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Starfleet Complex -- Meeting Lt. Commander Woods

Posted June 7, 2023, 8:49 p.m. by Civilian Erin Hazen-Cooper (Director of Terraforming) (Joana Ribeiro)

Posted by Civilian Erin Hazen-Cooper (Director of Terraforming) in Starfleet Complex – Meeting Lt. Commander Woods

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Markus Woods (Chief Star Fleet Science Officer) in Starfleet Complex – Meeting Lt. Commander Woods

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Markus Woods (Chief Star Fleet Science Officer) in Starfleet Complex – Meeting Lt. Commander Woods
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Describing Erin’s past few days as busy would be an understatement. Borderline overwhelming was more in line with the truth. From setting up her office and getting acquainted with the necessary people, to making arrangements for her PhD’s defense to be at a distance, as well as sorting out her apartment in Paris, Erin barely had time to stop and take a breath.

In fact, her head had been in so many different places at once that she had forgotten to visit with Lieutenant Commander Woods about a… gift… they were being given by the Vren. The whole ordeal only springing back to the front of her mind with the Governor’s Press Conference on their ‘next door neighbors’.

It was at a fast clip that Erin approached the main building, barely noticing her surroundings as she tried to figure out where she needed to go. For a petite woman, Cooper could move incredibly fast while managing to carry an air of poise and elegance in her step. To add to this, she was always incredibly well dressed, her fiery red ponytail seeming to sway perfectly in tune with the motions of her dark gray dress, and in rhythm with the soft clacking of her heels.

Once inside, Erin approached the main desk with a warm smile.

“Good morning, my name is Erin Cooper, I’m the new Director of Terraforming. I was told that my ID might have already been sent in… I’m here to see Lieutenant Commander Woods. Would you be able to tell me where I can find him?”

Erin Hazen-Cooper, Director of Terraforming

bump :)

((Oh crap, I’m so sorry Joana. I did not see this in all the shuffle. I promise I wasn’t ignoring ya.))

OOC: No worries! It’s easy for threads to get lost in the middle of all the movement, but it’s a good problem to have! :) – Joana

The security lieutenant behind the desk scanned the redhead from the top of her head down. Though he had quite the poker face, it was clear he wasn’t looking at her as a person at first, but going through a subconscious threat assessment. Then a person second, before breaking into a small smile. “Good morning, Director,” he said after tapping his display, bringing up some fresh information. “Ident is confirmed… Commander Woods is in his office. If you like you can wait here, or I can let him k now you’re coming.”

Erin waited patiently. She was familiar with the procedures, in fact, she would have been surprised had they been different. She opened her mouth but she didn’t have time to reply, instead turning to face the sound.

“No need, Lieutenant.” Another man’s voice cut in, deeper with hints of a Texas drawl around the edges. The owner was just a hair over six inches taller than Erin, athletic build, with coal black hair, steel gray eyes. He was wrapped in the science blues of Starfleet with the two solid and one hollow pips of his rank. “Director Hazen-Cooper is quite expected.” With that he turned toward the redhead and held out his hand. If taken, she’d find the wear patterns of someone who, despite working in a ‘soft’ field, worked with his hands a fair bit. They weren’t completely calloused, but they saw use. His grip would be firm with a fast shake.

Cooper smiled warmly at the new arrival, taking him in as she did. Shaking his hand, she noticed the light roughness here and there, and it piqued her interest. Erin’s hands were soft, almost too soft, indicative of someone used to work in the sheltered confines of a lab, but most of all, of someone who would go to great lengths to take care of her skin.

“Your timing is impeccable,” he said. “Things are getting under way. Shall we?” He gestured deeper into the guts of the science building and his office.

Woods, CSFSO

“Yes, of course.” Erin smiled walking in the indicated direction.

The facilities were refreshing. Almost nostalgic. She had once too donned the blues of a Starfleet science officer, but contrarily to her present company, it hadn’t lasted long. Deep space exploration just wasn’t for her, no matter how much her sister had tried to urge her. And look at them now, both landing planetside jobs on the same Colony. All in all, she was happy she hadn’t made a career off of it.

Following Woods deeper into the building, Erin expected them to head to his office. Not wanting to discuss what could be sensitive matters in a less private setting she opted for a more casual conversation as they walked.

“So, Commander, if I may ask, how long have you been here on OED?”

Erin Hazen-Cooper, Director of Terraforming

bump :)

His expression was pleasant enough for the moment but then it slowly dropped as he considered the question. Mentally he ventured back through time. Blood, fire, pain, and fear aboard the Viking. After years on that ship, he’d started to believe it might be cursed after all. The amount of catastrophe that happened there was beyond astronomical.

A wistfil smile fluttered across his face. Oh, how I came to the Viking with the idea that I was going to ‘get to the bottom of things’ and ‘sort everything out’. He shook his head. Instead, I still have no answers. Me, a man of science. But perhaps, I finally have a true theory of malevolence. But, nevertheless, the time spent there had it’s ups. The vision of a gorgeous young woman, brilliant, empathetic and empathic, dark black curls, and eyes he could have fallen into at any moment… He felt his chest tightening up again at those memories. And for a moment he looked stricken as he put one hand over his heart. Swallowing a lump, he tried to put Doctor Fayth out of his mind. And it had it’s downs, too.

“Pardon,” he apologized, his voice cracking a little. “Uh, about a month. My last commanding officer thought it would be good for me to get some sunlight.” He broke out into a broad grin for a moment. “In truth, I’ve been chasing the Command track for a while. She figured this was a good place that I would be useful, and could get some more experience with the Centurion.” Gestured toward the ship many kilometers above them. “On the Viking I spent some time as acting executive officer. Especially when things were at their worst. But… We pulled through. They say I saved a lot of lives, but… all that comes back to me are the ones I couldn’t save or help.” He frowned, then shook his head.

Erin gave Woods a sympathetic smile. She had heard a lot of stories but had always been fortunate enough not to experience the worst space exploration had to offer.

“I was a little nervous about staying on the track. But now that I’ve had some time, distance… Therapy helps too.” He broke out into another grin. “I think after a trial by fire like that I can handle a lot. But at least here i can learn by doing.”

“I’m sure you’ll do great.” Even though they seemed vague, Erin meant her words, but having no proper experience of her own, there was nothing more she could add.

“So what brought you down the gravity well to Oed V,” he asked, a touch of that Texas twang coming back into his voice.

Lt Cmdr Woods, CSFSO

OOC: I’m so sorry! I never meant to take this long to reply, but things have been terribly busy…! – Joana

IC:
“Ah… that is a long story…” Cooper chuckled. “My sister is the Chief Exec for Holloway Heavy Industries… and I’m sure you’ve heard of the shuttle crash that happened recently… our uncle and my brother-in-law were on board.” Her expression was somber for a moment before shaking her head, dismissing her thoughts. “I just came to visit her, but my husband ended up getting a job offer here.” She chuckled. Ah, the irony. “If you want my honest opinion, I didn’t really want to stay. I had a nice apartment in Paris, a job that I liked, my plans were all lining up together for us to stick around on Earth but… the universe had other plans.” Erin chuckled again. “I’m sorry. I’m ranting now…”

Cooper walked silently for a moment. “So tell me, what is your area of expertise? You mentioned you were after the Command track, but you are the local Chief of Science Officer… I take it you were a scientist? What did you work on?”

Erin Hazen-Cooper, Director of Terraforming

bump :)


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