do. I want everyone in this department to feel like they can explore their own interests. There will be times we’ll all have to put those on the back burner, but research to your heart’s content. Just make sure to log the appropriate paperwork.” She had no idea how much there was on a DH. She knew her own, but she’d walked into the office the day before to a mountain of it. “OH! And I should warn you, watch out for the kids on board, and use the door locks. They tend to get into everything.”

Riley blinked and then laughed. “I will keep that in mind. That was definitely not a problem on the Challenger.”

He realized he was holding the medallion in his hand again, and tried to surreptitiously return it to his pocket. When did I even take that out?

-Ensign Riley, Science

Seeing him fidget with something in his hand and his sudden effort to put it away, Sharah got up and walked over to the replicator. She requested a water for herself. “What would you like to drink, Ensign?” Sharah was trying to think of what else she needed to ask him. She hadn’t had time to read his record or his orders. She should make an effort to know him as more than a science officer, right? Make him feel part of the crew/ship/family that was the Ark Angel. That was her job now. Okay she could do that.
Lt.j.g. Fayth, CSO

Her question broke his reverie, and he looked up at her beside the replicator. “Oh, um…” He thought for a moment. It had been a bit since his last meal. “An orange juice, please,” he replied. Nice and sweet, just enough sugar to get him through to the next meal.

• Ensign Riley, Science

Sharah ordered the orange juice and then paused looking at the time. When was the last time she ate? Last night? Oh she should eat probably. “Would you like anything to eat En? Did they feed you on your transport?”

After taking care of his request she sat back down. “What do you like to do in your off time, Ensign? I ask because if you can think it up, Ark Angel has it. The stories they tell about Mythology class ships, aren’t stories. They are all true.”
Lt. jg Fayth, CSO

“No, thank you,” he responded, shaking his head. “I ate, but this will be a good pick me up.” He held up the glass before taking a sip.

He shrugged at her second question, a light blush playing beneath his skin. “I read, mostly.” He took a gulp of the orange juice again, eyes flitting around the room. “I practice tai chi chuan. I find it helps me focus,” he explained. “I like running; long distance running I think is the only thing that has kept my metabolism in check the last couple of years,” he chuckled, eyes settling on the surface of the orange juice in his glass. “If there’s a track here, I’ll probably spend a decent amount of time there.”

He took a slow deep breath, exhaled slowly, and then sipped the juice again.

• Ensign Riley, Science

Sharah nodded, “I enjoy reading. I’m hoping to find out that there is an actual library on board, but I haven’t found it. Yet. And the gym here on board is huge. Pools, cardio, classes, weights. A large track and heated areas for strained muscles. It’s on deck 17. The recreation hall on 18 and 19 holds the pool and several other areas.” Sharah leaned back in the chair, “What can I answer for you? Ark Angel is a lot different from Challenger, I’m sure you have questions, even if they aren’t about the science deparment.”
Lt. jg Fayth, CSO