Posted by Cadet Tom Little (Scientist) in Side Sim - Meeting with the CSO

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aaron Williams (Chief Science Officer) in Side Sim - Meeting with the CSO

Posted by Cadet Tom Little (Scientist) in Side Sim - Meeting with the CSO
Posted by… suppressed (5) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Trying to take his ease in his new office, Aaron was taking a look at the scientific staff list. He noticed in the recent entries that one of the cadets called aboard the ship has been received by Lieutenant Barr, former CSO, right before his departure. I should talk to him, he thought. It would be better if he knows about the changes that happened in his department.

Touching his com-badge, Aaron says: =^= Lieutenant Williams to Cadet Little. Could you come to CSO’s office, please? =^=

Lieutenant JG. Aaron Williams, CSO

=^= This is Cadet Little. Copy that and on my way. =^=

It’s been days after a sudden change of command of this training ship. Tom was making log entries about the previous mission. He missed the chance to say fair winds to the CSO. But as long as he was on this continuous journey, he might have another opportunity somewhere else. Regardless of who’s in charge, only two things mattered: Did they know their jobs? Did they care about me? Other things had no bearings. Whether was age, colour, or gender.

It’s also been a while for him since the last visit to the office. Already three months huh, let’s see what’s our new boss is up to. After the turbo stopped, he walked straight to the CSO’s office, stood behind the door, and shouted, “Good afternoon sir. Cadet Little reporting.”

Cadet Little (Scientist)
Hearing the Cadet, Aaron opened the door and faced Tom. He smiles at him and replied: “Good afternoon. Please, come in !”

The Lieutenant walks back toward his desk. “Have a seat”, he said, offering a chair to Little. “Would you like something to drink ?”

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams

What a…The aroma from this room suggested the choice. Tom knew that staff crews (except cadets) were allowed to decorate their rooms, so entering somebody’s room for the first time was quite an amusement. This was a thoughtful idea to make crews feel comfortable during the long-distance mission. But decorated by smells was unexpected.

“Thank you, sir. Cappuccino, please.” Usually, he was satisfied with the first cup of the morning, but exceptions could be made. After all, a day without a cafe was like a day without oxygen, especially for the science folks.

Cadet Little (Scientist)
Aaron nodded. “An excellent choice”, he said. “I don’t which cappuccino recipe is referenced in the replicator’s database, but it’s the best I’ve ever tasted.”

While talking, he approached the replicator and ordered: “Coffee, Cappuccino, Hot, Two”. The drinks appeared in a ray of light and began to spread a sweet scent of hot milk and grounded coffee. Taking a quick sip in one of the cups, the aroma began to flood in his mouth. Perfect, he thought with a big smile. Walking back to his desk, he put the other cup on his desk, in front of Little, and sat in his chair.

“So”, he began. “I guess you know that I didn’t call you here to talk about the wonders of coffee.” He made a quick pause to take another sip. “I wanted to talk about the changes that occur those days. And I know that you have been received by Lieutenant Barr, the former CSO, which is why I wanted to see you.”

Aaron smiled at him and says: “But before, I’d like to talk about you a bit. How are you feeling aboard the ship ?”

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams, CSO

“Thank you, sir.” Tom took the cup to warm up his hands. This reflection of the crystal view was with him since the contractor’s age. From the mountain to the shore, a cup of joe was the difference-maker. And it never gets old.

“This cadet is motivated, sir.” He grinned and replied. “The ship seems to be under transition phase, and he’s seen many new sirs and ma’ams aboard the ship.” He continued, “He also has seen many cadets on the morning workouts at the gym. It seems the lower decks were particularly motivated by the recent promotions, dreaming of becoming them one day.” He playfully added a smile, sipped, and said, “He hopes Lieutenant Barr is doing alright, sir.”

Cadet Little (Scientist)
Aaron nodded. “Of course. I’m sure he is fine.” He let a little sigh and put back his coffee on the desk. “I’ll be honest with you, Little. As you might know, I was a doctor before being your department head, which means I don’t know a lot about Science. And with my lack of experience… I might not be the CSO you expected.”

“I’ll need way more time to take my marks than any scientist officer. But be sure that I’ll do my best to keep up with my studies and that I won’t flee my responsibilities if you were worried about it.”

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams, CSO

Oh boy…Tom sipped and said, “You can call me Tom when no one is around, sir, and permission to speak freely…” He put down the cup on the table. “Let’s keep this stay in this room, but the last thing the crews want to hear is to have an unconfident officer. As our chief, while on a mission, I expect you to figure out the intent from the commanding officer and pass it on to us.” He smiled, “It is our job to do the nerd…Excuse me, the technical things required to get the job done. So you can give the recommended course of actions back.”

“You’ll be facilitating this flow, sir. That’s my number one expectation. And since you’re a doctor, you know how chemistry works.” He took back the cup and said, “From what I see, Astronomy is just an extended scale of this subject. Take a look at this cappuccino, sir. What do you see?”

Cadet Little (Scientist)

Aaron was a bit surprised by Tom’s question: “My…cappuccino ? Well…” He looked down at his coffee. All he saw was a mix of milk and coffee, creating a light-brown color in his cup, with some marks of milk foam.

“I…I see a usual coffee. But… Why the coffee ?” he asked, a bit curious about Tom’s answer.

Lieutenant JG Aaron Williams