LtCmdr Jovenan – Which poor crewmember had this in them, Doctor?
Jovenan
((Science lab 2, Deck 9, USS Artemis))
Jovenan: Hello! Studying cool rocks again?
Richards: Response
Jovenan smiled at the other scientist. The civilian planetary scientist had proven an invaluable addition to the department in the short time she had spent there. Although her earlier soil samples had sadly turned out contaminated, her rock samples from Galaris had been fascinating. Besides the professional abilities, the sociable scientist stood out among the blueshirts for being easy to approach.
Jovenan: I hope I’m not bothering you if I ask how you’re doing?
Richards: Response
Before the conversation could go any further, the doors to the laboratory opened. Jovenan turned around to see who it was, finding one of the newer Ensigns enter. She remembered this particular Ensign from the previous mission, he was the one who she had made enter the holographic replica of a destroyed Grunden vehicle in search of clues. She greeted the Doctor with a wave of a smile.
Bancroft: ::dryly:: Hello, brilliant people of Science. I have brought you… a fungus.
Jovenan nodded and looked at the container. The scientists and other away team members often brought samples to be studied – as was their job – but it was not unusual for the rest of the crew to find something peculiar in the execution of their professions. Sometimes stuff just got stuck to the hulls of the shuttles or got carried in after a visit to a planet. The medical officers were not the exception, quite the opposite, they regularly found curious lifeforms inside the crewmembers seeking their help. There were medical labs for their use, but seeking for cross-departmental expertise was highly encouraged.
Jovenan: Oh? Well then, Doctor, let’s see it then!
Richards: Response
Bancroft: ::placing the container down on a table:: This is Jeff. It’s either mildly telepathic or wildly hallucinogenic, possibly sentient, and absolutely convinced it’s better than you are.
The fungal growth in the container flashed violet. Jovenan gave a quick side look to Richards before turning her attention to the fungus. Besides the change of colour, nothing yet indicated it was anything but a regular fungus – and even the typical, non-sentient fungi could react to the change in the environmental factors like that. There were plant-based sentient lifeforms across the galaxy, even Federation members, so a sentient fungus would not be unexpected, although the combination of fungal, sentient, telepathic and condescending was something she hadn’t yet heard of.
Bancroft: ::gritting his teeth at the container:: You’ve just met these people. Isn’t it a little early to be forming those kinds of opinions?
Again, Jovenan looked at Richards, raising an eyebrow as if to ask if she sensed something or understood what was happening. If it weren’t for the alternative hypothesis of ‘wildly hallucinogenic’, Jovenan might have not even questioned the new crewmember’s judgement.
Jovenan: I see… May I ask where you found… Jeff?
Richards/Bancroft: Response
Jovenan: And how do you communicate with it?
Richards/Bancroft: Response
Jovenan bent over closer to the container and looked at the fungus. Doctor Bancroft had told them about Jeff possibly being telepathic, although Jovenan had yet to hear anything. It could be because she was different species from him – although the Edo were noted as particularly easy to read, it didn’t necessarily translate to being easy to transmit telepathic thoughts to, not to mention the possibility that Jeff used a completely different method of telepathic communication. It could also be that Jeff didn’t want to communicate with her for now. That was a possibility, she didn’t, after all, want to dismiss the experiences of her fellow blueshirt yet. She looked up at Bancroft before turning her eyes to Jeff and adopting a smile.
Jovenan: Hello Jeff. I’m Jovenan, nice to meet you! Would you mind if we asked a few questions?
Richards/Bancroft: Response
----
Lieutenant Commander Jovenan
Chief Science Officer
USS Artemis-A
E239911J11