Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with Dr Lynset

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Jenyfer Lynset (Medical Officer) in One-to-one with Dr Lynset

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Kastarak (First Officer / Navigation Officer) in One-to-one with Dr Lynset
Posted by… suppressed (4) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As Kastarak reviewed Lt (jg) Dr Jenyfer Lynset’s file at his desk, he sat with the familiar stillness characteristic of Vulcan focus. On his PADD, the human woman’s profile detailed an upbringing that, even to him, clearly emphasized familial warmth and security. He inferred from this a probable emotional stability and empathy – qualities that would logically assist her integration aboard the Chernov.

The descriptor “girl next door” puzzled him slightly, though he understood it to mean approachable, friendly, and perhaps unpretentious. Such traits were beneficial for establishing effective communication with crew members from diverse backgrounds, especially in Sickbay – where Kastarak himself had been strationed during his first few years on the Chernov.

Her career path, marked by practical ambition, intrigued him. Choosing Starfleet Academy to afford advanced education demonstrated adaptability and clear, logical reasoning, while her specialization in virology underscored disciplined curiosity and intellectual rigour. Her postings, first at the galactic rim aboard the USS Donnerly, then on the Ogawa, indicated deliberate choices designed to maximize exposure to practical challenges in deep space. Yet Kastarak noted, with particular interest, her subsequent return to Starfleet Academy for further medical training. That choice, he reasoned, was a testament to humility and a commendable willingness to address her own intellectual gaps. Such self-awareness typically correlated positively with reliability and professionalism.

He paused briefly, placing the PADD on his meticulously ordered desk, aligning it carefully parallel with the edge. Her documented anxiety concerning zero-gravity environments required careful consideration. Kastarak reasoned that this anxiety, though potentially problematic in emergency scenarios, might also encourage thorough preparedness and vigilance – a compensatory measure humans sometimes adopted.

He rose smoothly and stepped toward the small replicator embedded discreetly in the wall, requesting a pot of tea. As the pot of tieguanyin materialized, he considered whether to prepare any alternative refreshments for Lynset. Humans often responded positively to gestures perceived as thoughtful, especially if there were options available. Acknowledging this logic, he requested a caraffe of water, placing it neatly opposite the pot of tea. He provided also small bone china cups and crystal glasses on the desk.

Returning to his seat, Kastarak noted her modest exercise routine, interpreting it as indicative of balanced priorities. Clearly, Lynset placed intellectual pursuits and scientific inquiry above physical dominance, consistent with her professional focus.

In summation, as he prepared for their initial meeting, Kastarak assessed Lynset as diligent, intellectually curious, empathetic, and notably self-aware. He anticipated few interpersonal difficulties but remained mindful of her anxiety regarding zero-gravity situations. With these logical conclusions carefully arranged in his thoughts, he settled back into his chair, fingertips lightly steepled, waiting for her arrival with measured openness and professional curiosity.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Kas tarak
Ka starak
Kastar ak

Jenyfer had spent the better part of nearly an hour reading up the XO, Kastarak. She had been given medical clearance to complete her check in and come back to the CMO when done. Since he was her department head, it made sense.

Kastarak was Vulcan, medical backgrounded, and, from what she read, someone she already admired.

She had even dug for more time to find an audio clip of him pronouncing his own name. When she was satisfied she had the accent on the syllables, she continued to look through his records. Only the basics could be gleened at her level of clearance.

She sat, left leg curled up under her, nestled into the corner of her couch, padd in hand. She took a sip of tea and kept reading. The fact that he could speak but only Vulcan and English, but also Klingon and Romulan, impressed her to know end. She had no tongue, or ear, for linguistics. She would have to ask if he would be willing to teach her a couple phrases to at least not seem inept at ship functions. A Vulcan XO mean could easily mean Vulcan dignitaries. Even if she never went to such suarays, she could at least learn a phrase or two to settle nerves if they ended up on her biobed.

His childhood illnesses were what truly caught her attention. Sitting up and setting the tea cup on the nearby table, she started twirling one of her short locks of hair absently.

