"Brass and Ambition"

[Guest Vulcan3324]

"Brass and Ambition"

Ensign Sean Xiang and Lieutenant j.g. T'Parek

Joint Log

December 11, 2155

 

Sean made his way to the launch bay door with Lieutenant j.g. T'Parek. The good Admiral Gardner was departing the bay in almost the opposite direction. And though Sean would never have admitted to it, he was a bit relieved. He looked up, and gave a small polite grin to his new colleague.

 

She raised an eyebrow at the new recruit, not quite certain what to make of him. He didn't appear to be particularly overjoyed with the brass' antics, but then again, he didn't let any discomfort show. Almost a Vulcan quality about him... "Welcome to Challenger, Ensign. I hear that you are to join the Science Department, no?"

 

"Thank you, and yes, that is correct, ma'am," Sean allowed the smile to fade. " I am looking forward to meeting Lieutenant Grey. I hear he is a fine officer." Sean pulled his arms crossed against his back, a way he would often walk and stand. "Of course from what I hear, the entire crew is pretty exceptional."

 

The faintest flicker of amusement crossed her face before it disappeared as quickly as it appeared. "It may interest you to know that I served under Mr. Grey for a sizable amount of time myself. He is one of the finest scientists that you will find in the Fleet. You'll also find him intellectually complex, and should have many fascinating discussions with him." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "You won't find a better crew in the Fleet, with the possible exception of the communications officer," she added, referring to herself.

 

"Why would you say that?" Sean turned his face up towards the Vulcan beside him. "I would not let Admiral Gardner catch you speaking that way..." Sean shuddered just slightly, remembering his earlier encounter with the Admiral aboard the Pegasus.

 

T'Parek raised one eyebrow as the two stepped into a turbolift. "While I have respect for Admiral Gardner's achievements as a Starfleet officer, and for the rank that he has undoubtedly certainly earned, I have little respect for him as a person." She pushed the button inset in the lift for the Bridge. "He had no right to treat you as he did, especially when one considers that you haven't been in Starfleet for a large amount of time."

 

Sean shrugged. "It is the way of the brass. Expect perfection in order to have it returned unto you." Sean turned his head to look at T'Parek. "However, while an admirable goal ... perfection is an impossibility. There are simply too many factors ... too many variables to consider."

 

This human impressed her. Again, she was impressed by how Vulcan he seemed to be. "And what led you to join Starfleet?"

 

Sean smiled a bit. "The most basic of all human needs." He met her gaze steadily. "The need to know." They stood there ... just a moment, eyes locked. Then he mused on just a bit. "But I suppose that is what led me to become a scientist. As to what led me to Starfleet." He looked back at the turbolift door. "Well, I guess I thought that it would open new areas to me. Along with the opportunity ... to make something of myself."

 

"I see," she answered. "The quest for knowledge is one of nearly all species, particularly that of mine." She sighed as the lift begrudgingly inched towards the Bridge. "I joined with similar ambitions, and I have not been ... disappointed."

 

"You say that as if you expected you to be disappointed." Sean raised a single eyebrow. "To that end, I was under the impression that Vulcans did not take part in such emotions. At least not at the level humans experience them."

 

She glanced at him askance. "I was not in any way expressing an emotion. I was merely using the human idiomatic expression."

 

Sean leveled his brow and turned back towards the door. "I am sure." It felt like they had been conversing for hours, though Sean was acutely aware it had been only minutes. He was already liking it here. First a perfectionist Admiral, then an interesting Vulcan ... what more could a junior officer ask for?

 

The turbolift arrived at the Bridge, and T'Parek motioned for the newest crewmember to exit as she headed for her communications station. "It was agreeable to meet you, Ensign Xiang."

 

Sean nodded politely with another one of those Starfleet smiles. "It was a pleasure, Lieutenant T'Parek." Sean exited the Turbolift and turned towards where he reasoned the Captain would be. Challenger, he thought, this should be an ... he glanced back at T'Parek, most interesting experience.

END LOG