A Little Promotion

Posted on Thu Jan 25th, 2018 @ 4:38am by Lieutenant Ryan North & Ensign Theodore Vega

Episode: The Deuterium Argument [Rebooted]
Location: USS Highlander - Bio Lab
Timeline: Right Before Departure

Ryan cracked his neck and resisted the urge to go grab another cup of coffee from the replicator. It would have been his fourth cup for the day and as much as he liked the stuff, he was pretty sure that was unhealthy. He was busy compiling the vast amounts of reports after his away mission. He needed to get that done first and then start work on integrating the various new systems that had been added since he was gone. However, he had one more important thing to do first.

"Ensign Vega, please report to science lab one," Ryan said. 

It took a few minutes, but eventually Theo showed up. There were a few green stains here and there on his uniform and skin.

"Morning, sir," he said. "Feeling better? You look less like a boiled lobster."

"Yes... um Theo, what is all over you?"

"Huh?" He looked down at himself. "Oh, this. Bio-solution from the new aquaponics and aeroponics systems. There was a bit of a leak in some of the lines while we were getting the seedlings installed."

"You should have called me, I could have come lend a hand," Ryan stated. "I've been going cross-eyed at all these reports I am working on."

Theo eyed his superior suspiciously. "Did you become a botanist while I wasn't looking?"

"No, but I am pretty good at plugging holes and fixing leaks," Ryan said. He gestured to the chair across from his desk. "Have a seat, I wanted to talk to you about somethings. First things first, you did a great job on our last away mission. Everyone was impressed, including myself. I placed a commendation in your file."

"A commendation?" Theo said, startled. "I mean, thank you, but I don't know if it was that good."

"You were that good," Ryan responded. "Given the mission that we are about to embark on, well let's just say that we are going to be a lot busier. I talked to command about sending us some more science officers but alas they have seen fit to ignore my request. Anyway, there is going to be a lot more work around here some of it can't be done with your current security level. So, I've decided that I need an assitant chief.... which is going to be you."

"Assistant chief? Me?"

"Granted, I can't get you an increase in rank... at least not yet but I'll keep working on that."

"Sir, I don't know what to say," Theo said. "I'm thrilled that you think so highly of me."

"You've earned it," Ryan said, with a nod. "I'll get the paperwork submitted right away, assuming you are agreeing to it?"

"Of course, sir."

"Good, then you get to start right away," Ryan said, sliding a stack of PADDs across the desk. "With prioritizing these proposed field experienments for us to run while we are in the Delta Quadrant."

"Oh, so this is not just a good job promotion," Theo said, accepting the PADDs, "but a do-my-paperwork promotion."

"Eh, yes... unless you want to try and reconile these slipstream figures."

"I'll stick to the lab management," Theo said dryly. "Anything else?"

"Nothing work related," Ryan stated. "But I did get this great new holodeck program that's supposed to be a pretty good representation of the Crystal Forest on Maran. Care to join me? You can bring Vex."

"Um..." Theo considered for a moment, since hanging out with your boss was not always the ideal recreational choice, but shrugged. "I'll check with him. 1900 or so?"

"Sounds good," Ryan nodded. "Thanks again Theo, for all your hardwork. I wish that I could do more for you, really."

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