“Choriocytosis…” She whispered to herself. To survive such a thing was incredible. She would be curious if it affected him this late in life. Perhaps when in an ev suit where oxygen was sometimes lean?

When her chrono went off, she called out for it to turn off off, set the tea cup, still half full of half forgotten, cold tea, on the counter and went to change.

Five minutes before her scheduled appointment with the XO, she was outside his door tugging down the front of her uniform tunic. Her look was practically pass and review worthy. Her boots shined, uniform near, increased, and lint free. Her collar pip was set exactly where it needed to be. And her hair, though cut short enough to remain of her collar, was pulled back with a barrette of flat black so it didn’t hinder her sight.

Raising a hand, she palmed the door for permission to enter.

Lt JG Jenyfer Lynset
Medical officer

She’s early. Kastarak had already prepared though, and was, in fact, ready to receive her. Yet, he could not help but make a mental note of it. The doors opened, and Kastarak rose from his seat. He made an inviting gesture with his hand to allow her to come in and sit before him by his desk. The arrangement of a teapot, tea cups, caraffe and glasses was right between their seats.

“Lieutenant Lynset,” he said, while positioning his fingers in the V-shaped salute, “Peace and long life.”

“It is agreeable to meet you. Would you like some tea? Or perhaps, some water?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Coming inside at his approval, Jenyfer stepped in and nodded respectfully. Raising her right hand to equally greet him back, she nodded and smiled. “Peace and long life, Commander. The greeting is mutual.”

Walking in to the seat he offered, she cocked her towards the pot. “Tea would be most enjoyable. Thank you.”

She remained standing while he poured the hot drink and set it before her. She waited till he was moving to sit, before she did.

In that brief moment, her hazel eyes flickered over the room. Some folks could read, quite a bit, by how their offices were. From completely clear of all personal items, to displays of decades of life and memories, she’d seen it all. Curiosity made her wonder where her new First Officer fell.

While Lynset sat by the main desk, quite close by to the door out to the corridor, this seating gave her a clear view of the near-square room. She’d see right through the viewport windows behind Kastarak. Over there, two small arm chairs stood with a small table between them. It might have looked reminiscent to her of a small café section or even a therapy corner.

Against one of the bulkheads, there was a small meditation with a small mat. Above it, framed in unadorned dark wood, hung a long but narrow scroll of calligraphy, written in flowing Vulcan script. If she could read Vulcan, she’d be able to spell out the names of Kastarak’s family — T’fal, Leptik, Selak, Tolk, and Sabok – who all died in the destruction of Vulcan, with no other adorning on the scroll. In Kastarak’s view, no further adornment of that calligraphy could capture their memory. As such, only their names were inscribed with flowy but determined stroke of ink, each letter above the other, and each name above the other.

Near the window, a small tree stood within a wide. It was not native flora. If she looked closer, she would recognize it as a bonsai version of the Sequoia sempervirens — the California redwood. For Kastarak, the tree was symbolic. Earth was first soil upon which Kastarak had begun, painfully and patiently, to reforge his existence after surviving the genocide and repressing the trauma on New Vulcan. As such, the bonsai tree symbolized Kastarak’s restrained growth which began during his time in Starfleet Academy in California.

Lastly, an object uncharacteristic of Vulcan environments might draw subtle attention: a child’s drawing, preserved beneath a thin protective laminate. Three figures, rendered in bold and awkward strokes of crayon — a child, a woman, and a figure unmistakably intended to represent Kastarak himself. The depiction was exaggerated: the ears sharply pointed, the eyebrows steep and severe, more a caricature than a portrait. The labels, imperfectly written in Roman script — “OLA,” “ÄITI,” and “KAƧTAЯAK” — spoke of a human child’s effort to name the world as he understood it and the important people in it. A date, “2270-06-21” was the last clue to its origins. Midsummer just after Kastarak’s graduation.

