Scientific Methods

Posted on Tue Jul 9th, 2024 @ 7:25pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Lieutenant August Hobbes

1,609 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: To Boldly Go
Location: Captain's Ready Room, USS Fenrir
Timeline: Day 4 - crew board the Fenrir

ON:

Military protocols, the formalities that went along with a career in Starfleet, were what his father had once referred to as a necessary evil. At its core, the idea was simply that one did things that made no sense or were objectionable with the expectation that it would lead to something desirable. Reporting in fell into that category. Starfleet would have sent along his records and transfer paperwork so, they already knew he was coming. To Hobbes' mind, he could just as easily log in via the computer in the lab or his office and achieve the same result -- once he had those anyway. Still, it had been explained to him, more than once, that command generally preferred face-to-face contact which presupposed that something could be gleaned from facial expressions and body language that would factor into the individual's acceptance or rejection. Given that the outcome would lead to him settling in aboard the Fenrir, and thus, mercifully, end the transit phase, he was amenable to the prospect.

August Hobbes was no stranger to military protocols having been in Starfleet for eight years aboard the USS Faraday. The ship's commanding officer believed strongly in propriety and formality. He also believed in maintaining distance which meant that he channeled everything through his First Officer, Commander Channe. Hobbes hardly ever saw him except on a view screen and somehow, the work got done.

New captain, he thought, new rules, though some would stay the same such as the need to report in before being released to work. While the ship was readied, the command staff had offices on the station and Hobbes was giving lectures at the Academy while living in temporary housing near the beach. Because research was something he understood very well, he found the captain's assigned office and pressed the chime, readying himself for the meeting to come.

"Come in," Commander Blake called out from her place behind her desk. It was piled with padds, small cases and boxes, but for the moment she was watching her computer terminal. She finished the paragraph on screen before glancing to the time as the doors swooshed open. "Lieutenant Hobbes?" she asked before she'd even looked up from her work.

"Yes," Hobbes said as he came into the room and stopped in front of her desk. While he had only done this once before since leaving the Academy, he understood what needed to be done. The gift and curse of an eidetic memory. Once learned, never forgotten. "Lieutenant August Hobbes reporting as ordered, Captain."

Blake gave a brisk nod as she finally looked to him, turning her screen away for good measure, to give him her full attention. "Commander Blake, please, take a seat," she motioned to the chair opposite, but rose out of her own. "Would you like anything? I'm in need of coffee if I'm going to read another single word today."

"Uh ... no thank you, Captain," Hobbes said as he took the indicated seat. "I'm good."

Blake nodded as she caught hold of the cup that appeared, rejoining him as she looked him over for a moment. The ex-counsellor took in his appearance as she sipped her coffee, gathering her thoughts to refocus from the reports she'd been buried in. "Have you just arrived, Lieutenant?" she asked, knowing some crew had enjoyed the benefits of a few days on the station before full boarding had commenced.

"Here," Hobbes asked and then nodded almost at once. "If you mean 'here' as in the ship, then yes. If you mean in the Sol system, then no. I've been teaching a couple of seminars at the Academy. Days in the classroom and nights on the beach. Though," he amended, "that's where the house was. Mostly, I was working on the mathematics portion of a paper that a colleague is submitting. Theoretical physics. Good mind but weak in math. So, I help out when I can."

A small smile quirked at Scarlet's lips at the explanation. This was clearly a driven worker sat in front of her. She approved of such, so long as it was healthy for everyone involved. "Yes, I read about your passion for academic pursuits. I trust you have found a way to balance that with serving on a starship?" she already knew that he must have, or he wouldn't have achieved his promotions, but she was interested to hear about it.

"I'm not sure what you're asking," Hobbes said. "If you mean am I capable of prioritizing the work, making sure that mission-related needs have priority, then yes. More than. Been doing it for years already. When I take on side projects, it's always with the understanding that I'll fit it in as I can. Does that answer your question?"

"Yes," Blake gave a quick, firm nod. It ticked the main boxes of any concerns she may have had at least. "And of course, so long as it doesn't encroach on mission operations, you have the facilities of this ship to carry out work for your papers. I would like to see academic contributions from the Fenrir. Tell me about your current scientific interests?"

"Hmm," Hobbes said. His gaze turned inward as though he were reading off a page which, in a sense, he was. "I'm working on my doctorate in Applied Mathematics. I'm helping to construct a working model of an active archeological dig that can be used by students. Doing the math for that paper a friend of mine wants to publish and co-authoring a paper on emergence modeling across multiple species."

"Once you've submitted this kind of work, do you then look further into how it can be applied directly into the workflows of the ship you're serving on?" she asked with a note of curiosity creeping into her voice.

"Yes and no," Hobbes said honestly. "Mathematics especially has a direct impact on what we do. Mostly, I remember it all and apply what I've learned to whatever I'm working on next. I don't go out of my way to find application for research projects where I'm just helping out but if its pertinent, I reach out to the one who wrote the paper for more information."

Blake nodded with understanding. She was no scientist, but she was able to see the necessity of narrowing focus. "I'd like you to keep the First Officer across any suggestions you do have for such implementations," she replied firmly. "I'm happy for you to carry out and participate in research as it pleases you, but if there's a way the ship and crew or even Starfleet in general can benefit too, then I'd like to make sure we follow it up."

"Of course," Hobbes said. "And to be honest, the Federation and Starfleet are big proponents of research. Not often that they don't already know but if it comes up, I'll make sure to keep him informed."

Blake nodded her approval, sitting back briskly, clearly pleased at the assurance. "Cards on the table, Science is not my forte. I rose through the ranks with the marines and then counselling. But I like to be able to facilitate those who can. Let Commander Hanlon know if you need anything, and we'll always give it due consideration."

"Thank you," Hobbes said as he nodded in response to her order. "I will certainly do that." He cocked his head slightly to the side as he recognized the theme. Keep the First Officer informed. Period. He didn't find it particularly surprising; after all, his last captain all but built a barricade around the Ready Room. If it weren't for his eidetic memory, Hobbes was fairly certainly he would have forgotten what his former captain even looked like. "I appreciate your willingness to at least consider those kinds of requests."

Blake took a soft breath as she shifted direction, knowing she didn't need to labour the point with him. "So you're aware, we have...a week and a half to get the ship ready and tested before we head out. We'll inspect every department before heading out and hold a ship wide security drill too." Alongside getting everyone on board and all departments stocked, it was actually not very much time at all.

"I had planned to inspect the labs first thing," Hobbes said, "and make sure that we're ready when needed." And that was true because for the most part, Hobbes didn't lie. It was on his personal to-do list well before setting up his own quarters which could, if history were any indicator, could end up taking a month or more. But the labs? They'd be perfect.

"Very good," Blake gave a firm nod, her posture rigid to the point of military even as she shifted to lean against the left arm of her chair. "Is there anything you'd like to ask while you're here?"

"Nothing at present, Captain," Hobbes said. "With your permission, I'll get to work."

"Granted," Blake motioned to the door, leaning back in her chair with approval. Excellent work ethic, subject matter expert, would clearly speak up on behalf of his department. Just the kind of Chief Science Officer she had hoped for.

Hobbes nodded respectfully as he rose from his seat and headed toward the Ready Room door. It wouldn't be exactly accurate to say that he had forgotten the captain's presence but it was more that, having been dismissed, she had been push down (way down) his current list of priorities which now included his checkup and then (at last) a first look at his labs.

OFF:

Lieutenant August Hobbes
Chief Science Officer

Commander Scarlet Blake
Commanding Officer

 

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