LtCmdr Jovenan – Salutations, Lieutenant, my good friend
Jovenan
((Chief Science Officer’s office, Deck 9, USS Artemis))
Jovenan rubbed her closed eyes with the fingers of her right hand. She had just sat down in her office and opened the recent data files regarding the research they had conducted on the Genesis Planet. There was a task ahead of her, one that she would not enjoy: sort out how much they could publish, how much she’d need to forward to the scientific bodies of the Starfleet Command as confidential or secret information, and how much, by the Captain’s decision, needed to be kept to themselves in order to protect the Tree and the life on the Genesis Planet.
After beaming up the Captain and Genkos, Jovenan had remained on the bridge to assist them, but once the situation with the Suliban and the Da’al had cooled down and it became obvious that her services were no longer needed, she had left. Having dropped off her phaser and other away team equipment, she had directed her way to her office. Despite being tired and still shaken by being held hostage by the Suliban leader, she wanted to get as much work done as possible, before she’d change her mind about the necessity of covering up information.
What was happening to her? What had happened in the last years that she was so eager and ready to become an accessory of a crime, nay, commit a crime herself? In her first months on the Excalibur and on the Artemis, she had silently judged her fellow crewmembers for their at times less-than-literal following of the laws and regulations, but she had since joined the list of people she believed would have been executed on Rubicun III, many times over. She was ready to commit such heinous acts just because her friends asked it of her, because of empathy and other excuses that couldn’t be allowed to become exceptions in the execution of the law. Her change and the task ahead confused and frustrated her.
Silveira: =/\= Silveira to Commander Jovenan.
In an uncharacteristic whim of irritation, Jovenan at first considered refusing the call that disturbed her moral problem, but hearing Vitor’s voice calling her, she couldn’t bring herself to do so. After her team had learnt of the aggressive lifeforms and of the Suliban on the planet’s surface, Jovenan had been worried of him, but as it so often happened in their missions, they could reunite only after the danger had ended and everyone was safely aboard the Artemis warping away. Now, hearing his voice, she remembered again how worried she could sometimes be of him, and how happy she was knowing he was alive, well and, perhaps, soon with her.
Jovenan: =/\= Jovenan here! =/\=
Silveira: =/\= I am sorry to bother you Commander but I might have to steal some of your time. I am finishing up my report and I would like to check on you before doing it. I can meet you where you are and it won’t take more than twenty, thirty minutes tops.
It was funny how Vitor addressed her as a Commander and spoke to her so formally. Sure, it appeared he was calling to her in work-related matters where a certain level of personal detachment was required, and Jovenan often referred to him as “Lieutenant Silveira” when talking to their colleagues. Still, after their date and, well, what happened after it, she would have expected them to permit more casual interaction between one another. Perhaps he was with others. She replied in the similar manner.
Jovenan: =/\= Of course, Lieutenant. I’m in my office, you may come here at the time of your convenience. =/\=
Silveira: =/\= I can be there in 5 minutes if you wish Commander.
An involuntary smile rose to Jovenan’s face as their shared formality continued. She couldn’t identify the reason of finding it so funny, after all, she didn’t have problem calling Genkos “sir”, or Doctor Sadar “Doctor Sadar” even though she had considered them her friends for a while now.
Jovenan: =/\= I’ll wait for you here, Lieutenant. =/\=
Silveira: =/\= Response? =/\=
The smile persisted even after the call ended. She was happy to have Vitor over, even if it was just for work and her office. He hadn’t been to her office before, she realised, at least not while she had been there. It was not that unusual, given that she, too, had been to his office only once, when he had called her there with the excuse of her having taken over his station during a battle but ending it with a friendly chat. Since then, she had somehow surpassed him in rank, and she had now invited him to her office. Despite the other similarities, she didn’t expect the conversation to be quite as awkward as it was when they were only becoming friends. Similarities included, unfortunately, that she needed to talk with him without a chance to a proper wash; the last time, she had come directly from the Fitness Centre, and now she had just come from a mission to a strange, new world. Hopefully he wouldn’t mind.
It didn’t take long before the bell to her office was rung. Jovenan, slightly nervous for no reason, straightened her skant uniform before responding.
Jovenan: Come in!
Silveira: Response
Jovenan smile widened when she saw Vitor enter. It was going to be a work meeting, but that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be allowed to express happiness of seeing her friend again.
Jovenan: Welcome! How do you like my office?
It was a bit silly question, considering that they had just come back from a dangerous mission and that there was very little to see in her office, at least to her eyes. There were several monitors on the walls and a computer terminal on her desk, as well as science related equipment and books all around the room. The only touches of personality were the wooden Edo symbol and a few potted plants. He might as well comment the office space he needed to get through to make it here. The question had been, in essence, just something that had popped to her mind while waiting for the door to close so that they could be alone.
Silveira: Response
Jovenan noticed the items Vitor was carrying. She had expected him to have a PADD with him, if anything at all, but he had something else. She looked at him curiously.
Jovenan: What is this?
Silveira: Response
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Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11