(Backsim) Lt. Cmdr Robin Hopper: Soda Fountain
Robin Hopper
((OOC – This scene takes place prior to the current Mission’s Act 1))
((Hopper’s Office, Level 12, Science & Research Center / SRC – Amity Outpost))
As Robin took her seat across the desk from the latest addition to her roster of civilian scientists, she picked up her cola bottle in a cheersing motion and took a sip. It was always a joy to have someone join the department whose enthusiasm you could almost feel radiating off of them – it was how Robin herself often felt at the prospect of getting out of her office and back into one of the labs. PADDwork, while essential, was hardly as exciting as being actively part of research and discovery.
Luckily for Sam, that would be the majority of her work, especially as a planetary scientist. She would also have the benefit of working interdepartmentally, since planetary science frequently overlapped with or encompassed fields like geology, biology, botany, zoology, and – yes, astrophysics. It also meant a lot of field work… In fact, Hopper was already planning to rope Sam into the upcoming tour of the Nuriootpa Solar Nebula she’d be conducting shortly with the visiting Talaxian delegation.
But – she was getting ahead of herself. First things first, she had to ensure that Sam was welcomed and settled in properly.
Hopper: SO! You finished your degree and figured you’d get straight into the action out here in the D.Q., rather than spend four years at the Academy – is that more-or-less right?
S. Richards: Yeah that sounds about right. At first I wasn't exactly sure what my plan was. Everything felt so up in the air until recently. When you and Nathan came to visit to be exact. ::giving Robin a smirk:: You both really gave me the nudge I needed to come out here and give it a shot. So I guess I owe you a thank you!
A little smirk tugged at the edge of Robin’s lips. Sam certainly hadn’t had any shortage of questions or interest regarding her work in the Delta Quadrant when they’d visited – and from what Nate had told her, his sister had long been considering attending the Academy.
Hopper: Well, I definitely won’t complain about expediting your decision… Something tells me you’d have found your way to space soon enough. I just feel fortunate that you opted to join us here. It’s a long way from home after all… ::Beat:: How do you feel now that you’re here?
S. Richards: Coming to Amity as a civilian just felt like the perfect fit for me right now. Who knows where things will take me from here, but I'm ready for whatever life has to throw at me. Hopefully nothing too crazy though.. ::trying to stifle her laughter:: Like losing an arm.
Robin’s eyebrows crept upward as Sam stifled a laugh. She had to remind herself that Nate’s family had known him a lot longer than she had and, while the thought of him getting hurt troubled her deeply, he didn’t exactly have a reputation for being ‘careful’. He was a risk-taker, and that reckless enthusiasm was part of what she loved about him.
Hopper: Well – on that we agree! Lucky for you, as a civilian, nobody’s expecting you to risk life and limb out there. We’ll keep you safe. ::Leaning forward, hushed tone:: And, maybe between the two of us, we can keep Nathan out of trouble too.
She sat back in her chair, picking up her soda and taking another sip as Sam replied – her tone shifting from barely-contained laughter to something more serious.
S. Richards: My mom would have an absolute melt down if another one of her kids came back from space with less appendages. ::Looking down at the floor and her smile fading:: Especially since she doesn’t know I’m here.
Cola shot out of Robin’s mouth all over the desk in front of her – and the spicy carbonated beverage burned at the back of her sinuses. Sputtering, she set the drink down and tried to choke out some sort of urgent reply. All she could manage was–
Hopper: What?!
S. Richards: Response
Robin squeezed her eyes shut and rested her forehead in her hands – in part out of disbelief, but primarily because the backs of her eyeballs felt fizzy.
Hopper: ::Coughing:: Well… That’s certainly a surprise… ::Uncovering her face:: Sam, please tell me you intend to tell her. As soon as possible, given the transmission delay back to the Alpha Quadrant?
The last thing Robin wanted was to provide Jennifer Richards with any more reason to believe she was ‘stealing her babies’ or something.
Hopper: –And that this was entirely your own decision.
S. Richards: Response
Sitting back in her chair and releasing a stressed out sigh, Robin nodded. Ultimately, it wasn’t her place to tell Sam how to manage her personal affairs… but, considering the unique nature of their relationship, she also couldn’t help but feel entangled in those personal affairs, at least a little.
Looking at the mess in front of her, she stood up, walking to the replicator and raising a finger to indicate a temporary pause in their conversation.
Hopper: Ehem… Sorry for the dramatic reaction there… ::To the replicator:: Damp cloth. Warm. ::Taking the cleaning implement from the receptacle as she continued speaking:: I just don’t want your mom getting the wrong impression about your posting here. But trust me, I can understand familial tensions…
She returned to her desk and began wiping up the spill, trying to work out a way to change the subject rather than get into her own messy relationship with her sister. That was information Sam didn’t need to know. At least, not yet. For now, Robin was sort of enjoying having a younger ‘sibling’ that actually looked up to her, rather than trying to undermine her at every turn.
Fortuitously, the door chime did the work for her. oO Saved by the bell! Oo she thought to herself.
Hopper: Conversation for another time… ::To the door:: Enter.
The door slid open, revealing the increasingly familiar spotted face of Ensi– No. Lieutenant JG – Torvi Ylvor, whom Robin had summoned.
Ylvor: Response
Hopper: Ahh, Torvi – welcome! ::Tossing the cola-soaked rag back into the replicator:: Recycle.
As the rag shimmered out of existence, Robin gestured between her two office guests.
Hopper: Samantha Richards, allow me to introduce Lieutenant JG Torvi Ylvor. She’s here to get the ball rolling on your security clearances. Normally, that’s not such a priority for civilian arrivals, however – with the nature of everything going on…
Ylvor: Response
Hopper: Exactly. Plus, you’ll both be joining me aboard the USS Independence-B for a tour of local space with some of the visiting Talaxian delegation. ::Big grin:: Surprise!
Ylvor/S. Richards: Response
TBC
