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CSO's Office - Nazeen reporting for duty

Posted Aug. 6, 2021, 3:50 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Liam Madison (Chief Science Officer) (Janice B.)

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in CSO’s Office - Nazeen reporting for duty

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Liam Madison (Chief Science Officer) in CSO’s Office - Nazeen reporting for duty

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in CSO’s Office - Nazeen reporting for duty
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Liam took note of her reaction to his mention but he didn’t draw more attention to it. Making her uncomfortable served no good in the conversation and he wanted an honest explanation. As if sensing the tension rising, Scales shifted on his arm. The reptile’s feathered surface fluffed out then settled back down.

He understood the aspect of getting too involved and connected with a project, a habit he held. However, it concerned him to hear her sleeplessness pattern held for two whole days. Hallucinations started after the third or fourth day in most humans, though it varied with different races. Vulcans could go much longer without side effects due to their strict control over their bodies.

The CSO pushed the thoughts out of his head as he noticed she avoided part of his earlier address.

“Your medical history has a list of injuries due to holodeck-related incidents. Holodeck safeties are left on by default, unlike lab projects. I’m curious about why you would shut those off and endanger yourself.”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

Viyara took a deep breath and pondered how to answer his question best. Eventually she said, “There are no safeties in real life either and I need it to feel real. I know exactly what I’m doing and I never got badly hurt on the holodeck.” She hesitate for a moment and then added softly, “I need it to feel alive. To feel like I’m in control.” Looking him straight in the eyes, she continued, “I know most people don’t understand. And that’s okay. It’s just … if I were rock climbing on a real mountain somewhere, there wouldn’t be safeties either. And yes I know, most people use climbing gear. But not everyone does. They don’t get into trouble for it. So I don’t really understand why it is a problem to turn the safeties off in the holodeck. It’s not like I’m putting other people in danger.”

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

Liam noted the hesitation in Nazeen’s reaction to his question as he remained quiet, listening to her explain. Her words revealed she was addicted to adrenaline causing the pieces of the mystery to fall into place. It was difficult to experience when one knew they would be perfectly safe.

“I will admit, I understand your reasoning. However knowing this, I have to be prepared should one of your holodeck sessions go wrong. With your take on it being as athentic as possible, it might not be a simple fix in sickbay if you get hurt.” Liam put down the hard, cold facts.

“I know Sir,” Viyara replied with a hint of guilt in her expression. Yet she didn’t apologise or made promises she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep anyway.

He wouldn’t stop her from putting herself at risk, but he aimed to be prepared for the worst outcome. Deep down, he hoped she wouldn’t break something critical and require emergency treatment in the future. He moved on from the grim topic before either of them could dwell much longer on it.

“What drove you to follow a career in starfleet and ultimately the science department?”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

“It was more the other way round, really,” Viyara replied. “I’ve always been interested in science and I was always good at it. And yet I wasn’t sure if I wanted to do something with that and if so what. Someone I met sometime after leaving home suggested joining Starfleet. I thought that was a crazy idea and gave them some push back. But in the end they got through me and I applied for the Academy. I know I’m not model officer, but I enjoy being a scientist with Starfleet and I’m still glad I joined.” She gave a small shrug, being nonchalant about it even though she knew that it was one of the best decisions she ever made and probably saved her life.

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

“It’s less about being a model officer and more about the results. This isn’t to endorse I want individuals to ignore their or other officers’ safety to obtain results. I do expect all those in my department to exercise their common sense above all else.” Liam stated.

“Of course, Sir,” Viyara replied with a nod.

He had issues before when someone took the context of his words and applied them literally. The mess was easily resolved, but he was left disgruntled. He typed in a few more notes then moved on.

“What do you believe you can contribute to the department and why?” Most of the questions he aimed to asked would give him a small insight into the woman’s thoughts and self-image. Or, at least hopefully give him forewarning of issues to watch out for.

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

OOC: Small reminder bump.
-Janice B.

OOC: Thank you and sorry about the delay!

IC:
“I am very meticulous when it comes to my work and I have a good eye for details. I think that is why I excelled at everything related to my minor: Forensic Science,” Viyara replied confidently and without hesitation, but without even a hint of arrogance. “I consider myself a team player and sociable person. I’m always happy to help in any way I can. And I think I’m good at think outside the box. Nor do I shy away from taking the blame and admitting when I made a mistake,” she continued.

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

Liam admired many of the qualities Nazeen had presented, including her preference for logic over pride. Past interviews had mixed results ranging from arrogance to humbleness, but each flaw he had dealt with to the best of his ability. It was the nature of how he ran his department.

“What areas would you identify as needing improvement?”

He was aware the question covered one flaw they already addressed, but it also opened it up for other unseen ones. Most officers were caught off guard by the question when he used it in an interview. People in his position were often more interested in the skills their officers had that would salvage a mission’s goal, not their weaknesses. It was a small test to see how strong the woman’s insight on herself was. The answer would indicate her growth potential under his supervision.

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

After a short moment to consider, Viyara replied, “I tend to lose track of time and of my surroundings when I focus on my work and because of that sometimes forget to take care of myself. I sometimes struggle with asking for help. At least in my own fields of expertise. And I sometimes forget to ask for permission first.” A few weeks from now she would also add that she wasn’t good at truly opening up, at letting other people truly get close to her. But that realisation hadn’t come to her yet. Or maybe she just hadn’t been able to admit it to herself yet.

~Ensign Nazeen, Scientist

It was refreshing to see the young woman admit her flaws so easily, but Liam suspected there were more. There usually was. Not he could list all his that fluidly or well, often overlooking the obvious ones. In the end, even the most stubborn justify certain behavior. He typed another small section of notes then looked back at her.
“You will be working a wide range of shifts, but which is ideal for you? I find it’s easier to try to schedule individuals during their peak focus hours. However, I won’t promise I will schedule you for them all the time.” It was obviously a sign of their meeting coming to an end.

While Liam could continue to pick and poke at Nazeen, it wouldn’t resolve anything. It would waste both their time that was better suited for productive things.
“You will start tomorrow going through the lab stocks and ensuring supplies are in their proper place.”

-CSO, Liam J. Madison, Sci.

OOC: I think we can bring this to a close after your reply.
-Janice B.


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