Season 11 - Episode 1: Old Dogs & New Tricks

[T'Lara]

[Bridge]

Seeing T'Lara and the Captain enter the Bridge, Ruth Smiled.  She had served with both and indeed Commander Wu previously and it was comforting at least for her, to have so many familiar faces around her.

Since she was talking to Alex, as T'Lara slipped into the Science console she merely laid a gentle hand on her fellow Science officer's shoulder and gave a small squeeze, and a quick bow of the head.  She and T'Lara, although it had been many missions ago now, had been through quite a bit together and the Vulcan was someone Ruth knew she could not only trust, but considered a friend.  She hope the gesture wouldn't be misinterpreted and she hoped that T'Lara was as excited about this mission as she was!

As for the Captain, Ruth turned and beamed at her friend.  She was sure that Kyle had pulled a few strings so that his best friend and she, said partner of the Captain's best friend, could finally serve together.  Of course she would never ever call him anything but 'Sir' or 'Captain' on the Bridge or anywhere else unless it was relaxed and private.  Not knowing if he would catch it or not she mouthed a 'Thank you!' over hoping he knew what it was for.

[Bridge]

T'Lara felt a gentle pressure and flinched slightly at the unexpected touch. But she knew that Ruth meant it as a kind gesture. She simply did not know how to react to it, so she merely returned the bow. As Ruth continued talking to the captain she noticed Will Waring entering the room and gave him a slight nod before returning to her work.

[James A. Hawke]

[Main Engineering]

Leela chuckled at the notion. "I tried to jettison the entire tactical system into space but Lieutenant Pardek thwarted an otherwise perfect plan." He laugh continued right through the words as she turned her attention to something more constructive. "Yep you're correct. Ensign Leela Kaz. I'm still trying to get used to these systems. The Phoenix was a Nebula Class vessel. Quite a different design. But I still remember pre warp engines so....." A crooked smile crept onto her face.

[Main Engineering]

Hawke observed the Ensign as she gave a crooked smile.  He felt sympathy towards her, in a way they were both in the same boat.  One of the hardest things is the adjusted to the new starship.  In a sense for every person they need to adjust to the new personnel and ship layout.  James was already used to new people coming and going.

James looked at the console and responded "I know the feeling, I have worked in a Sovereign and Intrepid class vessels so this is the first time that I have served in an Akira type vessel"

James took a deep breath "I am still getting used the feel of the ship.  I imagine the biggest thing for me is less firepower for weapons but more maneuverability and speed.  I supposed it is a similar thing for you the Akira should be more maneuverable than Nebula Class vessels, however the Nebula Class vessels should have more armaments.    I imagine the trick in this ship is to improve the power transfers between shield, engines and weapons."

As he finished his statement he came up with an idea "Wait a second, so  looking at the subsystems individually and by the code one at a time"...Hawke then approached the panel and pressing several buttons "run a holodeck simulation with the current ship layouts...and find the problem by shooting using every system and weapons, if we miss or the ship blows, or is there a weapons malfunction up then we know where the problem lies, I know is a little bit more dramatic than what you learned in the academy"

James finished with his suggestion.  He figured that it was unorthodox to say the least but it would be quicker by looking at the effects and then looking at the LCARS code then looking into the Code in finding the problem.

"Unless you have a better idea"  James said

[Kyle Briggs]

[Bridge]

"Thank you sir. Feels good to be back among family." He looked over his shoulder at Ruth and nodded in agreement. He leaned in to Kyle's ear and spoke "I've waited long enough to be with her. I guessing that's why I got the secluded quarters on Deck D." He returned to his normal posture and gave a childish grin.

He finished around in his pocket and pulled out an Isolinear Chip. "I believe we made a bet once about who would become Captain first. It seems you beat me there! Congratulations, you are now one hundred credits richer and I owe you a beer." He took a pause and looked over his shoulder at Ruth and leaned in to Kyle's ear once again "You wouldn't happen to know a guy who can get us together." He was of course referring to Ruth and himself. "When we get off duty drop by my quarters. We have some catching up to do."

