Time To Take Time Off

Posted on 02 Nov 2025 @ 10:28pm by Lieutenant Commander Adrian Sorvak & Ensign Mira Quinn

442 words; about a 2 minute read

=/\= Science Labs =/\=

The ship was about to dock at Starbase 369, and Lt Cmdr Sorvak was making final rounds through the science department — one last inspection before their arrival.

The samples collected on Tarvik III were neatly organized and properly tagged for transfer. Sorvak paused at the containment chamber that held the nanobots recovered after the buoy explosion. The stasis field shimmered faintly around them. They were inert now — no longer a risk to the ship — but Sorvak would not rest easy until they were safely offloaded to the base’s quarantine facility.

Tricorders were stacked precisely on the storage racks, their power indicators dimmed. Calibration panels along the bulkhead showed all systems within tolerance. The entire space spoke of order, efficiency, control.

The lab was nearly empty. Most officers had already gone, as ordered. But Sorvak paused when he saw Ensign Quinn still at her console, the soft light of the display reflecting in her eyes.

He stepped silently behind her.
“What are you doing, Ensign?”

As expected, Quinn jumped. She had been so focused on her work that she hadn’t heard the Chief Science Officer approach. She scrambled to her feet, eyes flicking nervously to the console.
“I was just finishing my reports, sir.”

“The mission is over,” Sorvak said evenly. “I told everyone — including you — to take time off.”

“Yes, sir.”

A long pause followed. The steady hum of the stasis field filled the silence.

“I’ll finish up here,” she added quickly.

Sorvak studied her. He knew that if he left now, she would do anything but finish.

“I appreciate your commitment, Ensign,” he said at last, “but I do not need officers who are burnt out.”

He let the quiet stretch for a moment before continuing.

“You have good scientific instincts. I saw that after the buoy explosion — you maintained composure and offered sound methodology for identifying the cause of the explosion.”

Quinn blinked, uncertain where this was going. “Thank you, sir.”

“But this department does not run on overwork and defiance. I expect my officers to demonstrate discipline, teamwork, and trust. You need to trust me — even when I tell you to take time off.”

“Sir, I’m just trying to—” She trailed off. There was no way to finish that sentence without sounding like she was trying too hard to impress him.

“I understand, Ensign. I have been a young officer too.” He inclined his head slightly — the Vulcan equivalent of patience. “But I need to know you will follow my orders.”

Quinn nodded. Slowly, deliberately, she turned and powered down her console.

=/\=

Lt Cmdr Adrian Sorvak
Chief Science Officer

&

Ens Mira Quinn
Science Officer

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