A Gentle Hello

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 5:19am by Lieutenant Katniss Wakefield & Lieutenant Commander James Smith
Edited on on Tue Jul 7th, 2020 @ 1:24pm

Mission: Into the Wild
Location: Intelligence Office

A Mission Post by Lieutenant Katniss Wakefield & Lieutenant James Smith
Mission: Into The Wild
Location: Intelligence Office
Timeline:
Tue Jul 11th, 2017 @ 6:20pm

For the first time her in life, Katniss was doing the rounds. She felt like a Captain touring a ship and introducing herself to the crew, the only difference was she wasn't the Captain and would people be actually interested in meeting her, but she had to persevere if she was going to get herself noticed and remembered by the crew and different departments.

Next on her list of people to Introduce herself to was Lieutenant Smith, according to the manifest he was the ship's Chief Intelligence Officer and with the help of the computer, she had managed to find his office. No doubt he wasn't expecting visitors but now was a good time as any and with that, she reached for the door chime and gently pressed the button while waiting for a response.

Smith was deep in thought and going over a few Intel Briefings when he heard the door chime. Smith wasn't expecting anyone at this time but he was tired of looking over reports and could use a break at this time. Standing up and straightening his jacket he said "Enter"

Katniss put on a smile as the doors gently opened and she walked inside, her eyes refocused, the room wasn't as brightly lit as she was accustomed to, especially working in a lab, nice bright white lights. "Lieutenant Smith, I'm Lieutenant Wakefield, Chief Reseach Officer," as her gaze and head slowly tilted upwards, he certainly towered over her and had blue eyes that you could get lost in. "I thought I would drop by and introduce myself," she said reaching out her hand.

Smith reached out his hand to shake the Lieutenants hand, he recognised her from her personnel file. Smiling ever so slightly, Smith said, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant, please have a seat." Smith sat back down in his chair. Looking back at her he said, " I still haven't had a chance to mingle much with the crew since I've come aboard, been either here or visiting with the Captain. The Captain and I are old friends." Smith leant back in his chair, "So how do you like the Pandora and her crew so far."

"The crew." Katniss paused, she didn't really know many of the crew, she had been cooked up in her lab and really only knew Shae "I don't have any experience with the crew, I was assigned to the vessel of should I say dumped on the Captain by order of Starfleet Science." she said being completely honest with the Lieutenant. "Hence why I am making the rounds now," she stated as she slowly sat down in the chair opposite.

Chuckling, Smith Replied, "Relax Lieutenant, I'm the same way, this is actually my first assignment since being forced to take a leave of absence. Like you I haven't had a chance to meet much of the crew been a little busy, but hopefully, with some down time, I can mingle more. Some of the ships I served on the presence of an intell officer made people a little nervous."

Katniss gave a gentle smile, "People would only be nervous if they had something to hide, I'll just have to keep you away from my secure channel and files" she said gently teasing the Lieutenant, this meeting was certainly going better than she had anticipated. "I'm sure it will be an interesting mission, I for one can't wait to get stuck in, I sometimes miss medical, but Research is my passion," she explained as people often forgot she was a fully qualified medical doctor as well.

Smith nodded, "I can't wait for a mission either, I tend to go a little crazy when things are a little quiet." Smith stopped for a minute, "the best thing about your medical experience is that if the doctor needs help you can assist him in sickbay. Of course, after my time on Carnwennan Station, I tend to avoid sickbay and councillors. I'm surprised the doctor hasn't asked me why I haven't been in for my routine checkup." Smith Smiled, "Of course my department always has a need for a good researcher"

"Quite, your joking. I'm helping out int the science labs, running my own lab and research. I think helping out in sickbay would kill me. Just not enough hours in the day, but I guess at a push or in an emergency I'd be willing to help. And not all doctors and councillors are bad, I wouldn't be here now without the help from both of them." she replied giving a little smile. "But then again, I also know how easy it is to retreat into the darkness and lock yourself away in an attempt to sort it all yourself. Both ways work."

Smith nodded, "When my family was killed I could do nothing to save them. My wife was a Marine officer and we both knew the dangers. I felt helpless as I heard the stations cry for help and when my crew and I arrived we found no survivors. I ended up locking myself into a dark place in my own mind. But with help, I was able to see that their deaths weren't my fault. However, I still want those responsible to pay with their lives. Smith seemed lost in thought as he spoke. Smith looked back at Katniss, "Sorry Lieutenant didn't mean to bother you with my losses."

"Not a problem," she said trying to give a comforting smile "I know what the loss of a child is like, I lost my precious little girl. It's something that will never leave you, it's a source of great joy but also a burden of great pain."

Smith nodded as an intell officer he had been trained to keep his feelings at bay, but that is what made him good at his job. He could easily close his mind off to the most gifted telepath, but also enjoyed being in the company of friends. Smith finally spoke after a short pause, "with my family gone The crew is my family and I hope to continue to build a relationship with those on board." Smith chuckled, "of course, the Captain could really tell you some stories from our training days. Those were really good times."

"I'm sorry Lieutenant, I didn't mean to pry or bring this up, my apologies," she said as she physically saw his reaction, Katniss fully understood, it took her a lot to keep her own emotions in check and she wasn't always successful at doing so. "I'll certainly look forward to heating some tales from the Captain when I have dinner with him and his wife, in fact, I'll have to insist," she said with a smile. "Anyway, I've taken up enough of your time, I merely wanted to introduce myself."

Smith stood up, "Thanks for coming by, and please feel free to call me Jim, and my door is always open for some friendly conversation or even just a drink Lieutenant."

Katniss smiled "Certainly, and if you ever need anything I can usefully be found in the research lab."