Kyle looked at Will in confusion. "Deck D?" he asked. "There aren't any quarters on Dec...." he trailed off before continuing. "Are you sleeping in the extra hanger?" he asked Will. "I gave you quarters. Even had it assigned so that you and Ruth were right next door to each other." Kyle shook his head and smiled. "Okay. Standing Captain's orders. You can do your job without being married to it. Understand? You need Will and Ruth time. Make it happen, Commander."

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

[Bridge]

T'Lara felt a gentle pressure and flinched slightly at the unexpected touch. But she knew that Ruth meant it as a kind gesture. She simply did not know how to react to it, so she merely returned the bow. As Ruth continued talking to the captain she noticed Will Waring entering the room and gave him a slight nod before returning to her work.

[Bridge]

Ruth felt T'Lara flinch slightly under her touch.  "Sorry, T'Lara, didn't mean to startle you!" she said by way of apology.  If she had been allowed to choose anyone for her department, she would have asked for T'Lara.  There were other Scientists whose reputations were impecable but she knew T'Lara was thorough and skillful at her job, and she'd served with her before so was well acquainted with her.

While she knew from previously that T'Lara was half human, it was not apparent in her looks or mannerisms.  It didn't bother Ruth, just sometimes she forgot that she was dealing with a Vulcan mind set.

One thing she was glad of, unless she needed specific scans done, she knew that T'Lara would just get on and do the requisite 'normal' scans, and analysis, and prepare reports like it was routine, i.e. as it should be, and that if she, for whatever reason... her eyes flicked to Will and the Captain chatting and she smiled.  'A reason like, perhaps, she was on leave to complete her honeymoon one day!...' she thought to herself.  'No need to rush into that though, we're here and we can get to know one another better.  While we've been 'dating' a while, there's been no actual dating really! And while I don't think that it would happen, it's better to find out if there are anymore horrible habits bar the Ratkajinos on IV drip!'...then she could leave the department in T'Lara's more than capable hands.

Turning to the Captain and Will she said, "Sorry to break up the happy reunion but Mr. Wu said something about mission briefing meeting... when's that taking place?" She started giggling to herself then thought she'd better explain.  "My apologies, Captain.  This will be my first ever Senior Staff Meeting where I'm there for myself and in my full capacity, although when I was serving on the Arizona the CSO there would often send me up to stand in his place so I'm not altogether unfamiliar with it.  Yesssssssss, "  Ruth drew out the word ponderously, "... Mr Foster, CSO.  The man who thought ... cover your ears Will, this will make you ill... that 3 grains of instant coffee granules vaguely waved over a mug of milk was coffee...can't trust folks like that!"

In anticipation of his reaction, Ruth patted Will sympathetically on the shoulder.  "Don't worry I'll make up for the shock later, I'll get you a double strength Ratkajino!" she said winking.

Kyle looked at Will in confusion. "Deck D?" he asked. "There aren't any quarters on Dec...." he trailed off before continuing. "Are you sleeping in the extra hanger?" he asked Will. "I gave you quarters. Even had it assigned so that you and Ruth were right next door to each other." Kyle shook his head and smiled. "Okay. Standing Captain's orders. You can do your job without being married to it. Understand? You need Will and Ruth time. Make it happen, Commander."

Ruth blushed scarlet, now anyone on the Bridge that didn't know that Will and herself were a couple did now.  'Ah well, ' she thought to herself, '...at least our Captain is sympathetic to our relationship and anyhow it would have got out soon enough anyhow!'

"Didn't you realise Mr. Waring? The CSO and the Ops Chief are neighbours.  I need my full quarters for my axe collection!" she said innocently, her expression however was far from innocent with her eyes dancing merrily.  Oh yes, working with these guys was going to be fun but... back against a wall she'd want no others by her side and fighting with her!

[Alexander Wu]

[Bridge]

Ruth struggled to not giggle in front of her new crew mates, managing at least to not stick out her tongue playfully at Alex.  She loved working with both Alex and Kyle, and indeed Eli.

