Lt JG Katsim Peri - "Scientific Musings"
Amanda Nordstrom
((Bay 12 - Main
Shuttlebay, Amity Outpost))
Amity Outpost. It was a shining jewel in the Delta Quadrant,
the first official Starfleet establishment set in that area of
space. The new Space Station was a historical event, the
first permanent establishment of the Federation in that
sector. That alone made it something worthwhile to bear
witness too.
But Peri wasn’t really quite so interested in that aspect.
Oh, she appreciated the significance to be sure. It was quite
interesting, and she had to admit she was a bit jealous of the
officers who were being given that opportunity. Her
particular affection for the event and her eagerness to
participate. It was the Nebula that drew her focus.
All things considered, the Nebula was fairly small compared
with others. That being said, the unique chemical composition
and the benamite crystal field that was nestled within made it
quite appealing to the young scientist.
Yet, despite that being the focus of her attention, Peri
couldn’t completely ignore the outpost. After setting
specific scans into motion on the Thor, she had taken the
opportunity to go along with several other officers and
transport aboard the new outpost. Among them was one whom she
had met rather recently, a certain Lieutenant Ikaia Wong - the
human raised Klingon. She cast a glance at him briefly as the
golden light surrounded the group and filled their vision,
only to fade away and reveal a new location - Amity Outpost.
McLaren: Wait! Lieutenant Wong is that you?
The greeting was immediate and Peri hadn’t even managed to
form the thought that maybe she should step off the platform
when the woman spoke and then approached them. Evidently, she
and Wong knew each other.
Wong: Ms. McLaren? I can’t believe it! You’re really here? Ha!
This is quite a surprise!
McLaren: Are you a part of the Amity crew?
Peri glanced around. The other officer who had beamed aboard
with them slipped by with hardly a glance at the people in
conversation.
Wong: I am! I’m this outpost’s Chief Medical Officer. I’m
currently a full lieutenant now.
McLaren: Is Mr.Reade a part of this crew?
Wong: Oh yes! Lieutenant Reade is also part of our crew.
Although, he didn’t beam down with me.
From within her nest of hair, Echo stirred, but Peri silently
urged the dragonet to remain unseen. She couldn’t exactly
tell her, their communication wasn’t in words. More it was in
emotions. A desire to be secret? She couldn’t really
describe it, but the creature was, at least, able to determine
Peri’s wishes. Sometimes she even obeyed them.
McLaren: That is good to know. We should catch up soon. You
guys most likely need to settle in.
Wong: I think that’s a great idea! I think we have a fair bit
of catching up to do to say the least.
Pink darted over the young woman’s cheeks, a sight Peri caught
just as she was starting to inch around toward the edge of the
pad. She didn’t want to interrupt their conversation and she
wasn’t involved, so there was no point in her lingering.
McLaren: Lieutenant! I need some help, do you know if any
science officers came aboard with you?
Wong: I do. I don’t think Ensign Kivik beamed down with me.
However, Lieutenant Katsim is in sciences. She might be able
to help you.
Or, at least, she *hadn’t* been involved. Peri was about
halfway to the door when Wong mentioned her and she paused,
then turned back to the two other officers.
McLaren: Oh, that is great to hear. Welcome aboard Amity Lt JG
Katsim. I am Evelyn McLaren, Chief of Mining operations for
the Amity Benemite Field near the station. I have some
scientific questions to ask. Do you mind?
Katsim: No, I don’t mind.
And really, Peri didn’t mind at all. Science was a passion -
how could she ever mind being asked questions when it
pertained to that passion?
Wong: I’m going to have to head back here soon to grab my bag.
But I’ll meet up with you soon. Promise!
Wong offered a wave, leaving Peri alone with McLaren. She
watched the man until the doors closed, cutting off the view.
Then she turned back to the woman.
Katsim: So….questions?
((The Brew Continuum - Grand Mezzanine, Amity Outpost))
The questions hadn’t been asked right away. Rather McLaren
had elected to lead Peri on onto the main part of the station
and to the Mezzanine. There, they came to an establishment
that was actually somewhat familiar - at least, the name was
familiar. The Brew Continuum. The Thor boasted a location
right within its very hull. Peri hadn’t expected that.
McLaren: I need to scout the minefield, but my scientific crew
has not arrived yet. Would be able to help me?
Ah, there was the question. Peri’s specialty wasn’t in the
geological sciences, but that didn’t mean she was totally
unknowledgeable about them. Tearing her gaze away from the
sign, she nodded to McLaren.
