Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri - "Check-In"
Amanda Nordstrom
(( Office of the Chief of Science, Deck 10, USS Octavia E Butler ))
Peri hadn’t expected a visitor to her office, especially not Avander, but there he was, and he was on official business. After returning to the OEB, a trip which she didn’t remember thanks to being unconscious, she had been treated in Sickbay, released, and then taken the time to file a formal report on the experiences during the mission. Therefore, she knew he wasn’t there because she was derelict in her duty - at least not in that respect. Thus far, she hadn’t received any complaints about how she did things in the Science department, but she tended to leave the scientists alone. Not one for face to face meetings that took time out of their day when they could be researching, exploring, or experimenting, Peri kept those to a minimum, leaving most communication over digital media or smaller face to face talks, which she was far more comfortable with. As far as she could tell, those under her didn’t have a problem with it. At least, no one had told her anything.
Katsim: Is something wrong?
Promontory: What? Oh, no! I mean, I don't think so. That is-- well... (taking a breath) Sorry. The first officer’s supposed to do monthly check-ins with the department heads and I thought I’d start with you. I suppose I should have made an appointment… Uh, is now a good time?
Blinking, Peri realised that he wasn’t there because of anything bad- at least hopefully he wasn’t - and she relaxed visibly, even smiling a little and nodded. They’d already sat back down, but it still felt weird to talk like that, him on the other side of the desk, she in the position of power - though she was under no delusions and knew that wasn’t really the case. It was just…weird.
Katsim: Oh yes, of course.
And then silence fell, the crickets chirped in the moment it took to really kind of find a way through the awkwardness. When they met to simply hang out so their pets could play, it wasn’t nearly so. Perhaps that was part of the problem. Formal meetings hadn’t been all that common, at least not one on one, and Peri realised it hadn’t really been all that long since Avander had taken the mantle of First officer. In fact, the mission they just completed was his first in that role. He hadn’t had time to establish a routine yet, and struggled to find out to do so in a way that didn’t feel…well, weird.
Promontory: So… how’s it going…?
Katsim: It’s going well. We’ve completed some experiments which, while they have answered some questions have also spurred further questions.
She wasn’t sure what, exactly, he was looking for. All of her information she conveyed through messages and reports, and attempted to do so regularly. Perhaps he just preferred a personal touch.
Katsim: I’ve compiled the reports from the officers regarding the events surrounding the Unity Dow and am waiting for a couple more so should have those for you soon. I’ve submitted my personal one.
Promontory: No, I want to know how you are doing. The last mission was a lot and it’s ok to be a bit thrown off.
Once again the Bardassian blinked. Peri was by no means stupid, but she was also the sort of person who didn’t just blurt out an answer. It had caused frustration from people at times - even Wes. She sat there a full minute before she finally responded.
Katsim: I’m fine.
Which was…true. Peri still had nightmares about some things, but not about this. Why? She didn’t know. Perhaps it was because whatever that creature had tried to throw at her, it had all been stuff she’d dealt with all her life. Perhaps she had simply been able to compartmentalise it all. Or perhaps the other things that had happened to her were far more disturbing than this. Others might think her strange.
Katsim: I’m…off kilter?
That was about the best she could come up with. Wes received a bit more information from her, but he was pretty much the only one who did. Although Peri certainly had thoughts and feelings, she had always kept them close. That hadn’t changed over the years.
Promontory: OK, that makes sense.
Avander’s gaze wandered, as if he sought out something to talk about. What, she couldn't fathom, but she gave him the time to think until he finally asked something else.
Promontory: And how do you think your staff did?
Shifting a little in her seat, once again Peri’s response did not come quickly. She took a minute to really think over his question and ran through all the personnel and what she had read thus far.
Katsim: It could have been far worse. Some had horrible hallucinations and I suspect they’ll go to counselling for some time. Others fared better. I’m uncertain about a few.
Promontory: Response
Katsim: Yinn is…interesting. She…he…they had…well, sort of had two perspectives. I’m honestly impressed with how they fared through it all.
She still struggled with the idea that they weren’t two in one, but one in two. Hopefully, they would find a solution to split them back to who they were before, but was that something they wanted? They were the same and yet different, but Peri feared that over time, it might overwhelm them.
Promontory: Response
Katsim: Brzezinski?
The woman was brilliant, if a bit strange, but then again, Scientists were sometimes thought of as strange in general. Some would say the same about Engineers. For Peri, it was simply par for the course, and she had great respect for the woman.
Katsim: Considering all that happened, I think she took things well also, but I’m a little more concerned about something that did occur during the mission.
Promontory: Response
Katsim: She was attacked, physically, by Counsellor Stendhal, albeit it was some strange manner of an evil twin which may affect how they work together, and I’m uncertain as to the long term ramifications in general. I…well, perhaps it’s best if you read the report rather than get it second hand.
She was grateful Brzezinsky hadn’t been seriously injured, but she also wondered how that would affect their ability to work together.
Promontory: Response
-- Lt. Cmdr. Katsim Peri Chief Science Officer USS Octavia E. Butler M239008AD0