"I'm with you on the slowing down and being boring," she teased back, "...must be the old age creeping in!"  she winked at Captain Briggs so both he and Alex knew she was just being her normal fiesty self.

Ruth didn't know if it was just her, or that this particular posting felt so... right, but she was happy now that she didn't feel censored at every turn. She could spread her wings and shine at her job.  To some extent she had Alex and Eli to thank for that.  They had both allowed her probably more responsibility than a junior grade lieutenant should have had, in her previous posting, but more on a level which fitted her abilities and she'd run with it.  She couldn't have been more happy to find herself on the Discovery with them, Kyle in the centre seat and Will there too.

"As for your question about introductions. I've looked at the rosters... Well let's see... I already know our esteemed Captain and First Officer, Mr Ferris of Flight, Lt. Pardek I don't know yet," Ruth gave a quick nod and smile in Safefta's direction, Mr. Dorran I believe I met briefly on Horizon once. Dr. Vaughan similarly I think I saw her once or twice at the base, but I'm sure I'll get to know everyone soon enough."  Smiling she said "I've been a bit of a nomad with regards to ships, but I think I've finally come home.

"Oh, I forgot someone... Our Chief of Ops...not sure if I know him yet..." she restrained a giggle, her eyes flashing her mirth at Kyle, who had long been best friends with her partner.  "... I think it rather depends how many Ratkajinos he's had this morning yet! And if he's mostly human or still looking like the Klingon who taught me how to make them!"

Laying a sympathetic hand on Alex's shoulder she winked "Go be poked and prodded, I hear Dr. Vaughan is another cute redhead so it shouldn't be too painful, and well it's something like ripping off a band-aid.  Better done quickly!"

Turning to the CO with some degree of a more serious mien now she said "Sir, I heard that the Phoenix was also to be operating in this area, are we to liaise with their Science Department on findings? Or shall all be revealed in our upcoming briefing?!  Right now we're just scanning the GMC...oh sorry Giant Molecular Clouds...basically what you can see to the naked eye so to speak, since there's not a whole lot you can see until the stars are actually well there! Before that it's just kinda a mother's union meeting of chemical gasses and stuff, well from a layman's point of view."

[Bridge]

Alex scoffed, before stepping out towards the turbolift. "Last time I started talking to a cute redhead, she tried to neuter me. The doctor has access to sharp pointy objects, I think I'll keep my distance." He winked at Ruth through the closing lift doors.

[Sickbay]

It only took a few minutes to head down, and he walked into the expansive bay filled with biobeds and medical staff. Oddly enough, there were also quite a few customers too. To his somewhat relief, the CMO seemed to already be preoccupied with a patient, and Alex's eyes were drawn to the striking lithe officer next to her, with shockingly white hair. It wasn't the first time he had met the anatomically perfect woman, and Alex wasn't sure which doctor he suddenly preferred.

"Ms Alpha." Alex greeted her with a slight smile, inclining his head. "It's good to see you again."

[Safefta Pardek]

He glanced around the room and tapped his commbadge when he realized he was probably one of the highest ranking people to set foot down here, let alone have this be his normal duty station.  This was a 'lower-decks' job, the kind people wanted to get out of, not the kind you usually made a career of. "Lieutenant Pardek, Opran here.  Torpedo room is ready fore-and-aft."

[Bridge]

After having given her report, Safefta had returned to her basic maintenance procedures for her console and the systems she could immediately access from her station. This early in their rounds, seeing something out of place would be unusual. Now was about the time when everyone was working at the top of their game to keep everything above satisfactory levels. It came as no surprise, then, that she recieved a call from the torpedo room.

What was a surprise was just who was giving the report. Arlan Opran wasn't a torpedo specialist. In fact, if she recalled his roster from the Phoenix properly, he was extremely out of his normal element as far as specialty went. She quickly brought up the roster on her screen. No, he was where he was assigned... but why he'd been put there was beyond her.

