((Backsim)) JP: Lt Cmdr V'Len Kel, Lt JG Sybil Nemes - Changes
Sybil Nemes
((Ready Room, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
Immediately after arriving on the Ronin, Sybil went to the Captain's ready room on Deck 10 to officially report back for duty after her Leave. However, when the door opened, she did not see the bearded face of Captain Niac behind the desk, but the familiar blueish face of her Chief of Science, V'len Kel. Somewhat hesitantly, she took a few steps closer to the desk.
Nemes: Commander? ::clearing her throat:: Lieutenant Nemes reporting for duty, Sir.
V’Len was putting the finishing touches on some paddwork that had come through. Karrod had been very kind and diligent in getting a great deal of work settled before he left. Now there were far fewer padds in the Ready Room than ever and V’Len had worked to continue moving the work though. As the door swished open V’Len had looked up and his presence had clearly caught the returning Sybil Nemes offguard.
Kel: ::standing:: Welcome back Lieutenant. I hope your leave was refreshing. It’s not been the same without you.
Sybil nodded, a faint smile flitting across her face.
Nemes: Thank you. It’s good to be back.
She meant it. Somehow, her real family, her real home, was the Ronin – not Betazed, where her family lived. After a slight pause, she went on.
V’Len remembered the many times he’d gone and come back to the Ronin. He suspected Sybil was experiencing the same thing he did. Relief and comfort at being back in familiar surroundings. Coming home.
Nemes: What happened to Captain Niac?
There was a worried undertone in her voice. She had been forced to leave the ship in a precarious situation. After that, she had no idea what had happened.
Kel: ::chuckling:: Not to worry, he’s fine. The Captain and Commander Raga were recalled to Earth for some briefings on the Consortium threat. Incredibly they put the science officer in charge.
V’Len was still getting used to the idea. So far things were smooth, but then again they were still in orbit of “the Farm”.
Nemes: I see. ::letting out a small sigh of relief:: I’d say a science officer will make a good Captain.
Even though she smiled at her Trilldorian superior, you could see in her eyes that something was bothering her.
Kel: You’ll forgive me for saying so Lieutenant ::beat:: Sybil, but you seem distracted. Is everything o.k?
Nemes: Yes - erm - there is something else I wanted to talk about.
She looked at V'Len seriously. Discussing this topic would have been easier with Captain Niac, because V'Len was also her Chief Science Officer.
V’Len moved across the room to sit on the long couch next to the windows that lined the wall. He gestured for her to join him.
Kel: ::shaking his head:: Where are my manners? Can I get you something from the replicator? Tea? Raktajino? Chocolate shake?
A chocolate shake had become V’Len’s new favorite, but he’d also found them to be dangerous as well. Too much to quickly made his head and antennae ache intensely.
Nemes: No, thank you, Sir.
Kel: Suit yourself. What can I do for you?
Sybil sat down and crossed one leg over the other.
Nemes: I wanted to talk about a professional matter.
V’Len nodded his head to one side.
Kel: Whatever it is, you should just ask. I promise I won’t bite our head off. Literally or figuratively.
She hesitated for a moment to get her words straight.
Nemes: Over the past weeks, I’ve had a lot of time to think about my career in the fleet so far. And I’ve come to the conclusion that I’d like to transfer to the Operations Department if that’s possible.
These were the exact same words she had prepared for Captain Niac. But now that she had said them, she realised that she had one more thing to add to her chief.
V’Len considered. From what he’d seen the Ops Department was short staffed and often Engineering had to step in. Having an additional qualified ops officer would be positive. At the same time most of the science team specialized in biology, botany or chemistry. Sybil was the only member of his staff who had experience in particle physics and stellar phenomena.
Nemes: This has nothing to do with you, Sir… or anyone in the Science department.
V’Len had not even thought of that eventuality but now that Sybil had brought it up he felt the need to make sure.
Kel: You’re certain of that? I want you to be honest about the team’s dynamic or my performance if that’s a factor.
Nemes: I know this must come as a surprise, but it’s a purely personal decision.
Kel: I’ll admit I’m curious. Can you help me understand your thinking?
V’Len had no particular concern about granting her request. She’d still be on Ronin if he needed her, but he couldn’t help but feel, as acting Captain, he needed to understand how his officers thought.
Her gaze wandered around the room then back to V’Len.
Nemes: It’s difficult. ::beat:: You know, as science officer, I’ve always tried to understand things. To get to the bottom of them. :: she paused, looking at the Chief::
Kel: ::nodding:: Yes.
Nemes: I’ve realised that for me just trying to understand alone is not enough any more. ::pausing as she pushed away thoughts of her brother:: I want to help keep situations stable – not just explain them afterwards. And I feel I can do that best in the operations department. ::beat:: I hope this makes sense?
V’Len raised his eyebrows and smiled.
Kel: That certainly makes sense. We do, as scientists, collect and analyze information, but we leave it to others to implement that knowledge. I can understand the attraction to implementing those ideas yourself.
Nemes: Yes, indeed, sir. Well, I think I've always kind of felt that way somehow. That's why I did my minor in operations at the Academy.
Kel: Consider yourself transferred Lieutenant. I’ll see to the paddwork in the next hour.
A light nod, more to herself than to V'Len, was her answer, and the tension in her shoulders eased. She was relieved that her Chief of Science, who was now also her commanding officer, could understand her motives — even if there was probably more to it than she was willing to admit to herself.
Nemes: Thank you, Commander.
Kel: I’m afraid you’ll need to replicate a new uniform. I’ll ask your forgiveness in advance if I don’t recognize you in gold.
V’Len rose and extended his hand to the new Ops officer.
Kel: Welcome back Sybil.
There was finally a broad smile on Sybil's face as she stood up and shook V'Len's hand.
Nemes: It’s good to be back, Sir. ::looking down at her uniform:: And I’m not certain if I recognise myself in gold when I see myself in the mirror.
Then she left the Ready Room to head back to her quarters - and to replicate a new uniform.
[[End of scene]]
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submitted by
Lieutenant Commander V'Len Kel
Chief Science Officer/Second Officer
USS Ronin NCC-34523
T239811VK2
He/Him (player/character)
and
Lieutenant JG Sybil Nemes
Ex-Science Officer
USS Ronin
D239009VD0