Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side-sim: The Study of Kelmao

Posted by Commander Roman Alden (First Officer & Chief Science Officer) in side-sim: The Study of Kelmao

Posted by Ensign Rand Farquharson (Yeoman First Class) in side-sim: The Study of Kelmao
Because of routine maintenance, Rand was a bit busier than usual. The computer system was due for what ever it was that engineering did to keep it running smoothly. And right now the computers were up and running but the network was down. It would be for long and engineering was going section by section. That meant though that Rand was running from one place to the next delivering messages, reports, pulling information from the ship’s library, and etc. She didn’t mind, she liked being busy.

The downed network had already made Roman’s day more difficult. There were several things he needed to do in the morning that needed it to not be down and now he couldn’t do them. And of course, that frustrated him. He always put off his paperwork, but he did so on his terms, dang it, and when he wanted to get it done he wanted to be able to get it done.

It meant that she got to make extra stops in the biology lab because orders had arrived for the science department from command. In the Bekleb system, the fifth planet, Kelmao, was class M and had been cleared for study. Rand knew Roman would be thrilled to get the assignment, it was the whole reason he was a scientist. So it was with the orders from command and a print out of what they had sent along she walked into the biology lab. Franks looked up as the doors opened, “Good morning, Rand. You’re a bit early for Nibbles aren’t you?” Franks thought highly of Rand. After seeing her in the observation lounge with Alden, he’d gone out of his way to occupy her conversation when she was in the lab. Specifically when certain techs were also present. It prevented them from bothering her. That thought reminded him, he intended to go track Miller down after shift today.

Rand looked over at Franks. He was a good officer and worked hard. He was always polite, but never tried to engage her in awkward social conversations. “No, just dropping off more paperwork.” Though today she was pretty sure Roman would like this paperwork. “I’ll be back at the normal time for Nibbles.” For the most part Roman made a point of being in the lab when she worked with Nibbles. Getting to spend that time with her, but when he couldn’t, it was Franks who monitored her interactions. She made her way across the lab to give the reports to Roman.

Yeoman Rand

Miller worked in one of the ship’s other labs, and the two didn’t always see each other during the day. Rand’s visits always improved Roman’s day, but he was still grouchy over the computer system’s network issues. At the sound of more paperwork, he looked up with a rather irate look. The visits with Nibbles were an excuse to see her more often during the day, and so as frequently as he could, he made sure he was there when she was. Lately, he hadn’t left for lunch at all, either having someone else bring it or skipping it altogether. “Extra paperwork today? I thought I already had everything,” he said, looking up at her as she handed over the reports.

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO

Rand, ever the professional, bit the inside of her cheek hard to stop from smiling. Everyone in the lab, in the whole department, knew how much Roman despised paperwork. She knew he’d be irate with the routine computer maintenance going on, and additional paperwork would make it worse. It was so endearing, but she couldn’t let anyone know she thought that. “Nothing that needs your immediate attention, Cmdr. I was told to bring it straight to you though, and to inform you that the Sentinel has changed course accordingly.” She handed over the papers, “From Star Fleet Science Command, Sir. You might like it.”

Roman could tell she was trying not to smile, and looking at the report she’d handed him, it was indeed detailed orders from Science Command. Science Command? Changed course? Could it be…? Rand was getting him excited. Perhaps on purpose, he realized, but he couldn’t help it. Quickly, he flipped through the first few pages, to where it would get to the point and tell him what exactly they wanted him to go study.

Then Rand sat down on the stool that was perpetually beside his desk, that was hers. It’s where she sat every morning going over reports with him. She crossed her ankles and tucked her feet onto the bottom rung and reached over and picked up the stack of reports that were even later than usual because of the disconnected system. That was the brilliant thing about PaDDs though. Now with the prankster taken care of, she could easily put the files to her PaDD and take care of them. Was anyone in the lab surprised when she sat down and started going through his paperwork? Nope, not at all. Everyone knew that Rand could not stand seeing unfinished paperwork. It didn’t matter it was Alden, she would help anyone. But Franks had a feeling she enjoyed helping here more than anywhere else. And it wasn’t the mouse.

Yeoman Rand

The stool was treated with almost a sort of reverence by Roman and to an extent the rest of the lab staff, or at the alpha shift. It was Rand’s, and it stayed exactly where it was, next to Roman’s chair and within reach of all of his paperwork and inbaskets. No one else was allowed to touch it or move it. The late reports had frustrated him, he liked to be timely, and he was glad to see her picking them up. In his own hands were the orders from command:

Destination: Kalmao, designation Bekleb V.
Expected landing zone: Southern forests on the western continent.
Area of study: Environment and liveability, especially potential dangers for a new colony. Collect and study anything of interest, report results as soon as possible.
Kalmao is Earthlike in appearance with the majority of the surface covered in oceans. Ocean chemical balance may not be identical to Earth’s. Twice the size of the human homeworld, Kalmao has four main continents. Because of its orbit path around the Bekleb system’s sun, its days are equal to 4.5 Earth days. The tropical zone is at the south of the planet with the north remaining perpetually cold. This mission is targeted at the deciduous forests near the planet’s equator. The region experiences seasons similar to Earth’s, currently, it is late spring and transitioning to summer. Initial scans show no intelligent life but should anything be encountered follow the Prime Directive at all costs. The Sentinel is the nearest ship with the best equipped staff to handle this research task. Find suitable landing grounds in the forests, collect samples, and look for anything useful or hurtful to a potential new colony.
Expected time: two to three (earth) days.

The orders went on to detail what to do and what not to do, it was the same common sense stuff they put in all their orders. Roman’s grin was slowly growing as he read on, unable to contain his excitement. It had been a long time since their last planet study. He’d have to let Rand beam down, at least once. He turned to Rand. “What’s our ETA?”

~ Lt Cmdr Alden, XO/CSO