Storage Solutions

Posted on Wed Jun 17th, 2020 @ 1:00pm by Lieutenant Darru & Lieutenant Sovar

Mission: Mission 3 - 100
Location: Deck F - Science
Timeline: Day 30, Month 2, Year 0 09:00
1613 words - 3.2 OF Standard Post Measure

Darru did not feel any sadness towards the four crew members that had been lost nearly three weeks back but he did feel something for the loss of Ensign Duong, Ensign Simbachawene, Crewmen Carvajal and Crewmen Majdoub. They had been his colleagues and assistants for six months and for humans were remarkably smart and full of wit. It was unusual and he knew he would need to meditate on it later but for now, he needed to clean up what was left in the science teams sealing of the vented area.

“Death is a natural part of life. It is a logical and not unexpected conclusion." He muttered to himself as he finally took the step in from the corridor into the cold and empty lab. His body, bred for the desert and designed to get rid of heat as quickly and efficiently as possible, had limited mechanisms to conserve warmth, and the scientist found himself shivering. He had very little body fat so for once being so skinny was not helpful. It was a lot colder than he normally had a lab, but what did he expect when the place had been vented into cold space and only sealed 24 hours before?

"I will file an incident report with Lieutenant Commander Carter regarding the environmental controls in this section," Sovar said, stepping into the room behind his colleague. He was more stoic about it but still also noticeably uncomfortable from the temperature. "They are clearly not functioning within normal efficiency parameters."

Darru frowned more as he shivered. He did not like showing weakness even if it was only to the other male. "Most likely the environmental control are set for the Humans," Darru commented as he moved further in and took in the lack of equipment along with personnel. "What did you have planned for this lab now that it is repaired, Lieutenant?" There was not exactly much left after the decompression but it was space for them.

"This will be a general laboratory space," Sovar said. "As our resources are limited, we will need to consolidate them. There is insufficient equipment and hardware to dedicate to specialized workspaces spread across the deck. We lost much of our equipment in the decompression, so we will need to borrow a human trait - improvisation."

"It is not a bad trait to borrow and learn Lieutenant. It has kept the humans going for a long time." Darru commented on with another glance around as he noticed something in the corner of the room. He moved over and looked at the glass cage that was sealed to the wall and the rock inside. "Pet rock." He almost muttered under his breath still not understanding why the humans had it.

Out of curiosity, Sovar stepped up to see what he was observing. "This rock has no scientific or material value. I believe we should remove it as part of the renovations to this section. It will free up valuable wall space for storage."

"I do not concur," Darru said after a long moment of personal contemplation. If they removed it now it would be deemed as heartless and cause more discord between them and the humans that remain in the science department. "We do not want to alienate ourselves further." He added to give a rationale to his lack of agreement.

Sovar turned his body fully to face his companion and arched an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting we keep this rock out of sentimentality, Darru?"

"I believe I am. We are already fractured with the humans enough and it is their 'pet'. It would be unwise to cause more division." The younger Vulcan replied cooly. He was unsure where the sentimentality came from but he would reflect later on when he was by himself.

"Very well, perhaps we can justify its presence by incorporating it into a memorial for our dead colleagues."

"Appropriate Lieutenant." The younger man nodded, not entirely sure why he was suggesting it but it felt appropriate. He did not want any more tension than what was needed when they would be working alongside each other for a long time. The skin about his face seemed so tight that it looked like his whole face might tear open if he tried to change expression at the moment. "So this space will be a general laboratory? What do you propose we need to fulfil that?" Darru finally said trying to get back to the job at hand.

"We require two primary work areas," Sovar said. He moved over to an overturned cart that could serve as a makeshift table and produced his PADD. He opened a file that gave a rough sketch of his vision for the laboratory space. While speaking, he erased the wall storage and replaced it with the pet rock memorial. "Concentrating our resources on one room will allow us to conserve resources in the short-term. In the long-term, we can focus on restoring the remaining science labs. Until then, we will be forced to work together in small quarters. Storage will be key. The bulkhead wall between this laboratory space and the one next to it is not essential to the ship's structural integrity. It will be removed to increase the size of this space and allow for 33% of the total area to be dedicated to storage - along this wall. Properly labeling and storing equipment will reduce clutter and improve efficiency. Do you concur?"

Darru knew his colleague was ambitious and this venture would allow him to show the Human Captain his abilities in leadership/ "33% of increased storage space will created maximum usage of this available space." Darru concerned as he looked over the plans properly on the PADD and checked back and forth a few times.

"The work areas will be assigned to physical sciences and life sciences, respectively. Various observation and testing equipment will need to be requisitioned. I will determine what remains in storage. From there, we can assemble a list of needs to construct the remaining equipment. Given the sensitive nature of such a task, you and I will oversee and implement it," Sovar said. The obvious implication was that a Vulcan-built electron microscope would be superior to a Human-built electron microscope. "Given the unique nature of our situation and the likelihood of returning to Vulcan space, I believe we can take a certain latitude in incorporating otherwise restricted technologies."

"Restricted technologies will allow us better to survive and thrive." Darru agreed already having considered that as a future option. It would do them no good to hide and keep stuff back from the humans now that they were forced to help each other. There were more humans than Vulcan's onboard after all even if they were superior in intellect. "Has Leroux given any idea of who will be replacing Sloan?"

Sovar frowned. And that was a lot for someone who usually showed about as much emotion as the pet rock on the wall.

"I am uncertain if she is considering replacing him at all. I believe she is receiving conflicting counsel from the officers aboard the ship, many of whom are allowing their opinion to be colored by sentimentality for the man they thought they knew rather than the facts we have ascertained. He is a clear and present danger to the crew and the safety of the ship. He has lied about his origins. I believe he is a provocateur and a saboteur. But members of the crew have been quick to rise to his defense, despite the fact that everything they knew about him must, as a necessity, be called into question."

"We are lucky to not need such sentiments and can offer correct counsel," Darru said, without doubt, believing Sovar's view. He had been there when 'Sloan' had revealed himself, he was not clouded by the view of the man previously having not had much to do with him.

"Lieutenant Leyton is rash and impulsive. Lieutenant Commander Carter is reclusive. Lieutenant Davis is too passive and ineffective. Dr. Seong is combative. And Major King is too martial a candidate," Sovar said. "Unfortunately, among the senior officers, the available candidates are poor. The junior officers are even worse."

"You have thought long on this subject of the crew I see then Lieutenant." Darru surmised thinking on the junior officers. "Some of them are quite worthy of consideration. The Communications Officers are ideal candidates. They are willing to learn and are quite smart for humans." They had at least with him taken the time to converse in Vulcan and attempt to learn what he was willing to tell them about Vulcan.

"They are open-minded and have an excellent disposition for first contact procedures," Sovar conceded. "However, they lack experience and would find it difficult to gain the respect and loyalty of the crew. Regardless of who is the replacement, the individual will have a daunting task before them. I have faith in Commander Leroux's ability to shape and encourage growth in whatever candidate she chooses."

Darru raised an eyebrow. That had to be the nice's thing the other Vulcan had said about the commanding officer and he was commenting on him being sentimental. It made him wonder what had changed but he did not pressure it any further. "We shall just have to see who the replacement is and see how their abilities are."

"Agreed," Sovar said, then turned with his hands behind his back to survey the space that needed transformation. "While we await her decision, we have our own decisions to make..."

OFF::

Lieutenant Sovar
Chief Science Officer
NX-05 Atlantis

Lieutenant Darru
Science Officer
NX-05 Atlantis
(PNPC Leroux)