Lt. Robin Hopper: Never Too Busy
Robin Hopper
((Amity Outpost – Science & Research Center, Level 12 - Administration))
Amity’s Science and Research Center, colloquially referred to as either the “SRC” or “the Basement” by the station’s denizens, was a beast. Spanning twenty four levels, with dedicated facilities for nearly every branch of scientific study one could hope to engage in, and four distinct ‘sections’ serving the general public, Starfleet Science, civilian scientists, and the off-limits Copernicus-era Borg Research area… it took a lot of talented and dedicated individuals to keep it running smoothly.
Today, Robin was engaged in personnel review. Her team alone consisted of 45 commissioned Starfleet Officers, 86 Enlisted Officers, and over 120 civilian scientists. There were a lot of faces, names, ranks, and credentials to try and wrap her mind around. She sat in her office, still only lightly-decorated and lacking in the personal touches she hoped to one day fill it in with, eating a bowl of butternut squash soup while she read the personnel files that slowly scrolled by on her holographic display.
oO Ensign Drakos Molieras… Biology Officer… Bajoran – but born on Deep Space Nine. Interesting. Oo
Her reading, and lunch, were interrupted by the sight of someone standing outside the white-frosted glass of her office door. Setting the soup aside, and deactivating the display, she stood and walked over to the door. As it slid open, she found Crewman Axon – one of the many SRC administrative staffers – standing nearby with a tall man in pale purple robes.
Sirn: Ahem, Lieutenant Hopper?
Robin peered up at the Vulcan who looked back at her cooly. Despite her understanding that Vulcans rarely appreciated such gestures, she offered him a friendly smile all the same.
Hopper: That’s me. ::To Axon:: Thank you, Crewman. I’ll take it from here. ::To Sirn:: What can I do for you?
She clasped her hands in front of her and awaited his response expectantly.
Sirn: My name is Sirn. I am here on assignment from the Vulcan Science Academy.
Hopper: Sirn… Sirn… ::Wracking her brain:: I don’t think I’ve had a chance to review your file yet. ::Waving him along:: Here, why don’t we go take a seat in my office and we’ll get you sorted out, okay?
She led the Vulcan into the room beyond and, offering him one of the guest chairs across from her, retook her own seat.
Hopper: I hope you don’t mind if I finish my lunch while it’s still hot.
The Vulcan was, as was typical, difficult to read. He retrieved a PADD from his robes and passed it across the desk to her. She accepted it gladly, and glanced at it briefly.
Hopper: Yes, I see. Warp theory, hmm? ::Gesturing across the desk:: Come on, take a seat.
She set the PADD down on the desk beside her. Sirn, however, seemed reticent to indulge her offer. oO Maybe it’s the soup… I should just wait to finish it… Oo
Sirn: I am sure you are very busy, Lieutenant. I do not wish to keep you longer than is necessary. If you could please instruct me on…::Furrowing his eyebrows:: what exactly it is that I need to do for the full onboarding procedure of civilian scientists, I will leave you to your work.
Hopper: Nonsense. I am never too busy for any of the personnel who work in the SRC. If you’re joining our team, then I’d like to get the chance to know you a little better. Please, take a seat. ::Pushing her bowl of soup further aside:: Lunch – and work – can wait.
Sirn: Response
She held out a hand for Sirn, hoping he would accept and try to ‘relax’ a little – assuming that was possible for him.
It was hard for her not to think of a dear friend of hers, Lieutenant Commander Alieth – who was now Chief Science Officer on the USS Gorkon. The two had met while studying at Starfleet Academy and, despite their outwardly different personalities, had found each other quite complimentary. All the same, she recalled that the Vulcan scientist had taken a little time to ‘warm up to’ her.
She hoped that Sirn, in time, would do so as well – but for now, aimed not to ‘push him’.
Hopper: First of all, let me properly introduce myself. Lieutenant Robin Hopper, PhD. I recently took on the role of Chief Science Officer aboard Amity and am overseeing the civilian science branch in an acting role for the time being. That means your orientation will be with me.
Sirn: Response
Hopper: I’m sure you’re aware we have a dedicated Warp Science lab in our Starfleet section. The officers who work there also do a lot of collaborating with their civilian counterparts on Level 19, where we have our physics labs.
Sirn: Response
Hopper: I’ll make sure you have the relevant clearances put on your file… But first, I’d like to know a little about you. We’re a long way from Vulcan. What brings you to Amity?
Sirn: Response
TBC
