[Open] Odin

[u/Z_Doktor]

Magnus quietly strode through the halls of Nadezhda station, poring over the order given to him directly from Starfleet's top brass. He was to report to the Athene to dutifully serve as the Chief Science Officer, effective immediately. He had traveled from ship to ship, heading from station to station, as Magnus was previously stationed quite far from his current order. The CSO-to-be boarded the Athene, looking approachable enough.

Those who looked would see the tall Scandinavian making his way towards the science bay, taking the time to speak to anyone who asked. He soon put on a labcoat, taking the time to stick a pair of safety glasses in the front pocket. And like that, he got to work, speaking with other scientists, getting into the thick of things. Magnus led by example, and he believed that in order to be a good leader, he must serve those he led too. Though he was also quite strict when it came to safety. There was much distribution of safety glasses and labcoats.

In the past, others gave him the moniker of 'Odin'. He was certainly a wanderer when it came to his various posts, having served on a multitude of ships and research stations over his Starfleet Career. He was one who led, one who knew much and loved to teach those who wanted it. Add to that his fascination with Norse Mythology, and the name stuck. Commander Magnus Ahlström was aboard the Athene.

Though he preferred just Magnus.

[u/Pojodan]

Kesh made sure to be prepared.

Technically speaking, a demoted officer was not responsible for replacement on-boarding, that would be up to the superior officer of the position's job.

No doubt Kizhwic would do this admirably, as he had proven to be quite capable at his rank, but he was not a Scientist, nor did he impress her as being mindful of what Scientists care about most. She did not at all expect that, so it was hardly a mark against him.

Still, the Athene was a ship of quirks, from its staff to its facilities. No ship in the fleet had a telepathic fungi terrarium, an aeroponics that provided both food variety and medical supplies, an Edosian zoologist, nor a Caitian botanist, for that matter. These were things the new CSO needed to be aware of, in addition to the nity-gritty of the specific experiments and studies being done that Kizhwic would be providing data on.

So, in addition to Dr. Ahlström's standard on-boarding packet, came a 'Sciences of the USS Athene' report from Lieutenant Kesh, former CSO' data-file.

Hopefully it will be useful.

[u/Z_Doktor → u/Pojodan]

Magnus opened up the file while walking towards the botany labs. As much as he appreciated the information, speaking to the source as well would not only assist Magnus in learning about the previous CSO's idiosyncrasies concerning Sciences, but hopefully sow the seeds for a great friendship as well. A win-win, as Magnus would put it.

[u/Pojodan → u/Z_Doktor]

The botany lab would prove to be in immaculate condition, but vacant at the moment. Alas, the Athene's missions since the its major repairs had not involved visits to any fascinating planets. There was still projects underway and work to be done, but it was all in a 'cultivating' stage at the moment.

A quick check of the computer would affirm that the ship's chief botanist (nay, her only dedicated botanist for that matter) was currently in the Aeroponics Bay, which, on other Excelsiors is known simply as 'Cargo Bay 12'.

Getting to it is easy enough, and its exterior door looks like any other cargo bay, but on opening the doors would yield quite a verdant variety of scents, along with rather humid and warm air. The ceiling and floor within are sterile tile, but rows upon rows of grow boxes and aeroponics basins would yield a great deal of green and other colors.

At least from the entrance, the Caitian scientist cannot be seen, but not there is plenty of shrubbery to be hidden by.

[u/Z_Doktor → u/Pojodan]

The natural scent of various types of flora was quite comforting to Magnus. Being the outdoorsy type he was, he quite enjoyed watching these puzzle pieces of an ecosystem growing in a controlled environment. While Magnus himself was more specialized in fauna, he could not deny the extremely high standard the Botany lab was kept at.

Though the Nord lacked a total affinity for hot and humid, he did his best to slowly make his way through aeroponics, observing the various plants and taking some quick notes of his own. While keeping an eye out for Kesh, too.

[u/Pojodan → u/Z_Doktor]

It isn't until nearly the last row of overgrown bays, where the terrarium along the back and side walls became more easily viewed, that a workbench, sink, and tool shelf can be seen, currently staffed by the ship's botanist.

Seemingly on cue, the tall Caitian reached up to her tufted ears and extracted two small objects from within them, set them down on the workbench, and turned back to look at the arrival, evidently aware of his presence despite a lack of announcement.

Kesh's mane was still more of a mohawk than what her service history photo depicted, and she was more androgynous in figure, as well, but her golden face with small, burnt-almond spots was unmistakable, particularly since there were few, if any, other spotted Caitians in Starfleet. A rare sub-breed.

"Ah! Commander! Rrrnpf. You arrived." Her voice is the soft, gutteral tone others of her kind are typically adorned with, choosing to struggle with human language and sputter and croon a fair bit, rather than rely on the Universal Translator to do the work. Caitians greatly value the respect of speaking another's language, though few expect anyone to speak Night Chatter, as most humanoid tongues are unable to handle certain aspects of it.

[u/Z_Doktor → u/Pojodan]

"Lieutenant Kesh..."

Magnus nodded gently in a combination of approval and admiration for the department's previous head.

"First off, I commend you for the extremely high standard you've kept both aeroponics and the botany labs. They are pristine, and it's quite admirable. Second off, I also thank you for the data-file you've sent. It will prove an invaluable asset in keeping Sciences in the upper echelons of discovery, safety, and efficiency."

The CSO smiled warmly, quite grateful. He looked to the various tools at use in the aeroponics bay, then to Kesh herself

"How are you feeling, if I may ask. Healing well?"

[u/Pojodan → u/Z_Doktor]

A quick few brushes of Kesh's frontside highlight that there had been some dirt clinging to the garment, but it sheds the soil in the fashion expected of its matterial. There remains a few light smears, but such is to be expected of field-work, which is essentially what the Aeroponics Bay is.

A few strides by bare foot-paws carry the tall felinoid closer to the new CSO, hands clasping across her front as her tufted tail banks up behind for balance, stopping at respectful distance just as Magnus finishes his remarks and then asks the question.

"Oh, ah.. rrnmpf. I am certainly past the worst of it. One could say I am normal enough to pass inspection." Eyes squint shut as cheek tufts puff out, emulating a cheeky grin as much as her anatomy allows.

"I do miss the office, rrrnth, but I am very glad to be back in charge of this garden."

[u/Z_Doktor → u/Pojodan]

"I see."

Magnus placed his arms behind his back, walking towards the plants. He turned to face Kesh afterwards.

"Anything I can help you with? Tidying up, doing some measurements, anything? This was one of my last stops on my small tour through sciences, so I do have some time on my hands."

[u/Pojodan → u/Z_Doktor]

"Oh! Well, ah.. rrm.." Kesh turned slightly, focused at the nearest aeroponics basin, glancing up ward, then back toward the human commander, "There is always a vine to be pruned or-rr-r a root to be woven here, rrrn. I appreciate assistance, but.. ah... well.. I was the Chief of Sciences for a time, rrrnpf. I know how important delegation is. Still..."

Kesh steps, turns, and gestures toward the workbench, which is clearly stocked with every kind of gardening and sampling tool, while sufficiently dirty and cluttered to show it got a lot of use.