=/\=Acknowledged. I have yet to receive a report from the other weapons systems. It wasn't displaying any issues prior, but I prefer to have even information. Please look over your assigned role in the upcoming drills and ensure you are aware of them.

Everything on her console readout was reading nominal, but Pardek was known to be particular with her systems.

She nodded to Alex when new orders were given. Drills were far from her favourite way to spend time spent better on her paperwork, but if conferring was what was desired, then that was what was going to happen.

[Kyle Briggs]

[Bridge]
Turning to the Captain and Will she said, "Sorry to break up the happy reunion but Mr. Wu said something about mission briefing meeting... when's that taking place?" She started giggling to herself then thought she'd better explain.  "My apologies, Captain.  This will be my first ever Senior Staff Meeting where I'm there for myself and in my full capacity, although when I was serving on the Arizona the CSO there would often send me up to stand in his place so I'm not altogether unfamiliar with it.  Yesssssssss, "  Ruth drew out the word ponderously, "... Mr Foster, CSO.  The man who thought ... cover your ears Will, this will make you ill... that 3 grains of instant coffee granules vaguely waved over a mug of milk was coffee...can't trust folks like that!"

"Understood, Lieutenant." Kyle replied. He had been aboard the Arizona with Ruth for a while and could remember her sitting in the staff meetings. He smiled at her eagerness. "We'll call the meeting as soon as Commander Wu returns from Sickbay." He gave his head a slight nod toward the Science station. "So how's it going over there? Finding anything of interest?"

[James Carter]

[Shuttle]

Ashley shook her head as she reached over to open the shuttle. Once the doors were open she left the shuttle without saying another word. She went over to another shuttle away from both men and started working silently.

[Shuttlebay]

James frowned slightly as he saw the angry woman storm out of the shuttle. First he looked down at his work, and then over to her as a small sigh passed over his lips. As he walked over he came down to a squat and looked over to her. "Hey, is everything all right?" James asked in a soft and kind tone.

[Ashley Weir]

[Shuttlebay]

James frowned slightly as he saw the angry woman storm out of the shuttle. First he looked down at his work, and then over to her as a small sigh passed over his lips. As he walked over he came down to a squat and looked over to her. "Hey, is everything all right?" James asked in a soft and kind tone.

[Shuttlebay]

As the man came over next to her she rolled her eyes before he could even get a word out. As he spoke though she stopped her work and looked down at the floor before she looked over to him and spoke. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." She said in a much calmer voice than before as she shook her head slightly. "I shouldn't have done it."

[Zero Alpha]

It only took a few minutes to head down, and he walked into the expansive bay filled with biobeds and medical staff. Oddly enough, there were also quite a few customers too. To his somewhat relief, the CMO seemed to already be preoccupied with a patient, and Alex's eyes were drawn to the striking lithe officer next to her, with shockingly white hair. It wasn't the first time he had met the anatomically perfect woman, and Alex wasn't sure which doctor he suddenly preferred.

"Ms Alpha." Alex greeted her with a slight smile, inclining his head. "It's good to see you again."

[Sickbay]

After her offer of assistance with the Andorian was brushed off, Zero had been about to wander off to find something else to do, but she was distracted from that by the appearance of a familiar face.  Alexander Wu.  It had been a whiele since she had last seen the pilot, but it would seem that he had done rather well for himself, if the three pips on his collar were anything to go by.

"Commander," she replied, nodding in her usual curt manner to him.  "It is... pleasant to see you too?  I trust that you are here for your mandatory physical."

[James Carter]

[Shuttlebay]

As the man came over next to her she rolled her eyes before he could even get a word out. As he spoke though she stopped her work and looked down at the floor before she looked over to him and spoke. "I'm sorry for yelling at you." She said in a much calmer voice than before as she shook her head slightly. "I shouldn't have done it."

[Shuttlebay]

James smiled softly as he looked her in the eyes. "I didn't ask for an apology, I asked if everything was alright." He paused looking back to Conley for a moment. "I'd say the only person you own an apology to is your superior there. Now tell me Ms...I don't know your name sorry..tell me Ensign, what's wrong?"

