Stellar Cartography Upgrade

Posted on Wed Apr 15th, 2020 @ 2:56pm by Commander Temperance Zachary & Lieutenant Commander Akaria Okan

Mission: Episode 03: "Interlude"
Timeline: Day 1 at 0000

For an exploration ship, it was quite shocking as to the lack of science personnel in several of the division's different departments. Whilst stellar sciences was well staffed, and life sciences had an adequate number of personnel, the staffing of the social sciences department was a joke. It was a joke that the Chief Science Officer did not find funny, and she had spent the better part of her day trying to rectify the gaps.

As with all Cardassians, Commander Okan was great when it came to record keeping, and she was equally talented at analysing profiles and weeding out the weak links. But even for a Cardassian, paper work would get boring after a sustained period, and thus, she had given up and moved on to the other task at the top of her growing to do list; upgrading the stellar cartography suite.

Stellar Cartography was the jewel in the stellar sciences crown; it was a massive facility that allowed a near 360 degree analysis of the galaxy and had access to the most sensitive sensors on the ship, but even 'it' could be perfected. Her task, a side task but one of importance to her, was to try and boost the range of the sensors to such a degree that they could analyse planets, nebula and other phenomenon from many thousands of light-years away.

Sitting at the control console that was positioned at the tip of the platform that protruded into the middle of the massive, empty space, the Cardassian was chuntering away to herself and failed to notice the bay doors open.

With most of the crew still indulging in shore leave on the station, Temperance had enjoyed the quiet time to explore the ship. There was something about it that drew her in, captivated her, but it still didn't feel quite like home. She had spent time on subspace, talking to her Aunt and Uncle, talking to old friends, but it hadn't quelled the lingering homesickness she felt, which was why she found herself meandering through the ship toward Stellar Cartography.

She slipped through the doors as they parted, glancing around the dimly lit room, her gaze falling to rest on Okan, a look of surprise registering on her face. "Oh," she exclaimed. "My apologies, I didn't realise anyone was working in here today."

Akaria stopped in her tracks and, had she moved any quicker, would have launched herself into the vacuum that surrounded them. Instead, she managed to stay at her feet as she addressed the approaching XO of the ship. "Commander," she looked flustered as she spoke, "is there something I can help you with?"

"Oh, no," Temperance smiled warmly. "Sorry, I thought the lab was empty so I was just going to borrow it for a bit, but you're working so I won't interrupt you." She paused momentarily. "I don't know that we've met, my apologies, Temperance Zachary," she offered. "I assume you just came aboard at the Starbase?"

"Indeed ma'am," the Cardassian nodded. "I didn't want to interrupt any leave you might have had planned, so I figured I'd just get to work since my security clearance has all come through. I know that's not exactly standard procedure, though..." Akaria trailed off, sensing she was perhaps digging a hole for herself that she would be lucky to get out of.

Temperance smiled. "I understand how you feel," she said with a laugh. "I contemplated going down to the surface, but, to be honest, the lack of shuttle transports turned me off. What are you doing with the stellar cartography systems? I didn't realise work had been scheduled for them?" her voice held no tone of accusation, but more genuine curiosity.

"Honestly," the Cardassian waved the Commander over to the station and resumed her seat. "I've been reading up on the technical specifications and some of the sensor glitches that had been reported prior to my arrival. For a new ship with an exploration focus, some of the science systems are..." she paused as she contemplated her words carefully, "...in need of work. The stellar cartography maps, for instance, weren't even updating or linked properly to Starfleet Cartography. That's what I was sorting out when you showed up," she concluded.

"I guess it was never raised," Temperance said, sinking into a chair, watching curiously. "I'll be honest, I've not noticed any issues, but, I only ever use the systems for pleasure, so I guess I wouldn't necessarily see."

"You're a fellow stargazer?" Akaria smiled with surprise as she looked across at the Commander.

"Oh, nowhere near professional..." Temperance smiled at the look of surprise on the other woman's face. "When I was a child I used to love staring at the stars. Some days, when I feel especially homesick, I like pulling up the stars and just watching them. It's comforting." She laughed suddenly. "Sounds ridiculous doesn't it?"

Akaria diverted her gaze for a moment and tapped on the controls until the display on the massive wall shifted and zoomed in on one planet in particular. "Cardassia," she smiled as she stared at her homeworld. "It's been a while since I went home..." she confessed, feeling rather homesick as she often did of late. "So, no Commander, not ridiculous at all."

"I've always thought the star systems in Cardassia were beautiful," she said quietly. "I've never seen them in person, but perhaps one day. May I?" she asked, indicating toward the console.

"Please," Akaria smiled as she sat back a little and handed the controls over to the Commander, curious to see what she was about to do, and what direction their conversation was about to go.

Temp's fingers flew over the console as she moved, bringing up Earth, only this time Temperance changed the perspective so the view appeared to be from the surface looking up, a time lapse of the stars moving across the evening sky, the moon rising above the horizon, though it didn't matter how long you watched, there was never any sign of shuttles or other craft. "My favourite childhood view," she said with a wistful smile.

Akaria let out a wistful sigh. "I can't remember the last time I looked up at the Cardassia skyline." She wanted to go home, she wanted to see her people again, but Cardassians that served Starfleet were not the most popular on her homeworld, even if tensions had eased significantly in the last decade or so. It would be a while yet before she could freely return, never mind return to stay.

"No matter how many holodeck simulations or star charts you use, it's just never the same is it?" Temp asked quietly.

"No ma'am, never quite the same..." Akaria nodded in agreement whilst staring at her homeworld one last time before making it disappear. "I'll leave you to enjoy the stars, Commander." She rose to her feet slowly and bowed respectfully to her superior before heading for the door to the room.

"Oh, okay... thank you Lieutenant..." Temperance said, a hint of confusion in her voice as she watched the other woman leaving. It was only after the doors had closed again and the room had lapsed back into darkness, only illuminated by the star charts in front of her that Temp sighed softly and shook her head. She still couldn't understand people sometimes.