Neuro Specialist Arrives (Part 2)
Posted on Wed May 28th, 2025 @ 1:44am by Captain Remy Johansen & Commander Maxun Spello & Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
1,661 words; about a 8 minute read
Mission:
Side Plots
Location: Bridge, USS Astrea
Timeline: Barisa Prime shore leave, Day 1
Maxun grinned as he replied, "So long as your private work won't be a threat to the ship or crew, then there shouldn't be an issue. All I ask is that you keep the Captain or myself up-to-date on your experiments."
Remy nodded along with her first officer. "I suppose the details of how much we would need to know might be left up to interpretation if we don't have a more thorough sit down about it. I want to protect your proprietary interests of course. Generally speaking we should know what's going on in the lab, but we can certainly keep that under seal if appropriate."
“There is some extraordinarily sensitive projects that I will be running; but you are correct of course. Last thing I would want is for my command to not be aware of something that could jeopardize the entire ship…. There is a group of doctors, of which I am part, that is seeking to understand certain…. aspects of technology that are not exactly seen in a kind light by Starfleet today. Our hope with it is that we can make advances in treating specific ailments that humanity is prone to after a certain point.” Alex glanced between both of them but offered a smile. “Nothing that I have poses an actual risk to the crew or the ship; I don’t even know where or how our project started to be honest; I personally couldn’t risk the loss of potential technologies when I was approached about it.”
Remy had a question, but it wasn't something she wanted to ask in front of Dr. Blackstone's daughter. "Is it alright if Elizabeth takes a look around my Ready Room? It's not done yet, but there's a bookshelf behind my desk." Remy turned to Elizabeth. "You could borrow anything that looks interesting."
Alex nodded, turning to her daughter. “Make sure you find something good! Might learn something about our new captain, love.”
Elizabeth looked to Remy for assurance that it was okay and then stepped toward the ready room doors.
Remy gave Elizabeth a thumbs up, then turned back to Dr. Blackstone.
"The synth ban?" Remy asked. It was a question without judgement or accusations, and there was nothing about her expression that suggested should Blackstone's answer be yes that the answer was an automatic no.
Alex started just a second at the question; surprised to find someone who apparently didn’t have as much of an issue with the synth ban as the majority of Starfleet, let alone someone in her own command. “Ho…; yes, actually. The technology I have been working with for the past six months is indeed from before the synth ban was put in place… some part of my work has been inspired by Commander Data’s construction.”
Remy exchanged a glance with her first officer. "I'd like to find out what kind of research, see what our exposure might be if the wrong person found out about it, and then make a decision. If you want to excuse yourself from those conversation, I understand."
Alex looked to Commander Spello with a brow slightly arched, curious but not wanting to pry. “That sounds completely fair on my end. I am happy to be able to actually talk about my theories on the work… it is honestly one of the more interesting things I have been asked to look into in my career so far.”
Maxun listened to the entire conversation. His El Aurian senses were telling him that there was indeed more to the good doctor's work. Carefully, he asked, "Given the current mood of Starfleet HQ, and the Federation as a whole...would your work to date be more theoretical...or physical?"
“If I am completely honest it is a touch of both, Commander. I have physical tech that I have been analyzing and working with to test my theories; however that being said the work itself is still in a theoretical status.” Alex looked to Spello as she spoke; her face mostly passive though her eyes verified the truth of her statement.
Maxun nodded slightly as he listened. He then glanced to Remy. At the end of the day, as she was commanding officer, the decision on how to proceed was up to her. As she had earned his trust, he would back her play, whatever it may be.
"I look forward to hearing more about it," Remy said with interest. "We should have at least four or five days here given the length of repairs. I'd encourage you to take whatever time you need to get yourself situated, and enjoy a little shore leave while you can," she added.
“That is a splendid idea, Captain. Perhaps the station will have the few things I need to restock from my medical bag.” Alex looked between both of them for a moment before looking toward the ready room. “I should probably retrieve Elizabeth; no doubt that she has commandeered your entire collection of books by now in her search of one or two that interest her.”
Remy gestured with her hand that it was okay for the doctor to go to her Ready Room, and then started walking that way herself. "It's not like I have a lot of spare time for reading right now away," Remy replied. "I'm afraid they've become more decorative over the last year or so."
Alex fell into step beside Remy and smiled. “That is a shame, Captain. If you can manage to pull a small chunk of time every week to help me further Elizabeth’s education I would be thrilled. From what I have read on your dossier and service record I think that she would benefit from having another strong female role model.”
"I'm flattered," Remy responded. "And I'd be honored. She might be bored of me on that frequency, but I'm sure we could work something out." The Captain paused in front the Ready Room doors. "The Winters' daughter is also a very focused and studious individual. I don't know what Elizabeth has in mind for her future, but Alexandra is pretty confident she wants to go to the Academy."
“You wouldn’t know it just looking her over but Elizabeth has a knack for all things engineering. Couple years ago when we were still on Earth she completely rebuilt a 1967 Corvette Stingray that she found abandoned on an outing with her friends.” Alex chuckled slightly as they came to the doors. “I’ll have to see about showing you my photos of her throughout the process. Completely taught herself.”
Maxun made an approving sound. "That is impressive," he said as he looked at the young girl. "How old is she again?"
“Thirteen, for a few more months anyway. I am quite proud of her.” Alex smiled as she spoke. “If I am honest, I think my brother's influence on her is a large part of why she has the gift for engineering.”
Maxun nodded with a slight grin. "And who is your brother? Is he in Starfleet?"
“He is an independent engineer back on Earth. He consults frequently for Starfleet HQ but so far has chosen not to become an officer. I think he values the research labs that he has helped to put together at Daystrom too much. Last I knew he was a research lead on Slipstream. His name is Arend.” She smiled briefly as her thoughts turned to him but quickly refocused on the conversation.
Maxun nodded thoughtfully. Though the most recent breakthroughs in slipstream technology required security clearance, because Astrea was currently operating a prototype, Commander Spello and the elite engineering team on Astrea were kept appraised on briefings. "That's very impressive. I've read a few of his theories and reports. From what I understand of the science, he could very well be on the verge of a breakthrough."
“That’s his hope. I’ve acted as an advisor on the project here and there due to my expertise with humanoid brains. There was a big concern with the early project about the effects of slipstream on the neural function of the various species within Starfleet. Arend picked up the project after our father passed. Rear Admiral Jørgensson, he passed due to a malfunction with the original salvaged Borg tech in the early days.” Alex explained; just a touch of haze crossing her face as she remembered the event.
"I'm sorry for your loss." There wasn't much else the Captain knew to say. There was never really anything that could be said. Lives were lost too often in Starfleet, whether that be pushing the limits of technology or fighting against aggressive forces. Nothing brought them back.
"Anyway, we should let you both get checked into quarters, settled in on the ship, and maybe even some time planetside. I don't know that Astrea will be scheduled for much of that in normal course. We'll work on getting you everything you need. We are glad to have you both. And I am looking forward to getting to know you better."
Remy gave both Alexandra and Elizabeth a warm smile. She was sure the child was at least eager to move along with her day.
“That is too true of a statement. I don’t often sleep in transit to a new assignment so taking some extra time to settle in and unpack sounds brilliant.” Alex placed a hand around Elizabeth’s shoulders and headed toward the turbolift. “And thank you, Captain.”
Captain Remira Johansen
Commanding Officer
USS Astrea
Commander Maxun Spello
First Officer
USS Astrea
Lieutenant Alexandra Blackstone
Assistant Chief Medical Officer
USS Astrea
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