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Science Lab 7 (Deck 5) - Late Night Research

Posted April 12, 2021, 9:33 a.m. by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) (James Sinclair)

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Science Lab 7 (Deck 5) - Late Night Research

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Science Lab 7 (Deck 5) - Late Night Research

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Science Lab 7 (Deck 5) - Late Night Research
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻
It was already rather late when Kiama finally got off her desk. She loved her job and she didn’t mind the admin part that came with her position either, but lately she found that she had very little time, or rather allowed herself very little time, to work on a personal project and she was missing that. After all, as much as she loved science in general, she was a neuroscientist and so far that had been no use for that since she had come to the Manhattan. That was okay and she didn’t regret anything and at the same time she did miss working in that field. So she headed over to science lab 7. She knew that it was empty at this time and that was what she was looking for.

Once inside, she walked over to one of the computer terminals and while calling up one of her research file, instructed the computer, =/\= Computer, play Naim’s playlist number 4. Moderate volume. =/\= After the familiar chirping noise, the lab was filled by Claude Debussy’s Pour le piano, L. 95: 2. Sarabande. As she settled down in front of the computer terminal, Kiama felt herself relax; feeling surprised at the tension she had been holding without even noticing it. It wasn’t long before she was fully immersed in her work, not noticing anything around her and, despite it’s volume, she also only registered the music in the back of her mind.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Cochrane couldn’t sleep. It was not an uncommon occurrence. So, as was his habit, he got dressed in his uniform (he sometimes relieved the Bridge officer for a long meal break) and began to walk the passageways and decks of the ship. It was these walks that helped him connect to the ship herself. The soft vibration of the deck plates as the ship shot through space… the almost imperceptible creak of a bulkhead as the integrity field made minor adjustments… the low bass thump as an airlock engaged. All the small sounds that somehow got lost when the majority of the crew was up and running about were more accessible at this time of night, and Alex liked it.

It also let him meet some of the crew he didn’t normally interact with. A nod and smile to a passing Security patrol. Stopping to chat with an Engineer who was working on a power relay inside an access panel in one of the passageways. A wave as he passed Sickbay and saw a few of the Medical staff playing cards at the nurse’s station. And then he walked by the labs… and heard music. Stopping, he tilted his head to the side and listened, smiling at the piece. He walked in and saw the CSO hunched over a terminal. Curious at what would have the Science Department Head working so late, he walked over and said “Evening Lieutenant. What are you doing working so late?”

Cochrane, CO

It took several moments before his presence and his words registered with Kiama. But eventually she looked up and said, =/\= Computer, lower the volume of the music to 10% =/\= She then continued, “Good evening Captain. I could ask you the same, but to answer your question: I haven’t had time, or didn’t allow myself to make the time, to work on my own project. And as I’m still feeling awake enough right now, I decided to rectify that.” Tilting her head slightly, she then asked, “What about you?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Cochrane shrugged and said “Couldn’t sleep. When that happens, I wander the ship for a while. But I heard the music and was curious.” and he walked over and looked at the terminal. “So… what project has you up at this hour, Lieutenant?” he asked. “Nothing too detrimental to your sleep habits, I hope.”

Cochrane, CO

“No need to worry. I know my limits and how much sleep I need to work at my best,” Kiama replied and then moved her chair slightly to the side so that Alex would get a better view of the screen. There he would see brain scans, various diagrams and schematics of brains. “One of our ships, the USS Lovelace, came across a pre-warp civilisation not too long ago. Those people are in many ways very similar to Betazoids, but they are also very different. A team of anthropologists was granted permission to study them more closely. A friend of mine from the Academy is part of that team and she was allowed to share certain data with me as I’ve been doing a lot of research regarding the differences and similarities between races with telepathic and empathic abilities.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Pre-first contact civilization data? Now that should be interesting. So what are you specifically looking at… or for? Evolutionary markers? Commonality descriptors?” Cochrane was genuinely interested. A significant portion of his career had been dealing with First-Contact scenarios.

Cochrane, CO

“Eventually, yes,” Kiama nodded. “But right now I’m not looking at anything on the genetic level. Instead my focus, for now, is to compare brain scans. I’d love to run specific tests or have my friend run them and send me the data, but there is only so much one can do if you don’t want people to know that you’re examining them. And do experiments with anyone without their knowledge or consent is highly unethical on top of that. So I’m working with everything I can get. The team has already done a fair amount of non-invasive medical scans that included brain scans. That’s what I’m looking at right now.” Pointing at a certain diagram on her screen, she continued, “Do you see that peak? It looks very similar to what you’d see if you scanned me while I lower my mental shields and to get a better read on someone or a situation.” Switching to a different set of scans and pointing things out here and there while flicking through them, she said, “I can see a lot of similarities between them and Betazoids. And also differences. And there are even distinct differences among them. And I don’t mean the usual difference you’ll find in any telepathic or empathic species where the telepathy and empathy is differently strong between individuals. I can see that as well and is what I expected. But for some of them their abilities seem to resemble those of Hailiians much closer than those of Betazoids. Almost as if they are two different species.” Shaking her head slightly she added, “I wish I could go there and talk to them, ask them all the questions I have. But of course between my duties here and the Prime Directive that is impossible.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Well… and the fact that we are several thousand light years away probably doesn’t help.” Cochrane said with a small smile. “I know this may sound… well… off… but you should suggest to your friend that they look for sewage disposal. They can garner a great deal of genetic material and get solid DNA samples from that particular source. A scientific team I was part of in a pre First Contact mission did that, and we discovered they were actually a lost colony of Deltans. Saved everyone a huge amount of time and trouble.”

Cochrane, CO

“No, it doesn’t,” Kiama replied with a soft and slightly sad laugh. Turning her to look fully at Alex, she continued, “I’ll pass that on. I’m curious to see what a look at their DNA will reveal.” Her head tilted to the side, her eyes slightly narrowed, the scientist fell silent for a couple of moments before asking without preamble, “Have you been on many pre First Contact missions, Sir?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Cochrane shrugged. “A few… maybe six? And I’ve been a part of a few First Contact operations as well. It’s always… well… interesting, I think is the best word for it. It was certainly never boring, that’s for sure.” and he laughed.

“What about you, Lieutenant? Have you done any work like your friend is doing?”

Cochrane, CO


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