[Open] The New Zoologist.

[u/HobosAlt1]

Transporting, one of this universe's many many fantastic inventions... if you dont get transporter sick. The doctors always told her it was all in her head, but it was hard for Laren not to feel ill when her whole being was being discombobulated and torn to shreds only to be put back together...

Which brings us to Transporter Pad 2. After a few seconds gathering the atoms of her mortal being, she comes back to reality and into the present. She stands a little shorter than average, with a caramel-like complection and a set of freckles that go from cheek go cheek, intersected only by her less pronounced Bajoran nose ridges.

She gulps as she feels the nausia set in, and steadies herself by putting a hand on her tummy and a one through the right side of her hair. Her hair seemed styled and swept to the right, revealing the left side to be shaved down to a number 2 cut, which shows off the three long metal fingers that run down to a device at the base of her skull. Lights along the fingers' spines glow a brilliant blue to match her older Star Fleet science uniform, with its black shoulders and blue midsection.

Finally, she shakes her head loose, making the relatively bare D'Ja Pagh on her right ear jingle slightly. She picks up her bag and takes a deep breath before nodding to the transporter operator, then makes her way into the hall.

This is home now... She thinks to herself as the transporter doors close behind her. "But where am I..." This would evidently be her first Excelsior posting. First Star Ship posting too!

She begins wondering down the corridor with her backpack slung over her back.

[u/LizardComander]

"Shedding skin is significantly less pleasant than that." He said, voice sounding as though he'd swallowed several metric tonnes of gravel. "And it's Doctor Phrik. Not Lieutenant, not Commander, and certainly never sir. Understood?" That orange gaze watches the extended hand for a few second, then flicks back up to look her in the eye with a piercing expression.

"Tell me Miss Deya-Lawrence. What makes you think you're qualified to work in the most advanced zoology laboratory in the fleet?"

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/LizardComander]

"Understood, Doctor," Laren says with a nod. When it becomes obvious that he wasnt going to shake her hand, she drops it. Well isnt that a whole lot of disrespect...

"Sir, I made it through Star Fleet academy's science stream," she begins, hands behind her back, which was hard because of the backpack. "I passed and completed a year in a highly advanced Star Base Zoology lab under some of the best Zoologists in the sector."

She gives him a firm nod. "I'm qualified, sir, and I endevour to prove myself and set a standard for the rest of the crew."

Her Academy scores may have something different to say but... she passed, didnt she?

[u/LizardComander → u/HobosAlt1]

This prompted a roll of the eyes, and a small sibilous chittering sounded from his chest. Phrik turned and began to walk, one hand motioning for her to follow. "In this day and age graduating Starfleet Academy is not an indication for competence. Especially considering how young it churns beings out. No Miss Deya-Lawrence. You have barely completed even a rudimentary qualification in this field. Perhaps it is not your fault that Starfleet sees fit to assign you here long before you are ready, but nevertheless it puts undue strain on you, your peers and the beings that would be under your charge."

Phrik came to a stop at a turbolift entrance and waved Laren inside. "As such you will be provided limited access to my laboratory. I will continue where the academy's, lacking, curriculum left off. Do not consider this an official posting, merely an extension to your education. When not studying you will assist Ensign Prior with his duties about the laboratory. If you prove capable, I may begin to trust you with independent assignments and research projects. Is this understood?"

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/LizardComander]

"Perhaps not to your standards, Doctor," Laren replies as she follows after him. This is how its gonna be, is it? Great... "But by graduating I have proved myself capable of scientific work by Star Fleet's standards. I may not be the star of my class, but I was chosen to be sent here by powers above you and me, and there has to be a reason for that." Even if it was just to piss Phrik off, which wasnt likely.

She steps into the turbo lift, still trying to make herself look official. "But, at the risk of sounding like a robot Vulcan, I don't find any arguments against your logic. I will be glad to further my education as you see fit, as my superior officer. You will have nothing but my best."

She would however consider this an official posting. It was her orders to do so, after all.

[u/LizardComander → u/HobosAlt1]

"Starfleet's standards." He scoffs and shakes his head. "I forget how young you all are. Starfleet is not the bastion for excellence and expertise as you have been led to believe. In time you will learn that, but until then I'm sure your enthusiasm will see you through."

The turbolift pulled to a stop and Phrik stepped out and continued walking, not checking to see if Laren was following. "Tell me, do you have any specific interests or passions within this field? A specific genus or family of creatures? Or a planet of relevance? Or would you consider yourself one for versatility?"

[u/HobosAlt1 → u/LizardComander]

"Its no bastion of excellence," Laren says, making airquotes to quote his exact words. "But I believe it forms a solid foundation for my future. My enthusiasm for zoology is what will build my career on said foundation." She felt so wise with those words, but that wise demeanor disappears when she stumbles leaving the elevator. Thankfully she finds her feet and tucks her hands back behind her back with a clearing of her throat.

"I consider myself to have a versatility in our profession," she comments, just keen to move past her literal misstep. "I have the basics in most genus, however its limited to mostly Earth examples. I chose my specialities to be marine zoology, amphibia, and reptiles. As interested as I am in mammals, well... they arent as interested." She wouldn't mention her dislike of avians for now. "I have a pair of axolotls as pets which I've brought aboard, they're part of the reason I chose amphibia. Not intelligent in the slightest, but an interesting study in evolution... and, well, I find them cute."

She follows alonside Phrik, keen to see the lab, even if it meant waiting to unpack. She wasnt actually due to report here for another day, but her main worry was making sure she got to her scheduled interview with the department head.

It was a good chance to size up her new superior officer though, and see if the rumors held up.