A New Journey Begins...

Posted on Wed Jan 22nd, 2020 @ 11:41pm by Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Coleman & Captain Alexander Zandusky

2,113 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 103 - In The Darkest Days...
Location: Starbase 400
Timeline: MD 01; 1350 Hours

[ON]

-1350 Hours-

Davik disembarked from the Marvoski onto a transporter pad aboard Starbase 400 and the ship departed moments later. The first order of business was to get his accommodation assignment from the Quartermaster, and then deposit his belongings in his quarters. After which, he would contact his new direct superior, one Lieutenant Commander Nicholas Coleman.

The first task was easily completed, with a cursory examination of his Transfer Orders and the relevant retinal and bio-print scans, the NCO in the Quartermaster's Office assigned Davik to a small suite on deck 729, the deck where most department assistant chiefs resided. Davik had not expected to receive quarters that he did not have to share, normally someone at his rank would bunk with at least one other person. He was informed that his status as an assistant department chief was the reason for the assignment of a living space he did not need to share.

His opinion on the matter was simply that it was acceptable to not have to worry about disturbing someone else's sleep if he worked on a project in his quarters, or arrived after someone else had gone to sleep.

The suite was small, 3 rooms. One living area that was approximately 7 meters wide, one bedroom with a full-sized bed that was approximately 5.5 meters wide and the bathroom, which contained a sonic shower and hand sink. Outwards appearances would simply show someone that the space was acceptable. Inwardly, however, was another story. Davik was near to bursting with excitement.

He stowed his belongings and tapped his combadge, "Davik to Commander Coleman."

Finishing up several of the reports that were due that evening and the next day, Coleman was sitting at his desk in the Chief Science Officer's office. He had finished up a tour of the facilities with Lieutenant Gilmore, who had been a Science Officer aboard the station for quite some time. So, she knew the station like the back of her hand.

The silence was broken when he heard the comm channel opened and someone calling for him. Taking his head out of the reports, he tapped his combadge and said, "This is Commander Coleman. What can I do for you Davik?"

Davik was standing in his quarters, prepared to leave when the response came in, he responded, "I am requesting a meeting with you, sir. To present my transfer orders to this station for the position of Assistant Chief Science Officer and to present my credentials for your review."

"I'm just doing some crew and station reviews at the moment. So, if you'd like to come up to the Chief Science Officer's office, I'd love to look over those transfer orders and credentials," Coleman said, not knowing that he was getting a new Assistant Chief Science Officer, but happy nonetheless.

Davik nodded to himself, his excitement contained securely, as he said, "Understood, on my way to your location, sir. Davik out."

As the Comm link went down, Coleman shook his head and let out a small chuckle of laughter. After living for 400 years and talking to a lot of people, he was able to hear the excitement in people's voices, even when they weren't standing in front of him. So, he was excited to finally meet this new Assistant Chief Science Officer.

The trip to the Chief Science Officer's office took only a few minutes. With PADD in hand, Davik pressed the door chime and waited to be admitted. When he was, he walked to three feet from the desk, handed his transfer orders to Commander Coleman and said, "Lieutenant Junior Grade Davik, reporting as ordered by the Starfleet Personnel Assignment Office to serve as the Assistant Chief Science Officer of Starbase 400."

Taking the PADD that was handed to him and looking over it, Coleman was impressed. The Advanced Propulsion Team was a tough team to get onto, especially with someone as new and fresh out of the Academy as Matthews was. He saw that he even went to the Vulcan Science Institute, where Coleman had guest lectured on numerous occasions.

"Very impressive credentials, Mr. Matthews. Not only that, but being related to the Federation President must have some perks," Coleman said, smiling brightly as he handed the PADD back to Davik.

Davik nodded, "Matthews is my surname, sir. However, I prefer to be referred to simply as Davik."

"Oh, I do apologize about that. I just saw the surname on there and thought I'd call you by that until I know what you preferred to be called. But, working on the Advanced Propulsion Team must've been fun! Why'd you want to transfer out of that? If you don't mind me asking. Also, please, have a seat," Coleman said, getting up and offering a seat for Davik to sit in.

"Working on the design team for advanced propulsion systems was rewarding. However, it was not quite what I wanted to do with my career. I found that while my work was engaging, there came a time where I wanted something more varied and unpredictable." Davik paused as he considered further, "While the opportunity to work on the Advanced Propulsion Team was something that I could not pass up, I found that after a time, I needed something that engaged me in other ways."

After listening to Davik tell his story, Coleman couldn't help but thinking back to why he transferred onto Starbase 400 himself. While he enjoyed working with the Vulcan and they were a very enlightened species, Coleman enjoyed listening to people's stories, where the Vulcans were not much for talking.

"Do you remember a Commander Jonathan Coleman? I think he worked on the Team for a little while back about three or four months ago, when they were having issues with some of the Slipstream Technology," Coleman asked, thinking back to one of the last communications that he received from his brother, telling him about what he was up to and working on.

Davik considered for a moment, "I do remember him. If my memory serves accurately, and it usually does, he was working on a design issue that was presenting itself on a new navigational deflector system." The young officer remember the energy the newcomer brought to the team during their brief time working together, "He was a very enthusiastic engineer."