Katsim: Of course. I’m happy to help.
Wong: Well, my knowledge of mines and mining is limited to the
work I’ve done on Antor which can be applied here if need be.
However, my knowledge in medicine and issues surrounding that
may be of use to you as well. I’ll help where I can.
McLaren: Thank you very much, Lieutenant. How was the trip
over both?
The trip had been uneventful. In fact, Peri had the privilege
of going through the wormhole once again. While nothing had
happened, she had no revelation from the Prophets,she swore
she could almost *feel* them as they had traversed through the
path of the Celestial Temple.
Katsim: It was good.
Which wasn’t exactly detailed, but she doubted either of them
were really interested in hearing how she had stood at a
window and just watched as they made the passage through.
Wong: It was an eventful trip to say the least. But I have
managed to get some work done in regards to my research.
McLaren: Oh wow. That must have been interesting. What
happened to the Veritas Wong?
Eventful? Had it been? The most eventful part had been Wong
almost tripping over her, and that wasn’t exactly exciting.
They had engaged in a nice conversation, though.
Wong: Last I was there, it was going in for a refit and the
crew was going to be reassigned. As for me, I really wanted to
follow as much of my old crew as much as possible. Turns out
many of them ended up here and well, I pushed to be here as my
next assignment. So here I am.
McLaren: I see. Can you both meet me in my office tomorrow and
we can take a look?
Katsim: Oh...sure. I can do that.
Peri didn’t exactly have any plans. She thought maybe she and
Wes could do something together. What, she didn’t exactly
know, but she hadn’t seen much of him lately. Waiting in
line, Peri elected to have a cup of tea rather than coffee.
Wong: I think I should have some time tomorrow to drop by.
What about you, Lieutenant?
Katsim: Hm? Oh. yes.
Following the others to a table, Peri sat down, holding her
cub between her hands. Though Ikaia enjoyed a sip, she
waited. The liquid was hot enough to burn, and she wouldn’t
get much of the flavour, so she would let it steep a little
longer and cool down so she could fully enjoy it.
Wong: Perhaps I’m jumping the gun a bit here, but what can you
tell us about the benemite fields so far? I’ve seen them on
the way in. But quite frankly, I don't know much about them.
Peri opened her mouth, but then closed it. She done some
research on the trip there, but it wasn’t her station and it
wasn’t her posting. Best to let the chief of mining
operations answer.
McLaren: Response
Wong: Lieutenant, what do you make of this?
Peri had peered into her cup, watching the liquid darken as
the continued to soak. At the question, she glanced up.
Katsim: Oh, well, it seems to be the molecular makeup of the
nebula cloud that makes this possible. The vast amounts of
ultraviolet protons that disassociate the hydrogen and…
She paused, glancing between McLaren and Wong, wondering if
she should continue or just put it more layman’s terms. She
elected for the latter.
Katsim: And...the chemical make up actually spurs the
regeneration of the benamite crystals.
McLaren: Response
Wong: Huh. That’s fascinating! How long has it been like that?
Katsim: Well, computers take data and can make an analysis and
guess, but it’s only a guess. They suspect it to be fairly
young, only a couple of million years old.
McLaren/Wong: Response
Lifting her cup, Peri inhaled the earthly scent, warm with
undertones of a sweetness, perhaps of flower petals or
something similar. She wasn’t quite sure what it was, had
simply asked for what was recommended and was handed that.
Hopefully it tasted as good as it smelled. Before she tried,
however, she offered an answer.
Katsim: Because of it’s youth, this field is likely to remain
as it is for at least a few more million years. That is, of
course, barring anything that might change its status.
McLaren/Wong: Response
Peri allowed herself a sip. There was no bitterness, but her
tongue was met with a deep almost milky warmth underscored
with a hint of that sweetness that she thought she had spotted
in its scent. It was quite good. She nodded, swallowing so
she could give more information.
Katsim: All sorts of things could happen. Some strange,
unexpected anomaly. Neutronic storms. A nearby star going
supernova…
McLaren/Wong: Response
Peri paused and her gaze flicked up to study the others from
over the rim of her cup.
Katsim: Um. They *could* happen. Doesn’t mean they will.
And if something did, more than likely the computers would
pick up informatoin that would give a fair warning…
Maybe she wasn’t helping…
McLaren/Wong: Response
-- Lt. JG Katsim Peri Science Officer USS Thor M239008AD0