Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Unexpected Visit"
Amanda Nordstrom
((CSO office, USS OEB))
One of the nice things about being overseer of a department was Peri got her own officer. This allowed her to work in silence, and if she wanted a lab, she could easily reserve one and prevent people from coming in to disturb her if need be. Generally, though, she didn’t do quite as much research and studying as she had in the past. Being the Chief of the department was more managerial, making sure there were enough scientists, that experiments went through proper procedures before they were run, that enough people were assigned to those experiments, digging through all the data the ship constantly collected, and any myriad of needs that had to do with the science department such as supplies, organising repairs with OPs and Engineering and the like.
Gone were the days where she could lose herself in the strangeness of phenomena, in the interstellar push and pull, where stars whispered their mysteries in hushed riddles and she dove into their secrets, intent on pursuing the answers they refused to give. That didn’t mean she never had the opportunity to do more than push PADDwork through. When called to serve on missions, Peri did have the opportunity to use her knowledge as a scientist, even if it wasn’t always where her specialty lay. And she couldn’t say she hated her position. Most of the time, she didn’t even have to talk to people. After orders were sent, they simply did what they were supposed to. On rare occasions, Peri would have to follow up, but thus far, it had only been done through messages, and she hadn’t really had to write anything on anyone’s file. In that way, she was fortunate, and it was a testament to the quality of the officers on the Butler.
One of those officers happened to arrive at her door, for the computer chimed, letting her know that someone wished to enter. Looking up, Peri cast an expectant gaze at the panels that separated her from whomever hovered outside. Echo, who had taken residence on the little cushioned shelf the scientist had someone install for her, popped her head up and chirped, which meant it was someone she knew. Since Echo had become a sort of mascot of the science department, that was pretty much most of the Alpha and Beta shifts, and even some of those on the Gamma and Delta shifts thanks to some long nights that stretched into the wee hours of the morning.
As she ordered the computer to allow the visitor in, however, she was surprised to see a familiar face, but not one of the officers under her purview. Avander was always a welcome presence, but most of their interactions, when not on missions, had been thanks to the ‘play dates’ between Echo and his Meander. Rare was there a visit to the science labs, unless it was required by a mission. Even more rare was one to her office. Immediately Peri stood. Although he was her friend, they were officially on duty, and thus she took on a more formal tone.
Katsim: Sir.
Promontory: Response
Slowly lowering herself back into her chair, Peri glanced around. How odd it was to have him on the side of the desk reserved for those coming into what was technically her domain.
Katsim: I didn’t expect it to be you.
Promontory: Response
Generally, Avengers appearance wouldn’t cause concern, but the very fact that he had come to her office made her wonder if there wasn’t something right. Of course, the only thing to do was to ask.
Katsim: Is something wrong?
Promontory: Response
-- Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0