"Well, that is my dear younger brother, who worked on the Starbase for a number of years in a number of positions. But, before he left the Starbase, he worked as the Chief Engineer and loved it so much that he wanted to go work for the Starfleet Corps of Engineers and he told me he was working with the Advanced Propulsion Team on a Slipstream issue you guys were having. I just wanted to know if yo knew of him or not," Coleman said.

Coleman got up and went over to the Replicator and turned back and asked, "Would you like anything to drink?"

The young officer considered for a moment, "Orange soda, please."

Coleman shook his head and ordered one Orange Soda and one Klingon Coffee. Taking the soda to the newest science officer and asked, "Orange Soda?"

Davik nodded as he accepted the drink, "I developed a fondness for the drink during my time at the Academy."

"Well, if you ever meet Captain Worf, ask him about his love for prune juice and yes, prune juice," Coleman said as he took a sip of the coffee. Putting the coffee on the table, Coleman pulled up Davik's personnel records and looked over at him.

"So, tell me something Davik. What areas of science are you fond of the most?" Coleman asked, raising an eyebrow in a stereotypical Vulcan way.

"Quantum mechanics, astrophysics, exosociology and psychohistory are fields in which I am currently considered a specialist." Davik almost listed the fields he worked in that were considered hobbies by most of the people who knew him well. Almost as an after thought Davik added, "I also find Advanced Propulsion designs engaging."

"My brother had a big head on his shoulder for the newest types of operating systems, such as positronic cores that several of the stations and starships use throughout the Federation. Have you read any of the papers on them yet?" Coleman asked, taking a sip of his own drink.

"Owing to my family's relationship with Fleet Admiral Sevlek, I spent a good deal of my Midshipman's Cruise with hands-on time with the Positronic Computer Cores on the U.S.S. Gladiator. I believe that ship recently received upgrades to those same computers, but I have not updated my personal experience to include the newest iteration." Davik took a drink from his orange soda, allowing the carbonation to tickle the back of his throat for a second, before continuing, "The progress that Federation Science and Engineering are making in the areas of propulsion and computers is impressive."

Thinking back to the last 400 years of Earth and Federation History, computers and technology in general had progressed quite a bit during that time. When United Earth and Earth Starfleet were barely beginning, they had something that made Duotronics look impressive. Coleman was happy to have been a part of it over the last few years.

"How about Quantum Slipstream Drives? Do you think that older starships can be upgraded to include the new systems?" Coleman asked his new science officer.

"I would suspect that the more modern vessels assigned to Starbase 400 would have the newest systems installed within the next few years. Unless the functional design of the Quantum Slipstream Drive changes, I find it unlikely that any of the older vessels will be upgraded with it, as it requires more than just minor changes to the vessel." Davik took another drink of his orange soda.

"Well, seeing as though there has been major advancements in the drive technology and the data brought back from the USS Voyager, I think it's more than possible to upgrade older ships. It just takes a little more...pizzaz than just making a ship straight off the drawing board. Edison tried and failed over one hundred times before he was able to made the lightbulb. He was quoted to say that he found one hundred ways not to make a lightbulb and one way to make it," Coleman said with a smirk on his face.

Davik nodded. "I believe that it is possible, just unlikely, that older ships will be upgraded with the technology within the next few years. I believe the turning point for upgrading all ships, will come when advances have been made in re-crystalizing the benamite crystals. Until then, I believe only the more advanced, or newest ships, will employ the use of the drive." Davik paused, "I am, however, not the Chief of Starfleet Logistics, so I cannot speak with certainty on the matter."

"Then, you definitely are a smart man, Mister Davik. I've learned not to mess with the current head of Starfleet Logistics. Pushy bureaucrats and they don't like being told that they are wrong," Coleman said, letting out a small laugh. Coleman had once told the head of Starfleet Logistics that his numbers were way off on a number of different topics, where the Chief decided to call Coleman a number of different words in different languages.

Davik finished off his beverage and asked, "If I may ask, commander, what is your stance on officers under your command working on personal projects, providing that those projects do not interfere with their duties?"

"What'd you have in mind?" Coleman asked.

Davik expected the question and responded, "I have a project that I was working on before this assignment, a project that involves attempting to refine the methods that are currently used to allow the deflector dishes of starships to achieve quantum slipstream velocity."

"Sounds like an interesting project. But, as long as it doesn't interfere with your duties onboard the station, I'd say that you can do it with all my blessings. Heck, I might even help you, if you ever needed the help!" Coleman said, having heard about all the information from his own brother.

Davik stood, "I would never turn down any potential assistance. To do so would be foolish." He paused, briefly, "If you've nothing else to discuss with me, sir, I would like to get my work space situated and my computer interface updated."

"By all means Lieutenant. I wouldn't want to keep the future awaiting!" Coleman said, excited with the prospects of having a new assistant chief and someone that he knew he would be able to trust.

Davik nodded, "Thank you, commander. I look forward to working with you." Then he departed, heading towards his new work space.

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