Star Trek: Starbase 777 - crew-corridor

Vinku wandered the corridor, a PADD in hand as categorized data on some recently acquired artifacts from a local system. All the while he hummed a Denobulan tune to himself while he tapped away at the PADD's surface. He was not focused on his surroundings currently, primarily more into his work. His role and rank were indicated by his blue markings as well as his collar pieces. His rank is a Lieutenant Junior Grade.

Just around the corner, Leir came into view. The spotted officer had her eyes glued to her own PADD as she tapped the side of it idly. She murmured something to herself as she traveresed the corridor, quickly coming to a halt when she realized someone was in front of her. Unfortunately, she stopped a little too late and skidded to the side in an awkward attempt to not run into the Denobulan Lieutenant. "Excuse me! That's my bad, I apologize." Aumila said quickly after her strange detour.

"Oh, no harm no foul as humans say," said the Denobulan with a slightly larger than average smile. He studied the spotted individual, but was not sure what their species was. However, that didn't stop him from offering them a nod. "I am Vinku and you are?"

"Aumila Leir, sorry for that just now," apologized the woman profusely; "I should have watched where I was going. I suppose I was just very caught up in this..." her eyes glanced down at the PADD for a brief moment. "-book. It's somewhat interesting but I do think that there’s more information and points that can be made about it. Then again, I have more information than when I first read it." She admitted.

"It's alright I was also rather caught up in my own work respectfully," he says with a cheerful tone still upon voice. He now holds the PADD closer to his person. "What sort of book are you reading? I personally enjoy some of the Klingon tales. However, some of the fictional novels from Earth are enjoyable."

"The Anthropological evidence for how and why psionic abilities were developed," She replied. "Well, that's not the title, but that's the gist of it." Leir explained. "I mostly read for work...er, and sometimes for fun, but it always does look suspiciously like work." She joked lightly. "Although I find Vulcan literature intriguing, I have yet to read Klingon or Human tales." The woman confessed.

"Ah, well they are worth every minute of reading them," he said with a smile. He proceeded to tuck his arms behind his back while he listened. "You're a part of the anthropology department then? I am a part of the Archaeological department. I was reading over the data I've collected on a statue from a distant world. Doesn't even have a proper name really."

"I'll make a note of that. And I'm a bioanthropologist," Leir explained; "Which is under anthropology. I do go on digs and the like, too, though. I suppose you would say it's a more...detailed area of archeology? More specifically, in a sense. I'm not necessarily looking for some of the things you do when you're at a site." The woman tilted her head thoughtfully at the data he was discussing. "Which world? I've just arrived at the station, but plan to analyze the nearby planets. What have you found?" She asked, her eyes alight with curiosity.

"Well, it's current designation is Planet 22-1," he said and moved to study his PADD before he tapped away at the screen. With the image of the idol now present, he shows it to Aumila. "It is an idol of a fertility goddess from my knowledge. I haven't translated the inscription on the base of the statue yet, but is it their name? From what I've seen of the site, geological phenomena caused volcanoes all over the world to erupt and block out the sun. Caused an ice age that still has a bit of a grip on the planet. The snow and ice thawed enough to reveal the temple and the artifacts inside."

She nodded her head thoughtfully and cocked her head in order to better see the image. "The language seems very similar to one I've seen before...you said it was a distant planet? I think I may have been in that area..." Leir typed something across her PADD quickly and brought up an older possibly Vulcan log. "Yes, I believe I was in the area on Stardate 48392.12. I don't believe it was the same exact place; however, the script does seem familar. Give me a second and I think I may be able to help you out." She began searching for something on her PADD.

"By all means," he said with a happy smile. Finally, he was growing closer to unfolding the mysteries of this long since extinct civilization. He tilted his head to watch her typing away at her screen with his vibrant blue gaze. He wondered if perhaps he wasn't the only one to have studied the artifacts brought from the world. "You are a bit of a linguist I take it? I myself have been known to study a language or two. I learned Vulcan and Romulan a few years back for an expedition when I was an Ensign. A rather interesting little venture, honestly. We were studying Vulcan artifacts from before the Vulcans and Romans had separated. Lovely little planet, but was ultimately abandoned for reasons lost in time. I believe it could have been the harsh winters there, but this is all my speculation."

