Posted by Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist) in Checking in with the CSO (Tag CSO, Cadet Bowman)

Posted by Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist) in Checking in with the CSO (Tag CSO, Cadet Bowman)

Posted by Lieutenant T’Kam (Chief Science Officer) in Checking in with the CSO (Tag CSO, Cadet Bowman)
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻

[snip]

IC: T’Kam nodded. “The beginning of Science and discovery tends to always start with questions about ones surroundings. In the field of Biology I suppose that it is more of a curiosity of one’s surroundings. How does this exist? Why does a certain species act in a certain manner? Why does this feature look the way it does? All sensible and intelligent questions that one could think growing up. I believe you could have a bright future in this field Mr. Bowman, that is certain.” He closed and dismissed the console from his desk letting it go dark. “Tell me, what are you aspirations as a person of Science?” He placed his hands together, resting his forearms on the edge of the desk, leaning slightly forward to give the cadet his full attention, curious as to what his answer would be.

Lt. T’Kam (CSO)

Rhese took a moment to gather his thoughts before answering, as he picked up his tea. He thoughtfully took a small sip, and then carefully and deliberately set the cup back onto the desk. “I’d like to develop more efficient growing techniques for plants so that they’d produce more while requiring less time and resources. It would go a long way towards assisting in efficiency for… say, new colonies, or – or even with increasing the food supply of a starship!” Bowman was visibly enthusiastic as he spoke; it was easy to note that he was one who was passionate about his work. “I could even see myself working to create various hybridizations of existing vegetables, for example, to accomplish these kinds of goals. Some types will probably be more suited to certain specific kinds of environments, and not others – so it would be an ongoing process… a lot of experimentation,” the cadet continued. “That’s one of the reasons why I felt that Starfleet would be a great fit for me, sir. And,” the cadet added, “why I hope to show that I can be a great fit with Starfleet, too. I know that I’m going to learn a lot – a lot more than I’ve already learned at the Academy, even!” Bowman smiled. He truly was grateful for this opportunity.

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

T’Kam followed along, listening to all that the cadet had to say, taking a sip of his own tea here and there as he listened. “I see, increased production and efficiency for newly formed colonies would be incredibly beneficial for food sources early on or even for plants to begin a change in climate on a terraforming project.” He recalled the mention of the hybridization of crops that would require extensive experimentation and raised his eyebrow, “As for the experimentation, that is one of the more beneficial parts to the process of Science in my opinion. You test, you fail, you learn. This cycle repeats itself many times throughout your career in Starfleet. I would like to impart some wisdom if I may? Do not be afraid of failure or think of it as a mistake. I would implore you to see it as something to learn from; an educational experience. This is what propels knowledge forward. If humanity was afraid of failure, I doubt they would have invented their warp drives so early, let alone be leaders amongst the United Federation of Planets.”

At this, Bowman merely nodded in agreement. Failure was, after all, one of the greatest teachers. Bowman picked up his tea and took a few more sips as the Vulcan continued.

He leaned back again so that he wasn’t leaning forward against the desk anymore. “I believe I have learned a good deal about you so far and that should be enough for today, though I would like to change the prerogative and ‘flip the script’ so to speak. Do you have any questions for me Cadet?”

Lt. T’Kam (CSO)

The cadet took another drink from his tea as he thought for a moment. He had not anticipated that T’Kam would offer this opportunity! Question after question ran through his mind; but finally, he seemed to settle on one. Bowman leaned forward somewhat, and set the tea back onto the desk, and then returned to a straightened posture as he spoke. “Thank you, sir! On the trip over to the Challenger, I took the time to look into your service record so I would have a better idea of how to best serve in your department,” Bowman began. His face then began to relate a curious expression, and he tilted his head slightly as he continued: “I did wonder, though, why you chose to serve in Starfleet rather than, say, the Vulcan Science Directorate, or the High Command?”

OOC: D’Oh!
IC: Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

This was a rather simple question for T’Kam as he began to explain, “For learning primarily. Humans are fascinating creatures. They are simple and yet complex. I am also an individual of Science. Though I have studied through most of my childhood at the Vulcan Learning Center, the Vulcan Science Directorate and High Command are extremely sought after positions that, in turn, do require a bit of political agenda in order to acquire. I, however, lack the affinity for politics as I personally have a distaste for the way it is sometimes handled. That was about when I had heard about the Officer Exchange Program through a professor and the possibilities of learning more about Science on a Starfleet vessel seemed a much easier approach to accomplish my goals. I would also be able to learn more about other species at the same time to expand my cultural knowledge. It was .. how do they say it .. ‘an eye for an eye’?” He frowned slightly trying to remember. “No that is incorrect .. ‘two birds with one stone’ I think it is?” He still had some difficulty appropriating local phrases, but he kept trying to practice them all the same.

Lt. T’Kam (CSO)

“You got it,” Bowman said encouragingly. He thought it odd that a Vulcan would put much thought into human idioms – indeed, this was the first Vulcan Rhese had ever met who did so. Though, Bowman appreciated the effort, given what T’Kam had just shared with him. Rhese himself faced more than one issue of his own trying to ‘fit in’ when he moved to San Fansisco; a few of the other cadets in his class seemed to delight in pointing out his ‘northern’ inflections, though they might have just felt that they made Bowman more endearing. So again, Rhese felt a sense of kindredness. He believed he was going to enjoy working for – and with – this Vulcan. “I can understand that,” Bowman continued. “It even seems quite logical to me, sir,” he added with a smile. He reached for his cup – though as he was still making eye contact, he hadn’t been concentrating as much as he had been in his previous attempts – and his hand nudged it out of place slightly instead of simply picking it up. While it didn’t cause a spill or make a mess, it did cause the expression on Bowman’s face to change suddenly; the smile was replaced by the slight frown of disappointment, as Rhese’s face blushed lightly. “Watch yourself, Bowman!” he thought to himself. He took hold of the cup, and then deliberately took a quick sip and returned the cup to its appointed place on the desk. He looked back up to the Vulcan, then, and smiled in spite of himself. “Sorry, sir. I don’t mean to be nervous. It’s just that… Oh. Permission to speak freely?”

Cadet Rhese Bowman (Scientist)

[bump]

OOC: Mike, i’m just attempting to introduce the character’s (sometimes) clumsiness. i’ve intended for him to be something of a cross between Anton Yelchin’s “Checkov” and Lycia Naff’s “Sonya Gomez” with regard to his personality and physical coordination (respectively). :)
-chris

OOC: Bumping for whenever Mike gets to come back..