An odd encounter

Posted on Sun Jun 21st, 2020 @ 3:53am by Cailus Griffin & Lieutenant Katniss Wakefield
Edited on on Wed Jun 24th, 2020 @ 7:08am

Mission: New Moon Rising
Location: Katniss's Lab

Katniss was sat in her lab: her eyes closed as she listened to the gentle hum generated by her new equipment. Any scientist would tell you, you get to know the noises your equipment produced; you would be amazed how easy it was to walk into your lab and known something was wrong, or that something wasn’t working quite right, simply by listening to the hum.

But today the hum was normal, nothing out of place. So she slowly opened her eyes and gave out a loud yawn. This was her lab, her domain, but Shae had made it perfectly clear that she would be keeping an eye on Katniss and that anyone could drop, that thought made her stomach turn, her research was her research and she understood that the CSO would keep a close eye on her, but she didn’t like prying eyes, Shae had authorised extra security measures such as stronger containment fields and enhanced environmental controls, but for Katniss that still wasn’t enough, and with that she reached for her communicator.

=/\= Wakefield to the Chief of Security, I was wondering if you could spare me a few moments of your time in my lab, I just want to review some security protocols. =/\=

The reply was briefly confused. =/\=Security for your...lab? Certainly, lieutenant. Deck 7, right?=/\=

=/\= Yes, you heard correctly, my lab and indeed deck 7 =/\=

=/\= I'll be there momentarily, then.=/\= Cailus still sounded nonplussed.

It took Cailus longer than expected to find the lab, requiring assistance from the main computer and a passing crewman. The last thing he expected upon arriving at the lab, however, was to find it locked. Even as he pressed the chime, he couldn't help but wonder why a scientist would possibly want assistance from him. Cailus, with his yellow undershirt, beard and general grim demeanour, not to mention the phaser on his hip, couldn't look more out of place on the science deck if he tried.

"Come in," Katniss yelled it was a force of habit her locking herself in her lab, she hated uninvited people just dropping in unannounced, it was a distraction. She put down a padd as she got to her feet to turn towards the doors. As usual, she had her white lab coat on and her unnecessary but these make me look geekier black rimmed glasses on. That and her piercing blue eyes always seemed to put people at ease.

"Lieutenant," Cailus said in greeting as he entered. The lab, and indeed Wakefield herself, seemed quite ordinary to him, although the glasses were an odd touch. "What can I do for you, ma'am? I have to say that I've never been asked to secure a laboratory before."

"Please, less of the Ma'am, Dr or Lieutenant will suffice," she said shaking her head, she never could get used to people calling her Ma'am. "I know it may be a bit of an odd request, it's not that I want the lab securing per say, it's just some of this work is experimental, some of my research will be going directly to Starfleet Science and I don't want people snooping around, although they may see it in their interests, I know the CSO has already requested stronger containment fields, environmental system's, but I want my lab and my research to be more secure than Fort Knox. Which is where you come in"

Scratching his chin, Cailus looked around the lab again in bemusement. "There are a few measures we could implement, of course. Automatic bioscans comes immediately to mind, as well as security precautions for your data." Glancing at Katniss he added drily, "I'm assuming that the nature of your research is far above my clearance?"

"Some of my research and data may end up being classified." she said with a serious look "But if it isn't possible, also could the computer alert me if anyone entered when I wasnt in the lab?"

Noting the unspoken words, Cailus nodded. It was downright bizarre to be discussing such things with someone in a labcoat and glasses, but he forced himself to take her seriously. "That's where the automatic bioscans come in. The computer will run a constant bioscan of this laboratory and alert you if anyone unauthorised bypasses the lock. Only yourself, the captain and personnel you authorise will be permitted access. I can also get the code monkeys down here to reinforce your software protection."

"Excellent, if you could arrange that at your earliest convenience." she said, before remembering her manners "Thank you." she added, people may think she is social inept, but she wasn't, she just perfered her own company and sometimes her manners could be lacking, but she was working on it. She wasn't the stuck up person, that she may come acorss as. Deep down she was very caring, and no doubt once she had settled in, this would start to show.

"Very well," Cailus said with a confused look. He glanced around the lab again before turning to leave...then hesitated, glancing back. "Lieutenant, do you mind if I ask a personal question?"

Katniss glanced back at Cailus "ask away." she gently replied, pondering what she was going to be asked.

"Back before we launched," he began seriously, both hands behind his back, "during the Captain's getting-to-know-everyone party on the Rec Deck, you...well, I spotted you in the turbolift for a moment." Along with everyone else, but Cailus didn't mention it. "Were you alright? You looked like you'd seen a ghost."

Her smile gently faded and as she went back to the image,"I...I..." she stuttered, the image flashed back to the front of her mind. She was all ready to meet the new crew, although she didn't particually enjoy socialsing, she was accustomed to it. Then when the turbolift doors opened, she was presetned with a situation she didn't know how to control, the image of a child, hanging onto Shae's leg. The pain of her losing her own child, had caused her to panic, she didnt know what to do, other than return to the safety of her domain, her lab.

Then without warning she felt her mouth moving and blurting out what she was thinking, "An exploration vessel just isn't the place for a child..."

"You mean Aoife?" Cailus said softly, grimly recognising the look on her face. "Odd. I said the same thing when I first met her."

Katniss just started at him, she didn't mean to say that out loud, her personal feelings were irrelivant and she really should speak to the councillor about her issues.

Noting the rising awkwardness as the silence continued, Cailus visibly winced. For all her flair and the secrecy, Katniss was plainly quite shy, and there was pain there. "I'm sorry, it's really none of my business. Would you like me to leave...?" he said quietly, half turning back to the door.

Her defences kicked back in, she couldn't show weakness, she straightened up and pushed the rim of her glasses back up her nose, again it was like she had raised her shields. "If, you could arrange what we discussed as soon as possible, I would appreciate that." she said trying to smile again, but it was an awkward fake smile.

"I'll have a team here by 2000 tonight," Cailus replied, immediately regretting poking his nose in where he wasn't welcome. "Have a good day, lieutenant," he added uncomfortably, moving quickly towards the door, even more confused than when he'd entered. It didn't matter how old he got, Cailus thought ruefully as he departed; insensitivity and general idiocy seemed to written into his DNA.

OFF