"Something of the sort, I'm much more fluent in written languages, though. I only know Trill, Federation Standard, and Vulcan fluently. But I'm quite nifty with different written dialects. I know enough Romulan to get by and some other languages. For the most part, speaking isn't a big problem with translators, so I tend to focus on the written aspect of things." She explained and then turned to face him with an impressed look to her. "Really? I almost wrote a paper on that, actually. But instead I wrote a book on psionic development in and of itself. My late husband wrote a very detailed paper on that subject, thoug--Oh, here we are." A series of script similar to the one on the artifact popped up. "See, it is a little different. Maybe a more modern...well, ancient to us regardless, version of yours. Julak'ra toria - and making up for the discrepancies, I'd say it's not so much the name of it rather than a blessing. Roughly translated it means "your plentiful crops and crying newborne,"

"I see! This is an excellent discovery and I will make sure to add you to my report for translating this," he said with an excited tone of voice. He made sure to make a note on the translation and who translated it on his PADD quickly. Then he faced her once more and bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, Lieutenant Commander Leir. I am also sorry to hear about your late husband. I could imagine losing a spouse."

"Well, It's been a long time." She said with a fond smile. "Sometimes people pass before their time, he was very young...and no problem, Lieutenant. I'm happy I could help." Leir said warmly. "If there's anything else I can do, please let me know. I absolutely adore the subjects you seem to be studying. Have you been on the station very long?" She inquired, slipping her PADD underneath her arm.

"No, I've been here for only a short time," he said before he tucked his arms behind himself once again. He cleared his throat and thinks about his prior posting. "I was aboard the USS Calypso for two years. I was transferred here just recently."

"I have a similar story. I was on the USS Centan for three until I came here just a day or two ago," She explained. "Have you ever been stationed on a station before? I haven't, not until now. It's quite big. There's a lot more freedom in recreation than on a ship. There the only thing you can really go to is a holodeck, which isn't half bad."

"Well, I haven't been on a station before, but so far it has been a rather enjoyable experience," he said with a chuckle. He looked up and down the corridor for a moment. "I have found the quarters here to be more spacious compared to the last ship I was on. I haven't tried out the holodeck yet, but I've heard good things about them."

"Are they? I suppose so, I didn’t really think about that before." said Leir thoughtfully, "I've been distracted with other things. Well, it's been nice meeting you. It's always just lovely meeting up with your colleagues for the first time. Your work seems very interesting, I'd love to know more later."

"Hm, well my quarters aren't far away and if you ever need me I am always available," said the Denobulan. He offered a slight bow, not moving in for a shake of the hand. A common thing for Denobulans as touching wasn't really welcomed. "I enjoyed our conversation. It was rather interesting and fulfilling.*

The Commander nodded to the Denobulan Lieutenant and went on her way down the corridor.

T'she walked towards the turbolift, their head down, pushing their glasses up their face every so often.

Quinn nodded, processing what he'd been told as they exited the turbolift. He wasn't really a biology guy, himself... He was far less interested in the science of life as he was the physics of torque and shearing forces on ships and technical limitations and strain thresholds. Still... wait a minute. "I thought that genetics engineering is illegal in the Federation. Or is that just for sentients?... I don't really keep up much with the field, I admit."

"Sentient life. People have been genetically modifying plants since we were all primitive lizards-- oh eh well, uh, you know what I mean," Odd for Nalas to say because he was fully Bajoran and thus never was a lizard of any sort. He stepped out of the lift after Quinn and shoved his fidget item in his pocket. Another turbolift ride success! "Okayyyy the mess hall is down this hallway! I think I am gonna head back to my quarters actually and see if my boyfriend is around," Nalas told Quinn. He was still hungry but he thought he could go eat with his boyfriend!

Quinn blinked, a bit surprised that Nalas was going to leave so soon. Well, he supposed Nalas had done, exactly as had been expected of him, he showed Quinn most of the way to a mess hall. The lizard remark did take him a bit by surprise, but he supposed that if Nalas was more accustomed to Cardassian culture, it would make sense that he would identify more with his squamate heritage, rather than any simian genetics. Quinn knew a decent amount about not identifying very much with his genetics; in fact most of the people he knew from out in the black, were much more likely to share a cultural identity than a genetic one. "Yes, thank you for your help," Quinn said with a little nod. "Until later," he said, beginning to walk towards where Nalas had indicated the mess hall was located... after all, he was certainly still hungry.

The time had just hit 000 hours as Lt. Vusan walked the corridors, restless from a long day. They had a lot on their mind, and walking always made it easier to sift through their thoughts. Did they have enough of this and that? What would tomorrow bring? When would be the best time to practice the new suturing knots she had learned? So much to do, so little time. Before they were joined, they found nights like these relaxing and calm. After being joined with Vusan, there was an undercurrent of unrest. Anxiety was always something they had ignored, trying their best to keep it pushed down and boxed up, but that tendency had almost cost them their joining, so since then, they had tried to acknowledge the anxiety. The corridors were almost empty, her footsteps resounding off the floor as she slowly paced the station. Her thoughts consumed her, making it hard to stay in the present moment, so much so that they didn't notice when another person came into view.

