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

(snip)

The chair was perfect… for a chair. Roman detested sitting all day. But at least it allowed him to do more than sit at a desk all day. The first thing he did upon entering the lab was head for Mushu, checking his food and enclosure for cleanliness. It had been kept immaculately, of course.

Then he went around to each of the other animal’s enclosures and checked them, limping on his crutch around the lab, and then he sat down in the new chair, resting his foot on the foot rest. Once Franks was finished with Nibbles’ cage, Roman motioned him over to talk to him.

~ Roman

Rand was glad to see that he liked the chair. Oh he was by no means happy to use it, but at least it was going to help. She got it, more than he probably realized…(she didn’t know Randy had told Roman about her faltered recover and months of bed rest)…but there were ways to get around it and not be quite so frustrated. Once Franks was finished with Nibbles she left the lab. She’d done all of her observations for the day and Roman didn’t need a baby-sitter.

Making sure he hadn’t left anything amiss, Franks walked over to Alden’s desk. “Cmdr?”

Franks

Roman was getting acquainted with his chair, adjusting the height and everything. “Your work maintaining the lab while I was away has been excellent.” He complimented. “I’m authorized for light duty, I’ll be in as normal starting tomorrow, I’d like to spend the rest of today’s shift catching up.”

~ Roman

Franks nodded, trying not to show how relieved and proud he felt that Alden was pleased with his work. It wasn’t a smug feeling, but unlike some of the other younger science offers, Franks had never been needlessly proud of his work. He had a couple years on the younger ones, and he’d always worked hard. He appreciated how hard Alden was on them, so to be complimented for his hard work he knew he’d earned it. Alden didn’t praise needlessly and those of weak constitution had no business in Alden’s department. He’d teach them, help them get better and support their work, but he would not baby them. Franks appreciated that.

There was a slight sagging of Franks shoulders…of relief. He’d enjoyed the chance to stretch ‘test’ his career but he’d only been shadowing Alden on the bridge and covering the lab on Alden’s days off. He’d not expected to step into the roll so soon, and though he did his best, and Rand was a huge help to answer what he didn’t know, he was more than ready to give it back to Alden. “We’re glad to have you back, Cmdr. Is there anything I can do to help you get caught up?”

Franks