The Interview

Posted on Sun Jan 8th, 2023 @ 8:43am by Fleet Captain Maxwell Culver & Director Roman s'Lovok PhD
Edited on on Mon Jan 9th, 2023 @ 1:07am

1,709 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Mission One: Goodwill Tour [Part One]
Location: Triton Seabase: Bridge
Timeline: MD5:1200 hours

Previously on Star Trek: Triton Seabase

"I had a Daystrom Institute sponsored apprenticeship in Oceanographic and Planetary Operations, as well as Xeno studies for 8 years, it ended up with a Doctorate in the same just before the Dominion War," Roman explained. He grinned, "I was part of the Atlantis project on Earth, which is near completion at this time."

“Okay Mister s’Lovok, why don’t we head aboard the base and look at your history with Daystrom. Of what you say is true, I’ll have a position for you."

And Now the Continuation

Max and Roman transported directly onto the bridge of the seabase. Three stations looked forward out large windows, three standing stations were aft. The captains chair sat in the center, with consoles on either side and above were three static consoles at the moment.

Max brought up Roman s’Lovok’s previous experience with the Daystrom Institute. A Doctorate in Marine Biology, experience with the Atlantis Project. It was written in black and white on his console.

“Tell me,” Max said, trying to explain the gap between then and now. “Why aren’t you the Head of Research on Pacifica or Cadieux? Where have you been hiding, Doctor s’Lovok?”

Roman frowned. “I’m not sure, perhaps those positions are filled. Or I enjoyed freighter work too much between courses.” He smiled and tilted his head slightly as he thought on the worlds the Captain mentioned.

“You know, Pacifica had completely slipped my mind, now that you mention it. Well, I could go check it out,” he said as he scratched his chin realizing he had to shave real soon. It was something Andronikos constantly had to remind him to do.

Max brows knit with confusion. “So are you interested in a position on Triton Seabase?” Max had to admit, Roman was hard to read. He certainly didn’t have the decorum of Galen. Max could even feel the man, his emotional state like popcorn. “If it’s just a tour you want, we can take care of that quickly.”

He snapped out of the daze Roman went into and he smiled again. "A position indeed," he answered. "What is open in sciences? Though I do have experience in engineering as well, so I can repair stuff should you need extra technical hands," he added still smiling.

Max was extremely confused. This man had a Doctorate in Marine Science but he had almost no ability to settle and have a direct conversation. “We have multiple positions in sciences, in fact the Director of Sciences is still an open position. One you seem to fit and yet don’t fit. Your references point in that direction, but you seem to need focus, Doctor.”

"Director of Sciences, what duties and responsibilities does this position entail?" Roman asked, a serious expression grew on the Romulan's tattooed face, as he leaned on the nearest railing as they appeared to be on the Seabase's Bridge. ’Didn't the Captain have an office?’ Roman wondered.

“Director of Sciences oversees all of the sub-departments of science and correlates reports for the command team. He or she directs the science departments on their tasks and assigns them new tasks. You have to be a jack of all trades and master of most of them as well. You have to take orders and give them as well. I’m afraid your…personality might make that difficult. Just here and now, you’re all over the place, Doctor. I need someone who doesn’t remind me of popcorn, pinging off in all directions.”

Roman frowned. “Isn’t a ‘jack of all trades’ the definition of pinging off in all directions and mastering most things?” he asked confused.

Max cocked his head at the scientist. “Let me rephrase this. What little I know of you is here,” Max paused and held up the PaDD in his head, “and right here.” Now he gestured at the man himself. “So far, I’m not sure I could get you to focus on one task, let alone a dozen. You don’t have Starfleet training and you’ve not been involved in any studies for some time. Why should I think you’re ready for this job?”

"I've been all over the place because I haven't found where I want to be. Living a sheltered childhood because my parents were both former Tal Shiar operatives who had to hide me away so their superiors wouldn't use me against them, was hard, sure I wasn't the only one." Roman began.

