More Science (staff)

Posted on Tue Oct 31st, 2023 @ 6:54am by Lieutenant N'vok Holv & Lieutenant JG Caaral Topaz-Smythe

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Science Office
Timeline: Backpost
996 words - 2 OF Standard Post Measure

N'vok was in his office studying a holographic display of a stellar nursery, a datapad held loosely in one hand.

Lt. JG Caaral Topaz-Smythe anxiously approached the door of the Chief Science Officer. The USS Mendocino had rendezvoused briefly with the Elysium to transport several officers and supplies. Caaral was among the new transfers.

It had been two weeks since he left his last duty station aboard the USS Rhea. His hope was to place a good impression on the Chief and the others in the department. Caaral was also excited to resume his research and participate in new studies.

He rang the door chime, waiting to be acknowledged.

"Enter," said N'vok looking to the new arrival. "Welcome Topaz-Smythe, I am N'vok Holv. director of science here, but please call me N'vok."

Caaral's expressive face carried excitement. "Sir.. Lieutenant N'vok. I am honored to be a part of your staff. This ship is just, well... It's just so much to take in!" He found himself suddenly surrounded by the moment.

"What can we do to get you set up and ready to go? We have a lot of exploration ahead of us," said the Vulcan.

"I look forward to that! I'll need full access to the microbiology suite. I'll also need supplementary labs to practice my ongoing research and house specimens. There are a few cultures that I brought with me. Even an organism or two."

Caaral smiled widely towards the Vulcan and added, "I'm sure you would find some of them quite interesting."

N'vok stood, "Then let us get the labs set up and you can show me. It is always good to expand one's knowledge."

Caaral clapped his hands together, grateful for the chance to showcase some of his work."There is one specimen in particular that I've only just begun to study."

The officers made their way out of the office, walking through the corridors of the Science Department. "The creature is native to a remote Lurian swamp. In essence, it is a slime culture which appears sensitive to external stimuli."

As they approached the laboratory suite, Caaral laughed. "Slime we can communicate with and placate. It seems to enjoy company. Have you ever seen such a creature?"

"I cannot say I have, my specialties are more with higher-order beings but it does sound most intriguing," says N'vok following behind. "Such a creature seems like it might have some medical applications."

"I hadn't even thought of that. Certainly it must!" Caaral stopped as he spoke, turning to decide which way he should turn at an intersection. "I've been keeping the micro-cultures in the containment room for now. Typical samples there.. But!"

The Trill-Human hybrid finally found the room he'd been looking for. Its door opened as they approached. The brightly lit space was used mostly for storage, but presented some of the best conditions for the spore-mold. A sweet fragrance became apparent as they approached a transparent, rectangular container.

"Lieutenant N'vok, meet specimen 2452." The creature blended in with the golden substrate placed along the bottom of its container. Its amber form glided towards the edge of the container and rested against it.

As Caaral placed his hand against the cool material, the creature slid to it. Amber darkened slowly into a rich orange.

"Fascinating," said N'vok watching. "How does it perceive you? Heat?"

"Microscopic scans reveal rows of sensor buds developed along tendril like cilia. It appears to respond to heat and vibration. Its color seems to reflect its condition.. Dare I even say.. Mood!"

The slime mold slunk away from Caaral's hand and slid towards the center of the container, underneath a closed feeding lid.

"I've created three nutrient solutions so far", Caaral told the CSO. "I'm working on a fourth. Would you like to feed it?" Caaral grabbed a container that housed several droppers, their vertical glass shapes resting within.

"It should be an interesting experience," said N'vok, moving closer. "What is the procedure?"

"I've been giving it about 10 milliliters a day." Each subsection of the container was marked 10mL. "I give them one dropper at a time, throughout the day. Should be about 3 in each stem. I give them a little more in the evening. Go ahead. Feed it a dropper."

Careful not to get too close to the little being, N'vok dispenses the small amount of liquid in the dropper to it. He then watches its reaction carefully.

The slime mold slowly reared up, stretching slightly to ensure each drop landed well within its mass. Its color turned yellow as the liquid hit, slowing morphing into a bright lime green. It began to pulsate as its shapeless form spread along the surface of its container, moving towards the Vulcan's shape.

"Isn't it something? The creature was much smaller when our away team discovered it. This amount of nutrients keep its growth at a steady rate." The creature appeared about five inches wide and six inches long.

Unfortunately, N'vok did not know enough about mobile slimes to know if this was exceptional or not. "We should transfer these to a secure lab as soon as possible, Topaz-Smythe. It would be much safer for your subjects here and less likely to cause trouble among the rest of the crew." After replacing the dropper, he pulled out a datapad. "A section of Lab 7 looks suitable. You will be able to keep much better track of your slimes there."

"Lab 7? Right away sir." Caaral was excited to finally have assigned lab space. "I'll collect the rest of my samples and get things set up right away. Is there anything else you needed from me or wanted me to know?"

"Not at the moment," said N'vok. "Let us plan on having a science dinner soon where all of us can meet in a relaxed environment. It is good to know your colleagues as people as well." He nodded. "And let me know if you need anything else. Now, back to the stars for me."