Danica's Return to Elysium

Posted on Thu Jul 20th, 2023 @ 7:12am by Lieutenant Danica Kovitz & Lieutenant N'vok Holv

Mission: Season 6: Episode 3: Far From Home
Location: Science Offices
Timeline: Prior to Mission
660 words - 1.3 OF Standard Post Measure

As the doors to the Science Labs opened in front of her, Danica Kovitz let out a sigh. A sigh somehow of both relief and anxiety. Relief at finally having returned home to Elysium and anxiety at figuring out exactly what life on the ship would be like now.

She'd taken a long leave to join an expedition in Gamma Quadrant, a mission she had quite enjoyed over the last few months. But it was ultimately a temporary posting and a welcome change of pace. However, a factor she hadn't considered when she'd left was the fact that time had moved on for Elysium. And the ship that had at one point felt familiar was now surprisingly foreign again. Sure the ship itself hadn't changed much, but faces, assignments, and even the stars outside the window seemed new.

Making her way through the Science Offices, she pushed the chime on the Chief's office.

"Enter," came a voice from within as the door whooshed open. The sounds of Andorian Jazz faded into the background. Behind the desk was a Vulcan watching a hologram of a stellar nursery, it paused and he turned to face her. "Lieutenant Kovitz, yes?" he said. "I am N'vok Holv, currently Chief of Science, and, if I am reading your service record correctly . . . welcome back."

“You are indeed reading it correctly, though I’ve been off ship on assignment,” Danica said with a bow of her head. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant Holv. I’m excited to be back aboard.”

N'vok nodded. "It is good to have you back, Kovitz. What projects are you thinking about working on next? And how can I best support your plans for such matters?"

"I don't have anything specific I'm working on, but I'm always happy to take on a planetary sciences investigation. Stellar system analysis, planetary formation modeling, figuring out why that comet looks so weird," Danica said with an amused shrug. "I'm not picky. Just tell me where I'm needed."

"We have a variety of interesting stellar events on the currently planned route," said N'vok. "I will send you a list of the ones we have tagged and some of the thoughts the department has come up with for tests to run. I have already talked with the Captain about our being able to use some of the probes for research, so if you have a good idea, just add it to the list. Right now, we do not have any assignments from above, so we can explore as we see fit until some unexpected event requires our attention."

"Thank you. I'll get read up on our current route," Danica said. She considered exiting, but the state of the rooms decor made her wonder just how long the Chief Science Officer's arrival had preceded hers. She gave another cursory look around the science office. "Have you been here long, sir?

"No, I only preceded you by eleven days, had it been the other way around, I suspect you would be sitting here," said N'vok. "It is my intention to run the science department with a minimum of rank getting in the way, we are all scientists and here to do good work."

Danica gave a courteous nod of the head. "You will get no pushback from me on that. Frankly, I don't mind someone taking the burden of department leadership. I like just doing the work and keeping my head down," she replied.

"Do not we all," N'vok said. "Luckily, I have spent the last twenty years working in universities, its makes Starfleet's paperwork seem much less onerous. But let me know if you need anything." He tapped a key and the holodisplay rotated. "I look forward to working with you, Kovitz."

"Aye, sir. I'll leave you to it," Danica said with a nod. As she rose to her feet, she felt a noticeable sense or relief. Perhaps things were going to be alright after all.