"They found us and killed most of those in the safehouse. I managed to escape with several others and survived on Nimbus 3 in Paradise City for many years. It was not a paradise. Being the eldest I learned to do many things and keep a look out for danger at every turn. I managed to get offworld thanks to a freighter crew that I spent just as much time with. They helped me find the joy of life and while I sometimes revert back into survival mode at the occasional yell or sounds that are similar to those I feared, it's something I am working on, I got to see some of known space and some of its wonder." He gestured around.

"I still get excited, and I'm trying to take it all in, as I encounter new people and places." He took another breath. "Finally they dropped me off at Earth where I explored all the wonders that the Federation offered, I applied to Daystrom's apprenticeship program for as many courses as they'd allow." He grinned. "I got to work on the Atlantis Project with specialists as mentors. Of course I had a few Federation observers to make sure I was no threat during the entire time I began living on Earth." Roman laughed. "Of course after I passed all their evaluations, I made friends with one and we are still in contact."

"I was there up until the Dominion War and that's when the Federation switched to more military processes, since the Institute's programs and the Atlantis Project were suspended. That same freighter crew was on Earth at the time and funnily enough I ran into them. I had informed the Observer of my plans to do freighter work while I waited for the program and project to continue. They gave their blessing and I joined the Unstable Unicorn's crew for a few years." Roman went on.

He put his back to the railing and smiled. "While the crew had their specializations, they could do many other jobs. I learned all I could," he added. "I promised my parents that I'd live life to the fullest and I believed that was learning all I could, sure it was mostly technical and scientific theory and practices that I enjoyed more then the rest. Nonetheless I gave it my best."

"I got a call that the Institute and Project was getting ready to go back to work, I returned and completed my Doctorate and any other courses I could while still working on Atlantis."

Roman continued, "Then the supernova happened, by then the project was in its final stages and most of us were thanked for our contributions and finished up whatever we were doing. I was saddened for those who lost their homes and I had already got these," he gestured to the memorial tattoos on his face, "I didn't consider myself a true Romulan for a long time. Sure, I felt belonging on Earth and with the Unstable Unicorn's crew, but while I was helping my friends help the cut off Romulan colonies and refugees wherever we found them, I realised I too didn't have a home."

"Now, I am here where I find a perfect match to my studies in oceanic and planetary sciences, I could not help but be all over the place with excitement. I promise that I will give you my all in helping you and Starfleet's goals here," Roman said as he shifted into a bowed position. "Please Captain, give me a chance to prove myself with a trial period of six months?"

Max smiled. “Six months, Doctor. Your studies, experience and work on the Atlantis Project indicate you’re the man for the job. I think it more than fair to give you the opportunity. You’ll need to brush up on your Starfleet regulations, but I think we can give this opportunity a chance to blossom.”

“Besides, it will be nice to have a friendly Romulan aboard.” Max chuckled.

Relief filled Roman as he straightened and smiled. Though he realised he should have pushed for an entire year. I’ll have to work hard but when have I not, Roman mused. “Thank you Captain, are the regulations and such accessible by all or do I need clearance?” He asked, though once placed in the position he’d ask for help from the Sciences department in regards to protocols.

“Weren’t you with an Imperial Navy Officer earlier, sir?” Roman asked, he’d saw the uniform.

“Our Executive Officer, Colonel Galen s’Khev. He’s here to keep the peace between Starfleet and the Romulan Star Empire. To the credit of the crew, I don’t think that’s going to be a big problem,” Max assured the Romulan Doctor.

Roman nodded. "Understood," he smiled. "Could you show me the facilities? Unless you are busy?"

“A tour?” Max considered. “Of course. Although, maybe you should ask some of the crew who have found the candy store. As much as I’ve walked these decks, I haven’t found it. I’m starting to think it’s some kind of inside joke.”

Max shrugged, though he couldn’t deny the candy they had frequently offered him was better than anything the replicator could produce. Max slapped his thighs, “Well, shall we go on that walk?”

"Yes please." Roman answered and though he raised his eyebrow at the candy store comment, he wasn't sure how to take that statement. "I guess I'll keep an eye out for it," he added.

Max cocked his eyebrow. Motioning with his hand, Max said, “Follow me, Doctor.”

END

 

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