Posted by Lieutenant Prinz Esther (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim: Esthers quarters
Esther lay on the floor, her feet in the air as she drew, what at first glance appeared to be a fairly basic drawing, but was in fact a complex science equation written in Bajoran, and a few simple drawings of wormholes. She had decided to write her paper on the Bajoran wormhole. Focusing on something that her people were facinated with, and worshipped was a sure fire way to put her in the running for the Bajoran Science Awards.

Her tablet beeped drawing her out of her thoughts. Groaning at her stiff muscles and shaking out her numb hand Esther pushed herself slowly to her feet and went to answer it.

Lt. Prinz,
CSO

On the screen of her computer the name Ethu Marco Esther nearly rolled her eyes, ignoring the strange skip her heart just did. Of course he would be calling to brag about his recent Science award. She scoffed. Just this once she would let him, it was only one battle. She would let him have it while she won the war. The Bajoran Science Awards was the ultimate prize and with all of her hard work it would be her that claims it for a prize.

The instant she accepted the call, Marcos face appeared, beaming and proud. Her stomach flipped. It was easy to see why all the girls at school had been infactuated with him. He had a certain boyish charm in both his looks and his nature that subtily drew one to him. Girls had faught over him. Girls had cried over him. Yet Marco had persistantly stayed single without even a passing fling. Unless you could call Kira Parica claiming to have kissed him at the school dance a fling. His natural intelligence had won over their teachers. Good looks, charm, intelligence. Marco had it all. A purbred Bajoran, son of a respected doctor, he was destined for greatness. Esther by contrast was plain, she was a half Bajoran half Human, without the same eduation all the others had had. Marco had sneered at her like all the others as she struggled her way to the top, and from then on they had fought over the top postition back and forth until they graduated.

“Esther!” Marco’s voice cut through her thoughts sounding slightly amused, “Still a day dreamer I see. Don’t get caught doing it on the job,”

Esther immediatly bristled, disliking his tone, or the way it made her feel. “I don’t day dream while I’m working.” she defended, “Congratulations on your award,” she added quickly, deciding she would much prefer his bragging over his teasing.

Marco beamed. It lit up his whole face, made it shine brighter than the light of the Prophets. “That means a lot coming from you. You were the one that pushed me to go for it,”

The cheek of that - as if she would ever encourage Marco to achieve anything. No. It was she that would claim all the prizes as her own and it would be far easier if he was out of her way. He was teasing her again.

“You don’t know what I mean,” Marco said, reading her face perfectly. “You don’t think that it’s you who inspired me to accomplish so much? Well it’s true. You drive me to reach out beyond my limitations and accomplish much more that I would have dreamed. Ever since we were children you’ve challenged me to better myself. I won’t let you down,”

“I’m aiming to be nominated for the Bajoran Science Awards,” Esther blurted out. His pretty words didn’t mean anything. She knew that they were just a challenge coded in soft words. “I am eligable.”

“Sounds like I will be up against some tough competition,” Marcos eyes shone brighter than the stars outside Esthers window. “May the Prophets guide us to our win,”

By the Prophets indeed. Esther smiled to herself. Little did Marco know, that that was exactly who were going to lead her paper to its inevitable win.

Lt. Prinz, CSO