Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Who Enters My Domain?
Robin Hopper
((Stellar Cartography, SRC – Amity Outpost))
In recent weeks, since their return from the alternate universe many within ‘the know’ had begun referring to, unofficially, as the “parallax universe”, Amity’s Chief Science Officer had found herself spending more and more time bouncing between the SRC’s Stellar Cartography suite and Physics lab than in all the months prior, since her arrival on the station.
On the one hand, she had to admit that getting her hands ‘dirty’ – getting into the real lab work – again was satisfying an itch that she’d been developing since her move up the ladder into the role of department head. On the other hand, she had almost become so accustomed to her new status quo of meetings, resource allocations, and administration that it felt a little like being plunged into the deep end just as one was finally getting dry.
Mixed feelings (and mixed metaphors aside) Hopper found herself with increasingly little free time, as the subject of her growing consternation – the ongoing trend of uncontrollable spatial anomalies in the Nuriootpa Nebula – continued to vex her team. The problem had been easy enough to work out, of course, and identifying probable causes had been a cinch, relatively speaking. But the trouble remained finding a solution that would ease the subspace disturbances in the sector sufficiently while allowing for ongoing traffic to and from the Delta Quadrant’s Federation hub.
After another inconclusive session plumbing the depths of the SRC’s archives, Robin remained determined to accomplish something worth reporting and so she made her way up through the Center’s levels back to Stellar Cartography… She was surprised, as the doors slid quietly open, to find someone standing at the control terminal in the central platform of the two-story spherical suite – but moreover, to not immediately recognize them as one of her own officers or one of the civilian scientists under her jurisdiction. He wore a plain gray t-shirt and dark cargo shorts and held a PADD in his hand, working with it at the terminal.
oO A guest? At this hour? Oo
She looked around, but spotted no one in-uniform accompanying the man.
Blackwood: Fascinating…
She watched, curiously, as the holographic starscape surrounding them shifted – focusing on a star system in the outlying regions of explored space, focusing on the system’s primary star.
Blackwood: Computer, what information do we have in the database for this system?
Computer: I’m sorry, I cannot provide an answer as there is no relevant information in the database.
Blackwood: Right, useful. Thank you computer.
She’d heard enough. It was odd enough that someone unfamiliar was here, in civvies, without a Starfleet attendant, running analyses on niche star systems… It was time she intervene and figure out who he was and what he was doing there. As the man stepped up closer to the edge of the platform, closely examining the holographic projection of the star, she cleared her throat and spoke – tucking her hands behind her back.
Hopper: Excuse me? Can I help you, Mr…?
The man, a little younger than her by the looks of him, spun around with a start, revealing dark and inquisitive features that paired sensibly with his distinct English accent.
Blackwood: Sorry, I didn’t notice you come in. Have we met before?
She cocked her head. Something about the man did seem familiar – though she wasn’t sure she could quite place him. If he was a regular around the station, they must have run into each other or at least passed by at some point or other.
Blackwood: Ensign Harrison Blackwood. :extends his hand:
It was then she noticed the subtle Starfleet insignia emblazoned on the front of his t-shirt. oO Aha… Oo she thought, with some relief, easing her stance. Her hands slipped from behind her back to resting on her hips.
Hopper: I see. Well, I’m glad to know that I don’t need to sound the intruder alarm after all. ::A slight smile, chuckle:: Robin Hopper, Chief Science Officer. ::Squinting slightly, in a mock dramatic tone:: Queen of this domain…
Robin vaguely recalled that at some point England had been part of a monarchy of some sort, along with a handful of other countries including Wil and Bec’s homeland – though that outdated system of governance had long since been disposed of. Still, it conjured an image of herself shrouded in a royal purple cloak, a crown on her head and a scepter in her hand, and something about that tickled her.
Blackwood: Oh! Apologies, Lieutenant Commander. ::his hands clasped together behind his back, giving a nod to Robin:: A pleasure to meet you, ma’am.
She briefly enjoyed watching him squirm as he realized her rank and position, attempting to compensate for his overly-casual appearance and introduction with a sudden shift into a more rigid stance… and by deferentially calling her ma’am – a word that made her cringe… but one she knew she was going to have to start getting used to.
Hopper: ::Holding up a hand:: Robin is fine – so long as I can call you Harrison. ::Smile:: Or, if you prefer the formality, Commander will do, Mr. Blackwood… But, please, take it easy. This is science lab, not the Bridge.
She could sense his nerves ease somewhat along with his posture.
Blackwood: I’ll keep that in mind. :He smiled, eyes taking in the other officer: So, what brings you here at this time…?
Hopper: ::Crossing her arms, raising one eyebrow:: Don’t you think you ought to be explaining yourself to me? I work here.
Before he could respond, however, an audible chirp from the suite’s computer drew their attention to a green blip on the projected starscape, indicating a finding in the habitable zone surrounding the primary star: a celestial body, moving in an elliptical orbit around it.
Hopper: Looking up vacation destinations, Ensign?
Blackwood: Response
She took a few strides forward, standing closer to the terminal, but hanging back enough so as to allow him to continue whatever it was he was up to.
Hopper: Well, go on. Don’t let me stop you. Though I would like to know what exactly it is you are doing with my equipment.
Blackwood: Response
She listened to his explanation and, while she wasn’t entirely sure of his motivations, was satisfied that he at least wasn’t up to anything that would warrant a report on her part – a big relief, as far as she was concerned. Her initial doubt melted into intrigue.
Hopper: ::Curious:: Hmm. And what exactly inspired this late night research session?
Blackwood: Response
Hopper: I’m certainly not one to judge. You asked me what I was doing here this late and, truth be told, I’ve been making a regular habit of it lately. ::Clueing in to something:: Now, hang on a second – Blackwood. I know that name. You’re the Ensign we picked up from the… ::growing somber:: The Nomad. I’m sorry I didn’t remember at first.
Blackwood: Response
Robin nodded, empathically, imagining how confusing it must have been for the poor young officer to be thrown into the thick of things in such dramatic and tragic fashion. She decided to go a little easier on him and see if it was possible to
Hopper: How have you been adjusting to your new placement? Making any friends? ::Thinking:: I hear Nath– Umm– Lieutenant Richards speaking about a somebody-or-other “Blackwood” a lot. Is that you?
Blackwood: Response
