LtCmdr Jovenan – Can’t hit gold without breaking a few rocks first
Jovenan
((Science lab 2, Deck 9, USS Artemis))
Cheezy puffs. The samples from Galaris IV were covered in cheezy puffs. If it had been the normal circumstances, Jovenan would have had plenty of reason to remind a science team about the importance of container sterility and other steps to prevent cross-contamination. It was something every first year science student learnt. On this occasion, however, such a course of action was probably not needed, seeing that Richards had managed to at least some of the samples in a state where they could be restored. From an alien planet. In the middle of a war. Without any proper equipment. If cheezy puff dust was the worst the rocks had taken, then Richards should be commended for her efforts in the name of science.
Jovenan: Oh, that’s unfortunate. But at least you got something, that’s much better than what I’ve got: nothing. ::looks at rocks, nods:: Cleaning and sanitising them should restore them to studiable condition.
Richards: That’s the plan!
Richards resumed her work getting the rock samples cleaned. Jovenan watched as the planetary scientists started the process, not stepping in to someone’s project unless asked to – some scientists are more territorial about their projects than others – but while they were waiting, she continued with the conversation.
Jovenan: Just out of curiosity… What exactly are “cheezy poofs”?
Richards: They are these little neon orange crunchy morsels, covered in a thick cheese flavored dust. It’s honestly shocking I don’t have any with me right now for you to try. ::Beat:: We will have to rectify that soon.
Jovenan nodded. She was admittedly not a culinary professional – despite Vitor’s efforts – and in her youth and early (earlier) adulthood, her shyness had made sure she didn’t find opportunities to try out all the dishes or snacks different cultures had invented. After all, she had only ever tried popcorns on the… was it Excalibur or Artemis? Must have been the Artemis, since Luxa was there too, in the movie night with Hiro. Either way, as she didn’t want to pry too much into why Richards had snacks in her pocket, she turned to the samples that were just finishing the sanitation.
Jovenan: So, what’s your hypothesis? What do you expect to find about these rocks or the geomorphology of the location?
Richards: Based on where I picked these bad boys up from, I have a hunch there used to be a river, or some type of water that used to flow through there. I am hoping these might give some insight on what– if anything used to be there. One of the rocks was out on the topsoil, the other one I dug down a bit for. ::Gesturing vaguely:: The landscapes and features of the planet really struck my fancy. I needed to know more.
Jovenan followed the explanation, nodding along. The ancient riverbed provided a perfectly reasonable explanation to the size and porosity of the rocks. And although the biological and cultural diversity of the galaxy was well known and celebrated in the Federation, much less attention had been given to the geological wonders. Just because the elements and mechanisms were more or less the same on most planets, there were always little things to find.
Richards attached a rock to the ultrasonic vibratome. Having prepared the sample, she closed the safety shield and fetched safety glasses for herself and Jovenan. Although the CSO had never doubted the new scientist’s attitude to safety, it was a relief to find that there was more to her than just trying to punch a Borg drone. Richards started the device.
Jovenan: Okay, let’s see if they’re as cool on the inside!
Richards: This is my favorite part. ::Balling up her hands and shaking them quickly:: I can’t wait to see what’s inside!
Jovenan only laughed. It was a pretty exciting part, after all.
The device didn’t make an audible sound, but she knew well that the vibrations would cut the rock in parts much more cleanly than they’d ever be able with just hand tools, which they still used occasionally in the field. Hammering a geode open and finding amethyst inside for the first time had been one of the highlights of her time in the University of Hurkos. Although years had gone by since then, it was still a small experience to find out something interesting and pretty inside a rock, cool or mundane.
After a moment, the device pinged. Richards removed the rock from. The two halves slid apart satisfyingly. However, Richards’ face twisted in a way that Jovenan wouldn’t have expected after all that excitement. It wasn’t disappointment either, which would have been possible should the rock turn out uninteresting in composition, but rather it was… confusion.
Richards: ::Looking between Jovenan and the split rock:: What is that?
Jovenan: I’m… I’m not sure. ::reaches out to pick one half before stopping:: May I?
Richards: Response
Bringing half of a rock closer to her eyes and to the light, Jovenan tried to figure out what they were seeing. The interior of the rock was completely different from the exterior, both in structure and composition.
Jovenan: That is a much more complex structure than I’ve seen inside such a small rock before. My first instinct says that it could be a fossil, based on the structure. Chemically, as far as I can visually tell, I’m not very confident that is the case, though. What do you think?
Richards: Response
Jovenan smiled at the other scientist and put the sample back onto the table.
Jovenan: Well, this is your project. What’s the next step, boss?
Richards: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11