Jakob was actually not doing anything in particular. He knew a friend lived on this deck, and was trying to get a feel for the corridor if ever he visited. Jakob was in his Cadet uniform, clearly showing him as not an officer. He seemed a little distracted as he walked, only just managing to swerve and jump back a little as Vusan almost walked into him. "Sorry, Sir! I er, didn't see you there! Lost in my own head as per usual, aheh." (edited)

Vusan jumped in response, not expecting to meet anyone this late. Looking Jakob up and down, they frowned before stepping back a step. "No harm done," they said, their frown turning into a slight smile as the situation came into focus for them. "It's a bit late for a cadet to wander the corridors. Then again, who am I to talk, considering I'm out here too." They let out a short laugh, trying to ease the tension. Not knowing what else to say, they shifted awkwardly, trying to give a friendly smile, but falling a bit short. * *Vusan did hate meeting new people, but it was important that she be seen in a good light by her fellow crewmates. And this young man could very well be a friend; being so new, she needed all the chances she could get for friendship.

"You are right there, sir. Quite new though, so I'm trying to familiarise myself with the station. Only been here a month or two." Jakob nodded softly. He wasn't expecting anyone either. Most people were asleep or working at this time. Vusan didn't seem to bad though. Maybe they were just coming off duty and going to bed? He didn't want to keep them too long if that were the case. "Have you have a good evening, sir? Done anything nice over the holidays?"

Vusan nodded at the young man's words. "I am also new; just got here this week. It seems we are both wandering for the same reason." Looking down the corridor, she thought about how to answer the cadet's question. "I have been busy with transferring, so I haven't been able to take part in the holidays. My parents and I did chat, though, which was nice. How about you? How has your holiday been?"

"I see. What do you do, sir?" Jakob inquired. Maybe they do, or wanted to do the same thing. It was no small secret that Jakob wanted to be a stellar cartographer. He told almost everyone he met. The stars fascinated him. "Mine was good! My parents sent some gifts from home and my older sister also works on the station so she got me something too."

Nulee smiled, taking in the Cadet's words. "I am a surgeon, just assigned here after finishing all my certifications. What about you? What are your goals?" It took a lot to get Nulee talking about herself; it made her feel uncomfortable, but Jakob asked, so she might as well tell him. Nulee wondered what kind of life this Cadet had ahead of him. Nulee realized she had not given him her name or his. Her green eyes softened as the cadet told them about his holiday. "That sounds so nice. My parents have sent me something that will arrive later this week. It is on a ship that will dock here soon, but they wouldnt tell me what it is. Earth customs are quite interesting, and since I spent so much time on Earth, my family enjoys partaking in the festivities. Another reason to celebrate, am I right?" She surprised herself at how much she told this young man but decided it was probably okay for her to talk about herself, as he had asked. "My name is Lieutenant Nulee Vusan. Its a pleasure to meet you."

"A surgeon? That's quite interesting. Never saw meself going after a career in medicine however. I've been interested in stars as far back as I can remember. Just ask my sister, if you ever meet her. I'm on my cadet cruise right now, but I'm in the academy to do Stellar Cartography! I loved watching the stars when I was younger, found out I could do it in Starfleet! Awh, I couldn't wait to join up." Jakob would've talked forever on Stellar Cartography if he could. But of course, the other person wasn't always interested in it, unfortunately. "Always a reason to celebrate on Earth. We celebrate winter, summer, love, new years, Christmas, successful harvests." he paused after his lists. He should probably introduce himself too. "I am Cadet Jakob Valkyrie! The pleasure is all mine, Lieutenant."

Nulee smiled as the young Cadet went on about his passion. Having a passion kept people going, and the stars inspired this Cadet to do his best. She nodded along to his words, enjoying his enthusiasm. "I originally joined because of my Grandfather. He also a joined Trill, whose last life was spent exploring the stars for Starfleet. They were my favorite stories of his. But I found my path because of the instructors and doctors who trained me. The stars are amazing, however. I can see why you love them so much." She laughed briefly when Jakob spoke about Earth and celebrations. It was true; it seemed the Earthlings were always partying or celebrating something. "I went to the Academy on Earth and found that to be very true. My family even adopted a few of the Earthen traditions, Christmas and Thanksgiving, to be precise. We love a good reason to eat and be merry. It's great to meet you, Cadet Valkyrie. Valkyrie, that is from Earthen Mythologies, is it not?"

"Ah, that's very cool. Lots of inspiration and role models to look up to then?" Jakob commented kindly, as he had a few role models of his own he liked to think of. His father being the main one. All the stories of Starfleet and encouragement from him really made Jakob who he was today. "I see. My family are from Earth, so I really do all of them. It is good to meet you as well! I never really thought about it, but yeah. Valkyries are from...Norse mythology, I think. Never really noticed that. I'll need to ask my sister if she knew."

