Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in Science Lab - [C]hecking [B]oxes (Tag SCI)
T’Aria watched as the turbolift doors peeled open, revealing a young Andorian man with irritable lines carved into his forehead. “Petty Officer,” she nodded and slid into the space beside him. “Deck 4.”

A symphony of soft whirs consumed the silence between them, allowing both to avoid the ails of idle conversation. Miracles manifested in remarkable ways.

Lowering her gaze, T’Aria snagged the PaDD from the crook of her arm and dismissed her lingering notes on Engineering. One department down, four to go. And Science claimed the next slot on her list. T’Aria slid the stylus into her pocket and hoisted her attention to the slowing turbolift. Its doors parted, guiding her into a corridor whose calm posed a stark contrast to Engineering’s innate hubbub. But the stillness was misleading.

T’Aria nodded farewell to the Petty Officer, who seemed relieved to regain his solitude, and ventured into Chernov’s serpentine corridors.

Seconds bled into minutes before she happened across the General Science Lab. And like before, T’Aria chose not to disturb the natural processes. Instead, she slipped inside and found a quiet spot to wait for someone—anyone—to notice her.

– T’Aria, XO

The Chernov’s science lab was a comparatively small space in the grand scheme of things but it functioned as it should. Most of the staff were busy with their work either working on updating Code, experiments, or other general assignments. A few looked up from their work and visibly stiffened at seeing the Ships first officer but no one stepped up. On the other end of the lab staring at a holographic whiteboard filled with various equations stood the tall Science Chief. Straight backed with his hands clasped behind his back William seemed to be trying to stare through the math problem. He turned his head slightly at hearing the door close and spun around on his heels. He looked surprised and curious at her arrival but quickly he smoothed his features into the same smooth expression he always wore.

He took a few steps forward, stopping a few meters from T’Aria “Commander, what brings you here?” He asked. William had only been a Starfleet officer a handful of years, his entire career spent on the Chernov but somehow he’d made Lieutenant Commander and Second Officer in the three years since Captain Stovik was dismissed from Command.

CSO, 2O