Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Namid Argimeau (Scientific Intelligence Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in PreSIM: Checking In with the CSO
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Likewise, Lieutenant.” Namid echoed her sincerity in a subtle grin. They took from Naim’s office a kind of simplicity that led to assume she was either newly promoted or recently assigned to CSO. They couldn’t blame her for neglecting a file. Actually, they were relieved she hadn’t the opportunity to acquaint herself with their record. It gave them the chance to speak for themself. “Of course,” they shrugged somewhat dismissively, “who doesn’t like talking about themselves?”

“I was born on Vancouver Island, the youngest of artistic and somewhat flamboyant triplets, and raised just about everywhere but. Oddly, my interest in science sprung from utter boredom,” a sprig of laughter filled the air. “When your father leaves you for rehearsals in the middle of a bustling city, it’s not difficult to find company in bizarre places.” They shook their head. “I didn’t initially attend Starfleet Academy; I opted to pursue biotech at the University of Washington and later Biomed with Duke. In both cases, I participated in biomedical research, specifically around nanotechnology, which I later resumed with Dr Visrian Parr on Outpost 56.” Namid elected to avoid detail unless provoked. “Otherwise, I’m just another tap-dancing scientist with a whim for all things that spark my interest.”

With a warm smile playing across her dark face, Kiama listened closely, nodding here and there and taking a couple of mental notes.

They pondered the questions that flittered through their mind, searching for which to pose first. “Thank you for your openness,” Namid began. “I have a couple of questions, but I’d like more about you, as the person I’ll be both working closely with and reporting to.” They didn’t offer anything specific, choosing to let Naim share whatever she felt comfortable sharing.

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

“You’re welcome,” Kiama smiled and then continued with a soft laugh, “We actually have something in common: I didn’t join Starfleet right after finishing High School either. I went to the University of Betazed first and got a major and PhD in neuroscience. I then worked for the university for a while before finally following my heart and attending the Academy. This is actually my very first posting.” Her expression turned a little sheepish. “I have led research teams and all at the university, so heading this department is familiar in a way. But to be honest, I didn’t expect to become acting CSO a few short months after my graduation. So there are still things I’m learning and I’m bound to make mistakes. I hope everyone in this department and on the ship in general will be gracious with me when I do.” She knew she was probably more honest than she needed to be, but being Betazoid and having a strong telepath as a mother meant that she was used to being able to keep any secrets anyway. So she always figured she might just share things openly. Not to mention that she was hoping to build trust between every member of the science department. And for that honesty, where it was possible, was essential.

~Lt. j.g. Naim, aCSO

Namid shifted back, propping their hands comfortably in their lap, and thoughtfully listened.

“Kindred spirits,” an innocuous tone teased their words. Although razzing, it was accompanied by a softened expression as they tended their head to the left and smiled. “We’re scientists,” they hummed, “mistakes are a hazard of the job.” Argimeau pursed their lips and furrowed their brows for a split second. “But in all seriousness,” their gaze met Kaima’s, “I don’t know much about department heading – just research – but, I’m here to help however I can.”

“Thank you,” Kiama replied with a grateful smile. “I appreciate that a lot.”

Namid considered their words carefully. They wanted to support that trust between Kaima and themself, but they didn’t want to overstep in the process. The precarious balance silenced them. They knew their job was somewhat nuanced – equal parts science and risk assessment – but they also knew they’d spent most of their time under Kaima’s command. With that in mind, they smiled once more and asked, “so.. how can I help?”

They couldn’t prevent their own mistakes, much less someone else’s, but maybe they could make it a bit easier.

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

With her head tilted slightly to the right, Kiama pondered Namid’s question for several moments. She hadn’t really thought about it before, so she allowed herself the time to think since she was sure that there was something. Eventually she said, “For one by always being honest with me and by giving me feedback, including criticism. Whenever possible in private, but I also know that that won’t always be possible. Don’t hesitate to come to me with questions, ideas or concerns, no matter how trivial or crazy they may seem to you. It’s important to me that everyone in the science department feels comfortable coming to me no matter what.”

Namid had let their dark gaze falter. They absorbed their surroundings with the patience for Kiama to reflect. When she spoke, they lifted their head and extended an amiable look. Honesty. Respect. Openness. Argimeau was notorious for finding something to contend with, but to argue with Kiama’s requests would go against their principles. Especially when they so heartily agreed.

“Without a doubt,” they affirmed after a moment’s thought. Namid pondered whether to expand, but they trusted calm spoke volumes their voice couldn’t reach. They opted for a nod. Accompanied by a flicker of a smile, Namid tucked Kiama’s request into one of their many unkempt filing cabinets and settled back.

Folding her dark, slender hands in her lap, Kiama asked back, “How can I help you? Right now as you’re settling in and in general?”

~Lt. j.g. Naim, aCSO

A pensive look brewed as they digested her question. Namid mulled over the million little things that popped into their head, each with a distinctive ting! But one surmounted the rest.

“Patience,” they answered. “I’m new to this scientific intelligence role and sorely out-of-practice with starship assignments.” A bashfulness infected their otherwise jovial disposition. “This process will be mostly trial-and-error. Mistakes will be made.. some silly. Awkward moments, uncertainty, all that jazz.” They rolled their shoulders in a leisure shrug. “Really, everything I need is what you’ve asked of me. Constructive criticism, room to find my footing, and the patience to answer my inane questions.”

“I can give you all of that. And as long as someone doesn’t do something their were asked not to over and over again and on purpose, I forgive easily. None of us are perfect. We’re people who make mistakes like everybody else,” Kiama replied gently and without hesitation.

“I also have a bad habit of getting in my head,” they confessed with an equally enlivened and bemused grin. “So please don’t hesitate to call me out.”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intel

“I am the same as a couple of people on this ship can already testify,” Kiama laughed softly and a little sheepishly. “So how about we call each other out when either of gets into their head?”

~Lt. j.g. Naim, aCSO

“Sounds like a plan..” Namid considered their words “…what title do you prefer?”

“I’ve been going by rank since I enrolled at the Academy. So that’s perfectly fine,” Kiama replied with a smile.

They appreciated Naim’s integrity and collaborative mindset as a leader. Her methods severed as a stark contrast to the aloof, unyielding command they were used to on Outpost 57. Although the phrasing eluded them, they found it was a nice change to work with someone and not for them. It made it a whole lot easier to respect Lt. Naim as their superior.. and a person.

“Rules of profession conduct aside,” Namid’s smile persisted, “is there anything pressing you’d like to discuss before I get out of your hair?”

– Namid Argimeau, Scientific Intelligence

Kiama shook her head. “Not from my end,” she replied and then chewed on her lower lip for a moment before asking, “At least not work-wise, but I was wondering if maybe you’d like to meet off duty some time? Maybe for lunch or something?” There was something about Namid she had taken an instant liking to and while she wasn’t sure if it was okay from a professional point of view, she wanted to get to them a little a better. If they were comfortable with that as well, of course.

~Lt. j.g. Naim, aCSO

Genuine enthusiasm erupted across their features. Namid thought to deny it, brush it off as a knee-jerk reaction, but they knew better than to devalue their excitement. “Sure,” they nodded, “I’d love to.” They didn’t understand professionalism well enough to determine whether lunch violated some unspoken code. But they would rest their case that lunch meant building trust and that had to be somewhat professional. “Are you free next week?”

– Namid Argimeau, professionally un-inclined