Supported Joints

Posted on Mon Jul 29th, 2024 @ 2:19pm by Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating VII & Lieutenant Ame Solis M.D.

Mission: Character Development
Location: USS Athena: Main Engineering
Timeline: Pre: Into the Qniverse
1307 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Ame was back to counting decks and doors again. Main engineering and Chief Engineer's office were the locations of choice, hoping to make a start on a pleasant introduction and perhaps a partnership into some research and development. It seemed a little excessive to have facilities added to Sickbay for the time being, at least in her eyes.

The hum of warp engines could be heard as the Bajoran approached the doors to engineering and they slid open. It often reminded her of a little hive, many bodies moving around the warm power-giving core. “Mmm, where is she?” She hushed to herself, dressed in her blue uniform, no lab coat or medical smock. There wasn’t enough time to unpack, especially not on an unofficial venture like this.

Finn was waist deep in a panel close to the warp core, making some repairs and updates. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she wiggled into a crevice to grab the next cable she needed. Luckily, Sturgis was less occupied at the screen near by running diagnostics and happened to notice the stray blue shirt enter. He made his way over to where Finn lay.

"Hey boss?" He gently nudged her foot with his.

"What?" Finn shot up, smacking her forehead into the ceiling with a clunk. What followed was an annoyed sigh before she emerged from the panel.

Sturgis chuckled. "Didn't mean to scare you. There's a blue shirt that looks like she's looking for someone and usually anyone that comes in here with that expression is looking for you," he motioned towards Ame by the entrance.

"Interesting..." Finn said somewhat absentmindedly as she picked herself off the ground. The woman didn't look familiar, not that Finn often made her way to science or medical. In fact, quite the opposite as she preferred to avoid both as long as she didn't have a mission critical need. "Thanks Sturgis, I'll take care of it."

Finn half waved as she approached the mysterious woman a few moments later. "Hey there, Lieutenant Commander Finnley Keating," her arm extended to shake hands. "Can I help you?"

“Hi, hello.” Ame answered awkwardly with a wave in return before looking down at the hand and shaking it with more enthusiasm than perhaps she should have. “Lieutenant Solis Ame, Doctor. I’m the new Chief Medical Officer. I wanted to introduce myself.” She retracted her hand after realising she had been shaking the other woman’s hand for a touch too long.

“I do a lot of R&D and I was hoping that if anything like that piqued your interest I might be able to use the Engineering Lab? Of course, if there was anyone else that might like to assist,” The Bajoran subtly peered around the room looking to see what it was the Chief was up to. “I’m a cybernetic and trauma specialist. If that’s too much, I can just stay in Sickbay.” Her lips sealed firmly, that was a lot of information in a short space of time. Introductions were often like that weren’t they?

“Sorry if I’m interrupting.” It was a given that she was, “That thunk was your head wasn’t it?” Ame grimaced, being the cause of an injury wasn’t a good start to her assignment.

A new CMO. Historically one of her least favorite people on the ship, because they ran her least favorite department. At least this one was into R&D, that seemed intriguing. "No interruption, just minor repairs, nothing that can't wait," Finn replied before quickly changing subjects off of the embarrassing topic of smacking into a wall. "So into R&D, eh? You can use the Engineering Lab regardless of whether or not it's something I'm interested in. I'll be honest, I've never really collaborated much with medical, though no one has really come here asking. The schedule for the labs is posted, feel free to reserve one when you need it. I'll only ask that you don't distract or bother my engineers while you're in here unless someone is assigned to you or you have a serious need. We run a pretty tight ship around here, it's always busy. As for anyone that might want to assist, do you have a specific project in mind? If so I can put one of my people on it to help you out."

The Bajoran’s lips pinched as she nodded in agreement about distracting staff. “I won’t keep you too long, I promise.” Ame half smiled at the avoidance of the faint red mark on the Engineer’s forehead. To many staff, the sickbay was not a place they wanted to be and if there were medical staff some place they generally shouldn’t be it was because of some form of disaster, minor or more.

“Yes, I’ve had the research granted for a while but the Corvus didn’t have the research space so it was sidelined. I’m working on refining the work of bio-neural circuitry and its integration in the biosynth cybernetics. Neural pathway restoration and stuff.” The Doctor was aware that most of what she was saying would likely be a torrent of babble. Some of it was transferrable into engineering with the circuitry and structural integrity.

“I won’t bother your staff and I’ll be sure to check the schedule. I’m self-sufficient. I know my way around a lab. I’ll keep out of your way, rest assured.” Ame reached up and scratched the back of her neck. “You don’t have to put people out for me. If you think you have someone that might find it interesting, send them my way. I’ve got a lot of … checking and reading to do before I pick things up again.”

"Fascinating. Bio-neural circuitry is an interesting beast. I'd be interested myself," Finn started her reply, genuinely intrigued in the topic before realizing that volunteering for work with medical was not something she actually wanted to do. "Unfortunately, I've got my hands full," she somewhat awkwardly smiled with a half chuckle. "However, we have a newer engineer onboard, Ensign O'Connor. He seems pretty eager to get involved in new things...might be interested in helping you out. I can spare him for a few hours if you find that he's interested. How does that sound?"

A soft laugh escaped Ame’s lips, “It’s okay, we can’t take on everything: delegation and priorities.” She nodded, “It sounds like a plan. I’ll happily take anyone who has an interest, sometimes it just takes a second pair of eyes to pick up something.”

The moment's pause felt longer than it was. “Anyway, I won’t keep you from your repairs. I’ll be sure to check the roster and I’ll check in with the Ensign when he’s off duty, if he wants to lend a hand or when he’s got a moment like you’ve mentioned.”

"Perfect, if you need anything else, don't hesitate to ask. It was nice to meet you," Finn extended a hand while thinking to herself that although she did like the new CMO, she hoped she wouldn't have to meet her again anytime soon. Unless it was for an engineering related task, obviously.

The Bajoran shook the Chief’s hand again, much less awkwardly this time. “It was nice to meet you too. Hopefully, I won’t be seeing you too soon. No offence.” Ame smiled and took a step back, “Thank you again.” She spun on her heels and disappeared back the way she’d come, stopping at the lab to check the roster.

She’d need to check what was upcoming before she booked a slot and find the Ensign for an introduction if that was something he was interested in.