[Ser Conley]

[Shuttlebay]

James smiled softly as he looked her in the eyes. "I didn't ask for an apology, I asked if everything was alright." He paused looking back to Conley for a moment. "I'd say the only person you own an apology to is your superior there. Now tell me Ms...I don't know your name sorry..tell me Ensign, what's wrong?"

As Ser waited, for Ferris's response, he looked out the shuttle windshield.  His brow frowned as he saw James and Ashley talking again.  He started to stand up until he noticed Their  body language.  Ashley seemed apologetic almost subdued.   Jame was relax and  inviting.  Ser sat back down smiling.  He keep an loose eye on the two of them.  But there seem to be no reason for him to butt in.

"Reconfigure done."=/\= the computer said.

"Great. Ran a level 5 diagnostic on all ships system."  Ser said.

[Ruth Sigurdsdottir]

"Understood, Lieutenant." Kyle replied. He had been aboard the Arizona with Ruth for a while and could remember her sitting in the staff meetings. He smiled at her eagerness. "We'll call the meeting as soon as Commander Wu returns from Sickbay." He gave his head a slight nod toward the Science station. "So how's it going over there? Finding anything of interest?"

[Bridge]

"Well to be honest until we get some probes in and start monitoring the nursery there's a limit to what we can do, plus I don't yet know the primary focus of our mission until the aforementioned meeting.  So..."

Ruth paused and licked her lips thinking how best to phrase it.

"We're collecting all the data that we can while we're in the area on standard scans and monitoring at the moment and then once we get a full mission brief we can be more specific.  However that cloud you can see there, well we're monitoring the levels of gasses to give us some insight."

"We're trying to determine currently if the stars are high or low mass stars. Stars of different masses are thought to form by slightly different mechanisms of creation. The theory of low-mass star formation, suggests that low-mass stars form by the gravitational collapse of rotating density enhancements within molecular clouds. As I explained previously, the collapse of a rotating cloud of gas and dust leads to the formation of an accretion disk through which matter is channelled onto a central proto-star. For stars with masses higher than about 8 MÁ¢Ëœ"°, however, the mechanism of star formation is not well understood, even now."

Ruth paused realising that she could easily be losing the CO with the technical scientific language but she would simplfy later.

"Massive stars emit copious quantities of radiation which pushes against in-falling material. In the past, it was thought that this radiation pressure might be substantial enough to halt accretion onto the massive proto-star and prevent the formation of stars with masses more than a few tens of solar masses. More recent theoretical work has shown that the production of a jet and outflow clears a cavity through which much of the radiation from a massive proto-star can escape without hindering accretion through the disk and onto the proto-star. 21st Century thinking was that massive stars may therefore be able to form by a mechanism similar to that by which low mass stars form.

There was mounting evidence that at least some massive proto-stars are indeed surrounded by accretion disks. Several other theories of massive star formation remain to be tested observationally. Of these, perhaps the most prominent is the theory of competitive accretion, which suggests that massive proto-stars are 'seeded' by low-mass proto-stars which compete with other proto-stars to draw in matter from the entire parent molecular cloud, instead of simply from a small local region."

Drawing breath the young CSO continued.

"Another theory of massive star formation suggests that massive stars may form by the coalescence of two or more stars of lower mass, however in this case I don't think that is going to be the case. This looks to be a nursery of very new stars.  Hence monitoring the gasses, they'll be able hopefully tell us at what stage the baby stars are going to be created and how quickly I'm going to be getting everyone from new recruit to well me and anyone that can type and I can rope in, to name them.  Assuming that is going to be our job.  If we are on a different agenda then I hope the crew of some ship in the Fleet can catalogue it all, it's too good an opportunity to miss!"

She wasn't even looking at Will, but she could almost guess that he would be looking at her like 'All the coffee in the world couldn't make me understand a word you just said!' but also if she knew him at all it would be thinking 'Where did my cute redhead go and where did this Science maestro come in?!'.  Well he was a whizz at Ops, she was a whizz at Science.  Captain Briggs had one of the best crews going in her opinion and better, most of them were like family so if it came to it they'd fight for one another too!