Nulee smiled, thinking of her grandfather. "A lot of inspiration, yes." Nulee found herself enjoying the conversation with the young Cadet, smiling as he spoke, nodding along. "Are you close with your sister?" She asked, a twinge of jealousy surprising her. They had always wanted a sibling, but their parents had decided to have one child. If she ever found someone she wanted to have a life with, she promised her child self that she would at least bear two children. "It must be lovely having family on base. My parents are back on Trill, and my grandfather is visiting them for the holidays. He usually stays on Vulcan during the hot season."

"Very close. Me and Kaylee are quite close." He paused to remember more about his childhood with his sister. He had a soft smile on his face as he remembered all the good times. Dragging her out in the middle of the night to see the stars, or out into the snow to see new constellations. And he even visibly cringed for a half-second as he remembered the embarrassing display when he was 15 and Kaylee left. "It is good. She showed me around a bit when I got here. We even made plans to have lunch together every two weeks, to catch up on things."

Nulee smiled as the young man remembered good times. It was always pleasant to watch others, even though they couldn't see the memories themself. But that wasn't important. What was important was that he had a caring family member. Again, her thoughts returned to her grandfather and their good times together. "That's wonderful. My grandfather and I speak once a week to catch up as well. But now that I'm stationed here, we might not be able to talk as often. It's nice, though. He is a great confidant, and with him also being joined, he understands me better than anyone in the universe." Vusan thought momentarily and put her hand in her pocket, bringing out a small booklet. She opened it, flipping through pictures before she found the one she was looking for. "This is my grandfather and I on Vulcan just before joining Starfleet. He is much older now, but his kind face hasn't changed. He has a love for old-fashioned things. That's why I carry this photo album around instead of just pictures on my personal PADD. He's funny like that." She smiled down at the picture, a bittersweet feeling lying over her heart.

"Aw, that's so sweet! My sister keeps a paper picture like this in her quarters! Its a small family picture of us on the hill near our home at sunset. Its an amazing picture. I think its really cool that you keep a photo album like this too, its a really interesting way to keep sentimental pictures." Jakob looked at the picture he was being shown. He could see the two of them, together, they looked so happy together. Jakob unfortunately never met one of his grandfathers, having died in a starship accident the year he was born. But the other one he had more than made up for it. Grandpa Arran spoiled Kaylee and Jakob rotten. Sweets and fun days out whenever they visited as children. Anything they could think of.

Nulee grinned, surprised but pleased at Jakob's reaction. "I love them. I can touch the picture. You cant touch pictures on a PADD, not really. Grandpa has a great old camera he got on Earth that takes black and white pictures. It was a wedding gift from my great-grandparents. He's loved physical pictures since he was a child." Shutting the small album, Nulee placed it back in their pocket. She couldn't help but miss her grandpa, even though they had just talked with him earlier that day. It wasn't the same as being able to chat in person. Oh well. Work calls. "That picture sounds amazing. My grandfather likes to take pictures of different animals and plants; he's got a few of his photographs framed in his house on Vulcan."

"Yeah, paper photos have a certain....charm to them. They just feel so personal." Jakob said as Nulee put away the album. He was, admittedly, a little disappointed he couldn't see any more physical pictures. He did like them. Maybe he should make a photo album sometime. "Oooh...sounds like something my great grandmum used to do. She took loads of physical photos. She even had an older camera for it. She'd photo everything, landscapes, animals, the family. She loved 'setting up the shot', as she said."

Nulee smiled, happy that her prized possession was appreciated for the treasure it was. They pushed their hair behind their ear and laughed. "My grandpa says the same thing. He says there's a magic to it. Getting the perfect shot is like the planets are aligning just for him. I don't get it, but he seems to treasure his time setting up. It always puts him into a good mood when he finds the perfect angle." Vusan retrieved her pad from her back pocket and looked at the time. It was getting late, and her kitten needed to be fed. She didn't exactly want to leave the conversation, but it felt as though it was coming to an end. She decided to try something before leaving. "How would you like to meet again sometime? Get to know each other over drinks as friends? You could even invite your sister if you'd like. I can show you more pictures, and we could swap more stories. It's getting late now, and I have to get going, but it would be nice to meet again if we could." Vusan felt a knot in her chest; asking people to meet up again always gave her such anxiety. She held her breath, waiting for his answer.

"That sounds great! I'm sure my sister would be happy to come along sometime too! Hopefully see you around, hope you settle in well." Jakob said with a friendly smile. He could tell that Vusan was a little nervous. But he tried to be as friendly and kind as possible. He didn't want her to be too anxious around him. "It was nice talking to you!"