Once settled, she took up the saucer and took a brief whiff. A smile lit her face. “TIeguanyin… is it not, Sir. Definitely a suitable and agreeable blend. Thank you.” She took a sip and sat back in the chair, knees and ankle set perfectly together, back straight, her cup, still in her right hand, balanced on the saucer in her left, sitting in her lap. She didn’t slouch out cross her legs like they were relaxing in the lounge. She was as professional and stoic, but with an ease and grace that would give away this was an easy and natural thing for her.

Now that his motions had ceased, she let her focus be entirely on him.

Jenyfer
Medical

Kastarak noticed the attentiveness in Lynset. It impressed him. He considered her an excellent addition to Sickbay. Since his leave from Sickbay, and with Symar’s emotional difficulties, Medical had not been one of the more efficient departments on board the Chernov. He knew from his tea sessions with nurse Sutalo, that there had been difficulties. Sutalo had complained, unusually much for someone of his stoic nature, and now, Kastarak sensed some peace with the arrival of Lynset. He thought that Lynset and nurse Sutalo would make efficient coworkers. Thinking about it made him sense a wish to return to Sickbay and help people there. Would humans call his sensation ‘nostalgia’? He mused.

“Indeed, it is tieguanyin. A former colleague of mine procured a few jars of it from Taiwan last we met.” Small talk wasn’t Kastarak’s cup of tea, but he made the effort when trying to build relations. Moreover, he was keenly aware that a relationship with Dr Lynset was one that was logical to invest in. The return would certainly be worth it, both for him, but more importantly, for Sickbay and the rest of the ship.

He paused and took a sip of his own cup.

“How are you settling in on the Chernov?”

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

A lilt of her ember topped head came a half second before her response. “I am. Thank you. She is an impressive ship. I have not had time to completely see her, but I intend to soon. How you find the ship? I’m sure you have been here a while and isn’t your first. Any suggestions for a new crew member?”

Jenyfer
Medical

For Kastarak, the Chernov was home. He could not say it out loud, but it was his first thought.

“I am sure you will make yourself acquainted with the entirety of the ship shortly. It is a large vessel with a large crew, so there is no rush. I first came on board almost four years ago. I have served most of my Starfleet career here, save for a temporary assignment to the SS Tasmeen for three months. I began here as an ensign, newly graduated from the Academy.

“I would advise you to invest in the relationships with your colleagues in Sickbay. Especially Dr Symar and Nurse Sutalo. Thereafter, I find that building relationships across the crew will make one’s duties in Sickbay easier. Make time for yourself and your own needs. Speak to Dr Symar when problems arise. Work environment is important. As humans say, nip all problems in the bud. You can also come to me.”

He took another sip of his tea. He had been speaking from experience.

Kastarak, Lt Cdr
First Officer and Navigations Officer

Jenyfer took a sip of her teas, her eyes never parting from the XO. His words sounded more like his experience on the ship and she took it to heart that he would recommend the same to her. As he finished and took a sip, she nodded. “I try and keep the problems to a minimum. And that includes nipping those buds, as you say.” She smiled and added. “And I hope you know you can also come to me. I have a small, though varied, collection of teas. Not too many are fans of the mild, or sometimes strong, drinks. But you are welcome any time. And if that does not feel appropriate to you, I am happy to send a list and samples of some of my favorites so you can try them at your liesure.”

She set the cup, nearly empty, on the edge of his desk. “I know it may not be usual, but I hope you know, you are always welcome to speak to me. Captains, Executive Officers, even 2 I Cs and other Department Heads worry about the line crossing, if done appropriately, there is nothing wrong with it. In a large ship we are a family. That means older siblings, those of higher rank, can still come to younger siblings, lower ranks, as easily as in reverse. I apologize if that is out of line. The Ogawa rarely stood on rank outside of work. We all have strengths and weaknesses and to ignore those merely because of rank, hobbles and weakens the whole ship. Don’t you think?”

Her words were bold, clearly spoken and definitely outside of how most lower ranks spoke. But she had learned many things on the Ogawa. One was that communication, respect and support had to go both up and down the Chain of Command, or the chain was weak in a crisis.

Lt JG Lynset
Medical