[Ashley Weir]

[Shuttlebay]

James smiled softly as he looked her in the eyes. "I didn't ask for an apology, I asked if everything was alright." He paused looking back to Conley for a moment. "I'd say the only person you own an apology to is your superior there. Now tell me Ms...I don't know your name sorry..tell me Ensign, what's wrong?"

[Shuttlebay]

Ashley frowned slightly at James's last comment. "I dunno. I've been so...uh...so stressed lately. I'm on my first ship, I always have to worry about speaking right, when I don't I hate myself for it, everything I hear just sounds like madness to me." She paused shaking her head and letting out a small laugh and a smile. "Sorry, I didn't exactly mean to spill my guts to you."

[T'Lara]

[Bridge]

Ruth felt T'Lara flinch slightly under her touch.  "Sorry, T'Lara, didn't mean to startle you!" she said by way of apology.  If she had been allowed to choose anyone for her department, she would have asked for T'Lara.  There were other Scientists whose reputations were impecable but she knew T'Lara was thorough and skillful at her job, and she'd served with her before so was well acquainted with her.

While she knew from previously that T'Lara was half human, it was not apparent in her looks or mannerisms.  It didn't bother Ruth, just sometimes she forgot that she was dealing with a Vulcan mind set.

One thing she was glad of, unless she needed specific scans done, she knew that T'Lara would just get on and do the requisite 'normal' scans, and analysis, and prepare reports like it was routine, i.e. as it should be, and that if she, for whatever reason... her eyes flicked to Will and the Captain chatting and she smiled.  'A reason like, perhaps, she was on leave to complete her honeymoon one day!...' she thought to herself.  'No need to rush into that though, we're here and we can get to know one another better.  While we've been 'dating' a while, there's been no actual dating really! And while I don't think that it would happen, it's better to find out if there are anymore horrible habits bar the Ratkajinos on IV drip!'...then she could leave the department in T'Lara's more than capable hands.

Turning to the Captain and Will she said, "Sorry to break up the happy reunion but Mr. Wu said something about mission briefing meeting... when's that taking place?" She started giggling to herself then thought she'd better explain.  "My apologies, Captain.  This will be my first ever Senior Staff Meeting where I'm there for myself and in my full capacity, although when I was serving on the Arizona the CSO there would often send me up to stand in his place so I'm not altogether unfamiliar with it.  Yesssssssss, "  Ruth drew out the word ponderously, "... Mr Foster, CSO.  The man who thought ... cover your ears Will, this will make you ill... that 3 grains of instant coffee granules vaguely waved over a mug of milk was coffee...can't trust folks like that!"

In anticipation of his reaction, Ruth patted Will sympathetically on the shoulder.  "Don't worry I'll make up for the shock later, I'll get you a double strength Ratkajino!" she said winking.

Ruth blushed scarlet, now anyone on the Bridge that didn't know that Will and herself were a couple did now.  'Ah well, ' she thought to herself, '...at least our Captain is sympathetic to our relationship and anyhow it would have got out soon enough anyhow!'

"Didn't you realise Mr. Waring? The CSO and the Ops Chief are neighbours.  I need my full quarters for my axe collection!" she said innocently, her expression however was far from innocent with her eyes dancing merrily.  Oh yes, working with these guys was going to be fun but... back against a wall she'd want no others by her side and fighting with her!

[Bridge]

T'Lara waved away the apology as she saw that the last diagnostic she conducted had finished and it confirmed that all the sensors were working at peak condition and all probes were ready for launch. If she were human she would be wearing a big smile on her face at the experience they were going to be partaking in shortly. Although stellar phenomena was not her specialty, she was fully capable of recording the information and respecting the importance of the opportunity they were being given. She couldn't wait to start putting those sensors to use. For now she monitored the gas cloud and waited for further instruction.