[ In transit from the science lab to the briefing room]
Vaed'rehai tr'Ragarok was overwhelmed with work. He was still completing the overhaul on the science lab, which now had the necessity of bringing more sensors online earlier than he had planned. He also had to prep the science department for study of the anomaly that had been reported on long-range sensors. It was at his most busy, of course, when he had been called to the briefing room to be interviewed by tr'Nerik.
So when tr'Ragarok arrived at the door, he stepped right in without
hesitation. His mind was too busy to be nervous. tr'Nerik was sitting in the head chair, scanning through the ISD before him. He glanced up at the sound of the doors opening.
"Jolan Tru, Erien, be seated." The two stared at each other for a second. It occurred to both of them at the same time that they had never much spoke before. The political officer had enough common sense and had heard enough rumors to steer clear of the science lab, while the science officer never much had a reason to speak with "the professor of political science". Still, Ragarok complied and sat. The thought occurred to him he had NO IDEA what this was about, having not been out of the science lab in a long time, nor had anyone had the chance to inform him of the commanding officer's "loyalty test."
Nerik, who hadn't relished this much either, began. "Your background is a bit...sketchy...it lists your parents as not known, nor do I have a birth-date for you. Care to explain?"
"Hmm..." The science officer leaned back, and stroked his beard, genuinely concentrating hard. "No one's ever asked me about that before. People usually ask me questions like 'what are entropic quantum fluctuations?', which is quite a fascinating field that..."
Nerik noted to himself to make sure not to lose the detached scientist and to stick to the main points. He interrupted Ragarok quickly into the explanation. "Have you had any experience with the Tal'Shiar?"
"Tal'Shiar? Hmm... not directly that I know of... But some people have had the gall to tell *me* that I must have been a Tal'Shiar genetic experiment gone wrong! Oh, and Raith said he was pretty sure it was the Tal'Shiar that had gotten me my job as Professor at the University."
Nerik noted all of this. "Speaking of the Erie'Riov, what is the connection between you and tr'Raith?"
"tr'Raith and I had been in contact while I was a Professor. He had heard of some of my experiments, and even read some of my books!" The scientist's grin rose at the mention of this, but then continued. "Eventually, he approached me offering me my own lab, a staff, and freedom to conduct my experiments (within reason, of course). He also promised the chance to test my theories in active duty situations, something I could not achieve at the University. The only stipulation was I had to use the equipment and my know-how to help him and his fellow professors out on his starship when needed. So I got my lab, and he got his own resident genius. This arrangement has worked out perfectly, in my opinion."
"You seem to be loyal to tr'Raith, but what is your opinion of the acting commanding officer?"
"Commanding... oh! Mister Kandeen? Well, I'm sure he's a good guy. I haven't spoken with him much. He does seem to push people pretty hard, even though it doesn't seem to me to be necessary. I and the fellow professors have always performed to the best of our abilities, and I don't think that will change."
Satisfied, Nerik moved on to one final question. "So what are your ambitions aboard this ship, Erien?"
"My ambitions? Why, the same as anyone else's... to further Science! Also, once I've helped Raith out with this SNR, NNR, NRR, NPR, whatever it is, I'd like to get my own science vessel constructed based on my design. I'd then like to be in charge of it, my grand ship Cradol (fate)."
"I see. Well Ragarok, you're free to return to duty, I'm sure you have
plenty to do."
"83.734 things, actually. Next time, I'll ask you the questions!" Ragarok stood up, and quickly left the room, already distracted back to his work.
Nerik sighed as he thought over the information at hand about the Chief of Science. The first noticeable suspicious feature about him was his Federation accent. It was slight, but noticeable to one trained in that area. Ragarok had some obvious Tal'Shiar influences upon his life, whether he is aware of them or not. Whether he was genetically engineered by them and if so for what purpose was impossible to say. He also had a nearly impossible ignorance of the Kalen's mission and political structure, especially for one of it's senior staff. And his early past was a virtual blank. A pro would have manufactured one, but still... No doubt about it, Ragarok was highly suspicious, and that fact would be impossible to disguise in the Political officer's report.
Nerik's analytical mind began to work. Was the eccentric scientist more than he appeared? Was his appearance of detachment merely a ruse to drop everyone's guard? Or was there something in his very genetic code that would cause him to betray the things he loved? Worse yet, what if he had higher plans for the Kalen and it's crew?
No one ever said being a political officer was easy.
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