Curiosity Killed The Cat

Posted on Wed Aug 19th, 2020 @ 12:32am by Lieutenant Ausra Danton & Commodore Jacob Kane

Mission: Character Development
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: MD 01 9:00 Hours
1055 words - 2.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Ausra fussed over her uniform and made sure her hair was properly pinned up in place when she normally didn't pay that close of attention to what state her clothing or hair were in while on duty. She was standing outside the door to the Captain's ready room though, and she knew she was in big trouble. Nothing good could come from almost having a fellow crew member eaten by a plant she'd raised and grown from seed. She pressed the chime and took a deep breath to steady herself.

"Come in."

Kane waited for her to enter and sat back in his chair.

"Lieutenant Danton. Do you mind explaining to me why I'm hearing rumours of man-eating plants roaming my science department?"

"Uh," Ausra began, rather surprised that he was only hearing rumors about it. Apparently no one had turned her in. That warmed her heart a tiny bit. "Well see . . . I got these seeds. Another ship, the USS Majestic apparently found these plants on a planet they came across and picked up some of the seeds for study. And I thought if I took out the barbs that shot tranquilizers and put it on a pot that was bolted to the floor, it could be contained enough to study." It sounded stupid to her now, but she hadn't realized how forceful the plants would become. "And it got a little bit out of hand and bigger than I expected."

"I know Captain Saulitis," Kane said carefully. The woman in question was one of his direct superiors. "A little out-of-hand is putting it mildly. Those rumours I heard suggested they could have killed someone?"

"Yeah" Ausra sighed. "I underestimated the thing. The pot stayed bolted to the deck but it had these long tendrils that shot out and grabbed . . . er could have grabbed someone and drawn them right up to it's mouth. I guess you could say curiosity might have killed the cat." She took a deep breath. "I'm really sorry Captain."

"Curiosity killed the cat - but satisfaction brought it back," he said, finishing the expression for her. A small part of him liked to draw-out the tension in a situation like this; superior to subordinate. But he didn't let it hang too long. "Well. Like I said, these are all just rumours, aren't they? I don't think my Chief Science Officer would be quite so reckless." He raised an eyebrow slightly. "Apology accepted."

Ausra raised her as well. "No sir, I've definitely learned my lesson with man eating plants." She couldn't promise she wouldn't plant some other kind of thing but he didn't need to know that right now. "Thank you sir."

"I noted from your record that you used to be a a counsellor," he said, changing the subject. "Why the change?"

"Oh," Ausra said, surprised he would ask such a question. "I didn't feel like I was really helping anyone sir. I respond better to machines, plants and animals way better than I ever did to people."

"So it would appear. I'd hate for your escapades in the lab to prevent you making friends among the crew," he explained. "Why don't you spend a bit more time with some of them?" Perhaps you'll create fewer man-eating plants, he added silently.

"Well I did invite a few people to my quarters for an old fashioned board game. A murder mystery game no less. Oh but don't worry, no one will end up dead. At least not that was living and non fictional in the first place." she gave a small smile and was only teasing but she didn't know if he'd get that and it amused her to say it.

"Knowing your history, Lieutenant, I'm tempted to post an armed guard..." Kane remarked dryly. "Well, that's a step in the right direction. You're a good officer, Ms Danton. Let's not let a proclivity for 'creative' science experiments prevent you from having a long and storied career."

"Don't you know that the best scientists give themselves to their work?" She blinked at him. "No more man eating plants and I won't put your ship at risk, I promise Captain." She gave a single and very serious nod. "Do you like board games?"

"No," he replied, somewhat emphatically. "I don't play games unless the Admiralty decide to order me to. My job right now is life-and-death decision-making. Sounds dramatic, I'm sure, but the point stands. I don't even remember the last time I used the holodeck," he admitted.

Ausra stared at him. "Wow, you are just a ball of tension and duty with a little bit of sarcasm thrown in," realizing who she was talking to after that had all spilled from her mouth, Ausra added, "Sir," at the end as if that made it all better.

"So I've heard," he noted, his expression suggesting she shouldn't push on that door too hard. "I take my job seriously, Lieutenant. I think you could stand to do so, too."

"I do Sir," she said more softly. "Look, it's none of my business but if you want someone to talk to I'm a pretty good listener and as I'm no longer a counselor I'm not obligated to actually say anything back. And I can keep a secret. Just offering," she said holding her hands up in case he felt like snapping at her. "Everyone can use a friend."

He felt his jaw clench just slightly. It was kind of her to offer, of course. But Kane didn't necessarily 'do' friendships. He'd gotten close to colleagues before, but that never lasted; either they died or they moved on. The best he had managed was an almost-first-name basis with Taeler. And that was a stretch. "I'm sure," he said diplomatically. "However I firmly believe in maintaining the chain of command. I expect my crew to be capable and competent, but not my friends."

Ausra found it rather ironic that he suggested she find friends and yet he would now allow himself to become friendly with others. She was undeterred however. In fact, this sounded like a challenge to her. She gave him a small smile and said "Yes sir," when she had no intention of letting the subject slide.

"Very good, Lieutenant. That'll be all." He motioned to the door. "Enjoy your game."